Steinert High senior Frank Ricketti pulls down a rebound during the Spartans’ 29-26 loss Feb. 17, 2009. (Photo by Dave Parsons.)

For the second time in less than four months, Brandon Johnson and his Hamilton High West teammates have gone into Steinert territory and broken the hearts of the Spartans.

Last Thanksgiving Day, Johnson scored a record five touchdowns on the gridiron to lead the Hornets to a lopsided victory in the 50th installment of the annual football rivalry.

And, on Feb. 17, Johnson again willed his team to victory, as 10th-seeded Hamilton squeaked out a 29-26 win against ninth-seeded Steinert on the hardwood at Steinert High School in the opening round of the Mercer County Tournament.

Johnson, a senior guard, scored 12 points to lead the Hornets (8-13) in the tightly contested affair. He also did the majority of the ball-handling and grabbed a huge defensive rebound with 8.3 seconds remaining to help secure the game.

“(Johnson) came onto our field on Thanksgiving Day and beat us single-handedly. Tonight, he did the same thing,” said Steinert boys’ basketball head coach Al Mostrangeli.

Actually, team captain Johnson did have a little help, as center Paul Piromalli hit a left-handed, turn-around jumper in the lane with 1:40 left in the contest to give Hamilton the lead, 27-26.

Matt Williams also sank two crucial free throws with 59.7 seconds remaining to put the Hornets up by three.

Mike Constantini, who missed a long 3-pointer at the final horn, led the Spartans (11-11) with 11 points, nine of which came in the second half.

The first half featured a combination of good defense and poor shooting, as both teams struggled to find the basket. Steinert shot six for 45 from the field, while Hamilton managed only 11 field goals.

“You’re not going to win any game when you shoot six for 45. Our offensive ineptitude was the difference in this game,” an animated and frustrated Mostrangeli said.

With the score tied at 13, Johnson raced into the frontcourt and hit a high-arching three at the halftime buzzer to give the Hornets a much-needed boost.

“I knew I didn’t have enough time to get to the basket,” Johnson said of the shot. “It gave us energy going into the second half.”

The season has been a difficult one for Hamilton West, as they are going to miss the state tournament for the first time in eight years. Steinert qualified for states and will play at Sayreville on March 2.

Hamilton coach Chris Raba said, “We’re not used to this around here, but (the MCT) is our state tournament.”

Each time the Hornets take the floor is one game closer to the last one for five seniors. Johnson, however, said he’s played every game since his freshman year like it was his last.

That mantra probably wouldn’t surprise Mostrangeli, who surely will be glad to see Johnson graduate.