SPORTS WRAP
BY WILLIAM HATHAWAY, JR.
PHOTOS BY FELICIA LAGUERRE OWENS
In college basketball action, the Seton Hall women’s basketball team was in action at home, defeating DePaul 96-74. Leading the Pirates to the dominant win was Ja’Kahla Craft with 26 points on a perfect 11-11 from the field along with 4 rebounds. Junior point guard Savannah Catalon had 17 points and 3 rebounds, Jordana Codio had 17 points and 11 rebounds and Mariana Valenzuela added a double double with 13 points and 13 rebounds.
SHU outrebounded DePaul 44-32, had 52 points in the paint, 18 bench points and 7 blocks. The Seton Hall women are now 17-6 on the season overall and 11-5 in the Big East Conference. They will host their last home game of the season on Senior Day at home this Sunday against St. John’s.
Meanwhile, the Seton Hall men’s team was on the road against and came back with a 63-56. AJ Staton-McCray led 18-8 SHU with 19 points and Mike Williams had 10.
The annual boys and girls Essex County Tournament took place at West Orange High School, away from the usual Essex County College location. In the first game of the day, the Lady Phoenix of University High School scored a win over top seed Caldwell 48-46. Leading UHS was Arelle Edwards with 15 points and 11 rebounds and Carryn Grand-Pierre with 13 points. Tea Fiore gave Caldwell 11 points and Elena Kearns had 13. University outrebounded Caldwell 26-12 for the upset.
They will move on to play host West Orange this Saturday in the ECT Final. WOHS got to the Final after beating Arts High 38-33. Rhyan Watt led the Mountaineers to the win with 15 points and 7 rebounds while London Caldwell had 12 points and 5 rebounds. Harmoni Burgess 16 points and 6 rebounds for AHS.
On the boys’ side of the bracket, Seton Hall Prep defeated Shabazz 67-43. Leading Prep was Avery George with 22 points and 3 rebounds, Daniel Beazer with 12 points and Anthony Gonzalez with 6 points and 7 rebounds. The Bulldogs got 16 points and 3 rebounds from Zaim Barnes and 10 points from Elijah Colon. SHP will go on to play St. Benedict’s in the Final, after they beat the Arts boys team 56-50.
In other sports, Tyler Reddick won the Daytona 500, giving team owner Michael Jordan his first win in NASCAR’s most prestigious race. NBA All Star Weekend also took place, but there was nothing worthwhile to report.
