SPORTS WRAP
BY WILLIAM HATHAWAY, JR.
PHOTOS BY FELICIA LAGUERRE OWENS
This past week, the Essex County College women’s basketball team was in action at home against Raritan Valley Community College. The Seahawks played well, but lost a tough one to RVCC 55-52 before a decent crowd. The young squad is led by head coach Jahreal Cadogan and look to have brighter days ahead. On sophomore night, Jakira Coar led with 28 points along with another sophomore Basirat Animashaun, who had 13 rebounds and four blocks shots.
ECC competes in the Garden State Athletic Conference. The team racked up wins against Howard Community College, Salem Community College, and Delaware Technical Community College 83-64, where Animashaun had 23 points. Other key players to keep an eye out for include Kayley Lynch and Natalie Fonseca.
In Division I college basketball action, the Seton Hall men’s basketball team shocked the defending National Champions and 6th ranked team in the country. The Pirates beat UConn in overtime 69-68, marking the fourth consecutive season in beating the Huskies at home. This broke The Hall’s nine game losing streak.
Sophomore Isaiah Coleman led the Pirates with 23 points and 8 rebounds, and Godswill Erhericne had 12 points and 10 rebounds. Connecticut was led by Alex Karaban’s 20 points and 6 rebounds while Solo Ball had 15 points and 7 rebounds and Liam McNeeley had 11 points and 9 rebounds. UConn turned the ball over an uncharacteristic 16 times. The win helped SHU to somewhat salvage a dismal 7-18 season.
Of course, the Seton Hall women’s team have the opposite record at 18-7, thanks to a win on the road over Providence 59-38. Leading the Lady Pirates were freshman Jada Eads with 13 points and 4 rebounds and Faith Masonius with 12 points and 9 rebounds. Seton Hall is 18-7 10-4 in the Big East, and are looking good for making the Tournament in March.
In the Essex County Tournament high school boys’ semifinals, top seeded Seton Hall Prep beat St. Benedict’s 70-66. Dylan Guzzardo led Prep with 22 points while Alex Ante had 12 points and 8 rebounds. Leading St. Benedict’s was Michai White with 34 points and Chase Bay had 11 points. In the other game, Payne Tech continued their 12 game winning streak after beating Arts High 55-43. Leading Payne Tech was Jamir Westry with 26 points and 4 rebounds and Gerald Edwell with 13 points and 20 rebounds. Arts High was led by Kareem Anthony with 17 points. Payne Tech is 17-5 and will play Seton Hall Prep in the Essex County Tournament finals at Essex County College at 1 pm this Saturday.
In the girls’ bracket, West Orange defeated Glen Ridge 43-38. Rhyan Watt led 19-6 WOHS with 16 points and Anaya Karriem had 16 points and 14 rebounds. In the other game, Montclair Immaculate beat University 72-55. They will play West Orange for the Essex County Tournament Championship this Saturday at 3 pm at Essex County College.
Finally, Stephen Curry was named as All Star MVP in the NBA’s reimagined All Star Game. Meanwhile, Tyler Herro won the 3 Point Shootout and Mac McClung became the first player to win three consecutive Slam Dunk titles.
