SPORTS WRAP
BY WILLIAM HATHAWAY, JR.
PHOTOS BY FELICIA LAGUERRE OWENS
This past weekend in Newark the first annual Essex Fest boys’ basketball tournament was held, featuring five games.
In the first game, West Caldwell Tech defeated Paterson Kennedy 59-43. The next game had the East Orange Jaguars keep their momentum over Ridgewood High 54-45. James Roberts had 20 points and five rebounds for EO, while Azahn Collins came off the bench and made four 3 pointers to go with 16 points and eight rebounds. Andrew Berry led Ridgewood with 10 points.
In the third game, Seton Hall Prep dominated St. Mary’s of Rutherford 94-58. Anthony Gonzalez led the now 6-2 Pirates to victory with 22 points. St. Mary’s was led by Matt Kennedy with 25 points.
The event was hosted by Newark Tech, who extended their win streak to six after beating Roselle 61-54. Zahmir Robinson posted a double-double with 12 points and 12 rebounds while Vashawn Harper had 20 points and seven rebounds to push Tech to 7-2 on the year.
Finally, the night cap saw College Achieve of Asbury Park slip by Payne Tech 75-72.
In other basketball, the Seton Hall men won another Big East Conference game at home. This one came in comeback fashion, as SHU came back from 16 down to stun Creighton 56-54 in front of a big crowd at the Prudential Center. Seton Hall, now 13-2 on the season, got 28 points off the bench and only had 8 turnovers.
Meanwhile, the Seton Hall ladies trounced the Georgetown Hoyas 81-36. Leading the Pirates to the win was Savannah Catalon with 14 points, Jada Eads with 12 points, and Zahraa Bishop with 11 points. SHU is 10-5 on the season, and the 45-point victory set a new women’s basketball record on New Year’s Eve.
Finally, “Black Monday” in the NFL left the Cardinals, Raiders, Falcons, Browns and even Ravens looking for new head coaches.
