SPORTS WRAP
STORY & PHOTOS BY WILLIAM HATHAWAY, JR.
This week, the City of Orange hosted a HBCU Day at Lincoln Avenue School as a part of its Elementary Basketball League program. Parents, community leaders, and more attended this event at the school. Teams taking part in the event were 4-7 grade squads from host Lincoln Avenue, Rosa Parks, Heywood Avenue, and Oakwood Avenue. Also attending the event was the Orange High School ROTC and former OHS graduate Kevin Johnson who sang the National Anthem. Among those recognized were the coaches of all the teams and former Orange Recreation Supervisor Keith Pressey, who was honored for his dedication and service to the Orange community.
Last weekend, the 76th Annual Essex County Tournament has concluded in Newark. In the boys’ title game on Feb. 18, a strong Seton Hall Prep team kept to its winning ways, beating Arts High 46-32. Seton Hall Prep has a winning record of 20-4 on the season and a 9-3 conference record in the Super Essex Conference. The win gave the school back to back ECT crowns.
Leading the Pirates to the win was Ethan Maynard with 19 points and 6 rebounds; teammate Darrius Phillips had 15 points and 7 rebounds. Leading Arts was Spencer Joyner with 9 points in the game and Anthony Akande with 9 rebounds and 2 steals. Arts High has a record of 17-8 on the season and 9-2 in the Super Conference division.
In the girls’ tournament finals, the University High flew high all season as one of the top ranked teams in Essex County. However, the Lady Phoenix fell short in the county tournament final, as Montclair Immaculate won its second ever ECT. MI beat UHS 60-54 in a close game. Immaculate was led by Tyonna Bailey with 26 points and 5 rebounds and Nila Giraud with 18 points and 9 rebounds. Leading University was Paradise Fisher with 12 points and 6 rebounds and a strong effort by Michaela Guest with 10 rebounds. Destiny Bynum-Johnson chipped in 11 points and 8 rebounds. University has an overall record of 22-6 on the season.
On the college hardwood, the Seton Hall University women’s basketball team scored a big victory on Senior Day at Walsh Gym in South Orange. Before the game, there was a pregame ceremony honoring all seniors in all sports, and it was also National Women’s Sports Day. Seniors on the women’s basketball team included star Lauren Park Lane, Alexia Allesch, Victoria Keenan, Mya Bembry, Sidney Cooks, and Kailah Harris.
As for the game itself, the Lady Pirates won their 10th Big East Conference game of the season by beating Xavier 72-59. Seton Hall improved to 17-11 overall, with Park Lane putting on 20 points and 10 assists. Azana Baines had 19 points and 10 rebounds, and Sidney Cooks added 10 points in the win.
Finally, Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. broke a long winless drought and took home his first Daytona 500, while Team Giannis beat Team LeBron 184-175 in the NBA All-Star Game.
