Passaic Loses In Double O.T. To East Orange 77-70!

Passaic……….It didn’t start out good for Passaic H.S. in their 77-70 lost to East Orange Campus. They lost their best defensive player in Junior Andre Dixon with 6:30 of the 1st quarter with a foot injury and with the exception of Senior Tyshon Pickett shot the ball horribly. Still they found themselves taking the game into overtime on 2 free throws by Senior Najee Salaam and sending it into a second overtime on a jumper by Pickett. East Orange Campus had control of the game most of the contest because of the play of 6’7 Junior Mario Moody Jr (pictured #23)and Junior point guard Tyrone Kornegay(#1). Moody was spectacular scoring 26 points and grabbing 13 rebounds, but the most impressive aspect of his game was his shot blocking ability. He swatted away 7 shots and intimidated on at least a half dozen more. Kornegay was the best guard on the floor going for 22 points and dishing out 8 assists. With the help of Muhamadu Kaba ( 10 pts,7 stls) and Domonique Depts (9 pts, 4stls) it looked like it would be an easy night for the Jaguars. They took a 45-33 lead into the 4th quarter, but Passaic to their credit did not give in. They cut the lead to one 58-57 on a Pickett bucket. After Kornegay went one of two from the line, Salaam hit two clutch free throws with 7 seconds on the clock to send the game into it’s first overtime 59-59. Moody took over in the beginning of the overtime but Passaic again found itself with a chance to tie. Pickett’s jumper with 21 seconds left sent the game into another overtime. The final overtime was all East Orange as they tired the Indians out and Moody and Kornegay closed the show. Passaic’s Pickett ended his highschool career with 31 points and 12 rebounds and Salaam finished with 14 points, 15 rebounds and 4 steals. East Orange will move on in the North 1 Group 4 playoffs

Note: Hoop Journal would like to acknowledge the highschool careers of seniors Gilbert Morales, Najee Salaam and Tyshon Pickett. Salaam(far right) and Pickett(right) in particular both left their names in a school full of past legends.They will not soon be forgotten. HOOPS JOURNAL HOPES FOR THE BEST IN THE FUTURE!