Eastside Becomes Sectional Champs 83-71!

Relentless, Relentless, Relentless. That’s the only way to describe this Eastside Highschool basketball team as the #4 seeded Ghost  pulled out an 83-71 win over #2 seeded East Orange Campus at Ramapo Highschool to become the Group 4 North Sectional Champions! The Ghosts did it in style in the fourth quarter. Karon Abraham(23pts,3dimes,3stls),Bryant Lewis(19pts,7dimes,4stls),Antoine Alexander(15pts,7rebs,3stls)and Kumar Davis(6pts,9rebs,4stls) all came up big, but the character of this team is probably best epitomized by 6’1″ forward David Robertson. Even though he didn’t guard him,Robertson found himself down low many times with E.O.’s outstanding 6’7″ forward David Laury,who is being recruited by many D1 programs. Robertson was his usual tough self on the boards offensively,but as he went back up he found Laury many times in his face blocking his shot or creating a forced opportunity. He finished the first half with 5 points and Eastside had a slim 36-31 halftime lead. This however, is what makes Eastside what they are and Robertson in particular what he is. After a hard fought third quarter in which East Orange took a 49-44 lead with 2:30 left, Eastside came back to take the lead  before the quarter ended 51-49 on a Joel Dominguez basket off a loose ball. They preceded to score 32 points in the fourth quarter,primarily because the offensive rebounds Robertson got became baskets as he continued his assault on the basket until his fortune turned  and the pressure defense of the Ghosts finally tired out the Jags. Two of the biggest plays was a three off an inbounds pass from Abraham and a lefthanded basket and foul by Robertson off an offensive rebound.Robertson finished with 16 points,14 rebounds and 2steals. Laury was as good as advertised with 28 points,12 rebounds,7blocked shots and 3assists. But, besides Kliester Klein’s 17 points and 7 rebounds he didn’t get enough help. Eastside now plays at the Dunn Center in Elizabeth on wednesday against Piscataway, who beat Linden.