PASSAIC COUNTY TOURNAMENT : Eastside Rallys To Beat West Milford 64-56!

Paterson……… Eastside Highschool overcame a 10-0 run to start the game and a 15-6 1st quarter to beat West Milford Highschool 64-56 in the Passaic County tournament game in what was a   very competitive contest. West Milford came out fast led by junior Connor Healy (pictured in black)who coming off a groin injury had his game going right away. He did it from the inside and the outside. The groin wasn’t completely healed and he had to come out of the game at times when he was definitely needed and it did hurt West Milford. The Ghosts trailed, but fought back to take the lead at the end of the 1st half 30-28 on a 3 point shot from senior Randy Blue at the buzzer. Eastside, which has gotten inconsistent play in the back court this year got good games from senior Marquis Matthews who finished with 16 points with most coming in the first half and Blue in the middle of the contest to account for his 11 points and also from senior Janif Green who finished the game with 13 points, most of those coming down the stretch for Eastside. West Milford took the lead back with 6:42 in the 3rd on a Tyler Coyle layup but Eastside took the lead back as junior Isaiah Brinson came off the bench to provide needed defense as he made 3 consecutive steals to account for 6 straight Eastside points. West Milford again made a run late but free throws from Terrell Spaulding helped Eastside maintain the lead and walk away with the win. Besides Matthews, Green and Blue (all pictured ) the Ghosts got 11 points and 10 rebounds from Spaulding and 6points and 7 boards from senior Chris Albuquerque. Healy who was West Milford’s star the entire game finished with 26 points and 8 rebounds. Coyle added 11 points and 10 boards. Dan Gunderson contributed 8 points. Eastside who played without the services of senior Allen Dantzler (back) and lost senior Travon Johnson (shoulder) during the game  will now play Paterson Catholic in the quarterfinals at Kennedy H.S. saturday.