Here we go again! The saga continues as Eastside H.S. and Kennedy H.S. meet once more, but this time to advance to the Group 4 Sectional Finals. Kennedy pulled out a 71-66 win a couple weeks earlier but when these teams get it on the last game means nothing, the records mean nothing, it’s just about the next game. Kennedy is the #1 seed while Eastside is seeded #4.

                                                Kennedy Tops Bloomfield 69-51

          Shondel Stewart  scored 31 points and Asmar Edwards added 16 points and 8 rebounds as Kennedy forced Bloomfield into 23 turnovers and maintained a double figure lead throughout the second half enroute to a 69-51 quarterfinal Group 4 Sectional tournament win. Stewart scored 16 in the first half and the Knights needed everyone of them as Bloomfield battled to cut the lead to 8 points at the half 35-27. Edwards took over in the second half scoring 10 of his 16 points as Kennedy pulled away. Antoine Alexander had 11 points, 5 rebounds and 4 steals for the Knights. Bloomfield was led by Na’eem Wooten with 15 points, 7 rebounds and 4 steals and Deshawn Jimenez added 12.

                                                          Eastside Defeats West Orange 60-49

            West Orange came to play and proved to have fight in them. The problem was they had to contend with Karon Abraham and Dave Robertson- West. The dynamic duo combined for 43 of the Ghosts 60 points in their 60-49 Group 4 Sectional quarterfinal win.  West also had 15 rebounds on his own as they controlled the backboards. The game was close most of the way but Eastside constantly got big shots from Abraham (22 pts., 5 rebs.) and West (21pts.) and very good point guard play from Bryant Lewis (6 asts., 5 stls.). West Orange stayed in the game primarily due to their 3 point shooting making 9 for the game. Steve Henderson led Orange with 20 points and Rodney Clervil contributed 11 to go with 8 rebounds. Russ Thompson added 10 points and 4 assists for West Orange.

             Depaul moves on in the Parochial A State playoffs with a great team effort against Bergen Catholic, blowing them out 77-57. Depaul,led by star guard Justin Crosgile had balanced scoring and contributions from everyone. Crosgile moved 21 points closer to scoring his 2,oooth career point. He scored 21 points to go along with 6 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals. Crosgile never forced and allowed his teammates to give him a hand. Depaul got a special effort from reserves Keith Ford and Wally Siljame who each scored 14 points off the bench. Mike Minerek added 11 points, Matt Miller 9 points and 7 rebounds and Joe Giacchi 8 points. Bergen Catholic was led by Sean McGuire with 14 while Eric Flanagan had 13 and Mark Richards added 10. Crosgile and Depaul will now go up against St. Peters Prep.

         Eastside’s big 4th quarter overcame a Hackensack rally as they went on to win 75-65 in a Group 4 Sectional State game. With Hackensack down by as much as 16 points in the game, they managed to climb all the way back and take a one point lead 50-49 at the end of the 3rd quarter. The Ghost then outscored the Comets 26-15 in the 4th to win going away. Eastside played most of the game with star player David Robertson-West in foul trouble, so while they got their usual strong game from Robert Morris recruit Karon Abraham who scored 21 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 steals and senior point guard Bryant Lewis who contributed 11 points,5 rebounds and 4 assists the Ghosts needed another player to shine. That ended up being reserve forward Travon Johnson who came off the bench to score 11 points and 5 rebounds. Eastside went ahead 13-3 to start the game and it seemed as if it could be a blowout, but with West(11 pts.,7 rebs.) getting in foul trouble and the deadeye shooting of  Hackensack guard Alex George (22pts., 6 treys, 3 stls) the Comets came all the way back. Eastside found their groove again in the 4th as they forced Hackensack to some turnovers and got a long range three from Abraham to put Eastside up for good 57-52 with 6:07  in the game. Terrell Spaulding added 7 points and 6 rebounds for the Ghosts. Hackensack got a strong game from point guard Romaine Wall who finished with 16 points, 4assists and 3 steals. Brent Cox added 12. Eastside faces West Orange next.