Belleville HS boys’ basketball team defeats Newark Academy

BELLEVILLE – Mohammed Yousef scored 21 points and grabbed 12 rebounds and Andre Velez had 20 points, five assists and six steals to lead the Belleville High School boys’ varsity basketball team to a 69-65 come-from-behind win over Newark Academy on Jan. 26 at home.

Kayson Wilder had 12 points for the Bucs, who erased a 42-40 halftime deficit by outscoring Newark Academy, 17-13, in the third quarter and 12-10 in the fourth. James Laquindanum had eight points; Ethan Luarca had seven; Alcides DosReis had six; Adrielle Henson added three and Dave McAllister chipped in two as the Bucs won their second straight to improve to a 5-8 record.

In their previous game, the Bucs defeated Bard, 74-52, Jan. 22, to snap a three-game losing streak. Youseff led the Bucs with 14 points; Luarca had 12; Laquindanum had 11; McAlister and Wilder each scored nine; DosReis and Brandon Torres each had five; Jose Gallardo added three; and Henson, Paolo Hinahon and Velez each had two.