Bloomfield HS boys’ basketball team falls to West Orange

BLOOMFIELD – The Bloomfield High School boys’ varsity basketball team lost to West Orange, 62-49, Monday, Feb. 1, at home to move to a 6-10 record.

Najeem Wilson had 14 points, senior Brandon Abplanalp had 12 points and Michael Ramos and Myles Toppin each had seven points for BHS, which led 15-10 at the end of the first quarter, but West Orange rallied with a 22-8 second quarter to lead 32-23 at halftime.

The 14th-seeded Bengals will host No. 31 seed Newark Collegiate Academy in the second preliminary round of the 70th Essex County Tournament on or by Feb. 6. The winner will face either No. 19 North 13th Street Tech or No. 26 Newark Arts on or by Feb. 11.

Seton Hall Prep, the defending champion, is the No. 1 seed. East Side is No. 2; University is No. 3 and Newark Central is No. 4.