EAST ORANGE – The 12th-seeded East Orange Campus High School boys’ varsity basketball team enjoyed a strong run in the state North Jersey Section 2, Group 4 tournament.
The Jaguars lost to top-seeded and three-time defending champion Linden, 67-35, in the semifinals on Saturday, March 5, at Linden.
Senior guard Jordan Taylor scored 12 points on four 3-pointers; senior guard Marquise Kindel had 11 points; senior center Zack Williams had five; junior guard Mekhi Chester had three and senior forward Arthur Mitchell and junior guard Syid Daniels each had two for the Jaguars, who finished the season with an impressive 17-11 record.
Linden, ranked No. 5 in the state, led 14-10 at the end of the first quarter and broke open the game with a 22-3 second quarter for a 36-13 halftime lead. Linden improved to 20-5 and will host third-seeded Newark East Side in the sectional final on Monday, March 7.
The Jaguars, who defeated fifth-seeded Woodbridge, 71-53, in the first round, and fourth-seeded Ridge, 65-5, in the quarterfinals, were seeking to reach a second straight sectional final. Last season, EOCHS fell to Paterson Eastside in overtime in the Section 1, Group 4 final.
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