East Orange Campus HS girls’ basketball team defeats Franklin to capture state North Jersey Section 2, Group 4 tournament title

EAST ORANGE – The East Orange Campus High School girls’ varsity basketball team has had its season end by Franklin in each of the last two seasons.

But not this time.

The second-seeded Lady Jaguars were the ones to end Franklin’s season with a 43-27 victory in the state North Jersey Section 2, Group 4 tournament championship game on Tuesday, March 8 in front of a packed EOCHS gym.

The Jaguars won a sectional title for the second consecutive season and third in four years, improving to a 24-3 record.

Sophomore center Moriyah Jordan scored 17 points with 10 rebound and four blocks and freshman guard Brianna Mills had nine points and four steals to lead the Jaguars.

Senior guard Sahara Crawford had seven points and five rebounds; senior forward Barbara Jackson had six points, 10 rebounds and three assists;senior guard Marvellous Osagie-Erese had three points, 11 assists, seven steals and three rebounds;  and freshman guard Lakel Willis added a free throw for the Jaguars.

The first half was a tight defensive battle. EOCHS led 8-7 at the end of the first quarter and 15-13 at halftime.

But in the third quarter, the Jaguars broke open the game. Mills hit a three-pointer as time expired to give the Jaguars’ their biggest lead, 28-18, at the end of the third quarter.

EOCHS maintained control in the fourth quarter and secure the title.

Franklin, denied a three-peat Section 2, Group 4 title, finished the season with a 14-10 record.

It marked the fourth straight year both teams met in the postseason. The Jaguars lost to Franklin in the 2014 Section 2, Group 4 final, denying them a repeat title. Last season, EOCHS won the Section 1, Group 4 championship, but lost to Franklin in the state Group 4 semifinals. In 2012, EOCHS beat Franklin in the first round.

EOCHS head coach Derrick Johnson simply was happy for his team for winning another sectional title.

“It feels good. I am so happy for my seniors,” said Johnson, whose team will play in the state Group 4 semifinals on March 10 against Section 1, Group 4 champion Paterson Kennedy at neutral site Union High School. “But we still have some more work to do; some unfinished business. I am just very ecstatic for our seniors. I am just happy and for the opportunity to keep playing. I love these girls. They fought. Whatever happens after this, I (still) love them.”

The state Group 4 championship game will be held Sunday, March 13, at the Pine Belt Arena in Toms River.

EO roster

#1 Marvellous Osagie-Erese

#33 Moriyah Jordan

#32 Barbara Jackson

#5 Brianna Mills

#3 Sahara Crawford

#11 Lauren Lewter

#12 Lakel Willis