Irvington HS boys’ basketball team starts season 10-0

Photo by Steve Ellmore.
Kymani Dunbar, right, has been a key player for the Blue Knights this season.

IRVINGTON, NJ – The Irvington High School boys’ varsity basketball team started 10-0 before losing its first game of the season.

The Blue Knights defeated Cristo Rey (formerly Christ the King Prep), 92-67, Jan. 8 at Cristo Rey in Newark for their 10th win. Karriem Thomas had 29 points, six rebounds, four assists and three steals and fellow junior Dezlyn Sebastian had 13 points, six steals and five assists.

Irvington trailed 15-12 at the end of the first quarter, but outscored Christo Rey, 30-8, in the second quarter for a 42-23 halftime lead. Moses Pierre, a junior, had 12 points, seven rebounds and two blocks; sophomore Jhazaire Head had 10 points; junior Nazamier Brooks had eight points and three assists; junior Kymani Dunbar had seven points, five rebounds, five assists and four steals; senior Dameer Vital posted five points and four assists; junior Kyle Benson had four points and three rebounds; junior Taiyon Battle added two points and three assists; and junior Shawn Bessellieu added two points.

IHS fell to American History, 63-50, Jan. 10 at home for its first loss. Dunbar had 15 points, 10 rebounds, four assists and three steals; Pierre had 13 points, 10 rebounds, three blocks and two assists; Thomas posted 10 points; Vital had six points; Brooks had four points and Sebastian had two points, three assists and three rebounds.

Upcoming games

Jan. 15, at Nutley, 6 p.m.

Jan. 17, Newark Tech, 4 p.m.

Jan. 19, at Marist, 5:45 p.m.

Jan. 22, Montclair Kimberley Academy, 4 p.m.

Jan. 24, at Glen Ridge, 4 p.m.

Jan. 26, at Newark East Side, 1 p.m.

Jan. 28, University, 7 p.m.

Coach Elias Brantley named Teachers Who Rock award recipient

IHS boys’ varsity basketball head coach Elias Brantley was named a 2019 Teachers Who Rock award recipient by WDHA radio station.. Brantley, a math teacher at iHS, is one of 24 award recipients. He was nominated by IHS Athletic Director Dr. John Taylor. Last year, IHS head varsity softball coach Jenna Weiss was a Teachers Who Rock award recipient.