NUTLEY, NJ (updated Sunday Feb. 5, 2:18 p.m.) – Sophomore Marty Higgins scored a team-high 20 points to lead the 23rd-seeded Nutley High School boys’ varsity basketball team to a 68-64 upset win over 22nd-seeded Irvington in the preliminary second round of the Essex County Tournament on Feb. 4 at Irvington High School.
Juniors Matt Schettino, Elmer Zamora and Anthony Fabiano each had 16 points for the Raiders, who improved to a 9-10 record.
The Raiders and Irvington each had a bye in the preliminary first round.
The Raiders showed strong resolve in gutting out the win.
“We played well when it counted,” said NHS head coach Bob Harbison. “We struggled a bit with their defensive pressure, but our shooting kept us in the game. Despite foul trouble with a few key players (Matt Schettino, Andrew Olivo), we managed to not let the game get away from us. Both Marty Higgins and Anthony Fabiano hit big three-pointers late in the game to secure the win. John McAloon played great defense for us late in the game. When we have the balanced scoring that we did, we’re a much better team.”
Nutley will visit 11th-seeded Verona in the preliminary third round on or by Feb. 9. The winner will visit sixth-seeded Columbia in the first round on Feb. 11.
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