ORANGE, NJ — The 18th-seeded Orange High School boys basketball team upset No. 15 seed Newark Tech, 68-65, in overtime in the final preliminary round of the Essex County Tournament on Thursday, Feb. 3, in Newark.
The Tornadoes avenged a 48-47 loss to Newark Tech in the annual OHS Martin Luther King Jr. Classic on Jan. 17 in their fourth game of the season.
OHS improved to 2-9 on the season, with both wins coming in the ECT. Their first win was a 65-59 decision over No. 34 seed Montclair Kimberley Academy in the second preliminary round on Monday, Jan. 31, at OHS.
The Tornadoes advanced to the first round on Saturday, Feb. 5, against No. 2 seed Immaculate Conception of Montclair.
In the ECT win over Newark Tech, senior Paul Metellus had 21 points and 17 rebounds, senior Prophete LaFleur had 17 points, freshman Gregory Burton had 13 points, sophomore Da’maree Dyer had 10 points, four rebounds, four assists and four steals; and sophomore Dashawn Provilon had 4 points and nine rebounds.
In the win over MKA, Burton had 21 points; LaFleur had 17 points, eight rebounds and four steals; sophomore Jaden Livingston had 16 points; Metellus had 8 points, 15 rebounds and three blocks; Dashawn Provilon had 4 points and eight rebounds; and Da’maree Dyer had five assists and three steals.
After beating MKA, the Tornadoes fell at Newark Arts, 53-38, Tuesday, Feb. 1, in a Super Essex Conference game.
The Tornadoes have recovered from an 0-8 start to the season. After losing to Montclair in the season–opener on Dec. 17, the Tornadoes went on a pause and returned to action on Jan. 14 when it fell to East Orange Campus, 52-50, at home.
Photo Courtesy of Felicia Laguerre Owens