Columbia girls hoops notches victories; boys hoops enjoys win streak; wrestling team preps for ECT

MAPLEWOOD, NJ — The Columbia High School girls basketball team defeated Verona and Newark Tech in consecutive games to improve to a 5-2 record on the season.

The Cougars won, 57-55, at Veron on Jan. 9.

Two days later, Columbia downed Newark Tech, 58-31, at home. Maia Little, a senior, scored 17 points and junior Corteney Provilon-Louis had eight points to lead CHS. Shana Desire, a freshman, had seven points in the win.

CHS boys hoops wins four games in a row

The Columbia High School boys basketball team enjoyed a four-game winning streak.

Andrew Rowley had 23 points and fellow sophomore Xavier Sprosta had 16 points in the 83-41 win over Long Branch on Jan. 5 at Brookdale Community College. Josiah Lawful, a junior, had six points and eight rebounds; junior Chris Darcelin had seven points and seven rebounds and junior Tevin Benton added six points.

Nigel Garcia, a junior, scored 23 points and Lawful had 18 points and 11 rebounds in the 58-51 win at Newark West Side on Jan. 7. Rowley had six points and 10 rebounds and freshman Jalen Robinson had seven points and seven assists.

CHS lost at West Orange, 50-38, Jan. 11. The loss ended the winning streak. The Cougars moved to a 5-4 record.

CHS wrestling team preps for ECT

The Columbia High School wrestling team will gear up for the 45th Essex County Tournament at Richard J. Codey Arena in West Orange, today, Jan. 16, at 4 p.m. and tomorrow, Jan.17, at 6 p.m.