MAPLEWOOD – The Columbia High School boys’ varsity basketball team lost at St. Anthony of Jersey City, the No. 1-ranked team in the state, 63-31, Jan. 28. John Reed, a junior, scored six points for the Cougars, who trailed 17-6 at the end of the first quarter and 36-20 at halftime before St. Anthony blew it open with a 16-2 third quarter.
CHS moved to a 5-9 record.
The Cougars, seeded 11th, will host either No. 34 seed Caldwell or No. 35 seed Science Park on or by Feb. 6 in the second preliminary round of the 70th Essex County Tournament. Defending champion Seton Hall Prep is the No. 1 seed.