MAPLEWOOD, NJ – The Columbia High School boys’ varsity basketball team enjoyed a great run in the Essex County Tournament.
The sixth-seeded Cougars lost to second-seeded Newark West Side 67-43, in the semifinals at West Orange High School on Feb. 21.
Stephan Gabriel had 13 points; Nashiem Harte had nine points; Brandon Askew and Breizh Askew each had seven points; Malachi Smythe had five points and Justin Bobbitt added two points for the Cougars, who moved to a 15-10 record. West Side, which moved to a 19-5 record, will face top-seeded Newark East Side in the final on Feb. 25 at 3 p.m. at Essex County College.
In the quarterfinals, the Cougars defeated third-seeded and two-time defending champion Seton Hall Prep, 67-61.
CHS will host Dickinson in the first round of the North Jersey Section 2, Group 4 state tournament on Feb. 27 at 7 p.m. CHS is the No. 8 seed. Dickinson is the No. 9 seed.
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It was truly an honor to witness this season. I haven’t enjoyed basketball in quite some time, but I must say this teams’ sportsmanship, their ability to compete and their not until the final buzzer mentality made me so proud. Job well done to the coaching staff and way to set the bar guys.