Columbia senior Jalen James controls the ball during the 59-52 home win over Irvington on Thursday, Jan. 11.
MAPLEWOOD/SOUTH ORANGE, NJ — The Columbia High School boys basketball team nearly pulled off a stunning upset in the state tournament.
The 15th-seeded Cougars gave second-seeded Watchung Hills all it could handle before losing in double overtime, 61-55, in the first round of the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association’s North Jersey, Section 2, Group 4 state tournament on Wednesday, Feb. 21, at Watchung Hills.
The Cougars trailed, 20-18, at halftime, but outscored Watchung Hills, 11-10, in the third quarter and, 19-18, in the fourth quarter to tie the game at 48-48 and force overtime. After the game was tied 53-53 at the end of the first overtime, Watchung Hills prevailed by outsourcing Columbia, 8-2, in the second overtime.
Senior guard Julien Leveille had 21 points, senior center Jared Carlucci had 13 points, junior forward Jude Brantley had 12, freshman guard Zach Alexander had 6 and senior guard Tyler Williams had 3 for the Cougars, who ended the season with a 12-13 overall record.
Photo Courtesy of Rocco Ungaro
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