Columbia HS boys hoops team falls in state opener to end season

Photo by Steve Ellmore.
CHS freshman Jalen Robinson, dribbles around Chatham players in the Cougars’ win this season.

MAPLEWOOD, NJ — The 15th-seeded Columbia High School boys basketball team lost at second-seeded Elizabeth, 61-31, in the first round of the North Jersey Section 2, Group 4 state tournament on March 3 to finish with an 11-15 record this season.

CHS led 15-12 in the first quarter before trailing 21-20 at the half. Elizabeth then outscored CHS, 21-4, in the third quarter and 19-7 in the fourth quarter.

Jalen Robinson had 10 points, Nigel Garcia had eight, Chris Darcelin had six, Andrew Rowley had five, and John Marley added two for the Cougars.