The Red Raiders of East Side came to Weequahic’s gym on Saturday determined to make Seton Hall work hard in order to advance to the Essex County Boys Basketball Tournament’s Championship Round. A run near the end of the 3rd quarter saw the teams separated by only four points. A key turnover on a breakaway however turned the momentum and the Pirates were able to stem the Raiders storm tide and turn the game back to them. Although East Side kept within striking distance Seton Hall stayed ahead and came away with a 53-49 victory in the semifinals.

The second game saw West Side’s Roughriders, seeded 3rd, challenge the number two seeded East Orange Campus squad. The Jaguars superior rebounding strength enabled them to control the boards, and the game, walking off with a 65-53 victory. This sets up the Championship Final with Seton Hall (1) and East Orange Campus (2) facing off on Saturday, February 21st at Essex County College. The 4:30pm game time is set up to allow fans to first attend the Girls Championship Final, 2pm, next door at the Newark Tech gym. Admission to either game is a General Admission ticket of $5.

In the past both finals were held in the college gym but a scheduling conflict with Essex County College’s own basketball program prevented the doubleheader.