High-scoring senior guard Michael Reid and the Shabazz Bulldogs will host dangerous Newark Vocational at 3 p.m. Saturday in one of the very intriguing Round of 16 first round contests in 66th Essex County Boys Basketball Tournament. (Photo by Jason Bernstein-JB Sports Media)

Sophomore guard Matt Braschi and the 20th-seeded Verona Hillbillies will try and weave their way through the inevitable pressure surely to be in store when they face the fourth-seeded Columbia Cougars, 2 p.m. Saturday, in Maplewood. (Dominick Paoli Photography)

Bloomfield Tech senior point guard Mykhal Corbitt (right), here maneuvering while handling the basketball against Columbia's Justin Martin, has been a consistent, veteran performer for the Spartans, who travel to East Side in ECT action at noon Saturday. (Dominick Paoli Photography)

Veteran point guard Justin Martin will direct Columbia vs. Verona in Saturday's contest set for 2 p.m. in Maplewood as fourth-seeded Cougars look to hold serve in terms of home court against the upstart, 20th-seeded Hillbillies. (Dominick Paoli Photography)

Bloomfield's Jameel Patterson is having strong season for the third-seeded Bengals who host the Orange/West Orange winner in first round action. (Dominick Paoli Photography)

Verona-Columbia & New.Voc.-Shabazz
Among Intriguing ECT Round Of 16 Tilts
By Steve Tober
for sidelinechatter.com

When the Super Essex Conference was formed three years ago there was talk about how the Essex County Tournament could become a glorified in-season conference tournament, akin to having a college hoops loop such as the Atlantic Coast Conference or Big East hold their tournaments two-thirds of the way through the season instead of after the regular season and as a precursor to the NCAA March Madness.

However, despite such concerns – that may sometimes have some credence, especially when two teams from the same division meet for a third time in the ECT – there are still those intriguing match-ups between teams that typically don’t see each other over the course of any campaign; and those contests will add some spice to the 2012 countywide hoops extravaganza.

Two of those match-ups this Saturday in the ECT Round of 16 (first round) feature 20th-seeded Verona (14-4), a definite sleeper in this season’s event, traveling to meet fourth-seeded Columbia (13-3), 2 p.m. in Maplewood. Also, a still relative unknown on the ECT hoops scene, Newark Vocational (15-3), the ninth seed, travels within the Brick City to take on eighth-seeded Shabazz (9-6) at 3 o’clock.

Verona, a Group 1 school that plays in the SEC’s fourth division, the Independence, would almost never cross paths with Columbia, a Group 4 program that is ensconced this season in the loop’s second division, the Liberty, which actually may be stronger, in 2011-2012 at least, than the top division (American).

The Hillbillies knocked off 13th-seeded Livingston, 63-55, in this past Tuesday night’s Play-In bracket second round game. Now, the stakes are much higher and the challenge greater against a deep and athletic Columbia Cougar squad which has strength inside with both 6-2 Maxim Michel and 6-3 Evans Osuji, plus a veteran point guard in crafty Justin Martin.

Coach Eddie Turner’s Columbia squad, which just knocked off highly-regarded Newark Tech, 65-51, in regular-season SEC-Liberty Division action on Thursday afternoon, will undoubtedly pressure the Verona guards and attempt to prevent McElroy’s squad from getting comfortably into its offense in the forecourt; however, this Hillbilly team has some moxie, and if it can somehow deal with the relentless end-to-end, frantic pace that the Cougars want to create, Saturday’s contest between two teams with differing approaches could wind up being a game with some interesting twists and turns, although the home squad certainly remains the favorite.

Verona can be quite adept with its motion and passing efficiency on the perimeter when it is able to run that offense with patience and precision under the expert tutelage of veteran coach Eric McElroy, and has plenty of guard savvy with 3-year starter Brian Farrell and steady backcourt partners Packy Malanga and Matt Braschi.

Shabazz defeated Newark Vocational, 60-54, way back on Dec. 28 in the Newark Public Schools Holiday Tournament; however, the Bulldogs needed a third double-figure scorer in addition to star guard Michael Reid (17 points) and veteran 6-5 forward Anthony Closs (10 points) to upend Vocational as Javon Halston hit for a career-high 19.

Whether or not Shabazz repeats that feat of three double-figure scorers against Newark Vocational on Saturday in the most important game for both teams so far this season remains to be seen in what could be a very good 8-9 ECT first round match-up.

Reid, who is capable of breaking out with a 25 or 30 point effort at any time, is a player who must come up big in this spot for the Bulldogs, that’s one assertion that appears near certain to be able to make.

Newark Vocational, which has regular-season victories over Brick City neighbors Central and Weequahic, and has also knocked off Orange, has a strong rebounder in 6-4 banger Abdul Bey and capable guards in playmaker Amir Bey and steady Jamal Smith.

Newark Vocational began to show some promise in last year’s North 2, Group 1 state tournament and took on last year’s Group 1 runner-up, Dayton, in Springfield during a regular-season, independent clash this season, losing to the Bulldogs, 67-56, back on Jan. 12.

How the Beys and company do in this huge spot at Shabazz in a big 8-9 ECT game does stir increased interest among the first round games to keep an eye on.

Weequahic (10-5), another mild surprise in the Round of 16, travels to play second-seeded Newark Tech (13-3) in another all-Brick City contest at 12:30 p.m.

The Indians, seeded 18th, stormed back from an 8-point deficit with just over four minutes remaining to defeat 15 th-seeded Montclair Kimberley Academy, 63-62, in a thrilling finish on 6-5 forward Dondre Warrem’s jump shot in the lane with 12.5 seconds remaining in this past Monday, in the “Play-In” bracket second round.

Second-year head coach Maurice Ware's Weequahic squad has become a cohesive and balanced unit since beginning the season with three straight losses. The Indians had won nine in a row before a regular season, independent setback to Newark Vocational this past Tuesday.

The talented Terriers, who lost their first game in Essex County this season against Columbia on Thursday in a key SEC-Liberty match-up, are led by versatile 6-5 forward Dwayne Merrill, 6-8 rebounding machine Abel Yekeh and talented 5-11point guard Jared Hall.

Speaking of the aforementioned SEC-American, two of the eight games in this Saturday’s Round of 16 are third meetings between in-division rivals as 16th-seeded East Orange Campus (6-10) visits top-seeded Seton Hall Prep (16-1) at 1 p.m., and 10th-seeded Montclair (7-7) travels to meet seventh-seeded University (9-9) at 3 p.m.

The Pirates (16-1), with steady 6-4 junior swingman Spencer Weisz and powerful 6-6 senior forward Stephon Mosley along with a developing deep set of reserves leading the way, cruised past EOC, 72-48, this past Tuesday, in the two teams’ second SEC-American regular-season contest, also in the same Frank J. Tracey Memorial Gymnasium where this Saturday’s ECT contest will be some four days after a fairly comfortable margin of victory.

The improving Mounties, sparked by the tandem of 6-4 junior forwards Tahlib Swan and Kieran Miller, who combined for 42 points in this past Tuesday’s 65-42 regular-season divisional win over Science Park, had defeated the Phoenix in the two teams’ most recent SEC-American contest, while University won in Newark back in December, which makes Saturday’s rubber match in the ECT another interesting contest to keep an eye on.

University has certainly had its own ups and downs, but has retooled well with very much of a new-look lineup this season under veteran coach Elijah Allen as talented guards such as Elijah Brown have stepped up for the Phoenix this winter.

In another third meeting between two division foes (Liberty), 14th-seeded Orange (9-9) will travel to take on third-seeded Bloomfield (12-3) at 3 p.m. Saturday after getting past 19th-seeded West Orange, 63-49, on Thursday. The Bengals, with versatile and long 6-1 junior Jameel Patterson leading a strong contingent of athletic guards, have had two 1-point victories against pesky Orange. In their most recent meeting this past Tuesday, Bloomfield relinquished a comfortable lead and had to hang on against the Tornadoes, 62-61, also in the Bloomfield gymnasium where the two teams will return to this Saturday afternoon. Orange, which is led by the splendid scoring duo of Khalid Muhammad and Adam Maduro, also gave Bloomfield a tough time in their first meeting of the season, clawing from behind to wind up losing another close one, 52-51.

In the other two remaining contests, it will be 12th-seeded Bloomfield Tech (12-7) at surging fifth-seeded Newark East Side (10-4) at noon, and 11th-seeded Central (8-7) at sixth-seeded Irvington (11-4) at 1 p.m.

BT defeated Millburn, 44-41, Thursday, in their ECT Play-In contest in a game in which the 24 th-seeded Millers gave a good showing and controlled tempo for much of the contest. The Spartans of coach Pete Vasil certainly have talent, with capable scorers such as guard Dilespo Blanco, and are definitely capable of upsetting the Red Raiders; however, East Side has been playing its best ball of the season the past two weeks and also has been benefitting from the presence of longtime assistant Anthony Tavares, who is back on the bench after starting the season away from the coaching staff as a busy vice principal in the high school building. However, he was summoned back to the hardwood to help guide the team along with veteran head man Bryant Garvin and the Red Raiders have seen the rapid development of sophomores such as 6-5 Ismael Sanogo and guard Jamar Gilbert, which has helped turn the team from Down Neck into one of the better squads in the SEC since mid-January. Senior forward Aaron Bodie continues to be a mainstay for East Side, which had to replace three starters who transferred after the last school year.

Central, which defeated 22nd-seeded North 13th Street Tech, 72-57, Thursday, in a second-round “Play-In” Bracket game, is receiving a banner senior season from point guard Brandon Waiters, who has emerged as one of the top scorers in Essex County this winter.

Irvington features two effective frontcourt performers of note in 6-4 senior Deshawn Lewis, who can fill it from the perimeter, and very promising 6-6 sophomore Shakur Juiston, one of the better, young big men in the county.

Essex County Boys Basketball Tournament Round of 16 (first round)

Saturday, Feb. 4: (Pick To Win in Boldface)

(12) Bloomfield Tech at (5) East Side, noon

(18) Weequahic at (2) Newark Tech, 12:30 p.m.

(16) East Orange Campus at (1) Seton Hall Prep, 1 p.m.

(11) Central at (6) Irvington, 1 p.m.

(20) Verona at (4) Columbia, 2 p.m.

(9) Newark Vocational at (8) Shabazz, 3 p.m.

(10) Montclair at (7) University, 3 p.m.

(14) Orange at (3) Bloomfield, 3 p.m.

*******

Essex County Girls Basketball Tournament Round of 16 on Saturday:

(17) MKA at (1) Shabazz, 1 p.m.

(9) West Orange at (8) Weequahic, 1 p.m.

(12) Caldwell at (5) Bloomfield Tech, 1 p.m.

(19) Bloomfield at (3) Mount St. Dominic, 10 a.m.

(10) Columbia at (7) University, 1 p.m.

(13) Cedar Grove at (4) East Orange Campus, 1 p.m.

(11) Irvington at (6) Newark Tech, 2 p.m.

(15) Central at (2) Montclair, 1 p.m.

*******

The John "Butch" Kowal Games at Rahway High School's Earl H. Walter Gymnasium on Saturday feature three exciting boys' basketball matchups.
 
 
Here's the schedule:
 
Westfield vs. Dunellen, 3:30 p.m.
 
Rahway vs. Union Catholic, 5 p.m.
 
Roselle Catholic vs. Cardinal McCarrick, 7 p.m.
 
 
The middle game features the top two teams in the Union County Conference's Mountain Division. Rahway sits atop at 11-1, while Union Catholic is second at 9-3.
On Jan. 19 in Scotch Plains, host Union Catholic handed Rahway its only loss in division play, downing the Raiders 69-63. That was Rahway's last loss in a 16-2 season so far.
As of Friday, Rahway leads Union County with its 16 wins. The only other Indian loss came at home on Jan. 12 to conference-crossover foe St. Patrick 83-61.
Rahway has won six in a row, while Union Catholic is 11-6 overall and winners of four straight.
Roselle Catholic is 10-6 overall and has won two in a row, while Westfield is 5-12.

- JR PARACHINI 

Elijah Brown has provided a boost for University's backcourt this season as the Phoenix have had to insert some new faces into the starting lineup while going through growing pains that are inevtiable with many teams. (Photo by Jason Bernstein-JB Sports Media)

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