Essex County Tournament Underway
The first tournament in the boys high school season has gotten underway this week. The Essex County Tournament featuring 13 teams. The top 3 seeds of Livingston, Payne Tech and Newark East Side all received a bye. However, the other…
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Continue ReadingThe first tournament in the boys high school season has gotten underway this week. The Essex County Tournament featuring 13 teams. The top 3 seeds of Livingston, Payne Tech and Newark East Side all received a bye. However, the other 10 teams took to the court. Let’s take a look at some of the results.
Bloomfield Outlasts Irvington
The first top seed who did not get a bye was Bloomfield as the fourth seed and man were they tested in the first round. The squad was pushed to three sets 25-17, 20-25 and 25-22. Bloomfield made just enough plays to come out victorious led by Jahleel Murphy who led the team with 12 kills.
Two Lower Seeds Showcase Potential Wrong Seeding
Two squads I felt were kind of disrespected based on the seeding were East Orange who were 9 seed and Newark Tech who were a 10 seed. Both squads have quality records and based on their opponents they were my favorites in their matches. Both teams had a tough first set complimented with a dominant second set.
These are two teams I would not be happy to play. They may not win against the higher seeds but they will make sure you earn it. Players to watch are Akeerie McFarlane for East Orange and Marques Bragg for Newark Tech.
Orange and West Essex Remain Winless
Lastly, we have a couple matches where Orange and West Essex were participants. Both squads have struggled to find their footing this season and were hoping the tournament were their opportunities to get on the win column. Instead, both teams ended up struggling immensely in their matches. Both teams fell behind early in their matches and allowed to much of a deficit in order to overcome it.
The teams they played were better than them at the moment and a clear gap was on display. It’s back to the drawing board to figure out a way to be competitive before to try and get a win.