Newark Central's Transition Game Sinks Mountaineers

It seems like the West Orange High School basketball team has been immersed in a season long journey of gut-wrenching losses, and showdowns with quick, fast and talented Essex County teams.

Newark Central for example.

The Mountaineers, eliminated by Central a week ago Saturday from the Essex County Tournament, dropped a 72-57 regular season game Tuesday in Newark.

West Orange coach Mark Cacciacarne was happier with his club's effort than the county game. But the Mountaineers were hurt in the transition game as Newark Central continually scored on the break.

"Too deep, too fast, too skilled," said Cacciacarne of Newark Central.

Still, as it has all season, West Orange (8-13) showed grit. The Mounties had a 17-9 lead after the first quarter, but were outscored 26-9 in the second as Central (19-4) took a 35-26 halftime lead. Central, which has made the final four of the county tournament, won its fourth straight and 14th of its last 15.

Central's Ramon Johnson scored 14 points, Daquan Jones added 11 and Patrick Cole recorded a triple-double with 10 points, 11 rebounds and 12 assists. Brandon Waiters scored all nine of his points in the first half.

Junior Carlo DeChavez led the Mountaineers with 14 points while seniors Antonio Burnett added 11 and Christian Smith 10.

"The time we played them and I thought we were much better on offense," said Cacciacarne. "But we didn't do a good job on the transition defense and that's something that Central does best. They go out running and do damage in the transition."