West Orange Boys Win a Road Nail Biter

West Orange High School boys basketball team appears to have broken through a barrier.

The Mountaineers, who have played seven games decided by five points or less since the season-opener Dec. 17, knocked off West Side 42-41 in Newark. The difference is that the Mountaineers are starting to win the close ones.

West Orange, 4-6, didn't play a pretty game, but grinded this one out, coach Mark Cacciacarne said. The Mountaineers are now 2-5 in those tight games.

"Sometimes its not pretty, but we did enough,'' Cacciacarne said. "Playing on the road is difficult, so you take it anyway you can.

"The thing about the close games is that the kids are getting their feet wet,'' in playing so many of them, said Cacciacarne, whose team followed up Tuesday's 62-39 rout of Weequahic. "They're getting more and more confidence.''

Senior forward Duane Morgan hit for 23 points, pulled down 10 rebounds and blocked five shots for the Mountaineers. Senior forward Christian Smith had nine points and senior guard Darius Moore continued his strong play from the point and also had seven points.

"It doesn't always show up in the scoreboook, but Darius continues to get better at an ever important position,'' Cacciacarne said.

Morgan is the Mountaineers best player and imposed his will during the game, Cacciacarne said.

"He is our bet player and when your best player plays like your best,'' Cacciacarne said.

The Mountaineers were protecting a one-point lead with 25 seconds left when they turned the ball over. But Moore made a steal with three seconds left.

"They were shocked; they didn't even foul,'' Cacciacarne said.

The Mountaineers get back to action Tuesday afternoon at home against Columbia, 6-2, which leads the Super Essex Conference-American Division schedule with an upset of East Orange Campus and an even bigger surprise against against Seton Hall Prep in December.

"We're going to have to play very well; they are a formidable opponent,'' Cacciacarne said.