West Orange Girls HS Basketball Team Makes History (PHOTOS)

WEST ORANGE, NJ — The West Orange High School girls basketball team defeated the Millburn Millers, 66-39, to clinch the Liberty Division title for the first time in West Orange High School history.

The Feb. 7 game was held at home, school officials stated.

Sophomore Mountaineer Mya Bembry was top scorer with 26 points and seniors Jewel Burnett and Dawn Flood chipped in 11 and 10 points to put West Orange on top.

The Millers’ Rachel Hubertus had eight points and Leila Dean Stansberry and Kayla Wolf each had seven.

The Mountaineers took the time to recognize the 31st annual National Girls and Women in Sports initiative, celebrated on Feb. 1. Girls from Rec and Mountaintop teams, along with Liberty and Roosevelt Middle School players stood to cheers from the crowd, many of whom were wearing National Girls and Women in Sports t-shirts.

This year’s theme was “Expanding Opportunity,” which according to the NGWS website, “recognizes the extraordinary progress sparked by Title IX and the ongoing effort to ensure access to sports for girls and women.”

Despite the legislation’s impact, only 40% of high school girls are currently playing sports, leaving three-in-five girls without the opportunity to compete, the website states.

The Mountaineers are now 17-1 and are currently ranked number five in Region 4 competition and number two in the Super Essex Conference, school administrators stated Wednesday.

SEC tournament play begins on Feb. 11 in a home game. West Orange plays Bloomfield on Feb. 14 in an away game beginning at 4 p.m.

Photos: West Orange Public Schools

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