EPP NETS 20 POINTS (TRIP 3’S); SHEEHAN 15 PTS, 9 RB

A good start by the Westfield High School boys basketball team turned out not to be enough in its showdown with the Linden Tigers in Westfield on December 19. A fine 17-10 firstquarter run by the Blue Devils was answered with three strong quarters by the Tigers resulting in a 70-54 Linden victory.

The Tigers entered the game with a 62-51 win over the Union Catholic Vikings and an 80-40 walloping of Weequahic, while the Blue Devils were reeling with a 51-43 setback to the Elizabeth Minutemen. On this afternoon, junior Zach Epp held the hot hand for the Blue Devils as he pumped in 20 points, including trip 3–pointers, to go with three rebounds and an assist. Jekhi Burnam led the 30 Tigers with 21 points, including trip 3-pointers, three rebounds, two assists and a block.

Epp and senior Shane Sheehan scored all of the Blue Devils’ firstquarter points. Sheehan, who finished with 15 points, nine rebounds, four assists, two blocks and a steal, put up nine points, including a 3-pointer at the end of the quarter, while Epp sank eight points, including a pair of 3pointers.

The Tigers scored the first seven points of the second quarter to knot the score, 17-17, and Burnam was awarded the tying point when Sheehan was charged with goaltending. With 3:56 left in the quarter, Epp on Sheehan’s assist gave Westfield a 2119 lead but Elijah Butler (6 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 blocks, steal) had a tip-in to tie the score. Burnam then sank a 3-pointer to put Linden up 24-21 but one minute later, Epp with Sheehan’s assist, answered with a 3pointer to even the score. Then with 1:39 showing, Epp put Westfield up 26-24 but Hashim Nadir (8 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists) tied the score, 26-26, to end the half.

Unfortunately for the Blue Devils, the Tigers would own the second half with a 23-12 third quarter and a 21-16 final quarter. Blue Devil Ty’shwan Pearson finished with seven points, seven rebounds and a team-leading six assists. Enzo Ferrero finished with seven points, including a 3-pointer, two rebounds, an assist and a steal. Jake Russell finished with five points, two steals and an assist. Tiger Nas Robinson finished with 16 points, including a 3-pointer, eight assists, three rebounds and a steal. Jalil Turner finished with 13 points, including trip 3-pointers, four assists, three rebounds and a steal. Te’Quan Thomas finished with four points, a steal, rebound and an assist.

On December 21, the Blue Devils suffered a 54-43 loss to the Union Catholic Vikings but rebounded in a big way to overrun the Rahway Indians, 63-33, on December 23. Against the Vikings, Pearson scored 19 points and added seven rebounds, three assists and a steal. Epp finished with eight points, including a 3-pointer, and two rebounds. Sheehan had seven points, including a 3-pointer, fve rebounds, a block and a steal. Russell had five points, including a 3-pointer, three steals and two rebounds. Ferrero had two points, five rebounds and two steals. Connor Whelan had two points and three rebounds.

Luke Schorr led the 2-1 Vikings with 12 points, including trip 3-pointers, four rebounds and two steals. AJ Altobelli had 11 points, with a 3pointer and 8-for-10 from the line, 10 assists and two steals. J’han Acosta had 11 points, including a pair of 3pointers, three steals and four rebounds. FK Muntari (4 rebounds) and Yaw Ansong both scored nine points with a 3-pointer. Terrence Wood had two points and four rebounds.

Pearson also led the Blue Devils against Rahway with 20 points, seven rebounds, four assists, two blocks and two steals. Max MacEacheron put in 13 points, including trip 3-pointers, and added three rebounds, three assists and a steal. Sheehan pulled 11 rebounds and added seven points, three blocks and an assist. Ferrero had five points, three assists and a steal. Russell had seven points, including a 3-pointer, four rebounds and two assists. Steve Edwards finished with five points (3pointer) and two assists. Will Kirby had four points, four rebounds, an assist and a steal. Whelan had six rebounds and three points. Sam Zafra scored two points and Jonny Sica had two points and an assist.

Linden 10 16 23 21 70 Westfield 17 9 12 16 54