You’ve got some extra reasons to cheer for Verona High School teams this week.
On Thursday, February 11, at 5:30 p.m., the girls varsity basketball team will be competing in the Essex County Tournament. The game is against Columbia High School and will take place at Columbia, which is located at 525 Academy Street in Maplewood. The girls have a 9-8 record overall and are 2-6 in conference. The team has been led by senior Caroline Kirnan, who has 36 points on the season, and freshman Brianna Horton, who is close behind with 33 points. Fellow freshman Desiree Meyer has been key in the paint, with 26 three-point shots made. Meyer’s 10 points and five rebounds paced the team to a 36-7 victory over St. Vincent in Newark on Tuesday.
Also on Thursday, the boys varsity basketball team will be facing Millburn High School in the Essex County Tournament semifinals. That game will be at 7 p.m. at Millburn High School, which is located at 462 Millburn Avenue. The boys have a 14-3 record overall (6-3 in conference), thanks to strong play from junior Travis Jocelyn. Now in his second varsity season, Jocelyn has 70 points to his credit this winter, with 25 three-point shots made. But the playoff game could be an opportunity for revenge for Millburn, which lost to Verona 41-36, in Verona on Tuesday. Jocelyn put up 14 of Verona’s points in that game. Verona defeated Belleville 56-34 in the first round of the tournament.
On Friday, February 12, at 1 p.m. the boys JV basketball will take on East Orange in the JV Essex County Tournament semifinals. That game is at East Orange Campus High School, 344 Prospect Street in East Orange.
On Saturday, February 13, the Verona-Glen Ridge Hockey team is in the Varsity Hockey League Playoffs against Nutley High School. The puck drops at 3:45 p.m. at South Mountain Arena, 560 Northfield Avenue in West Orange. VGR is 11-7-4 on the season and 3-6-1 in conference and their last two outings, against Hopewell Valley and Mendham, have ended in ties. Liam Blaney, a senior from the Verona side of the team, has had a strong season in goal, with 568 shots against him and a save percentage of 0.9%. Fellow senior Kevin White is the high scorer from Verona, with 13 goals.
