“Whoa!” Competition was expected when the 12th-seeded Red Raiders of Newark East Side marched into Westfield to square off with the fifth-seeded Blue Devil boys in the first round of the North Jersey, Section 2, Group 4 Tournament on February 27. From the very start, the 1515 East Siders literally got hit from all sides and the 17-10 Blue Devils delivered an old-fashioned behind the woodshed thrashing to emerge with a 76-24 triumph.

“That is exactly what you said it was. Straight dominance from the moment we took the floor,” Blue Devil Head Coach Jim McKeon expressed. “Our seniors wanted to take care of business for the class of 26 and the way their coaching staff and players handled themselves when they won. We have a couple of guys playing in that game and remember it all. I believe (it) was for the previous year’s players and to show everyone who owns that W.”

The first thing that baffled the Red Raiders was the Blue Devils’ success in setting up plays, and that process continued until the final buzzer. By game’s end, the Blue Devils had amassed 23 assists. Senior Zach Epp (14 points – free throw – block) dished out six assists. Ty’shaun Pearson (13 points – 3 free throws) had five assists. Jake Russell, who had eight points (3-pointer – 3 free throws) and a block, had four assists.

Coach McKeon pointed out, “This team has really bought into playing for one another and it really showed in this game. We had 10 assists at halftime and finished with a total of 23 assists. Not only does this team share the ball, their defensive approach is the best I have ever had.”

The Blue Devils’ defense certainly did have a great approach as they pulled 41 rebounds and the Red Raiders, although they did get off many unsuccessful shots, rarely got second chances. Additionally, the Blue Devils were very effective in the art of thievery with 17 steals. Pearson was the Chief Thief with five steals and also had five rebounds. Epp had four steals and five rebounds. Russell had three steals and six rebounds. Will Kirby (6 points, 2 blocks, assist, steal) led in rebounds with eight. Farid Habayeb (2 points, rebound, 2 assists) had three steals.

“They truly love to make it hard for any team to score and we love to create turnovers and again, it showed with 17 steals,” Coach McKeon said.

The Blue Devils grabbed a 9-0 lead with Epp pushing in a pair of lay-ups, Pearson hitting a two and Russell banging a 3-pointer before Red Raider Andre Sumner sank one of two free throws with 5:33 left in the first quarter. Blue Devils Max MacEacheron (17 points, rebound, assist) hit the first of his five 3-pointers then Kirby and Habayeb finished the quarter with lay-ups for a 19-2 lead.

The Blue Devils’ defense limited the Red Raiders to just a pair of layups in the second quarter, while adding 15 points to lead, 34-6, at the half. Aidan Wall (rebound) assisted Enzo Ferrera (7 points – 3-pointer – rebound, assist, steal) on a breakaway lay-up. Epp drove in for a lay-up, got fouled and sank the free throw. Connor Whalen (2 rebounds, block, steal) sank one of two free throws. After Red Raider Dave Ekhlar put in a layup, MacEacheron sank his second 3pointer. Epp created a steal then assisted Pearson on his lay-up. Russell assisted Kirby on a lay-up and Epp added another steal and converted it to a lay-up. Red Raider Omar Mangassuba scored just before the buzzer to end the first half.

The second half was even worse for the Red Raiders as the Blue Devils rolled with a 26-7 run in the third quarter and added a 16-10 run in the final quarter. The remainder of the Westfield bench experienced plenty of floor time. MacEacheron would lead that charge with 11 points. Liam Washbourne sank a 3-pointer and added four rebounds. Rashawn Eutsey finished with three points, a rebound, assist, block and a steal. Kevin Reynders had two points and two rebounds. Jared Lehner had a rebound and an assist.

Coach McKeon commented, “It was a great night, it was a great way to send the seniors out with the last time they will play on that court. Our community came out and made it even more memorable for them.”

The Blue Devils would travel to Piscataway to face the fourth-seeded, 24-5 Chiefs in the quarterfinal round on March 3. Three of the Chiefs’ losses were to the Colonial Patriots.

Newark East Side 2 4 7 10 24 Westfield 19 15 26 16 76