Published January 30, 2025 at 9:44 PM
Last updated January 30, 2025 at 9:44 PM

NEWARK, NJ – The West Essex boys basketball team rallied from a seven-point deficit after three quarters for a 52-50 victory over East Side in the preliminary round of the Essex County Tournament on Thursday.

Senior guard Max Garcia scored 15 points for West Essex (8-8), which trailed, 39-32, after East Side (8-10) outscored the Knights, 18-9, in the third quarter.

Gaetano Iavarone and Therapon Pappatherapontos each finished with 11 points for West Essex. Jack Cleary contributed eight points in the win.

West Essex, the No. 20 seed, will play fourth-seeded St. Benedict's Prep in the round-of-16 on Saturday.