The Hillbilly boys basketball team suffered their second straight loss by falling to the Buccaneers of Belleville High School 49-46 on Tuesday. Verona took an eight-point first-quarter lead, but the Bucs nipped away at it to pull within five at the half. After trading baskets in the third, Verona’s offense stalled in the final frame. That gave Belleville an opportunity to pull ahead and deal the ‘billies their seventh loss of the season.
Captain Brian Farrell led all scorers with 22 points and Alex Kaslander netted 13. Farrell and Kaslander combined for six three-pointers. Junior Ethan Garsman also nailed a three-pointer in the effort. Verona’s record stands at 16-7. The boys travel to West Essex High School on Thursday for a 7 p.m. start. The Verona boys team is currently the No. 3 seed in the NJSIAA North 1 Group 1 playoff. Verona will play No. 14 seed Pompton Lakes in the first round on Monday, February 27 at 5 p.m.
The Verona girl’s basketball team fell to the Caldwell Chiefs 51-43 in Verona yesterday. Verona took an early 12-10 first-quarter lead but the Chiefs quickly erased that, outscoring the ‘billies 18-10 in the second quarter and pulling out in front for good. Junior Amanda Langan scored 14 points for the Hillbillies and Michelle Frungillo added eight points with a three-pointer from long range. The Hillbilly girls’ record dropped to 4-12 with the loss. Verona plays at home Thursday against Glen Ridge, with a 4 p.m. start.
