With a record of 20-5, the boys basketball team is ready to finish the season strong. The boys recently made it to the quarterfinal round of the Passaic County Tournament this past Saturday and fell short to Kennedy High School. The energy was high, the talent was intense, and the fans were on the edge of their seats. The game went into overtime, but the Patriots couldn’t hold on, with a final score of 61-59, but that defeat was not stopping them.

    Head Coach Kevin Grimes, assistant coaches Todd Green and Brian Gelalia are doing everything they can to make sure the boys stay motivated and focused. This past Wednesday February 22nd, the Patriots played Hackensack High School, which was a great game to get their competitive drive back. The team trailed at one point in overtime, but the Patriots took charge. Junior Joey Belli, who was the lead scorer of the game, tallied 29 points in their victory over Hackensack, 79-66.

Belli states what it was like to bounce back and capture another win. “We knew we had our focus ahead on States, so our win at Hackensack was just a small step in getting ready to make a run at the championship.”

    The Patriots will be playing on their home court next Tuesday, February 28th in the first round of the State Tournament. The energy will be high and the boys are ready for whatever team stands in their way.