There have been early-season SEC-Colonial Division setbacks to both Millburn (77-55, Dec. 18, in a game which was closer than the final score indicates after the Millers exploded for a strong fourth quarter finish) and Livingston (53-48, Jan. 6).

There is a big upcoming division showdown with neighborhood rival Montclair, 4 p.m., Thursday (Jan. 15). Also, on Tuesday night (Jan. 3) the Bengals host SEC-Freedom Division juggernaut Shabazz in a 7 o’clock tip-off.   

NOTES- New Bengals asisstant coach Jalil Jimenez was a senior star on a strong Bloomfield hoops squad in 2012-2013...Coach Pat Brunner's 2016-2017 N1G4 championship squad, led by senior Myles Toppin and sophomore guard Michael Ramso, defeated Ridgewood, 39-34, for the state sectional crown which was the first state sectional title for the Bengals since back in 1976-77 with a team led by former star Kelly Tripucka...Last season's Bloomfield squad finished 16-12 and 5-5 in the SEC-Colonial Division...Passero's most successful team was the 2021-2022 team which finished 19-7 overall and 9-4 in the SEC-Colonial with a group that included standouts Shayne Hintona nd Julian Paulino.  

This Week’s Sideline Chatter Essex County Top 10:
1- Seton Hall Prep- Pirates edged St. Benedict’s before indie loss to Union
2- St. Benedict’s – Gray Bees’ Daniel Hinkov of Bulgaria is force inside  
3- Shabazz – Bulldogs will be interesting topic at Jan. 26 ECT seeding meeting
4- Arts – Tyshaun Boyd is one of the top power forwards in SEC
5- East Orange Campus – Jaguars had a nice win vs. Newark Tech
6- Payne Tech- Lions’ 4-year star Gerald Edwell has 1,000 career rebounds
7- Newark Collegiate- Jayden Solomon is a prolific backcourt scorer
8- Montclair- Mounties had thrilling double-OT win vs. Millburn
9-Newark Tech- Terriers hit rough patch with 3 losses in a row
10- Millburn- Millers bounced back nicely with win at Livingston 

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