Sage Reed scored a game-high 20 points to lead 13th-seeded Newark Central to a 34-30 victory over 20th-seeded Newark East Side in the preliminary round of the Essex County Tournament in Newark. Newark Central (8-11) jumped out to a 10-4 lead in the first quarter before Newark East Side narrowed the gap in the second, outscoring Central 10-2 to make it 14-12 at halftime. The Blue Devils came alive in the third quarter, putting up 17 points while holding East Side to just six, creating a cushion that proved decisive despite being outscored 10-5 in the fourth. Natalia Barreiro led the way for Newark East Side (4-8) with 14 points and nine rebounds, while Jazlyn Fabre-Hidalgo contributed 13 points and four rebounds. Newark Central will face fourth-seeded University in the first round on Saturday.