Columbia High School Girls Basketball and Maplewood Achievements

The Columbia High School girls basketball team has achieved a remarkable turnaround, posting their most successful season since 2010.

 

Junior JoJo Yarde, the team's leading scorer and rebounder, reflected on the journey: "Our team grew this season. We had to learn a lot to come together as a team."

 

Last season, the Cougars concluded with 12 wins and 15 losses, placing them in the middle of the SEC Liberty group and 22nd in the Super Essex Conference.

 

This year, they dominated the SEC Liberty division with a 9-1 record and achieved 17 wins against seven losses in the Super Essex Conference.

 

Head Coach Aaron Breitman praised the team's development: "From our first game of this season, we noticed a complete change in leadership, accountability, and teamwork. Last season we started off 0-5, and this year we went 3-2. Getting off to a better start set the tone for the rest of the season."

 

By their penultimate regular-season game on February 17, after 24 matchups, the Cougars had tallied 1,308 points and 909 rebounds.

 

Yarde led the team with 477 points and 316 rebounds, showcasing strength at both ends of the court.

 

Junior guard Gabriella Ervin contributed 265 points, 106 assists, and 105 rebounds.

 

Senior Chioma Okafor added 101 points and 133 rebounds, while junior Myla Defreitas scored 196 points, and sophomore Lanyah Campbell tallied 98 points.

 

Defensively, the team amassed 352 steals and 85 blocks.

 

Yarde led with 104 steals, and senior Sara Marley added 69.

 

Okafor and Yarde were instrumental in the majority of the 85 blocks.

 

Coach Breitman highlighted the significance of senior night, combined with youth spirit night, honoring seniors Marley, Okafor,  Anabel Macguire, and Annabelle Nelson: "It turned into the biggest night of the year for us in terms of crowd size and enthusiasm. This year’s seniors were part of the first freshman girls basketball team in almost seven years, and it was fun and rewarding seeing them grow not just in skill but in life over those four years."

 

The team is set to face Linden in the first round of the state NJSIAA tournament for Northern New Jersey on Tuesday, February 24, 2026.

 

In other local news, the MapSo Basketball program celebrated three championships at Maplewood Town Hall.

 

The 2025 season featured four girls’ teams and eight boys’ teams, culminating in a successful year with expanding player numbers and community support.

 

These achievements underscore the vibrant and competitive nature of Maplewood girls basketball, reflecting the dedication and talent present in the community.

 

As the Cougars prepare for the upcoming tournament, the community's support and the team's cohesion position them well for continued success.

 

Fans are encouraged to attend and cheer on the team as they aim to build upon this season's accomplishments.