Verona Hillbillies (Verona, NJ) backers were in high spirits Saturday as they witnessed their basketball squad tip the visiting West Essex Knights (North Caldwell, NJ), 36-31 in a non-league bout.

With the win, Verona upgrades its record to 16-5 on the season. The Hillbillies travel to Cedar Grove (Cedar Grove, NJ) to clash with the Panthers in a non-league bout on Thursday, February 16. The Panthers go into the bout with a record of 6-13. Cedar Grove won 45-18 in their recent non-league bout against West Caldwell Tech (West Caldwell, NJ)

Next up, the Knights clash with the Hanover Park Hornets (East Hanover, NJ) in a non-league bout, on Tuesday, February 14. West Essex will attempt to upgrade on its 15-6 season record. The Hornets go into the bout with a 13-9 record after their 42-41 non-league loss to High Point (Sussex, NJ).