Author: 151872pwpadmin

  • CHS Athletic Hall of Fame Inducts Hometown Basketball Heroes

    CHS Athletic Hall of Fame Inducts Hometown Basketball Heroes

    On Thursday, May 7, SOMA Basketball attended the 19th Induction Ceremony for the Columbia High School Athletic Hall of Fame at the Orange Lawn Tennis Club.

    The evening brought together familiar faces from across the SOMA and Columbia High School athletic community, including past and present athletes, families, coaches, and supporters, all connected by a shared love of sports and hometown pride.

    Jeffrey Kelly (Graduate Class of 1985’) of the CHS Boys Basketball program was honored for his role in helping lead the 1983-84 team to the best record in program history.

    In the “Team” division, The 2001 Columbia High School Girls Basketball Team was inducted in recognition of their Group 4 State Championship and ending the season ranked third in the state.


    In a nod to our current day athletes, current CHS senior basketball players Annabel MacGuire, Chioma Okafor, and Sara Marley were recognized for their contributions to basketball, academics and athletics.

    In attendance, representing SOMA Basketball were members of the SOMA Basketball Boosters, Erica Dagley Galea, Delia O’Donnell, George Ellis, and Taylor Valentine.

    They were joined by leaders from the broader basketball community, including: CHS Boys Basketball coaches TJ Whitaker and Tunde Adedoyin, CHS Girls Basketball coaches Aaron Breitman and Willy Sumner, MAPSO Basketball Director Mike Holloway Jr., and SOMA basketball parent Regina Eckert.

    Photo Credit: alexgoodmanphotography.com

  • Oranges Magazine Cover Story

    Oranges Magazine Cover Story

    We’re honored to be featured in the latest issue of The Oranges Magazine in an article highlighting how SOMA Hoops and the SOMA Basketball Boosters are helping redefine youth sports in our community.

    The piece recognizes the incredible growth of our program, our commitment to making basketball accessible and welcoming for every child, and the impact of keeping girls engaged in sports.

    From removing financial barriers to building confidence, leadership and community, the article captures what SOMA Hoops is truly about: creating a place where every kid feels they belong on the court.

    We’re grateful to all of our players, families, coaches, volunteers and supporters who continue to make this possible.

    Read the full article
  • T.J. Whitaker named SEC Liberty Division Coach of the Year

    T.J. Whitaker named SEC Liberty Division Coach of the Year

    In his first season as head coach, Columbia High School’s T.J. Whitaker was named the Super Essex Conference Liberty Division Coach of the Year, recognizing a year that redefined the trajectory of the Columbia boys basketball program.

    Whitaker stepped into the head coaching role ahead of the 2025–2026 season following a 7–18 campaign the year prior. Under his leadership, the Cougars made an epic turnaround to a 19–11 record and captured the Essex County Invitational Tournament championship.

    Columbia also saw individual success among its players, including senior guard Jayvon Rogers, who earned First Team All–SEC Liberty Division honors. The team’s performance reflected both growth and teamwork, hallmarks of Whitaker’s leadership. Congrats, Cougars!

  • Sold-Out SOMA Swish Raises Funds for All SOMSD Elementary Schools

    Sold-Out SOMA Swish Raises Funds for All SOMSD Elementary Schools

    The second Annual SOMA Swish fundraiser took place on Sunday, April 19 in the Columbia High School Gym, raising funds for elementary school PTAs across the South Orange-Maplewood School District.

    SOMA Swish is a district-wide elementary school basketball tournament jointly organized by the PTAs from all six elementary schools in the SOMSD with the shared goal of raising funds that directly benefit programming and initiatives at each school.

    Started in 2024 as a community-building event between Seth Boyden and Clinton Elementary, SOMA Swish expanded to include all six elementary schools in 2025. This year’s event was a sold-out triple header with over 2,500 people in attendance, bringing parents, caregivers, students, staff, and alumni together during three matches to strengthen our community and raise funds for student experiences.

    The success of this year’s event is a true testament to the strength of the unity in the SOMSD community and what we can accomplish when we all work together to support our schools.
  • New Summer Camp: SOMA Cougars Girls Basketball

    New Summer Camp: SOMA Cougars Girls Basketball

    Come join the Columbia High School Girls Basketball coaches and players, led by varsity coach Aaron Breitman, for a fun week of skills, fundamentals, basketball IQ, and games! This girls-only camp is designed to help players grow their confidence and develop their game while learning directly from members of the CHS Girls Varsity team, who will serve as camp counselors throughout the week.

    TWO sessions:
    📅 Week of August 10
    📅 Week of August 17

    Open to rising 5th–8th grade girls
    ⏰ Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM–2:00 PM
    📍 Baird Basketball Courts (indoor + outdoor courts)

    Register on South Orange Recreation
  • Mapso Spring Basketball Programs

    Mapso Spring Basketball Programs

    Spring basketball is right around the corner, and registration for two MapSo programs can be found at Maplewood Recreation.

    MapSo Spring Travel
    This intermediate to advanced program for 3rd–8th grade offers the opportunity to compete on a spring travel team. The program emphasizes skill development, offensive playmaking, tough defense, and game strategy. Players are selected by tryout, with beginner-level players in younger grades encouraged to participate. Schedules vary by team and may include 1–2 weekly practices, weekend tournaments, and/or weekday league games.

    MapSo Madness
    This twice-weekly skills clinic focuses on fundamentals, dribbling, shooting, and defense through high-energy drills. Held outdoors and open to all levels, this is a great complement to spring sports for players who want to keep improving their game or are practicing the basics.

    Register at Maplewood Recreation