GMC Hoops Blogosphere

GMC Football Playoff Capsules–November 14, 2008

SOUTH PLAINFIELD, NJ–On Friday night, the first group of games in the various football state tournaments involving teams from the Greater Middlesex Conference will take place. There is also going to be some action on Saturday, but the weather might play a bit of havoc with that.

Anyway, as mentioned earlier this week, GMC Hoops will be in Ahr Country on Friday night to take in the Trojans battle against Camden Catholic in the Non-Public Group III Football playoffs. BGA is coming off a great win last week over a Sayreville team that was once at the top of the polls, and looking to claim the GMC Red Division crown.

In addition, there will be eight other contests including one that is a rematch from just two weeks ago. Highland Park will travel to Middlesex on Friday night to take on the Blue Jays in the opening round of the Central Jersey Group I playoffs. The last time these two teams met, 81 points were scored as Highland Park came away with a 45-36 victory. However, the game was played at J.P. Stevens, and the Owls held a 33-14 lead at one point before Middlesex stormed back to the tune of a 22-6 surge that closed the gap to just three at 39-36 with 5:32 remaining.

Here is a brief breakdown of all the matchups:

Highland Park (6-2) at Middlesex (7-1)–If the Owls had beaten David Brearley Regional of Kenilworth last week, they would have the home game based upon a head to head tiebreaker with the Blue Jays in all likelihood. However, that is not the case, and Middlesex will be ready this time around. The key to the Blue Jays chances are two things: 1.) Minimizing turnovers, especially on special teams, and 2.) Not letting Nate Smith get off big blocks to spring tailback Bryant Fitzgerald, who scored five touchdowns in the Owls victory the last time these two squads met on Halloween. If the Blue Jays can control those two things, they should win the game. Prediction: Middlesex wins 38-31.

Camden Catholic (7-1) at Bishop Ahr (7-1)–This is a big moment for Bishop Ahr. The school has not only advanced itself in basketball, but also in football the past few years, and is returning to the glory days of the mid to late 1980s when it was a dominant program on the gridiron under the direction of Tony Aschettino. The Trojans got home field, and have learned a great deal since losing to Holy Spirit in the opening round last year, 61-3. Playing in the GMC Blue, Bishop Ahr has won seven straight since losing to Rahway on opening weekend including a 13-0 victory over Sayreville in which the defense, quarterback Robbie Meade, and wide receiver Jordan Smith made key contributions. BGA must seize the moment, and take advantage of the home field. With wins over the likes of Carteret and Sayreville as well as a one point defeat to a 7-1 playoff team in Rahway, Ahr can play with the big boys now. Prediction: Bishop Ahr wins 24-23.

Plainfield (4-4) at Piscataway (7-1)–The Chiefs are the top seed in the North Jersey Section 2 Group IV bracket, and a heavy favorite here. The GMC is stronger in football than in basketball, and P-Way is looking to get back to Rutgers, and finish the job it didn’t complete last year in a 23-13 loss to Hunterdon Central. Piscataway is coming off its most dominating performance yet this season, a 52-0 wipeout of a solid Carteret squad that had been fighting for a playoff spot. Chiefs should come away with not so often played border war as long as they stay away from the heavy penalties suffered in the recent victory over South Brunswick. Prediction: Piscataway wins 35-7.

Pennsauken (5-3) at South Brunswick (8-1)–After losing to Piscataway three weeks ago, and an emotional victory over Sayreville about a month ago, the Vikings got a nice win over playoff bound Monroe last week (19-7). The Vikes earned the top seed over an undefeated team in West Windsor-Plainsboro South (9-0) thanks to playing the tough GMC Red schedule as well as Monroe, and defeating the Bombers. With the home field, South Brunswick should come away victorious. Prediction: South Brunswick wins 20-7.

Colts Neck (5-3) at Sayreville (7-2)–The Bombers will look for some home cooking to get them back on the winning track again. After losing two of their last three games including a 13-9 defeat at South Brunswick, and a 13-0 loss at the hands of Bishop Ahr, Sayreville will try to advance to the sectional semifinals for the second straight year against a team that is yet to win a football playoff game. Last year, GMC Hoops opened its football coverage by covering the Bombers in the state playoffs against Brick Memorial. GMC is stronger than the Shore in football for the most part as reflected in the seedings of these various tournaments. Sayreville gets the edge here. Prediction: Sayreville 27-14

Brick Memorial (6-2) at North Brunswick (7-1)–In addition to South Brunswick and Sayreville, the Raiders of North Brunswick represent the GMC in the Central Jersey Group IV bracket. A possible Thanksgiving Game preview could be on the horizon if both North Brunswick and South Brunswick both win. If these two win, they will be playing against each other two straight weeks, which hasn’t been the only time that has happened. Last year, Turkey Day rivals, Piscataway and Franklin played each other on back to back weeks. The Raiders looked explosive in their come from behind rally to beat Woodbridge, and knock the Barrons out of the state tournament. Senior running back and wide receiver, Ricky Harris shows plenty of versatility and athletic ability while backup quarterback Mike McDonald showed he can do the job if called upon. NBTHS has scored 73 points in just the past two games while Harris has scored six touchdowns. Fellow senior, Michael Cole anchors the defense. Raiders have the home field, and should come away with the win. Prediction: North Brunswick wins 24-13.

Ocean Township (6-2) at Monroe (6-2)–The Falcons earned the second seed in the Central Jersey Group III playoffs. The purple birds have won four straight since winning two of their first three. Last season, Monroe Township was 9-2 so the school has gone 15-4 in just the past two seasons. Not only is MTHS turning things around in basketball, but also on the gridiron. Matt Stolte and Brian Dennis are solid on the offensive line while quarterback Max Stanice and tailback Dale Degraw anchor the rest of the offense, which is coming off a 19-7 loss to South Brunswick last week. Monroe will benefit from some home cooking. Prediction: Monroe wins 31-17.

New Brunswick (5-3) at Middletown South (7-1)–The Zebras have a tough road to climb with a road game at Middletown South, which has always been quite a program in football. The Eagles are going for their tenth sectional title all time while the Zebras are looking to get back to the sectional finals, where they were just two years ago in a victory over Irvington at Rutgers. Senior quarterback, Rajon McMillian leads the offense, which also has solid runners in Randy Varbelow and Javar Nail. Prediction: Middletown South wins, 24-14.

Metuchen (5-3) at Shore Regional (7-1)–Despite losing receiver DeJuan Miller (Oklahoma), the Bulldogs still managed to put together a playoff caliber season again. This time, the offense went to the ground rather than the air with the likes of Peter Strom and Ray Doherty while quarterback Steve Deinzer leads the air attack. The Blue Devils from the Shore Conference have not lost a game since opening day when they were defeated on the road by top seeded Central Jersey Group I school, Asbury Park. Metuchen will have a tough time winning here. Prediction: Shore Regional wins, 28-14

GMC Hoops Nation Is Born!

SOUTH PLAINFIELD, NJ–On Thursday night, GMC Hoops created a new feature that will compliment the web site. On Facebook, the community web site, Greg Machos created GMC Hoops Nation, which will be a gathering place for all those, who share one thing in common, they all love everything about Greater Middlesex Conference Boys Basketball. The group’s members will range from former and present players in the GMC to fans, and friends of the web site. If you have an account on Facebook, you are more than welcome to join.

GMC Football–Video Highlights–North Brunswick @ Woodbridge–November 7, 2008

Good evening everyone. Well, after some delay, I’ve managed to put up the video highlights from the game played last Friday night between North Brunswick and Woodbridge. Sorry for the delay. These highlights capture all the scoring that occurred in the game. There were a lot of big plays, and big hits. The video is not perfect, but it captures just about everything significant in the game. Hope you enjoy!

NJSIAA Football Consolation Matchups

ROBBINSVILLE, NJ–On Tuesday, the consolation matchups for the opening round of the NJSIAA playoffs were revealed, and 14 schools in the Greater Middlesex Conference will be participating this coming weekend. There will be six games on Friday night, and eight contests on Saturday. Take a look below at the schedule.

Friday Night

• Perth Amboy at North Hunterdon, 7:00 PM
• Bridgewater-Raritan at Edison, 7:00 PM
• Hightstown at Carteret, 7:00 PM
• Freehold Township at Old Bridge, 7:00 PM
• Howell at East Brunswick, 7:00 PM
• South River at Point Pleasant Beach, 7:00 PM

Saturday

• Newark West Side at Colonia, 12:00 PM
• South Plainfield at Steinert, 1:00 PM
• J.F. Kennedy at West Windsor-Plainsboro North, 1:00 PM
• Voorhees at J.P. Stevens, 1:00 PM
• Dunellen at Keyport, 1:00 PM
• Cardinal McCarrick at Pingry, 1:00 PM
• Woodbridge at Franklin, 1:00 PM
• Spotswood at Matawan, 7:00 PM

NJSIAA Football Playoff Matchups–Opening Round

ROBBINSVILLE, NJ–To refresh your memory, or in case you haven’t been aware, the football state playoffs are scheduled to begin on Friday night around New Jersey. In an effort to get ready for them, GMC Hoops has put together the matchups for all the playoff brackets involving teams from the GMC. Below are the matchups by section: North Jersey Section 2, Central Jersey, and Non-Public.

North Jersey Section 2

Group IV

• #8 Plainfield (4-4) at #1 Piscataway (7-1), Saturday at 1:00 PM
• #7 Watchung Hills (4-5) at #2 Hunterdon Central (7-2), Friday at 7:00 PM
• #6 Westfield (6-2) at #3 Ridge (8-1), Friday at 7:00 PM
• #5 Elizabeth (6-2) at #4 Union (6-2), Saturday at 1:00 PM

Central Jersey

Group I

• #8 New Egypt (4-4) at #1 Asbury Park (8-0), Saturday at 1:00 PM
• #7 Metuchen (6-3) at #2 Shore Regional (7-1), Friday at 7:00 PM
• #6 Florence (6-2) at #3 Bound Brook (8-0), Friday at 7:00 PM
• #5 Highland Park (6-2) at #4 Middlesex (7-1), Friday at 7:00 PM

Group III

• #8 Nottingham (6-3) at #1 Freehold Borough (8-0), Saturday at 1:00 PM
• #7 Ocean Township (6-2) at #2 Monroe (6-3), Friday at 7:00 PM
• #6 New Brunswick (6-3) at #3 Middletown South (7-1), Friday at 7:00 PM
• #5 Neptune (6-2) at #4 Lawrence (7-2), Saturday at 1:00 PM

Group IV

• #8 Pennsauken (5-3) at #1 South Brunswick (7-1), Friday at 7:00 PM
• #7 Middletown North (5-3) at #2 West Windsor-Plainsboro South (9-0), Saturday at 1:00 PM
• #6 Colts Neck (5-3) at #3 Sayreville (7-2), Friday at 7:00 PM
• #5 Brick Memorial (6-2) at #4 North Brunswick (7-1), Friday at 7:00 PM

Non-Public

Group III

• #8 Delbarton (7-2) at #1 St. Joseph’s Montvale (7-1), Saturday at 1:00 PM
• #7 Holy Spirit (6-2) at #2 Immaculata (8-1), Friday at 7:00 PM
• #6 Pope John (8-1) at #3 Gloucester Catholic (7-1), Saturday at 1:00 PM
• #5 Camden Catholic (7-1) at #4 Bishop Ahr (7-1), Friday at 7:00 PM

Note: –GMC Hoops will be down at Bishop Ahr High School on Friday night to take in the game between the Trojans and Camden Catholic.

GMC Football–Notable Teams Not In State Tournament This Year

SOUTH PLAINFIELD, NJ–With the state tournament brackets and pairings already announced, GMC Hoops has put together the notable teams from the Greater Middlesex Conference that are not competing in this year’s playoffs along with their record:

• Carteret (5-3)–Not enough power points to get in; Also lost to Piscataway on cutoff night 52-0
• South Plainfield (2-6)–Losses of Bennie Gibson and Troy Russell hurt Tigers this year
• Colonia (2-5)–Patriots along with Tigers two GMC White teams that struggled in 2008 after making playoffs in 2007
• South River (1-7)–After a long successful run in football, the Rams had perhaps one of their worst seasons ever.
• Woodbridge (3-5)–Lost to North Brunswick 28-11 at the state cutoff
• East Brunswick (4-4)–Despite winning for the third time in four games this past Friday, the Bears couldn’t overcome a tough schedule with loses to Top Ten teams such as Piscataway, South Brunswick, Sayreville, and Woodbridge.
• Old Bridge (2-6)–The Knights fell on hard times this year after having success on the gridiron.
• J.P. Stevens (0-8)–A once proud football program has fallen on hard times.
• Edison (3-5)–The Eagles suffered without QB Erik Janz in the lineup for several weeks.
• Dunellen (2-6)–After a 6-4 campaign last year, the Destroyers slipped below .500

NJSIAA Football Playoff Seeds

ROBBINSVILLE, NJ–To refresh your memory, or in case you haven’t been aware, the football state playoffs are scheduled to begin on Friday night around New Jersey. In an effort to get ready for them, GMC Hoops has put together the seeds for all the playoff brackets involving teams from the GMC. This season, there were ten teams from the conference that qualified: Bishop Ahr, Highland Park, Metuchen, Middlesex, Monroe, New Brunswick, North Brunswick, Piscataway, Sayreville, and South Brunswick. Below are the seeds by section: North Jersey Section 2, Central Jersey, and Non-Public.

North Jersey Section 2

Group IV

Piscataway (7-1)

Hunterdon Central (7-2)

Ridge (8-1)

Union (6-2)

Elizabeth (6-2)

Westfield (6-2)

Watchung Hills (4-5)

Plainfield (4-4)

Central Jersey

Group I

Asbury Park (8-0)

Shore Regional (7-1)

Bound Brook (8-0)

Middlesex (7-1)

Highland Park (6-2)

Florence (6-2)

Metuchen (6-3)

New Egypt (4-4)

Group III

Freehold Borough (8-0)

Monroe (6-3)

Middletown South (7-1)

Lawrence (7-2)

Neptune (6-2)

New Brunswick (6-3)

Ocean Township (6-2)

Nottingham (6-3)

Group IV

South Brunswick (7-1)

West Windsor-Plainsboro South (9-0)

Sayreville (7-2)

North Brunswick (7-1)

Brick Memorial (6-2)

Colts Neck (5-3)

Middletown North (5-3)

Pennsauken (5-3)

Non-Public

Group III

St. Joseph’s Montvale (7-1)

Immaculata (8-1)

Gloucester Catholic (7-1)

Bishop Ahr (7-1)

Camden Catholic (7-1)

Pope John (8-1)

Holy Spirit (6-2)

Delbarton (7-2)

Note: The combined record of all ten GMC teams in the state tournament this year is 66-18.

NJSIAA Football Power Points–Most Recent–November 3, 2008

ROBBINSVILLE, NJ–In an effort to get you all prepared for the upcoming first round of football playoffs on Friday, GMC Hoops obtained the most recent NJSIAA power points from November 3rd. As you can see, a lot changed after Friday night’s games. The web site is just focusing on the sections that include member schools from the Greater Middlesex Conference: North Jersey Section 2, Central Jersey, and Non-Public.

NORTH JERSEY SECTION 2

Group III

West Morris Central (7-1) 79; Irvington (7-0) 77; Roxbury (7-1) 71; Phillipsburg (6-1) 58; West Morris Mendham (7-1) 57; Rahway (6-1) 48; Nutley (5-2) 47; Morristown (4-3-1) 46.75; Ferris (5-3) 36; Parsippany Hills (5-3) 30; Belleville (3-4) 24; Passaic Valley (3-5) 21; Colonia (2-5) 21; West Side (Newark) (3-5) 20; Scotch Plains (2-4) 15; Warren Hills (1-7) 6; East Side (Newark) (0-8) 0; Voorhees (0-7) 0; Millburn (0-8) 0.

Group IV

Hunterdon Central (7-1) 75; Ridge (7-1) 66; Piscataway (6-1) 62; Elizabeth (6-1) 57; Westfield (5-2) 46; Union (5-2) 44; Watchung Hills (4-4) 44; Franklin (3-5) 34; Bayonne (3-5) 29; Linden (4-4) 29; Woodbridge (3-4) 28; Plainfield (3-4) 26; Edison (3-4) 25; Bridgewater-Raritan (2-6) 22; North Hunterdon (2-5) 18; Perth Amboy (1-6) 8; J.P. Stevens (0-7) 0; Columbia (0-8) 0; Dickinson (0-7) 0.

CENTRAL JERSEY

Group I

Asbury Park (7-0) 39; Bound Brook (8-0) 39; Shore Regional (6-1) 31; Highland Park (6-1) 31; Florence (6-1) 30; Middlesex (6-1) 28; Metuchen (5-3) 22; New Egypt (4-3) 19; Robbinsville (3-5) 18; Keyport (4-3) 16; South Hunterdon (3-4) 9; Dunellen (2-6) 9; Manville (2-5) 8; Riverside (2-5) 5; Point Pleasant Beach (2-5) 5; Keansburg (1-7) 4; South River (1-7) 4 Bordentown (1-6) 2; Burlington City (0-7) 0.

Group II

Point Pleasant Boro (6-1) 38; Manasquan (5-2) 36; Johnson (5-2) 36; Burlington Twp. (5-3) 35; Somerville (4-4) 32; Delran (5-2) 32; Raritan (5-2) 31; North Plainfield (5-2) 28; Delaware Valley (5-2) 25; Rumson-Fair Haven (5-2) 24; Matawan (4-3) 23; Long Branch (3-4) 20; Monmouth Regional (3-4) 19; Spotswood (3-5) 16; Ewing (2-5) 12; Allentown (2-5) 10; Abraham Clark (Roselle) (2-4) 10; Cranford (2-6) 7; Red Bank (0-7) 0.

Group III

Monroe (6-2) 62; Freehold (7-0) 61; Lawrence (6-2) 54; Middletown South (6-1) 52; New Brunswick (5-3) 47; Hamilton North (5-3) 43; Neptune (5-2) 42; Princeton (5-3) 41; Hopewell Valley (5-3) 36; Carteret (5-2) 36; Ocean Township (5-2) 34; Hamilton East (3-4) 28; Hightstown (3-5) 26; Hamilton West (3-4) 24; Wall (3-4) 20; South Plainfield (2-6) 11; West Windsor North (1-7) 6; JFK Iselin (1-7) 3; Holmdel (0-7) 0.

Group IV

West Windsor South (8-0) 78; Sayreville (7-1) 67; South Brunswick (6-1) 66; North Brunswick (6-1) 55; Colts Neck (5-2) 52; Brick Memorial (5-2) 51; Pennsauken (5-3) 47; Rancocas Valley (5-2) 47; Middletown North (4-3) 42; Hillsborough (4-4) 40; Montgomery (4-4) 33; East Brunswick (3-4) 29; Howell (2-5) 21; Manalapan (2-5) 20; Freehold Township (2-5) 17; Jackson Memorial (1-6) 10; Old Bridge (1-6) 8; Trenton (0-8) 0; Marlboro (0-7) 0.

NON-PUBLIC

Group II

Hudson Catholic (5-3) 47; Holy Cross (5-2) 37; St. Joseph (Hammonton) (4-3) 32; Bishop Eustace (4-3) 28; Queen of Peace (3-5) 24; Morris Catholic (4-4) 23; Dwight Engelwood (2-4) 11; Marist (2-6) 11; Pingry (1-7) 5; Cardinal McCarrick (0-7) 0.
 

Group III

St. Joseph (Montvale) (7-0) 79; Immaculata (7-1) 77; Pope John (7-1) 67; Gloucester Catholic (6-1) 63; Bishop Ahr (6-1) 57; Camden Catholic (6-1) 55; Holy Spirit (6-1) 52; Delbarton (6-2) 48; DePaul (6-2) 46; Monsignor Donovan (3-4) 9.

Rebounds Fall League–November 3, 2008–Showcase Games

NEPTUNE, NJ–On Monday night, the first one in November, GMC Hoops once again left work, and went on a trip down Route 35 South to Rebounds. This time it was for the Showcase Round of contests at the 2008 Rebounds Fall League, which was ending for the season. All three teams from the GMC were in action on this night, and South Brunswick came up a winner thanks to a 43-38 victory over Ocean Township. However, East Brunswick, which was without the services of Dustin Schuld and Mauro Tucci, who are both playing football, fell to previously winless Monsignor Donovan by nine, 57-48. The final round of games on this night included Spotswood taking on a very tall challenge in both a figurative, and literal sense in West Windsor-Plainsboro South.

Spotswood Ends Fall On Strong Note With
Impressive Win Over West Windsor-Plainsboro South, 47-38

It was a battle of two 5-2 teams from Division B to wrap up the fall at Rebounds as Spotswood’s Chargers went to battle against the Pirates of West Windsor-Plainsboro South. The last time the web site happened to see WWPS in action was on opening night against South Brunswick as the Pirates went on to a 44-36 victory. Coming into the matchup, West Windsor-Plainsboro South had only lost to Lacey (51-41) in Week #6, and Brick Memorial (65-33) last week. Meanwhile, the Chargers lost their two games by a combined total of just seven points including a 62-59 defeat at the hands of the AAU Shore Sharks from Middletown, and by four in overtime to South Brunswick (55-51).

Despite the fact that Spotswood was giving up a lot of size, and the tempo appeared to be too fast for them, the Chargers still managed to pull out the win. The Pirates helped out though with a very poor performance at the foul line going 6 of 17 from the charity stripe for just 35.3 percent. Once again, Spotswood got off to a very good start with a 13-4 tear over the first 5:56. The weapon of choice once more was the three pointer as the Chargers made three from beyond the arc including one by Cody Pace to start the game at the 19:42 mark, and back to back trifectas by Tyler Osofsky at the 14:31 and 14:04 marks respectively. Spotswood also added a layup set up by a Pareti steal at the 19;22 mark for a 5-0 lead, and then a jumper from the right side by Pat Dwyer off a skip pass by Pace at the 18 minute mark for a 7-2 edge.

However, the Pirates roared back with a 12-1 tear over the next 6:31 to actually take their first lead of the game at 16-14 with 7:33 to go in the first half. The spurt started with a short jumper in the paint that made the score, 13-6 at the 13:25 mark. West Windsor then followed that up with a drive and dish by their sophomore big man that led to a layup, and a foul for a conventional three point play and a 13-9 score at the 12:45 mark. Over a minute later, the Pirates, which could have made a game of it had they hit the majority of their foul shots, stepped up to the line, and clicked on only one of two for a 13-10 Spotswood lead with 11:28 to go. WWPS could have gotten a bit closer, but missed two free throws following a drive to the basket that drew a foul at the 10:31 mark. Meanwhile, Spotswood was unable to get on track offensively. The Pirates stepped up the defense, and it was beginning to look like it was going to be a long night for the Chargers.

First the big man for WWPS came up with a huge emphatic block at the 9:51 mark, and the Pirates cashed in at the other end with a nice dish to the right for a layin, and an 8-0 run for a 13-12 Charger lead at the 9:30 mark. Spotswood would get its only points during this dry spell when Osofsky grabbed a rebound, and made a nice lead pass to Pace upcourt for a layup attempt that drew a foul, and produced one of two at the foul line for a 14-12 edge with 8:50 to go in the half. Just under a minute later, the Pirates tied things up at 14-14 when their big man, who tried to demonstrate some versatility with some perimeter shooting during the contest, connected on a short jumper with 7:52 to go before the intermission. On the very next Spotswood possession, the Pirates stopped the Chargers to set up a very nicely executed fast break that was capped by a layup for a 16-14 lead at the 7:33 mark.

Following a Spotswood timeout at the 7:29 mark, the Pirates had a chance to go up by four when a player knifed into the key from the right wing for a scoop shot, and drew a foul at the seven minute mark. However, the free throw shooting woes were just beginning as the Pirates came up empty in two attempts from the charity stripe. The Chargers didn’t get on the board again until the 5:36 mark when Gerhart got a rebound, and passed upcourt to Pace for a score, the first field goal in 8:28 that tied the game at 16-16. The bucket then sparked an 8-0 Spotswood run that was highlighted by the hustle of the Pareti twins that led to a layup, and a 22-16 lead with 3:44 to go before the intermission. West Windsor-Plainsboro finally got on the board for the first time in 4:31 when its big man netted two from the foul line for a 22-18 Spotswood lead at the 3:02 mark.

On the very next Charger possession, the GMC Blue team came up with its final field goal of the half for a 24-18 lead with 2:43 to play before the brief break. The Pirates then closed out the half with a layin off a fast break at the 1:01 mark, and then a steal off a loose ball led to another well executed break, and a layup with 31.4 seconds to go in the half for a 24-22 Spotswood lead going into the intermission. In the second half, Spotswood came out strong with a three pointer from the left wing, and a jumper from the ring wing by Cody Pace at the 16:45 mark for a 30-22 lead, and then Dwyer flipped in a three from the right corner to answer a trey earlier by West Windsor-Plainsboro South for a 33-25 lead as the Pirates called for time with 16:20 to go. Following the timeout, James Pareti hustled to steal an errant pass, and proceeded to go in for a layup that made the score, 35-25 at the 14:49 mark.

After getting a stop on the defensive end, the Chargers scored again as Dwyer grabbed an offfensive rebound off a Gerhart miss, and put it back in for a 37-25 lead at the 14:16 mark. Forty seconds later, WWPS perpetuated its free throw shooting woes by coming up empty again on two attempts. By this point in the game, the 13:26 mark of the second half, the Pirates were only 4 of 15 from the charity stripe. However, the team from the Colonial Valley Conference got back on the board with a three pointer from the right wing to put an end to the 13-3 start by the Chargers, and close the gap to 37-28 with 11:27 to play. On a subsequent Spotswood possession, Pace kicked out to Tyler Osofsky for a drive along the left baseline for an up and under move and layup that made the score, 39-28 at the 10:53 mark. Fifty seconds after that, Osofsky dished to Pace for a layup that made it a 41-28 lead at the 10:03 mark. The Pirates big man continued to do his best to not only help his team at the line by making a pair of free throws, but keep it in the game with a 41-30 score at the 9:21 mark.

Spotswood would go up by as much as 15 points as Osofsky made one of two at the line for a 42-30 lead with 8:35 lead, a pick and roll play setup the Chargers for another score at the 5:42 mark, and then Gerhart made one of two from the line to make the score, 45-30 with less than five minutes to go. West-Windsor Plainsboro would close the game with an 8-2 spurt, but it wouldn’t be enough as the Spotswood Chargers finished up a very successful fall season with a 6-2 record overall thanks to the 47-38 victory. WWPS closed out its season with a 5-3 record. GMC Hoops would like to thank Joe Stein and his staff at Rebounds for all their assistance in getting results from all the games as well as letting us come down to cover the action. The site will be back in Neptune in the Spring of 2009 to cover the Spring League if there are GMC teams competing.

GMC Football–Video Highlights–South Brunswick @ Piscataway–October 24, 2008

Good afternoon everybody. I’ve finally been able to post the highlights from the game between South Brunswick and Piscataway that was played two weeks ago. These highlights are from the very end of the second quarter until the final minutes of the game. Piscataway won by a score of 27-7, and actually led 27-0 before the Vikings threw a touchdown pass in the waning moments of the contest. Both teams will finish tied with Sayreville for first place in the GMC Red at 5-1. Enjoy the highlights.