NEPTUNE, NJ–On Monday night, GMC Hoops took another trip down to the Hoop Group Headquarters after week to take in the fifth night of action from the 2011 Spring League there. South River was in action, but the site was unable to see them play since its game against Asbury Park Recreation was played at 7:00 PM, and we weren’t able to get out of work until 7:30 PM. The Rams wound up losing 67-52. Meanwhile, in the other 7:00 PM game, Rob Gomulka of Bishop Ahr fired in 37 points to lead G-Force to a 54-50 victory over Manasquan. Here are the capsules from the other games that were played.
Middletown South vs. Point Pleasant Boro
The Eagles were looking to recover from last week’s rout suffered at the hands of Neptune, and they started out strong with a 21-4 lead at the 9:00 mark of the first half. Â The Panthers responded by scoring eight of the next 10 points over a span of about seven minutes to close within 23-12. Â Middletown South scored five of the next six points to take a 28-13 lead with 41.2 seconds to go in the first half, but Point Boro made a free throw, and a basket for a 28-16 score with 20.8 seconds left, and led by a dozen at the break. Â
The Panthers from Ocean County then opened the second half with a 7-0 run including two threes to close within five at 28-23 with 18:23 to go. Â Up to this point in the contest, Point Boro had outscored Middletown South by margin of 19-7 to get back into the game. Â Over the next 3:59, Middletown South put some breathing room between itself and Point Boro with a 14-5 spurt for a 42-28 lead with 14:24 left. Â Point Boro rallied with a 27-19 surge to pull within six with 40 seconds left. Â However, Middletown South pulled out the 61-57 win.
Ocean Township vs. Neptune
The Scarlet Fliers and Spartans resumed a rivalry that goes on during the regular season in the Class B North Division of the Shore Conference. Â Neptune jumped out to an 11-6 lead before the Spartans responded with a 7-2 run to tie things up. Â The Fliers then scored five straight points for an 18-13 lead before Ocean Township converted a traditional three point play to pull within a basket. Â Neptune then took a five point, 21-16 lead at the intermission thanks to a three pointer. Â
The Fliers then began the second half with an 8-5 run over the first 5:14 to go up by eight at 29-21 with 14:46 to go. Â Over the next 2:11, Neptune added to its lead with a 6-3 run for a 14-8 start, and a 35-23 advantage. Â Ocean rallied with a 17-9 spurt including a three pointer with under a minute to go in the first half. Â The Spartans were down by two with 4.8 seconds left, but Neptune stole the inbounds pass to pull out the 44-42 win.
Wall Township vs. Tropics
The Tropics used the three point shot to jump out to a 14-4 lead with 12:00 to go in the first half. Â The Tropics led 23-13 midway through the half when Wall rallied with an 18-8 tear to tie the game at 31-31 going into the intermission. Â The Crimson Knights continued their onslaught with the first six points of the second half for a 37-31 lead at the 17:18 mark. Â
The Tropics rallied with 6 of the next eight points to draw within two before Wall got a basket and a foul at the 12:21 mark for a 41-37 lead. Â The Tropics then went on a 17-6 tear for a 54-47 lead with three minutes left. Â Wall then trailed 57-50 after a three by the Tropics, but scored five straight points including a three pointer to pull within two at 57-55 with 40 seconds left. Â The Knights were unable to get any closer as the Tropics won 61-59.
St. Rose vs. Marlboro
Marlboro jumped out to an 11-2 lead, and led 15-7 with 8:00 to go in the first half. Â Marlboro then went on a 18-13 run including a half court heave at the buzzer to end the first half with a 33-20 lead. Â Marlboro opened the second half with a 9-7 run for a 42-27 lead when a timeout was called at the 12:27 mark.
Marlboro then scored four more points after the stoppage for a 46-27 lead before St. Rose rallied with a 21-10 surge over a span of 9:20 to pull within eight at 56-48 with 40 seconds left. Â The Roses couldn’t get any closer as Marlboro won 58-48.
GMC Hoops will have the updated team stats posted later this week.