GMC Holding Its Own Against Out Of Conference Foes
February 28, 2013 on 2:08 pm | In General, Bishop Ahr Hoops, Dunellen Hoops, Middlesex Hoops, Monroe Hoops, Metuchen Hoops, North Brunswick Hoops, St. Joseph's Hoops, Colonia Hoops, Piscataway Tech Hoops, Amboy Tech Hoops, South Plainfield Hoops, South Amboy Hoops, South River Hoops, South Brunswick Hoops, Spotswood Hoops, East Brunswick Tech Hoops, Perth Amboy Hoops, Timothy Christian Hoops, New Brunswick Hoops, Wardlaw Hoops, Cardinal McCarrick Hoops, Sayreville Hoops, Piscataway Hoops, Carteret Hoops, J.F. Kennedy Hoops, Old Bridge Hoops, East Brunswick Hoops, Edison Hoops, J.P. Stevens Hoops, Woodbridge Hoops, Highland Park Hoops | Comments OffConference Teams Combine For Over .500 Record Entering Final Stage Of Season
EAST BRUNSWICK, NJ–On Monday, state tournament play began for 25 of the 31 teams in the Greater Middlesex Conference that qualified for the various tourneys categorized by school enrollment. As of the end of play, Wednesday night, the GMC has gone 9-9 against teams outside Middlesex County in state tourney play.
Entering the state tournament season, the 31 teams in the GMC had combined for an 82-76 record during the regular season against teams from other conferences. The conference is now 91-85, and has gone 22-16 since dropping to .500 in the middle of February. It has been an up and down, and streaky season for GMC schools against non-conference foes. The GMC began the year with 8 wins in its first 9 games, and then was clobbered over the holidays.
From that point on, the GMC schools have been on a roller coaster ride against teams outside of Middlesex County. For the most part though, the conference has held its own against many of the conferences in the Central Jersey area. Entering play on Thursday, the GMC is 4-3 against the Colonial Valley Conference, 23-22 versus the Skyland Conference, 10-10 against the Union County Conference, and 16-19 versus the Shore Conference. While the conference has not been dominant against schools from these other conferences, it has been able to hold its own.
A couple conferences that have done fairly well against the GMC this year have been the Burlington County Scholastic League, which has won 5 of 8 games against GMC schools, and the Hudson County Interscholastic Athletic Association, which has won 6 of 9 against the GMC. Breaking down the 91-85 GMC non-conference record by division: The Gold is 32-19. The Red is 27-21. Blue Division is 20-17 while the White has struggled at 12-28. Teams that have done well against non-conference schools this season are: Perth Amboy Tech (8-1), St. Joseph’s (7-2), South River (7-3), East Brunswick Tech (6-2), Dunellen (4-0), Old Bridge (5-2), East Brunswick (5-2), Middlesex (3-0), Piscataway Tech (4-2), and Spotswood (3-1).
GMC Hoops Game Analysis–South Plainfield @ Middlesex–Blue Division Clash–February 1, 2013
February 2, 2013 on 12:11 am | In Middlesex Hoops, South Plainfield Hoops | Comments OffTigers Showing Signs Of Improvement With 3rd Straight Win
MIDDLESEX, NJ–Things are starting to look up for the South Plainfield Tigers boys basketball team. After a 2-21 season in 2011-12, and a move down to the Blue Division, the Tigers struggled in the early going this season. SPHS began the season with 8 losses in its first 9 games with many of those defeats coming by single digits. To date, the Tigers have lost 7 games by 9 points or less with six of those contests decided by seven points or less, and four of those games decided by five points or less.
Since the 1-8 start, South Plainfield has turned it around with five wins in its last 10 games including two wins over Metuchen by the identical score of 54-39, a 53-49 win over Highland Park, a solid 49-33 victory over J.F. Kennedy, and now a 42-40 win over Middlesex on the road. The two recent wins over JFK and Middlesex avenged defeats from earlier in the season. The Blue Jays defeated South Plainfield at SPHS by the score of 60-53 on January 2nd while Kennedy edged the Tigers in Iselin by the score of 57-52.
The victory was the third straight for the Tigers as they won every game they played this week, and more than they had all of last year. The win over the Jays gave SPHS a 6-13 mark on the season, which triples their win output from a year ago. It wasn’t easy, and not really pretty, but South Plainfield is starting to figure out how to win the close games, which was something they had not been doing all season. Meanwhile, Middlesex dropped its third straight, and fell to 8-9 overall, and are now tied with SP in the Blue Division at 5-9.
Trailing 34-31 after three periods, the Tigers locked down on defense by limiting the Blue Jays to just six points in the fourth quarter while senior guard, Ray Perez, who came off the bench in this contest, came up big by scoring all 9 of his points in the period. Perez drained a triple from just to the left of the top of the key to tie the score at 34-34, and then gave the Tigers the lead for good with a trey from almost the exact same spot for a 39-36 lead. Perez, a three year varsity player, helped seal the win with a 3 of 4 showing at the foul line down the stretch.
Middlesex had its chances to tie the game in the closing seconds. After forcing a South Plainfield turnover, the Jays were able to draw a foul with no time left, but missed the first of what would have been two free throws, and the Tigers escaped with the two point victory. SPHS had only five players score in the contest, but four of them scored at least 8 points including Claude Payne, who had a game high 13 points. Perez chipped in with 9 while Justin Glover and Malik Cisson each added 8. Jarret Bogus and Kayshawn Wilson led Middlesex in a losing cause with 9 points each. The Blue Jays had 8 different players score including Sean Sarnoski, who had 5 points and three others that had four.
South Plainfield jumped out to a 12-4 first quarter lead as they were able to stymie Middlesex on the defensive end while Justin Glover scored 7 of his 8 in the frame including a three point play to cap an 8-0 spurt to end the period. The Tigers then got another three point play from Cisson to take an 18-7 lead, but Middlesex, which outscored SPHS by a margin of 30-19 in the middle two periods, finished the half with a 13-6 tear to pull within four at the intermission. The Jays then opened up the second half with seven unanswered points for a 27-24 lead, and maintained the tenuous three point lead heading into the fourth.
For the game, Middlesex and South Plainfield had similar games offensively. The Blue Jays shot 16 of 42 from the floor for about 43 percent while the Tigers went 14 of 44 from the floor for just under 40 percent. Middlesex enjoyed a slight edge in points from beyond the arc at 9-6 while shooting 3 of 11 from long distance while the Tigers were only 2 of 11. However, the big difference was at the foul line where SPHS did better. The Tigers connected on 12 of 20 from the charity stripe for 60 percent while the Jays were only 5 of 11 for 46 percent. South Plainfield also had fewer fouls with 11 versus Middlesex’s 16.
South Plainfield’s second year head coach, Justin Chiera, used plenty of players in the contest. He substituted often for much of the game until the fourth quarter when he went with the combination of Perez, Payne, Glover, Cisson, and Roemello Monroe, who scored the remaining four points in the game for the Tigers. While SPHS may not be a contender to win this year’s GMCT, or make a state title run, it is starting to turn a corner with its best week of basketball in several years.
GMC Hoops Game Analysis–Bishop Ahr @ Middlesex–Blue Division Clash–January 18, 2013
February 1, 2013 on 4:24 pm | In Bishop Ahr Hoops, Middlesex Hoops | Comments OffJensen and Bader Lead Solid Team Effort By Trojans
MIDDLESEX, NJ–After losing the likes of Roger Kilgore, Dillon Salva, and Kenny Virden to graduation last June, the 2012-13 campaign has been one of transition for the Trojans of Bishop Ahr. With only two players returning from last year’s roster, a lot of change was in the air at the BGA. There have been some ups and downs including a recent three game losing streak that included an upset loss in overtime at Metuchen, but Ahr is doing ok.
Led by the efforts of senior Mike Jensen, who scored a game high 17 points and reserve Chris Bader, who gave a spark off the bench with 10 points, the Trojans were able to snap the three game losing streak with a 60-44 victory over Middlesex on the road. Bishop Ahr had 10 players get into the game with 9 of them scoring. Jensen connected on 6 of 8 shots including 2 of 3 from long range while making 3 of 4 at the line. Bader, connected on 3 of 4 attempts from the field while hitting 4 of 8 from the line.
Sophomore Tom Weiler also contributed with 9 points on 4 of 8 shooting including a three pointer. St. Joe’s transfer, Owen McLeod chipped in also with 7 points on 3 of 6 shooting from the floor and a free throw. Greg Patuto sank two threes in the first half to jump start the offense, and ended up with 6 points. Jarret Bogus led Middlesex in a losing cause with 14 points on 6 of 12 shooting while Austin Bardaji chipped in with 10 points on 3 of 7 shooting from the floor, and 4 of 5 from the line.
For the game, Ahr was 22 of 41 from the floor for 62 percent while Middlesex was 18 of 37 for 52 percent. Big difference was three pointers where Ahr dominated with a 6 of 17 effort versus an 0 of 5 showing by the Blue Jays. Free throws were quite even with BGA ending up 10 of 17 from the charity stripe while the Jays were 8 of 13. Fouls were close with BGA having fewer (9 to 11). Bishop Ahr jumped out to an 11-4 lead early, and withstood a run by Middlesex toward the end of the period for a 19-10 lead. The Trojans increased that to 35-19 at the half, and led by as many as 23 on several occasions in the second half.
Ahr did a great job of working the ball around and showing great team work, particularly in the second half when the Trojans made several nice extra passes for layups. While the Trojans are not as good as they have been in recent years, they should be still able to hold its own in a new and more competitive Blue Division. The future also looks bright for the BGA with the likes of Weiler and Pat Astarita leading a solid sophomore class.
GMC Hoops Highlights–January 28, 2013–Carteret @ Middlesex–Blue Division Clash
February 1, 2013 on 8:27 am | In Middlesex Hoops, Video Highlights, Carteret Hoops | Comments OffHere are video highlights from the final 9:32 of the contest between Carteret and Middlesex in GMC Blue action. Leading 44-32 with 1:32 remaining in the third, Carteret went on an 18-5 tear sparked by a steal for a layup and a three by Anthony Spinnelli, and continued with scores by Jaquan Robertson and Brandon Gilder, and capped by a three and a pair of free throws by Andrew Stam for a 62-37 lead en route to a 66-47 win.
GMC Hoops Floor Cam Highlights–January 18, 2013–Bishop Ahr @ Middlesex–Blue Division Clash
January 25, 2013 on 2:45 pm | In Bishop Ahr Hoops, Middlesex Hoops, Video Highlights | Comments OffHere are floor cam highlights from Bishop Ahr’s win over Middlesex in GMC Blue action from mid-January 2013. After losing three straight, the Bishop Ahr Trojans got back to their winning ways on by defeating Middlesex in a Blue Division contest. Senior Mike Jensen led the way with a game high 17 points while reserve Chris Bader added 10 and sophomore Tom Weiler chipped in with 9. Jarret Bogus led Middlesex in a losing cause with 14 points while Rutgers Prep transfer Austin Bardaji chipped in with 10 for the Jays. The BGA jumped out to an 11-4 lead midway through the first period, and then outscored Middlesex 16-9 in the second period to take a 35-19 halftime lead. Ahr led by as many as 23 points in the second half before the Blue Jays finished with an 11-4 tear including six points from Bogus.
GMC Hoops Highlights–January 18, 2013–Bishop Ahr @ Middlesex–JV Game
January 25, 2013 on 10:55 am | In Bishop Ahr Hoops, Middlesex Hoops, Video Highlights | Comments OffHere are highlights from the overtime of Bishop Ahr’s 62-53 JV win over Middlesex in mid-January 2013. Middlesex battled to force an extra session with the score tied at 51-51 at the end of regulation, but the Junior Trojans put together an 11-2 showing in the final frame for the win. BGA got a three and a layup to spark the run, and then went to the foul line to knock down free throws to seal the win.
GMC-Skyland Challenge–January 19, 2013–Schedule
January 19, 2013 on 8:25 am | In Bishop Ahr Hoops, Middlesex Hoops, Monroe Hoops, North Brunswick Hoops, St. Joseph's Hoops, South Plainfield Hoops, South Amboy Hoops, Spotswood Hoops, South River Hoops, South Brunswick Hoops, Piscataway Hoops, Perth Amboy Hoops, Timothy Christian Hoops, New Brunswick Hoops, Wardlaw Hoops, Cardinal McCarrick Hoops, Woodbridge Hoops, Sayreville Hoops, Carteret Hoops, J.F. Kennedy Hoops, Old Bridge Hoops, East Brunswick Hoops, J.P. Stevens Hoops | Comments OffGood morning everyone. Here is the latest schedule for the GMC-Skyland Challenge set for today. GMC Hoops plans to be at Immaculata for the two games there, and then go over to Bound Brook to see Cardinal McCarrick take on the home town Crusaders.
Skyland/GMC Challenge
At Bound Brook
Colonia vs. Warren Hills, 5:00 PM
Cardinal McCarrick vs. Bound Brook, 7:00 PM
At East Brunswick
Timothy Christian vs. Voorhees, 2:00 PM
Piscataway vs. Montgomery, 4:00 PM
Bridgewater vs. East Brunswick, 6:00 PM
At Franklin
South Brunswick vs. Hillsborough, 12:45 PM
North Brunswick vs. Franklin, 2:30 PM
At Immaculata
Bishop Ahr vs. Pingry, 3:00 PM
Woodbridge vs. Immaculata, 5:00 PM
At North Plainfield
J.F. Kennedy vs. North Plainfield, 1:00 PM
At Middlesex
South Hunterdon vs. Middlesex, 12:00 PM
At Monroe
Hunterdon Central vs. Monroe, 7:00 PM
At North Hunterdon
Edison vs. North Hunterdon, 1:30 PM
At Perth Amboy
Delaware Valley vs. Perth Amboy, 1:00 PM
At Phillipsburg
Old Bridge vs. Phillipsburg, 2:30 PM
At Somerville
Carteret vs. Somerville, 2:00 PM
At South Amboy
Manville vs. South Amboy, 11:30 AM
At Spotswood
Bernards vs. Spotswood, 1:30 PM
At Ridge
New Brunswick vs. Ridge, 2:30 PM
At Watchung
Sayreville vs. Watchung Hills, 7:00 PM
GMC Hoops Shot Charts–Bishop Ahr @ Middlesex–Blue Division Clash–January 18, 2013
January 18, 2013 on 11:03 pm | In Bishop Ahr Hoops, Middlesex Hoops | Comments OffMIDDLESEX, NJ–In addition to the game stats and play-by-play from the contest, GMC Hoops was able to compile a shot chart for both Bishop Ahr and Middlesex from tonight’s contest. Again, all of these things were made possible by the Game Changer stat program that was used during the game. Below is the shot chart for Middlesex followed by one for Bishop Ahr.
Middlesex Shot Chart
Bishop Ahr Shot Chart
GMC Hoops Play-By-Play–Bishop Ahr @ Middlesex–Blue Division Clash–January 18, 2013
January 18, 2013 on 10:52 pm | In Bishop Ahr Hoops, Middlesex Hoops | Comments OffMIDDLESEX, NJ–In addition to putting together game stats, GMC Hoops has generated a play-by-play of tonight’s contest between Bishop Ahr and Middlesex courtesy of Game Stream by Game Changer, which is a stat and play-by-play program that can be viewed online. I’m still figuring things out, but eventually I will have games with stats posted on Game Changer, and will provide the links to them from here, Facebook, and Twitter. Below is a play-by-play generated from the contest starting with the final play of the game, and going backwards as you progress down the page.
End of Game
+2
BSHP
60 - 44
Eddie Hayes makes two point shot
+2
MDLS
58 - 44
Jarret Bogus makes two point shot
+2
MDLS
58 - 42
Jarret Bogus makes two point shot
BSHP
Anthony Abano misses three point shot
+2
MDLS
58 - 40
Jarret Bogus makes two point shot
+2
MDLS
58 - 38
Adam Wick makes two point shot
BSHP
Robert Pacitti misses free throw
+1
BSHP
58 - 36
Robert Pacitti makes free throw
Foul
MDLS
Jarret Bogus fouls (Bishop Ahr Trojans Varsity draw the foul)
+1
MDLS
57 - 36
Austin Bardaji makes free throw
+1
MDLS
57 - 35
Austin Bardaji makes free throw
Foul
BSHP
Christian Bader fouls (Middlesex draw the foul)
BSHP
Christian Bader misses free throw
+1
BSHP
57 - 34
Christian Bader makes free throw
Foul
MDLS
Jarret Bogus fouls (Bishop Ahr Trojans Varsity draw the foul)
MDLS
Stewart Lester misses free throw
+1
MDLS
56 - 34
Stewart Lester makes free throw
Foul
BSHP
Casey Damour fouls (Middlesex draw the foul)
+3
BSHP
56 - 33
Casey Damour makes three point shot
+2
BSHP
53 - 33
Tom Weiler makes two point shot
MDLS
Jarret Bogus misses three point shot
BSHP
Christian Bader misses two point shot
+2
MDLS
51 - 33
Austin Bardaji makes two point shot
MDLS
Jarret Bogus misses two point shot
+1
BSHP
51 - 31
Christian Bader makes free throw
Foul
MDLS
Marcus Evans-Little fouls (Bishop Ahr Trojans Varsity draw the foul)
+2
BSHP
50 - 31
Christian Bader makes two point shot
MDLS
Jarret Bogus misses free throw
Foul
BSHP
Chris Sudowsky fouls (Middlesex draw the foul)
+2
MDLS
48 - 31
Jarret Bogus makes two point shot
+2
BSHP
48 - 29
Christian Bader makes two point shot
MDLS
Marcus Evans-Little misses two point shot
Foul
BSHP
Chris Sudowsky fouls (Middlesex draw the foul)
End of Third Quarter
BSHP
Owen McLeod misses three point shot
+2
MDLS
46 - 29
Jarret Bogus makes two point shot
MDLS
Stewart Lester misses two point shot
+2
BSHP
46 - 27
Mike Jensen makes two point shot
+1
MDLS
44 - 27
Jarret Bogus makes free throw
+1
MDLS
44 - 26
Jarret Bogus makes free throw
Foul
BSHP
Chris Sudowsky fouls (Middlesex draw the foul)
BSHP
Owen McLeod misses two point shot
+2
MDLS
44 - 25
Adam Wick makes two point shot
+1
BSHP
44 - 23
Chris Sudowsky makes free throw
BSHP
Chris Sudowsky misses free throw
Foul
MDLS
Stewart Lester fouls (Bishop Ahr Trojans Varsity draw the foul)
Foul
MDLS
Stewart Lester fouls (Bishop Ahr Trojans Varsity draw the foul)
+2
MDLS
43 - 23
Austin Bardaji makes two point shot
+2
BSHP
43 - 21
Owen McLeod makes two point shot
MDLS
Austin Bardaji misses two point shot
MDLS
Blake Jackson misses three point shot
+2
BSHP
41 - 21
Casey Damour makes two point shot
BSHP
Mike Jensen misses two point shot
MDLS
Austin Bardaji misses two point shot
+2
MDLS
39 - 21
Marcus Evans-Little makes two point shot
MDLS
Jarret Bogus misses two point shot
BSHP
Owen McLeod misses three point shot
+2
BSHP
39 - 19
Mike Jensen makes two point shot
+2
BSHP
37 - 19
Mike Jensen makes two point shot
+3
End of First Half
BSHP
35 - 19
Mike Jensen makes three point shot
MDLS
Jarret Bogus misses three point shot
+1
BSHP
32 - 19
Mike Jensen makes free throw
+1
BSHP
31 - 19
Mike Jensen makes free throw
Foul
MDLS
Blake Jackson fouls (Bishop Ahr Trojans Varsity draw the foul)
MDLS
Marcus Evans-Little misses two point shot
BSHP
Tom Weiler misses two point shot
+2
MDLS
30 - 19
Jarret Bogus makes two point shot
MDLS
Jarret Bogus misses two point shot
BSHP
Mike Jensen misses free throw
+1
BSHP
30 - 17
Mike Jensen makes free throw
Foul
MDLS
Austin Bardaji fouls (Bishop Ahr Trojans Varsity draw the foul)
MDLS
Adam Wick misses two point shot
BSHP
Tom Weiler misses two point shot
+1
MDLS
29 - 17
Adam Wick makes free throw
MDLS
Adam Wick misses free throw
Foul
BSHP
Christian Bader fouls (Middlesex draw the foul)
MDLS
Adam Wick misses free throw
Foul
BSHP
Mike Jensen fouls (Middlesex draw the foul)
+2
BSHP
29 - 16
Chris Sudowsky makes two point shot
BSHP
Owen McLeod misses three point shot
+2
MDLS
27 - 16
Adam Wick makes two point shot
MDLS
Austin Bardaji misses free throw
Foul
BSHP
Christian Bader fouls (Middlesex draw the foul)
MDLS
Austin Bardaji misses two point shot
BSHP
Christian Bader misses free throw
BSHP
Christian Bader misses free throw
Foul
MDLS
Austin Bardaji fouls (Bishop Ahr Trojans Varsity draw the foul)
+1
BSHP
27 - 14
Christian Bader makes free throw
Foul
MDLS
Adam Wick fouls (Bishop Ahr Trojans Varsity draw the foul)
+2
BSHP
26 - 14
Christian Bader makes two point shot
BSHP
Tom Weiler misses three point shot
+2
MDLS
24 - 14
Sean Sarnoski makes two point shot
+2
BSHP
24 - 12
Tom Weiler makes two point shot
BSHP
Owen McLeod misses two point shot
BSHP
Greg Patuto misses three point shot
MDLS
Stewart Lester misses two point shot
+2
MDLS
22 - 12
Stewart Lester makes two point shot
MDLS
Sean Sarnoski misses three point shot
+1
BSHP
22 - 10
Owen McLeod makes free throw
Foul
MDLS
Blake Jackson fouls (Bishop Ahr Trojans Varsity draw the foul)
+2
BSHP
21 - 10
Owen McLeod makes two point shot
End of First Quarter
MDLS
Austin Bardaji misses three point shot
+3
BSHP
19 - 10
Tom Weiler makes three point shot
+2
MDLS
16 - 10
Sean Sarnoski makes two point shot
BSHP
Christian Bader misses free throw
+1
BSHP
16 - 8
Christian Bader makes free throw
Foul
MDLS
Marcus Evans-Little fouls (Bishop Ahr Trojans Varsity draw the foul)
+2
MDLS
15 - 8
Stewart Lester makes two point shot
+2
BSHP
15 - 6
Owen McLeod makes two point shot
BSHP
Mike Jensen misses three point shot
BSHP
Greg Patuto misses three point shot
+2
MDLS
13 - 6
Sean Sarnoski makes two point shot
MDLS
Marcus Evans-Little misses two point shot
+2
BSHP
13 - 4
Mike Jensen makes two point shot
+3
BSHP
11 - 4
Greg Patuto makes three point shot
+1
MDLS
8 - 4
Austin Bardaji makes free throw
+1
MDLS
8 - 3
Austin Bardaji makes free throw
Foul
BSHP
Casey Damour fouls (Middlesex draw the foul)
BSHP
Greg Patuto misses three point shot
+2
MDLS
8 - 2
Austin Bardaji makes two point shot
+3
BSHP
8 - 0
Greg Patuto makes three point shot
BSHP
Greg Patuto misses three point shot
MDLS
Jarret Bogus misses two point shot
+2
BSHP
5 - 0
Tom Weiler makes two point shot
MDLS
Blake Jackson misses two point shot
BSHP
Owen McLeod misses three point shot
+3
BSHP
3 - 0
Mike Jensen makes three point shot
BSHP
Tom Weiler misses two point shot
BSHP
Owen McLeod misses two point shot
GMC Hoops Game Stats–Bishop Ahr @ Middlesex–Blue Division Clash–January 18, 2013
January 18, 2013 on 9:49 pm | In Bishop Ahr Hoops, Middlesex Hoops | Comments OffMIDDLESEX, NJ–On Friday night, Middlesex hosted the Trojans of Bishop Ahr in a Blue Division matchup. This was the second of two meetings between the two schools. The first time the two teams met in North Edison back in the first week of the season with Ahr winning by ten, 51-41. Today, the BGA had a much easier time, jumping out to an 11-4 lead midway through the first period, and then eventually leading, 35-19 at the half en route to a 60-44 victory. Mike Jensen led 9 different Ahr players in the scorebook with a game high 17 points. Chris Bader chipped in with 10 while Tom Weiler added 9. Jarret Bogus led Middlesex in a losing cause with 14 points while Austin Bardaji chipped in with 10. Below are the unofficial stats from the game. Scroll down and to the right to view the rest of the stats, or view in full screen.