GMC Hoops Blogosphere

GMC Hoops Highlights–July 23, 2012–New Brunswick vs. Hunterdon Central–Bound Brook Summer League

Here are some video highlights from the second half of an opening round playoff matchup between New Brunswick and Hunterdon Central at the Bound Brook Summer League this past summer. The Red Devils of HCHS took a 45-29 lead with 3:33 remaining on back to back three pointers and held on to win 45-42 despite a 13-0 run to end the game by the Zebras.

Game Notes–New Brunswick vs. Hunterdon Central–Bound Brook Summer League–Playoffs–July 23, 2012

BOUND BROOK, NJ–The opening round of the 2012 Bound Brook Summer League playoffs was capped by a matchup between Hunterdon Central and New Brunswick two teams that have seen each other before in post-season play from this league. The Devils, which knocked the Zebras out of the tournament several years ago in the quarterfinal round, jumped out to a 45-29 lead with less than four minutes to play, but New Brunswick showed a lot of fight by rallying with a 13-0 run to end the game. The Zebras even had a chance to tie, but a desperation heave fell short at the buzzer as Hunterdon Central advanced 45-42. Below are some notes from the second half of the contest.

Second Half

17:06–Arrive–HCHS leading 27-18
13:54–NB–timeout after a 5-0 run consisting of 1-2 FTs, a putback off a missed jumper, and a steal for a transition layup for a 32-18 lead.
13:20–HCHS–turnover.
12:30–HCHS–scores for a 34-18 lead.
11:42–NB–Paul McKenzie sinks three for a 34-21 HCHS lead.
11:18–NB–McKenzie draws foul, and makes 1 of 2 FTs for a 34-22 HCHS lead.
11:00–HCHS–sinks a three pointer from the left wing for a 37-22 lead.
9:45–NB–three pointer to pull within 37-25.
9:00–HCHS–three pointer for a 40-25 lead.
7:30–NB–basket to pull within 40-27.
5:00–HCHS–bucket to take a 42-27 lead.
3:45–NB–basket to pull within 42-29.
3:31–HCHS–three pointer from left wing for a 45-29 lead.
1:44–NB–timeout
1:31–NB–steal for a score for a 45-36 HC lead.
1:02–NB–scores after forcing turnover for a 45-38 HCHS edge
9.9–NB–timeout after getting layup for a 45-40 HCHS lead.
2.0–NB–fouls
0.0–NB–swipes steal in their own end of the court, took a halfcourt shot, but was off the mark as time ran out…HCHS wins 45-42.

NB ends game with a 13-0 run after HCHS hit a three to take a 45-29 lead with 3:31 to play.

2011 Summer League Playoff Brackets

SOUTH PLAINFIELD, NJ–With the summer league winding down, GMC Hoops took some time to put together all of the playoff schedules, results, and brackets, and post them here. Below are all the brackets from playoffs in leagues that we were able to get info on.

2011 Summer League Playoff Brackets

• Bound Brook Summer League
• Colonia JV Summer League
• Elizabeth Summer League
• Kean Spring League
• Middlesex County College Summer League
• Monroe Sports Center Summer League
• Rahway Summer League

GMC Hoops are still trying to get results from a couple of these leagues.

Bound Brook Summer League–July 28, 2011

Late Rally Lifts Piscataway Past Hunterdon Central For Championship, 40-39

BOUND BROOK, NJ–After watching the majority of the first quarterfinal round game in the Rahway Summer League between J.P. Stevens and Perth Amboy at Rahway  High School, GMC Hoops scrambled over to Bound Brook High School to catch the final half of action between fourth seeded Piscataway and second seeded Hunterdon Central in the Championship Game of the 2011 Bound Brook Summer League.

In a back and forth game that saw seven lead changes and a tie in the second half alone, and neither team having a bigger lead than five points, the team that put together the best run down the stretch was going to win the title.  Piscataway was that team.  After trailing early on by a 22-18 margin with 18:44 to go, the Chiefs responded with 9 of the next 11 points over a span of 9:07 to take a 27-24 lead with 9:37 remaining.

Hunterdon Central, which showed tremendous poise throughout the second half, and demonstrated that their second seed was well earned, battled back with an 11-3 tear over the next 7:21 to take the biggest lead of the half at 35-30 with 2:16 remaining.  P-Way didn’t panic though.  With its pressure defense that always has the ability to force turnovers for quick scores, the Chiefs rose to the occasion with a 10-4 spurt over the final 1:38 to claim the title by the score of 40-39.

Vik Singh led a balanced scoring attack for the Chiefs in the second half with 6 points on two field goals and two free throws in the final 20 minutes.  Donovan Kirkland and Jelani Jackson each added 4 points while Greg Davis and David White chipped in with 3 points.  Kirkland was very instrumental down the stretch as he sparked the game deciding rally with a layup that got a kind bounce at the 1:38 mark.

Moments later, Kirkland picked up a steal off the press, and dished to Jackson for a layup that narrowed the deficit to one at 35-34 with 1:27 to play.  The Chiefs had an opportunity to take the lead when the Red Devils missed two free throws, but the Skyland Conference team got the offensive rebound, and put it back in for a 37-34 edge with 1:11 to go in regulation.  P-Way continued to apply the pressure though.

The result was a quick response score on a transition layup with 1:04 remaining, and then after Hunterdon Central got the ball into their frontcourt, the Devils tried to run the clock out by spreading the floor.  However, the Chiefs tried to double up on the wing, and HCHS tried to pass to a player going back door, but Davis was their for the steal with 41 seconds left, and P-Way converted the score when Marcus Freeney dished to Kirkland for a layup with 31.3 seconds left for a 38-37 lead.

Hunterdon Central wrestled the lead right back by drawing a foul and making two free throws with 24.6 to play for a 39-38 lead.  However, Singh pulled out the win by getting the offensive rebound off his own miss after taking an inbounds pass from Jackson, and drawing a foul with 14.7 seconds left for two free throws and the 40-39 win.  The Chiefs ended the summer at 9-2 while the Devils also finished up at 9-2.

GMC Hoops Play-By-Play–Bound Brook Summer League–July 28, 2011–Piscataway vs. Hunterdon Central–Second Half

BOUND BROOK, NJ–On Thursday night, the Championship Game took place at the 2011 Bound Brook Summer League between fourth seeded Piscataway and second seeded Hunterdon Central. Trailing 35-30 with 2:16 remaining, the Chiefs pulled out the 40-39 win with a 10-4 spurt. Vik Singh sealed the win with two free throws with 14.7 seconds left. Below is the play-by-play from the second half of action.

Score–Hunterdon Central leads 19-18 at the half

Second Half

19:34–HC–draws foul from Greg Davis on jump shot, and makes 1 of 2 FTs for a 20-18 lead.
18:44–HC–scores layup off nice pass for a 22-18 lead
18:37–PWAY–Vik Singh scores on transition layup for a 22-20 HC lead.
18:25–PWAY–Jelani Jackson swipes steal, but Chiefs unable to score.
18:14–HC–fouled on the floor.
17:15–PWAY–Davis misses shot, but Chiefs keep possession.
16:39–PWAY–Marcus Freeney three attempt goes in and out.
16:20–PWAY–Freeney gets rebound off jumper, but is tied up–jump ball–PWAY keeps possession.
15:41–PWAY–three offensive rebounds including two by Singh results in follow by SIngh for a 22-22 tie.
15:19–PWAY–deflects pass out of bounds.
14:58–HC–scraps to keep possession.
14:47–PWAY–David White gets rebound, pushes ball upcourt, and dishes to Jackson for layup, and a 24-22 lead.
14:36–HC–hits jumper for a 24-24 tie.
14:01–PWAY–Jackson gets steal, and it leads to White getting fouled on layup attempt for one of two FTs, and a 25-24 lead.
13:00–HC–draws charge.
12:25–HC–fakes up down low, and draws foul on the floor.
12:00–HC–draws charge negates Greg Davis basket.
11:25–HC–three point attempt hits back iron, bounces up, and hits wire–turnover.
10:49–PWAY–gets several offensive rebounds, but HC ties them up for jump ball–HC possession–Red Devils call timeout.
10:37–HC–nice pass to cutter on back door cut for layup attempt that draws foul, but misses two FTs.
9:37–PWAY–Davis gets pass on left side, drives lane, spins, and banks in shot for a 27-24 lead.
9:29–HC–comes right down to bank shot in from left baseline for a 27-26 PWAY lead.
8:40–HC–steals inbounds pass by Davis, and pass upcourt for layup from left side for a 28-27 lead.
8:00–PWAY–fouled on floor.
7:42-PWAY–Davis misses shot, and follow.
7:34–PWAY–Singh strips ball out of bounds.
7:14–PWAY–White deflects pass out of bounds.
7:00–HC–shot goes in and out.
6:51–PWAY–White steals it for layin, and a 29-28 lead.  PWAY–timeout.
6:20–HC–fouled on the floor.
5:41–PWAY–Singh fouled on floor on the left side.
5:12–HC–gets tough rebounds, and outlets pass upcourt for layup, and a 30-29 lead.
5:07–HC–swipes steal off ensuing inbounds.
5:00–HC–fouled on reverse layup attempt for two FTs, and a 32-29 lead.
4:14–PWAY–Davis fouled on follow of White miss.  Makes 1 of 2 FTs for a 32-30 HC lead.
3:19–HC–drives thru traffic, and draws foul on scoop shot for two FTs, and a 34-30 lead.
2:29–PWAY–White drives right baseline, but falls–no foul called–turnover.
2:16–HC–fouled on floor by Singh, and makes 1 of 2 FTs for a 35-30 lead–Piscataway–10 fouls–HC in double bonus.
1:38–PWAY–Donovan Kirkland gets shot to bounce in from right low block for a 35-32 HC lead.
1:27–PWAY–Kirkland swipes steal off press, and dishes to Jackson for layup for a 35-34 HC lead.
1:11–HC–draws foul, and misses two FTs, but gets offensive rebound for a putback and a 37-34 lead.
1:04–PWAY–comes back down the floor for a transition layup for a 37-36 HC lead.
0:56–PWAY–Freeney kicks ball out of bounds.
0:41–PWAY–Davis steals errant HC pass–Devils tried to pass to cutter.
0:31.3–PWAY–Freeney dishes to Kirkland for layup that bounces in for a 38-37 lead.
0:24.6–HC–fouled on layup attempt, and makes both FTs for a 39-38 lead.
0:17.9–PWAY–fouled on the floor.  HC has a foul to give–timeout.
0:14.7–PWAY–Jackson inbounds to Singh for layup attempt that misses, but Singh gets rebound, and draws foul for two FTs for a 40-39 leadd.
0:03–PWAY–Freeney gets rebound off jumper by HC that goes off front of the rim.
0.0–PWAY–Singh inbounds to Davis at midcourt, who dribbles toward the basket on the left side, and loses the handle–HC gets ball with a second left,  but then misses heave as time runs out.–PWAY wins 40-39.

GMC Hoops thanks Anthony Melesurgo, and the folks at Bound Brook for their cooperation and hospitality this summer.

2011 Bound Brook Summer League–Playoff Results–Championship–July 28th

BOUND BROOK, NJ–On Thursday night, GMC Hoops scrambled over to Bound Brook High School for the second half of action between fourth seeded Piscataway and second seeded Hunterdon Central in the Championship Game of the 2011 Bound Brook Summer League. Below is the result from that game:

2011 Bound Brook Summer League–Playoff Results–Championship–July 28th

• Piscataway 40–Hunterdon Central 39

GMC Hoops will be posting the play-by-play from the second half of Piscataway’s win shortly.

Bound Brook Summer League–July 26, 2011

Piscataway Advances To Championship Game By Downing Top Seeded Bound Brook, 50-31

BOUND BROOK, NJ–On Tuesday afternoon, the semifinal round of the playoffs in the 2011 Bound Brook Summer League took place at Bound Brook High School.  The first of the two final four matchups involved the lone remaining team from the Greater Middlesex Conference as fourth seeded Piscataway took on top seeded Bound Brook in the 5:45 PM game.

The Chiefs earned the trip to the semis with a 52-32 victory over neighborhood rival, and fifth seeded New Brunswick in the opening round of the playoffs while Bound Brook, which only had one loss during the regular season, rolled past eighth seeded Somerset Tech by the score of 75-25.  

Piscataway, which will also be playing in the second Kean Ironman Challenge this summer later in the week, had seven players available for this game while Bound Brook had six.  The winner of the contest would advance to the Championship on Thursday against the winner of the other semifinal between third seeded Somerville and second seeded Hunterdon Central.

After having a bit of a sluggish start offensively, the Chiefs used their defense to put together a 17-5 tear over the final 6:16 of the first half for a 24-8 lead, and then put the game away with a 26-17 run over the first 15:25 of the second half to lead by 25 with a little over four and a half minutes remaining before Bound Brook ended the game with the final six points for the 50-31 Piscataway win.

For the game, P-Way tallied up its 50 points on 22 field goals including three treys, and only 3 of 4 from the line.  The Chiefs had 24 points in the first half, and 26 in the second half.  Bound Brook compiled its 31 points on 12 field goals including a three pointer and 6 of 10 shooting from the foul line.  The Chiefs outscored the Crusaders by a 9-3 margin in points scored from beyond the arc.  Piscataway also had more second chance points (7-4), and points off of turnovers (20-2).  P-Way held a 7-3 edge in blocked shots, and a 15-2 advantage in steals.

The Chiefs had a balanced attack that led to the win.  Greg Davis led the way with 11 points on four field goals including a thre while making both his attempts from the foul line.  The soon to be senior also had three steals, an assist, and a block.  Marcus Freeney chipped in with 10 points on four field goals including two threes while also picking up three steals and an assist.  David White turned in another solid effort with  8 points on four field goals along with 8 steals and two deflections.

Donovan Kirkland also added 8 points on four field goals along with four offensive rebounds, a block, and an assist.  Jelani Jackson contributed with 6 points on three field goals, two steals, and an assist.  Tyjohn Young led the way for Bound Brook against his former teammates with 10 points on three field goals along with 4 of 5 from the foul line.  Young also added a blocked shot.  Both teams played the contest shorthanded.  

Bound Brook was playing without Kyle Capalbo and Hamilton Capellan among others.  Piscataway was without the likes of Vik Singh, Tajae Sharpe, and Temi Adebayo.  Both teams struggled a bit offensively early on.  The Crusaders took the lead on a score off a partial block by the Chiefs at the 18:04 mark.  Piscataway responded with three field goals and a foul shot  over the next 7:02 to take a 7-2 lead.  Jelani Jackson, David White, and Donovan Kirkland all had baskets during the run.

White was particularly active on the defensive end early on.  During the Chiefs fast start, the soon to be senior guard, had three steals and a deflection along with his layup to spearhead the P-Way defensive effort.  Bound Brook didn’t score a point for 8:32 before drawing a foul for one of two free throws, and a 7-3 Piscataway lead at the 9:32 mark.  The Chiefs were still in a bit of a funk offensively though, and didn’t really get going until the last six plus minutes of the first half.

Piscataway went scoreless for a span of 4:46 before Greg Davis made a nice inbounds pass to Kirkland for a layup, and a 9-3 lead at the 6:16 mark. The Chiefs then went into another scoring drought of 2:44 until Marcus Freeney fired in a jumper from the right wing for an 11-3 lead.  By this point, the Chiefs were ratcheting up the defensive pressure on the Crusaders, and Freeney followed up his score with a steal off the ensuing inbounds, and dished to Davis for a layup, and a 13-3 lead at the 3:26 mark.

After a Bound Brook score off a putback at the 3:04 mark, the Chiefs got more offense from Freeney as he rattled in a three from the right wing for a 16-5 lead with 2:29 left in the opening half.  Moments later, White poked away another steal that led to a layup by Jackson for an 18-5 lead at the 2:15 mark.  The Chiefs were never really threatened after that.

After Young converted a traditional three point play at the 1:12 mark to close the gap to 18-8, the Chiefs scored the last six points including a Davis layup off a nice dish by Jackson at the 41 second mark, a steal for a layup with 25 seconds left, and then a steal for a layup by White to cap the burst for a 24-8 lead at the intermission.  

In the first half, the Chiefs limited Bound Brook to just three field goals and  2 of 3 from the foul line.  Meanwhile, P-Way had five players with at least four points, and had 11 field goals including a three pointer while making one of two from the foul line.  Piscataway also scored 12 points off of turnovers in the half.  Eight of those Crusader turnovers were P-Way steals, and the Chiefs also blocked three shots.

Freeney led the Chiefs with 5 points in the first half while Davis, Jackson, White, and Kirkland each chipped in with 4 points each.  Young had four points for The Brook in the opening half.  Things didn’t get much better for Bound Brook in the second half either.  Although the Crusaders were able to muster up some more offense, it wasn’t enough to catch up to P-Way, which had 11 more field goals including two threes along with a perfect 2 of 2 from the line.

Davis led the way with 7 points in the second half while Freeney added another five and both White and Kirkland chipped in with four more points.  Young scored 6 points in the final 20 minutes of action for Bound Brook, which had 9 field goals including a three in the second half along with 4 of 8 from the foul line.  The game was tied for only the first 1:56 while Bound Brook actually led for 1:01, but the Chiefs led for the rest of the contest.

With the victory, Piscataway improved to 8-2 overall on the summer at Bound Brook while the Crusaders ended up the summer at 8-2.  The Chiefs advanced to play second seeded Hunterdon Central in the Championship on Thursday at 6:45 PM.  The Red Devils earned their way to the title game with a 55-47 victory over third seeded Somerville in the other semifinal.

GMC Hoops Play-By-Play–Bound Brook Summer League–July 26, 2011–Piscataway vs. Bound Brook

BOUND BROOK, NJ–On Tuesday afternoon, GMC Hoops left work early to travel over to Bound Brook High School to take in the semifinal round of action from the 2011 Bound Brook Summer League. The lone remaining GMC team in the playoffs there was in action as fourth seeded Piscataway took on top seeded Bound Brook, the Chiefs defense overcame some struggles offensively at the start to take a 24-8 lead at halftime en route to a 50-31 victory. Below is the play-by-play from the game.

First Half

19:35–PWAY–knocks ball out of bounds.
19:20–PWAY–David White pokes away steal.
19:08–BB–traveling
18:30–PWAY–loses ball out of bounds after Greg Davis misses shot.
18:04–BB–scores off partial block for a 2-0 lead.
17:50–BB–steal.
17:03–PWAY–Jelani Jackson sinks baseline jumper from left side for a 2-2 tie.
16:40–BB–timeout.
16:35–PWAY–White deflects pass by Tyjohn Young out of bounds.
16:12–PWAY–blocks shot out of bounds.
15:34–BB–Young fights off PWay pressure, rambles to the basket, but misses layup.
15:17–PWAY–Jackson called for carrying violation.
14:51–BB–traveling.
14:26–PWAY–Donovan Kirkland displays great hustle, but is unable to save the ball out of bounds.
14:03–PWAY–White steals and scores on layup for a 4-2 lead.
13:46–PWAY–White steals again, but misses jumper.
13:21–PWAY–Kirkland fights for offensive rebound, and puts it back in while being fouled, but misses bonus FT for a 6-2 lead.
12:34–BB–steal.
12:22–PWAY–White deflects pass out of bounds.
11:56–PWAY–Marcus Freeney swipes steal, but his layup attempt is blocked.
11:42–BB–Young gets offensive rebound, but travels.
11:02–PWAY–draws foul, and makes 1 of 2 FTs for a 7-2 lead.
10:15–PWAY–swats away layup attempt out of bounds–BB ball.
9:32–BB–Young draws foul, and makes 1 of 2 FTs for a 7-3 PWAY lead.
8:37–PWAY–Jackson gets offensive rebound, but Davis called for traveling on the drive.
8:19–PWAY–timeout after Kirkland ties up BB player for jump ball, and Chiefs possession.
7:50–PWAY–backcourt violation.
7:02–BB–turnover.
6:50–BB–knocks ball out of bounds.
6:30–BB–blocks Davis shot.
6:16–PWAY–Davis with a nice inbounds pass to Kirkland for a layup, and a 9-3 lead.
5:56–PWAY–Byron Benjamin blocks shot, but BB saves ball out of bounds off Jackson.
5:32–BB–Young called for traveling
5:00–PWAY–gets a couple offensive rebounds including one by Kirkland,, but couldn’t score.
4:06–BB–loses ball out of bounds.
3:32–PWAY–Freeney fakes and pulls up for jumper, and an 11-3 lead.
3:26–PWAY–Freeney steals and dishes to Davis for layup, and a 13-3 lead.
3:16–BB–timeout–avoids turnover against PWay pressure.
3:04–BB–offensive rebound and putback off Young miss, and the foul, but misses bonus FT for a 13-5 PWay lead.
2:29–PWAY–Freeney rattles in trey from right wing for a 16-5 lead.
2:15–PWAY–White pokes away steal to Jackson for layup, and an 18-5 lead.
1:45–PWAY–pushing foul.
1:12–BB–nice entry pass to Young for layup, and the foul for the three point play, and an 18-8 PWAY lead.
0:41–PWAY–timeout after Jackson dish to a cutting Davis for the layin, and a 20-8 lead.
0:25–PWAY–steal for layin, and a 22-8 lead.
0:11–PWAY–White swipes steal off trap at midcourt, and goes in for layup, and a 24-8 lead.
0:01–PWAY–knocks ball out of bounds.
0:00–BB–Young shot from P-Way sideline off inbounds too long..P-Way leads 24-8 at the half.

Second Half

19:55–PWAY–Jackson swipes steal off Barshay Daniels for a layup, and a 26-8 lead.
19:40–PWAY–Davis swats away BB shot.
19:26–BB–double-dribble.
18:54–BB–calls timeout after getting rebound.
18:29–PWAY–gets out on break, but Jackson gets tripped up, and throws the ball away.
18:16–BB–connects on three pointer from the right wing by Daniels.
17:38–BB–turnover.
17:00–BB–Young scores on follow of block of his earlier shot for a 26-13 lead.
16:45–PWAY–Davis scores on layup for a 28-13 lead.
16:28–BB–Young blocks Davis shot…PWAY–White gets offensive board, but can’t score.
15:30–BB–draws foul, but misses both FTs.
14:45–PWAY–Davis gets his own rebound, and kicks out to Freeney for three pointer from left wing for a 31-13 lead.
14:22–BB–traveling.
13:56–BB–swipes steal, and goes the rest of the way for layup and the foul, but misses the bonus FT for a 31-15 PWAY lead.
13:16–PWAY–Davis pokes away steal, and passes ahead to teammate for layup, and a 33-15 lead.
12:27–PWAY–blocks shot out of bounds.
11:44–BB–Young drives and spins his way to the basket and draws foul from Kirkland.  Makes both FTs for a 33-17 PWAY lead.
10:26–PWAY–nice dump off pass from Kirkland leads to layup down low from right low block for a 35-17 lead
10:12–BB–timeout after PWay gets another steal for a layup by White for a 37-17 lead.
9:52–BB–layup for a 37-19 PWAY lead.
9:35–PWAY–Freeney sinks jumper  for a 39-19 lead.
9:12–PWAY–Freeney steal leads to putback by Kirkland for a 41-19 lead.
8:33–BB–draws foul, and makes both FTs for a 41-21 PWAY lead.
7:32–BB–called for over the back foul after Young misses jumper.
6:53–PWAY–White fights for the loose ball, and drives in for tough shot, and a 43-21 lead.
6:33–BB–connects on jumper from right side for a 43-21 PWay lead.
6:26–PWAY–Davis drills three from right wing for a 46-23 lead.
6:05–BB–Young scores for a 46-25 PWay lead.
5:53–PWAY–Jackson entry pass to Kirkland for layup from the left low block and a 48-25 lead.
4:35–PWAY–Davis draws foul, and makes both FTs for 50-25 lead.
3:57–PWAY–White swipes steal, but Chiefs can’t finish–loses ball out of bounds–turnover.
3:39–BB–score for a 50-27 PWay lead.
3:25–PWAY–Jackson commits turnover.
3:06–BB–layup for a 50-29 PWay lead.
2:58–PWAY–timeout.
2:48–BB–pokes away steal.
1:12–PWAY–Kirkland blocks shot.
0:54–BB–scores layup after PWay misses two chances to score including a missed dunk by Kirkland.  50-31 PWay.

PWay wins 50-31.

GMC Hoops will be posting an article on the action later.

2011 Bound Brook Summer League–Semifinal Results–July 26th

BOUND BROOK, NJ–On Tuesday afternoon, GMC Hoops traveled out to Bound Brook High School, and saw one of the two games of the semifinal round of the playoffs from the 2011 Bound Brook Summer League. There were two games played on Tuesday. Below are the results from those two games:

2011 Bound Brook Summer League–Playoff Results–Semifinal Round–July 26, 2011

• #4 Piscataway 50–#1 Bound Brook 31
• #2 Hunterdon Central 55–#3 Somerville 47

GMC Hoops plans to be at Bound Brook on Thursday for the Championship Game on Thursday.

Bound Brook Summer League–July 25, 2011

BOUND BROOK, NJ–On Monday night, GMC Hoops traveled over to Bound Brook High School after work to take in action from the final two games of the evening in the opening round of the playoffs from the 2011 Bound Brook Summer League. Both involved GMC teams as Middlesex lost to Hunterdon Central by the score of 57-47 while Timothy Christian fell to Somerville by the score of 42-17.

Somerville Defeats Timothy Christian To Advance To Semis, 42-17

In the finale of the opening round playoff quadrupleheader at Bound Brook High School, the third seeded Somerville Pioneers from the Raritan Division of the Skyland Conference took on sixth seeded Timothy Christian of the Greater Middlesex Conference Gold Division. 

The Tigers from Timothy Christian moved up this summer to play in the Bound Brook Summer League after being in the Middlesex County Summer League for a number of years.  TCS still has another squad playing at MCC.  This summer, Timothy Christian went 4-4 during the regular season after suffering losses to Hunterdon Central, Piscataway, and New Brunswick in the final week of play.

Meanwhile, Somerville started off on the wrong foot with a couple losses early on, but didn’t lose much after that as the Pioneers defeated Piscataway in the final week to earn the third seed for the playoffs.  It was  a tall order for the Tigers as they went up against a bigger and stronger Somerville team.  To make things more difficult, TCS was playing without the likes of Jeff Parker, Dan Decker, and Kristian Svendsen.

TCS needed to play a perfect game, and Somerville didn’t let them do that.  The Pioneers jumped out to an 8-0 lead while the Tigers didn’t score until Brandon Summers scored off a spin move at the 14:07 mark of the first half.  Somerville, which defeated another GMC team in Middlesex in the opening round of the playoffs here last summer, had ten field goals in the first half including a three pointer while making 2 of 4 from the line to take a 23-8 lead at the intermission.

The Pioneers scored 16 of their first half points off of turnovers.  From there, Somerville cruised to an easy 42-17 victory, and a berth in the semifinals on Tuesday against second seeded Hunterdon Central, a winner in the 6:45 PM game over Middlesex.  Summers was the bright spot for the Tigers with 10 points including seven in the first half.  Summers connected on four field goals including two threes for the Tigers.  TCS only had six players while Somerville had seven play in the contest.

After Timothy Christian got on the board with the Summers score, the Tigers looked like they might climb back into the contest when Summers scored on a shot that got a kind bounce at the 12:55 mark for an 8-4 Somerville lead.  However, TCS wouldn’t score again for the next 9:26 while the Ville put together an 11-0 run for a 19-4 lead.  Then, after Summers connected for a three pointer from the left wing at the 3:29 mark to narrow the deficit to 19-7, the Pioneers ended the half with the four of the last five points including a bank shot at the 1:10 mark, and then a one handed dunk at the 14 second mark for a 23-8 lead at the intermission.

In the second half, the Tigers were more competitive by only being outscored by a 19-9 margin. In addition, TCS was able to find other sources of scoring outside of Summers, who only had a three pointer at the 17:22 mark of the second half. However, it didn’t prevent the final result. Somerville went on a 12-1 tear over a span of 7:31 after Summers three to increase its lead to 36-12 with 9:51 to go. The Tigers, which again had only three field goals in the second half including another three along with 2 of 6 from the foul line, was held without a field goal for 10:35.

Timothy Christian ended up with 6 field goals including two threes along with 3 of 9 from the foul line. Somerville had 6 field goals and 7 of 11 from the line in the second half, and ended up with 16 field goals and 9 of 15 free throws for the game. The Pioneers had seven more points off of turnovers in the second half for 23 such points in the game.

GMC Hoops plans to be back out at Bound Brook High School on Tuesday for semifinal round action.