GMC Hoops Blogosphere

Teams In The 2011 Hoop Group Headquarters Summer League

NEPTUNE, NJ–Recently, GMC Hoops received information on the 2011 Hoop Group Headquarters Summer League. There are only 20 teams in the league this year, and none are from the Greater Middlesex Conference. Below is the list of all the teams in this league:

• Freehold Township
• Marlboro
• Toms River South
• Barnegat
• Monmouth Regional
• St. Rose
• Manasquan
• Manchester
• Neptune
• Brick Memorial
• Jackson Memorial
• Howell
• Toms River North
• Lacey
• Ocean Township
• Asbury Park
• Holmdel
• Rumson Fair-Haven
• Lakewood
• Brick Township

GMC Hoops doesn’t plan to cover this league this summer.

Hoop Group Headquarters Summer League–June 28, 2010

NEPTUNE, NJ–On Monday night, GMC Hoops headed out to Neptune to see the Spotswood Chargers in action against Toms River South in the fifth night of the 2010 Hoop Group Headquarters Summer League. In their previous two outings covered by the web site, the Chargers have not fared well, but improved from game to game. First, Spotswood lost badly to Rumson Fair-Haven on June 16th in a rematch of the quarterfinal round of the CJ Group II State Tournament. The Bulldogs got out to a quick start, and Spotswood had trouble making shots as the game gradually turned into a 66-24 rout.

Last Wednesday, against a bigger, more athletic, and talented Monmouth Regional squad, the Chargers fell behind early again, but this time, they showed some resiliency thanks in part to soon to be junior, Tommy Soulias, and made it a game before losing 56-49. This week, Spotswood continued to improve with a hard fought victory over Toms River South. Originally, the Chargers were going to play Freehold Township while TRS was going against Brick Memorial. However, the Indians and the Mustangs play each other twice a season during the winter since they play in the Class A South Division of the Shore Conference. Consequently, the schedule was tweaked so that Brick Memorial faced off against Freehold Township while Spotswood faced Toms River South.

Spotswood Fends Off Late Charge By Toms River South To Win, 50-46

GMC Hoops wasn’t able to get out to this game until it was well into the second half. Unfortunately, the game’s start time was 7:30 PM, and that’s when the work day ends. Nevertheless, the site was still able to see a bit of action. Toms River South finished the 2009-10 season in third place in the Shore Conference’s Class A South Division behind Southern Regional and Jackson Memorial. The Indians were the best team in Toms River this past season with a combined record of 3-2 against the Mariners of Toms River North and the Raiders of Toms River East. According to All Shore Media, Toms River South finished 11-11 on the season including a 7-7 mark in divisional play.

The Indians qualified for the state tournament as the 14th seed, but lost in the opening round of the South Jersey Group IV tourney to third seeded Washingtown Township of Sewell by a score of 50-24. The Chargers are coming off four straight Central Jersey Group II State Tourney appearances including two Elite Eight berths in 2009 and 2010, and a semifinals berth in 2009. The Chargers also made some noise in the 2010 GMCT by upsetting East Brunswick in the Quarterfinals, and falling to eventual champion St. Joseph’s in a hard fought semifinals match. When GMC Hoops arrived, Spotswood appeared to have the game in hand.

With 7:31 remaining, Spotswood led 42-31, but Toms River South rallied with a 10-4 spurt over the next 5:10 to close within five at 46-41. The rally began with a layup at the 6:25 mark. The Indians had a chance to get closer, but Tommy Soulias came up with a block on a layup attempt at the 5:59 mark. On the ensuing inbounds though, the Indians got a three pointer from the right corner to cut the deficit to six at 42-36 with 5:41 to play. After a lull in the scoring for a bit over two minutes, Toms River South then picked up a steal, and converted it into a fast break layup to pull within four at 42-38 with 3:36 to go. The Chargers stemmed the tide for a bit as Ike Ejikeme got an offensive board off a missed floater by Garrett Walters, and put in the follow at the 3:15 mark for a 44-38 lead.

Soulias then followed Ejikeme’s score with a layup at the 2:43 mark for a 46-38 lead, but Toms River South did its best not to go away. Following a timeout at the 2:34 mark, the Indians got another three to close the gap to five at 46-41 with 2:21 to play. However, TRS was unable to get any closer. Even though he missed the front end of a one and one with 42.6 seconds to play, Soulias calmly netted a pair of foul shots at the 23.4 second mark, and the 11.4 second mark to seal the 50-46 victory. The Chargers will be back out in action on Wednesday night at the HG Headquarters with a matchup against Holmdel. The next time the site will see Spotswood will be next Wednesday, July 7th, in a game against St. Rose of Belmar.

2010 Hoop Group Headquarters Summer League–Some Results–Day Five–June 28th

NEPTUNE, NJ–On Wednesday night, GMC Hoops made its third trip of the summer down to the Hoop Group Headquarters to see the fifth night of action from the 2010 Hoop Group Headquarters Boys High School Summer League. There are a total of 30 teams competing in this league including the lone GMC representative, Spotswood, which took on Toms River South in one of the four 7:30 PM games Here are three results from the plethora of games played.

Hoop Group Headquarters Boys High School Summer League–Some Results–Day Five–June 28, 2010

• Spotswood 50–Toms River South 46
• Brick Memorial 47–Freehold Township 42 OT (Freehold Township had a 42-39 lead with less than a minute to play in regulation.)
• Colts Neck 59–Manasquan 39

GMC Hoops plans to be back out at the HG Headquarters next week to see Spotswood in action against St. Rose.

Hoop Group Headquarters Summer League–June 23, 2010

NEPTUNE, NJ–On Wednesday night, GMC Hoops traveled down to the Hoop Group Headquarters for the second time this summer to see the fourth night of action in the summer league there. Spotswood, the lone GMC team in the league this year, was playing in the 8:30 PM round of games against Monmouth Regional. The Chargers were looking to play much better this time than they did last Wednesday night against the Bulldogs of Rumson Fair-Haven. With the help of a solid effort from soon to be junior, Tommy Soulias, Spotswood was much more competitive to a team that was far more talented, taller, and athletic.

Monmouth Regional Defeats A Game Spotswood Despite Efforts From Soulias

The Chargers were looking to play much more respectably in this day’s contest against Monmouth Regional. They had a much more formidable task in front of them to accomplish that since the Golden Falcons had a squad that lost to eventual champion, Lakewood, at home in the quarterfinal round of the very tough Central Jersey Group III state tournament this year. Monmouth Regional went 17-7 overall this past season including a 9-3 record in the Shore Conference’s Class B North division, which was good enough for second place behind Freehold Boro. In 2008-09, the Golden Falcons finished 26-4 overall including a 12-2 mark for first place in Class B North of the Shore Conference. Again, Monmouth Regional came up short of a sectional title when it was defeated in the 2009 CJ Group III semifinals by Princeton. Neptune eventually won the bracket, and advanced to the Tournament of Champions, where it lost to Lenape in the opening round.

It looked very grim early on for Spotswood. Again, its opponent got off to a very fast start with a 15-3 effort over the first 7:16. However, bolstered by the efforts of Soulias, the Chargers got back into the contest, and hung around until the very end in a 56-49 defeat. Spotswood actually got as close as 49-46 with a minute to go, but Monmouth Regional pulled away with seven of the last ten points for the seven point victory. Soulias turned in a monster effort with 32 points on 10 of 24 shooting including 5 of 13 from three. A number of those treys were from well beyond the arc as well. Soulias was also a perfect 7 of 7 from the line, grabbed three rebounds, handed out two assists, and drew a charge. The rest of the Spotswood squad struggled as it went only 6 of 21 including 0 of 4 from three, and 5 of 8 from the charity stripe.

For the game, the Golden Falcons were 21 of 35 from the floor for 67 percent, but only took five three point attempts, and made one of them. Monmouth Regional also had its struggles from the foul line by going only 13 of 26. Spotswood, on the other hand, 16 of 45 from the floor including 5 of 17 from beyond the arc, and went 12 of 15 from the foul line. Rebounding was even at 25-25, and the Chargers actually had more offensive rebounds (12-8). Assists were even as well (11-11), but the Falcons had the edge in steals (9-6) and blocks (3-1). Spotswood got the edge in charges (1-0). A key stat though was turnovers. Spotswood committed 17 turnovers, which led to 18 points for Monmouth Regional. The Golden Falcons got out of the gate fast with the first six points over the initial 2:57 before Soulias connected on a trifecta from deep on the left wing for a 6-3 score at the 17:03 mark of the first half.

Monmouth Regional, which connected on four of its first five shots, made a three pointer, and netted three of four from the charity stripe for a 12-3 lead before Spotswood called for time to avoid a turnover at the 14:21 mark. Following the timeout, neither team scored for the next 1:37 before the Falcons converted a three point play for a 15-3 lead at the 12:44 mark. On the verge of being blown out for the second straight week, Spotswood showed some fortitude with a 5-0 run over the next 2:44 including a three by Soulias, and two foul shots by forward, Ike Ejikeme (3 points, 6 rebounds, 2 steals, and a block). The Chargers went for wholesale substitutions at this point, and Monmouth Regional took advantage with a 4-0 run over the next 4:15 before Soulias quelled the burst with two free throws at the 5:45 mark for a 19-10 Golden Falcons lead.

The Chargers ended the half with an 11-7 run including a three from the top of the key by Soulias for a 26-21 Monmouth Regional edge at the intermission. Spotswood went only 7 of 24 from the floor in the first half including 3 of 10 from long distance, and netted a perfect 4 of 4 from the line while Monmouth Regional was 10 of 19 from the floor including a three pointer in three attempts. The Falcons also had 12 points off of Charger turnovers. The only bad mark on Monmouth Regional’s first half was a 5 of 10 performance at the free throw line. Soulias made 5 of 13 shots from the floor including 3 of 7 from long range while making both his free throw attempts for 15 points, or 71 percent of the team’s offense. The rest of the Chargers were only 2 of 11 from the field in the first half.

In the second half, Spotswood shot better, and kept hanging around. The Chargers were 9 of 21 from the floor, but only 2 of 7 from downtown. Spotswood did made 8 of 11 shots from the foul line, and kept turnovers down, which made things more difficult for Monmouth Regional to score. The Golden Falcons only had six points off of turnovers in the second half. Over the first 5:05 of the second half, the Chargers chipped away at the deficit with a 6-4 run including two free throws and a layup by Soulias and an offensive rebound and follow by Jamal Lewis (3 points, 3 rebounds, an assist, and a steal) for a 30-27 Monmouth Regional lead with just under 15 minutes to go in the game. The Falcons would score the next five points before Spotswood would get a traditional three point play from Soulias to close the gap to 35-30 with twelve minutes to go.

Monmouth Regional would score the next basket for a 37-30 lead, but the Chargers fought back again with five unanswered points including a another three from the left wing by Soulias at the 8:10 mark for a 37-35 Falcons lead. Monmouth would strike back with a feed to their big man for a slam dunk as he was fouled for a conventional three point play, and a 40-35 lead with 7:40 left. Again, Spotswood pecked away at the deficit with a 6-4 run over the next 4:02 including a three from the right wing by Soulias for a 44-41 Monmouth Regional lead at the 3:38 mark. Both teams scored three points each over the next 2:16 including one of two from the line by Spotswood’s Steve Manahan (5 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals) for a 47-44 Golden Falcons lead.

The team from Tinton Falls went back up by five at the 1:12 mark despite a missed dunk by their big man, but Soulias replied with two free throws at the one minute mark for a 49-46 score. Spotswood was unable to get any closer though as the Golden Falcons scored seven of the last ten points of the contest to come away with the 56-49 victory.

GMC Hoops plans to be back out on Monday night to see the Chargers face off against the Patriots of Freehold Township.

2010 Hoop Group Headquarters Summer League–Some Results–Day Three–June 23rd

NEPTUNE, NJ–On Wednesday night, GMC Hoops made its second trip of the summer down to the Hoop Group Headquarters to see the fourth night of action from the 2010 Hoop Group Headquarters Boys High School Summer League. There are a total of 30 teams competing in this league including the lone GMC representative, Spotswood, which took on Monmouth Regional in one of the four 8:30 PM games Here are six results from the plethora of games played.

Hoop Group Headquarters Boys High School Summer League–Some Results–Day Four–June 23, 2010

• Monmouth Regional 56–Spotswood 49
• St. John Vianney 63–Toms River East 55
• Academy Charter 45–Howell 41
• Ocean Township 52–Brick Township 31
• Neptune 67–Asbury Park 38
• Point Pleasant Boro 56–Manasquan 46

GMC Hoops plans to be back out at the HG Headquarters next week to see Spotswood in action against Freehold Township.

Hoop Group Headquarters Summer League–June 16, 2010

NEPTUNE, NJ–On Wednesday night, GMC Hoops traveled down to the Hoop Group Headquarters for the first time this summer to see the second night of action in the summer league there. Spotswood, the lone GMC team in the league this year, was playing in the 7:30 PM round of games against Rumson Fair-Haven. These two teams played back in March in the quarterfinal round of the Central Jersey Group II State Tournament, and the Bulldogs emerged victorious with a 52-51 victory on the road. This game would not be as close.

The Chargers lost a great deal to graduation including their entire starting five. Cody Pace, who is headed to Montclair State, and Tyler Osofsky led the Chargers to the school’s first ever GMCT Final Four, where it lost to eventual champion, St. Joseph’s (48-38). However, the Chargers have a great deal of young talent returning including soon to be junior Tommy Soulias along with soon to be seniors Garrett Walters and Steve Manahan. Spotswood also has soon to be sophomore Jamal Lewis along with big man Ike Ejikeme. SHS may not be as good next year as they have been over the past two seasons, but expect them to still be competitive in the revamped GMC Blue.

Rumson started out fast, and finished even faster in this contest. The Bulldogs hit their first three field goals from beyond the arc in a 12-2 start, and then closed out the game with a 23-0 run for a 66-24 victory. For the game, Rumson-Fair Haven connected on eight three pointers. Despite giving up some size, the Bulldogs played tenacious and physical defense that made things very difficult for the Chargers, which were unable to get shots to fall. Right away things didn’t go right for Spotswood. Despite outworking Rumson for several offensive rebounds, they couldn’t cash in as Ejikeme, who was eventually fouled, missed both foul shots at the 19:30 mark. Then, the Bulldogs took the lead for good with a three pointer from the right side at the 18:43 mark.

Manahan scored on a floater that banked in at the 18:26 mark, but Rumson-Fair Haven connected on a three pointer from the right baseline for a 6-2 lead with 18:12 to go in the first half. The Bulldogs struck again from three at the 17:15 mark for a 9-2 lead. Spotswood continued to struggle with shots not falling while Rumson made one of two at the line with 15:08 to play in the half, and then stole an errant pass by Soulias for a layup at the 14:31 mark for a 12-2 lead. Soulias redeemed himself with a three pointer from the right corner off a kickout by Walters to close the gap to 12-5 with 14:18 remaining in the opening half. Rumson-Fair Haven added a field goal, and then two free throws at the 11:26 mark for a 16-5 lead. Nearly two minutes went by before Rumson scored again on a steal for a fast break layin at the 9:29 mark for an 18-5 lead.

The Chargers called for time three seconds later, and after that timeout, they got on the board as Manahan got a loose ball, and made a nice bounce pass to Ejikeme for a layup, and an 18-7 Rumson lead with 9:11 to go in the half. However, RFH would not let SHS get back into the game. First, the Bulldogs connected on a jumper with 8:20 to go in the period for a 20-7 lead. Seconds later, the Shore Conference school swiped a steal that led to a three pointer for a 23-7 advantage with 8:15 to play in the half. The Chargers would make two free throws at the 6:56 mark for a 23-9 Rumson lead. The Bulldogs, which were in the bonus, was unable to take a bigger lead for the time being as they missed the front end of a one and one at the 5:03 mark.

Rumson Fair-Haven, which had five threes in the first half, connected on their final trey of the opening half with a shot from the right wing to make the score, 26-9 at the 3:15 mark. After Rumson misfired on a couple of foul shots at the 1:59 mark, Manahan passed upcourt to Soulias for a layup as he was fouled, but the sophomore missed the bonus free throw for a 26-11 score. In a moment that was emblematic of the type of game Spotswood was having, Walters stole an errant pass, and had a chance to cut the deficit in half, but missed the layup. The Bulldogs then scrapped for the loose ball, and got the jump ball and possession. Rumson went into the intermission with a fifteen point lead. The Monmouth County school picked up right where it left off in the first half with a running one hander from the left side at the 19:20 mark for a 28-11 lead.

The Chargers continued to be in a funk as they missed two free throws at the 18:41 mark. Rumson then got a layup at the 18:10 mark, and an offensive rebound and follow with 17:29 to go for a 32-11 lead. Spotswood would get a layin at the 16:45 mark for a 32-13 Rumson-Fair Haven lead, but the Bulldogs came back with a turnaround jumper from the left side for a 34-13 advantage. Rumson scored five of the next seven points including a three pointer at the 15:18 mark for a 39-15 lead as Spotswood called for time. Following the timeout, the Chargers tried to battle back with the help of Walters. First, the junior struck for a three pointer from the left side to make the score, 39-18 at the 15:04 mark. The Bulldogs got another score while the Chargers were scoreless for 2:22 before Walters got an offensive rebound off his own missed three, and dished to Ejikeme for a layup and a foul, which was converted for a three point play, and a 40-21 Rumson-Fair Haven lead.

Rumson got another three points before Manahan drove and kicked to Walters for a three from the left side for a 43-24 Bulldogs lead with 11:20 to play. Those would be the final points of the game for Spotswood then. Rumson-Fair Haven then closed the game with a 23-0 scoring avalanche to close out the convincing victory. Included in the run was a steal for a layup at the 5:24 mark for a then modest 9-0 run, and 52-24 lead.

GMC Hoops plans to be back out next Wednesday night to see the Chargers face off against the Falcons of Monmouth Regional.

2010 Hoop Group Headquarters Summer League–Updated Spotswood Schedule

NEPTUNE, NJ–GMC Hoops has obtained the latest scheduling information from the Hoop Group Headquarters Summer Boys High School Players League at the former Rebounds facility, and here is the breakdown of Spotswood’s ledger for this Summer.

Updated 2010 Spotswood Chargers Hoop Group Headquarters Summer League Schedule

• Day #1–June 14, 2010–Spotswood vs. Marlboro, 5:30 PM, Nets Court
• Day #2–June 16, 2010–Spotswood vs. Rumson Fair-Haven, 7:30 PM, Nets Court
• Day #3–June 21, 2010–Spotswood vs. Toms River East, 7:30 PM, Sixers Court
• Day #4–June 23, 2010–Spotswood vs. Monmouth Regional, 8:30 PM, Knicks Court
• Day #5–June 28, 2010–Spotswood vs. Freehold Township, 7:30 PM, Celtics Court
• Day #6–June 30, 2010–Spotswood vs. Holmdel, 6:30 PM, Knicks Court
• Day #7–July 7, 2010–Spotswood vs. St. Rose, 6:30 PM, Celtics Court
• Day #8–July 12, 2010–Spotswood vs. Lacey, 6:30 PM, Sixers Court
• Day #9–July 14, 2010–Spotswood vs. St. John Vianney, 8:30 PM, Celtics Court
• Day #10–July 19, 2010–Spotswood vs. Brick Township, 6:30 PM, Celtics Court

Note: This schedule is subject to change. GMC Hoops plans to make every effort to get out to the Hoop Group Headquarters, and catch as much action as possible.

2010 Hoop Group Headquarters Summer League–Updated Teams

NEPTUNE, NJ–On Wednesday night, GMC Hoops obtained updated information on the 2010 Hoop Group Headquarters Summer League including the teams and schedule. Originally, there were 28 teams in the league, but two more have joined. Below is the list of all 30 teams competing in the league including Spotswood, the lone GMC representative.

• Lakewood
• Middletown North
• Toms River South
• Brick Memorial
• Wall Township
• St. Rose
• Manalapan
• Academy Charter
• Manasquan
• Jackson Memorial
• Colts Neck
• Freehold Boro
• Point Pleasant Boro
• Howell
• Lacey
• Middletown South
• Toms River East
• Brick Township
• Ocean Township
• St. John Vianney
• Marlboro
• Spotswood
• Rumson Fair-Haven
• Barnegat
• Neptune
• Holmdel
• Asbury Park
• Freehold Township
• Piners
• Monmouth Regional

GMC Hoops was out at the league on Wednesday night to see Spotswood take on Rumson Fair-Haven.

2010 Hoop Group Headquarters Summer League–Some Results–Day Two–June 16th

NEPTUNE, NJ–On Wednesday night, GMC Hoops made its first trip of the summer down to the Hoop Group Headquarters to see the second night of action from the 2010 Hoop Group Headquarters Boys High School Summer League. There are a total of 30 teams competing in this league including the lone GMC representative, Spotswood, which took on Rumson-Fair Haven in one of the four 7:30 PM games Here are a eight results from the plethora of games played.

Hoop Group Headquarters Boys High School Summer League–Results–Day Two–June 16, 2010

• Rumson Fair-Haven 66–Spotswood 24
• Middletown North 60–Colts Neck 50
• Marlboro 54–Barnegat 34
• Ocean Township 47–Holmdel 40
• Freehold Boro 62–Manalapan 51
• Lakewood 47–Lacey 37
• Manasquan 32–Wall Township 29
• Howell 51–Middletown South 44

GMC Hoops plans to be back out at the HG Headquarters next Wednesday night to see the Chargers again in action against Monmouth Regional.

2010 Hoop Group Headquarters Summer League–Spotswood Schedule

NEPTUNE, NJ–GMC Hoops has obtained the latest scheduling information from the Hoop Group Headquarters Summer Boys High School Players League at the former Rebounds facility, and here is the breakdown of Spotswood’s ledger for this Summer.

2010 Spotswood Chargers Hoop Group Headquarters Summer League Schedule

• Day #1–June 14, 2010–Spotswood vs. Marlboro, 5:30 PM, Nets Court
• Day #2–June 16, 2010–Spotswood vs. Ocean Township, 6:30 PM, Knicks Court
• Day #3–June 21, 2010–Spotswood vs. Toms River East, 6:30 PM, Nets Court
• Day #4–June 23, 2010–Spotswood vs. Freehold Township, 8:30 PM, Nets Court
• Day #5–June 28, 2010–Spotswood vs. Holmdel, 7:30 PM, Knicks Court
• Day #6–June 30, 2010–Spotswood vs. Barnegat, 6:30 PM, Celtics Court
• Day #7–July 7, 2010–Spotswood vs. Lacey, 7:30 PM, Knicks Court
• Day #8–July 12, 2010–Spotswood vs. St. John Vianney, 8:30 PM, Sixers Court
• Day #9–July 14, 2010–Spotswood vs. Brick Township, 5:30 PM, Knicks Court
• Day #10–July 19, 2010–Spotswood vs. Middletown South, 8:30 PM, Celtics Court

Note: This schedule is subject to change. GMC Hoops plans to make every effort to get out to the Hoop Group Headquarters, and catch as much action as possible.