GMC Hoops Blogosphere

GMC Hoops College Basketball Schedule

SOUTH PLAINFIELD, NJ–Last weekend, GMC Hoops put together a tentative schedule for the 2011-12 college basketball season. This year, the site plans to share the wealth a bit by seeing games involving JUCO, Division III, Division II, and Division I teams. This past Thursday night was the opener as the site saw Middlesex County College in action against Raritan Valley Community College. Below is the schedule for this season:

2011-12 GMC Hoops College Basketball Schedule

• November 10th–Raritan  Valley CC @ Middlesex County College
• November 15th–Passaic CC @ Middlesex County College
• November 16th–C.W. Post @ Chestnut Hill College
• November 17th–Penn @ Rider
• November 25th–Penn vs. Pittsburgh–Philly Hoop Classic
• November 29th–Hostos CC @ Middlesex County College
• November 30th–DeSales University @ FDU-Florham
• December 6th–Essex CC @ Raritan Valley CC
• December 7th–FDU-Florham @ Drew
• December 8th–Eastern @ TCNJ
• December 13th–Bergen CC @ Middlesex County College
• December 30th–Stonehill @ Philly U.

Note: This schedule is subject to change.

GMC Hoops–College Basketball–Tentative Schedule–2010-11 Season

SOUTH PLAINFIELD, NJ–On Thursday, GMC Hoops sat down and plotted its schedule for the upcoming college hoops season. The site plans to see at least nine games. This schedule is very tentative, and is scheduled to change. Games are at all levels of college including: JUCO, Division III, Division II, and Division I. Our coverage is slated to begin on Tuesday, November 16th with a game at Middlesex County College. Below is the tentative schedule:

• November 16, 2010–Burlington County College at Middlesex County College, 7:00 PM
• November 17, 2010–Centenary College at TCNJ, 7:00 PM
• November 19, 2010–Wilkes vs. Galludet, 3:00 PM
• November 23, 2010–Berkeley College at Montclair State, 8:00 PM
• December 1, 2010–TCNJ at Kean, 8:00 PM
• December 3, 2010–Felician at the Pocono Classic at East Stroudsburg
• December 7, 2010–Union County College at Middlesex County College, 7:00 PM
• December 8, 2010–Drew University at FDU-Florham, 7:00 PM
• December 23, 2010–St. Peter’s at Rutgers, 7:00 PM

Once again, this schedule is subject to change.

GMC College Commitments 2009

SOUTH PLAINFIELD, NJ–Over the past month or so, GMC Hoops has been receiving information on college commitments for players from the Greater Middlesex Conference. Here is what the site has received so far from various sources:

• Justin Brown–Highland Park–Virginia Intermont College
• Nikko Vastola–St. Joseph’s–Kean University
• Steve Rennard–St. Joseph’s–University of Pennsylvania (early commitment)
• Tristan Benjamin–Piscataway–Pace University
• Aaron Hush–Piscataway–Temple University (football)
• Justin Blake–Piscataway–Stony Brook University (football)
• Thomas Bennett–Piscataway–Rutgers-Newark
• Alec Mayo–East Brunswick–Moravian College

GMC Hoops will be posting detailed articles on all these players in the coming days and weeks. If anyone knows of a player that has made a commitment to a college or university, please e-mail us at gmachos@gmchoops.com.

My Trip To Monmouth–November 20, 2008

WEST LONG BRANCH, NJ–After taking a trip to Philadelphia on Wednesday, November 19th, GMC Hoops followed that up with a trek down the Jersey coastline to Central Monmouth County, and the town of West Long Branch, where Division I Monmouth University is located. The reason for the visit was to see Marquis Jones, a former standout at South Plainfield High School, and his teammates from the University of Rhode Island take on the Hawks from the Northeast Conference.

I began my trip after 3:00 PM. Got gas on the way after using about a half a tank for my trip to Philly the day before. So, I didn’t get out of South Plainfield until about 3:30 PM. I wasn’t worried though because I had a general idea of where to go. This was the farthest trip I’ve taken down Route 36. I took it south through Keyport and Hazlet, Middletown, and eventually ended up in Atlantic Highlands, which led me to Sandy Hook and Sea Bright. Following the coastal evacuation route into Sea Bright and Monmouth Beach, I travelled very slowly since the speed limit was reduced on this one lane highway.

I eventually got into Long Branch, and after some difficulty, followed the road, which had become County Road 57 to Cedar Ave. Using the directions off the Internet, I took Cedar Ave a couple miles until I reached Route 71 North. Not too far from there was Monmouth University. Arriving on campus at about 4:30, I parked in the visitors area, and walked around campus for a bit in the very cold weather. I got myself into the Student Center, and sat down for some dinner at 5:00 PM. After that I headed to the gym, where I got my media credentials. Over the next hour, I got myself situated between long time URI beat writer, Paul Kenyon of the Providence Journal, and Ray Cella, associate commissioner of the Atlantic 10 Conference. They were both very nice, and we talked a lot about basketball.

Kenyon was very impressed with Jones, and feels he is a very good fit at point guard for this team since the former SPHS star doesn’t try to do too much, and gets the ball to everyone else. Jones ended up playing a team high 23 minutes, handed out 6 assists, committed one turnover, swiped two steals, and grabbed a rebound. His floor generalship helped Rhody put together a balanced offensive attack led by Keith Cothran (18 points), Jimmy Baron (15 points), Kaheim Seawright (13 points) and Delroy James (10 points) in an 85-62 Rams’ victory over Monmouth.

A player that really impressed me with his efforts was former Union standout, Travis Taylor. The freshman made his first four shots, and didn’t miss until midway through the second half. Taylor ended up going 7 of 9 from the floor for 14 points, 9 rebounds, and 4 assists in 30 minutes of playing time. His former coach, Tony DiGiovanni, who had previously coached at Piscataway and New Brunswick, was in attendance along with his assistant, Frank DeLuca, who was a standout player in his own right at North Brunswick before moving on to play prep basketball at Solebury Prep in Pennsylvania. Taylor played more like a sophomore or junior out there with no fear. As long as Taylor is there, Monmouth has a bright future.

Two games down, and more to go. There has been some changes to the college schedule, but we’ll figure out a way to make it work.

GMC Hoops Updated College Basketball Schedule

SOUTH PLAINFIELD, NJ–Two games are already in the books, but on Wednesday, GMC Hoops again updated its college hoops schedule for the upcoming 2008-09 season. By no means has this schedule been finalized as there are still some things to work out. However, here is what Greg Machos has come up with so far. This will change as we get closer to the start of the season.

• 11/19/2008–District of Columbia @ Philadelphia University (Textile), 7:00 PM
• 11/20/2008–Philly Classic–Rhode Island at Monmouth, 7:00 PM
• 12/2/2008–Felician at Caldwell College, 8:00 PM
• 12/4/2008–Brookdale Community College at Middlesex County College, 7:00 PM
• 12/10/2008–DeSales University at Centenary College, 7:00 PM
• 12/11/2008–Raritan Valley Coummunity College at Middlesex County College, 7:00 PM
• 12/31/2008–Lehigh vs. NJIT @Prudential Arena, 2:00 PM
• 1/16/2009–Susquehanna at Drew, 7:00 PM
• 1/22/2009–Southern Connecticut State @ Felician, 7:00 PM
• 2/4/2009–Richard Stockton at Kean University, 8:00 PM
• 2/26/2009–Semifinals of Region XIX Tournament @ County College of Morris

Last season, the web site initially scheduled 10 games to see on the season. However, it ended up only getting out to seven of them. Hopefully, we’ll do better this time around.

My Return To Philly–November 19, 2008

PHILADELPHIA, PA—It was a trip several months in the making, but one that had taken 21 years to do. Back in September when I started to put together the schedule for the college hoops portion of coverage, I decided to go out to Philadelphia to take in the home opener of the Philadelphia University Rams against the University of the District of Columbia. Not only because it was an opportunity to see Corey Francisco, a former standout at Bishop Ahr, in action, but it was also a chance to take a trip out of state, and return to a place I had lived briefly in while at college.

From September 1988 to January 1989, I spent a semester and a half at Drexel University in the Center City section of Philadelphia. Prior to that, I had visited Northeastern Philadelphia on a college visit to LaSalle in October 1987. The trip to Philly U. brought back memories of that senior year trip to LaSalle. Going on the Pennsylvania Turnpike to get to Philadelphia gave images in my head of the trip to the Northeast Extension. Believe it or not, the trip took about 150 miles going to and from the City of Brotherly Love. I began my trip by leaving the house at around 2:00 PM, but didn’t leave South Plainfield until about 2:30 PM after getting some gas.

I proceeded down Route 287 South to Route 440 South, and the exit for the New Jersey Turnpike. I then took the turnpike south to Exit 6 for the Pennsylvania Turnpike, which cost $2.05, and then went on the Keystone State Turnpike a couple of exits to Philadelphia. There, I rejoined Route 1 South, a familiar road for many in the Central Jersey area, particularly those in Middlesex County. Following that road south, I eventually got onto the Roosevelt Expressway, which took me to the exit for Philadelphia University. I arrived on the campus at about 4:30 PM, and actually had a tougher time parking than getting to where I had to be.

Arriving at the gym some two hours before the start of the game, I sat back and watched the women’s basketball team practice for a while before the men’s team took the floor to warm up. You could tell Corey Francisco got a big kick out of the fact that GMC Hoops came down to see him play. I spoke a bit with his father Ted, who brought me up to speed on his situation at Philly U. Corey is getting settled in. Some off season physical ailments hampered his progress early on, and put him behind a bit, but he is starting to come into his own again. Francisco, who is still the all time leading scorer at Bishop Ahr, played a total of seven minutes during a couple of stints in the first half.

It was a special night at Philly U. Long time head coach, Herb Magee, who graduated from the college in 1963, and has his number retired in the gym, was honored for his recent induction in the Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame. Magee is going in with quite a special group including former La Salle standout, and NBA player Lionel Simmons, former Knick and 76er Maurice Cheeks, and former Eagles wide receiver, Harold Carmichael. Magee has coached at Philadelphia University for 42 years, and has been associated with the school for 49 years. He has amassed a win total that exceeds 800 games. He is a shooting guru that has helped the likes of former Florida State, and NBA player, Bobby Sura.

After a very close first half that saw neither team have a lead bigger than six points while there were 15 lead changes and 4 ties, the Rams, which compete with the likes of Caldwell College, Felician, and Bloomfield College in the CACC (Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference), went on a decisive 17-3 tear midway through the second half, and withstood a 9-1 charge by UDC for the 78-58 victory that improved their record to 2-0 after an opening night win on the road at St. Rose of the Northeast 10, where Perth Amboy’s Jermaine Clark plays. Following the game, I immediately headed home, and despite some struggles early on, I managed to arrive back at the house around 11:00. Honestly, it was a nerve racking ride for me since I hadn’t taken such a long time in some time, but I’m glad that I went. Special thanks to Sarah Punderson, and the folks at Philly University for their assistance.

Trip To Centenary College–Quite A Journey!

Good afternoon everyone. On Tuesday, GMC Hoops continued its college coverage with a game between Centenary College of the Pennsylvania Athletic Conference and Berkeley College. For those, who aren’t aware, Centenary, which is one of the fastest growing colleges in New Jersey, is located up in Hackettstown in Warren County. I had never traveled up that way before. The only times I had ever been out that way at all was for trips in high school. Well, everything worked out ok as far as getting there without getting lost, and making it in time for the contest, but the route I selected to go to the game is not one that I will take again for a future night game involving the Cyclones. Using the directions off of the school’s athletics web site, I took Route 287 North to Route 78 West, and then to County Road 517 in Hunterdon County. County Road 517 also travels through Warren County, and takes you directly into the heart of Hackettstown as does Route 46 and Route 80.

First and foremost, I left the house after 6:00 PM, which for an 8:00 PM game in a place that I’ve never been to before was not a good idea. On top of that, I had to stop and get gas. The problems began when I got on the Route 78 West headed toward Easton, Pennsylvania. Getting on there at Exit 26, I didn’t have to travel far to get to the exit for County Road 517, but I had to endure a good deal of traffic. There has been a lot of construction going on that portion of the Interstate. Coming home from my job in Bedminster, I would usually see traffic backed up for miles at the Route 78 West exit so this wasn’t exactly a surprise. Thankfully, I was able to get off quickly at Exit 24 for County Road 517. Taking the road north, I traveled through a good portion of Hunterdon County and a lot of Warren County. The road wasn’t well lit at all, and it took many twists and turns. On top of that, I was going into a part of New Jersey that is perhaps the most mountainous. Thoughts did go through my head about turning back, and going home, but I had made a commitment to see the game so I continued onward.

After traveling this long and winding road, I finally reached some sort of civilization as I entered the outskirts of Hackettstown near the Hackettstown Mall. Much to my relief, I had arrived at Centenary College with about twenty minutes to go before the scheduled tip-off. Moreover, the women’s game was still playing with about nine minutes to go in the second half when I entered the gym. On the way home, I took a different route by taking Route 46 East to Route 206 South, and then to Route 287 South. I got home much quicker, and the trip was much less stressful. Overall, the trip was worth it though. Centenary’s Reeves Student and Recreation Center, which has undergone a facelift, looked superb, and the atmosphere was probably the best of all the colleges that I have gone to for games so far this season. Special thanks goes to Josh Huber, the Director of Sports Information at Centenary for providing me with information and stats, and the rest of the Centenary Athletics staff for their hospitality.

Video Highlights From Game Between Stonehill And Queens College–NYIT Tip-Off Classic–November 16, 2007

Good morning everyone. Sorry for not posting anything yesterday (Saturday), but I was busy putting together a lot of video highlights from the past couple days including a game that I saw in the late afternoon and early evening on Friday between Stonehill and Queens College in the 2007 NYIT Tip-Off Classic on the NYIT Campus in Long Island. In case you weren’t aware, there are not only four GMC players on the Stonehill roster, but they are also the creme de la creme in GMC basketball talent over the past three seasons. Three of the players: Nick Smith (Colonia), A.J. Rudowitz (Monroe), and Vince Rosario (Cardinal McCarrick) were Home News-Tribune players of the year as well as the all time leading scorers at their respective schools while the fourth player, Darrell Carroll (St. Joseph’s), wasn’t shabby either as an all conference first team selection. In addition, two other Jersey players: Randall Stallworth of Monsignor Donovan (7 points and 10 assists) and Mike Kernan from the 2007 Group III State Champions, Shawnee, (11 points, 8 rebounds, and a blocked shot) are also on the Stonehill roster.

In Friday’s game, Stonehill jumped out to a 10-2 early lead only to have Queens College pull within 10-9, but the Skyhawks then ran off nine straight points for a 19-9 lead. The game would pretty much be the same way for the rest of the first half, and a portion of the second as Stonehill led 43-31 at the intermission, and then ran off the first seven points of the second half as Nick Smith, who led the way with 20 points including a three pointer before halftime and four of the first seven points of the second half. Trailing 50-31 early in the second half, Queens College rallied with a 13-6 run to pull within 56-44 before Smith slammed home an alley-oop pass for a 58-44 lead.

Rudowitz followed with his only points of the game on a jumper from Rosario (12 points including two threes) for a 60-46 lead. Following a score by Queens College, the Monroe standout registered an assist on a three pointer by Centreville, Virginia’s own Colin Scanlon to make it a 63-48 game. From that point on, Stonehill wasn’t threatened as it outscored the East Coast Conference representative by a 27-22 margin for a commanding 93-70 lead before Queens closed the contest with the final nine points to round out the 93-79 Stonehill victory. Take a look below at some of the video highlights from the contest. You can also view the summary on the game at the web site.

Complete details on this game will be available soon. Special thanks to Big Mike Allocco, a former Stonehill alum, for taking us out to the game.