GMC Hoops Blogosphere

GMC Holding Its Own Against Out Of Conference Foes

Conference 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 Highlights–February 14, 2013–Old Bridge @ South Brunswick–GMCT Round of 16

Here are video highlights from Old Bridge’s GMCT Round of 16 victory over South Brunswick. Eleventh seeded Old Bridge got 67 of its 71 points from the trio of Sultan Aminu (25 points), Tyler Drews (23 points), and Chris Conrad (19 points) to defeat 6th seeded South Brunswick for the second time this season by the score of 71-62. The win gave OB its first berth in the GMCT Elite Eight since 2007.

The Knights shot 28 of 53 from the floor for 53 percent while the Vikings were just 28 of 64 for 44 percent. Despite being outscored 9-3 from beyond the arc, OBHS went 14 of 24 from the line for 58 percent while SBHS was only 3 of 9 for 33 percent. The trio of Aminu, Drews, and Conrad combined to shoot 27 of 40 from the field for 68 percent. Aminu alone was 12 of 14 from the floor.

The contest was a game of runs. Old Bridge started the game with a 10-3 spurt as Drews scored 8 of his points. South Brunswick responded with a 15-7 rally to take an 18-17 lead. The third quarter had the most pivotal run. Trailing 33-31 early in the period, the Knights scored 11 straight points, and 15 of 17 to take a 46-35 lead.

South Brunswick battled back though behind the efforts of junior guard, Corey Lumpkin, who scored 13 points. Lumpkin had a torrid fourth quarter as he helped the Vikes pull within three at 57-54. Unfortunately, South Brunswick couldn’t get any closer. Unofficially, Chris Bourne led the Vikings with 19 points while Dion Hooper chipped in with 11.

GMC Hoops Slideshow–February 14, 2013–Old Bridge @ South Brunswick–GMCT Round of 16

Here are some photos and video captures from the GMCT Round of 16 contest between Old Bridge and South Brunswick at SBHS. In the game, 11th seeded Old Bridge got 67 of its 71 points from the trio of Sultan Aminu (25 points), Tyler Drews (23 points), and Chris Conrad (19 points) to defeat 6th seeded South Brunswick for the second time this season by the score of 71-62. The win gave OB its first berth in the GMCT Elite Eight since 2007.

The Knights shot 28 of 53 from the floor for 53 percent while the Vikings were just 28 of 64 for 44 percent. Despite being outscored 9-3 from beyond the arc, OBHS went 14 of 24 from the line for 58 percent while SBHS was only 3 of 9 for 33 percent. The trio of Aminu, Drews, and Conrad combined to shoot 27 of 40 from the field for 68 percent. Aminu alone was 12 of 14 from the floor. The contest was a game of runs. Old Bridge started the game with a 10-3 spurt as Drews scored 8 of his points. South Brunswick responded with a 20-7 rally to take an 23-17 lead. Old Bridge rallied back with an 11-2 spurt to end the half with a 28-25 lead.

The third quarter had the most pivotal run. Trailing 33-31 early in the period, the Knights scored 11 straight points, and 15 of 17 to take a 46-35 lead. South Brunswick battled back though behind the efforts of junior guard, Corey Lumpkin, who scored 13 points. Lumpkin had a torrid fourth quarter as he helped the Vikes pull within three at 57-54. Unfortunately, South Brunswick couldn’t get any closer. Unofficially, Chris Bourne led the Vikings with 19 points while Dion Hooper chipped in with 11.

GMC Hoops Game Analysis–#11 Old Bridge @ #6 South Brunswick–GMCT Round of 16–February 14, 2013

Knights Defeat South Brunswick For 2nd Time To Advance To GMCT Elite Eight For First Time Since 2007

MONMOUTH JUNCTION, NJ–Thursday marked the third time this season that Old Bridge and South Brunswick played each other with each team winning on the other’s home court the previous two times.  The Knights were playing for the right to play in the GMCT Elite Eight at Middlesex County College for the first time since 2007 while South Brunswick was looking to return to MCC for the third straight year.

The game lived up to my personal expectations of being a good one.  There were numerous swings in momentum throughout the contest.  Each team seemed to put together a huge run only to be answered by the other.  However, a key run in the third quarter by Old Bridge turned out to be the difference in a 71-62 victory at SBHS.  Trailing 33-31 in the early part of the third, the Knights put together a 15-2 tear that included eleven unanswered points to take a 46-35 lead.  South Brunswick would fight an uphill battle the rest of the way.

The Vikings, which defeated the Knights the first time the two teams played back in the first full week of the season, almost made it all the way back in the fourth.  Spearheaded by the efforts of junior guard, Corey Lumpkin, who had 13 points on the game, SB pulled to within three at 57-54.  However, the Knights didn’t let the Vikes get any closer after that.  Old Bridge was more efficient from the field as it connected on 28 of 53 shots for 53 percent.  South Brunswick only shot 28 of 64 for 44 percent.  Both teams had their struggles from beyond the arc with the Vikes going 3 of 17 while the Knights were just 1 of 7.

A key for OBHS was its foul shooting.  The Knights were able to get to the line much more often than the Vikings, and took advantage with a 14 of 24 showing while SBHS was only 3 of 9.  Old Bridge also got solid performances from the duo of senior forward Sultan Aminu (25 points) and junior guard, Tyler Drews (23 points).  Aminu was dominant in the low block with 12 of 14 shooting from the floor while grabbing numerous rebounds, and making life difficult for South Brunswick big man, Chris Bourne, who scored in double figures, but missed a number of shots.   Drews was 8 of 18 from the floor, but also handed out 10 assists.  He set the tone early by scoring 8 of the Knights first 10 points.

What gave the Knights a huge boost in this game was the emergence of a third option in Chris Conrad.  The senior guard has always had potential to be a key player, and this contest brought it out in him.  Conrad was a scintillating 7 of 8 from the field including Old Bridge’s only three while also making 4 of 6 from the line for 19 points.  The trio of Aminu, Drews, and Conrad combined for 27 of 40 shooting and 94 percent of OB’s scoring.  This game had quite an up-tempo feel to it, and with Drews pushing the ball upcourt, and looking to either score or dish to Aminu or Conrad, the pace suited Old Bridge just fine.

South Brunswick had eight different players get into the game, and all of them scored.  Vikings head coach, Joe Hoehman, substituted frequently throughout much of the contest until the fourth quarter when he settled on the rotation of Dion Hooper, Corey Lumpkin, Sean Keenan, Jordan Porch, and Chris Bourne.  Old Bridge had 7 players get into the game with six of them scoring.  Both teams scored in double figures in each of the four periods, but Old Bridge scored at least 20 points in each of the final two quarters as it outscored South Brunswick 43-37 in the second half.

The victory improves Old Bridge to 14-9 overall, and 10-7 in the GMC.  The Knights, which had made five trips in six yearsto the GMCT Elite Eight from 2002 to 2007, will be making its first visit to MCC in six years.  The Knights await the winner of 14th seeded Colonia and 3rd seeded North Brunswick, which will play on Friday afternoon at 4:00 PM at NBTHS.  South Brunswick falls to 11-9 overall and 8-7 in conference play.

GMC Hoops Highlights–February 5, 2013–South Brunswick @ Piscataway–Red Division Clash

Here are video highlights from the second half and overtime of the Red Division contest between South Brunswick and Piscataway during the final week of regular season action in the Greater Middlesex Conference. It was a great game between the Chiefs, which entered the contest winners of four straight and six of the last eight, and South Brunswick, which was trying to get back on the right track. In a back and forth contest that had the Vikings in control throughout much of the second half, P-Way continued to battle back, and eventually force overtime when it took its first lead of the game. However, South Brunswick got a three point play from Chris Bourne followed by free throws from Jordan Porch and Antonio Ross to seal the 59-55 victory.

GMC Hoops Game Notes–South Brunswick @ Piscataway–Red Division Clash–February 5, 2013

PISCATAWAY, NJ–On Tuesday night, GMC Hoops traveled over to Piscataway High School after work to see the second half and overtime of the contest between the Chiefs, which entered the contest winners of four straight and six of the last eight, and South Brunswick, which was trying to get back on the right track. In a back and forth contest that had the Vikings in control throughout much of the second half, P-Way continued to battle back, and eventually force overtime when it took its first lead of the game. However, South Brunswick got a three point play from Chris Bourne followed by free throws from Jordan Porch and Antonio Ross to seal the 59-55 victory. Below are some game notes from the contest.

First Quarter

4:00–Piscataway led only 2-0 according to WCTC.
0:00–South Brunswick ends the period with a 12-2 run for a 12-4 lead after one.
Chris Bourne and Antonio Ross led the Vikings with 4 points each in the frame.

South Brunswick First Quarter Scoring

Sean Keenan–FG for 2 points
Antonio Ross–FG and 2 of 2 FTs for 4 points
Jordan Porch–1 of 2 FTs for 1 point
Chris Bourne–2 FGs for 4 points
Corey Lumpkin–1 of 2 FTs for 1 point

Totals–4 FGs and 4 of 6 FTs for 12 points

Piscataway First Quarter Scoring

Marinus Tavernier–FG for 2 points
David Claybrook–FG for 2 points

Totals–2 FGs for 4 points

Second Quarter

Piscataway outscored South Brunswick by a margin of 17-13 in the period led by 8 points from senior guard, Marcus Freeney, who had 8 points on two field goals, a three pointer, and 1 of 2 from the foul line. Rachid Schimou also added a three while David Claybrook chipped in with 4 points on two field goals. Chris Bourne led South Brunswick with 7 points on two field goals and 3 of 5 from the foul line.

South Brunswick Second Quarter Scoring

Sal Hasan–FG for 2 points
Antonio Ross–FG for 2 points
Chris Bourne–2 FGs and 3 of 5 FTs for 7 points
Dion Hooper–FG for 2 points

Totals–5 FGs and 3 of 5 FTs for 13 points

Piscataway Second Quarter Scoring

Marcus Freeney–2 FGs, 3 PTR, and 1 of 2 FTs for 8 points
Rachid Schimou–3 PTR for 3 points
Justin Leak–FG for 2 points
David Claybrook–2 FGs for 4 points

Totals–5 FGs, 2 3s, and 1 of 2 FTs for 17 points

South Brunswick First Half Scoring

Chris Bourne–4 FGs and 3 of 5 FTs for 11 points
Antonio Ross–2 FGs and 2 of 2 FTs for 6 points
Sal Hasan–FG for 2 points
Sean Keenan–FG for 2 points
Dion Hooper–FG for 2 points
Jordan Porch–1 of 2 FTs for 1 point
Corey Lumpkin–1 of 2 FTs for 1 point

Totals–9 FGs and 7 of 11 FTs for 25 points

Piscataway First Half Scoring

Marcus Freeney–2 FGs, 3 PTR, and 1 of 2 FTs for 8 points
David Claybrook–3 FGs for 6 points
Rachid Schimou–3 PTR–3 points
Marinus Tavernier–FG for 2 points
Justin Leak–FG for 2 points

Totals–7 FGs, 2 3s, and 1 of 2 FTs for 21 points

Third Quarter

South Brunswick opened the quarter with a 5-2 run as Sean Keenan hit the first of two threes for a 30-23 lead. Piscataway battled back though with an 8-2 spurt to tie the contest at 31-31. The Vikings went back out in front with a score before Keenan hit his second three for a 36-31 lead. SBHS clinged to that tenuous three point lead at 38-35 heading into the fourth.

South Brunswick Third Quarter Scoring

Sal Hasan–FG for 2 points
Sean Keenan–2 3s for 6 points
Antonio Ross–1 of 4 FTs for 1 point
Chris Bourne–FG for 2 points
Corey Lumpkin–FG for 2 points

Totals–3 FGs, 2 3s, and 1 of 4 FTs for 13 points

Piscataway Third Quarter Scoring

Rachid Schimou–3 PTR–3 points
Elijah Murray-Tucker–2 FGs and 1 of 2 FTs for 5 points
Marinus Tavernier–2 FGs for 4 points
David Claybrook–FG for 2 points

Totals–5 FGs, 3 PTR, and 1 of 2 FTs for 14 points

Fourth Quarter

Piscataway opened the final frame with a 6-4 run to pull within one at 42-41 before South Brunswick got a couple scores to take a five point lead. The Chiefs rallied to tie the contest at 48-48 going into overtime as Marcus Freeney and Elijah Murray-Tucker hit threes to highlight a 7-2 spurt to end regulation.

South Brunswick Fourth Quarter Scoring

Antonio Ross–2 FGs and 2 of 2 FTs for 6 points
Chris Bourne–2 FGs for 4 points

Totals–4 FGs and 2 of 2 FTs for 10 points

Piscataway Fourth Quarter Scoring

Marcus Freeney–FG, 3 PTR, and 1 of 2 FTs for 6 points
Elijah Murray-Tucker–FG and a 3 PTR for 5 points
David Claybrook–FG for 2 points

Totals–3 FGs, 2 3s, and 1 of 2 FTs for 13 points

Overtime

Piscataway took its first and only lead of overtime when David Claybrook scored on a layup with 3:29 remaining. However, after Rachid Schimou made a pair of free throws at the 2:11 mark, South Brunswick took control for good with a three point play by Chris Bourne with 50 seconds left. The Vikings led by five at one point before Schimou drained a three from the left side with 20 seconds left, but Jordan Porch and Antonio Ross closed the game with free throws for the 59-55 win.

South Brunswick Overtime Scoring

Antonio Ross–FG and 2 of 2 FTs for 4 points
Jordan Porch–FG and 2 of 4 FTs for 4 points
Chris Bourne–FG and 1 of 2 FTs for 3 points

Totals–3 FGs 5 of 8 FTs for 11 points

Piscataway Overtime Scoring

Rachid Schimou–3 PTR and 2 of 2 FTs for 5 points
David Claybrook–FG for 2 points

Totals–FG, 3 PTR, and 2 of 2 FTs for 7 points

South Brunswick Total Game Scoring

Chris Bourne–8 FG and 4 of 7 FTs for 20 points
Antonio Ross–5 FG and 7 of 10 FTs for 17 points
Sean Keenan–FG and 2 3s for 8 points
Jordan Porch–FG and 3 of 6 FTs for 5 points
Sal Hasan–2 FGs for 4 points
Corey Lumpkin–FG and 1 of 2 FTs for 3 points
Dion Hooper–FG for 2 points

Totals–19 FG, 2 3s, and 15 of 25 FTs for 59 points

Piscataway Total Game Scoring

Marcus Freeney–3 FGs, 2 3s, and 2 of 4 FTs for 14 points
David Claybrook–6 FGs for 12 points
Rachid Schimou–3 3s and 2 of 2 FTs for 11 points
Elijah Murray Tucker–3 FGs, a 3 PTR, and 1 of 6 FTs for 10 points
Justin Leak–FG for 2 points
Marinus Tavernier–3 FGs for 6 points

Totals–16 FGs, 6 3s, and 5 of 12 FTs for 55 points

GMC Rebounders Among Top In The State–February 5, 2013

Six Players From The Conference Among Top 25 Rebounding Averages In NJ

NEWARK, NJ–On Wednesday, the statewide rebounding leaders were posted on nj.com and in the Newark Star-Ledger, and six players from the Greater Middlesex Conference were on the list of the Top 25. St. Joseph’s Karl Towns had the highest rebounding average, followed by Jordan Little of Perth Amboy Tech, Sultan Aminu of Old Bridge, Chris Bourne of South Brunswick, Tyler Harris of South River, and Justen Davis of Wardlaw. Below is where they ranked in the state as well as the number of games played, total rebounds, and averages.

Stats again are courtesy of nj.com. Players must have played a minimum 13 games so far this season.

GMC-Skyland Challenge–January 19, 2013–Schedule

Good 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-Skyland Challenge Set For January 19th

Proceeds from Games Will Go To Brayden Carr Foundation

SOUTH PLAINFIELD, NJ–Among the array of boys basketball showcases this season is the upcoming showdown between GMC and Skyland Conference teams on January 19th.  According to a recent article from MyCentralJersey.com, there will be 20 games at 15 different locations.  Some key matchups include Bridgewater-Raritan at East Brunswick, South Brunswick vs. Hillsborough, Piscataway vs. Montgomery, Spotswood vs. Bernards, and Woodbridge vs. Immaculata. 

All proceeds from the games will go toward the “In Brayden’s Eyes, The Brayden Carr Foundation,”  Brayden Carr, was the son of former Rutgers assistant coach, Jim Carr and Natalie Zeno Carr, who was an athletic trainer at South Plainfield in the mid-90s.  Brayden died back in May 2011 at the age of 2.  In Brayden’s Eyes, The Brayden Carr Foundation is a non-profit charitable organization that raises money for provide athletic, social, rehabilitative, and academic opportunities to children with seizure conditions, with or without motor delays from associated cerebral palsy, as well as to provide humanitarian support/relief to their parents.  The idea was brought up by South Plainfield Athletic Director Al Czech last year according to an article at nj.com.

Below is a schedule of the boys games on tap for January 19th

Bound Brook HS
Colonia vs. Warren Hills
Cardinal McCarrick vs. Bound Brook

East Brunswick HS
Piscataway vs. Montgomery
Timothy Christian vs. Voorhees
East Brunswick vs. Bridgewater-Raritan

Franklin HS
North Brunswick vs. Franklin
South Brunswick vs. Hillsborough

Immaculata HS
Bishop Ahr vs. Pingry
Woodbridge vs. Immaculata

J.P. Stevens HS
J.F. Kennedy vs. North Plainfield

Middlesex HS
Middlesex vs. South Hunterdon

Monroe HS
Monroe vs. Hunterdon Central

North Hunterdon HS
Edison vs. North Hunterdon

Perth Amboy HS
Perth Amboy vs. Delaware Valley

Phillipsburg HS
Old Bridge vs. Phillipsburg

Ridge HS
New Brunswick vs. Ridge

Somerville HS
Carteret vs. Somerville

South Amboy HS
South Amboy vs. Manville

Spotswood HS
Spotswood vs. Bernards

Watchung Hills HS
Sayreville vs. Watchung Hills

I’m still currently working out getting all the details including start times for the games.  Girls games may also be involved as well.  According to Al Czech in a recent e-mail, there will be games at South Plainfield 10:00 AM, 12:00 PM, and 2:00 PM as well as at J.P. Stevens.  I’m planning to at least see the game between Cardinal McCarrick at Bound Brook.  We’ll have further details on GMC Hoops Coverage of this upcoming event soon.

2012-13 GMC Boys Basketball Team Rosters

Now Have Rosters For All 31 GMC Teams

I’m still behind the eight ball on the rosters, but have made significant progress in the past couple days. Over the past two days, I’ve posted rosters from all the 31 schools in the Greater Middlesex Conference that play basketball. Below are the teams that we have rosters for.

2012-13 GMC Boys Basketball Rosters

• Bishop Ahr
• Cardinal McCarrick
• Carteret
• Colonia
• Dunellen
• East Brunswick
• East Brunswick Tech
• Edison
• Highland Park
• J.F. Kennedy
• J.P. Stevens
• Metuchen
• Middlesex
• Monroe
• New Brunswick
• North Brunswick
• Old Bridge
• Perth Amboy
• Perth Amboy Tech
• Piscataway
• Piscataway Tech
• Sayreville
• South Amboy
• South Brunswick
• South Plainfield
• South River
• Spotswood
• St. Joseph’s
• Timothy Christian
• Wardlaw
• Woodbridge

If you have a roster for your team that is not posted on the site, please e-mail me at gmachos@gmchoops.com.