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 Game Analysis–Woodbridge @ Sayreville–White Division Clash–January 22, 2013

Barrons Trio of Bailey, Pearson, and Harris Lead Woodbridge Past Sayreville,  74-63

SAYREVILLE, NJ–In what could have been a trap game for Woodbridge heading into their GMC White showdown with division leader Norh Brunswick on Thursday night, the Barrons refused to let down against a Sayreville team determined to make a better showing than in the 59-40 defeat suffered at WHS in the first week of the 2012-13 season.  Woodbridge got a game high 24 points from Jared Pearson, 22 points from point guard, Duquan Bailey, and 11 points in the second half by Eddie Harris to pull away from Sayreville, 74-63 at the Bomb Shelter.

The Barrons only had one three in the contest, but outscored Sayreville by a margin of 21-3 from the foul line.  Woodbridge only had a 25-24 edge in two point baskets while Sayreville outscored the Barrons by a 12-3 margin from beyond the arc.  Woodbridge scored in double figures in each period while Sayreville scored in double digits in three of the four periods.  The Barrons had four different players score in double figures while the Bombers only had three. Jason Saldiveri led Sayreville with 16 points while Jon Bracero chipped in with 15, and Corey Taite added 10.

Trailing 46-35 with 5:19 to go in the third, Sayreville rallied back with a 16-8 spurt over a span of 4:32 to pull within three at 54-51 with 47 seconds left in the period.  The Bombers got four points each from Saldiveri and Brian Gay, who later added a three point play to close the gap again to three at the end of the period.  Bracero and Donald Johnson also got scores during the run.  Gay scored 9 of his points in the third along with two steals and an assist.   Leading 57-54 at the start of the fourth, Woodbridge put the game away with a 13-5 run over the first 6:19 of the fourth including a three point play by Pearson at the 6:39 mark, and a pull-up jumper by Harris at the 5:45 mark.  

Sayreville could only get as close as six points after that as Bailey made two free throws for a 67-59 lead  at the 2:03 mark, and Harris converted a three point play to put the Barrons up by 11 with 1:41 left.  Sayreville led by two after the first period (16-14) before Bailey scored 14 in the second to spearhead a 24-17 showing by the Barrons in the frame for a 38-33 lead at the intermission.   Woodbridge then opened the second half with an 8-2 spurt including two free throws by Bailey at the 7:39 mark, a transition layup by Bailey at the 7:13 mark, a foul line jumper by Pearson at the 5:45 mark, and then a missed dunk by Harris that got a kind bounce and went in for a 46-35 lead with 5:19 left in the third.

Woodbridge’s overall size and length along with its athleticism made things very difficult for Sayreville, especially from the perimeter. The Bombers had no threes in the second half while Taite was limited to just four points in the final two periods. With the victory, Woodbridge improved to 12-1 overall on the season, its best start in three decades.  A win on Thursday against North Brunswick would clinch the school’s first winning season since the 1988-89 campaign when the 1,000 point scoring duo of Buck Jenkins and Adam McLaughlin led the Barrons to a 17-9 season.  The last time Woodbridge won a division title was when it was in the Middlesex County Athletic Conference in 1981-82.  Finally, Woodbridge has a Barrons team that they can be proud of.

GMC Hoops Highlights–January 22, 2013–Woodbridge @ Sayreville–White Division Clash

Here are video highlights from the second half of Woodbridge’s win over Sayreville in GMC White Division action. Behind 14 second quarter points by senior point guard, Duquan Bailey, the Barrons took a 38-33 lead at the half. Then, in the third quarter, Woodbridge opened up with an 8-2 run for a 46-35 lead. Sayreville battled back with a 19-11 surge to end the period to pull within three at 57-54 as Brian Gay contributed with 4 points, 2 assists, and 2 steals in the frame.

However, in the final period, Woodbridge pulled away as Jared Pearson converted a traditional three point play at the 6:39 mark, and Eddie Harris came up with a jumper at the 5:45 mark for a 64-56 lead. Harris then added a three point play of his own at the 1:41 mark, and almost another as he scored again while being fouled at the 49 second mark for a 72-61 lead en route to the 74-63 victory. Pearson ended up with a game high 24 points while Bailey added 22 and Harris chipped in with 11 in the second half for the win. Jason Saldiveri led the Bombers in defeat with 16 points while Jon Bracero chipped in with 15 and Corey Taite added 10.

GMC Hoops Game Notes–Woodbridge @ Sayreville–White Division Clash–January 22, 2013

SAYREVILLE, NJ–On Tuesday night, GMC Hoops had a change of plans and went to Sayreville War Memorial High School to see the Bombers in GMC White action against the fifth ranked Woodbridge Barrons. The Barrons had a 38-33 lead at the half, and opened the third with an 8-2 run for their biggest lead of the entire 2nd half at 46-35 before Sayreville responded with a 19-11 tear the rest of the period to pull within three at 57-54 heading into the fourth. However, Woodbridge was able to pull out the win with a 17-9 final period effort sparked by three point play by Jared Pearson at the 6:39 mark and followed by a pull-up jumper from Eddie Harris at the 5:45 mark for a 64-56 lead en route to the 74-63 win. Below are game notes from the second half.

First Half

Woodbridge leads 38-33 at the half

Third Quarter

7:39–WBG–Duquan Bailey–fouled–makes both FTs for a 40-33 lead.

7:13–WBG–Bailey scores on layup in transition for a 42-33 lead.

6:50–SAY–Jason Saldiveri drives left lane for layup and a 42-35 WBG lead.

5:45–WBG–Jared Pearson hits foul line jumper for a 44-35 lead.

5:19–WBG–Eddie Harris goes in for one handed flush, but misfires.  Ball goes in on the bounce for a 46-35 lead.

5:06–SAY–timeout after putback by Saldiveri for a 46-37 WBG lead.

4:01–SAY–Corey Taite passes ahead to Saldiveri for layup and a 48-41 lead.

3:52–WBG–Eddie Harris pulls up for jumper from right side for a 50-41 lead.

3:08–SAY–Taite lobs pass to Jon Bracero for layup and a 50-45 WBG lead.

2:30–SAY–Gay fakes up and scores on layup for a 52-47 WBG lead.

1:45–WBG–Pearson scores down low for layup and a 54-47 lead.

1:08–SAY–Gay dishes to Donald Johnson for layup and a 54-49 WBG lead.

0:47–WBG–timeout after Gay steals and goes in for layup and a 54-51 WBG lead.

0:23–WBG–Pearson fouled–makes 1 of 2 FTs for a 55-51 lead.

0:22–WBG–Mika Graham scores on putback of missed FT by Pearson for a 57-51 lead.

0:02–SAY–Gay–drives in from right wing for layup and the foul–makes bonus FT for a three point play and a 57-54 WBG lead.

0:00–WBG–heave at buzzer is off the mark–still leads 57-54.

Fourth Quarter

6:39–WBG–Pearson three point play for a 62-56 lead.

5:45–WBG–Harris hits pull-up jumper for a 64-56 lead.

4:43–SAY–turnover

4:20–SAY–Bracero–fouled–makes 1 of 2 FTs for a 64-57 WBG lead.

4:03–WBG–turnover.

3:11–WBG–Jaheem Jackson fouled–makes 1 of 2 FTs for a 65-57 lead.

2:45–SAY–timeout after layup for a 65-59 WBG lead.

2:03–WBG–Bailey–fouled–makes both FTs for a 67-59 lead.

1:41–WBG–Harris converts a three point play for a 70-59 lead.

1:25–SAY–Johnson scores on putback for a 70-61 WBG lead.

1:11–WBG–timeout.

1:01–WBG–traveling

0:49–WBG–Harris takes pass ahead from Bailey and scores on transition layup while being fouled–missed bonus FT for a 72-61 lead.

0:36–SAY–timeout after Taite layup off drive along left baseline for  a 72-63 WBG lead.

0:14–WBG–Bailey fouled–makes both FTs for a 74-63 lead.

0:00–WBG–Bailey runs out the clock for a 74-63 win.

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 Hoops Game Notes–Monroe @ Sayreville–White Division Clash–January 15, 2013

SAYREVILLE, NJ–On Tuesday night, GMC Hoops traveled down to the Bomb Shelter in Sayreville after work to see the final 11:48 of the contest between the Bombers and the Monroe Falcons of the GMC White. Monroe took a 52-39 lead with less than a half minute gone by in the fourth only to have Sayreville respond with a 13-4 tear over a span of 6:47 to pull within four at 56-52 with 54 seconds to go. The Bombers had three treys during the run courtesy of Malik Pressley, Anthony Manning, and Corey Taite. However, Monroe was able to pull out the 59-53 win by making three foul shots down the stretch. Nick Isola had game high for the Falcons with 21 while Matt Siemons chipped in with 12, and Chris Germano added 10. Corey Taite led Sayreville with 12 points while Jason Saldiveri chipped in with 10. Below are game notes from the contest.

First Quarter

Sayreville jumped out to a 15-12 lead thanks to 7 field goals including a three by Brian Rubio. Donald Johnson led six different players in the scorebook for the Bombers in the period with 4 points. Meanwhile, Monroe had 9 first quarter points from senior forward, Nick Isola, who made four field goals and one of two from the line in the frame. Senior guard, Zach Gorham accounted for the only other Falcon points with a 3 of 4 effort from the foul line. Monroe had 4 field goals and made 4 of 6 from the foul line.

Second Quarter

Monroe closed the gap two just a field goal at the half with a more balanced attack as four different players broke into the scoring column in the period led by junior guard Chris Germano, who scored 9 points including two threes while Isola added 5 points. The Falcons had 7 field goals including two threes while making only 2 of 5 from the line. Meanwhile, Sayreville, which had no free throw attempts in the first half, had five different players score in the period led by Jason Saldiveri with 6 points. The Bombers had 8 field goals including a three.

Halftime Totals

Monroe–11 field goals including 2 3s and 6 of 11 from the foul line.
Sayreville–15 field goals including 2 3s.

Monroe First Half Scoring

Nick Isola–6 FGs and 2 of 4 FTs for 14 points
Chris Germano–3 FGs including 2 3s and 1 of 3 FTs for 9 points
Zach Gorham–FG and 3 of 4 FTs for 5 points
Andrew Ha–FG–2 points

Sayreville First Half Scoring

Jason Saldiveri–4 FGs for 8 points
Donald Johnson–3 FGs for 6 points
Corey Taite–2 FGs including a three for 5 points
Brian Rubio–2 FGs including a three for 5 points
Justin Luna–2 FGs for 4 points
Jon Bracero–FG for 2 points
Anthony Manning–FG for 2 points

Third Quarter

Monroe asserted itself in the third with a 19-7 showing to take a 49-39 lead into the fourth. Four different players did all of the scoring for the Falcons led by Matt Siemons, who scored all six of his points in the quarter during the final 3:48 of the frame when MTHS went on an 11-5 spurt. Nick Isola also had 6 points for Monroe while Ryan Stolte, who scored all seven of his points in the 2nd half, had 5 in the frame. Sayreville could only manage three field goals and one of two from the foul line. The Bombers were led by Corey Taite, who had two field goals for four points in the stanza. Below are notes from the final 3:48 of the period.

3:48–arrive–MON leads 38-34.

2:34–SAY–timeout after a layup by Matt Siemons on Monroe–Falcons on an 6-2 run since arriving with Siemons scoring four points and Ryan Stolte putting in a layup for a 44-36 lead.

2:00–MON–Chris Germano drives in and scores on a runner for a 46-36 lead.

1:25–SAY–Anthony Manning fouled–makes 1 of 2 FTs for a 46-37 MON lead.

0:35–SAY–Corey Taite hits jumper from right elbow on the follow for a 47-39 lead.

0:05–MON– Siemons scores on a follow of a blocked shot by SAY’s Jason Saldiveri.

0:00–SAY–heave from three quarters court is off the mark.

Monroe Third Quarter Scoring

Matt Siemons–3 FG for 6 points
Nick Isola–2 FG and 2 of 2 FTs for 6 points
Ryan Stolte–2 FG and 1 of 1 FTs for 5 points
Zach Gorham–FG for 2 points

Sayreville Third Quarter Scoring

Corey Taite–2 FG for 4 points
Justin Luna–FG for 2 points
Anthony Manning–1 of 2 FTs for 1 point

Fourth Quarter

Thanks mostly to a 13-4 tear over a span of 6:37, and four threes in the quarter, Sayreville was able to make a game of it after Matt Siemons hit a three for Monroe to make the score 52-39 with 7:31 left. Corey Taite, Malik Pressley, and Anthony Manning all had treys in the period as the Bombers pulled within four at 56-52 with 54 seconds to go. However, Monroe was able to pull out the 59-53 win thanks to two free throws by Siemons and another by Germano over the last 53 seconds of the game. Sayreville had five field goals including those three treys along with one of two from the line for its 14 points. Monroe had only two field goals in the entire quarter including a three while going 5 of 12 from the charity stripe. Below is play-by-play from the period.

7:31–MON–Siemons–three pointer for a 52-39 lead.

6:54–SAY–Manning drives in from left side, and dishes left to Brian Rubio for jumper and a 52-41 MON lead.

6:20–SAY–Jon Bracero feeds Saldiveri with entry pass from left side for a scoop shot and a 52-43 MON lead.

6:15–MON–timeout

6:03–SAY–Manning draws charge.

5:45–MON–Stolte deflects pass for a steal that leads to his layup and a 54-43 lead.

4:30–SAY–Rubio draws charge on Nick Isola.

3:55–SAY–Malik Pressley connects on three from right wing for a 54-46 MON lead.

2:52–SAY–Jason Saldiveri goes down clutching his knee, but eventually gets up and goes off the floor with some assistance.

2:02–MON–Nick Isola fouled–makes one of two FTs for a 56-46 lead.

1:47–SAY–calls timeout after Taite passes to Manning for a three from the left corner for a 56-49 MON lead.

1:41–MON–turnover.

1:02–MON–offensive foul.

0:55–SAY–Taite connects on three from left corner for a 56-52 MON lead.

0:54–SAY–timeout.

0:53–MON–Siemons fouled–makes 1 of 2 FTs for a 57-52 lead.

0:32–MON–Siemons fouled–makes 1 of 2FTs fora 58-52 lead.

0:19–SAY–Manning–fouled–makes 1 of 2 FTs for a 58-53 MON lead.

0:17–MON–Germano fouled–makes 1 of 2 FTs for a 59-53 lead.

0:07–MON–Siemons fouled after Justin Luna’s three point attempt went in and out–misses both FTs.

0:03–MON–gets offensive rebound, and backs it out to run out the clock for a 59-53 win.

Monore Fourth Quarter Scoring

Matt Siemons–3 PTR and 3 of 8 FTs for 6 points
Ryan Stolte–FG for 2 points
Nick Isola–1 of 2 FTs for 1 point
Chris Germano–1 of 2 FTs for 1 point

Sayreville Fourth Quarter Scoring

Anthony Manning–3 PTR and 1 of 2 FTs for 4 points
Corey Taite–3 PTR for 3 points
Malik Pressley–3 PTR for 3 points
Jason Saldiveri–FG for 2 points
Brian Rubio–FG for 2 points

Game Totals

Monroe

Nick Isola–8 FGs and 5 of 8 FTs for 21 points
Matt Siemons–4 FGs including a 3 PTR and 3 of 8 FTs for 12 points
Chris Germano–3 FGs including 2 3s and 2 of 5 FTs for 10 points
Ryan Stolte–3 FGs and 1 of 1 FTs for 7 points
Zach Gorham–2 FGs and 3 of 4 FTs for 7 points
Andrew Ha–FG for 2 points

Totals–21 FGs including 3 3s and 14 of 26 FTs for 59 points

Sayreville

Corey Taite–5 FGs including 2 3s for 12 points
Jason Saldiveri–5 FGs for 10 points
Brian Rubio–3 FGs including a three for 7 points
Anthony Manning–2 FGs including a three and 2 of 4 FTs for 7 points
Justin Luna–3 FGs for 6 points
Donald Johnson–3 FGs for 6 points
Malik Pressley–3 PTR for 3 points
Jon Bracero–FG for 2 points

Totals–23 FGs including 5 3s and 2 of 4 FTs for 53 points

GMC Hoops Highlights–January 12, 2013–South Amboy @ Sayreville–Battle of Raritan Bay

Here are video highlights some of the action from Sayreville’s win over South Amboy in the Battle of Raritan Bay, a GMC Crossover between Gold and White Division teams. The Bombers jumped out to a 14-2 lead in the first period, and led by as many as 16 late in the second period before South Amboy went on a 27-10 run over a span of 12:49 to take its only lead of the game at 44-43 on two free throws by Steve Herdman at the 4:02 mark of the fourth. However, the Bombers were able to pull out the win thanks to an 11-2 tear over the final 3:28 sparked by a three pointer by junior guard, Corey Taite, who also went 6 of 6 from the line in the final 1:17 for 9 points during the decisive run. Taite ended up with 23 points including 4 threes and 9 of 10 FTs. Justin Luna chipped in with 15 points while Joe Fruncillo led Amboy in a losing cause with 23 points while Steve Herdman chipped in with 15.

GMC Hoops Highlights–January 15, 2013–Monroe @ Sayreville–White Division Clash

Here are some video highlights from the final 11:48 of Monroe’s 59-53 win over Sayreville in GMC White Division action at the Bomb Shelter in mid-January 2013. The Falcons led 52-39 with less than a half minute gone by in the fourth after a three by Matt Siemons. However, the Bombers rallied with a 13-4 spurt over a span of 6:37 to pull within four with 54 seconds left as Malik Pressley, Anthony Manning, and Corey Taite all hit treys during the run. However, the Bombers couldn’t get any closer as Siemons (2 made free throws) and Chris Germano (one made FT) sank three from the foul line over the final 50 seconds to seal the six point victory. Nick Isola led Monroe with 22 points on 8 of 9 shooting while Siemons added 12 and Germano had 9. Ryan Stolte and Zach Gorham each added 7 for the winners while Corey Taite led Sayreville with 12 and Jason Saldiveri chipped in with 10.

GMC Hoops Slideshow–January 15, 2013–Monroe @ Sayreville–White Division Clash

Here is a slideshow from photos and video captures made of Monroe’s 59-53 win over Sayreville in GMC White Division action at the Bomb Shelter in mid-January 2013. The Falcons led 52-39 with less than a half minute gone by in the fourth after a three by Matt Siemons. However, the Bombers rallied with a 13-4 spurt over a span of 6:37 to pull within four with 54 seconds left as Malik Pressley, Anthony Manning, and Corey Taite all hit treys during the run. However, the Bombers couldn’t get any closer as Siemons (2 made free throws) and Chris Germano (one made FT) sank three from the foul line over the final 50 seconds to seal the six point victory. Nick Isola led Monroe with 22 points on 8 of 9 shooting while Siemons added 12 and Germano had 9. Ryan Stolte and Zach Gorham each added 7 for the winners while Corey Taite led Sayreville with 12 and Jason Saldiveri chipped in with 10.

GMC Hoops Seat Cam Highlights–January 12, 2013–South Amboy @ Sayreville–Battle of Raritan Bay

Here are seat cam highlights from Sayreville’s win over South Amboy in the Battle of Raritan Bay, a GMC Crossover between Gold and White Division teams. The Bombers jumped out to a 14-2 lead in the first period, and led by as many as 16 late in the second period before South Amboy went on a 27-10 run over a span of 12:49 to take its only lead of the game at 44-43 on two free throws by Steve Herdman at the 4:02 mark of the fourth. However, the Bombers were able to pull out the win thanks to an 11-2 tear over the final 3:28 sparked by a three pointer by junior guard, Corey Taite, who also went 6 of 6 from the line in the final 1:17 for 9 points during the decisive run. Taite ended up with 23 points including 4 threes and 9 of 10 FTs. Justin Luna chipped in with 15 points while Joe Fruncillo led Amboy in a losing cause with 23 points while Steve Herdman chipped in with 15.