GMC Hoops Blogosphere

Raritan Bay Summer League To Return For Its 17th Season This Summer

League Also Plans To Add Varsity Division

SOUTH AMBOY, NJ–Raritan Bay summer basketball is proud to announce that it will return for its 17th season. The league is tentatively scheduled to begin in early June and run until early August. The fees will be 500 entrance and 35 per game referee fee. The league is looking to begin a varsity division this summer in addition to our JV division. For more information, please contact Tom Reilly at thomas.b.reilly@prudential.com.

Raritan Bay Basketball To Have Winter League In 2012

League Scheduled To Start The Weekend Of January 7-8

SOUTH AMBOY, NJ–Recently, GMC Hoops learned from Tom Reilly that Raritan Bay Basketball is going to have a Winter Basketball League starting in January. The league is scheduled to start on the weekend of January 7th and 8th, and is set to run until March. Each team will play 10 games. Games will be played on Saturday and/or Sunday starting at 1:00 PM. All contests will be played at South Amboy Middle/High School. Further details on cost will be available soon. For more information, please contact Tom Reilly at thomas.b.reilly@prudential.com.

Raritan Bay Looking To Run Fall/Winter League

League Looking To Expand Into Fall And Winter Seasons

SOUTH AMBOY, NJ–On Tuesday, GMC Hoops was informed by Raritan Bay Summer League co-director, Tom Reilly, that the league is looking to run something in the Fall and Winter months. Right now, the league is looking to see if there is any interest in such a league. If you have played in the Raritan Bay Summer League in the past, or played in it this summer, and have a squad looking to play in the fall and winter, please contact Tom Reilly at thomas.b.reilly@prudential.com.

Raritan Bay Summer League–July 27, 2011

SOUTH AMBOY, NJ–For the first time in over two weeks, GMC Hoops traveled over to South Amboy Middle/High School to take in some action from the 2011 Raritan Bay Summer League. There were four games on the night including a finale from the High School Division between Merrill Park and Jersey Shore. The Monmouth County team used a 16-2 tear in the first half to turn a 15-11 deficit into a 27-17 lead, and hung on from there for the 49-40 victory.

First Half Tear Propels Jersey Shore Past Merrill Park, 49-40

The final contest of the night on Wednesday at the Raritan Bay Summer League was a contest from the rugged High School Division between Merrill Park and Jersey Shore.

Merrill Park jumped out to a 10-7 lead only to have Jersey Shore score four of the next five points to tie the game at 11-11 midway through the first half.  The Mustangs then scored four unanswered points to take a 15-11 lead before Jersey Shore responded with a 16-2  tear over a seven minute or so stretch of the half for a 27-17 lead.  

The Mustangs scored the last three points of the half to narrow the gap to seven at 27-20 going into the intermission.   Merrill Park continued to chip away at the lead with an 8-6 run over the first 2:11 to pull within 33-28 at the 17:49 mark.  The Woodbridge Township team got as close as four points at 35-31 with less than 12 minutes to go.

However, Jersey Shore pulled away again with six straight points over a span of nearly four minutes including a layup and a foul at the 8:14 mark, and despite missing the bonus free throw, it led 41-31.  Merrill Park then got a bucket with 8:09 left, but the Monmouth County team got a layup, and then a steal for another layup with 7:51 left for a 45-33 lead before the Mustangs got a basket that compelled Jersey Shore to call for time with 7:25 to play, and a 45-35 lead.

Despite seeming like a team in disarray during the timeout, Merrill Park continued to hang in there with a transition layup at the 6:10 mark to pull within single digits at 45-37.  However, Jersey Shore responded with a solid possession that led to a layup, and a 47-37 lead with just under five minutes to play.  Jersey Shore added to that with a steal that resulted in a layup attempt that drew a foul, and one of two from the line for a 48-37 lead with 3:32 left.

With a double digit lead, and time on its side, Jersey Shore spread the floor, and took some time off the clock, but missed a layup with two and a half minutes to play.  The Mustangs got the rebound, pushed the ball down the floor, and scored a layup while being fouled for a three point play with 2:04 left, and a 48-40 Jersey Shore lead.

Needing to stop the clock, Merrill Park fouled to foul for nearly 40 seconds as Jersey Shore spread the floor, dribbled and passed the ball around before losing the ball out of bounds with 1:21 left.  The Mustangs weren’t able to take advantage though as Jersey Shore swiped a couple steals, and drew a foul with 50.3 seconds left.  

Despite missing both free throws, Jersey Shore got the offensive rebound, and drew another foul with 47.3 seconds left and made one of two from the line for a 49-40 lead.  After an injury timeout with 32.4 seconds left, Jersey Shore ran out the clock for the nine point win.

2011 Raritan Bay Summer League–Schedule–Week Nine

SOUTH AMBOY, NJ–On Tuesday night, GMC Hoops received the week nine schedule of games for the 2011 Raritan Bay Summer League from the league’s co-director, Tom Reilly. The web site plans to be down at South Amboy Middle/High School for some of the action. Below is the schedule for the nine week of the season. There will be four days of games this week. Game times will be at 5:00, 6:00, 7:00, and 8:00 PM.

Monday, July 18th–Day Thirty-One

• 5:00 PM–Quincy Kings vs. South Amboy–7th and 8th Grade Division
• 6:00 PM–Lightning vs. St. Ambrose–7th and 8th Grade Division
• 7:00 PM–Monsignor Farrell vs. Union Catholic–High School Division
• 8:00 PM–Freehold vs. South Amboy–High School Division

Tuesday, July 19th–Day Thirty-Two

• 5:00 PM–South River vs. Quincy Queens–Girls Division
• 6:00 PM–Roselle vs. Quincy Kings–5th and 6th Grade Division
• 7:00 PM–Monroe vs. Lady Jayhawks–Girls Division
• 8:00 PM–Metuchen vs. South Amboy–High School Division

Wednesday, July 20th–Day Thirty-Three

• 5:00 PM–East Brunswick vs. St. Stan’s–5th and 6th Grade Division
• 6:00 PM–South Amboy vs St. Ambrose–7th and 8th Grade Division
• 7:00 PM–Shore Blazers vs. Quincy Kings–5th and 6th Grade Division
• 8:00 PM–Jersey Shore Breakers vs. Old Bridge Warriors–High School Division

Thursday, July 21st–Day Thirty-Three

• 5:00 PM–Union Catholic vs. Quincy Kings–High School Division
• 6:00 PM–Roselle vs Quincy Kings–5th and 6th Grade Division
• 7:00 PM–Quincy Queens vs. South River–Girls Division
• 8:00 PM–Freehold vs. Metuchen–High School Division

As more information comes along about this league, GMC Hoops will post it to the blog.

Raritan Bay Summer League–July 11, 2011

SOUTH AMBOY, NJ–On Monday night, GMC Hoops traveled over to South Amboy Middle/High School to take in the final two games of the night at the 2011 Raritan Bay Summer League. It was a South Amboy doubleheader as the 7th and 8th Grade Guvs squad took on the Lightning while South Amboy battled Union Catholic in a matchup from the High School Division in the finale. Both South Amboy teams won.

South Amboy Downs Lightning, 41-34

After being at work until 7:30 PM on Monday night, we arrived at the gym with about 6 minutes to go in the game. Had a brief chat with league co-directors Tom Reilly and Gary Lange. South Amboy was leading 30-27 after making 1 of 2 FTs following a timeout.  Neither team scored for the next minute or so before the Lightning called for time with 4:22 to go.  

The scoring lull continued for nearly 30 seconds more following the timeout before South Amboy scored on a layup from the left side for a 32-27 lead with 3:55 to go.  Responding quickly, the Lightning answered with a basket at the 3:30 mark, but South Amboy scored five more points including a left handed layup at the 3:04 mark, and a layin off of a baseline drive with 2:29 remaining for a 37-29 lead.  

The Lightning began to rally by first sinking a jumper from the right side for a 37-31 South Amboy lead with 2:04 to play.  Then, the Lightning pulled within three at 37-34 after getting a rebound off a missed layup by South Amboy, and getting out on the break, to set up for a three pointer that got a kind bounce at the 1:04 mark.  South Amboy gave the Lightning a chance to tie, but the Lightning couldn’t take advantage as they missed a three attempt, and then a layup on the follow.  

South Amboy made two free throws with 32.8 seconds left, and then scored again on a layup with 4.8 seconds to go to put the game away in the 41-34 victory.  The hometown Guvs trailed 20-15 at the half, but rallied in the second half with a 26-14 surge for the win.  South Amboy had 18 field goals including a three pointer, and made 4 of 12 from the foul line for the game while the Lightning had 14 field goals including three treys, and made 3 of 8 from the foul line.

Murphy Steal For Layup Lifts South Amboy Past Union Catholic

In the finale of Monday night action at the Raritan Bay Summer League in South Amboy, the hometown Guvs took on Union Catholic in a matchup from the High School Division.  The Vikings didn’t have enough players (only had three) so a couple of players from the 7th and 8th Grade South Amboy squad filled in.

If you are a fan of offense, this wasn’t the game for you.  Both teams struggled to put points on the board in this one.  The two squads only combined for 56 total points in the game with the majority of them coming in the second half of play.  After trailing 20-16 with 11:28 to go in the second half, South Amboy seemed to take control of the game with an 11-0 run over a span of 5:26 to take a 27-20 lead.

However, Union Catholic, which was held scoreless for 6:58, and went without a field goal for 7:56, found a way to get back into the game with a 7-0 spurt in a span of 3:04 to tie the game at 27-27 with just under a minute and a half to play in regulation.  Highlighting UC’s rally were three pointers from the right wing at the 3:32 and 1:26 marks to help knot the game.

South Amboy would emerge victorious from the struggle though.  After Nick Kales turned the ball over, and Union Catholic called for time with 1:16 to play, Dan Murphy swiped a steal at mid-court, and went the distance for a layup to give the Guvs at 29-27 lead at the 45.2 second mark.  The Vikings still had a chance to win, or force overtime as they held for a last shot.  Unfortunately a long jumper from the left wing was off the mark, and the Governors grabbed the rebound before running out the clock for the 29-27 victory.

Soon to be sophomore, Nick Kales led the way for the winners with 14 points on six field goals and 2 of 4 from the foul line.  Kales scored six straight points during the stretch in the second that gave South Amboy the biggest lead of the game.  Murphy ended up with 5 points including four in the second half while younger brother Tim Kales added 3 points all coming in the first half.  Mike Garcia made a free throw for his only point.  The Guvs also got six points from other sources on jumpers.

For the game, South Amboy made 12 field goals while connecting on only 5 of 15 from the charity stripe.  The Guvs had no three pointers in the game while Union Catholic had three treys to outscore their foes by a 9-0 margin in points from beyond the arc.  The Vikings scored their 27 points on 10 field goals including three treys while making 4 of 6 from the foul line.  South Amboy jumped out to 8-3 and 10-5 leads in the first half only to have UC rally with a 7-2 run including a three at the 51 second mark to tie the score at 10-10.

The Guvs went immediately back in front going into the intermission when Nick Kales sank a baseline jumper at the 37 second mark for a 12-10 lead.  The elder Kales then began the second half scoring when he pivoted and connected on a short jumper from the right side with 18:17 to go for a 14-10 edge.  Union Catholic then took over the game as the Guvs offense went into a scoring drought of 6:40.  The Vikings went on an 8-0 spurt over 5:38 to take its biggest lead of the game at 18-14 with 11:52 left.

South Amboy held the lead for 28:34 of the contest while Union Catholic held the lead for only 8:41.  The game was tied for 2:45.   The contest had four lead changes and five ties.  GMC Hoops plans to be back out at Raritan Bay next week.

GMC Hoops Play-By-Play–Raritan Bay Summer League–July 11, 2011–South Amboy vs. Union Catholic

SOUTH AMBOY, NJ–On Monday night, GMC Hoops traveled over to South Amboy Middle/High School to take in action from the twenty-sixth night of games at the 2011 Raritan Bay Summer League. The site saw the final two games including the contest between South Amboy and Union Catholic from the High School Division. Below is the play-by-play from the contest.

First Half

19:03–SA–Dan Murphy gets an offensive rebound off a miss by Nick Kales.  Makes 1 of 2 FTs for a 1-0 lead.  Mike Garcia got the offensive rebound, but then missed on the follow.
17:48–UC–scores on offensive rebound and follow for a 2-1 lead.
17:15–SA–turnover.
16:43–SA–Tim Kales battles for shot underneath, but misses, and Murphy misses on the follow–turnover.
16:11–UC–deflects and steals Mike Garcia pass.
15:50–UC–blocks Murphy shot in the right low block.
15:45–SA–mass substitutions.
15:04–SA–Nick Kales drives in from the left side for layup, and a 3-2 lead.
14:48–UC–turnover.
14:28–SA–Nick Kales hustle is all in vain as Guvs get shot blocked.
14:04–SA–Nick Kales swipes steal, but then gets ball poked away.
13:25–SA–misses three pointer, and ball goes out of bounds.  UC ball.
13:00–UC–draws foul, and makes 1 of 2 FTs for a 3-3 tie.
11:43–SA–Tim Kales draws foul down low, and makes 1 of 2 FTs for a 4-3 lead.
10:35–SA–Tim Kales scores on the follow for a 6-3 lead.
9:56–SA–Nick Kales swipes steal, drives in for layup, draws foul, and makes 1 of 2 FTs for a 7-3 lead.
7:51–SA–Nick Kales is fouled again on the drive, and makes 1 of 2 FTs for an 8-3 lead.
7:14–UC–scores on short baseline jumper from left side for an 8-5 SA lead.
6:53–Official timeout…Steve Herdman injured…had to be assisted off the court.
6:12–SA–Tim Kales layup attempt rolls off front of the rim.
5:50–SA–mass substitutions.
5:14–UC–blocks Murphy shot.
5:02–UC–fights for loose ball.
4:40–UC–turnover.
4:06–SA–can’t get handle of ball off carom..goes out of bounds…turnover.
2:20–UC–draws foul on baseline drive from the left side, but misses both FTs.
1:48–SA–sinks jumper from right wing for a 10-5 lead.
1:35–UC–makes layup from left low block for a 10-7 SA lead.
51.0–SA–hits three pointer from right wing for a 10-10 tie.
37.0–SA–Nick Kales sinks baseline jumper from left side off inbounds by Mike Garcia for a 12-10 lead.
18.8–UC–keeps possession despite hustle from Nick Kales.
6.0–UC–turnover.
0.0–SA–can’t score as time runs out in first half.

SA–4 FGs and 4 of 8 FTs
Nick Kales–2 FGs and 2 of 4 FTs for 6 points.
Tim Kales–FG and 1 of 2 FTs for 3 points.

Second Half

19:35–SA–Murphy gets fouled on offensive rebound.
19:14–SA–ball goes out of bounds after three point attempt by Nick Kales.
18:17–SA–Nick Kales pivots, and then hits short jumper from right side for a 14-10 lead.
17:51–UC–turnover.
17:30–UC–gets rebound, and goes the length of the floor for a layup, and a 14-12 SA lead.
16:51–SA–Murphy draws foul, but misses both FTs.
16:24–UC–scores on baseline floater for a 14-14 tie.
15:48–UC–blocks shot on the defensive end, and fouled on layup attempt at the other end.  Makes both FTs for a 16-14 lead.
15:00–SA–gets rebound off missed baseline jumper by Tim Kales.  Garcia fouled in paint, but misses both free throws.
14:30–UC–blocks another shot on the follow.
13:08–SA–timeout…haven’t scored in 5:09.
12:51–SA–Murphy loses handle, and then fouls.
12:19–UC–blocks shot to force jump ball…UC possession.
11:52–UC–scores on floater in the paint for an 18-14 lead.
11:37–SA–jumper from right wing for a 18-16 UC lead.
11:28–UC–scores on layin for a 20-16 lead.
10:45–SA–Murphy scores basket, and is fouled, but misses FT.  Tim Kales gets offensive rebound, but misses follow.
10:14–SA–Murphy gets inbounds, but slips…SA keeps possession.
9:51–SA–Tim Kales loses ball out of bounds off inbounds pass. 
9:14–SA–Garcia kicks out to right wing for jumper, and a 20-20 tie.
8:51–SA–Nick Kales sinks jumper from right side of key for a 22-20 lead.
8:30–SA–Nick Kales swipes steal, and drives in for layup, and a 24-20 lead.
7:53–UC–timeout.
7:40–SA–Nick Kales scores on baseline drive for a 26-20 lead.
6:53–SA–squanders rebounding by Dan Murphy on defensive end and offensive end by Tim Kales and Nick Kales.  Misfire on two three attempts from right wing, and turns it over on pass out of bounds.
6:02–SA–Garcia fouled on breakaway, and makes 1 of 2 FTs for a 27-20 lead.
4:30–UC–draws foul underneath, and makes 1 of 2 FTs for a 27-21 SA Lead.  First points in 6:58.
3:49–SA–Tim Kales called for a push off underneath on carom.
3:32–UC–hits three pointer from right wing off kickout for a 27-24 SA lead.  First field goal in 7:56.
2:47–SA–Tim Kales called for loose ball foul.
2:14–SA–turnover.
1:44–SA–misses shot from foul line extended..ball goes out of bounds..turnover.
1:26–UC–hits three pointer from right wing to tie score at 27-27.
1:16–SA–Nick Kales turnover.  UC timeout.
45.2–SA–Murphy steal, and goes rest of the way for layup, and a 29-27 lead.
5.0–UC–misses jumper from the left wing.  Guvs get the rebound, and run out the clock for the 29-27 win.

GMC Hoops plans to post an article on tonight’s action soon.

2011 Raritan Bay Summer League–Results–Day Twenty-Six–July 11th

SOUTH AMBOY, NJ–On Monday night, GMC Hoops was able to get out to South Amboy Middle/High School to take in some action from the Raritan Bay Summer League for the second time in four days. The site saw the final two games of the night on Monday, and was able to obtain the rest of the results from league co-director, Tom Reilly. There were four contests on the Monday schedule. Below are the results from all four games.

Day Twenty-Six Results–July 11, 2011

• 5:00 PM–High School Division–Merrill Park 41–Quincy Kings 33
• 6:00 PM–Girls Division–Sacred Heart 29–South River 23
• 7:00 PM–7th and 8th Grade Division–South Amboy 41–Lightning 34
• 8:00 PM–High School Division–South Amboy 29–Union Catholic 27

Special thanks to Tom Reilly and the scorekeepers at Raritan Bay for their assistance.

Raritan Bay Summer League–July 8, 2011

SOUTH AMBOY, NJ–After taking in a contest at the Rahway Summer League, GMC Hoops got back into the car, and took St. George Ave to Route 35, and then to County Road 514 before getting on to Route 9 South to end up at South Amboy Middle/High School to take in some rare Friday night action at the 2011 Raritan Bay Summer League.

Prior to entering the gym, GMC Hoops exchanged pleasantries with league co-directors Gary Lange and Tom Reilly, who wondered where we have been recently. The answer to that is so many leagues, and so little time. The web site is doing the best it can to share the wealth with 10 different spring and summer leagues as well as five team camps covered already this summer. Then, Lange brought to our attention a complaint from the folks at St. Stan’s for not getting much mention on the site this summer.

Unfortunately for St. Stan’s players, coaches, and fans, we haven’t had the opportunity to see them play this summer due to the busy nature of the summer coverage. However, we will try to see them including an Asterita or two in action soon. Finally, Lange offered a hot dog, which we turned down in favor of just having a Gatorade. Lange then added that business has been up since our recent article about the Lange Dogs being in decline. Both Lange and Reilly indicated that Lange has put together a new secret formula for his dogs.

Perhaps it is just a coincidence, but Sonic has recently opened up a couple new drive thru restaurants in the area including one by Menlo Park Mall off of Route 1. Could it be that Lange is taking a trip to Sonic in the late afternoon, and grabbing these new Lange Dogs? GMC Hoops is asking anyone with cell phone footage of Lange pulling into a local Sonic to e-mail it to us. Anyway, before we get carried away, there was a game to be covered at Raritan Bay on Friday night. The nightcap game was a battle from the 5th and 6th Grade Division as Roselle and East Brunswick went toe to toe in quite an entertaining game that wasn’t decided until the final seconds with Roselle winning 32-28.

Roselle Hangs On To Beat Pesky East Brunswick, 32-28

EB was giving up some size to Roselle, but it still gave the Running Rams plenty of fight in the nightcap game of the rare Friday night quadruple header at the South Amboy Middle/High School.  GMC Hoops settled down late in the first half to see Roselle ahead 16-10 with about a minute and a half to go.

The Little Bear Cubs drew within four on a basket at the 1:15 mark, but then Roselle responded with a basket with 34 seconds to play in the half for an 18-12 lead.  EB got the final points of the opening half with a jumper at the 9.0 second mark that closed the gap to 18-14 going into the intermission.

The young Running Rams came out strong early on in the second half only to have EB respond to make things tight again.  After a scoring lull of a few minutes, Roselle reeled off six quick points to take a 24-14 lead with 14 minutes to go before East Brunswick began chipping away at the deficit.

After the Cubs got their first points of the second half, they netted a three pointer to draw within five at 24-19 midway through the period.  EB added another score to pull within three, and had several more chances to score, but misfired on a pair of free throws, and missed a shot before making one of two from the line with 5:26 remaining for a 24-22 Roselle lead.

Following a Running Rams timeout at the 5:24 mark, Roselle inbounded the ball at half court, and drove in for a score only to have EB tie up the player, and force a jump ball to gain possession.  The Bear Cubs then inbounded the ball, and struggled to get the ball beyond mid court before calling for a timeout of their own with 4:35 to play.

After the stoppage, East Brunswick tried to set up a play on the left side, but Roselle deflected a pass for the corner that then went off an EB player for a turnover with 4:26 left.  The Rams then got a bucket with 3:46 remaining for a 26-22 lead.  Over the next minute, the Cubs missed two jump shot attempts while Roselle got a layup for a 28-22 lead with 2:32 to go.

The Rams had another chance to score, but EB stole the ball, and then scored with two minutes to go for a 28-24 Roselle lead.  The Union County team quickly replied though with a scoop shot layin at the 1:41 mark for a 30-24 lead.  Trying to keep pace, East Brunswick scored a layin to pull within four again at 30-26 with about a minute and a half to go.  Not playing disciplined basketball, Roselle was taking jump shots, and giving EB an opportunity to get back into the game.

The Bear Cubs took advantage with a long jumper from the right wing to close the gap to two at 30-28 before calling timeout with 53.2 seconds left.  After East Brunswick got a much needed stop on defense by forcing a Roselle turnover with 39.3 seconds to go in regulation, the Bear Cubs just missed a jump shot attempt with 20.4 seconds to play.  Forced to foul, EB gave a foul at the 12.8 second mark.

The Running Rams had a chance to put the game away, but missed a layup with 6.2 seconds to play, but maintained possession.  Roselle then closed out the game by inbounding the ball to a wide open teammate underneath for a layup with 1.2 seconds left to wrap up the 32-28 victory.

2011 Raritan Bay Summer League–Results–Day Twenty-Five–July 8th

SOUTH AMBOY, NJ–On Friday night, GMC Hoops was able to get out to South Amboy Middle/High School to take in some action from the Raritan Bay Summer League for the first time in nearly two weeks. The site saw the final game of the night on Friday, and was able to obtain the rest of the results from league co-director, Tom Reilly. There were four contests on the Friday schedule. Below are the results from all four games.

Day Twenty-Five Results–July 8, 2011

• 5:00 PM–7th and 8th Grade Division–Quincy Kings 52–South Amboy 35
• 6:00 PM–High School Division–Monsignor Farrell 45–Merrill Park 38
• 7:00 PM–5th and 6th Grade Division–St. Stan’s 41–Shore Blazers 38
• 8:00 PM–5th and 6th Grade Division–Roselle 32–East Brunswick 28

Special thanks to Tom Reilly and the scorekeepers at Raritan Bay for their assistance.