GMC Hoops Blogosphere

GMC Hoops Slideshow–February 21, 2013–#2 Old Bridge vs. #1 North Brunswick–Freshmen Final

Here is a slideshow from photos taken of the action between second seeded Old Bridge, and top seeded North Brunswick in the Championship Game of the 2013 Perth Amboy/GMC Freshmen Tournament.

In the championship, Old Bridge trailed by as many as eight in the first half, and was behind by four at 35-31 with less than five minutes to play when the Knights closed the contest with a 12-5 run to win the title over top seeded North Brunswick, 43-40. Steve Strom sparked the rally with a three at the 4:34 mark to pull the Little Knights within one at 35-34. Then, after a North Brunswick basket, Connor Romano drained a triple from the left wing at the 3:24 mark for a 37-37 tie.

The game went back and forth with North Brunswick clinging to a one point lead late, but Zach Attianese gave Old Bridge the lead for good with a steal for a layup at the 1:16 mark. Attianese then sealed the win with two free throws at the 32 second mark. North Brunswick, which was playing in its second consecutive final, had a chance to tie in the waning seconds, but failed to connect on a three point attempt. Basit Khan and Bryon Smith played well in a losing cause for NBTHS.

GMC Hoops Highlights–February 25, 2013–Old Bridge @ North Brunswick–CJ Group IV Playoffs

Here are video highlights from the final 17:30 of the double overtime thriller between Old Bridge and North Brunswick in the opening round of the 2013 Central Jersey Group IV State Tournament. The Raiders trailed by the score of 44-31 just a few seconds into the fourth quarter when they rallied with a 23-10 surge to tie the game, and force overtime. Then, in the extra session, NBTHS trailed by six with 44 seconds to go when they got a conventional three point play by Virgil Boykin with 37.1 seconds left, and a three pointer from the left corner by Jordan Gonzalez with 28.6 seconds left to tie the game at 62-62 and force a second overtime. In the final overtime, North Brunswick outscored Old Bridge by a margin of 10-5 to come away with the hard fought, 72-67 win. The win by the Raiders avenged a loss to the Knights in the GMCT Quarterfinals at Middlesex County College.

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 Notes–Old Bridge @ North Brunswick–Central Jersey Group IV State Playoffs–Opening Round–February 25, 2013

NORTH BRUNSWICK, NJ–Following the game between Carteret and Weequahic in the opening round of the Central Jersey Group II State Tournament, GMC Hoops traveled down Route 1 South to Route 130, and North Brunswick High School to see the fourth seeded Raiders take on 13th seeded Old Bridge in the opening round of the Central Jersey Group IV State Tournament. In a game of wills, North Brunswick avenged a loss to the Knights in the GMCT Quarterfinals with a come from behind win in double overtime. The Raiders trailed by 12 late in the third, 13 early in the fourth, and by six late in the first overtime, but found a way to win and advance with a 72-67 victory. Below are game notes from the contest.

Third Quarter

1:30–arrive–OB up 40–30.

0:57–NBT–Sidotti misses jumper.

22.4–OB–Tyler Drews drives and dishes to Sultan Aminu for layup, and a 42-30 lead.

4.1–NBT–Iverson Fleming fouled–makes 1 of 2 FTs for a 42-31 lead.

0.0–NBT–deflects pass out of bounds.  OB leads 42-31 after three

Fourth Quarter

7:28–OB–Billy Andrews called for foul–NBT ball

7:22–NBT–Fleming pulls up for jumper for a 44-35 lead.

7:00–OB–Drews dishes to Billy Andrews for layup and a 46-35 lead.

6:43–NBT–Jordan Gonzalez hits floater from left baseline for a 46-37 OB lead.

6:28–OB–10 sec violation.

6:17–NBT–Virgil Boykin uses his body to get between Aminu and basket for a three point play, and a 46-40 OB lead.

6:13–OB–turnover.

6:00–NBT–Boykin fouled–makes both FTs for a 46-42 OB lead.

5:05–NBT–steal leads to layin by Sidotti for a 46-44 OB lead.

5:03–OB–timeout.

4:29–OB–Aminu layup from Kola Adeleye for a 48-44 lead.

4:05–NBT–Boykin–fouled–makes 1 of 2 FTs for a 48-45 OB lead.

3:49–OB–Aminu scores basket from left low block for a 50-45 lead.

3:19–NBT–full timeout.  Follows OB turnover.  Knights still lead 50-45.

2:42–NBT–Fleming steals ball, and goes in for layup and a 50-47 OB lead.

2:29–NBT–Fleming steals it again, and pulls up for three pointer to tie it up at 50-50.

2:16–OB–Drews hits floater for a 52-50 lead.

2:00–OB–Aminu blocks dunk attempt by Ford.

1:46–OB–Drews saves ball from going out of bounds–calls timeout–OB leads 52-50.

1:35–OB–Drews drives to the basket for layup and a 54-50 lead.

1:13–OB–Drews fouled.

1:04–NBT–Fleming swipes another steal for layup and a 54-52 OB lead.

44.4–NBT–calls timeout after OB loses ball out of bounds

30.0–OB–draws foul–after NBT misses two chances to score.  Adeleye–misses front end of one and one.

24.7–NBT–Fleming–fouled–misses front end of one and one.

23.3–NBT–calls timeout after getting loose ball.

20.5–NBT–inbounds to Boykin for layup  underneath, and a 54-54 tie.

0.9–NBT–ties up  Drews for jump ball–NBT ball.

0.0–NBT–Fleming shot from right wing at buzzer is off the mark.

Overtime

3:35–Drews pulls up for jumper and a 56-54 lead.

2:07–OB–Drews fouled–makes 1 of 2 FTs for a 59-56 lead.

1:04–OB–Marrero scores on breakaway layup for a 61-56 lead.

1:03–NBT–timeout

44.4–OB–Marrero gets rebound off miss by Gonzalez–fouled–makes 1 of 2 FTs for a 62-56 lead.

37.1–NBT–Boykin scores on follow, and is fouled fora three point play, and a 62-59 OB lead.

28.6–NBT–Fleming steal leads to three from left corner by Gonzales for a 62-62 tie.

26.5–OB–timeout.

9.9–NBT–Sidotti misses three attempt–Fleming gets offensive rebound.

0.5–NBT–Ford misses jumper–ball goes out of bounds to NBT.

0.0–NBT–Ford gets inbounds from Fleming, puts up jumper from left wing, but it hits iron as the buzzer sounds–tied at 62-62.

Double Overtime

3:46–NBT–Ford hits short jumper from right baseline for 64-62 lead.

3:29–NBT–Ford–fouled–makes 1 of 2 FTs for a 65-62 lead.

3:13–NBT–Ford–fouled–makes 1 of 2 FTs for a 66-62 lead.

2:54–OB–Andrews–fouled–makes both FTs for a 66-64 OB lead.

2:39–NBT–Fleming pulls up for jumper from left wing and a 68-64 lead.

2:19–OB–Drews–scores for a 68-66 lead.

1:45–NBT–Boykin–layin for a 70-66 lead.

1:00–OB–Adeleye–fouled–makes 1 of 2 FTs for 70-67 lead.

32.5–NBT–Fleming scores off Raider steal for a 72-67 lead.

17.3–NBT–Ford–fouled–misses both FTs.

0.0–OB–Adeleye misses three pointer.  Iverson Fleming gets the rebound, and runs out the clock for a 72-67 victory.

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 Game Notes–#2 Old Bridge vs. #1 North Brunswick–Championship Game of the 2013 Perth Amboy Freshmen Tournament

PERTH AMBOY, NJ–In the Championship Game of the 2013 Perth Amboy/GMC Freshmen Tournament, second seeded Old Bridge rallied from a 35-31 deficit midway through the fourth quarter with a 12-5 game closing spurt to knock off top seeded North Brunswick by the score of 43-40. The Little Knights were sparked by a three from Steve Strom at the 4:34 mark to pull within one, and then got another three from Connor Romano a minute later to tie the game at 37-37. Zach Attianese, who had a team high with 14 points, took over from there with the final six points of the game for the win. Romano ended up with 13 while Strom chipped in with 7. Basit Khan led all scorers with a game high 18 points for North Brunswick while Bryon Smith chipped in with 12 in a losing cause. Below are game notes from the contest.

First Quarter

3:26–OB–timeout after layup by Prithvi Rathaur for NBT to make it an 8-5 Little Raiders lead. Bryon Smith also added a layup as NBT jumped out to a 4-0 lead.

0:29–OB–after NBT jumped out to an 11-7 lead on a three from the top of the key by Basit Khan, the Little Knights responded with a 5-2 run including a three by Steve Strom for a 13-12 NBT lead.

0:00–NBT–misses heave from three quarter court at the buzzer.

North Brunswick First Quarter Scoring

Bryon Smith–2 FGs for 4 points
Basit Khan–3 PTR for 3 points
Prithvi Rathaur–FG for 2 points
Tyler Hoagland–FG for 2 points
Jordan Luthus–FG for 2 points

NBT–5 FGs and 3 PTR for 13 points

Old Bridge First Quarter Scoring

Steve Strom–3 PTR and 1 of 2 FTs for 4 points
Zach Attianese–FG and 2 of 2 FTs for 4 points
C.J. Santoro–FG for 2 points
Connor Romano–FG for 2 points

OB–3 FGs, 3 PTR, and 3 of 4 FTs for 12 points

Second Quarter

7:09–NBT–basket for a 15-12 lead.

7:01–OB–Connor Romano–layup for a 15-14 NBT lead.

6:48–NBT–Khan–fouled–makes 1 of 2 fTs for a 16-14 lead.

3:49–OB–calls timeout after Khan makes first FT–NBT on a 7-1 run for a 23-15 lead.

1:57–OB–on a 5-2 run including a three from the left wing by Romano for a 25-20 NBT lead.

0:00–NBT–misses heave at buzzer–OB got another score earlier to pull within three at the half, 25-22.

North Brunswick Second Quarter Scoring

Basit Khan–2 FGs and 4 of 5 FTs for 8 points
Bryon Smith–2 of 2 FTs for 2 points
Kris Hunt–FG for 2 points

NBT–3 FGs and 6 of 7 FTs for 12 points

Old Bridge Second Quarter Scoring

Connor Romano–3 PTR, FG, and 1 of 2 FTs for 6 points
Zach Attianese–2 of 2 FTs for 2 points
Mike Turlovsky–FG for 2 points

OB–2 FGs, 3 PTR, and 3 of 4 FTs for 10 points

North Brunswick First Half Scoring

Basit Khan–2 FGs, a 3 PTR, and 4 of 5 FTs for 11 points
Bryon Smith–2 FGs and 2 of 2 FTs for 6 points
Prithvi Rathaur–FG for 2 points
Tyler Hoagland–FG for 2 points
Jordan Luthus–FG for 2 points
Kris Hunt–FG for 2 points

NBT–8 FGs, 3 PTR, and 6 of 7 FTs for 25 points

Old Bridge First Half Scoring

Connor Romano–2 FGs, 3 PTR, and 1 of 2 FTs for 8 points
Zach Attianese–FG and 4 of 4 FTs for 6 points
Steve Strom–3 PTR and 1 of 2 FTs for 4 points
C.J. Santoro–FG for 2 points
Mike Turlovsky–FG for 2 points

OB–5 FGs, 2 3s, and 6 of 8 FTs for 22 points

Third Quarter

7:41–NBT–technical foul called–OB–Strom–makes 1 of 2 FTs for a 25-23 lead.

7:15–OB–called a technical foul–NBT–Khan–makes both FTs for a 27-23 lead.

3:40–NBT–fouled–makes both FTs for a 29-23 lead.

2:51–OB–timeout after layup by NBT for a 31-23 lead.

1:57–OB–30 sec timeout–avoids 5 sec call.

1:18–OB–Zach Attianese–fouled–missed both FTs, but gets his own rebound, and puts it back in for a 31-25 NBT lead.

0:44–OB–Connor Romano–fouled–makes both FTs for a 31-27 NBT lead.

0:23–OB–Strom gets steal.

0:16–OB–Strom dishes to Romano for layup from right low block for a 31-29 NBT lead.

0:00–NBT–Khan dishes to Bryon Smith for layup just as the buzzer sounds for a 33-29 lead heading into fourth.

Fourth Quarter

7:45–OB–Attianese–goes in hard for layup from left side for a 33-31 NBT lead.

7:31–NBT–Gabe Rosado–fouled–misses both FTs.

7:27–NBT–draws charge on Attianese for OB–OB–technical foul–Khan–makes both FTs for a 35-31 lead.

6:20–OB–misses three point attempt, but NBT called for foul on the rebound–OB ball.

4:34–OB–Strom three pointer from right side of the key for a 35-34 NBT lead.

4:15–NBT–Khan dishes to Smith for layup and a 37-34 lead.

3:24–OB–Romano fires in three from left wing for a 37-37 tie.

3:14–NBT–Khan–fouled–makes both FTs for a 39-37 lead.

2:56–OB–offensive foul.

2:21–OB–Attianese–layup for a 39-39 tie.

2:01–NBT–Khan–fouled–makes 1 of 2 FTs, and Rosado gets offensive rebound. Ball goes out of bounds, but NBT keeps possession.

1:46–NBT–timeout.

1:29–OB–gets steal, but Attianese just misses layup.

1:16–OB–Attianese gets steal, and scores layup from left side for a 41-40 lead.

1:03–NBT–timeout.

0:37–OB–fouled on floor.

0:32–OB–Attianese–fouled–misses FT…Khan called for violation–Attianese–makes both FTs for a 43-40 lead.

0:30–NBT–timeout.

0:11–NBT–turnover.

0:07–OB–Romano–fouled–missed front end of one and one.

0:00–NBT–misses shot at the buzzer. OB wins 43-40.

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 7, 2013—Old Bridge @ St. Joseph’s–Red Division Clash

Here are video highlights from St. Joseph’s 75-34 victory over Old Bridge in the regular season finale on senior night in Metuchen. The second ranked Falcons jumped out to a 19-5 first quarter lead, and had a balanced attack led by junior Marques Townes with 13 points while Wade Baldwin and Jimbo Long each added 11 points. James Ziemba chipped in with 9 points while Karl Towns contributed with 8 points. Sultan Aminu led Old Bridge with 6 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.