SOUTH PLAINFIELD, NJ–On Thursday morning, GMC Hoops sat down and went through the current schedules of all the GMC teams, and decided that it will open the season with a Freshman, JV, and Varsity tripleheader between St. Joseph’s and Colonia on December 17th. The Falcons are defending GMCT Champions, and will likely be ranked at or near the top of the 2010-11 GMC Hoops Pre-Season poll. Meanwhile, Colonia will be making its debut in the GMC Red after moving up to the division following this past season in the GMC White.

St. Joe’s and Colonia both played in the Linden Summer League over the summer while the Pats also played in the Scarlet Shootout. Both teams also had JV squads in the Colonia JV Summer League. The Falcons played a very rigorous summer schedule that included the Hoop Group Elite Team Camp, Kean Ironman Challenge, Elizabeth Summer League, Rahway Summer League, Hoop Group Headquarters Team Camp, and Summer Prime Time Shootout. St. Joseph’s will be led by incoming junior Quenton DeCosey along with the likes of Jimbo Long, Slay Sudah, Ace Sudah, Brandon Dolan, Kevin Mayce, and James Ziemba among others.

Meanwhile, Colonia will have the likes of Dave Cole and C.J. Gray leading the way along with Jordan McDaniel, Dashon Johnson, and Geoff Fairbanks. The Junior Falcons and Junior Patriots also have good squads coming in with St. Joe’s recently winning the Colonia JV Summer League Championship over Hillside while Colonia had one of its two squads reach the quarterfinals. St. Joe’s incoming freshman class should be a good one as well with the likes of Jake Dadika, Mike Allen, Rob Ciragi, and Mike Cintron among others. In addition to winning the GMC Red Division and the GMCT, St. Joe’s also won this past season’s GMC Hoops Trophy.

This year, there were 14 teams that competed across two divisions that played on two different nights of the week at Linden. Six teams played in the Monday/Wednesday Division while eight played in the Tuesday/Thursday Division. The Greater Middlesex Conference was well represented this year with the most teams ever at LHS since GMC Hoops started covering this league back in the summer of 2003. Five teams including: Cardinal McCarrick, Colonia, East Brunswick, New Brunswick, and St. Joseph’s competed in the league. Colonia and New Brunswick played in the Monday/Wednesday Division while Cardinal McCarrick, East Brunswick, and St. Joseph’s played in the Tuesday/Thursday Division. McCarrick and St. Joe’s also did extra work by putting teams in other Union County Summer Leagues with the Eagles playing in Rahway while St. Joseph’s played in Elizabeth.

Other teams that competed in this league were three from the Skyland Conference in Bridgewater-Raritan, Hillsborough, and Immaculata, two from the Union County Conference in Linden and St. Patrick’s, one from the Shore Conference in Point Pleasant Beach, one from the PSAL in New York, and one from the North Jersey Tri-County League. GMC Hoops didn’t get up to Linden as much as it would have liked, but still managed to come up five times, and saw six games involving GMC teams.

The site saw St. Joseph’s three times against great competition in Hillsborough, Linden, and St. Patrick’s. The Falcons were 2-1 in those games including a victory over Linden in the semifinals (61-58). Quenton DeCosey led the way for the Falcons with an average of 15.7 points per game along with 9.7 rebounds per contest. He also averaged 2.0 assists, 2.0 blocks, and 1.3 steals per contest. DeCosey shot 15 of 35 overall in the three games for 43 percent including 6 of 14 from beyond the arc for the same percentage. He also was 11 of 19 from the free throw line for 58 percent. Jimbo Long chipped in with 10.3 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 2.7 apg, and 1.0 spg. Long shot 13 of 16 from the line for 81 percent. Kevin Mayce played in two of the games that were covered, and averaged 11.0 ppg, 6.0 rpg, and 1.0 apg. Mayce shot 9 of 18 from the floor and a perfect 4 of 4 from the line.

As a team, St. Joe’s averaged 52.3 points per game in the three contests they played while giving up 55.7 per contest. The Falcons shot 52 of 130 from the field for 40 percent including 16 of 46 from three point range for 35 percent. St. Joseph’s also went 37 of 55 from the charity stripe for 67 percent. Meanwhile, Falcon opponents were limited to 67 of 164 for 41 percent including 14 of 47 from three for 30 percent. Colonia and New Brunswick both went 1-1 in the two games covered by GMC Hoops with the Patriots defeating the Zebras back on July 21st while losing to Linden on July 7th. NBHS defeated Point Pleasant Beach the same day. GMC Hoops only saw East Brunswick once, and that was in the semifinals of the post-season tournament while it didn’t see McCarrick at all.

Colonia averaged 43 points per game while giving up 47 points per game. The Patriots shot 35 of 97 from the floor for 36 percent including 8 of 25 from three point range for 32 percent while making only 7 of 11 from the foul line. The Pats limited their opponents to 39 of 102 shooting for 38 percent including 5 of 27 from long distance for 19 percent. Jordan McDaniel and Dashon Johnson stood out for CHS with Johnson averaging 14 points per game in the two games covered by the site. Johnson made 13 of 24 shots for 54 percent. Meanwhile, the Zebras averaged 41 points per game, and yielded only 43 per contest. New Brunswick shot 39 of 90 from the floor overall for 43 percent, but only went 2 of 15 from beyond the arc while making one of seven from the free throw line. NBHS did, however, limit its foes to just 35 of 90 from the floor for 39 percent including 8 of 27 from beyond the arc.

Jaquan Cook averaged 14.5 ppg, 4.5 rpg, and 1.5 bpg in the two New Brunswick contests covered by GMC Hoops. Cook shot 14 of 27 from the floor over the two games for 52 percent. Teammate Fuquan Rogers chipped in for the Zebras by averaging 9.0 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 3.0 apg, and 1.5 spg. Rogers shot 9 of 16 from the floor for NBHS in the two contests. Milton Pittman played in one of the two games covered by the site with 6 of 10 shooting against Point Beach for 12 points, 7 rebounds, 3 steals, 2 assists, and a block. All five teams that played in this league will be tough this coming winter. Even though Colonia is moving up to the GMC Red, expect the Pats to still play well. St. Joe’s and EB will be fighting it out with Piscataway and CHS for division honors while McCarrick and New Brunswick will be competing with the likes of Monroe, Sayreville, and North Brunswick in the GMC White.

Linden Defeats Susan Wagner, 39-29

In the 4:30 PM game, Linden took a 32-23 lead with 6:18 to go in the contest, and got a floater in the key to bank in for a 34-24 lead at the 5:24 mark. The Tigers then got three of the next five points for a 37-26 lead before Susan Wagner of Staten Island netted a trey with 42 seconds to go for a 37-29 score. LHS then got a basket in the waning moments for the 39-29 victory.

Second Quarter Surge Lifts Colonia Past New Brunswick, 48-31

The Colonia Patriots and New Brunswick Zebras renewed acquaintances on Wednesday in the Linden Summer League. These two teams, which have grown to be fierce rivals in the GMC White, will likely take a break from each other this year as the Pats move into the Red. However, expect these two teams to be competitive in the GMC in 2010-11. CHS was still without the services of Dave Cole and C.J. Gray while NBHS was playing without soon to be junior forward, Milton Pittman. The Patriots showed no ill effects of being without their two top players as Jordan McDaniel and Dashon Johnson led the way in a 48-31 victory. Colonia went 4 of 5 from beyond the arc in the second quarter including threes by McDaniel and Johnson as they outscored New Brunswick by a 23-11 margin for a 33-23 lead at the intermission. Johnson ended up with 18 points, 5 rebounds, a steal, and a block while McDaniel chipped in with 12 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists, a steal and a block in the 17 point win.

Johnson was 8 of 16 from the floor including one of two from three point range while McDaniel was 5 of 10 from the floor including one of four from three for the Pats. Meanwhile, the Colonia defense did a great job on Jaquan Cook, who was only 3 of 11 from the floor in the first half, and ended up with a team high 11 points on 5 of 16 shooting along with 4 rebounds and a block. Speaking of rebounding, CHS kept the Zebras off the boards with a 30-17 advantage including a 9-5 showing on the offensive boards. The Pats also had an 8-4 edge in second chance points. Both teams only had five players in the contest, but Colonia got 63 percent of its offense from McDaniel and Johnson while teammate Aubrey McGlaughlin contributed with 4 points, 6 assists, and 6 rebounds. Fuquan Rogers chipped in for New Brunswick with 8 points on 4 of 9 shooting while picking up 5 rebounds, 3 assists, and a steal. Gary Reeder played with a lot of hustle as he went 3 of 5 from the floor and made a free throw for 7 points, 5 rebounds, 2 blocks, an assist and a steal.

For the game, Colonia shot 20 of 44 from the floor for 45 percent including 4 of 10 from beyond the arc while making 3 of 6 from the charity stripe. Meanwhile, New Brunswick was only 14 of 42 from the floor for 33 percent including 2 of 11 from long distance. The Zebras were also only one of four from the foul line. Both teams did a good job handling the basketball with New Brunswick having a slight edge in turnovers (8-9), and taking advantage of its opponent’s mistakes with an 8-3 advantage in points off of turnovers. In other statistical areas, New Brunswick had more blocks (4-2) and steals (7-3), but Colonia had more assists (13-8). Neither team drew a charge. The Patriots outscored the Zebras in two of the four quarters, and by a combined margin of 32-13. New Brunswick had a 12-10 edge in the first period while the third quarter was even at 6-6.

New Brunswick got off to a fast start with the first four points of the game before McDaniel drove the right side for a layup that made the score, 4-2 at the 8:09 mark. The Zebras then scored another four points as Reeder made a hustling save that led to a Rogers layup, and Deon Perry (4 steals, 3 assists, a rebound, and a block) got a steal and assist on a layup by Nyeem Coleman (5 points, 3 rebounds, an assist, and a steal) for an 8-2 advantage with 5:29 remaining in the first period. However, Colonia didn’t panic. Instead, the Patriots fought back with an 8-2 run of its own that included a pull-up jumper by McDaniel and a baseline jumper from Johnson to tie the game up at 10-10 with a minute left in the period Reeder then ended the first quarter scoring with a steal for a layup, and a 12-10 lead for the Zebras.

Both teams struggled shooting wise in the opening period as Colonia began the game going 5 of 14 from the floor while New Brunswick was 6 of 15. The Zebras, however, took advantage of three Colonia turnovers by cashing them all in for six points. The Patriots stayed in the contest thanks to four second chance points on the offensive glass. The second period saw the Pats take over with a 23-11 surge thanks to a scorching 9 of 14 from the floor including four of five from long range. Meanwhile, New Brunswick continued to struggle with 5 of 12 shooting from the floor including one of two from three. McDaniel opened the scoring in the second with a reverse layup that tied the score at 12-12 with 8:43 to play in the first half. Just under a minute later, Rogers drove inside, and kicked out to Coleman for a three pointer from the left corner that put the Zebras ahead 15-12 with 7:45 remaining in the half.

McDaniel then handed out two assists on layups by the Patriots that sparked a decisive run in the game. Colonia, now up 16-15 with 6:28 to go in the first half, got two threes including one by McDaniel for a 22-15 lead at the five minute mark. Colonia continued to surge with a 9-6 run highlighted by a three point play by McDaniel at the 1:41 mark for a 30-21 lead. Johnson then connected on his only three of the game for a 33-23 advantage at the intermission. At the break, Colonia was 14 of 28 from the floor including 4 of 7 from three point range while New Brunswick was 11 of 27 from the floor including a one of four effort from three. Each team had four turnovers in the contest. In the third, both teams only scored six points as the Pats remained on top by a score of 39-29 heading into the fourth. New Brunswick was forced to score in the halfcourt as the Zebras only had two points off turnovers since the first period.

NBHS started out strong though as Cook netted a three pointer from Rogers, and Reeder added one of two from the line for a 33-27 Colonia lead at the 6:33 mark. The Patriots got three of those points back though with a field goal, and a one of two showing from the foul line at the 5:43 mark for a 36-27 lead. Perry then got a steal that eventually got into the hands of Cook who drove baseline along the left side for a layup for a 36-29 score, but Johnson made one of two from the foul line at the three minute mark, and got a layup down the stretch to maintain the Patriots ten point lead heading into the fourth. In the fourth, Colonia pulled away with 9 of the 11 points in the period. McGlaughlin got things started with a drive from the right wing for a layup, and a 41-29 lead with 9:39 remaining. Nearly two minutes later, McDaniel then passed to Johnson for a layup as he was fouled for a traditional three point play, and a 44-29 lead with 7:40 to go.

Following a Colonia timeout with 6:47 to play, the Patriots, which were coached by former CHS standout, Brandon Hall, got two jumpers from Johnson the rest of the way to wrap up the 48-31 victory.

GMC Hoops plans to be back out at Linden next week as the playoffs get underway.

Linden Summer League–Monday/Wednesday Division–Some Results–July 21, 2010

• Linden 39–Susan Wagner (S.I.) 29
• Colonia 48–New Brunswick 31

GMC Hoops plans to be back out at Linden next week.

Linden Cruises Past Shorthanded Colonia, 62-38

The first game of the GMC Hoops afternoon doubleheader in the Monday/Wednesday Division of the Linden Summer League was between Linden and Colonia. These two teams last played each other in the Championship Game of the 2009 Linden Summer League. The Patriots did a rare thing this summer by competing in the 2010 Scarlet Shootout. Usually, Colonia only competes in the Linden Summer League since many of the players are involved with other sports during the summer. However, the Pats not only competed at Rutgers, but they did fairly well by winning their first two games against Bridgewater and Paterson Eastside before bowing out against Rutgers Prep in the quarterfinals.

During that run though, Colonia suffered some casualties as soon to be seniors Dave Cole (knee) and C.J. Gray (ankle) were injured during the two day event. Both were not in the lineup on Wednesday as the Patriots faced off against the Linden Tigers. Despite the efforts of Dashon Johnson (10 points on 5 of 9 shooting), Colonia fell prey to a rather opportunistic Linden team. The Tigers jumped out to a 9-2 lead as they made their first three shots including a three pointer, and scored four points off of three CHS turnovers. From there, Colonia had an uphill climb as Linden gradually extended its lead to 19-11 after the first period, 38-24 at halftime, and then put together a 13-4 effort in the third to put the game out of reach in a 62-38 victory.

Turnovers were the big story in this one as well as offensive rebounding. Linden forced Colonia to commit 14 turnovers, but the key was that the Tigers converted 10 of those miscues for 20 points including a number of layups. Linden also grabbed 19 offensive rebounds, and converted them into 14 second chance points. For the game, Linden made 25 of 60 shots for 42 percent including 3 of 16 from long distance while Colonia connected on only 15 of 54 shots for 28 percent including 4 of 15 from beyond the arc. The Patriots made 4 of 5 from the foul line while the Tigers connected on 9 of 13 from the charity stripe. In other statistical areas, LHS pounded the glass for a 47-24 advantage including a 19-12 edge on the offensive boards.

While forcing 14 Colonia miscues, the Tigers only committed eight. While Colonia had more assists (10-9), Linden had more steals (11-5) and blocks (8-0). Neither team drew a charge. Linden started out fast as it took 22 shots in the first period versus Colonia’s 11. The Tigers converted four of the Patriot six first quarter turnovers for eight points while adding four second chance points to take a 19-11 lead. Both teams didn’t shoot well in the first as Colonia made only 4 of 11 shots including one of four from three while Linden made 9 of 22 shots including a one of eight showing from three. So, despite their early troubles, the Patriots were still somewhat in the game. After falling behind by a 9-2 score in the first 2:46 of the contest, the Pats got back into the game with a 5-0 run including a three pointer from the left corner off an inbounds play to make the score 9-7 at the 5:09 mark.

However, Colonia couldn’t get any closer as Linden embarked on an 8-2 spurt including two layups off steals to take a 17-9 lead at the 2:50 mark. Each team got a bucket down the stretch for a 19-11 Tigers lead going into the second. In the second quarter, Linden shot better from the floor by making 8 of 15 from the floor including one of three from long range while limiting Colonia to 5 of 18 shots. Linden began the second period with a 7-0 run including a three pointer from the right side to extend its advantage to 26-11 at the 6:42 mark. The Patriots battled back to close the gap to ten with a 7-2 run over the next 3:35 including two foul shots at the 3:07 mark for a 28-18 Linden lead. Colonia actually got two more scores for an 11-2 spurt to pull within six at 28-22, but the Tigers got two more scores off Pats turnovers for a 6-0 run and a 34-22 lead with 1:21 left in the half.

Linden then made it a 10-0 run including a layup while being fouled, and then a putback on the missed bonus free throw for a 38-22 lead at the intermission. At the break, Linden made 17 of 37 shots from the floor for 46 percent while Colonia was 9 of 29 for 31 percent. Things went from bad to worse in the third as Jordan McDaniel accounted for all the Patriot scoring in the period with two scores. Meanwhile, the Tigers put together a 13-4 run to extend the back breaking surge to 23-4 for a 51-28 lead after three. The Tigers didn’t score until the 7:40 mark when they netted two free throws for a 40-24 lead. Linden then scored six of the next eight points over a span of 3:14 including a steal for a layup at the 4:26 mark for a commanding 46-26 lead. LHS then added a pair of free throws for a 48-26 lead, and scored three out of the final five points of the frame for a 51-28 lead entering the fourth.

Colonia made things more respectable in the fourth, but it was still outscored by an 11-10 margin as Linden went on to win by the score of 62-38.

Cook And Pittman Lead Zebras Past Point Pleasant Beach, 50-38

After watching Linden and Colonia play in the first game at 4:30 PM, GMC Hoops stayed to watch another GMC team in action as New Brunswick battled Point Pleasant Beach in the 5:30 PM contest. The Garnet Gulls of Point Beach are putting in a lot of work at Linden this summer. Before the summer league season got underway in earnest, Point Pleasant Beach competed in the 2010 Linden Team Camp. Meanwhile, New Brunswick is also putting in some important work this off-season. After competing in the Bound Brook Summer League last year, head coach, Antoine Allen is challenging his team with a more competitive league in Linden. Both of these teams are coming off good efforts this past season.

The Garnet Gulls, which compete in the Class B Central Division of the Shore Conference, reached the Championship Game of the 2010 South Jersey Group I State Tournament before falling to state finalist, Woodbury (78-57). After being a program in the doldrums for much of this decade, Point Beach has made some strides with three state tourney berths since 2006. Meanwhile, New Brunswick, a program that had been a combined 12-48 over the previous three seasons including a 4-36 mark the last two, returned to prominence in the GMC with a 15-10 mark, a third place finish in the White Division, an Elite Eight berth in the 2010 GMCT, and a berth in the North Jersey Section 2 Group III State Tournament. With the likes of Jaquan Cook and Milton Pittman returning along with a supporting cast of Nyeem Coleman, Fuquan Rogers, T.J. Overtree, Deon Perry, Derrick Lunn, and Gary Reeder, the Zebras are looking to get even better in 2010-11.

Cook and Pittman will be a dynamic duo to watch this upcoming season. They made their point in this game against Point Pleasant Beach. Cook made 9 of 12 shots from the floor for 18 points along with 5 rebounds and 2 blocks while Pittman connected on 6 of 10 shots from the floor for 12 points along with 7 rebounds, 3 steals, 2 assists, and a block in a 50-38 victory over the Garnet Gulls. Fuquan Rogers also chipped in with 10 points on 5 of 7 shooting from the floor while also picking up 5 boards, 3 assists, and 2 steals. The Zebras also took advantage of Point Beach mistakes by forcing 14 turnovers that they converted into 14 points. NBHS also had six second chance points. For the game, New Brunswick made 25 of 52 shots for 48 percent while Point Pleasant Beach was 15 of 46 from the floor for 33 percent including a 4 of 17 effort from beyond the arc. Neither team shot well at the line as the Zebras were 0 of 3 while the Gulls were 4 of 12.

In other statistical areas, New Brunswick outrebounded Point Beach by a margin of 30-21. Offensive rebounds were even as well as second chance points, but the Zebras had more blocks (3-1) and charges (1-0). NBHS had a slight edge in turnovers (13-14), and more points off turnovers (14-8), but the Garnet Gulls made more points from beyond the arc (12-0). Cook put the Zebras out in front early with a layup while being fouled, but missed the bonus free throw for a 2-0 lead at the 8:13 mark. Point Beach then got a free throw at the 7:14 mark before getting a score to go ahead 3-2, but Cook, who made 4 of 5 attempts in the first period, got another traditional three point play opportunity, but missed the free throw for a 4-3 lead at the 5:54 mark. Cook, who scored all 8 Zebra points in the frame, added another layup at the 3:29 mark for a 6-3 lead.

New Brunswick had an 8-3 lead after Cook scored another layup, but Point Pleasant Beach got an easy layup as the Zebras lost their concentration on defense for an 8-5 score after one. NBHS made 4 of 10 shots from the field in the first, but nothing from three point range, and the team was 0 of 5 from the floor outside of Cook in the period. In addition, the Zebras committed six turnovers. However, Point Pleasant Beach was limited to 2 of 15 from the floor including an 0 of 5 effort from beyond the arc. Point Beach then opened the second with a bucket to draw within one at 8-7, but New Brunswick responded with four straight points including a layin by Pittman and a layup for a 12-7 lead at the 6:17 mark. Point Pleasant beach then scored five of the next seven points including a three pointer to draw within two at 14-12, but Rogers gave New Brunswick some breathing room with two layups for an 18-12 lead at the 2:27 mark.

The Gulls netted another three pointer to draw within three at 18-15, but Gary Reeder drew a charge at the 1:31 mark while his teammates put together a 6-0 run including a layup off an inbounds by Pittman, and a steal by Rogers for a layup in the waning moments of the half for a 24-15 halftime lead. New Brunswick had six points off Point Beach turnovers in the first half while making 12 of 24 shots from the field. The Garnet Gulls, meanwhile, were limited to 6 of 26 field goals including two of eight from three point range. New Brunswick got on the board early in the third as Cook got a layup while being fouled at the 9:11 mark for a 26-15 lead. However, Point Pleasant Beach netted two threes for a 6-2 run that closed the gap to 28-21 with 7:46 left in the period. However, New Brunswick put together a 4-0 run including a layup by Cook and a follow by Pittman for a 32-21 lead at the 5:22 mark.

Both teams exchanged two scores over the final 5:22 for a 36-25 New Brunswick lead heading into the fourth. The Zebras, by this time, had gone with a smaller lineup, and began the final period the same way. Point Pleasant Beach took advantage with a 4-2 run to begin the fourth for a 38-29 score at the 7:29 mark. The Garnet Gulls wouldn’t get any closer though. NBHS put together a 6-1 run including an offensive rebound and putback by Pittman, a steal for a layup by Pittman, and a layup off a lob pass by Rogers for a 44-30 lead at the 4:21 mark. Following a Point Beach timeout, New Brunswick got another score as Reeder got a rebound at the defensive end, drove upcourt, and dished to Cook for a layup that coerced the Gulls to call another timeout with the score, 46-30 at the 3:38 mark. Point Pleasant beach then ended the game with an 8-4 run including two steals for layups in the final 30 seconds, but New Brunswick came away with the 50-38 win.

GMC Hoops plans to be back out at Linden next week.

Linden Summer League–Monday/Wednesday Division–July 7, 2010

• Linden 62–Colonia 38
• New Brunswick 50–Point Pleasant Beach 38

GMC Hoops plans to be back out at Linden next week.

2010 Colonia Patriots Linden Summer League Schedule

• Game #1–June 28, 2010–Colonia vs. New Brunswick, 5:30 PM
• Game #2–June 30, 2010–Colonia vs. St. Patrick’s, 6:30 PM
• Game #3–July 7, 2010–Colonia vs. Linden, 4:30 PM
• Game #4–July 12, 2010–Colonia vs. Susan Wagner (S.I.), 5:30 PM
• Game #5–July 14, 2010–Colonia vs. Point Pleasant Beach, 5:30 PM
• Game #6–July 14, 2010–Colonia vs. St. Patrick’s, 7:30 PM
• Game #7–July 19, 2010–Colonia vs. Point Pleasant Beach, 5:30 PM
• Game #8–July 21, 2010–Colonia vs. New Brunswick, 5:30 PM

Note: This schedule is subject to change. Playoffs begin on Monday July 27th. There will be no games on July 5th due to the Fourth of July holiday weekend. Contests scheduled for that day will be made up on July 7th, 12th, and 14th.

2010 Linden Summer League–Monday/Wednesday Division

• Linden
• Colonia
• New Brunswick
• St. Patrick’s
• Point Pleasant Beach
• Wagner (S.I.)

2010 Linden Summer League–Tuesday/Thursday Division

• Linden
• Cardinal McCarrick
• East Brunswick
• St. Joseph’s
• Bridgewater-Raritan
• Hillsborough
• Immaculata
• Paterson Kennedy

GMC Hoops will be posting the schedules for the GMC teams competing in this league shortly.

The Monroe Falcons went 3-1 in the four games that they played. MTHS defeated Westwood in the opening round (81-45), lost to Rutgers Prep (62-56), beat Paterson Eastside in the consolation, and outlasted Mendham in triple overtime (62-61). The Purple Birds had a solid effort over the led by juniors Danny Brix (14 points per game, 5.3 rebounds per game, and 2.7 assists per game), Ahmid Williams (12.8 points per game and 3.5 assists per game), and Ryan Genevieve (10.5 points per game). Seniors Mike Walp (7.3 points per game and 4.5 rebounds per game) and Mike Mahmoud (5.8 points per game and 2.3 assists per game) chipped in as well.

Junior Victor Sorrento, who played with a lot of hustle in the Montgomery Team Camp scrapped for 5.5 points per game, and 4.3 rebounds per game while newcomer Dillon Salva, a transfer from North Brunswick, contributed with 6.3 points per game and 4.7 rebounds per contest. Soon to be sophomore, Ryan Stolte helped out off the bench with 1.3 points per game over the four days. Monroe was nearly 50 percent from three point range alone by going 26 of 57 from beyond the arc for 46 percent. The Purple Birds averaged 65.5 points per contest in the four games played over the two days at Rutgers. Meanwhile, GMC White rival, North Brunswick went 4-2 over the two days as the Raiders did well in the consolation tournament after losing to Hillsborough in the opening round on Saturday.

NBTHS defeated Coolidge from the Washington D.C. area, Morris Hills, New Brunswick, and Trenton Central before losing to Middletown of New York. The Raiders actually reached the final of the consolation tourney before losing. Colonia won its opening round game against Bridgewater-Raritan by 18 points, and then advanced to the quarterfinals by knocking off Paterson Eastside by 9 points. In the Elite Eight game, Colonia had a seven point lead late in the first half against Rutgers Prep before soon to be senior Dave Cole injured his knee. The Argonauts took advantage by outscoring the Patriots by 15 the rest of the way to win by eight. Then, in the consolation game against Raritan, which defeated Piscataway in the opening round, C.J. Gray suffered an injury to his ankle. Both Gray and Cole sat out the rest of the event.

Bishop Ahr competed well in the shootout. In five games, the Trojans went 2-3 with an overtime loss to Bloomfield Tech, and a defeat to Trenton Central while defeating the likes of Medford Tech and Indian Hills. New Brunswick only went 1-4 with a defeat to Morris Hills in the opening round before defeating Medford Tech in the second round. The Zebras would lose their final three games including a defeat to White Division rival, North Brunswick. Piscataway lost two of three games including the opening round defeat to Raritan of Hazlet. The Chiefs also lost to Middletown of New York after defeating Matawan in the opening round. Special thanks to coaches Bob Turco of Monroe, Chris Chiera of Colonia, Dennis O’Keefe of Bishop Ahr, Antoine Allen of New Brunswick, and Eddie Breheney of North Brunswick as well as Dennis Gregory for providing all of the info on this event.

• Colonia vs. Monroe–Game #2–June 12th @ 9:00 AM–Court #2
• Piscataway vs. Raritan–Game #5–June 12th @ 10:15 AM–Court #1
• Bishop Ahr vs. Bloomfield Tech–Game #17–June 12th @ 1:45 PM–Court #1
• Woodbridge vs. Linden–Game #20–June 12th @ 1:45 PM–Court #4
• New Brunswick vs. Morris Hills–Game #22–June 12th @ 3:00 PM–Court #2
• North Brunswick vs. Hillsborough–Game #24–June 12th @ 3:00 PM–Court #4

Special thanks to Monroe boys basketball head coach, Bob Turco for all the info. GMC Hoops will try to get info from the folks at Rutgers over the course of this weekend.