Victory Over St. Anthony’s Is A Big Confidence Builder For The Falcons

LINDEN, NJ–When it comes to GMC boys basketball, St. Joseph’s is a big fish in a small pond. Since 1997, the Falcons have reached the finals ten times, and have claimed four championships including the last two years in a row. St. Joe’s has the most appearances of any school in MCT/GMCT Finals with 17, and have five titles overall. All five championships have come in the last 20 years.

However, when it comes to state tournament play, the Falcons are a smaller fish in a bigger pond. Competing in one of the state’s toughest brackets in Non-Public A South, St. Joseph’s have only claimed three sectional championships, 1992, 1998, and 1999. The Falcons have never won a state title. Under the guidance of current head coach, Dave Turco, St. Joe’s has reached the Non-Public A South Semifinals four times in six years, but have not been able to get any farther losing three times to CBA in the semis (2006, 2007, and 2009) and Camden Catholic in 2010. CBA has ended the Falcons season four times in the past six years.

So, when the Falcons embarked on its summer 2011 schedule this past week at the Linden Team Camp, they played very well, especially on Wednesday with victories over St. Anthony’s and Sayreville. The 48-44 win over St. Anthony’s was an impressive one registered by St. Joe’s. True, the Friars may have not had all of their weapons including Kyle Anderson, but they still fielded a formidable team led by forward, Jerome Frink. In addition, the Falcons overcame a sluggish start in the first few minutes to take what seemed to be a commanding 17-6 lead early in the second period.

Then, when St. Anthony’s rallied with a 31-17 surge over the next twenty-two plus minutes to take a 37-34 edge midway through the fourth, the Falcons didn’t fold. Instead, they showed a great deal of resiliency with a 14-7 rally to pull out the win. The run was highlighted by a Quenton DeCosey three point play on a dunk that he was fouled on for a 39-38 lead. St. Joseph’s then pulled out the win with fine shooting from the free throw line by both DeCosey and Jimbo Long down the stretch. Karim Awad also chipped in with 9 points, all coming in the first half including seven in the first period to help the Falcons jump out in front early.

St. Joseph’s had a similar signature win over Linden last year in the semifinal round of the 2010 Linden Summer League playoffs. Wins like this are important even though this is only summer. It gives the Falcons confidence heading into the regular season that they can compete with and do well against some of the state’s elite programs, which is a belief that they will need going into next year’s tough field in the Non-Public A South State Tournament. Perhaps St. Joe’s can become a bigger fish in that bigger pond.

By Alex Schiffer
 
​LINDEN, NJ–As St. Joe’s spends their summer preparing for a run toward a possible third consecutive GMC championship, many would be surprised to hear that the dynamic duo of Quenton DeCosey and Dan Brix may not be the big reason why the Falcons can go for the three-peat. One of the Falcons biggest advantages heading into the 2011-2012 season is the talent they possess off the bench.
 
​The Falcons who are currently playing in numerous summer leagues right now are in some cases, getting more offense from their reserves than they are their starters. The Falcons bench contains a great mix of talent and most importantly youth. With DeCosey and Brix both being seniors, many of the players who are coming off the bench will potentially be the focal point of the Falcons offense for years to come.
 
​The Falcons have great potential in sophomore Jake Dadika. Dadika, who impressed many scoring 7 points against Sayreville in a Linden Summer League game, looks to be a future threat to many GMC teams and a possible sixth man for the Falcons. Dadika saw significant minutes for the Falcons JV team where he helped run the Falcons offense. Dadika has a solid jump shot, and has great floor vision for just a high school sophomore. Look for him to be a viable threat off the Falcons bench.
 
​Junior Salman Hasan is primed for a breakout year for the Falcons as he to will look to prove to be a force off the Falcon bench. Hasan helped Dadika on the Falcons JV team this past season, helping St. Joe’s get deep in the GMC JV tournament. Hasan is a great all-around player as he has a crossover better than Columbus himself. Hasan will also be a key asset for St. Joe’s if they are to go for the three-peat.
 
​Senior Jordan Tapia has something that arguably nobody else in the county has going for him. He has played for a national power. Tapia, transferred from St. Anthony’s last season after spending two years at the Jersey City school. Although he never really saw the varsity court for the Friars, Tapia has still picked up a thing or two from the legendary Bob Hurley. Tapia, who has seen significant minutes in the Falcons summer league games this summer, is a five star floor general that can drive to through the paint and deliver when needed.
 
​Although he’s just a freshman, Marcus Ashamole has learned a thing or two from his older brother Rob. Rob who was St. Joe’s center the past few years, had to sit out this season due to his age. Marcus on the other hand is just starting out at St. Joe’s and will probably not see many minutes this season for the Falcons. Despite being shorter than his brother (6’2), Marcus has a good set of post-up moves for a good that has never played on the high school level. He will probably be a forward for the Falcons in the coming years.

Rutgers Prep Buries East Orange Campus, 61-42

The Somerset County Runner-Up used the three point shooting from a variety of sources including former GMC standout, Greg Grippo to blitz the Essex county school.  The Argonauts jumped out to a 16-6 lead, and led at one point in the second period by a 22-10 margin before the Jaguars tried to fight back with a 20-17 surge over the next quarter, and a half to close the gap to 39-30.

However, things got bizarre as East Orange was cited for several technical fouls, and the Argos took advantage with several free throws to spark a 9-2 run to end the third quarter for a 48-32 lead.  Rutgers Prep continued to pour it on with another 9-2 spurt on several threes to open the fourth for an 18-4 surge that gave it a 58-34 lead midway through the period.

The Somerset County school, which fell to third ranked Gill-St. Bernards in the SCT Championship Game last February, coasted from there for a victory just by under 20 points. 

First Period Rampage Propels Falcons Past Bombers, 68-46

Building off the momentum of its earlier victory in the evening against state and national powerhouse, St. Anthony’s, the Falcons of St. Joseph’s went to work right away against a Sayreville team that started the game with three turnovers, and an 0 of 7 effort from the floor.

St. Joe’s took a 10-0 lead over the first 3:55 as Quenton DeCosey picked up where he left off in the last game, and scored six points including 4 of 4 from the foul line, and a two handed jam while Karim Awad and Danny Brix each added two points during the early run.  The spurt turned into a 17-0 onslaught as Brix made one of two from the line after being fouled on a layup attempt, and DeCosey went into his highlight reel repetoire for an alleyoop dunk off a lob pass by Awad at the 2:38 mark for a 13-0 lead, and then after a steal for a layup by Awad, he had another flush off an assist by Brix at the 1:45 mark to cap the 17-0 surge.

Sayreville eventually would get on the board with threes by Joe Saitta and Cody Van Note in the final 1:30, but when the dust settled, the Falcons starters were on the bench with a 23-6 cushion heading into the second period.  The Bombers were only 2 of 10 from the floor, and committed eight turnovers in the quarter.  On the other hand, St. Joseph’s had 8 field goals, and made 7 of 8 from the foul line. DeCosey had 10 points in the period including three two handed jams, and a perfect 4 of 4 from the foul line. He also had two steals and two assists in the frame. Brix added 7 points on three field goals and 1 of 2 from the foul line while picking up an assist and a steal. Awad had 4 points on a field goal and two foul shots. Ziemba added his putback to round out the scoring.

The reserves saw a good deal of action in the second period, but things remained the same as the Falcons started the frame with a 9-4 spurt to take a commanding 32-10 lead. The Bombers didn’t give up though to their credit. Sayreville finished the first half strong with a 10-4 spurt including a three pointer by Van Note, two free throws by Joe Saitta at the 1:33 mark, and two charity shots by Bryant Webb at the 2:16 mark that closed the gap to 36-20 at the intermission. In total, the Bombers had 14 points in the quarter on four field goals including two threes along with a 4 of 4 showing at the line. Sayreville had six field goals in the half including four threes.

St. Joe’s was actually outscored in the second with only 13 points in the frame on five field goals including the only three in the half by the Falcons. The Green Birds also had two free throws. Soon to be sophomore, Jake Dadika, led the charge in the period for the Falcons with 7 points on a three, layup, and two free throws. Jordan Tapia added two jumpers for four points, and Josh Hudson got a layup underneath to round out the second quarter scoring by St. Joseph’s. The Falcons had 13 field goals including one three, and went 9 of 12 from the charity stripe.

The starters for St. Joseph’s returned at the beginning of the second half, and opened things up again with a 14-2 tear over the first 5:11 to expand the lead to 50-22 at the 4:49 mark. Brix, who had 10 points in the stanza, spearheaded the spurt with 8 points including a three point play at the 9:14 mark, a three pointer at the 7:21 mark, and a drive for a layup at the 4:49 mark. DeCosey added a drive for a layup the 8:25 mark, and a score off an inbounds play for four points while Awad added a layup to also highlight the run. Sayreville again finished the period strong with an 9-4 spurt as Bryant Webb swiped a steal for a layup, handed out an assist on a three by Van Note, and then canned a jumper from the left side while Danny Wojcik netted two free throws to close the gap to 54-31 heading into the final period.

The Bombers built off the solid effort towards the end of the third by outscoring the Falcons by a slim 15-14 margin in the fourth. Soon to be junior, Salman Hasan paced St. Joe’s in the fourth with 7 points including a three along with a nice no look pass for an assist, and a steal. Josh Hudson chipped in with four points in the frame while a reserve added three points. Sayreville had three field goals and two threes from the floor while making 3 of 5 from the foul line. Saitta and Trey Johnson each had four points in the quarter while Wojcik added a layup for two points.

Brix ended up leading St. Joe’s with 17 points while DeCosey chipped in with 14. Both Hasan and Dadika chipped in with seven while Hudson, Tapia, and Awad added 6 points. Ziemba finished with two. For Sayreville, Saitta finished with a team high 13 points while Van Note added 9 and Bryant Webb and Johnson chipped in with 6 each. Wojcik contributed with four. St. Joe’s tallied their 68 points on 27 field goals including three treys while making 11 of 19 from the line. Sayreville ended up getting its 46 points on 15 field goals including seven threes, and 9 of 11 from the line.

Fourth Quarter Spurt Helps St. Joe’s Knock Off St. Anthony’s 48-44

In the first and only trip to the 2011 Linden Team Camp, GMC Hoops picked a good day to go as St. Joseph’s took on St. Anthony’s in the 6:00 PM game at the Linden P.A.L., and then played Sayreville at the Recreation Center at 8:00 PM.

Playing the Friars can be a very daunting task, especially since they are coming off an undefeated season, and won the Tournament of Champions.  Despite losing Rutgers bound, Myles Mack, St. Anthony’s still has plenty of firepower returning including Kyle Anderson and Jerome Frink.  So, the Friars are poised for another long state playoff run.

However, St. Joseph’s is coming off a banner season as well with its second straight GMC Tournament Championship, and looking to become the first team to three-peat at the MCT/GMCT since the St. Peter’s Cardinals of the early 1980s.  The Falcons also have a lot returning for 2011-12 with the likes of Quenton DeCosey, Danny Brix, Jimbo Long, and James Ziemba among others.

The Falcons came out a bit tentative, but  St. Anthony’s playing without Anderson, was a bit out of sync, and couldn’t take advantage early on.  Jimbo Long then intercepted a pass, and shielded a St. Anthony’s defender as he drove in for the layup at the 6:53 mark, Danny Brix then drew a charge, and that got the team from Metuchen going with a 17-4 surge over the next 7:58 to take an eleven point lead early on in the second quarter.

Karim Awad spearheaded the early charge for the Falcons with seven of the team’s 13 first quarter points.  Long, Ziemba, and DeCosey each added two.  Awad had a three from the right side at the 3:19 mark for a 7-3 lead, a steal for a layup at the 2:43 mark for a 9-3 lead, and then a breakaway layup off an upcourt pass by Brix with 31 seconds to go in the period for an 11-6 lead.  DeCosey had no field goals in the first period, and didn’t get on the board until the final seconds when he drew a foul, and made two foul shots for the 13-6 edge.

St. Joe’s had five field goals including a three along with two foul shots in the first period while limiting St. Anthony’s to just one field goal, a three pointer by Frink, who had four of his team’s points in the period, and three foul shots.  Danny Brix, who had four assists in addition to his charge, and a steal, helped continue the St. Joe’s charge in the second period with assists on layups by Awad and Jalen Gilmore for the surprising 17-6 lead.  However, the early advantage wouldn’t last as St. Anthony’s gradually cut into the deficit, and actually took the lead a little more than midway through the fourth.

Over a span of 22:57 the Friars turned up the heat defensively with a ton of pressure that resulted in a 31-17 surge that gave them a 37-34 edge with just under six minutes to go.  However, the Falcons showed great resilience with a decisive 13-5 tear over a span of 5:44 to take a 47-42 lead with just 14 seconds remaining.  The Falcons started the comeback with great passing as DeCosey skip passed to Awad, wh then touch passed to Ziemba for a short baseline jumper at the 4:01 mark.

Following a one of two showing from the line by Frink for a 38-36 lead with 3:05  to go, and a missed three attempt by Long at the 2:09 mark, DeCosey came up with the play of the game as he picked off a pass, and drove upcourt ahead of Frink for a two handed jam as he was fouled by Frink for a conventional three point play, and a 39-38 lead with 1:39 left.  Ziemba then caught a deflected pass at the 1:20 mark, and Long cashed that in with two free throws with 1:05 left.

After Frink scored on a layup with 40 seconds remaining in regulation to close the gap again to one at 41-40, DeCosey drew a foul, and made two free throws for a 43-40 edge at the 35 second mark.  The Friars made two of their own from the line with 16 seconds left for a 43-42 St. Joe’s lead.  Following a Falcons timeout, DeCosey was intentionally fouled with 15 seconds to go, and made two free throws for a 45-42 lead.  Long then added two charity shots at the 14 second mark, and DeCosey made one of two with eight seconds to go to round out the 48-44 final.

For the game, DeCosey scored a team high 20 points for the Falcons.  The soon to be senior swingman scored two points in the first period, seven in the second quarter, one point in the third, and 10 points in the fourth.  He only had three field goals in the contest, but made 14 of 16 from the line for the Falcons.  St. Joseph’s had only three points in the third quarter on a field goal and one of two from the line.  Awad had 9 points on four field goals including a three while Long chipped in with 8 points on two field goals and 4 of 4 from the line.  Ziemba chipped in with two field goals for four points while Brix added 3 points.  Gilmore chipped in with 2 while another reserve added a bucket.

St. Joseph’s connected on 14 field goals including a three, and made 19 of 22 from the foul line.  St. Anthony’s got a solid effort from Frink, who had 4 points in the first, 5 points in the second, 2 points in the third, and 5 in the fourth for 16 points.  The soon to be senior forward connected on six field goals including two threes while also making 2 of 4 from the charity stripe.  Overall, the Friars connected on 13 field goals including the two threes by Frink, and made 16 of 22 free throws.

GMC Hoops thanks Marty Luc for providing information on this team camp.

First Quarter

9:53–SAY–steals lob pass from DeCosey to Ziemba.
9:31–STJ–Karim Awad draws foul on layup attempt, and makes both FTs for a 2-0 lead.
8:27–STJ–James Ziemba gets offensive rebound off missed jumper by Brix, but can’t finish on the follow.
8:00–SAY–Trey Johnson hustles to force turnover, but Bombers turn it over.
7:46–STJ–Danny Brix pulls up for jumper from the left side for a 4-0 lead.
7:25–SAY–misses shot, and loses ball out of bounds.
7:11–STJ–Quenton DeCosey draws foul on shot attempt down low, and makes both FTs for a 6-0 lead.
6:15–STJ–DeCosey fouled by Johnson, both go at it…double technical called.
DeCosey makes both FTs for an 8-0 lead.
6:05–STJ–Brix steal leads to two handed jam by DeCosey in transition for a 10-0 lead.
3:36–STJ–DeCosey steals, and passes ahead to Brix for layup attempt, draws foul, and makes 1 of 2 from the line for an 11-0 lead.
2:38–STJ–DeCosey steals, passes ahead to Awad, who lobs back to DeCosey for a two handed jam, and a 13-0 lead.
2:34–SAY–timeout
2:08–STJ–Awad swipes steal and goes in for layup and a 15-0 lead.
1:45–STJ–Brix gets loose ball, and passes ahead to DeCosey for another jam for a 17-0 lead.
1:30–SAY–Joe Saitta hits three from right side for a 17-3 St. Joe’s lead.
1:00–STJ–Brix connects on jumper from right side for a 19-3 lead.
45.0–SAY–Cody Van Note sinks triple from right side for a 19-6 STJ lead.
34.3–STJ–Jimbo Long steals, and passes to DeCosey, who passes to Brix for a layup, and a 21-6 lead. 
0.9–STJ–Ziemba gets offensive rebound off missed jumper by Long, and puts it back in for a 23-6 lead after one.

SAY–2 of 10 field goals…both threes, and 8 turnovers in quarter. 

Second Quarter

9:35–SAY–Johnson scores down low for a 23-8 STJ lead.
9:12–STJ–Jake Dadika gets offensive rebound off a missed three by Salman Hasan for a three pointer and a 26-8 lead.
8:50–SAY–Saitta hits a short jumper for a 26-10 STJ lead.
8:35–STJ–travels
8:18–STJ–Dadika picks up steal, and drives in for layup, and a 28-10 lead.
8:09–STJ–Hasan swipes steal, but turns it over on a charge.
7:14–STJ–Jordan Tapia pulls up for jumper, and a 30-10 lead.
6:07–SAY–Blocks shot attempt by Josh Hudson.
5:00–STJ–Tapia gets steal, and sinks turnaround jumper for a 32-10 lead.
4:35–SAY–Van Note connects on another thre from right side for a 32-13 STJ lead.
3:41–STJ–Hudson draws foul, but misses both FTs.
2:16–SAY–draws foul, and makes both free throws for a 32-15 STJ lead.
1:33–SAY–Saitta draws foul, and makes both free throws for a 32-17 STJ lead.
53.2–STJ–Hudson scores on layin underneath for a 34-17 lead.
40.0–SAY–nails triple from the right wing for a 34-20 STJ lead.
27.5–STJ–Dadika draws foul, and makes two FTs for a 36-20 lead.
12.6–STJ–Tapia hustles to get loose ball off rebound, and hits it off Saitta out of bounds.
0.0–STJ–Dadika misses jumper as time runs out…STJ up 36-20.

Third Quarter

9:36–SAY–draws charge on Brix.
9:14–STJ–Awad gets long rebound, leads break, and dishes to Brix for a layup, and a foul for the conventional three point pay, and a 39-20 lead.
8:25–STJ–DeCosey takes Johnson to the hole for a layup, and a 41-20 lead.
7:21–STJ–DeCosey to Brix for a three pointer from the left side for a 44-20 lead.
6:35–STJ–Long nice entry pass to a cutting Awad for a layup, and a 46-20 lead.
5:56–SAY–Danny Wojcik hustles back after missing a three, and stops Ziemba on a fastbreak layup attempt, and forces a turnover.
5:24–STJ–DeCosey swipes steal
5:13–STJ–DeCosey scores off inbounds play for a 48-20 lead.
5:00–SAY–Saitta scores down low for a 48-22 STJ lead.
4:49–STJ–Brix scores on drive for layup for a 50-22 lead.
3:40–SAY–Wojcik drives in through traffic, draws foul, and makes 2 FTs for a 50-24 STJ lead.
3:01–SAY–Bryant Webb #5–swipes steal, and goes the length of the floor for a  layup, and a 50-26 STJ lead.
2:20–SAY–Webb kicks out to VanNote on the break for a three from the left side for a 50-29 STJ lead.
1:42–STJ–Tapia gets offensive rebound off missed jumper by Brix for layup, and a 52-29 lead.
1:23–SAY–Webb cans jumper from left foul line extended for a 52-31 lead.
50.0–STJ–Brix hits jumper for a 54-31 lead.
27.5–STJ–Brix steals, but hits front of rim on transition jumper…ball goes out of bounds.

Fourth Quarter

8:55–SAY–Wojcik–drives o the hole for a layup, and a 54-33 STJ lead.
8:10–STJ–Hudson–fakes up, and draws foul, but misses FTs.
7:10–STJ–Jalen Gilmore dishes to Hasan for layup attempt that draws foul, but he misses both free throws.
6:09–SAY–scraps for a couple rebounds that results in a layin for a 54-35 STJ lead.
5:30–STJ–Hudson travels.
5:03–SAY–Johnson kicks out to Saitta for three from right wing for a 54-38 lead.
4:38–STJ–score for a 56-38 lead.
4:11–STJ–Hudson ties up SAY player on rebound off Hasan miss…STJ possession.
3:39–STJ–Hasan nice no look pass to #21 for a layin, and a 58-38 lead.
2:51–STJ–Hudson drives around the key to the left low block for a layup, and a 60-38 lead.
2:25–SAY–three pointer from right wing for a 60-41 STJ lead. 
2:07–STJ–Hasan–three pointer from left corner for a 63-41 lead.
1:47–STJ–Hasan–swipes steal, but misses layup.
1:40–STJ–#21–1 of 2 FTs for a 64-41 lead.
1:30–STJ–Dadika steal.
1:19–SAY–Saitta steal, but he throws pass away.
1:01–STJ–Hasan drives in for layup, and a 66-41 lead.
49.3–SAY–Johnson–makes 1 of 2 FTS–Wojcik gets offensive rebound.
36.3–SAY–Saitta–gets offensive board off a VanNote miss, and draws foul.  He makes 1 of 2 FTs for a 66-43 STJ lead.
21.9–SAY–Johnson–gets offensive rebound off missed jumper by Wojcik, and converts traditional three point play for a 66-46 STJ lead.
2.5–STJ–Hudson scores layup for the 68-46 final.

GMC Hoops thanks Marty Luc for providing information on this team camp.

First Quarter

9:36--St. Anthony's draws foul, and makes both free throws for a 2-0 lead.
8:28--St. A--kick violation.
7:53--St. A--Jerome Frink throws pass out of bounds--turnover.
7:22--St. J--backcourt violation.
6:53--St. J--Jimbo Long intercepts pass for steal, shields himself from defender, and drives in for a layup to tie the game at 2-2.
6:15--St. A--gets steal off errant pass by Quenton DeCosey.
6:09--St. J--Danny Brix draws charge.
5:37--St. J--DeCosey swats away shot.
4:55--St. A--doesn't finish off great feed by Frink.
4:50--St. A--steal off DeCosey.
4:37--St. A--can't finish on layup atempt.
4:22--St. J--James Ziemba scores on layup for a 4-2 lead.
4:02--St. A--Frink draws foul, and makes 1 of 2 FTs for a 4-3 St. J lead.
3:19--St. J--Karim Awad makes three pointer from the right side.
2:43--St. A--timeout after Awad steals for a layup, and a 9-3 lead.
2:19--St. A--draws foul--goes 0 of 2 from the line, but Frink gets the offensive rebound, and draws foul on the floor.
1:24--St. A--Frink drains three from the left wing for a 9-6 St. J lead.
1:03--St. J--Awad pass to Brix goes out of bounds.
0:31--St. J--Brix passes upcourt to Awad for layup after missed dunk by St. A.
0:05--St. J--DeCosey swipes steal off Frink, and drives to the basket for a foul, and 2 FTs for a 13-6 lead after one.

---

Second Quarter

9:30–St. J–Brix down low to Jalen Gilmore for a foul, and two free throws for a 15-6 lead.
8:55–St. J–Brix steal and assist on layup by Awad for a 17-6 lead.
8:27–St. A–turnover.
8:05–St. J–Brix fouled on the floor.
7:41–St. A–steal off Weeks for a layup, and a 17-8 St. J lead.
7:20–St. A–Frink steals and scores on the one handed slam for a 17-10 lead.
6:50–St. J–turns it over after steal by Brix.
6:31–St. A–push off foul–turnover.
5:57–St. A–can’t catch pass–ball goes out of bounds for turnover.
5:27–St. J–DeCosey takes ball in backcourt, drives up right side, and goes left toward the basket for a layup, and foul for a three point play, and a 20-10 lead.
4:48–St. A–bank shot for a 20-12 St. J lead.
4:30–St. J–DeCosey draws foul on shot attempt, and makes 2 FTs for a 22-12 lead.
3:37–St. A–draws contact from Awad for foul, and banks it in for two.  Missed free throw, but gets offensive board.  Ziemba blocks shot attempt for 22-14 lead. 
3:00–St. J–Long gets kind bounce on jumper for a 24-14 lead.
2:38–St. A–scores layup and draws foul for three point play, and a 24-17 lead.
2:00–St. J–Brix draws foul, and makes 1 of 2 FTs for a 25-17 lead.
1:21–St. A–draws foul, and makes both FTs for a 25-19 St. J lead.
1:00–St. J–scores down low–#21–for a 27-19 lead.
0:43–St. A–draws foul, and makes 1 of 2 FTs for a 27-20 St. J lead.
0:36–St. J–turnover.
0:20–St. J–Brix–knocks away pass for steal, and DeCosey takes it in for a layup, and a 29-20 lead.
0:05–St. A–Frink sinks three from the top of the key for a 29-23 St. J lead at the half.

Third Quarter

9:17–St. A–offensive rebound and putback off miss by Frink for a 29-25 St. J lead.
8:49–St. A–draws foul, and makes 2 FTs for a 29-27 St. J lead.
8:07–St. A–gets steal, but can’t score as Ziemba steals it back.
7:47–St. J–Brix pass upcourt for DeCosey too far–turnover.
7:06–St. J–timeout–St. A on a 21-12 surge over last 11:49.
6:41–St. J–DeCosey kicks out to Brix for jumper, and a 31-27 lead.
6:19–St. A–Frink scores basket, and draws foul, but misses FT for a 31-29 lead.
5:30–St. J–DeCosey gets offensive rebound off a missed jumper by Brix, and draws foul for 1 of 2 FTs for a 32-29 lead.
3:15–St. A–layup down low on the left low block for a 32-31 St. J lead.
2:22–St. J–DeCosey blocks shot by Frink, and gets rebound.
2:05–St. J–turnover.
1:40–St. A–Frink jumper goes in and out.
0:40–St. J–Ziemba battles for two offensive rebounds after miss by DeCosey, but was unable to finish.
0:03–St. A–Frink called for double-dribble.

Fourth Quarter

9:45–St. J–Long feeds DeCosey on a back door cut for a foul, and two FTs to make the score 34-31.
8:52–St. A–turnover.
8:21–St. A–Frink goes baseline for layup, and draws foul on DeCosey to convert a three point play, and tie the game at 34-34…first tie since 2-2 at the 6:53 mark of the first quarter.
7:28–St. A–hustles and scraps to force jump ball, and turnover.
6:42–St. A–scores for first lead since 2-0 at 36-34.
6:32–St. J–DeCosey–turnover.
5:58–St. A–draws foul down low from Ziemba, and goes 1 of 2 from the line for a 37-34 lead…on a 31-17 surge over last 22:57.  
4:48–St. J–DeCosey dribbles ball off foot on the drive for turnover.
4:30–St. A–turnover.
4:23–St. J–timeout.
4:01–St. J–DeCosey to Awad touch pass to Ziemba for short baseline jumper on the right side for a 37-36 St. A lead.
3:25–St. J–DeCosey gets steal, but loses ball on the drive.
3:05–St. A–offensive rebound off missed jumper by Frink, and draws foul for a 1 of 2 FT showing and a 38-36 lead.
2:09–St. J–Long misses three from left side.
1:39–St. J–DeCosey swipes steal and slams home dunk while drawing foul on Frink for a conventional three point play, and a 39-38 lead.
1:20–St. J–Ziemba gets deflected pass for steal.
1:05–St. J–Long draws foul, and makes both FTs for a 41-38 lead.
0:49–St. A–pass to Frink for layup, and a 41-40 St. J lead.
0:35–St. J–DeCosey draws foul, and makes 2 FTs for a 43-40 lead…St A timeout.
0:16–St. J–timeout after St. A’s is fouled, and makes 2 FTs for a 43-42 St. J lead. 
0:15–St. A–called for an intentional foul on DeCosey, who makes two free throws for a 45-42 lead.
0:14–St. J–Long draws foul in the backcourt, and makes both ends of bonus for a 47-42 lead.
0:11–St. A–draws foul, and makes 2 FTs for a 47-44 St. J lead.  Falcons call timeout to avoid turnover on ensuing inbounds.
0:10–St. J–DeCosey–draws foul, and makes 1 of 2 FTs for a 48-44 lead.
0:01–St. A–Frink gets offensive rebound, but misses follow, and Ziemba knocks ball out as time expires.  St. J wins 48-44.

2011 Linden Team Camp–Some Results–Day Three–June 15th

• St. Joseph’s 48–St. Anthony’s 44
• Rutgers Prep 61–East Orange Campus 42
• St. Joseph’s 68–Sayreville 46

GMC Hoops thanks Marty Luc of Linden High School for providing information on this team camp.

• Greater Middlesex Conference
• Union County Conference
• Super Essex Conference
• Shore Conference
• Skyland Conference
• Patriot Conference

GMC Hoops plans to be at the Linden Team Camp on Wednesday.

• Linden
• St. Anthony’s
• Seton Hall Prep
• Roselle Catholic
• Shabazz
• St. Patrick’s
• Newark Tech
• St. Mary’s of Elizabeth
• St. Joseph’s
• Raritan
• Union Catholic (Monday and Wednesday)
• Elizabeth (Tuesday and Thursday)
• Rutgers Prep
• Ridge
• Middletown North
• East Orange
• Sayreville
• Point Pleasant

GMC Hoops plans to be out at the Linden Team Camp on Wednesday.

Several Team Camps Kickoff Season In Two Weeks

SOUTH PLAINFIELD, NJ–On this first day of the unofficial start to summer around the Garden State, thoughts begin to creep in that the summer league season is swiftly approaching. In a little more than two weeks, the first of a number of team camps will be taking place with the third annual Scarlet Shootout at Rutgers University.

The following week, there will be two camps taking place. The second annual Montgomery Team Camp as well as the Linden Team Camp will be getting underway on Monday, June 13th, and running until Thursday, June 16th. During that same week, the Bound Brook Summer League will begin play with games on Tuesday, June 14th as well as Thursday, June 16th. The week after that, the Middlesex County College Summer League opens play with games on Tuesday, June 21st, and Thursday, June 23rd. Rutgers is scheduled to have an Overnight Team Camp take place from Friday, June 24th to Sunday, June 26th.

In addition, William Paterson College will be running a team camp during the week of June 20-23. Before all of this activity takes place, there is the Raritan Bay Summer League, which will start its second week of play on Tuesday after Memorial Day. The schedule for week three indicates that there will be games played from 5:00 to 10:00 PM at night at South Amboy Middle/High School. Summer is usually a very busy time of year for GMC Hoops. The site sees a great deal of team camps, summer leagues, and showcases during this period.

Already, the web site has seen and covered two spring leagues, and plans to be at the Raritan Bay Summer league next week.

Looking at the field, you have the perennial powerhouses in New Jersey High School Boys Basketball in St. Patrick’s, St. Anthony’s, Christian Brothers Academy, Linden, and Elizabeth, but there are also a number of teams that are coming off very successful campaigns in 2009-10 such as Hillsborough (lost to Plainfield in the North Jersey Section 2 Group IV Championship), Newark Central (lost to Newark University in the North Jersey Section 2 Group I Championship), Point Pleasant Beach (lost to Woodbury in the South Jersey Group I Championship), and East Orange Campus (won North Jersey Section 1 Group IV Championship before losing to Plainfield in the Group IV state semifinals). There are also solid teams in Cranford, St. Mary’s of Elizabeth, Raritan, Immaculata, and Hillside, which also qualified for state tourney play this past season.

Of the sixteen teams in the field, there were four teams ranked in the final Star-Ledger Top 20 (St. Patrick’s, St. Anthony’s, Christian Brothers, and Newark Central). GMC Hoops did not get out to the camp until the final day of action due to commitments to the Kean Pre-Summer League and the Montgomery Team Camp. The site did learn that Piscataway and Sayreville did play earlier in the week in a very good game that the Chiefs won by about ten. Speaking with P-Way head coach, Guy Jensen, we learned that the Chiefs were playing in this camp without six players, which had commitments to AAU.

The site was able to see Piscataway and Sayreville play both of their games on Thursday. The Chiefs faced off against Hillsborough in its first game, and then East Orange Campus in its lone crossover matchup. P-Way garnered a hard fought win in the opener against Hillsborough (40-37), but lost to East Orange Campus (47-34). The Chiefs have plenty of talent with an incoming junior class that won the 2009 Perth Amboy Freshman Tournament when they were 9th graders. As sophomores, many of them contributed to the Junior Varsity squad’s success. The JV reached the finals of the 2010 East Brunswick JV Tournament before losing to Hillsborough’s JV. Speaking of the Junior Raiders, they reached the Final Four of the EB JV Tourney in each of the past two seasons.

In addition to that incoming junior talent, there are seniors such as Brian Wong, Thierno Diallo, Anthony Greene, and Danny Cole as well as soon to be sophomore, Marcus Freeney, the younger brother of former P-Way standouts Rodney Freeney and Robert Freeney Jr. The Chiefs sorely missed senior Wayne Newsome down the stretch, but this talented group got valuable experience of playing in games without the four year varsity player, and that may help the team going into this summer and next season. Meanwhile, Sayreville, which had been a surprise to some experts this past season, won’t be one at all next season with a solid core returning including: Mark Keir, Darryl Stephenson, Syd Holt, soon to be sophomore Joe Saitta, and newcomer and Bomber football standout, Delon Stephenson.

The question for the Bombers will be their depth. Michael Phair will be one of the key players off the bench for head coach, Shawn Currie, who gave the reserves playing of opportunities to get experience on the last day of the camp. First, he played them in the entire fourth quarter against St. Patrick’s, which still had Michael Gilchrist and Derrick Gordon on the floor early on in the period. Then, in the nightcap at the Linden P.A.L., he played the youngsters for a good six to six and a half minutes of the final period against Point Pleasant Beach after his starters put together a 13-4 showing in the third by holding the Garnet Gulls to no points over the final 6:57 of the third, and no field goals for the final 9:32. The reserves preserved the lead, and the Bombers went on to win, 44-39.

Sayreville has several key ingredients again this season that will help them be a force again in the GMC: solid guard play with Keir, Saitta, and Delon Stephenson, size with Holt and Darryl Stephenson along with Phair, and tough, physical defense. These were the same ingredients that allowed the Bombers to reach the semifinals of the GMCT for the first time since winning it all in 2000. Expect both the Chiefs and the Bombers to be factors in the 2010-11 season.