GMC Hoops Blogosphere

GMC Holding Its Own Against Out Of Conference Foes

gmachos — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 19:08:11 +0000

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 Highlights–February 12, 2013–South Amboy @ Bishop Ahr–GMCT Preliminary Round

gmachos — Wed, 13 Feb 2013 19:17:50 +0000

Here are video highlights from the second half of the 2013 GMCT Preliminary Round game between South Amboy and Bishop Ahr in North Edison. The Trojans led by only three at the half (28-25) and with 4:24 left in the third (34-31), but put the game away with a 37-15 surge over the last 12:24 including 19 of the final 21 points of the contest to win, 71-46. Sophomore Tom Weiler led the way with a game high 26 points including six threes while Mike Jensen added 16 points including two threes. Weiler scored 16 points and got four of his threes in the second half while Jensen scored 8 points including two three point plays in the final two periods. Owen McLeod chipped in with 8 points and 7 rebounds while Greg Patuto got all 6 of his points on two threes in the third. Joe Fruncillo led South Amboy with 24 points.

GMC Hoops Game Notes–#18 South Amboy @ #15 Bishop Ahr–GMCT Preliminary Round–February 12, 2013

gmachos — Wed, 13 Feb 2013 01:32:42 +0000

NORTH EDISON, NJ–On Tuesday night, GMC Hoops traveled over to Bishop Ahr High School for the GMCT Play-In Round between the 15th seeded Trojans and the 18th seeded South Amboy Governors. On Senior Night, the BGA broke away from a 34-31 lead with a 37-15 surge over the final 12:24 of the game to come away with the 71-46 win. Tom Weiler played a huge role with a strong second half that consisted of 16 points and four threes. Mike Jensen added 8 points including two three point plays while Greg Patuto knocked in two triples during the decisive surge. Below are game notes from the second half of the contest.

First Half

Bishop Ahr leads 28-25.

Third Quarter

7:41–SA–Joe Fruncillo fouled on layup attempt–makes both FTs for a 28-27 SA lead.

6:54–BGA–Tom Weiler fires in three from right wing for a 31-27 lead.

6:45–SA–Dan Murphy fouled–misses both FTs.

6:02–SA–Murphy–offensive foul.

5:40–BGA–Greg Patuto fires in three from left wing for a 34-27 lead.

5:11–SA–Fruncillo scores on follow for a 34-29 BGA lead.

4:24–SA–Murphy scores on putback for a 34-31 BGA lead.

4:04–BGA–Weiler hits jumper from left elbow for a 36-31 lead.

3:56–SA–30 sec timeout after BGA traps Kiere Ford in front of the scorer’s table.

3:43–BGA–layup for a 38-31 lead.

3:28–BGA–fouled on the floor.

3:27–BGA–Owen McLeod fouled on inbounds play–makes 1 of 2 FTs for a 39-31 lead.

2:50–BGA–Weiler fires in three for a 42-31 lead.

2:43–SA–Fruncillo scores on layup as he is fouled–makes bonus FT for a 42-34 BGA lead.

1:54–BGA–Mike Jensen scores layup in transition for a 44-34 lead.

1:30–SA–basket for a 44-36 BGA lead.

1:11–BGA–Casey Damour–layup for a 46-36 lead.

0:52–SA–Fruncillo–layup for a 46-38 lead.

0:37–BGA–Greg Patuto three pointer from left wing for a 49-38 lead.

0:11–BGA–Jensen three point play for a 52-38 lead.

0:00–SA–Tim Kales fouled–makes both FTs for a 52-40 BGA lead.

Fourth Quarter

7:45–SA–Fruncillo–layup from left low block for a 52-42 BGA lead.

6:50–SA–Herdman scores on layin for a 52-44 BGA lead.

6:02–BGA–Chris Bader–layup from right low block for a 54-44 lead.

5:30–BGA–Weiler three pointer from top of the key for a 57-44 lead.

5:10–BGA–Weiler steal for layup and a 59-44 lead.

4:53–BGA–Bader–fouled–makes 1 of 2 FTs for a 60-44 lead.

4:38–BGA–Weiler fires in three from left wing for a 63-44 lead.

4:20–BGA–Bader deflects ball out of bounds.

3:30–BGA–Weiler steal.

3:07–BGA–Jensen converts three point play for a 66-44 lead.

2:51–SA–Murphy scores on putback for a 66-46 BGA lead.

2:50–SA–timeout.

2:42–BGA–Bader fouled–makes 1 of 2 FTs for a 67-46 lead.

2:26–BGA–Damour steal leads to layup off dish from Bader for a 69-46 lead.

2:18–BGA–Chris Sudowsky gets steal.

1:29–SA–Murphy–fouled–misses both FTs.

1:17–BGA–Mike Viggiano–fouled–makes both FTs for a 71-46 lead.

0:00–BGA wins 71-46.

GMC Hoops Highlights–January 23, 2013–South River @ South Amboy–JV Game

gmachos — Sat, 26 Jan 2013 04:03:46 +0000

Here are highlights from the final 14 minutes of action in South River JV’s win over South Amboy. South River got a three to end the third, and a couple free throws to start the fourth for a 34-28 lead before South Amboy went on an 11-2 spurt over a span of about three and a half minutes to take a 39-36 lead. South River battled back though with a layup at the 4:01 mark, and another one at the 2:38 mark for a 40-39 lead. Then, after the Junior Guvs tied the game with one of two from the line at the 2:05 mark, the Rams got another score for a 42-40 lead with 1:52 remaining in regulation.

The Junior Rams had a couple opportunities to put the game away, but couldn’t capitalize, and South Amboy managed to tie it at 42-42. on two free throws by Riley Rone with 30 seconds left. The Junior Guvs had a chance to win in regulation, but missed both free throws with 3.8 seconds remaining. In the extra session, South River drew first blood with a layup from the right low block at the 2:48 mark, and a three point play at the 2:13 mark for a 47-42 lead. South Amboy drew within two on a three point play at the 2:02 mark, but couldn’t get closer as South River made one of two from the line with 35 seconds left, and then both ends of the bonus with 1.0 seconds left for the 50-45 victory.

GMC Hoops Highlights–January 23, 2013–South River @ South Amboy–Gold Division Clash

gmachos — Sat, 26 Jan 2013 02:10:17 +0000

Here are highlights from South River’s overtime win over South Amboy in GMC Gold action. Both the Rams and the Guvs went back and forth with 10 lead changes and 6 ties. South River turned a 66-64 deficit into a 73-66 lead with 36.7 seconds remaining. Steve Herdman (19 points including five threes) then knocked in a three and the Guvs called for time. Head coach, Lenny Reyes put in a number of substitutions to pick up fouls, and put the Rams on the line.

The strategy worked as South River missed four free throws in the final 36.7 seconds. South Amboy then took advantage as Joe Fruncillo (18 points) first scored on a layup, and then reserve Kiere Ford (5 points) knocked in a triple from just to the right of the top of the key with several seconds remaining to force overtime. In the extra session though, the Rams took control as junior point guard, Matt Martinez scored 9 of his game high 20 points including 7 of 9 from the foul line while Tim Darrar (15 points) and William Simmons (19 points) added scores in a 13-6 showing for the 87-80 victory.

GMC Hoops Shot Charts–South River @ South Amboy–Gold Division Clash–January 23, 2013

gmachos — Thu, 24 Jan 2013 16:37:52 +0000

SOUTH AMBOY, NJ–In addition to the game stats and play-by-play from the contest, GMC Hoops was able to compile a shot chart for both South River and South Amboy from tonight’s contest. Again, all of these things were made possible by the Game Changer stat program that was used during the game. Below is the shot chart for South Amboy followed by one for South River.

South Amboy Shot Chart

South River Shot Chart

GMC Hoops Game Stats–South River @ South Amboy–Gold Division Clash–January 23, 2013

gmachos — Thu, 24 Jan 2013 16:11:58 +0000

SOUTH AMBOY, NJ–On Wednesday night, GMC Hoops took in two overtime games in the JV/Varsity Doubleheader between South River and South Amboy at South Amboy Middle/High School. After South River’s JV won over the Junior Guvs in overtime, 50-45, the Varsity Rams had to go an extra session before defeating South Amboy, 87-80. Matt Martinez scored 9 of his game high 20 points in overtime including 7 of 9 from the foul line while William Simmons (19 points) and Tim Darrar (15 points) added baskets in the decisive 13-6 session. Steve Herdman had a team high 19 points for South Amboy including five threes while Joe Fruncillo added 18 and Nick Kales chipped in with 15. Tyler Harris, who needed 26 points to reach 1,000 for his career coming in, ended up with 13 for the winners. Below are game stats from the contest courtesy of GameChanger.io. Scroll down and to the right to view the rest of the stats, or view in full screen.

GMC Hoops Play-By-Play–South River @ South Amboy–Gold Division Clash–January 23, 2013

gmachos — Thu, 24 Jan 2013 16:08:18 +0000

SOUTH AMBOY, NJ–On Wednesday night, GMC Hoops took in two overtime games in the JV/Varsity Doubleheader between South River and South Amboy at South Amboy Middle/High School. After South River’s JV won over the Junior Guvs in overtime, 50-45, the Varsity Rams had to go an extra session before defeating South Amboy, 87-80. Matt Martinez scored 9 of his game high 20 points in overtime including 7 of 9 from the foul line while William Simmons (19 points) and Tim Darrar (15 points) added baskets in the decisive 13-6 session. Steve Herdman had a team high 19 points for South Amboy including five threes while Joe Fruncillo added 18 and Nick Kales chipped in with 15. Tyler Harris, who needed 26 points to reach 1,000 for his career coming in, ended up with 13 for the winners. Below is play-by-play from the contest courtesy of GameChanger.io.

Overtime

SAHS
87 - 80

Joe Fruncillo makes two point shot

SRHS
87 - 78

Matt Martinez makes free throw

Foul

SAHS

Steve Herdman fouls (South River Rams draw the foul)

SAHS

Matt Lavan misses three point shot

SRHS
86 - 78

Matt Martinez makes free throw

SRHS

Matt Martinez misses free throw

SRHS
85 - 78

Matt Martinez makes free throw

Foul

SAHS

Kiere Ford fouls (South River Rams draw the foul)

SAHS

South Amboy miss three point shot

SRHS

Tim Darrar misses free throw

SRHS

Tim Darrar misses free throw

Foul

SAHS

Kiere Ford fouls (South River Rams draw the foul)

SAHS

Matt Lavan misses three point shot

SAHS

Steve Herdman misses two point shot

SAHS
84 - 78

Tim Kales makes two point shot

SRHS
84 - 76

Matt Martinez makes free throw

Foul

SAHS

Kiere Ford fouls (South River Rams draw the foul)

SRHS
83 - 76

Matt Martinez makes two point shot

SRHS
81 - 76

Matt Martinez makes free throw

SRHS
80 - 76

Matt Martinez makes free throw

Foul

SAHS

Kiere Ford fouls (South River Rams draw the foul)

SRHS
79 - 76

Matt Martinez makes free throw

SRHS

Matt Martinez misses free throw

Foul

SAHS

Nick Kales fouls (South River Rams draw the foul)

SAHS
78 - 76

Joe Fruncillo makes two point shot

SRHS
78 - 74

William Simmons makes two point shot

SRHS
76 - 74

Tim Darrar makes two point shot

SAHS

Dan Murphy misses two point shot

Fourth Quarter

SAHS
74 - 74

Kiere Ford makes three point shot

SRHS

Matt Martinez misses free throw

SRHS

Matt Martinez misses free throw

Foul

SAHS

Nick Kales fouls (South River Rams draw the foul)

SAHS
74 - 71

Joe Fruncillo makes two point shot

SRHS

Matt Martinez misses free throw

SRHS
74 - 69

Matt Martinez makes free throw

Foul

SAHS

Kiere Ford fouls (South River Rams draw the foul)

SAHS
73 - 69

Steve Herdman makes three point shot

SRHS
73 - 66

Wyatt Boyler makes free throw

SRHS
72 - 66

Wyatt Boyler makes free throw

Foul

SAHS

Steve Herdman fouls (South River Rams draw the foul)

SRHS

Wyatt Boyler misses free throw

SRHS
71 - 66

Wyatt Boyler makes free throw

Foul

SAHS

Joe Fruncillo fouls (South River Rams draw the foul)

SAHS

Matt Lavan misses free throw

SAHS

Matt Lavan misses free throw

Foul

SRHS

Wyatt Boyler fouls (South Amboy draw the foul)

SRHS
70 - 66

Tim Darrar makes free throw

SRHS

Tim Darrar misses free throw

Foul

SAHS

Steve Herdman fouls (South River Rams draw the foul)

SAHS

Matt Lavan misses three point shot

SRHS
69 - 66

Matt Martinez makes two point shot

SRHS

William Simmons misses two point shot

SRHS
67 - 66

Wyatt Boyler makes three point shot

SAHS

Dan Murphy misses two point shot

SAHS

Matt Lavan misses two point shot

SRHS

Tim Darrar misses two point shot

SAHS
64 - 66

Nick Kales makes two point shot

SRHS

Tim Darrar misses three point shot

SAHS

Matt Lavan misses three point shot

SRHS

Sean Darrar misses two point shot

SAHS
64 - 64

Steve Herdman makes three point shot

SRHS
64 - 61

Tyler Harris makes two point shot

SAHS
62 - 61

Joe Fruncillo makes two point shot

Foul

SRHS

Sean Darrar fouls (South Amboy draw the foul)

SRHS

Tyler Harris misses three point shot

Foul

SAHS

Matt Lavan fouls (South River Rams draw the foul)

SAHS
62 - 59

Nick Kales makes free throw

Foul

SRHS

Patrick Barry fouls (South Amboy draw the foul)

SAHS
62 - 58

Nick Kales makes two point shot

SRHS

Patrick Barry misses two point shot

SAHS
62 - 56

Joe Fruncillo makes two point shot

SRHS
62 - 54

Tim Darrar makes two point shot

SAHS
60 - 54

Matt Lavan makes three point shot

SRHS

Patrick Barry misses two point shot

SRHS

Bobby Applegate misses three point shot

SRHS

William Simmons misses free throw

SRHS

William Simmons misses free throw

Foul

SAHS

Steve Herdman fouls (South River Rams draw the foul)

SRHS

Thomas Drum misses three point shot

SRHS

Tim Darrar misses three point shot

Third Quarter

SAHS

Steve Herdman misses three point shot

SRHS
60 - 51

William Simmons makes two point shot

SAHS

Nick Kales misses three point shot

SRHS
58 - 51

Tim Darrar makes free throw

SRHS
57 - 51

Tim Darrar makes free throw

Foul

SAHS

Steve Herdman fouls (South River Rams draw the foul)

SAHS

Kiere Ford misses three point shot

SRHS
56 - 51

Tim Darrar makes two point shot

SRHS
54 - 51

William Simmons makes two point shot

SAHS
52 - 51

Joe Fruncillo makes free throw

SAHS
52 - 50

Joe Fruncillo makes free throw

Foul

SRHS

Tyler Harris fouls (South Amboy draw the foul)

SRHS

Matt Martinez misses two point shot

SAHS
52 - 49

Nick Kales makes free throw

SAHS
52 - 48

Nick Kales makes free throw

Foul

SRHS

Tim Darrar fouls (South Amboy draw the foul)

SRHS
52 - 47

William Simmons makes two point shot

SAHS
50 - 47

Nick Kales makes two point shot

SAHS

Nick Regan misses three point shot

SRHS
50 - 45

William Simmons makes two point shot

SRHS
48 - 45

Tyler Harris makes free throw

Foul

SAHS

South Amboy foul (South River Rams draw the foul)

SRHS

Matt Martinez misses three point shot

SRHS

Tim Darrar misses three point shot

SRHS

Tyler Harris misses free throw

SRHS
47 - 45

Tim Darrar makes free throw

SRHS

Tim Darrar misses free throw

Foul

SAHS

Nick Kales fouls (South River Rams draw the foul)

SRHS

Tim Darrar misses free throw

Foul

SAHS

Nick Kales fouls (South River Rams draw the foul)

SRHS

Bobby Applegate misses three point shot

SRHS

Matt Martinez misses two point shot

SAHS
46 - 45

Kiere Ford makes two point shot

SRHS
46 - 43

Wyatt Boyler makes free throw

Foul

SAHS

Matt Lavan fouls (South River Rams draw the foul)

SRHS
45 - 43

Wyatt Boyler makes two point shot

SAHS
43 - 43

Nick Kales makes two point shot

SRHS
43 - 41

Tim Darrar makes three point shot

SAHS

Joe Fruncillo misses two point shot

SRHS

Wyatt Boyler misses three point shot

SRHS

Bobby Applegate misses three point shot

SAHS
40 - 41

Nick Kales makes two point shot

SAHS

Matt Lavan misses three point shot

SRHS
40 - 39

Tyler Harris makes two point shot

SRHS

Tyler Harris misses two point shot

SAHS

Steve Herdman misses three point shot

SAHS
38 - 39

Dan Murphy makes two point shot

SAHS

Matt Lavan misses two point shot

SRHS
38 - 37

Tim Darrar makes two point shot

SAHS

Dan Murphy misses two point shot

Second Quarter

SAHS

Dan Murphy misses two point shot

SRHS
36 - 37

William Simmons makes free throw

SRHS
35 - 37

William Simmons makes free throw

Foul

SAHS

Joe Fruncillo fouls (South River Rams draw the foul)

SAHS

Matt Lavan misses free throw

SAHS
34 - 37

Matt Lavan makes free throw

Foul

SRHS

Tyler Harris fouls (South Amboy draw the foul)

SAHS
34 - 36

Steve Herdman makes three point shot

SRHS

Tyler Harris misses free throw

SRHS
34 - 33

Tyler Harris makes free throw

Foul

SAHS

Nick Kales fouls (South River Rams draw the foul)

SAHS
33 - 33

Steve Herdman makes three point shot

SAHS
33 - 30

Tim Kales makes two point shot

SAHS

Tim Kales misses two point shot

SRHS
33 - 28

Sean Darrar makes three point shot

SAHS

Kiere Ford misses three point shot

SRHS

William Simmons misses three point shot

SAHS
30 - 28

Tim Kales makes three point shot

SRHS
30 - 25

William Simmons makes two point shot

SAHS

Steve Herdman misses two point shot

SRHS

Matt Martinez misses three point shot

SRHS

Tyler Harris misses three point shot

SAHS
28 - 25

Steve Herdman makes three point shot

SRHS

Tyler Harris misses two point shot

SAHS

Nick Kales misses three point shot

SRHS
28 - 22

Sean Darrar makes two point shot

SAHS
26 - 22

Tim Kales makes two point shot

SAHS

Dan Murphy misses two point shot

SRHS
26 - 20

Tyler Harris makes two point shot

SRHS

Tim Darrar misses two point shot

SAHS

Steve Herdman misses three point shot

SAHS
24 - 20

Dan Murphy makes two point shot

SRHS

Matt Martinez misses two point shot

SRHS
24 - 18

Tyler Harris makes two point shot

SRHS

Tyler Harris misses two point shot

SRHS

Sean Darrar misses three point shot

SAHS
22 - 18

Dan Murphy makes two point shot

SAHS

Tim Kales misses two point shot

SRHS
22 - 16

Matt Martinez makes three point shot

First Quarter

SAHS

Joe Fruncillo misses two point shot

Foul

SRHS

Matt Martinez fouls (South Amboy draw the foul)

SAHS
19 - 16

Joe Fruncillo makes two point shot

SAHS

Nick Kales misses two point shot

SAHS

Dan Murphy misses two point shot

SAHS

Nick Kales misses two point shot

SRHS
19 - 14

William Simmons makes two point shot

SRHS

Tyler Harris misses three point shot

SAHS
17 - 14

Steve Herdman makes two point shot

SRHS

Tyler Harris misses two point shot

SAHS
17 - 12

Joe Fruncillo makes two point shot

SAHS

Dan Murphy misses two point shot

Foul

SRHS

Bobby Applegate fouls (South Amboy draw the foul)

SAHS

Nick Kales misses two point shot

SRHS
17 - 10

William Simmons makes two point shot

SRHS

Bobby Applegate misses two point shot

Foul

SAHS

Matt Lavan fouls (South River Rams draw the foul)

SAHS

Joe Fruncillo misses free throw

Foul

SRHS

William Simmons fouls (South Amboy draw the foul)

SAHS
15 - 10

Joe Fruncillo makes two point shot

SAHS

Matt Lavan misses three point shot

Foul

SRHS

Tim Darrar fouls (South Amboy draw the foul)

SRHS
15 - 8

Matt Martinez makes three point shot

SRHS
12 - 8

William Simmons makes free throw

SRHS

William Simmons misses free throw

Foul

SAHS

Joe Fruncillo fouls (South River Rams draw the foul)

SRHS
11 - 8

Bobby Applegate makes three point shot

SAHS
8 - 8

Matt Lavan makes free throw

SAHS

Matt Lavan misses free throw

Foul

SRHS

Wyatt Boyler fouls (South Amboy draw the foul)

SRHS
8 - 7

Tyler Harris makes three point shot

SRHS
5 - 7

Matt Martinez makes two point shot

SAHS
3 - 7

Nick Kales makes two point shot

SRHS

Tim Darrar misses two point shot

SAHS

Matt Lavan misses three point shot

SRHS

Matt Martinez misses three point shot

SAHS
3 - 5

Steve Herdman makes two point shot

SAHS
3 - 3

Dan Murphy makes two point shot

SRHS

Tyler Harris misses two point shot

SAHS
3 - 1

Dan Murphy makes free throw

SAHS

Dan Murphy misses free throw

Foul

SRHS

Bobby Applegate fouls (South Amboy draw the foul)

SRHS

Bobby Applegate misses free throw

SRHS

Bobby Applegate misses free throw

SRHS

Bobby Applegate misses free throw

Foul

SAHS

Steve Herdman fouls (South River Rams draw the foul)

SRHS

Tyler Harris misses two point shot

SAHS

Dan Murphy misses two point shot

SRHS
3 - 0

Bobby Applegate makes three point shot

GMC-Skyland Challenge–January 19, 2013–Schedule

gmachos — Sat, 19 Jan 2013 13:25:48 +0000

Good morning everyone. Here is the latest schedule for the GMC-Skyland Challenge set for today. GMC Hoops plans to be at Immaculata for the two games there, and then go over to Bound Brook to see Cardinal McCarrick take on the home town Crusaders.

Skyland/GMC Challenge

At Bound Brook

Colonia vs. Warren Hills, 5:00 PM

Cardinal McCarrick vs. Bound Brook, 7:00 PM

At East Brunswick

Timothy Christian vs. Voorhees, 2:00 PM

Piscataway vs. Montgomery, 4:00 PM

Bridgewater vs. East Brunswick, 6:00 PM

At Franklin

South Brunswick vs. Hillsborough, 12:45 PM

North Brunswick vs. Franklin, 2:30 PM

At Immaculata

Bishop Ahr vs. Pingry, 3:00 PM

Woodbridge vs. Immaculata, 5:00 PM

At North Plainfield

J.F. Kennedy vs. North Plainfield, 1:00 PM

At Middlesex

South Hunterdon vs. Middlesex, 12:00 PM

At Monroe

Hunterdon Central vs. Monroe, 7:00 PM

At North Hunterdon

Edison vs. North Hunterdon, 1:30 PM

At Perth Amboy

Delaware Valley vs. Perth Amboy, 1:00 PM

At Phillipsburg

Old Bridge vs. Phillipsburg, 2:30 PM

At Somerville

Carteret vs. Somerville, 2:00 PM

At South Amboy

Manville vs. South Amboy, 11:30 AM

At Spotswood

Bernards vs. Spotswood, 1:30 PM

At Ridge

New Brunswick vs. Ridge, 2:30 PM

At Watchung

Sayreville vs. Watchung Hills, 7:00 PM

Great Races Developing In Blue And Gold Divisions

gmachos — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 21:07:37 +0000

Carteret’s Win Over Spotswood Makes It A Three Team Scramble In Blue While Four Teams Separated By One Game In Gold

SOUTH PLAINFIELD, NJ–Prior to the season, I had indicated that the Blue and Gold Divisions were going to be tough. With the additions of Piscataway Tech and South Plainfield in the Blue, and the exit of P-Way Tech from the Gold, competitive races were expected this year in these two divisions. So far the season hasn’t disappointed. At the midway point we have a three way tie in the GMC Blue, there are three teams separated by one game.

If there is any parity in the GMC, it lies in these two divisions mostly. For instance, of the seven games that were played on Wednesday, five of them were decided by single digits, and six were determined by 10 points or less. Oh, by the way, the sixth game, the one that was decided by ten points, went to overtime. South River needed an extra session to defeat Timothy Christian, 72-62.

Gold Division Free For All

Speaking of the Rams, they have come back from the dead in divisional play. After losing its first three league games, South River has battled back with victories over Wardlaw (57-36), East Brunswick Tech (78-44), Amboy Tech, and TCS. A big part of that was the play of Tyler Harris, who had a monster week in week four with 89 points in three games.

Besides the rally in the GMC Gold, the Rams also have beaten a very good Group I school from the Shore in Keansburg twice. First time was a come from behind overtime victory in the Genevieve Hawley Tournament Championship (73-71) at Henry Hudson Regional HS over the holidays, and the second time was last Saturday at home (79-77). Matt Martinez has also played very well for the Rams. He pumped in 27 points in the win over Timothy Christian, and had a double-double in the first win over Keansburg with 16 points and 10 assists. Martinez has a great handle, shoots the ball well, and plays with great confidence. He is probably the best point guard at South River since this site was launched in 2000.

Let’s not forget Sean Darrar, who was the hero in the first win over Keansburg. The younger Darrar scored all 11 of his points in the final 5:35 of the contest including three treys. One of the threes tied the game at the buzzer to force overtime, and then another was the game winning with 18.7 seconds remaining. Against East Brunswick Tech, South River opened the game with a 28-6 first quarter rampage that included five threes. Two of those treys were by Harris, who scored the first 9 points of the game for the Rams, and had 14 of the points in the period. He ended up with 22 in the first half, and 30 for the game. Another of the two treys came from Bobby Applegate, who can provide scoring from the perimeter as well as length on defense, and rebounding.

Back to the rest of the Gold Division, there is a lot more competitive balance this year with the departure of Piscataway Tech. For instance, even though Amboy Tech is 2-5 in the league, they have lost a number of close games including a one point loss at home to Dunellen, and overtime losses to Timothy Christian and East Brunswick Tech. They also suffered a loss to South Amboy without two top players in Agnel Etienne and Jonathan Sosa. Jordan Little is a solid player in the middle for the Pats while Kelvin Perez has been the most consistent. Wardlaw is also 2-5, but they have been a strange team.

The Rams have lost twice to Amboy Tech by four and defeated Dunellen. Wardlaw also lost by one in non-conference play to North 13th Street Tech of Newark in the Joe Silver Holiday Tournament. Justen Davis is a solid rebounding and scoring combination, who is closing in on 1,000 points. Noah Ganz gives the Rams some perimeter punch while Ish Menns and John Newman provide athleticism. Matt Rosado gives much needed experience at the point while John Pohopin gives additional scoring from the outside. East Brunswick Tech has struggled since a 2-0 start with six losses in its last 10 games. Mark Alston and Brett Carmen have been solid for the Tigers.

Moving up to the top half of the Gold, Dunellen, South Amboy, and Timothy Christian are all locked in a three way battle for first place at 5-2. The Guvs appeared to have control of the division late last week, but three straight single digit losses including one at the buzzer to Highland Park, have brought them back down to .500. Thankfully, South Amboy only has won loss in the division during this recent tough stretch, a 50-42 defeat at the hands of Dunellen on Wednesday. The Governors are led by a group of juniors that includes Steve Herdman, Joe Fruncillo, Nick Kales, and Dan Murphy. They also have sophomore Tim Kales and senior Matt Lavan in the rotation.

The Guvs could easily be 9-3 at least if it weren’t for tough crossover losses to Cardinal McCarrick (54-51 in OT on December 15th), Sayreville (54-46 on January 12th), and the buzzer beater to Highland Park. In all three games, South Amboy had the held including an 11 point advantage on McCarrick. If this group begins to figure out how to close out close games against these bigger schools from the upper divisions of the GMC, they could make a bit of a rumble in the county tournament. Herdman, who recently had his 37 consecutive game streak with at least one three pointer broken, came back the next game with four in the first period as the Guvs defeated Wardlaw, 60-38. Fruncillo has had game high in each of the last three games.

Despite losing two 1,000 point scorers in Dan “Triple” Decker and Kristian Svendsen to graduation, and another key player from last year’s team in Devon Johnson, who transferred to Edison this year, the Tigers of Timothy Christian are still a factor in the GMC Gold. Led by senior Jeff Parker and junior Brandon Summers, this edition of the Tigers are a solid shooting bunch that still play solid defense and great team ball. Trailing by four near the end of regulaton and in overtme at Amboy Tech last week, TCS found a way to win (54-51) as Summers came up with two scores to tie the game with a minute to go in overtime and Parker won it with a three from the left wing with 31.8 seconds to go.

Jarret Locke is a nice little playmaker, who was just a split second shy from winning the contest in regulation with a heave just inside halfcourt. He also had a runner that tied the contest. Mike DiLeo provides some additional scoring punch while reserve Zach Coyle helped the Tigers stay in front for a while in the third against the Patriots with a trey from the left wing. Evan Waldron clogs up the middle, and gives TCS some much needed size down low. Head coach Chris Hobbs has some help on the bench this year with an assistant, and that has helped him find ways to keep the Tigers in the hunt despite the turnover from last year.

Finally, we get to Dunellen, which could be the most intriguing team of all in this division. The Destroyers did take some hits to graduation by losing the likes of Sean Gibney and Jeff Puckett, but they still had a lot back this year with Deon Brown, Dylan Hoski, Matt Heidinger, Tony McGuane, and Orville Thompson. However, DHS has had some struggles that included losses to Wardlaw, Middlesex, and more recently, Timothy Christian. Keep in mind though that Dunellen has always gotten off to tough starts under head coach Bernie Buniak only to come on strong and either win or challenge for the division crown in late January and February.

Three Way Horse Race In GMC Blue

While four teams are in the hun in the Gold Division of the Greater Middlesex Conference, three teams are battling for first place in the Blue. Carteret moved into sole possession of first at 8-1 with a come from behind, 75-72 win over Spotswood on the road on Wednesday night. The Chargers, which came into the week undefeated in both division and conference play suffered two straight conference losses including a 74-59 defeat to North Brunswick at home on Monday night.

Tied with Spotswood, and only a half game back of Carteret in the standings is Piscataway Tech at 7-1. The Raiders rolled over Bishop Ahr, and have a tie breaker over Carteret thanks to a thrilling, 54-52 win on the road at CHS on January 4th. Spotswood defeated the Raiders at P-Way Tech to start the new year. Despite moving up a division, and losing the likes of Galen Smith, Khairi Mosely, and Mo Pierre to graduation and the likes of Will Joyce and Jalen Jackson to transfer, Piscataway Tech has managed to not only stay in contention, but get some early season quality wins on the road at Carteret and over Group IV schools, Passaic and Paterson Kennedy in the Jingle Bells Jubilee over the holidays.

Turell McClendon, Jordan Lackey, and Aziz Austin carry much of the load for PVT, but role players Robby Pierre, Inderpaul Pingahila, and Willie Patterson have contributed nicely as well. Head coach Karl Towns has also made some defensive adjustments, and now he is looking like a strong GMC Hoops Coach of the Year candidate. He may have mellowed a bit on the sideline as well, but he was very close to top form in the win over Carteret two weeks ago. Carteret also took some heavy losses to graduation by losing the likes of Avery Carter, Tanveer Dosanjh, Joe Nigro, and Kevin Van Dyke among others, but still had the likes of sophomores Jaquan Robertson and Brandon Gilder back along with senior Elijah Torres.

Younger brother Zach Torres has also contribued off the bench while newcomers Tyrell Lockley and Joe McRae provide athleticism and versatility. Forward Andrew Stam gives CHS some length and scoring ability from the perimeter. The team in the Blue with the most experience back is Spotswood. Even though the Chargers lost 1,000 point scorer, Tommy Soulias, who is now playing well at Kean, they had the likes of Jake Dadika, Dalonte Grant, Jamal Lewis, Corey Brown and Kevin Fox all back this year. In addition they have some solid newcomers such as freshmen Marlon Hart and Eric Dadika coming off the bench. Jake Dadika is one of the top scorers in the GMC this year whle Grant provides additional scoring punch to make this one of the best backcourts in the conference.

Lewis may be undersized, but his athletic ability and tenacity help him compensate for that as he has put up a number of double-digit scoring games recently including 18 in a victory over Bishop Ahr. Corey Brown brings his football toughness on the boards while scoring from either the perimeter or by going to the basket. Kevin Fox demonstrated a nice knack of perimeter shooting to help the Chargers put the game out of reach against BGA. Hart and the younger Dadika also find ways to contribute any way they can.

For a while, Bishop Ahr appeared to be a contender with five wins in six games after an opening night loss to Carteret, but since then, the Trojans have come back down to earth with three straight losses including an overtime defeat at Metuchen, and double digit setbacks to division frontrunners Spotswood and Piscataway Tech. The BGA was hit hard by graduation with all but two players graduating last June. However, head coach Dennis O’Keefe has a solid sophomore class headed by Tom Weiler, and a couple transfers from St. Joseph’s including Owen McLeod. Mike Jensen, one of the two holdovers from last year, has a knack for getting to the basket while Greg Patuto provides some scoring from the perimeter. Senior guard, Tom Duffy has the ability to make plays and score.

Like Ahr, Middlesex had also been playing well for a stretch before suffering several setbacks. Although the Blue Jays are presently hovering around the .500 mark, they look to be more improved this year, especially with Rutgers Prep transfer, Austin Bardaji in the lineup. Prior to Bardaji getting into the rotation, the Jays had won 5 of its first seven games with the only two losses to division contenders Bishop Ahr and Piscataway Tech. Middlesex also defeated Dunellen in a crossover for the 2012 Shello/Santy Christmas Tournament Championship. However, the Jays have stumbled as of late with losses to divsion heavyweights Spotswood and P-Way Tech before falling at home to JFK.

Speaking of the Mustangs, Kennedy is starting to play better. After a 1-4 start the Stangs have split their last six with wins over Metuchen, South Plainfield, and Middlesex while losing to Spotswood, Piscataway Tech, and Point Pleasant Boro. JFK suffered close defeats to Warren Hills (54-47) and Mater Dei (51-47) over the holidays at the Gene Haley Tournament in Edison. Head coach, Chris Banos was hit hard by graduation as he lost his entire starting lineup from last year, but he is not making excuses and hopes his young bunch that includes Kyle Alvarez, Darrin Perez, Mike Weinstein, and Joe Duffy will continue to grow.

Metuchen has struggled in the early going this season, but second year head coach, Jon Korellis pretty much had figured that. He felt his team would start playing better come January. The Bulldogs have only won three games this season, but two of them included the overtime win over Bishop Ahr and a solid win over Group IV Howell of the Shore Conference. Metuchen also gave Piscataway Tech some trouble before falling in overtime (57-51) in the first full week of the season. Artie Flaherty Jr. is playing much like his dad did when he scored over 2,000 points to become the all time leading scorer at the school in the early to mid-1980s. Tom Chalker continues to grow at the point while Brian Eustace, Hunter Clarke, Frank McGuire, and Evan Collier have contributed well.

South Plainfield, which looked to be one of the favorite’s in the division entering the season, conntinues to go through some growing pains under second year head coach, Justin Chiera. The Tigers have lost a ton of close games including to Perth Amboy (48-39 OT), Middlesex (60-53), J.F. Kennedy (57-52), Bishop Ahr (64-57), and Carteret (55-50). Claude Payne has been the bright spot for the Tigers with a solid consistent effort in the paint this season. Justin Glover has also had some solid games while youngsters Jordan Hankerson and Jason Lee have come up from the JV to make key contributions. SPHS has come up with some wins over Metuchen and Highland Park over the last week. Hopefully, they can use the recent successes to turn things around.

Finally, we have Highland Park, which has talent with the likes of football standouts, Nadre Hepburn, Jordan Long, and David Webb, but the Owls have not been able to get it to translate into more victories. HPHS does have a couple recent wins over neighborhood rival Metuchen and South Amboy to hang its hat on.