ROSELLE, NJ–On the weekend of February 9-10, 2013, the Prime Time Shootout will be taking place again at Roselle Catholic, and two GMC teams will be taking part in the event.  Both St. Joseph’s and East Brunswick will be competing in the schedule of games on Saturday afternoon and evening.  St. Joe’s will be taking on Canisius of Buffalo, New York while EB will be battling Plainfield.  Below is the schedule for both days.

2013 Prime Time Shootout–Day One–February 9th

St. Peter’s Prep gradually pulled away thanks to two alleyoop dunks in a span of about a minute and a half by Tyrone O’Garro, and led 40-25 at the half, and 57-42 after three quarters. The Marauders led by as many as 21 in the fourth before the Chiefs finished the game with a 20-8 tear to lose by only nine, 71-62. Junior guard, Rodney Freeney stood tall in defeat with a game high 24 points including three treys while white finished with 18.

First Quarter

7:16–STP–basket for a 2-0 lea.
7:03–PWAY–Greg Davis feeds Tajae Sharpe for a layup, and a 2-2 tie.
6:12–PWAY–basket and the foul for Sharpe for a three point play, and a 5-2 lead.
5:33–STP–Austin White–layup for a 5-4 PWAY lead.
5:03–STP–White–layup for a 6-5 lead.
4:53–STP–White layup for a 8-5 lead.
4:33–STP–White basket for a 10-5 lead.
3:30–PWAY–basket for a 10-7 STP lead.
2:40–PWAY–30 sec timeout.
2:29–PWAY–traveling.
2:07–STP–basket for a 12-7 STP lead.
1:30–STP–White three pointer from the left wing for a 15-7 lead.
1:20–PWAY–Rodney Freeney banks in runner for a 15-9 STP lead.
1:07–PWAY–Sharpe scores on layup off steal for a 15-11 STP lead.
43.0–STP–fouled–missed both FT
12.0–PWAY–turnover.
0.0–STP–off balance three from right corner for an 18-11 lead.

Second Quarter

7:53–STP–alleyoop dunk by Tyrone O’Garro for a 20-11 lead.
7:44–PWAY–Davis scores layup in transition for a 20-13 STP lead.
7:30–STP–basket for a 22-13 lead.
7:15–STP–alleyoop dunk by O’Garro for a 24-13 lead.
7:06–PWAY–Sharpe fouled–makes 1 of 2 FTs for a 24-14 STP lead.
6:53–STP–basket for a 26-14 lead.
6:30–PWAY–Freeney fouled–made one of two FTs for a 26-15 STP lead.
6:13–STP–fouled–missed both FTs.
6:03–PWAY–Sharpe–fouled–made both FTs for a 26-17 STP lead.
5:53–STP–carrying violation.
5:25–PWAY–Sharpe three pointer from right wing for a 26-20 STP lead.
5:09–STP–basket for a 28-20 lead.
4:40–STP–White basket for a 30-20 lead.
3:13–STP–fouled–made both FTs for a 32-20 lead.
3:00–PWAY–basket for a 32-22 STP lead.
2:05–STP–basket for a 34-22 lead.
1:42–PWAY–Sharpe fouled–makes 1 of 2 FTs for a 34-23 STP lead.
1:09–STP–foul line jumper for a 36-23 lead.
30.0–PWAY–Sharpe fouled–makes both FTs for a 36-25 STP lead.
7.0–STP–fastbreak layup for a 38-25 lead.
0.0–PWAY–Freeney misses layup attempt–Chiefs called for over the back–STP–makes both FTs for a 40-25 lead at the half.

Third Quarter

7:45–PWAY–Freeney three pointer from the right corner for a 40-28 STP lead.
7:35–STP–fouled–makes both FTs for a 42-28 lead.
5:55–STP–Vic Jusino drills foul line jumper for a 44-28 lead
5:43–PWAY–Donovan Kirkland scores as he is fouled for a three point play and a 44-31 STP lead.
5:32–STP–Jusino powers his way to the basket for a layup and a 46-31 lead.
5:27–PWAY–fouled on floor.
5:16–PWAY–Davis fires in three pointer from left wing for a 46-34 STP lead.
4:58–STP–Austin White scores on layup for a 48-34 lead.
4:45–STP–Austin White scores on breakaway layup off steal for a 50-34 lead.
4:13–PWAY–30 sec timeout after three point play by Freeney for a 50-37 STP lead.
4:00–STP–fouled on floor
3:54–STP–turnover.
3:38–PWAY–Kirkland puts back miss by Hoover for a 50-39 STP lead.
3:23–STP–misses shot–goes out of bounds–turnover.
3:15–STP–Sean Ryan swipes steal and scores as he is fouled for a three point play, and a 53-39 lead.
2:33–STP–Marcus Watkins–scores on layup for a 55-39 lead.
2:00–STP–Jordan Arthur putback for a 57-39 lead.
1:37–PWAY–Freeney drills three pointer from left side for a 57-42 STP lead.
1:27–STP–timeout. 
1:14–STP–turnover.
0:40–STP–fouled on floor.
0:22–STP–Jusino blocks shot by Ja’Tear Gardner.
0:07–STP–turnover.
0:00–PWAY–misses jumper and putback attempt as time expires.  STP leads 57-42.

Fourth Quarter

7:22–STP–Arthur scores for a 59-42 lead.
6:42–STP–bank shot from left side for a 61-42 lead.
6:38–STP–Austin White deflects ball out of bounds.
6:19–PWAY–calls full timeout after one handed dunk by STP’s Arthur for a 63-42 lead.
6:02–PWAY–Sharpe fouled–makes both FTs for a 63-44 STP lead.
5:29–PWAY–Vik Singh fouled–makes both FTs for a 63-46 STP lead.
5:08–PWAY–Singh swipes steal, and scores on layup for a 63-48 STP lead.
4:48–STP–fouled–misses both FTs.
4:12–STP–fouled–makes one of two FTs for a 64-48 lead.
3:45–PWAY–Freeney scores on putback of his own miss for a 64-50 STP lead.
3:27–STP–fouled–makes both FTs for a 66-50 lead.
3:14–PWAY–calls timeout after Freeney hits a three pointer for a 66-53 lead.
3:00–STP–fouled–misses front end of one and one.
2:53–STP–calls timeout after getting offensive rebound.
2:24–PWAY–Freeney pokes away steal and scores off dish by Sharpe for a 66-55 STP lead.
2:05–STP–draws charge on Donovan Kirkland.
1:59–STP–fouled on floor–Singh fouls out.–STP–makes 1 of 2 FTs for a 67-55 lead.
1:37–PWAY–Jo Jo Hoover drains three from right wing for a 67-58 STP lead.
1:21–STP–Jusino layup for a 69-58 lead.
0:37–STP–#32–fouled–makes 1 of 2 FTs for a 70-58 lead.
0:21–PWAY–Freeney–basket for a 70-60 STP lead.
0:14–STP–Austin White–fouled and makes 1 of 2 FTs for a 71-60 lead.
0:07–PWAY–Freeney–basket for a 71-62 STP lead.

STP wins 71-62

MVPs

STP–Austin White–18 points
PWAY–Rodney Freeney–24 points–3 3s.

TRENTON, NJ–The season has gone by so fast. Already we are approaching the end of January, and that means several things: 1) The Greater Middlesex Conference Tournament is approaching, 2) The cutoff for the state tournament is coming, and 3) The Prime Time Shootout is around the corner. This year, the PTS will take place over at Roselle Catholic on Saturday February 11th, and Sunday, February 12th.

Three GMC Teams will be competing in the event. St. Joseph’s will take on Our Savior New American from Long Island in the opening game on Saturday at 12:30 PM while East Brunswick and Piscataway will round out the event in back to back games on Sunday. The Bears will be taking on Roselle Catholic at 5:00 PM, and the Chiefs will follow up with a contest against St. Peter’s Prep at 6:30 PM. This is the fourth straight year that the Falcons are competing at the Prime Time Shootout.

Meanwhile, Piscataway is playing in the event for the first time since the 2008-09 season, and East Brunswick is competing in the PTS for the first time since GMC Hoops has covered this event. View the full schedule at the Prime Time Shootout web site.

METUCHEN, NJ–Big things are expected this upcoming season at St. Joe’s. With the likes of Temple bound Quenton DeCosey and Stonehill bound Danny Brix, the Falcons are not only expected to be the favorite to repeat as GMC champs for the third straight year, but they are also expected to contend for a rare state title. The highly touted Green Birds are scheduled to play in several showcase events this upcoming season starting this coming weekend at the Hoop Tip-Off Classic in West Orange against Teaneck.

Also on the schedule this year, is a trip out to the Jameer Nelson Classic at Widener University outside of Philadelphia over the holidays. There, the Falcons are slated to take on Friends Central, ranked 23rd in the Powerade Fab 50. Then, on the first Saturday in January, St. Joe’s is scheduled to take on Non-Public A North defending champ, Seton Hall Prep. Next, the Falcons will travel to Atlantic City on February 4th to play against perennial powerhouse St. Patrick’s of Elizabeth in the Battle of the Bay. Finally, the Green Birds will compete in the Prime Time Shootout against Our Savior New American from Long Island on Saturday, February 11th.

In other news, St. Joseph’s is going to have 15 players on its roster this year. Meanwhile, Michigan State head coach, Tom Izzo stopped by the school to take a look at freshman standout, Karl Towns Jr. The Falcons will open the season later this week at Colonia.

Information provided in this report by St. Joseph’s beat writer, Alex Schiffer.

UNION, NJ–In the nightcap game on Friday night at the 2011 Prime Time Shootout, Middletown North of the Class A North Division of the Shore Conference took on Middle Township from South Jersey and the Cape Atlantic League. It was the first game that the Lions played since the dismissal of standout player, Shilique Calhoun.

Calhoun, who is going to Michigan State on a football scholarship, walked off the court in the third quarter of a pivotal game against long time division rival, Christian Brothers Academy. The Colts went on to win the game by the final score of 69-35. A day later, Middletown North’s head coach dismissed Calhoun from the team. Up to this point in the season, Middletown North was having a great season with only one loss. Now, after losing Calhoun, being soundly beaten by CBA, and then getting routed by Middle Township at the Prime Time, the Lions have to find a way to regroup quickly with the Shore Conference Tournament and Central Jersey Group IV state tournaments looming. Middletown North is the top seed in CJ Group IV.

Regardless though of the outcome, the Lions head coach made a courageous move by dismissing Calhoun. He was unwilling to compromise his and the team’s integrity for winning. It’s not often that you see that happen in high school sports. Some coaches and programs overlook the quirks and issues with standout players because of what they do on the court. Often you’ll find one set of rules for top players, and a different set for the rest of the team. Middletown North, which fell behind 23-8 in the first quarter, and trailed at the half 41-19 to Middle Township on Friday night en route to the 82-52 loss, may take some short term losses in the wake of what happened, but long term, the Lions are better off.

Jason Huelbig scored a game high 23 points in the loss for the Lions while Marcus Harmon scored 20 for the Panthers in the win. Both players earned team MVP honors.

UNION, NJ–If you are a follower of Plainfield High School Boys Basketball, you might have been a bit disappointed by about 9:00 or 9:30 PM on Friday night. The reason for that was that not only did the Cardinals suffer a last second heartbreaking loss to Thomas Jefferson of New York, but also since former P-Funk standout, Tyrone Johnson, who is headed to Villanova next year, and now plays at Montrose Christian in Maryland, was limited to just 12 points as the Mustangs fell to a familiar nemesis in Linden (57-53).

The Cardinals, which lost to Rice of New York in the Hoop Group Tip-Off Classic at PHS back on opening weekend, had taken a 44-32 lead late in the third quarter, but the Orange Wave responded with a 32-19 surge over a span of about eight minutes to take a 64-63 lead. Plainfield took the lead back with the next four points as Dijon Jordan and Jahmal Lane scored layups for a 67-64 score, but Jefferson tied the game with a three, and then took the lead at 69-67 on a basket while being fouled. The Orange Wave missed the bonus free throw, and then Allen Brown drew a foul, and made two free throws for his only points of the game at the 25.6 second mark.

Following a timeout by the Orange Wave with 10.4 seconds to go, Davontay Grace, who had 14 points on the night, hit a last second jumper, and was mobbed by teammates as Thomas Jefferson won by the score of 71-69. The New York school improved to 14-11 overall on the season. Despite 24 points from Jordan, and 20 from junior guard, and team MVP for the game, Sekou Harris, the Cards weren’t able to pull out the victory. Plainfield had come off a hard fought, 49-46 victory over Linden earlier in the week.

Speaking of Linden, the Tigers, which entered Friday’s game against Montrose Christian with a national ranking of 314, shocked the high school basketball establishment with an upset victory over the Mustangs, who were led by Johnson. It was supposed to be a homecoming of sorts for Johnson, who had decided to transfer to Montrose Christian over the summer. The Mustangs led only once in the game, and that came after a Cedric Blossom layin off a feed from Johnson for the first basket of the game. Linden responded with an 11-0 run that included three pointers by J.R. Pringley, freshman forward, Quadri Moore, and senior guard, Elijah Hodge for an 11-2 lead as Montrose called for time.

The Tigers, which actually defeated Plainfield on opening night, and had recently gave St. Patrick’s of Elizabeth all it could handle before losing last week, maintained its lead, and actually increased it to 15 at 42-27 with 2:32 left in the third quarter. Linden had actually limited Johnson to just two points in the entire first half. The Plainfield native started to percolate a bit in the third quarter with eight points, but only had two points in the final quarter. Justin Anderson scored 18 points to help the Mustangs rally back, and pull within two points on a couple of occasions late in the fourth quarter, but Johnson was called for an offensive foul with, and Tyler Hubbard missed two free throws with 3.7 seconds left before Jaurice Jones sealed the victory with a pair of foul shots with 1.6 seconds left.

Montrose Christian had entered the game undefeated at 18-0, and ranked fourth nationally. The Prime Time Shootout has seen similar upsets in the past. Last year for example, St. Peter’s Prep of Jersey City knocked off top ranked, and national powerhouse, Oak Hill Academy. Then, back in 2005, St. Joseph’s, led by Andrew Bynum, and Sean Baptiste, knocked off a Rochester East team from New York that had entered the contest with an 18-1 record.

St. Joe’s will be taking on Pennington Prep of the Patriot Conference in the first of four games played on Friday, February 11th at Kean’s Harwood Arena.  The Prime Time Shootout has expanded to include a Christmas Tournament at Trenton Catholic, contests at Morgantown, West Virginia during the weekend of January 21st and 22nd, Philadelphia during the weekend of January 28th and 29th, and Kean University.  See the complete schedule.