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).

First Quarter

4:52–arrive–NB on top 5-2.

3:00–after 1 of  2 FTs by NB–TCS ties the game up at 6-6 on baskets by Brandon Summers and Jeff Parker.

1:30–NB–takes a 13-8 lead on baskets by Trejon Wilson and Ahmad Sannoh as well as a three from the left wing by #10.

0:00–TCS gets score for a 14-10 lead after one.

Second Quarter

5:27–TCS–full timeout after a layup underneath by Trejon Wilson and another basket for a 23-14 NB lead.

4:00–TCS–Jarret Locke hit a jumper from left side for a 23-16 NB lead.

2:30–NB–now leads 27-16 after a layup by Trejon Wilson, and a  pair of free throws by #10.

1:51–TCS–calls 30 sec timeout after steal for layup by Brandon Summers closes the gap to 29-18.

Third Quarter

7:09–TCS–Matt DiLeo–fouled–makes both FTs for a 30-20 NB lead.

6:39–TCS–DiLeo–fouled–makes both FTs for a 30-22 NB lead.

6:33–NB–Paul McKenzie fouled–makes 1 of 2 FTs for a 31-22 lead.

6:26–TCS–called for foul after missing shot.

5:40–NB–30 sec timeout after Parker flips in shot for a 31-24 NB lead. TCS ball after NB turnover.

4:32–TCS–Parker fouled–makes both FTs for a 31-28 NB lead.

3:54–TCS–Summers scores on layup from left side for a 33-30 NB lead.

3:19–NB–#15 converts three point play for a 36-30 lead.

2:52–TCS–DiLeo drives through traffic, and flips in layup for a 36-32 NB lead.

2:32–NB–fouled–makes 1 of 2 FTs for a 37-32 lead.

2:07–TCS–30 sec timeout after Summers layup for a 37-34 NB lead.

1:31–TCS–Locke swishes three from left wing for a 37-37 tie.

40.6–NB–McKenzie banks in floater for a 39-37 lead.

29.3–TCS–Summers gets offensive rebound and puts in follow as he is fouled for a three point play and a  40-39 lead.

16.4–NB–turnover.

4.8–TCS–misses jumper from right wing–called for foul on the rebound.

0.0–NB–McKenzie–misses shot at buzzer–TCS leads 40-39.

Fourth Quarter

7:31–TCS–Zach Coyle sinks three from left wing for a 43-39 lead.

7:10–NB–fouled on floor.

6:58–NB–traveling.

6:34–TCS–Parker fouled–makes both FTs for a 45-39 lead.

6:14–NB–McKenzie misses jumper.

5:51–TCS–turnover.

5:33–NB–#33–fouled–makes 1 of 2 FTs for a 45-40 TCS lead.

4:55–NB–turnover.

4:46–NB–deflects pass out of bounds.

4:19–NB–Ahmad Sannoh scores on drive for layup from left side for a 45-42 TCS lead.

3:47–NB–#10–hits floater for a 45-44 TCS lead.

3:13–TCS–Parker fouled after getting rebound–makes both FTs for a 47-44 lead.

2:49–NB–turnover.

2:27–NB–#32–steal.

2:22–NB–timeout after Sannoh misses shot and gets the offensive rebound.

2:05–NB–McKenzie–drives, spins and banks shot off glass from right side of the key for a 47-46 TCS lead.

1:35–TCS–DiLeo steals for a layup and a 49-46 lead.

1:05–TCS–after NB misses shot–Parker is fouled by Sannoh–makes 1 of 2 FTs for a 50-46 lead.

58.3–TCS–DiLeo gets steal.

53.7–NB–McKenzie swipes steal and is fouled by DiLeo–NB in bonus–McKenzie makes 1 of 2 FTs for a 50-47 TCS lead.

39.0–TCS–after Parker fights to get offensive rebound, and battles through NB double team, he passes upcourt to Locke who scores layup as he is fouled–missed bonus FT for a 52-47 lead.

29.8–NB–McKenzie dribbles the ball downcourt, and scores as he is fouled–timeout called–DiLeo fouls out–Coyle in.–McKenzie misses bonus FT.

29.0–TCS–Parker fouled on rebound of McKenzie missed FT–makes both FTs for a 54-49 lead.

17.6–TCS–Parker gets rebound after NB misses by McKenzie and #10–fouled–makes both FTs for a 56-49 lead.

0.0–TCS–runs out the clock after Summers gets rebound off NB miss.  TCS wins 56-49.

TCS had a 19-7 spurt to open the third to tie the game, and outscored NB by a margin of 38-19 in the second half for the win.

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

GMC Boys Basketball Schedule–Tuesday, January 15, 2012

• St. Joseph’s @ Old Bridge, 5:30 PM
• Perth Amboy @ Colonia, 6:00 PM
• Monroe @ Sayreville, 7:00 PM
• East Brunswick @ Piscataway, 7:00 PM
• J.P. Stevens @ New Brunswick, 7:00 PM
• Cardinal McCarrick @ Woodbridge, 7:00 PM
• Edison @ Scotch Plains, 7:00 PM
• New Egypt @ Metuchen, 7:00 PM

GMC Hoops plans to cover Monroe at Sayreville on Tuesday night, a JV/Varsity Doubleheader between St. Joe’s and EB on Thursday, and some of the contests from the GMC-Skyland Challenge on Saturday.

SOUTH PLAINFIELD, NJ–Among the array of boys basketball showcases this season is the upcoming showdown between GMC and Skyland Conference teams on January 19th.  According to a recent article from MyCentralJersey.com, there will be 20 games at 15 different locations.  Some key matchups include Bridgewater-Raritan at East Brunswick, South Brunswick vs. Hillsborough, Piscataway vs. Montgomery, Spotswood vs. Bernards, and Woodbridge vs. Immaculata. 

All proceeds from the games will go toward the “In Brayden’s Eyes, The Brayden Carr Foundation,”  Brayden Carr, was the son of former Rutgers assistant coach, Jim Carr and Natalie Zeno Carr, who was an athletic trainer at South Plainfield in the mid-90s.  Brayden died back in May 2011 at the age of 2.  In Brayden’s Eyes, The Brayden Carr Foundation is a non-profit charitable organization that raises money for provide athletic, social, rehabilitative, and academic opportunities to children with seizure conditions, with or without motor delays from associated cerebral palsy, as well as to provide humanitarian support/relief to their parents.  The idea was brought up by South Plainfield Athletic Director Al Czech last year according to an article at nj.com.

Below is a schedule of the boys games on tap for January 19th

Bound Brook HS
Colonia vs. Warren Hills
Cardinal McCarrick vs. Bound Brook

East Brunswick HS
Piscataway vs. Montgomery
Timothy Christian vs. Voorhees
East Brunswick vs. Bridgewater-Raritan

Franklin HS
North Brunswick vs. Franklin
South Brunswick vs. Hillsborough

Immaculata HS
Bishop Ahr vs. Pingry
Woodbridge vs. Immaculata

J.P. Stevens HS
J.F. Kennedy vs. North Plainfield

Middlesex HS
Middlesex vs. South Hunterdon

Monroe HS
Monroe vs. Hunterdon Central

North Hunterdon HS
Edison vs. North Hunterdon

Perth Amboy HS
Perth Amboy vs. Delaware Valley

Phillipsburg HS
Old Bridge vs. Phillipsburg

Ridge HS
New Brunswick vs. Ridge

Somerville HS
Carteret vs. Somerville

South Amboy HS
South Amboy vs. Manville

Spotswood HS
Spotswood vs. Bernards

Watchung Hills HS
Sayreville vs. Watchung Hills

I’m still currently working out getting all the details including start times for the games.  Girls games may also be involved as well.  According to Al Czech in a recent e-mail, there will be games at South Plainfield 10:00 AM, 12:00 PM, and 2:00 PM as well as at J.P. Stevens.  I’m planning to at least see the game between Cardinal McCarrick at Bound Brook.  We’ll have further details on GMC Hoops Coverage of this upcoming event soon.

I’m still behind the eight ball on the rosters, but have made significant progress in the past couple days. Over the past two days, I’ve posted rosters from all the 31 schools in the Greater Middlesex Conference that play basketball. Below are the teams that we have rosters for.

2012-13 GMC Boys Basketball Rosters

• Bishop Ahr
• Cardinal McCarrick
• Carteret
• Colonia
• Dunellen
• East Brunswick
• East Brunswick Tech
• Edison
• Highland Park
• J.F. Kennedy
• J.P. Stevens
• Metuchen
• Middlesex
• Monroe
• New Brunswick
• North Brunswick
• Old Bridge
• Perth Amboy
• Perth Amboy Tech
• Piscataway
• Piscataway Tech
• Sayreville
• South Amboy
• South Brunswick
• South Plainfield
• South River
• Spotswood
• St. Joseph’s
• Timothy Christian
• Wardlaw
• Woodbridge

If you have a roster for your team that is not posted on the site, please e-mail me at gmachos@gmchoops.com.

By the time the site arrived, the game was already no longer in doubt as EB had ad 37-9 lead, and then added two threes including one by Gary Baumer for a 43-9 advantage en route to a 46-14 halftime lead. The Bears then opened the second half with a 25-11 surge including a couple more threes by Baumer for a 71-25 lead before the Zebras finished the game strong with an 8-5 run for the 76-33 final. Below are notes from the final 18:15 of the game.

First Half

2:15–arrive–2nd quarter–EB leads 37-9.
2:07–EB–three pointer for a 40-9 lead
1:41–EB–Gary Baumer hits three pointer from left wing for a 43-9 lead.
43.5–NB–Paul McKenzie–hits triple from right wing for a 43-12 EB lead.
36.9–EB–Amir Bell with a nice drive and dish out to Baumer on the right wing for three, and a 46-12 lead.
25.0–NB–layup for a 46-14 EB lead.
0.0–NB–has halfcourt shot go off backboard and rim as time runs out for a 46-14 EB lead at the intermission.

Third Quarter

6:56–EB–Ukawuba draws charge–Bears on 4-2 run including a dunk by Ukawuba and a layup for a 50-16 lead.
6:27–EB–Bears cash in on several offensive rebounds as Ukawuba puts in follow for a 52-16  lead.
5:58–NB–McKenzie–fouled–makes 1 of 2 FTs for a 52-17 EB lead.
5:30–EB–Danny Leung skies for layin, and a 54-17 lead.
4:57–EB–Amir Bell drives in for layin, and a 56-17 lead.
4:32–NB–McKenzie–knocks down triple from left wing fora 56-20 EB lead.
4:00–NB–Ahmad Sannoh gets rebound off miss by Jake Krantz, and goes the length of the floor for a layup, and a 56-22 EB lead.
2:30–EB–three pointer for a 59-22 lead.
1:41–EB–Krantz scores on layup from left low block for a 61-22 lead.
49.3–EB–Krantz fouled–makes 1 of 2 FTs for a 62-22 lead.
0.0–EB–Carl Taylor’s shot at the buzzer is off the mark, but the Bears got an earlier bucket for a 64-22 lead after three.

Fourth Quarter

6:00–EB–opens fourth with reserves in…start off with a 6-3 run including a drive for a layup by Taylor, a layup by Ethan Folz off an assist by Taylor, and then a layup by Taylor off a dish by Folz for a 70-25 lead.
5:31–EB–#22–fouled–makes 1 of  2 FTs for a 71-25 lead.
4:09–NB–McKenzie–swipes steal for layup.  Follows earlier score by Sannoh for a 71-29 EB lead.
3:40–NB–McKenzie swipes another steal for a layup, and a 71-31 EB lead.
2:11–EB–Alex Fitzgerald hits a three pointer for a 74-31 lead.
1:42–EB–Adokeniku–gets  pass from Pat McMullen for layup and a 76-33 lead.
1:19–NB–McKenzie drives into traffic, and scores for a 76-33 EB lead.
10.0–NB–McKenzie pokes ball away from McMullen out of bounds.
0.0–EB–runs out the clock despite NB trying to get steal at midcourt.

EB wins 76-33.

SOUTH BRUNSWICK, NJ–On Sunday, GMC Hoops learned that the 2012 Brunswick Challenge will be held over the holidays at South Brunswick High School. All four Brunswick schools: East Brunswick, New Brunswick, North Brunswick, and South Brunswick will be competing again. EB won the first two years of the tournament before North Brunswick won last year. Each school will have held the tourney at least once. Games will be played on Thursday, December 27th and Friday, December 28th. Below is the schedule for both days.

2012 Brunswick Challenge–Schedule–Day One–Thursday, December 27th

• East Brunswick vs. New Brunswick, 1:30 PM
• South Brunswick vs. North Brunswick, 3:00 PM

2012 Brunswick Challenge–Schedule–Day Two–Friday, December 28th

• Consolation: East Brunswick-New Brunswick loser vs. South Brunswick-North Brunswick loser, 1:30 PM
• Championship: East Brunswick-New Brunswick winner vs. South Brunswick-North Brunswick winner, 3:00 PM

GMC Hoops plans to cover one day from this event.