GMC Hoops Blogosphere

JFK’s Robinson Performs Well In PAHoops.org All-Star Game

MIDDLETOWN, PA–In addition to his solid play in the GMCBCA Senior Boys All-Star Game, Daishon Robinson of J.F. Kennedy also played well in an All-Star Game between New Jersey and Pennsylvania several weeks ago. Robinson collected 10 points, 4 steals, and 3 rebounds in the contest. The New Jersey All-Stars led by double digits for much of the game before the Pennsylvania All-Stars took advantage of wholesale substitutions, and pulled out the victory. There were 37 college coaches in attendance at this game according to PAHoops.org. More details on this game will be forthcoming.

2011 Kean Spring League–April 27th–Other Game Capsules

UNION, NJ–In addition to the play by play coverage of J.F. Kennedy’s loss to Newark Central in the 8:00 PM round of games from the second night of action at the Kean Spring League, GMC Hoops had a chance to take a look at some of the action from the two other games involving GMC teams. Piscataway and South Plainfield as well as Sayreville also played during the 8:00 PM hour. The Chiefs and Tigers played each other while the Bombers took on Notre Dame. Here are brief capsules on both games.

Notre Dame vs. Sayreville

The Irish tried to rebound after its loss to Scotch Plains with a nightcap game against the Bombers.  Notre Dame, led by Monroe native, Ryan Germano, jumped out to a 21-11 lead.  Sayreville made some inroads with a 14-12 run the rest of the first half to only trail by the score of 33-25 at the intermission.  Cody Van Note sank a three pointer from the right wing to close out the Bombers first half scoring.  

Sayreville opened the second half with a 10-5 run including an 8-3 spurt to close within three at 38-35 with 14:30 to go.  Trey Johnson then got a basket while being fouled, but missed the bonus foul shot to tie with 14:10 remaining.  Sayreville then added five more points for a 42-38 lead before ND got a layin at the 10:47 mark.  The Bombers scored five more before Germano nailed a three pointer from the left wing for a 47-43 Sayreville lead at the 9:22 mark.

Germano’s three sparked a 16-5 tear over a span of eight minutes and change to take a 56-52 with less than a minute to go.   After getting a three with 40 seconds to go, the Bombers got the ball back, and had a chance to take the lead, but turned the ball over with 25.2 seconds remaining.  Sayreville got a stop, and then Corey Taite drew a foul and made both free throws with 9.3 seconds left for a 57-56 lead.  However, Notre Dame pulled out the win as German made a three as time ran out for the 59-57 victory.    

South Plainfield vs. Piscataway

The Tigers have a lot of promising talent coming up, but they had a tough row to hoe against GMCT runner-up Piscataway.  The Chiefs got a layup by Donovan Kirkland, and then a jumper by Marcus Freeney to take a 26-10 lead.  The Chiefs then went on a 6-2 run to take a 30-12 led with 1:04 left in the first half.  P-Way held on to that lead at the break.  

After South Plainfield opened the half with a score, Donovan Kirkland made a pair of free throws to get P-Way on the board.  Kirkland later pounded the glass for a basket and a foul. South Plainfield attempted to rally with a 17-12 run over the next 14 minutes or so to close within 45-31 with 5:21 left, but Jelani Jackson drew a foul, and made one of two from the line for a 15 point lead.  The Chiefs maintained that lead at 49-34 with 2:11 to go as Vik Singh scored on a layup down low.

Kirkland and Tyjohn Young closed the game with layups to finish out the 53-36 P-way victory. 

GMC Hoops will be back out at Kean University next Wednesday night.

GMC Hoops Play-By-Play–J.F. Kennedy vs. Newark Central–Kean Spring League–April 27, 2011

UNION, NJ–On Wednesday night, GMC Hoops traveled over to Kean University for the first time this Spring to see action from the Spring League being played there. One of the games the site saw involved J.F. Kennedy against one of the NJSIAA Tournament of Champions semifinalists, Newark Central. Here is the play by play from that game:

First Half

19:34–JFK–Shabas Clarke pulls up for jumper, and a 2-0 led.
18:59–JFK–Steve Alvarez drives in for layup from left wing for a 4-0 lead.
18:39–NC–gets on the board with a nice dish for a layup.
18:16–JFK–turns ball over as Vik Pawar tries to save the ball out of bounds following offensive rebounds by Clarke and Pawar.
17:34–NC–makes 1 of 2 FTs for a 4-3 JFK lead.
17:14–JFK–Alvarez dishes to Pawar for layup, and a 6-3 lead.
16:34–JFK–Alvarez pulls up for jumper for an 8-6 lead.
16:00–JFK–Kurt Lorentzen scored  layup off a nifty move for a 10-6 lead.
14:43–JFK–Pawar draws foul underneath following a three by NC, and makes 1-2 FTs for an 11-9 lead.
13:51–JFK–Alvarez–can’t make a save out of bounds.
13:30–NC–three pointer from  the right wing for a 12-11 lead…4 threes so far in half.
12:56–NC–turnover.
12:32–NC–Brandon Waiters swiped a steal and scores for a 14-11 lead.
12:10–JFK–Clarke scores on follow for a 14-13 NC lead.
11:30–JFK–Alvarez drives in for a layup, and a 15-14 lead.
10:35–JFK–Alvarez draws a charge.
9:48–NC–Steal off errant pass by Alvarez for layup and a 16-15 lead.
9:12–JFK–Pawar unable to get hold of downcourt pass for layup…out of bounds.
8:10–NC–Waiters drives in for a layup, and an 18-15 lead.
7:48–JFK–Alvarez nets three pointer from right wing for an 18-18 tie.
7:15–NC–Waiters steal for a layup and a 20-18 lead.
6:50–JFK–Alvarez drives in for a floater, and a 20-20 tie.
3:05–NC–after getting a three pointer for a 23-20 lead, the Blue Devils make one of two at the line for a 26-20 lead.
2:25–NC–gets offensive rebound, and scores for a 26-20 lead.
2:16–JFK–timeout.
1:47–NC–timeout after giving up an easy layup to the Mustangs for a 26-22 lead.
0.0–NC got two more threes to end the half with a 32-22 lead.

Second Half

18:10–JFK–Pawar gets Mustangs on the board following another three by  Central.
17:45–NC–nice passing sets up layup for a 37-24 lead.
17:24–JFK–Pawar scores layup off a lob pass by Lorentzen for a 37-26 score.
14:00–NC–three pointer for a 40-26 lead.
12:25–JFK–three pointer for a 40-29 score.
11:30–NC–nifty drive from right wing for layup, and a 42-29 leadd.
10:51–JFK–one of two free throws for a 42-30 NC lead.
8:24–NC–got a steal for a layup after another three pointer for a 45-32 lead.
8:15–NC–blocks Pawar shot.
8:00–NC–breakaway layup for a 47-32 lead.
7:42–JFK–timeout follows another steal for a layup, and a 49-32 NC lead.
6:45–NC–Waiters layup.
6:20–JFK–turnover.
5:45–NC–missed three by Waiters.
5:08–NC–putback off a missed three pointer for a 54-34 lead.
4:54–JFK–turnover
4:32–NC–Waiters floater for a 56-34 lead.
4:20–NC–Waiters blocks Clarke shot.
4:05–JFK–turnover.
3:40–NC–three pointer from the right corner for a 59-34 lead.
3:07–JFK–Pawar layup from Alvarez for a 59-36 NC lead.
1:29–NC–hits another three pointer after a JFK score for a 62-38 lead.
0.0–JFK–gets a basket late, but NC wins 62-40.

GMC Hoops will be posting capsules from two other games played on Wednesday night shortly.

2011 Kean Spring League–Standings–Through Week One

UNION, NJ–Here are the standings after the first week of play including Wednesday night’s games at the Kean Spring League. Piscataway was the only team from the Greater Middlesex Conference that got a victory on Wednesday. Below are the standings:

2011 Kean Spring League–Standings

• Newark Central (2-0)
• Roselle (2-0)
• Scotch Plains (2-0)
• Shabazz (2-0)
• Millburn (1-1)
• Piscataway (1-1)
• Notre Dame (2-2)
• Roundballers Blue (0-0)
• Roundballers Gold (0-0)
• J.F. Kennedy (0-2)
• Sayreville (0-2)
• South Plainfield (0-2)
• Westfield (0-2)

GMC Hoops plans to have the team stats posted tomorrow. Game capsules and play-by-play from some of the action will be posted shortly.

2011 Kean Spring League–Results–April 27th

UNION, NJ–On Wednesday night, GMC Hoops was able to get out to Kean University for the first time this spring, and catch action from the second night of the Spring League there. The site saw all six games including three involving the four GMC teams in the league. Here are the results below:

2011 Kean Spring League–Results–April 27th

• Shabazz 57–Millburn 41–Bulldogs took a 42-32 lead in the second half, and end game with a 15-9 run.
• Roselle 62–Westfield 24–The Rams had a 39-16 lead, and finished the game with a 23-8 tear.
• Scotch Plains 55–Notre Dame 30
• Notre Dame 59–Sayreville 57–Ryan Germano hits three at the buzzer for the win.
• Newark Central 62–J.F. Kennedy 40–Blue Devils break away from a 20-20 first half tie with a 42-20 surge for the win.
• Piscataway 53–South Plainfield 36–P-Way jumped out to a 30-12 lead, and never looked back.

GMC Hoops plans to be out at Kean for the fourth night of action from this league next Wednesday night.

2011 Kean Spring League–Standings

UNION, NJ–Here are the standings after the first night of play at the Kean Spring League. The GMC teams all took it on the chin on Monday night as all four squads: J.F. Kennedy, Piscataway, Sayreville, and South Plainfield lost. Below are the standings:

2011 Kean Spring League–Standings

• Millburn (1-0)
• Newark Central (1-0)
• Roselle (1-0)
• Scotch Plains (1-0)
• Shabazz (1-0)
• Notre Dame (1-1)
• Roundballers Blue (0-0)
• Roundballers Gold (0-0)
• J.F. Kennedy (0-1)
• Piscataway (0-1)
• Sayreville (0-1)
• South Plainfield (0-1)
• Westfield (0-1)

GMC Hoops plans to have the team stats posted after tonight’s games. The site will be out at Kean tonight for night two action.

2011 Kean Spring League–Results–April 25th

UNION, NJ–On Monday night, the Kean Spring League opened up its season with the first night of games. GMC Hoops was unable to be at the opening night due to a commitment to the Hoop Group Headquarters Spring League taking place in Neptune. However, the site was still able to obtain the results from Kean men’s basketball assistant coach, Tom Wagenblast. Here are the results below:

2011 Kean Spring League–Results–April 25th

• Newark Central 72–Sayreville 47–MVP of Game Brandon Waiters
• Millburn 51–J.F. Kennedy 41
• Notre Dame 70–Westfield 48–MVP of Game–Isiah Johnson and Ryan Germano
• Roselle 51–Notre Dame 36–MVP of Game–Jamar Redman
• Scotch Plains 56–Piscataway 51–MVP of Game–Dom Gonzalez
• Shabazz 49–South Plainfield 34

GMC Hoops plans to be out at Kean for the second night of action from this league on Wednesday night.

2011 Hoop Group Headquarters–April 25th–Game Capsules

NEPTUNE, NJ–On Monday night, GMC Hoops took another trip down to the Hoop Group Headquarters after week to take in the fifth night of action from the 2011 Spring League there. South River was in action, but the site was unable to see them play since its game against Asbury Park Recreation was played at 7:00 PM, and we weren’t able to get out of work until 7:30 PM. The Rams wound up losing 67-52. Meanwhile, in the other 7:00 PM game, Rob Gomulka of Bishop Ahr fired in 37 points to lead G-Force to a 54-50 victory over Manasquan. Here are the capsules from the other games that were played.

Middletown South vs. Point Pleasant Boro

The Eagles were looking to recover from last week’s rout suffered at the hands of Neptune, and they started out strong with a 21-4 lead at the 9:00 mark of the first half.  The Panthers responded by scoring eight of the next 10 points over a span of about seven minutes to close within 23-12.  Middletown South scored five of the next six points to take a 28-13 lead with 41.2 seconds to go in the first half, but Point Boro made a free throw, and a basket for a 28-16 score with 20.8 seconds left, and led by a dozen at the break.  

The Panthers from Ocean County then opened the second half with a 7-0 run including two threes to close within five at 28-23 with 18:23 to go.  Up to this point in the contest, Point Boro had outscored Middletown South by margin of 19-7 to get back into the game.  Over the next 3:59, Middletown South put some breathing room between itself and Point Boro with a 14-5 spurt for a 42-28 lead with 14:24 left.  Point Boro rallied with a 27-19 surge to pull within six with 40 seconds left.  However, Middletown South pulled out the 61-57 win.

Ocean Township vs. Neptune

The Scarlet Fliers and Spartans resumed a rivalry that goes on during the regular season in the Class B North Division of the Shore Conference.  Neptune jumped out to an 11-6 lead before the Spartans responded with a 7-2 run to tie things up.  The Fliers then scored five straight points for an 18-13 lead before Ocean Township converted a traditional three point play to pull within a basket.  Neptune then took a five point, 21-16 lead at the intermission thanks to a three pointer.  

The Fliers then began the second half with an 8-5 run over the first 5:14 to go up by eight at 29-21 with 14:46 to go.  Over the next 2:11, Neptune added to its lead with a 6-3 run for a 14-8 start, and a 35-23 advantage.  Ocean rallied with a 17-9 spurt including a three pointer with under a minute to go in the first half.  The Spartans were down by two with 4.8 seconds left, but Neptune stole the inbounds pass to pull out the 44-42 win.

Wall Township vs. Tropics

The Tropics used the three point shot to jump out to a 14-4 lead with 12:00 to go in the first half.  The Tropics led 23-13 midway through the half when Wall rallied with an 18-8 tear to tie the game at 31-31 going into the intermission.  The Crimson Knights continued their onslaught with the first six points of the second half for a 37-31 lead at the 17:18 mark.  

The Tropics rallied with 6 of the next eight points to draw within two before Wall got a basket and a foul at the 12:21 mark for a 41-37 lead.  The Tropics then went on a 17-6 tear for a 54-47 lead with three minutes left.  Wall then trailed 57-50 after a three by the Tropics, but scored five straight points including a three pointer to pull within two at 57-55 with 40 seconds left.  The Knights were unable to get any closer as the Tropics won 61-59.

St. Rose vs. Marlboro

Marlboro jumped out to an 11-2 lead, and led 15-7 with 8:00 to go in the first half.  Marlboro then went on a 18-13 run including a half court heave at the buzzer to end the first half with a 33-20 lead.  Marlboro opened the second half with a 9-7 run for a 42-27 lead when a timeout was called at the 12:27 mark.

Marlboro then scored four more points after the stoppage for a 46-27 lead before St. Rose rallied with a 21-10 surge over a span of 9:20 to pull within eight at 56-48 with 40 seconds left.  The Roses couldn’t get any closer as Marlboro won 58-48.

GMC Hoops will have the updated team stats posted later this week.

2011 Hoop Group Headquarters–Standings–Through Week Five

NEPTUNE, NJ–Now that we have compiled all of the results from the first five weeks of play at the 2011 Hoop Group Headquarters Spring League, here are the latest standings. Asbury Park Recreation remains in first place with an unblemished 5-0 record. G-Force and Neptune are tied for second place at 4-1. South River, the lone GMC team in the league, remains winless at 0-5. Below are the updated standings:

Standings–2011 Hoop Group Headquarters Spring League–Through Week Five

• Asbury Park Recreation (5-0)
• G-Force (4-1)
• Neptune (4-1)
• Manasquan (3-2)
• Ocean Township (3-2)
• Tropics (3-2)
• Marlboro (2-3)
• Middletown South (2-3)
• St. Rose (2-3)
• Point Pleasant Boro (1-4)
• Wall Township (1-4)
• South River (0-5)

GMC Hoops will be back out at the Hoop Group Headquarters next Monday night to see the South River Rams in action.

2011 Hoop Group Headquarters–Results–April 25th

NEPTUNE, NJ–On Monday night, GMC Hoops traveled down to the Hoop Group Headquarters to see the fifth week of action from the Spring League that is being played there. All 12 teams were in action with a pair of games being played on the Knicks and Celtics courts at 7:00 PM, 8:00 PM, and 9:00 PM. South River was in action again as the Rams took on Asbury Park Recreation. Below are all of the results from the six games played:

2011 Hoop Group Headquarters Spring League–Results–April 25th

• Asbury Park Recreation 67–South River 52
• G-Force 54–Manasquan 50
• Middletown South 61–Point Pleasant Boro 57
• Neptune 44–Ocean Township 42
• Marlboro 58–St. Rose 48
• Tropics 61–Wall Township 59

GMC Hoops will post the latest standings shortly.