GMC Hoops Preview–A Sneak Peek At The 2013 Tournament Of Champions

St. Joseph’s Earns First Round Bye For 2nd Straight Year

SOUTH PLAINFIELD, NJ–The final chapter of the 2013 Boys Basketball season begins tonight as the Tournament of Champions gets underway with two first round games starting at 6:00 PM at Pine Belt Arena in Toms River.  Top seeded Roselle Catholic, and second seeded St. Joseph’s, the lone GMC representative in the tourney, get first round byes and await the winners from tonight’s games in the semifinals at Monmouth University on Friday night.

Group IV state champion, Atlantic City, making its second straight T of C appearance, and third since 2005, was seeded third.  Group III champion, Newark Eastside, which won its first state title since 2002, received the fourth seed, and will play neighborhood rival and fifth seeded Newark Tech in the first quarterfinal matchup at Pine Belt.  Sixth seeded Point Pleasant Beach, the Group I state champ, will take on AC in the nightcap quarterfinal game at 8:00 PM.  The Garnet Gulls should enjoy a bit of a home court advantage by playing close to their backyard in Ocean County.

Quarterfinal Round

Newark Eastside and Newark Tech will be playing for the third time this season with each team winning once.  Eastside won the most recent matchup in the Essex County Tournament (50-47).  The Red Raiders have been able to do it with defense as they have only yielded an average of 45 points per game over its six games of the state tournament.  Newark Eastside has also defeated state powers Mendham, (43-21), Irvington (40-38), Teaneck (39-35), and Camden (60-54).  The Raiders held their opponents to under 40 points in four of those six state playoff games.

Akbar Hoffman (20 points including two threes) and Ahmad Harrison (10 points including two threes) helped lead the way for the Raiders in the state final against Camden.  However, Stephen McNair came ready to play, and gave East Side a much needed boost off the bench with 15 points including a three.  Piscataway Tech transfer, Will Joyce was held scoreless, but was a force on the defensive end and the boards along with fellow forwards Abdul Lewis and Ismael Sonogo.  The three frontcourt players have an average height of 6’5″ and combine to average just under 24 points per game while helping to trigger the Red Raiders fast beaker with their rebounding.

Joyce dominated the GMC Gold Division last year in order to earn All Division Honors at P-Way Tech.  He was tenacious and relentless on the boards.  Lewis and Sonogo match that tenacity and high energy.  Meanwhile, Newark Tech also benefitted from the presence of a transfer as Rakwan Kelly came over from Hudson Catholic after playing a key role for the Hawks in getting to the Non-Public B North sectional final last year.  Kelly scored 20 points to lead the way for the Terriers in a 56-44 win over Medford Tech in the Group II State Championship on Sunday.  Dwayne Murrill came up big in the second half of that game by scoring all 16 of his points over the final two periods including a two handed dunk, and two three pointers.

Newark Tech has put things together within the past six weeks or so with 8 victories in its last 9 games including wins over Columbia of Maplewood (68-50), Shabazz (64-45), Elizabeth (64-53), Newark Central (76-54), and Snyder of Jersey City (55-54).  The Terriers have given up more points per game than East Side during their run (48 points per game), but have also scored an average of 63 points per game.  In those 9 games, the Terriers scored 60 points or more six times, but was also held to their lowest output during the stretch by Newark Eastside in the ECT Semifinals (47 points).  Football standout Kemoko Turay scored 8 points including six in the third in the win over Medford Tech on Sunday while Tyree Sykes grabbed 14 boards.

The Terriers have more overall size with five players in their rotation that are at least 6’4″, and have a frontcourt size of 6’6″.  Newark Tech got off to a slow start against Medford Tech in the state final, and have been prone to them during the course of the season.  They will not be able to afford to do that against Eastside, which likes to get out in transition  and score easy baskets.  The Terriers will have to attack the glass, and be patient against Eastside’s defense to get good shots, and prevent the Raiders from getting out on the break.  Expect this to be an exciting, tightly contest, and low scoring game.  The last time two teams from Newark played against each other in the T of C was back in 2009 when Newark Science defeated University.

Prediction:  Newark Eastside wins, 59-55.

In the other quarterfinals, Point Pleasant Beach, a choice school, and winner of the Group I title, will face, Atlantic City, the Group IV champion.  Last year, AC was the fourth seed, and had to rally to force overtime before winning in the extra session over then fifth seeded and then Group II state champ, Ewing in the 2012 T of C quarterfinals.  With the likes of backcourt combo Isaiah Graves and Dayshawn Reynolds sinking clutch threes from deep as they did against Linden on Sunday, the Vikings have no fear on offense.  There is also a great deal of balance on the Viking offense with Dennis White, Ga-briel Chandler, and Jahleem Montague all putting up good numbers down low.

White was huge in the state final against Linden.  Time and time again in the second half, White was able to score inside to keep Atlantic City in control.  Graves was huge in the win over East Brunswick with 10 of his 16 points in the fourth quarter, and three treys in the second half and overtime including two moon shot threes from the right wing in the extra session to give the Vikes the lead for good.  Graves ended up with 18 points including four threes.  Dayshawn Reynolds made Graves heroices possible in the overtime by striking for three with 33.7 seconds in regulation.  Tashad Reynolds, Lamar Thomas, and  Dzja Chase  with Chase making some great dishes to White for layups in the second half.

While Atlantic City is known for making clutch shots and coming from behind, much of its late game heroics are created by a stout man to man defense.  Against East Brunswick, the Vikings gave up 33 points in the first half and trailed by 10 at the intermission before locking down on the Bears to limit them to 16 over the final two periods, and 49 for the game.  EB only had two field goals over the first 10 minutes of the second half.   Montague helps provide support by blocking shots, and guarding the other team”s big man.  Despite giving up about 70 pounds to Linden’s Quadri Moore, Montague limited him to just 9 points in the state final.

Point Pleasant Beach is playing in its first T of C, but also competing in front of a favorable crowd since it is from Ocean County.  The last time Point Beach played on this court was a week ago when it handily defeated Paulsboro (67-48).  The Garnet Gulls have a solid backcourt with the likes of P.J. Kinneavy and Matt Farrell, but they also have had good frontcourt play from big men, Riley Calzonetti, Dominique Uhl, and Noah Yates.  Uhl provides some length  and athletic ability as well as a good stroke from the perimeter. Calzonetti is a good finisher, who scored 12 of his 18 points in the second half including eight straight points in the fourth as the Gulls executed a patient, methodical, and disciplined game down the stretch in its 43-39 win over Jonathan Dayton in the Group I title game.

The Gulls will need to use its patience and discipline again to control the tempo and pace of this game with AC.  Point Beach will have to do a solid job of protecting the ball and making shots in order to keep this a halfcourt game with the Vikings.  The Garnet Gulls will also have to keep Isaiah Graves from taking over the contest, and prevent he and Dayshawn Reynolds from making big shots.

Prediction:  Atlantic City wins, 60-47.

Semifinal Round

Both St. Joseph’s and Roselle Catholic will face stern tests from whoever advances in the quarterfinal round.  The Falcons and Lions will also have about a week layoff, which can be a curse as much as a blessing.  St. Joe’s was seeded second in last year’s T of C, and also had the first round bye before being routed by Plainfield in the semifinals, 70-48.

However, the Falcons have experience on their side from last season with Karl Towns Jr.,  Jimbo Long, and James Ziemba all returning from last year’s squad.  Atlantic City is the only other team that played in last year’s T of  C returning this year.  So, predicting AC to win its quarterfinal round game over Point Beach, I take a look at how the Vikings will fare against St. Joe’s in the semis.

In its last 22 games, St. Joe’s has gone 20-2 with 12 straight wins.  The only losses were to Central Jersey Group IV champion, East Brunswick (January 17th) and Union County Tourney and Non-Public B South runner-up, Patrick School (February 2nd).  Against the latter, and in its third battle with EB, the Falcons played well without the services of Towns, who sat out against the Patrick School with tendonitis in his knee, and fouled out in the first overtime against the Bears.  St. Joe’s rallied to only lose by seven to the Celtics, and then came from behind in the second overtime to beat EB for the GMCT title.

The trio of Towns, Wade Baldwin, and Marques Townes do the bulk of the damage for the Falcons by averaging well into double figures each game.  However, Jimbo Long has been a solid playmaker and defender while coming up with clutch shots like the three he hit in the first quarter against St. Peter’s Prep to get the Falcons going in their Non-Public A state final.  James Ziemba has done a great job helping Towns dominate the glass, and had a key basket himself in the second half against the Marauders.  Raven Owen is healthy after suffering an ankle injury late in the regular season, has a solid stroke, and can come off the bench to spell Long, or help the Falcons go more up-tempo with a smaller lineup.  Brian Fitzpatrick has also come off the bench to make solid contributions this year.

Montague will have the task of stopping Karl Towns, who has become a better low post player this year while still keeping his fine stroke from long distance. He also does a great job of starting the Falcons fast break with fine outlet passes to Baldwin and Townes.  Towns got into foul trouble in last year’s semifinal, and in the state final against St. Peter’s Prep.  Baldwin and Townes have the ability to take over a game.  Baldwin scored 30 in the loss to the Patrick School including 20 in the fourth period.  Townes made the key play that helped the Falcons prevail over EB.  Graves and Dayshawn Reynolds have that same capability of taking over games, and making big plays for AC.  The Ziemba-White or Ga-briel Chandler matchup down low could be a key matchup.  Both teams have played a common opponent in East Brunswick with AC winning its only game over EB in the state semis while Joes won the most recent of three matchups in the GMCT Championship.

Prediction:  St. Joseph’s wins, 65-63

In the other semifinal, top seeded  Roselle Catholic will face off against fourth seeded  Newark Eastside.  Both of these teams have been able to get this point with solid defense, and each has its share of athletic and talented players.  Roselle Catholic has momentum on its side though thanks to its victory over a St. Anthony’s squad that had only lost once in its previous 94 games. 

The Lions have also beaten the Patrick School three times, Elizabeth, Plainfield, Pope John, East Brunswick, and many other top notch teams in the state.  They are led by the trio of Hakim Saintil, Tyler Roberson, and Malachi Richardson.  Asante Gist is a talented freshman with a great shooting touch.  Eastside will have its hands full, but also plays suffocating defense.

Saintil has big play capability from the perimeter and inside.  He can penetrate to the basket for layups or dishes to  Roberson for scores.  Richardson can also shoot the three.  Saintil demonstrated the Lions resolve in its win over the Friars with scores inside at the 1:26 and 1:21 marks for a 45-42 lead.  Roselle Catholic galvanized itself with a great run through the Non-Public B field with wins over the likes of Rutgers Prep, Wildwood Catholic, and Patrick School before stunning St. Anthony’s.  

Expect this game to be a close one as well, and could be as low scoring as the Non-Public B state final.  The team that dictates tempo and plays better defense will win the game.   Joyce, Lewis, and Sonogo will have to find a way to stop Roberson at both ends of the floor.  Akbar Hoffman and Ahmad Harrison will have to match up well against Saintil and Richardson.

Prediction:  Roselle Catholic wins, 50-45.

Championship

The matchup of top seeded Roselle Catholic and second seeded St. Joseph’s could be a classic.  Both teams have faced top flight opponents including common foes East Brunswick and Patrick School with RC going 4-0 against those two schools while St. Joe’s is only 1-3.

Both have plenty of talent and athletic ability, have rallied back from adversity to  win titles, and play solid defense.   Both also have momentum going for them with the Lions beating St. Anthony’s in the Non-Public B state final while the Falcons defeated EB after losing to the  Bears the previous two times to win the GMCT.

St. Joe’s has been able to find ways to win or play well without Karl Towns, and may have been able to defeat Patrick School with him in the lineup. The Falcons will have to contain the speed, quickness and resiliency of Saintil while containing the shooting of  Saintil and Richardson.  Roberson will have a tough battle on his hands with Towns and Ziemba in the paint, but did  dominate against Division I prospect Kentrell Brooks  and St. Anthony’s.

Prediction:  St. Joseph’s wins, 57-56.