GMC Hoops Game Notes–#6 Newark Tech vs. #3 Paterson Eastside–NJSIAA T of C Quarterfinals–March 18, 2015

TOMS RIVER, NJ–In the nightcap game of the 2015 NJSIAA Tournament of Champions Quarterfinals Doubleheader at Pine Belt Arena between 6th seeded Newark Tech and 3rd seeded Paterson Eastside, the Group II Staye Champion Terriers won their 12th game out of their last 14 with a 66-56 victory over the Group IV champion Ghosts. Trailing 14-6 early on, Newark Tech rallied with a 27-12 surge that included a couple threes from CJ Webb and an acrobatic score by Mustafa Lawrence for a 33-26 lead at the half. Then in the second half, after Paterson Eastside opened the third with a three and a dunk, the Terriers scored 14 of the last 21 points of the frame for a 47-38 lead. From there, Paterson Eastside couldn’t get any closer than 6 points the rest of the way. Lawrence ended up with 24 points while Webb added 21, and Jordan Zagadou chipped in with 14 points to lead the Terriers to victory. Shakur Juiston led Paterson Eastside with 24 points while Asem Johnson chipped in with 11. Below are game notes from the action:

First Quarter

4:00–Paterson Eastside puts Newark Tech on the ropes early by jumping out to a 14-6 lead despite a putback dunk by Jordan Zagadou.

0:00–Newark Tech rallies back by scoring 7 of the last 9 pts of the first to close the gap to 16-13 after one.


Second Quarter

7:00–Newark Tech then opened the second with a three from the left wing by CJ Webb to tie it at 16-16. Newark Tech on a 10-2 spurt.

4:00–After the two teams tie again at 18-18, Paterson Eastside goes on a 6-2 run to take a 24-20 lead.

1:00–Newark Tech’s Mustafa Lawrence gets a rebound and takes it coast to coast for the acrobatic score and a 29-26 Newark Tech lead.

0:00–Game has gone to the half between Paterson Eastside and Newark Tech with the Terriers leading the Ghosts 32-26. Newark Tech ends the half on a 26-12 surge including 13 of the last 15 points of the second period. There were three lead changes late in the half before Newark Tech ended the 2nd with a 7-0 run for the halftime lead.


Third Quarter

6:38–Paterson Eastside got a three from the right wing by Nhazir Smith and a dunk by Shakur Juiston to open 2nd half on a 5-0 to pull within a basket at 33-31.

0:00–End of the third and Newark Tech leads 47-38 thanks to a late three from the right wing by Webb. Newark Tech ended the period on a 14-7 tear.


Fourth Quarter

7:33–Paterson Eastside opens 4th with a three point play to close the gap to six again at 47-41.

4:00–Paterson Eastside closes to within six again at 56-50.

2:59 left and Newark Tech leads 58-50 and calls for time after hustling to get a loose ball. Paterson Eastside almost pulled within five on a three pointer by Aaryn Abrams, but the Ghosts were called for offensive interference.

25 seconds left in the game and Newark Tech leads Paterson Eastside 64-54. Webb nets two fts for a 66-54 lead. Webb 6 of 6 from the line down the stretch.

0:00–Newark Tech wins 2nd TOC quarterfinal by the score of 66-56. Terriers face Pope John in the other semifinal on Friday night. Mustafa Lawrence led the Terriers with 24 points while CJ Webb chipped in with 21 points while Jordan Zagadou added 14. Shakur Juiston led the Ghosts in a losing cause with a double-double of 24 points and 10 rebounds while Asem Johnson added 11. Newark Tech reaches TOC semis for the 2nd time in the last 3 years. The last time Newark Tech got to the semis in 2013 it lost to Roselle Catholic, the eventual champion. Not bad considering Newark Tech started the year at 4-11.