Here are highlights from the action in Hunterdon Central’s win over Sayreville in the 2016 Central Jersey Group 4 Quarterfinals. In the first of two games covered by GMC Hoops on Thursday, Sayreville traveled out to Flemington to take on Hunterdon Central in a Central Jersey Group 4 Quarterfinal.
The Bombers jumped out to a 16-14 lead with about two minutes remaining in the first quarter, and then added a couple more scores for a 20-14 lead before the top seeded Red Devils rallied back with five unanswered points including a Colin McNeil (20 points) layup and a Cole Hanntz (12 points) three pointer from the left corner to close the gap to 20-19. Hunterdon Central then opened the second with another score for a 21-20 lead before both teams swapped leads several times.
Hunterdon Central went ahead again at 27-26 with a layup at the 4:46 mark before Sayreville called for time. Following the timeout, the Devils got another score for a 29-26 lead before the Bombers responded with four consecutive points including a straight on jumper by Zach Alessi (6 points) at the 2:49 mark for a 30-29 lead. Hunterdon Central then closed the half with the final four points including a transition layup by Hanntz off a steal and assist by Tucker Richardson (20 points) with 53.3 seconds remaining in the half for a 33-30 lead.
The Red Devils then opened up the second half on a 10-0 run including another three by Hanntz and layups by McNeil and Richardson for a 43-30 lead at the 6:36 mark. To its credit, Sayreville didn’t quit. Instead, the Bombers battled back within five thanks to a 22-14 rally highlighted by two threes by Elijah Clark (18 poitns) and a trey from reserve Mike Gray (5 points) to narrow the deficit to 57-52 with a minute left in the third.
Sayreville stayed within five for the next several minutes as it exchanged scores with Hunterdon Central including a layup by Ryan O’Leary (23 points) with 5:28 remaining for a 61-56 Red Devils lead. However, despite a three by O’Leary at the 4:30 mark, Hunterdon Central began to pull away. Sayreville’s Jahsim Floyd (13 points) then fouled out with 1:26 to play and the Bombers trailing 71-64. From there, Hunterdon Central went to the line and outscored Sayreville, 10-7 to wrap up the 81-71 victory.
With the win, Hunterdon Central improved to 24-4 on the season and advanced to the sectional semifinals on Saturday, where it will host 4th seeded Freehold Township. Sayreville finished its season at 18-10.