GMC Hoops Game Notes—Hunterdon Central vs. #4 North Brunswick—Championship Game—Hillsborough Holiday Hoops Tournament—December 30, 2014

HILLSBOROUGH, NJ—On Tuesday night, GMC Hoops finished up its holiday hoops coverage with a trip back to Hillsborough High School to see the Championship Game of the 2014 Hillsborough Holiday Hoops Tournament between fourth ranked North Brunswick and Hunterdon Central of the Skyland Conference. Hunterdon Central pulled within four late in the third period, but then North Brunswick went on a 17-10 run over the next 6:30 or so to take a 53-42 lead. The Red Devils didn’t give up though with back to back three pointers that closed the gap to 53-48 with 24.8 seconds left. However, the Raiders didn’t let HCHS get any closer thanks to 3 of 4 from the foul line the rest of the way including two by Francis Omowole and one by Eric Slade to win the title, 56-48. L.J. Williams earned tourney MVP honors with a game high 16 points while Slade chipped in with 11. Colin McNeil led Hunterdon Central with 16 while Pat Clare chipped in with 10. Below are game notes from the final 10:30 of the contest.

Third Quarter

2:11–Just arrived at Hillsborough for the final between North Brunswick and Hunterdon Central. North Brunswick leads 36-30.

1:37—Eric Slade Jr. feeds Soloman Gayle for a layin in the paint and a 38-30 North Brunswick lead.

0:58—Hunterdon Central hits a foul line jumper for a 38-32 NBTHS lead.

0:00–Third quarter just ended with North Brunswick leading 38-32 thanks to a basket and block by Soloman Gayle. Raiders appear to score at the buzzer, but the shot didn’t go up until after the buzzer sounded.


Fourth Quarter

4:56 left in the game and North Brunswick calls timeout after a three by Hunterdon Central closed the gap to 44-37. The trey by the Red Devils ended a 6-2 run by North Brunswick to start the final period. Raiders early fourth quarter run included a transition layup by Francis Omowole from L.J. Williams, a baseline jumper by L.J. Williams off a kick out by Slade Jr., and a scoop shot layup by Williams off a 4 on 3 fast break.

2:27 left in the game and there is a timeout after a score by HC answered an earlier layup by Eric Slade for a 51-41 NBTHS lead.

24.8 left in the game and HC calls timeout after this three pulls the Devils within 53-48. Devils once trailed by 11, but hit back to back threes to make things interesting again.

0:00–Game just ended with North Brunswick winning 56-48 despite going 5 of 10 from the line down the stretch. Francis Omowole netted two free throws with 12 seconds left and Eric Slade went 1 of 2 at the line with 7 seconds left to put away the win. LJ Williams selected tourney MVP.