PARLIN, NJ–On Tuesday night, GMC Hoops traveled over to Sayreville War Memorial High School to see the 5th ranked Bombers take on the 8th ranked J.P. Stevens in a White Division Clash. For the fourth time in the last seven months dating back to the 2015 Rahway Summer League, these two teams went at it in another downybrook. Sayreville jumped out to an 18-10 first quarter lead as Ryan O’Leary (10 points) and Elijah Clark (6 points) combined for 16 of the Bombers 18 points. Stevens chipped away at the deficit over the next two and a half quarters, and overtook Sayreville for a 43-39 lead. Derek Astarita then made a free throw, and on the second missed free throw, O’Leary grabbed the offensive rebound and then put back his own miss while being fouled for a traditional three point play with 35 seconds left. The Bombers then tied up the Hawks on a loose ball with 25 seconds left and got the possession arrow. Following a Sayreville timeout, the Bombers set up for a final shot and got the ball to O’Leary, who drove along the left side for a shot attempt that was off the mark, but Jahsim Floyd put it back in for a 45-43 lead with 2.6 seconds left. Stevens threw the ball up court, but it went out of bounds and then Sayreville ran out the clock for the 45-43 win. O’Leary finished with a game high 18 points while Elijah Clark added 11 and Floyd chipped in with 7. Mike Lionikis led Stevens with 13 points while Alex Corrigan added 11 and Rishav Ghosh chipped in with 10. Below are game notes from the action:
First Quarter
4:40–At Sayreville where the Bombers lead Stevens 6-2 after a Ryan O’Leary score. Elijah Clark hit a jumper earlier for the Bombers while Mike Lionikis opened the scoring with a jumper for JPS.
3:19 left in the first quarter and Sayreville leads Stevens 10-2 after this one handed rim rocker by Elijah Clark. JPS timeout.
0:00–End of the first quarter and Sayreville takes an 18-10 lead on this jumper by Ryan O’Leary. O’Leary and Clark combined for 16 of Sayreville’s 18 first quarter points.
Second Quarter
6:15 left in the first half and Stevens has scored 5 straight including a three by Alex Corrigan and a score by Mike Lionikis for a 20-15 Sayreville lead.
3:56 left in the first half and Sayreville goes back up by 9 at 24-15 after a putback dunk by Jahsim Floyd.
3:36 left in the first half and Sayreville calls time leading 24-18 after a three point play by Mike Lionikis.
0:00–Game has gone to the half with Sayreville leading Stevens 30-23 after a buzzer beating three from the right wing by Tyrese Conover. J.P. Stevens first half scoring: Mike Lionikis leads the Hawks with 9 and Jay’von Blacknall chipped in with 5. Sayreville first half scoring: Ryan O’Leary leads all scorers with 15 points including 10 in the first quarter and Elijah Clark has 8 including six in the first frame.
Third Quarter
3:39 left in the third and Stevens pulls within three at 34-31 on a score by Rishav Ghosh. The Hawks open 2nd half on an 8-4 run.
0:00–Neither team scored the rest of the way as Sayreville clings to a 34-31 lead after three.
Fourth Quarter
7:00–JPS pulls to within one at 34-33 on a layup by Rishav Ghosh off an entry pass by Jay’von Blacknall.
6:00–JPS goes in front at 35-34 on a floater by Mike Lionikis over Jahsim Floyd.
5:45–SAY–takes lead again at 37-35 on a three from the left corner by Elijah Clark.
4:00–JPS–takes a 39-38 lead on a tip-in by Rishav Ghosh and a pull-up jumper by Alex Corrigan.
3:00–SAY–Zach Alessi is fouled after forcing a steal and makes 1 of 2 FTs for a 39-38 JPS lead.
2:00–JPS–takes a 43-39 lead on a pair of free throws by Jay’von Blacknall.
40.0–SAY–Derek Astarita fouled and makes 1 of 2 FTs to close the gap to 43-40.
35.0–Sayreville ties the game at 43-43 on a follow by Ryan O’Leary that ended up as a three point play.
25.0–The Bombers tied up the Hawks on a loose ball and got the possession arrow.
2.6 seconds left in the game and Sayreville takes a 45-43 lead on a putback by Jahsim Floyd.
1.4 seconds left and J.P. Stevens loses the ball out of bounds after the inbounds pass from its own basket goes too far.
0:00–Game just ended at The Bomb Shelter in Sayreville with the 5th ranked Bombers edging 8th ranked J.P. Stevens 45-43. J.P. Stevens scoring for the game. Mike Lionikis led the Hawks with 13. Alex Corrigan added 11, and Rishav Ghosh chipped in with 10. Sayreville scoring for the game. Ryan O’Leary led all scorers with 18 while Elijah Clark added 11 and Jahsim Floyd chipped with 7 including the game winner.