MIDDLESEX, NJ–On Saturday afternoon, GMC Hoops capped off a 2017 Greater Middlesex Conference Play-In Round tripleheader with a trip to Middlesex High School to see the 20th seeded Blue Jays in action against 29th seeded Wardlaw.
The Blue Jays jumped out to a 14-4 first quarter lead on a three point play by Nick Montajes and a three pointer from Chris Hendricks, and then increased that advantage to 28-7 at the half with a 14-3 showing in the second that included a dunk by Jake Robel, and a three to end the first half by John Dickey.
Middlesex then opened up the third period by scoring the first five points including a three from Montajes and a breakaway dunk by Robel for a commanding 33-7 lead. The Blue Jays eventually led 41-9 midway through the third, and went on to win easily, 56-17.
Robel finished with a game high 13 points for Middlesex while Dickey chipped in with 9 and Montajes added 8. Wardlaw was led by Raphael Genty, who was a bright spot with 6 points while sophomore Ryan Petela chipped in with 5. Below are game notes from the action:
First Quarter
7:00–Wardlaw jumps out to a 2-0 lead on a bucket by Shalon Wallace.
6:00–Middlesex goes in front 3-2 on a traditional three point play by Nick Montajes.
2:34 left in 1st quarter and Middlesex leads 7-2 after a blocked shot on the defensive end, and then a putback on the offensive end by Jake Robel.
2:12 left in first quarter and Wardlaw calls time after Middlesex takes a 9-2 lead on a Tyler Ha transition layup.
0:00–End of first quarter and Middlesex leads Wardlaw, 14-4 after a Chris Hendricks trey from the top of the key. Middlesex had five blocked shots in period. Jays end period on a 14-2 tear after Wardlaw scored the first points of the game.
Second Quarter
4:32 left in first half and Middlesex leads 18-4 after John Dickey faked a three point shot from the left wing, and dribbled in for a layup. Middlesex struggling to get into an offensive rhythm, but still in control as they open the period with the first 4 points.
57.4 seconds left in first half and Middlesex leads Wardlaw, 23-5 after Jake Robel slashed in from the right side of the key for a dunk.
0:00–Game has gone to the half with Middlesex leading Wardlaw 28-7 at the half after a John Dickey three from the left wing in the closing seconds of the 2nd period. Middlesex’s first half scoring: Jake Robel leads the Blue Jays with 11 points while John Dickey has 7. Wardlaw’s first half scoring: Three players have 2 points for the Rams. Middlesex outscored Wardlaw by a 14-3 margin in the 2nd. Blue Jays tallied its 28 points on 10 FGs, two threes, and a perfect 2 of 2 FTs. Wardlaw got its 7 points on two FGs and 3 of 6 FTs.
Third Quarter
6:54 left in 3rd and Wardlaw calls timeout trailing 33-7 thanks in part to a Jake Robel dunk. Nick Montajes added a three during the early run.
3:07 left in 3rd and Middlesex leads Wardlaw 41-9 on a Kareem Aref score off a post up move from the right low block.
2:15 to go in 3rd and Middlesex calls time still leading 41-9.
0:00–End of 3rd and Middlesex leads Wardlaw 45-9 after an up and under move by Kareem Aref off an inbounds play underneath. Middlesex outscores Wardlaw by a margin of 17-2 in the third.
Fourth Quarter
4:57 left in 4th and Middlesex leads Wardlaw, 50-12 after a Ryan Reynolds three from the top of the key off a pass from the left corner by Anthony Mason. Blue Jays open final frame with 5 of the first 8 points.
3:34 left in 4th and Middlesex now leads 54-12 after a reverse layup by Brad Kaplan.
0:00–Game just ended here at Middlesex with Blue Jays defeating Wardlaw, 56-17 after late score by Pat Rudawski. Wardlaw scores 5 of the last 7 points of the game including a bucket down the stretch by Raphael Genty. Middlesex’s scoring for the game: Jake Robel led Jays with 13. John Dickey added 9. Nick Montajes had 8. Wardlaw’s scoring for the game: Raphael Genty led the Rams with 6 while Ryan Petela chipped in with 5. Middlesex had 9 different players score while Wardlaw had only five. Middlesex tallied its 56 points on 21 field goals, 4 threes, and a perfect 2 of 2 FTs while Wardlaw had its 17 points on 5 field goals and 7 of 12 FTs.