SOUTH AMBOY, NJ–On Saturday evening, GMC Hoops traveled over to South Amboy Middle-High School to take in the final two games of the 4th annual Friends of South Amboy Showcase. The first contest was between Perth Amboy Tech, and Mater Dei Prep of Middletown. The Seraphs, which were coming off an upset win over 20th ranked in the state, Point Pleasant Beach on Friday night, jumped out to a 21-3 lead midway through the second period, and coasted from there to a 65-26 victory over the Patriots. Central Regional transfer, Elijah Barnes scored 11 of his points in the first half while Nyke McCombs chipped in with 8, and Kyle Elliot added 6 to get Mater Dei off to a huge start. Below are game notes from the action:
First Quarter
5:15–MDP–takes 2-0 lead on basket by Nyke McCombs.
3:02–PAVT–gets on the board on a drive for layup by Kyrie Byers to end 6-0 start by MDP including a score by Elijah Barnes. MDP leads 6-2.
14.9–MDP–now on an 8-1 run following another score by Barnes and two buckets by Josh Green for a 14-3 lead. Pedro Gonzalez got on the board for Amboy Tech with one of two FTs.
0.0–MDP leads 14-3.
Second Quarter
7:30–MDP–timeout.
6:37–MDP now up 16-3 after basket by Barnes.
5:00–MDP–now leads 21-3 after basket by McCombs.
3:00–PAVT–on a 6-2 run thanks to scores by Eric Negron, Javon Fisher, and Manuel Hernandez for a 23-9 MDP lead.
2:46–MDP–McCombs fouled and makes both FTs for a 25-9 lead.
2:01 left in the half and Mater Dei leads 28-11. Led by Nyke McCombs, Josh Green, and Elijah Barnes, the Seraphs had a 21-3 start.
0:00–MDP–ends half on a 7-2 run including jumper before buzzer by Barnes for a 32-11 lead at the half. Mater Dei Prep’s first half scoring: Elijah Barnes leads the Seraphs with 11. Nyke McCombs has 8 and Kyle Elliot has 6. Amboy Tech first half scoring: Eric Negron leads Patriots with 4 while Kyrie Byers and Javon Fisher each have 3.
Third Quarter
6:00–MDP–opens half with the first three points including a one handed slam by Barnes for a 35-11 lead.
3:01–MDP–has scored 14 of last 16 including three pointer and foul line jumper by McCombs for a 49-13 lead.
2:30–MDP–three point play for a 52-13 lead.
1:56–MDP–Barnes fouled and makes 1 of 2 FTs for a 53-13 lead.
0:00–MDP–Leads 55-13 after three after a score by Barnes with about 30 seconds left.
Fourth Quarter
5:22–PAVT has scored the last five points, all by Byers including a three point play for a 59-18 MDP lead.
3:12–PAVT adds another score from Pedro Gonzalez for a 59-20 MDP lead.
0:00–Game just ended here in South Amboy with Mater Dei Prep’s Greg Jara scoring this layup to help close out the 65-26 Seraphs win.
Additional Notes
Mater Dei Prep features several players from recently closed Cardinal McCarrick including Josh Green, Nyke McCombs, and Elijah Mitchell.
Amboy Tech got a transfer with Kyle Gregory, who played on Piscataway Tech’s JV last year. Ironically, Gregory hit a game winning shot to defeat Amboy Tech last season on January 30th in Piscataway.