LINCROFT, NJ–On Tuesday night, GMC Hoops traveled down to Brookdale Community College for the second straight week to see the Jersey Blues in action against Middlesex County College in a Garden State Athletic Conference match-up.
Early on, the Blue Colts were able to take a 20-16 lead on the hot shooting of sophomore guard, and former Sayreville standout, Mike Valentin. However, after trailing 27-25 in a back and forth first half, Brookdale, led by former Cardinal McCarrick and J.P. Stevens standout, Sky Harris, James Wright, and Zach Olukanny, ended the half on a 19-8 tear, and opened the second half on a 15-10 run for a 59-45 lead.
From there, Middlesex could only managed to get as close as nine points the rest of the way as the Jersey Blues went on to win, 86-69. Former Piscataway standout, Marinus Tavernier was a bright spot in defeat for Middlesex. Below are game notes from the action:
First Half
17:45–Brookdale jumps out to a 7-3 lead after a dunk by Zack Olukanny.
16:36 left in the first half and Middlesex closes the gap to 8-7 on Mike Valentin’s 2nd three of the game from the right corner.
15:00–MCC takes a 10-8 lead on another three by Valentin.
13:44 left in the first half and Brookdale takes a 14-12 lead on a short jumper off the inbounds underneath by Sky Harris.
12:15 left in the first half and Mike Valentin sinks another triple for a 20-16 Middlesex CC lead.
9:46 to go in 1st half and Brookdale CC goes back out in front, 22-21 thanks to this jumper from the left baseline by Sky Harris.
9:23 left in the first half and Brookdale CC calls time with a 23-21 lead.
4:58 left in the first half and Brookdale CC leads 33-29 after Zach Olukanny made two FTs.
0:00–Brookdale CC ends the half on an 11-4 spurt including this jumper by Sky Harris for a 44-35 lead. Brookdale trailed 27-25 before scoring 19 of the last 27 points of the half.
Second Half
14:12 left in the game and MCC trails Brookdale 59-45. Jersey Blues open 2nd half on a 15-10 run with scores from James Wright and Zach Olukanny.
9:46 left in the game and Middlesex CC closes within 65-53 on a floater in the paint by Mike Valentin.
7:39 remaining and MCC pulls within 66-57 on a short jumper from the right side by PWay’s Marinus Tavernier.
5:30–Brookdale leads 71-61 after an exchange of dunks by Olukanny and Tavernier.
3:42 remaining and Brookdale now leads 77-65 thanks to a drive down the right lane for a layup by Sky Harris.
0:00–Brookdale finishes game on 20-12 surge including dunk by Jordan Little & a Sky Harris score for 86-69 win