LINDEN, NJ–On Wednesday afternoon, GMC Hoops traveled up to Linden High School to take in the quarterfinal round game between St. Joseph’s and Middletown North in the 2016 Linden Summer League Playoffs. Trailing 25-14 midway through the second period, Middletown North went on an 18-2 run for over six minutes to take a 32-27 lead at the 9:21 mark of the third.
From there, it was a back and forth affair with neither team having a lead bigger than five points, and both teams exchanging leads three times and tying three times. St. Joseph’s would prevail though by scoring the last five points of the game for a 56-51 victory. Below are game notes from the action:
First Quarter
4:23–Arrive with Joe’s leading 7-3.
3:00–STJ–Malachi Walker three point play for a 10-3 lead.
1:31–STJ–timeout.
1:15–STJ–Frink–basket for a 14-3 lead.
1:00–MN–three pointer from the right corner for a 14-6 STJ lead.
27.0–STJ–Letrell West scores on putback for a 16-6 lead.
0.0–STJ–West–swipes steal and goes in for layup while being fouled for a three point play and a 19-6 lead.
Second Quarter
7:12–STJ–Matt Crowley scores on reverse layup to end a 6-2 start by MN including three from right side for a 23-12 lead.
6:40–MN–basket for a 23-14 STJ lead.
5:35–STJ–Walker skies for layin and a 25-14 lead.
1:32–MN–basket for a 27-20 STJ lead.
1:05–MN–basket for a 27-22 STJ lead.
19.0–MN–fouled and makes both FTs for a 27-24 STJ lead.
0:00–MN–three pointer from the left wing with time running out for a 27-27 tie. MN ends half on a 13-2 tear.
Third Quarter
9:43–MN–three pointer from left wing for a 30-27 lead.
9:21–MN–transition layup from right side for a 32-27 lead.
8:43–STJ–Mikey Granda dishes to Walker for score that ends 18-2 MN spurt for a 32-29 MN lead.
5:22–STJ–After a 3-0 MN run on 3 of 4 FTs for a 35-29 lead, Xavier Townes draws a foul and makes both FTs for a 35-31 MN lead.
4:29–STJ–Frink layin closes gap to 35-33.
3:48–STJ–West transition layup for a 35-35 tie.
2:30–MN–score for 37-35 lead.
1:41–STJ–Frink–fouled and makes both FTs for a 37-37 tie.
30.0–MN–fouled and makes both FTs for a 39-37 lead.
0.0–STJ–unable to score in closing seconds. MN leads 39-37.
Fourth Quarter
9:10–STJ–West three point play for a 40-39 lead.
8:36–MN–score for a 41-40 lead.
7:52–STJ–Frink layin for a 42-41 lead.
5:10–STJ–West three pointer for a 45-41 lead.
4:30–MN–basket and a foul, but missed the bonus FT for a 45-43 STJ lead.
3:59–STJ–timeout.
3:08–STJ–good ball movement leads to three from left wing by Townes for a 48-43 lead.
2:30–MN–three pointer left corner for a 48-46 STJ lead.
2:20–STJ–Frink–breakaway dunk for a 50-46 lead.
2:06–MN–three pointer from left wing for a 50-49 STJ lead.
1:51–STJ–Frink–fouled–makes 1 of 2 FTs for a 51-49 lead.
1:38–MN–pull up jumper ties game at 51-51
56.0–STJ–Frink layup off a nice dribble move from left side for a 53-51 lead.
44.3–MN–timeout.
21.9–STJ–Walker breakaway dunk for a 55-51 lead.
13.6–STJ–West blocks shot.
6.8–STJ–West fouled and makes 1 of 2 FTs for a 56-51 lead
0.0–MN–misses three attempt with time running out for a 56-51 STJ win.