GMC Hoops Highlights–February 2, 2016–#8 J.P. Stevens @ #5 Sayreville–White Division Clash

Here are highlights from the action in the GMC White contest between 8th ranked J.P. Stevens and 5th ranked Sayreville. 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.

Sayreville’s 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.