Here are highlights from the action in the 2017 Central Jersey Group 4 semifinals between fifth seeded Sayreville and top seeded Freehold Township at Freehold Township High School.
Facing a great deal of adversity and a 50-30 deficit midway through the third quarter, Sayreville battled back with a 35-20 surge over the next 11 minutes or so to pull within five at 70-65 after back to back threes by Henny Mautes.
Unfortunately, the deficit was too much to overcome as top seeded Freehold Township punched a ticket to its third straight sectional final with a 76-66 victory by scoring 6 of the last 7 points of the game including a dunk in the final seconds.
Stephen Staklinski led the Patriots in the win with 23 points while Ryan Zyskowski added 18 points and Bobby Weise chipped in with 16. Ryan O’Leary led all scorers with a game high 24 points in a losing cause for Sayreville while teammate Xavier Townes added 13 while Mautes chipped in with 9.
With the victory, Freehold Township not only improved 25-2, but also will take on Hunterdon Central in the Championship Game on Tuesday, March 7th at 5:30 PM at Freehold Township High School. Sayreville, which won the GMC White for the third time in four years, and advanced to its first GMCT Championship since 2000, completed its season at 22-8.