JAMES CORRIGAN’S 2018-19 GMC PREVIEW

It is that time of year once again. Another year of Middlesex County basketball, and another year of GMC Hoops being there every step of the way. This season is year 19 of Greg Machos’ labor of love in this site, and year three of me bringing you all the action over the airwaves. Even as I have transitioned into the role as the lead broadcaster for Saint Peter’s University basketball, GMC basketball remains the constant. It remains so because of the people involved.

Every player, coach, administrator, referee, and even fan that I have interacted with has made my own journey so worthwhile, first as a player myself, then as a fan watching my own brother shine on the court, and now as a broadcaster. I have yet to not get excited for a game, and it is even more so this year, as for the first time ever, our games will be live on video courtesy of RDPlex Films! Friday will be an historic day, and this promises to be an historic season. But as for the season, there is plenty here to cover, so let’s get started!

STORYLINES

GOLD DIVISION

There has been quite a bit of hype going around lately regarding the prospects for the Dunnellen Destroyers. After a strong 10-4 season in the Gold last year, they return junior Tyje Kelton, who put up video game numbers last season, averaging over 20 points, grabbing over 11 rebounds, averaging nearly five assists, and recording over four steals per game. Sophomore Drew Johnson also returns, as he averaged over 13 a game last season as a freshman. It can be safe to call them the favorite, as some have even pegged the Destroyers as a contender in the North 2 Group 1 section. 

This year, the GMC is sending in the Calvary! Calvary Christian of Old Bridge joins the conference this season for the first time after playing independent schedules the past several years. How they fare this year is anybody’s guess, but they did knock off Gold division foes South Amboy, Wardlaw Hartridge, and East Brunswick Tech last season, while only losing to a banged up Woodbridge team by eight. They do return leading scorer Brien Dunphy, so the middle of the pack is certainly in the realm of possibility for the Lions this year in year one.

BLUE DIVISION

This is the strongest Blue division I have seen probably since 2013 when three teams were among the top ten seeds in the GMCT, but this year’s is likely stronger. The addition of Bob Turco could be the hire of the year in New Jersey outside of Phil Colicchio’s arrival in Elizabeth, as transfers from around the Garden State have flocked to Edison to suit up for the former Notre Dame HS and Monroe head man. Not to mention they return the exciting Quadry Adams and Marquise Billingsly as well. Mugsy White and Carteret look to continue to Ramble forward as well, as they return a legitimate star in Jahlil Nix, as well as promising big man Malik Austin among others. South River returns each of its top SIX scorers from last season, including buckets machine Derek Whitaker, and Spotswood welcomes back the ever exciting Matt Vento to Charger country. There will not be an easy game to be had among these four, and while Ahr is likely the favorite, the two time defending champion Ramblers should be right there with them every step of the way. 

WHITE DIVISION

It is a familiar face, but a new one at the same time, as the favorite in the White. Colonia head man Brandon Hall took the dream job of joining Kevin Willard’s staff at Seton Hall, but the Pats may have hit the jackpot with their hire of Jose Rodriguez away from the Plainfield Cardinals. Rodriguez is a disciple of Dave Turco, having coached with him for seven years at St. Joes, where the Falcons won their three Non Public A titles and TOC title in 2014, and presided over players such as Tyus Battle, Wade Baldwin, Marques Townes, Quenton Decosey, and the little known Karl-Anthony Towns. Led by star guard Luke Valeriano and Chad Baker (more on him later), Colonia looks to be the class of the division again, coming off of their magical run to the GMC final a season ago.

The rest of the division is in a bit of flux. Edison looks to be the strongest of the pack, coming off of last year’s quarterfinal run which saw them take the eventual champion St. Joes to the wire. They return three of their top five scorers, including the impressive Christian Wantong, and aways underrated head coach Charlie Mohr may finally get his proper due. Woodbridge sports a young team this year, led by legacy players Kesean Glover and Kyree Henry, who will look to carry the torch once held by their brothers, Ke’Sean and Keshaun respectively. Not to mention they are led by one of the county’s best in Matt Gigliello, who has yet to have a losing season with the Barrons in six seasons. We must also not forget the two time defending division champions in Sayreville. They have lost quite a bit from last season, where their performance tapered off as the season went on. But a John Wojick side can never be counted out.

Will this finally be the year for New Brunswick? The Zebras made strides last year, and return much of their team, including the leading scorer in the division in Ahyan Brown-Miller. The road will be difficult this year, but third year head man Samir Sanu (Mohamed’s brother) seems to have them on the right track.

RED DIVISION

The beat goes on again, as St. Joes is absolutely loaded, and is the clear favorite to win its 9th GMC title in ten years, and its fourth straight. They return four starters from last season’s triumph, including one of the best backcourts in all of New Jersey in juniors Tyree Ford and postseason hero K-Shawn Schulters. Menacing big man Howard McBurnie and another postseason hero in Luke Fresco completes the fold for second year man Mike Thompson, who’s team will make a run at the Non Public South A section as well after falling in the final last season to Camden Catholic.

Jim Macomber’s Old Bridge Knights would be impressed, if they didn’t also sport one of New Jersey’s top backcourts. The reigning GMC Coach of the Year returns standout guard Julius Belton and the county’s leading three point scorer in Mike Oliva, as well as Jared Meyer, who was thought to be the team’s best player going into last season before going down with a torn ACL. 

As for the rest, it looks to be another bloodbath in the Red per usual. Piscataway loses much of the core of last year’s team that earned the #2 seed in the GMCT and defeated St. Joes in the regular season, but they return two strong players in Tyree Barba-Bey and Antonio Chandler for head man Darius Griffin. East Brunswick will be a well coached side again under Mark Motuseky, as they return Xavier Fitzgerald and standout transfer Travis Cumber from Notre Dame HS. JP Stevens has been the perennial tough out the past two seasons, but they sport depth and athleticism this year led by Kasi Hazzard, Naysean Burch, Soloman Smith, and others. As for Monroe, Perth Amboy, and South Brunswick, none of these teams can be counted out by any stretch, with the Vikings especially possibly on the rise again after last season’s rebuilding year.  There is not an easy game to be had in this division.

LEADING RETURNING SCORERS

RED

Julius Belton OB 16.9
Mike Oliva OB 15.4
Devin Strickland SB 14.8
Tyree Ford STJ 14.0
Antonio Chandler PIS 13.0
Travis Cumber EB 12.8
Luke Fresco STJ 12.3
K-Shawn Schulters STJ 12.3
Howard McBurnie STJ 10.5
Xavier Fitzgerald EB 9.7
Michael Kides MON 9.6
Ryan Delacuesta OB 9.1
Akhil Edekar SB 8.9
Kasi Hazzard JPS 7.4
Tyree Barba-Bey PIS 7.3
Kimani Daniel SB 7.2

WHITE

Ahyan Brown-Miller NewB 19.5
Delano Whitfield NoB 14.2
Luke Valeriano COL 12.4
Christian Wantong EHS 11.8
Kesean Glover WB 10.5
Kyree Henry WB 10.2
Zac Kaczmarek SAY 9
Dennis Howard JFK 8.7
Jaymin Vakharia EHS 8.1
Chad Baker COL 7.7
Zaire Jackson SAY 7.6
Tahjay Moore NewB 7.4
David Silva JFK 7.2

BLUE

Derrick Whitaker SR 18.1
Matt Vento SPT 16.8
Joseph Nigro SR 14.6
Quadry Adams BA 13.6
John Dickey MID 12.7
Jahlil Nix CAR 12.6
Joe Siegenthaler SP 11.1
Amari Whitehead MET 11
Malik Austin CAR 10.4
Michael DeSantis SR 8.3
Ian McCoid SP 8.0
Dondre Tate SP 7.7
Zachary Rafano SR 7.6

GOLD

Tyje Kelton DUN 20.2
Kyle Gasiewski SA 18.7
Shalon Wallace WH 17.2
Brien Dunphy CC 16.8
Sergio Rodriguez 15.0 PWT
Ryan Petela WH 14.0
Drew Johnson DUN 13.6
Paadi Amponsah EBT 12.5
Donovan Crawford HP 9.8
Mauricio Arias PAT 9.8
Romelo Haskins HP 9.5
Yire Belliard PAT 9.5
Jordan Horowitz EBT 8.8
Louie Martinez SA 8.4
Kelvin Maria PAT 8.1
Zachary Weiss WH 8.1
Chris Rosa EBT 7.8

TOP TEN

All I have been hearing for the past several weeks, whether it be from players, coaches, and fans, is “where are we ranked?” Well here’s your answer. Once again, this is my disclaimer that I am just one person, and if my preseason track record from the past two seasons continues, you should especially take this with a grain of salt. These are my own opinions, and not the official GMC Hoops top ten. With that being said……..

HONORABLE MENTIONS (Alphabetical):

Monroe, Perth Amboy, Sayreville, Spotswood, Woodbridge

If you were wondering whether it was hard to leave out the two time defending White division champions, a team without a losing record for the past six seasons, and a team that defeated Bishop Ahr last season with a 16-12 record and returns its best player, not to mention two of my favorite coaches in Matt Gigliello and John Wojick, the answer is a resounding yes. 

10. South River

As covered earlier, the Rams return their top SIX scorers from a team that went 17-10 and put up plenty of points in the process. Derek Whitaker has a chance to separate himself this year from others who have come from the Blue and Gold who have put up gaudy numbers from underachieving teams. An opening night test at Bishop Ahr may be a tough ask, but by the team’s ?1/11? meeting with Carteret, we should know exactly where this team is.

9. J.P. Stevens

The Hawks have been the county’s top defensive team for each of the previous three seasons, and under one of the brightest young coaches in the ever intense Chris Garcia, this does not look to change. They have shown they can play with anyone, and have more depth and athleticism this year than in the past, but finishing games has been an issue for this team. Per usual, the ?1/14? clash with Edison for the City of Light Trophy is the game to see, as well as an all North Edison battle with Bishop Ahr ?on 12/22?.

8. East Brunswick

The Bears have seemingly underachieved the past two years, posting a 26-26 record and a 13-15 record in the division. However, you always know what you’re going to get with this team, as they return Fitzgerald and Cumber to a team which knocked off Old Bridge last year and took St. Joes to the wire. The annual season opener against Joes will be a big one, and will be carried by GMC Hoops and RDPlex!

7. Edison

The Eagles went on a tear last season after their blowout loss to J.P. Stevens dropped them to 2-7, winning nine out of ten and thirteen out of sixteen including wins over Colonia, Sayreville, and Woodbridge, en route to the team’s first winning season since 2001 and first GMCT quarterfinal appearance since 1996. With Christian Wantong, Jaymin Vakharia, and Thomas Johnson back in the fold, this could be Charlie Mohr’s best team. Once again, the ?1/14? clash with Stevens looms large.

6. Piscataway

The Chiefs carried their experience last year to our preseason #1 ranking, a win over St. Joes, the #2 seed in the GMCT, and a berth in the North 2 Group 4 semifinals. The cupboard is far from bare for Darius Griffin, as standouts Tyree Barba-Bey and Antonio Chandler are back to lead another deep bench for the Chiefs. Opening with a four game stretch of Linden, St. Joes, Old Bridge, and Elizabeth is far from ideal, however, but they should get some leeway for such an audacious task.

5. Carteret

Jahlil Nix was one Luke Fresco three point shot away from being the hero of the GMCT last year, as he poured in 16 points in the semifinal classic against St. Joes and nearly willed the Ramblers to the final. This year, he steps into the spotlight for Mugsy White’s team, which reached the Central Group 2 final last season as well. Malik Austin is not to be trifled with either, as one of the premier sophomores in the game. Donte Prioleau and Tim Ellis also return among others, and we have learned never to doubt  a Mugsy White coached team.

4. Colonia

Chad Baker has been the best kept secret in the GMC, as his work off the bench last season sparked the Patriots all season, including a huge 10 points in the GMC final. This year he is a secret no more, as the Pats and new head coach Jose Rodriguez will call on him often on the chase for their 13th White division title. Oh, and having one of the county’s best guards in the ever steady Luke Valeriano doesn’t hurt either. 

3. Bishop Ahr

I have heard arguments for the Trojans to be ranked at #2, and even #1. Three is the safest place to put them, as it can be hard at times for a new team to gel. But I wouldn’t be surprised at all if this team goes all the way in the GMC and in Non Public South A. This year, the Trojans add…. (deep breath) ?Ernest Carter? III and Omari Fleming from the Patrick School, Derrick Grant Jr. from Piscataway, Jalen Jones from Mater Dei, Hassan Jackson from North Brunswick, as well as several promising freshmen along with the returning Quadry Adams and Marquise Billingsly. This team will look to run teams off the floor, and although they will have some tough dates this year, an undefeated regular season is not out of the question.

2. Old Bridge 

As good as Ahr may be this year, I cannot move the Knights out of the #2 spot. They did defeat the Trojans twice last year, including a playoff blowout, and they do return one of the top backcourts in the state in Belton and Oliva. They would have been #2 even if Jared Meyer had not come back from his injury, but his presence makes the Knights possibly the biggest threat to Joes along with Ahr. 

1. St. Joseph

To show just how much I know, I had this team #3 in the preseason last year, and even lower the previous year. Both times, the Falcons overcame their relative inexperience to win championship glory. This year, it’s all about the experience with their four returning starters. Tyree Ford is the most skilled player in the county, while K-Shawn Schulters is the most explosive, and Howard McBurnie may be the most imposing. This team has few weaknesses if any, and is the clear cut favorite to win the title yet again this year.

OPENING NIGHT SCHEDULE 12/14

  • Piscataway @ Linden (Union HS), ?5:30 PM?
  • Metuchen @ Carteret, ?5:30 PM?
  • Timothy Christian @ Wardlaw-Hartridge, 5:30 PM?
  • Spotswood @ South Plainfield, 6:00 PM?
  • Old Bridge @ South Brunswick, ?6:00 PM?
  • Glen Ridge @ Dunellen, ?6:00 PM?
  • J.P. Stevens @ Monroe, 7:00 PM?
  • North Brunswick @ Woodbridge, ?7:00 PM?
  • Edison @ Sayreville, 7:00 PM?
  • Colonia @ Scotch Plains-Fanwood, 7:00 PM?
  • Iselin Kennedy @ New Brunswick, ?7:00 PM?
  • South River @ Bishop Ahr, 7:00 PM?

And of course, don’t forget about East Brunswick vs St Joseph ?at 7PM?, the GMC Hoops Game of the Week, and the first one ever streaming live on Youtube courtesy of RDPlex Films!! You can view the live feed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NdO827Q2DsU”

Best of luck to all the teams this year! And don’t forget to visit Civile ?Cucina? Italiana at ?154 Main Street in Metuchen?, one of the finest restaurants anywhere in New Jersey.  Especially for family style Sundays at just $25 per person. As usual, Civile Cucina is the proud sponsor of GMC basketball. Civile Cucina Italiana: Where every night’s a feast!   https://www.civilecucina.com

And for your legal needs, don’t forget to go to visit the law firm of Garces, Grabler, and Lebroq, located in New Brunswick, Perth Amboy, Plainfield, Elizabeth, Freehold, Trenton, and four other locations in the Garden State and Philadelphia! A firm big enough to handle every case and garner respect from opposition, but small enough to be your personal neighborhood firm. With nearly 25 lawyers, they have no shortage of experience. And they can handle cases from every corner, from personal injury to workers comp to criminal law, and everywhere in between. Garces, Grabler, and Lebroq: Big Enough to Win, But Small Enough to Care!  https://www.garcesgrabler.com