TRENTON, NJ–The 2009-10 season has gone by so fast this season. We’re already past the midway point, and now we closing in on the state cutoff, and GMCT seeding meetings. Another event that is rapidly approaching in the 2010 Prime Time Shootout, which is being held at Kean University on Friday night, February 12th, and at Sun National Bank Center on February 13th and 14th. For the second straight year, two teams from the GMC will be competing as Monroe and St. Joseph’s will participate.
The Purple Birds will kickoff the weekend schedule with a 5:30 PM tip against Ridge in a battle of top NJ Hoops Pre-Season Top 50 squads. The Falcons feature two of the top sophomores in the GMC in Ahmid Williams and Danny Brix along with veterans Timmy Brix, Kenny Pace, and Blake Bascom. Meanwhile, Ridge is still one of the top teams in Somerset County despite the transfer of Ishaq Pitt to St. John Vianney of Holmdel. The Red Devils, which defeated Colonia in the opening round of the Len Sepanak Tournament back in December, have the likes of sharpshooter Andrew Madlinger and football and basketball standout, Nick Cefalo. Monroe has recently been on a nine game winning streak while Ridge has a 12-3 record overall, and a five game winning streak including a 67-66 victory over Gill St. Bernards on Thursday night.
Then after games between Lakewood and St. Benedict’s at 7:00 PM and St. Patrick’s and Oak Hill Academy at 8:30 PM, St. Joseph’s will be taking on Plainfield in the nightcap at 10:00 PM. The Falcons are 13-2 after yesterday’s 65-54 victory at Old Bridge, and are the top team in the GMC Hoops Top Ten, where they’ve been since the pre-season. St. Joseph’s is led by Steve Rennard, who is fast approaching 1,300 points in his career. Not to be left out is sophomore, Quenton DeCosey, another top soph in the GMC. DeCosey recently turned in a fabulous performance against Piscataway with 29 points and 9 rebounds. St. Joseph’s also has the likes of Robbie Ashamole, Andrew Morgan, Eric Peterson, Nick Contino, and Robert O’Grady to name a few. Meanwhile, Plainfield, coached by former South Plainfield head coach, Jeff Lubreski, is one of the top teams in the state with a 13-1 record. The only defeat was suffered recently at the hands of national and state powerhouse, St. Patrick’s of Elizabeth. The Cardinals are led by Tyrone Johnson and Mike Price.
Below again is the complete schedule for February 12th at Kean:
- Monroe vs. Ridge, 5:30 PM
- Lakewood vs. St. Benedict’s, 7:00 PM
- St. Patrick’s vs. Oak Hill Academy, 8:30 PM
- Plainfield vs. St. Joseph’s, 10:00 PM
To see the full Prime Time Shootout schedule with results from previous games already played on the weekend of January 22nd, click here. GMC Hoops plans to be there to cover all four games.