Scrimmage–Northern Highlands Regional at Middlesex–December 8, 2007

Where is Northern Highlands you ask? Its pretty much North Jersey as you can get.  It competes against the likes of Ramapo and Wayne Hills so you get the idea that it is quite a trip to play the Highlanders. The Middlesex team took a ride up 287 last year and got a spanking from the hometown Highlanders, which finished 18-7 overall, and 8-2 in the NBIL. 

That meant this game was going to be a critical test for the resurgent Jays program. The JV squads kicked things off as Middlesex nursed 2-0 and 4-3 leads until Northern Highlands pulled away with 6 straight points. The first two quarters were a wash out with Middlesex winning the
first by three and Northern Highlands winning by three in the second.  This equality infuriated Northern Highlands head coach, Mike Stone, who organized a team clap everytime the Highlanders scored or had a good defensive play, this seemed to work as Northern Highlands led 9-6. 

But the Stockton brothers along with a couple of Mike Perone bombs and Nick Fariella’s two drawn charges gave the Jays the third quarter 19-14.  In the fourth the Blue Jays crisp passing in the face of heavy press and strong defense gave them a 9-7 lead, but a very strong game by #10 gave Northern Highlands a 10-9 lead with seven seconds to go.  A quick secession of passes had Sparky Stockton hitting a pullup three as time expired to give the Middlesex Blue Jays a total 51-44 victory in varsity. 

JV on the other hand was a different story with Northern Highlands winning the three periods played, 9-4, 8-2 and 16-2 for a total of 33-8.  The Middlesex Varsity checked another of its teams off its warmup list.  Next is Cranford at MHS which will not only be reported on by me but also Greg Machos of GMC Hoops as part of his pre-season schedule. Many shall enjoy. Take a look at the box score, key plays and stats from this scrimmage.

Team 1 2 3 4 Total
Middlesex 12 8 19 12 51
Northern Highlands 9 11 14 10 44


Key Plays

#1

Seeing a good fundamental defensive charge in today’s game is equivilent to seeing a moose wandering NYC.  John Stockton raced back on a 1 on 0, got in perfect position and absorbed the contact sending the ref’s hand the other way.  For the game, Middlesex drew four charges in total.

#2

Brandon Feliciano #21 Middlesex JV (transfer from Staten Island) who seemed overwhelmed at times by Northern Highlands suffocating defense which forced 6 turnovers by Feliciano made a great hustle play in which he leaped way beyond the end line and threw the ball behind his head to fellow guard Rob Menditto.

#3

In the third Varsity quarter, the Highlanders switched briefly to zone and took a lead by scoring easy baskets off the Jays missed shots.  Mike Colacci’s three when the Jays seemed to be cold led to Mike Perone’s three and John Stockton’s layup and to Middlesex winning the third.


Team Stats

Nick Fariella #23 4 Pts, 4 Rbd, 1 Ast, 1 Stl, 1 FLL
Sparky Stockton #20 20 Pts, 6 Rbd, 2 Ast, 3 Stl, 1 FLL
John Stockton #12 8 Pts, 4 Rbd, 1 Ast, 1 Stl, 1 FLL
Billy Lester #2 2 Pts, 3 Ast, 1 Stl, 1 FLL
Mike Perone #5 9 Pts, 1 Rbd, 2 Ast, 2 Stl, 1 FLL
Ryan Farley #1 4 Pts, 2 Ast,
Mike Fincher #22 3 Rbd, 1 Blk, 1 Stl
Mike Colacci #3 3 Pts, 3 Rbd, 1 Ast, 1 Stl