SOUTH PLAINFIELD, NJ–The day has come! How time flies! It seemed like only yesterday that the teams were all having their season openers. Later on Friday morning at 9:00 AM, athletic directors from around the Greater Middlesex Conference will convene at East Brunswick High School to determine the seeding for this year’s GMCT. Here is how GMC Hoops thinks it will go down although you never know with these things since there are always some surprises.
- Cardinal McCarrick (19-3)–The Eagles have won 17 straight since a 2-3 start. In addition, they’ll at least finish with a share of the Blue Division at 13-1 if Ahr beats Middlesex on Saturday. On top of that, the Eagles have a 17-1 conference record including wins over Piscataway, Colonia, and South Brunswick. They are more than worthy of the top seed.
- Piscataway (18-2)–Piscataway won 11 of its first 12 before losing to McCarrick, and have won seven straight since then. However, the Chiefs haven’t been the same without junior forward Tristian Benjamin in the lineup (disciplinary reasons). Benjamin returned recently against Perth Amboy. We’ll see how things work out.
- J.P. Stevens (19-4)–The Hawks did lose the other night to Old Bridge, but that will help the Knights more than it will hurt JPS. Stevens has wins against top ten teams such as St. Joseph’s, South Brunswick, and North Brunswick (when they were ranked).
- Bishop Ahr (15-3)–The win over McCarrick back in December plus a 13-2 conference record will carry enough weight here despite recent losses to the Eagles and Piscataway. More crossover games would have helped to enhance resume though.
- Colonia (17-5)–Despite the tumult that occurred back in late December, and early January due to the discipline issues of junior forward Nnamdi Usuwa, who never returned, the Patriots have managed to rally around their remaining troops to win five in a row, and seven of their last eight. In addition, the Pats finished first in the GMC White, split with Carteret, and defeated St. Joseph’s.
- Carteret (14-7)–Here is another controvery. St. Joseph’s has been ranked fifth all season by GMC Hoops, but remember the seeding committee doesn’t think that way. Carteret and St. Joe’s have identical division records, but the Ramblers have a 13-5 mark in conference plus they beat Colonia head to head while the Falcons didn’t.
- St. Joseph’s (17-5)–Don’t be surprised if St. Joseph’s goes higher than this simply because of the fact that they play in the GMC Red with the top four teams ranked in the GMC Hoops Top Ten. However, White Division is stronger top to bottom, and some more crossover games might have helped enhance their resume plus the fact that the Falcons lost to Colonia stings a bit.
- South Amboy (14-4)–First ever GMC Gold Championship in Boys Basketball for the Guvs. In addition the Guvs defeated Edison (71-53) and J.F. Kennedy (77-59) handily. A win over Middlesex (lost 50-44) would have helped even more. Too bad Mark Simko missed that game due to disiciplinary reasons.
- Monroe (14-8)–The Falcons finished tied for third with Sayreville in the GMC White, but beat the Bombers twice head to head this season plus the Purple Birds beat Carteret.
- Sayreville (15-6)–The Bombers finished tied with Monroe for third place in the GMC White plus they beat Colonia and Carteret. However, they also lost twice to the Purple Birds.
- Middlesex (15-4)–The Blue Jays did lose to Kennedy the other day, but that will help JFK more than hurt them. Middlesex also beat South Amboy on the road, and Woodbridge at home. A win over McCarrick or Ahr would have been a great help.
- North Brunswick (11-7)–The Raiders did stumble losing five of their last eight within the rough and tumble GMC White after a 6-1 start. However, wins over Carteret, Monroe, and Sayreville at home earlier in the season gives them the nod ahead of South Brunswick.
- South Brunswick (11-9)–A win on Thursday night against Stevens would have helped immensely as well as perhaps one over P-Way or St. Joseph’s. However, that didn’t happen, and the Vikings are also hurt by the fact that the GMC White is stronger top to bottom.
- Old Bridge (8-14)–After an 0-7 start, the Knights young squad have matured, and it has been wonderful to see. Wins over Carteret, South Plainfield, and two nights ago at J.P. Stevens ehances their resume big time.
- South Plainfield (8-13)–The Tigers lost a ton of close games early on, but put together a nice win streak in the middle of the season before losing their last two. Wins over Monroe and North Brunswick will also help while a loss at Old Bridge hurts.
- Dunellen (12-9)–Besides Old Bridge, the turnaround of the Destroyers has been one of the great feel good stories of the season. Dunellen has won 10 of its last 13 despite a heartbreaking loss at the buzzer in South Amboy on Tuesday night that denied it at last a share of the GMC Gold for the fourth straight season. A win over Old Bridge during the recent hot streak will also help.
- Metuchen (10-8)–The Bulldogs didn’t beat anybody ahead of them, and also didn’t play any crossover games. They will go higher than Kennedy though since they beat the Mustangs twice.
- J.F. Kennedy (10-12)–The Mustangs, which earned their first double digit win season since the days when current St. Joe’s AD, Jerry Smith coached at the school, could go higher since they beat Middlesex and Dunellen. However, two losses to the Bulldogs will hurt their chances.
- Spotswood (10-10)–Wins over Monroe and Metuchen could help the Chargers, but two close losses to Kennedy will sting.
- Perth Amboy (5-16)–Win over North Brunswick in the opening round of the Len Sepanak Tournament could help as well as the fact that the Panthers play in the GMC Red.
- Woodbridge (4-17)–The Barrons upset victory over Colonia as well as a head to head win over Edison will give them the edge over the Eagles, and could help them go higher in the seeding.
- Edison (3-17)–The Eagles get the nod over EB for this spot on the basis of wins over Old Bridge and Kennedy in addition a better overall conference record (3-16).
- East Brunswick (3-17)–The Bears have gone only 2-15 in conference including wins over Old Bridge and Edison.
- New Brunswick (1-16)–Won’t be surprised if the Zebras go lower since they haven’t won a game since opening night at home versus Woodbridge (56-49). Plus, New Brunswick didn’t play any crossover games.
- Perth Amboy Tech (13-7)–The Patriots defeated South River in addition to beating Piscataway Tech twice, and E.B. Tech three times this season.
- South River (4-17)–The Rams beat Piscataway Tech and Highland Park.
- Highland Park (1-18)–Beat South River at home.
- Piscataway Tech (6-9)–Beat Amboy Tech once. Don’t be surprised if the Raiders don’t participate though.
- East Brunswick Tech (7-12)–No wins in conference play. Have a shot to get their first ten win season since 2003 though. May not participate in tourney.