SOUTH PLAINFIELD, NJ–As usual, the GMC Hoops Awards were delayed, but hopefully, they’ll be worth the wait. 2008 was a special year in the realm of Greater Middlesex Conference Boys Basketball, and there were many special moments, performances, and achievements made by the teams, coaches, and players in the GMC. Congratulations to all award winners.
Team of the Year–Piscataway Chiefs
Game of the Year–St. Joseph’s vs. Bishop Ahr–2008 GMCT Quarterfinals
Player of the Year–Mike Burwell–Cardinal McCarrick
Coach of the Year–Dave Turco–St. Joseph’s
Sixth Man of the Year–Steve Brandenberg
Most Improved Player of the Year–Dave Silvasadder–Woodbridge
Most Improved Team of the Year–J.P. Stevens Hawks
Freshman of the Year–Robbie Ashamole–St. Joseph’s
Bucket Brigade Award–Mike Burwell–Cardinal McCarrick
Sharpshooter Award–Mark Simko–South Amboy
Hoopshoot Award–Mark Simko–South Amboy
Best GMC Hoops Performance–DeJuan Miller–Metuchen
Most Versatile Player–DeJuan Miller–Metuchen
Scholar Athlete of the Year–Jordan Teicher–South Brunswick
Defensive Player of the Year–Julio Rosario–Cardinal McCarrick
Impact Player of the Year–Dominic Appiah–Cardinal McCarrick
Comeback Player of the Year–Jim Schleppenbach–Dunellen
Lunch Pail Player of the Year (Blue Collar Player of the Year)–Robert “Double-Double” Jackson–Carteret
Clutch Performance of the Year–Julio Rosario–Cardinal McCarrick vs. St. Joseph’s–2008 GMCT Championship
Best Kept Secret in GMC–Edwin Guerra–Perth Amboy
Most Exciting To Watch–Mark Simko–South Amboy
GMC Hoops Trophy–Piscataway Chiefs
GMC Crossover Kings–Cardinal McCarrick
GMC Non-Conference Champs–East Brunswick Tech
GMC Hoops Conference Cup–GMC White
JV Team of the Year–Cardinal McCarrick Junior Eagles
Freshman Team of the Year–St. Joseph’s-Green Little Falcons
JV Game of the Year–Cardinal McCarrick at Bishop Ahr–January 26, 2008
Freshman Game of the Year–Piscataway at Cardinal McCarrick–January 19, 2008
Peak Perfomer Award–Mike Burwell
Teamwork Award–Cardinal McCarrick
Cinderella Story of the Year–South Amboy Governors
Surprise Team of the Year–J.P. Stevens Hawks
Most Entertaining Coach–Joe Lewis–Cardinal McCarrick
Student Section of the Year–Colonia Crazies
PA Announcer of the Year–Dave Sandaal–Edison
All Rim Rocker Team
===============
Dejuan Miller–Metuchen
Tristian Benjamin–Piscataway
J.D. Griggs–Piscataway
Arman Wilson–South Brunswick
Mohammed Sanu–South Brunswick
Mike Burwell–Cardinal McCarrick
Brian Williams–Carteret
Robert Jackson–Carteret
Martese Street–Bishop Ahr
Anthony Patterson–Perth Amboy Tech
Kevin Uszenski–Bishop Ahr
All Athletic Team
=================
DeJuan Miller–Metuchen
Brandon Smith–New Brunswick
T.J. Wenzel–Dunellen
Paul Konopacki–St. Joseph’s
Nick Fariella–Middlesex
LaVone Graham–Sayreville
Justin Mitchell–Monroe
Mike Burton–South Plainfield
Bennie Gibson–South Plainfield
Aaron Wright–South Plainfield
Brian Williams–Carteret
Al Tampa–Carteret
Michael Cole–North Brunswick
Mohammed Sanu–South Brunswick
Arman Wilson–South Brunswick
Troy Confessore–South Brunswick
Adams Issaka–Woodbridge
James White–Piscataway
J.D. Griggs–Piscataway
Tristian Benjamin–Piscataway
Thomas Bennett–Piscataway
Justin Blake–Piscataway
Julio Rosario–Cardinal McCarrick
Dominic Appiah–Cardinal McCarrick
Martese Street–Bishop Ahr
Marcus Cheeks–Perth Amboy
All Gridiron Team
==================
DeJuan Miller–Metuchen
Brandon Smith–New Brunswick
Mohammed Sanu–South Brunswick
Michael Cole–North Brunswick
Matt Sheehy–Bishop Ahr
T.J. Wenzel–Dunellen
Nick Fariella–Middlesex
Dominic Appiah–Cardinal McCarrick
James Boyd–Highland Park
Adams Issaka–Woodbridge
Anthony Graham–Woodbridge
Al Tampa–Carteret
Brian Williams–Carteret
J.D. Griggs–Piscataway
James White–Piscataway
Tristian Benjamin–Piscataway
Justin Blake–Piscataway
LaVone Graham–Sayreville
Javon Hodges–Sayreville
Mike Burton–South Plainfield
Bennie Gibson–South Plainfield
Troy Russel–South Plainfield
All Diamond Team (Baseball)
==================
Anthony Vidal–Perth Amboy Tech
Dillon DiGeronimo–East Brunswick Tech
Al Tampa–Carteret
Steve Blish–Monroe
Alex Nemeth–Perth Amboy
Steve Nappe–Edison
Alex Cacoilo–J.P. Stevens
Connor Medler–J.P. Stevens
Nick Fariella–Middlesex
Billy Lester–Middlesex
T.J. Wenzel–Dunellen
Jim Schleppenbach–Dunellen
Joe Marciano–J.F. Kennedy
Alex Weinstein–J.F. Kennedy
Joe Charmello–South Amboy
Steve Poltritzky–South Amboy
Cody Pace–Spotswood
Pat Dwyer–Spotswood
Mike Liming–Spotswood
James DeMild–Sayreville
Mike Greco–Sayreville
Glenn Cannon–Sayreville
Eddie Dumas–South River
All Hustle Team
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Justin Braxton–Piscataway Tech
James Boyd–Highland Park
Anthony Rodriguez–Perth Amboy Tech
Joey Castro–Perth Amboy Tech
Corey Ragland–East Brunswick Tech
Kevin Powell—East Brunswick Tech
Sean Williams–Cardinal McCarrick
Ivan Baretto–Monroe
Edwin Guerra–Perth Amboy
Larry Lenahan–South Amboy
Steve Poltritzky–South Amboy
Joey Charmello–South Amboy
Steve Brandenburg–St. Joseph’s
Robert “Double-Double” Jackson–Carteret
Jordan Madsen–Bishop Ahr
Billy Lester–Middlesex
Nick Olesinski–Spotswood
James Pareti–Spotswood
Aaron Hush–Piscataway
Quinton Crawford–Old Bridge
James DeMild–Sayreville
Scott Stolzenberg–East Brunswick
Juan James–New Brunswick
Eddie Dumas–South River
All Perimeter Team
================
Mike Burwell–Cardinal McCarrick
Mark Simko–South Amboy
Mike Williamson–Bishop Ahr
Kevin Uszenski–Bishop Ahr
Derek Figueredo–Bishop Ahr
Steve Rennard–St. Joseph’s
J.J. D’Amico–Colonia
Ricky Harding–Sayreville
Paul DeLaCosta–Sayreville
Steve Blish–Monroe
Mike Burton–South Plainfield
John Stockton–Middlesex
Justin Madden–Perth Amboy
Myles Reuben–J.P. Stevens
Nick Pol–J.P. Stevens
Alex Cacoilo–J.P. Stevens
Gerard Bullock–Woodbridge
David Silvasadder–Woodbridge
Ross Gerhart–Spotswood
Pat Dwyer–Spotswood
Cody Pace–Spotswood
Joe Marciano–J.F. Kennedy
Jonathan Toczynski–J.F. Kennedy
Alec Mayo–East Brunswick
Quinton Crawford–Old Bridge
All Defensive Team
==================
Julio Rosario–Cardinal McCarrick
Will Snider–Cardinal McCarrick
Brandon Hall–Colonia
James White–Piscataway
J.D. Griggs–Piscataway
Joey Charmello–South Amboy
Brian Williams–Carteret
Jordan Teicher–South Brunswick
T.J. Wenzel–Dunellen
Elijah Sellers–Metuchen
Chris Matagrano–Sayreville
Gerard Lewis–St. Joseph’s
Robbie Ashamole–St. Joseph’s
Jeff Ashamole–North Brunswick
Kenny Bland–J.P. Stevens
Myles Reuben–J.P. Stevens
Alex Cacoilo–J.P. Stevens
All Windex Team
==================
Larry Lenahan–South Amboy
Chris Matagrano–Sayreville
Omar Smith–Piscataway
J.D. Griggs–Piscataway
Brian Waluk–Piscataway
James White–Piscataway
Paul Konopacki–St. Joseph’s
Mike Burwell–Cardinal McCarrick
Dominic Appiah–Cardinal McCarrick
Branten Widgeon–Cardinal McCarrick
Scott Stolzenberg–East Brunswick
Jeff Ashamole–North Brunswick
Gerard Lewis–St. Joseph’s
Nikko Vastola–St. Joseph’s
Brian Williams–Carteret
Robert Jackson–Carteret
Al Tampa–Carteret
Dejuan Miller–Metuchen
Evan Carberry–Metuchen
Cody Preston–Metuchen
Brock Mundy–Dunellen
Reggie Thorpe–Dunellen
Nick Fariella–Middlesex
Mark Stockton–Middlesex
Ryan Farley–Middlesex
Anthony Patterson–Perth Amboy Tech
Justin Braxton–Piscataway Tech
Juan James–New Brunswick
Edwin Guerra–Perth Amboy
All Rambo Team
==================
Ryan Walp–Monroe
Ivan Baretto–Monroe
Steve Blish–Monroe
Sean Williams–Cardinal McCarrick
Dominic Appiah–Cardinal McCarrick
Mike Burwell–Cardinal McCarrick
Steve Brandenburg–St. Joseph’s
James White–Piscataway
Larry Lenahan–South Amboy
Steve Poltritzky–South Amboy
Nick Olesinski–Spotswood
James Pareti–Spotswood
Kevin Uszenski–Bishop Ahr
Sean Lease–South Brunswick
Mohammed Sanu–South Brunswick
Michael Cole–North Brunswick
LaVone Graham–Sayreville
James DeMild–Sayreville
James White–Piscataway
Robert Jackson–Carteret
Nick Fariella–Middlesex
Mike Karabin–Colonia
All Good Hands Team
===================
Joe Charmello–South Amboy
Colin Krzyzanowski–South Amboy
Byron Merricks–Carteret
Will Snider–Cardinal McCarrick
Steve Rennard–St. Joseph’s
Paul Konopacki–St. Joseph’s
Brandon Hall–Colonia
Ricky Harding–Sayreville
LaVone Graham–Sayreville
Alex Cacoilo–J.P. Stevens
Kenny Bland–J.P. Stevens
Omar Smith–Piscataway
J.D. Griggs–Piscataway
James White–Piscataway
Bryan Waluk–Piscataway
Arman Wilson–South Brunswick
Troy Confessore–South Brunswick
Anthony Patterson–Perth Amboy Tech
Anthony Vidal–Perth Amboy Tech
Mike Burwell–Cardinal McCarrick
Julio Rosario–Cardinal McCarrick
Derrick Murray–Edison
Mike Perone–Middlesex
Billy Lester–Middlesex
John Stockton–Middlesex
Nick Fariella–Middlesex
Mark Stockton–Middlesex
All Reserve Team
=====================
Ryan Farley–Middlesex
Sean Williams–Cardinal McCarrick
Steve Brandenburg–St. Joseph’s
Matt Sheehy–Bishop Ahr
Jordan Madsen–Bishop Ahr
Pete Patalano–Monroe
Brian Williams–Carteret
Aaron Hush–Piscataway
Chris Weir–South Brunswick
Jim Schleppenbach–Dunellen
All Diaper Dandy Team (Freshman on Varsity in ’07)
================================
Robbie Ashamole–St. Joseph’s
Matt Wagner–St. Joseph’s
Tait Pirkle–North Brunswick
David Cole–Colonia
Xavier Foster–South River
Elijah Sellers–Metuchen
Mike Crusco–Metuchen
Robert Brown–East Brunswick Tech
Garret Walters–Spotswood
Shaun Weeks–Spotswood
All Junior Varsity Team
=====================
Craig Thomas–Cardinal McCarrick
Taylor Snider–Cardinal McCarrick
Mo Isaac–Cardinal McCarrick
Rob Olivieri–Cardinal McCarrick
Jack Giordano–Cardinal McCarrick
Jeremy Cruz–Cardinal McCarrick
Ryan Smith–Cardinal McCarrick
Jordan Smith–Bishop Ahr
Darrius Griffin–Bishop Ahr
Justin Peoples–Bishop Ahr
Manny Kroggman–Bishop Ahr
Brandon Vitable–Bishop Ahr
Matt Bernocchi–Bishop Ahr
Nick Contino–St. Joseph’s
Andrew Morgan–St. Joseph’s
Matt Wagner–St. Joseph’s
Matt Delaney–St. Joseph’s
Robert O’Grady–St. Joseph’s
Anthony Gudzak–East Brunswick
Malcolm Griggs–Piscataway
Jamar Rose–Piscataway
Kareem Jones–J.P. Stevens
Paul Scocca–J.P. Stevens
Cody McHugh–South Brunswick
Jean Paul Isaacs–South Brunswick
Kory Sanders–South Brunswick
Mike Fincher–Middlesex
Avery Barnes–Middlesex
Terrell Mayers–Middlesex
Matt Regan–South Amboy
Ken Scarbaggio–South Amboy
Diego Cuello–South Amboy
Mike Greco–Sayreville
Dave Milewski–Sayreville
Mike Crusco–Metuchen
Tyler Osofsky–Spotswood
Eric Cianfrone–Dunellen
All Sophomore Team
==================
Jimmy Gaffigan–Old Bridge
Tyler Abad–Old Bridge
Simuel Williams–New Brunswick
Wayne Newsome–Piscataway
Kenny Pace–Monroe
Timmy Brix–Monroe
Steve Rennard–St. Joseph’s
Gagan Dhaliwal–St. Joseph’s
Cody Pace–Spotswood
James Pareti–Spotswood
Evan Carberry–Metuchen
Anthony Vidal–Perth Amboy Tech
Anthony Rodriguez–Perth Amboy Tech
Steve Moore–South River
Joey Charmello–South Amboy
Derrick Murray–Edison
Joe Marciano–J.F. Kennedy
All 9th Grade Team (Top Players on Freshman level in ’08)
====================================
Slay Sudah–St. Joseph’s-Green
Kevin Mayce–St. Joseph’s–Green
Kevin Waitikovich–St. Joseph’s–Green
Ace Sudah–St. Joseph’s-Green
Austen Mesar–St. Joseph’s–Green
Awab Habib–East Brunswick
Nick Gudzak–East Brunswick
Jay Chen–East Brunswick
Desean Kilgore–Bishop Ahr
Patrick Widdoss–Bishop Ahr
Jaquan Cook–New Brunswick
Devin Gardner–New Brunswick
John Appiah–Cardinal McCarrick
Aaron Radich–Cardinal McCarrick
Chris Peralta–Cardinal McCarrick
Billy Lewis–Cardinal McCarrick
Max Issaka–Woodbridge
Kashaun Straughn–Monroe
Mike Walp–Monroe
Alex Vizcaino–Monroe
Mike Phair–Sayreville
Ross Kutz–North Brunswick
Bryan Wong–Piscataway
Isiah Carrington–Piscataway
All Academic Team
===================
Jordan Teicher–South Brunswick
Steve Brandenburg–St. Joseph’s
Ryan Walp–Monroe
Nick Fariella–Middlesex
Christian Cole–South Plainfield
Scott Stolzenberg–East Brunswick
Dan Sullivan–East Brunswick
Mike Burwell–Cardinal McCarrick
Will Snider–Cardinal McCarrick
Sean Williams–Cardinal McCarrick
Mike Brennan–Cardinal McCarrick
Mark Simko–South Amboy
Larry Lenahan–South Amboy
Colin Krzyzanowski–South Amboy
Chris Matagrano–Sayreville
Michael Cunningham–Sayreville
All Scoring Leaders Team–Based on stats taken by GMC Hoops
=======================================
Mark Simko–South Amboy
Mike Burwell–Cardinal McCarrick
DeJuan Miller–Metuchen
Steve Blish–Monroe
Anthony Patterson–Perth Amboy Tech
Mike Burton–South Plainfield
Ross Gerhart–Spotswood
Quinton Crawford–Old Bridge
Juilo Rosario–Cardinal McCarrick
Robert Jackson–Carteret
T.J. Wenzel–Dunellen
Larry Lenahan–South Amboy
All Rebounding Leaders Team–Based on stats taken by GMC Hoops
=======================================
Larry Lenahan–South Amboy
Robert Jackson–Carteret
Chris Matagrano–Sayreville
Anthony Patterson–Perth Amboy Tech
Mike Burwell–Cardinal McCarrick
DeJuan Miller–Metuchen
Scott Stolzenberg–East Brunswick
Jeff Ashamole–North Brunswick
Dominic Appiah–Cardinal McCarrick
Evan Carberry–Metuchen
Ivan Baretto–Monroe
J.D. Griggs–Piscataway
All Assists Leaders Team–Based on stats taken by GMC Hoops
=======================================
Brandon Hall–Colonia
Troy Confessore–South Brunswick
Nick Francisco–Dunellen
Ricky Harding–Sayreville
Will Snider–Cardinal McCarrick
Mike Mello–East Brunswick
LaVone Graham–Sayreville
Ivan Baretto–Monroe
Joe Charmello–South Amboy
Colin Krzyzanowski–South Amboy
Anthony Patterson–Perth Amboy Tech
Billy Rooney–Bishop Ahr
C.J. Brathwaite–North Brunswick
All Steals Leaders Team–Based on stats taken by GMC Hoops
=======================================
Anthony Patterson–Perth Amboy Tech
Anthony Vidal–Perth Amboy Tech
Simuel Williams–New Brunswick
Quinten Crawford–Old Bridge
Brandon Hall–Colonia
Anthony Rodriguez–Perth Amboy Tech
Joey Castro –Perth Amboy Tech
Mike Williamson–Bishop Ahr
Nick Perez–Old Bridge
Joe Charmello–South Amboy
Byron Merricks–Carteret
Bennie Gibson–South Plainfield
All Swat Team–Based on stats taken by GMC Hoops
=======================================
Jeff Ashamole–North Brunswick
Kenny Bland–J.P. Stevens
DeJuan Miller–Metuchen
Dominic Appiah–Cardinal McCarrick
Chris Matagrano–Sayreville
Juan James–New Brunswick
J.D. Griggs–Piscataway
Ricky Harding–Sayreville
Dakota Tipton–Edison
Gerard Bullock–Woodbridge
Steve Nappe–Edison
Cody Preston–Metuchen
All Charges Leaders Team–Based on stats taken by GMC Hoops
=======================================
LaVone Graham–Sayreville
Steve Moore–South River
Joey Castro–Perth Amboy Tech
Kevin Uszenski–Bishop Ahr
Nick Olesinski–Spotswood
Mike Karabin–Colonia
Navindra Nohar–New Brunswick
Brian Williams–Carteret
Mohammed Sanu–South Brunswick
C.J. Brathwaite–North Brunswick
Ricky Harding–Sayreville
James White–Piscataway
All Field Goal Shooting Team–Based on stats taken by GMC Hoops
=========================================
Robert Jackson–Carteret
DeJuan Miller–Metuchen
Larry Lenahan–South Amboy
Joey Castro–Perth Amboy Tech
Kevin Uszenski–Bishop Ahr
Gerard Bullock–Woodbridge
Steve Blish–Monroe
Julio Rosario–Cardinal McCarrick
Nick Fariella–Middlesex
J.D. Griggs–Piscataway
Chris Matagrano–Sayreville
Brian Williams–Carteret
Mike Williamson–Bishop Ahr
All Trifecta Team–Based on stats taken by GMC Hoops
=========================================
Joe Marciano–J.F. Kennedy
Steve Blish–Monroe
Mark Simko–South Amboy
T.J. Wenzel–Dunellen
Paul DeLaCosta–Sayreville
Alec Mayo–East Brunswick
Ricky Harding–Sayreville
James White–Piscataway
Mike Burwell–Cardinal McCarrick
Nick Pol–J.P. Stevens
Mike Perone–Middlesex
Jordan Teicher–South Brunswick
All Free Throw Shooting Team–Based on stats taken by GMC Hoops
=========================================
Jordan Teicher–South Brunswick
Nick Francisco–Dunellen
Mark Simko–South Amboy
Mike Burwell–Cardinal McCarrick
Bennie Gibson–South Plainfield
Anthony Patterson–Perth Amboy Tech
Mike Burton–South Plainfield
James White–Piscataway
Ross Gerhart–Spotswood
Mark Stockton–Middlesex
Larry Lenahan–South Amboy
Julio Rosario–Cardinal McCarrick
All Efficiency Team–Based on stats taken by GMC Hoops
===================================
Mike Burwell–Cardinal McCarrick
Larry Lenahan–South Amboy
J.D. Griggs–Piscataway
Julio Rosario–Cardinal McCarrick
Mark Simko–South Amboy
Robert Jackson–Carteret
Dominic Appiah–Cardinal McCarrick
Brandon Hall–Colonia
DeJuan Miller–Metuchen
Anthony Patterson–Perth Amboy Tech
Branten Widgeon–Cardinal McCarrick
James White–Piscataway
All Peak Performers Team–Based on stats taken by GMC Hoops
=======================================
Mike Burwell–Cardinal McCarrick
Mark Simko–South Amboy
Anthony Patterson–Perth Amboy Tech
DeJuan Miller–Metuchen
Larry Lenahan–South Amboy
Gerard Bullock–Woodbridge
Steve Blish–Monroe
Robert Jackson–Carteret
Julio Rosario–Cardinal McCarrick
Mike Burton–South Plainfield
Scott Stolzenberg–East Brunswick
Kevin Uszenski–Bishop Ahr
1st Team All GMC Hoops
================
Mike Burwell–Cardinal McCarrick
Julio Rosario–Cardinal McCarrick
Brandon Hall–Colonia
DeJuan Miller–Metuchen
J.D. Griggs–Piscataway
Coach–Dave Turco–St. Joseph’s
2nd Team All GMC Hoops
=================
Steve Rennard–St. Joseph’s
Mike Williamson–Bishop Ahr
Mark Simko–South Amboy
Robert “Double-Double” Jackson–Carteret
Myles Reuben–J.P. Stevens
Coach–Joe Lewis–Cardinal McCarrick
3rd Team All GMC Hoops
=================
Omar Smith–Piscataway
Justin Mitchell–Monroe
Larry Lenahan–South Amboy
Kevin Uszenski–Bishop Ahr
Kenny Bland–J.P. Stevens
Coach–Bernie Buniak–Dunellen
Reserves–All GMC Hoops
===================
Edwin Guerra–Perth Amboy
Anthony Patterson–Perth Amboy Tech
Mike Burton–South Plainfield
Ricky Harding–Sayreville
Arman Wilson–South Brunswick
James White–Piscataway
Coach–George Krzyzanowski–South Amboy