LINDEN, NJ–On Wednesday evening, GMC Hoops traveled over to Linden High School for the second time this summer to see action from the Monday/Wednesday Division of the 2009 Linden Summer League. On this night, the site saw just one game, which was the finale of the tripleheader between the lone representative from the GMC in this division, Colonia, and Watchung Hills of the Skyland Conference.
Gray Leads Colonia Past Watchung Hills, 50-34
GMC Hoops got its first look at a Colonia team that is much different than it was a year ago at this time. Lost to graduation are the likes of J.J. D’Amico, Nnamdi Usuwa, Mike Nweme, Mike Karabin, Jordan Edmonds, Julian Smith and Tyler Jackow. However, the Patriots still have the likes of Dave Cole, Matt Wagner, and C.J. Gray all returning along with some other promising young talent. Much of it being showcased at the 2009 Colonia JV Summer League at Colonia High School. On this night, the Pats were taking on another team that is rebuilding, Watchung Hills of the Skyland Conference. A year and a half ago, the Warriors were atop the basketball world in Somerset County as it defeated Ridge for the 2008 SCT Championship. Now, the program is looking to start over now that the likes of Zack O’Brien and Jesse Ross have graduated.
GMC Hoops picked up the action with 3:37 to go in the first half, and Colonia already out in front, 22-12. Watchung Hills made two free throws to pull within single digits again at 22-14 with 3:12 to go in the half, but then the Patriots made two foul shots at the 2:44 mark for a 24-14 lead. CHS then swiped a steal that led to a C.J. Gray layup at the 2:21 mark for a 26-14 advantage with 2:21 to go before halftime. Watchung Hills then converted a three point play to pull within nine at the 2:00 mark. The Pats went up by double digits again with a jumper that was just inside the arc for a 28-17 lead with 1:26 to go before the intermission. The Warriors got those points back with a field goal, but quickly gave them up again as Dave Cole weaved to Gray for a jumper, and a 30-19 advantage at the 1:00 mark. Watchung Hills then got an offensive board and follow for a 30-21 Colonia lead, and Gray’s shot at the buzzer hit rim as both teams went into the brief break with CHS still leading by nine.
The third quarter began with Colonia making one of two from the line at the 7:17 mark for a 31-21 lead. Watchung Hills got that point back a minute or so later with a one of two showing of their own at the charity stripe for a 31-22 score with 6:14 left in the third. The Warriors then added a bank shot from the low block on the right side to pull within seven before Colonia answered with three straight points including a layup off an assist by Gray at the 4:47 mark for a 34-24 lead. The Warriors quickly got those points back with a three pointer that made the score, 34-27 with 4:27 remaining in the period. There was a lull in the scoring for nearly a minute before Matt Wagner made a skip pass to Gray for a three from the right wing, and a 37-27 lead at the 3:34 mark. Gray then added a short baseline jumper from the left side for a 39-27 lead with 3:02 left in the third.
A little more than a half minute later, Colonia made one of two from the line to take a 40-27 lead as Watchung Hills called for time with 2:28 to go in the frame. Following the timeout, the Patriots went up by fifteen thanks to a nice give and go play for a layup at the 55 second mark. The Pats ended the third with an 8-0 run as they took their 42-27 lead into the fourth and final quarter of play. In the fourth, the Warriors started out strong with the first four points to pull within eleven at 42-31, but Colonia put together another well executed play on a pick and roll for a layup to go back up by thirteen, 44-31 with 5:44 left. Two minutes went by without a score before Cole made a nice drive from the left wing for a layup, and a 46-31 lead. Watchung Hills would get a three pointer to pull within a dozen, but couldn’t get any closer as Gray dribbled around the key to the left side for a pull-up bank shot, and a 48-34 lead, and then he finished the scoring by taking an outlet pass from Wagner for a layup, and the 50-34 final score.
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colonia | 15 | 15 | 12 | 8 | 50 |
| Watchung Hills | 11 | 10 | 6 | 7 | 34 |
GMC Hoops was back out at the Linden Summer League on Thursday night to see Cardinal McCarrick play.