SOUTH PLAINFIELD, NJ–On Thursday, there is a lighter schedule with five contests on the docket. Two involving GMC Gold teams, and three involving GMC Blue teams. Highland Park and South Amboy get the day off. Three are late afternoon games since JFK’s matchup with Metuchen has been moved up to 5:30 PM. Consequently, GMC Hoops will be heading over to Bishop Ahr High School after the JFK-Metuchen matchup for the remainder of the contest between the Trojans and the Rams of South River.
The GMC Gold will have its first showdown of the season on Thursday as East Brunswick Tech heads north to face Dunellen at The Faber. These two teams appeared to be favorites for division honors earlier this season, but while Dunellen has lived up to its potential with a victory at South Amboy, and a near monumental comeback against Highland Park, E.B. Tech has not played well in divisional play despite a 4-1 start. The Tigers lost to Amboy Tech at home on opening day, and had to claw out a three point victory over the Raiders of Piscataway Tech.
In the other matchup from the GMC Gold, Piscataway Tech travels up to Perth Amboy Tech. The Raiders are 1-4 on the season with a lone win over non-conference foe, West Caldwell Tech while the Patriots are 2-3 on the season following a 60-40 loss on Tuesday to South Amboy. The Pats have a slight edge here since they are playing at home, and have beaten E.B. Tech on the road while the Raiders lost to the Tigers the other day.
Moving up to the Blue Division, Kennedy takes on Metuchen in the site’s first featured game at 5:30 PM. Both teams are coming off losses with JFK falling at home to Middlesex (55-48) and Metuchen upset on the road at South River (69-63). This is a big week for the Mustangs while the Bulldogs are trying to climb out of an 0-2 hole in divisional play. So, this is an important game for both teams. Kennedy has the trio of senior guard Joe Marciano, senior forward Rasheed Howard, and junior guard Dashion Robinson, who combined for all 48 points in the loss to Middlesex on Tuesday. Meanwhile, MHS has the likes of Mike Crusco and Elijah Sellers in the backcourt along with Evan Carberry and Nick Callas in the frontcourt.
Our next featured game is between Bishop Ahr and South River. It will be the first time this season that GMC Hoops has seen the Trojans in action although it did see the Freshmen and JV teams play over in the Roselle Catholic Tournament during the holidays. On the other hand, it is the second time that the site is seeing the Rams in action. South River has already won more games as it did all last season. This is another test for the Rams, which have won four of its last five after an 0-2 start. Play well here at BGA, and make a nice step up the respectability ladder.
Finally, we have the game between Middlesex and Spotswood at MHS. Last year, these two teams went at it in three closely contested games. The Blue Jays won the rubber match in the semifinals of the Central Jersey Group II State Tournament in March after Spotswood won the first battle between these two teams on a last second shot by Mike Liming in January. The Chargers took a hit last week by losing on the road at Bishop Ahr, but played the Trojans very tough in the defeat. Meanwhile, Middlesex has won five straight since Avery Barnes returned to the lineup. The Jays are also playing at home here, which could help.