NEPTUNE, NJ–On October 31st, GMC Hoops headed over to the Hoop Group Headquarters after work to take in the final two hours of action from the week seven slate of games in the fall league there. Perth Amboy was in action as it battled Manasquan while Metuchen squared off against Central Regional.
Central Regional Defeats Metuchen, 82-49
In the 8:00 PM hour, GMC Hoops managed to see the final ten minutes of action between the Metuchen Bulldogs and Central Regional of Ocean County. Â The Bulldogs are making progress, and getting better. Â Playing against much more experienced competition, and more physically mature players has been a very difficult challenge, but also a great learning experience for MHS. Â The Bulldogs improvement is starting to show on the scoreboard.
Early on in the fall, Metuchen struggled to get points on the board. Â The Bulldogs are still having some struggles offensively, but they are getting more productivity out of their players. Â Joining the action with ten minutes are so left in the contest, Metuchen trailed 61-34. Â Over the next 3:30, Central Regional put together a 14-7 spurt that included a number of layups, three point shots, and even a conventional three point play for a 75-41 lead as MHS called for time.
Following the timeout, Central Regional added another three pointer at the 3:00 mark, and then a steal for a dunk at the 2:28 mark for an 80-41 lead. Â A trademark characteristic in these Bulldogs has been their ability to keep fighting, and not giving up. Â Over the final two and a half minutes of the game, Metuchen outscored Central by a margin of 8-2 thanks to two three pointers including one from the right wing as time was running out to wrap up the 82-49 Central Regional victory.
Metuchen is getting better. Â You can see the progress. Â They are baby steps, and sometimes it may be two steps forward, and one step back, but they are getting there. Â The Bulldogs are probably one of the smallest if not the smallest school competing in this league, and they are going to benefit tremendously from competing here.
Amboy Overcomes Tough Start To Defeat Manasquan, 51-42
In the 9:00 PM hour, the Panthers from Perth Amboy were in action against Manasquan. Â The Warriors are one of the top programs in Monmouth County year in and year out. Â With former standout players such as Jason Westrol (Bentley) and Matt Vadas leading the way over the years, Manasquan has always been a contender for either Central Jersey Group II or Central Jersey Group III. Â The Warriors usually have a good combination of size and perimeter shooting every year.
Meanwhile, Perth Amboy has been using this fall to try and put together a solid team for the 2011-12 season. Â With the loss of such graduates as Kearny Canela, Victor Verdecia, and Yoelbin Sanchez along with the transfers of talented juniors David Rodriguez (Cardinal McCarrick) and Hamilton Cappellan (Bound Brook), the Panthers are trying to figure out who is going to come forward, and lead the team from the youngsters left behind for this year’s team.
There have been some good moments this fall. Â The Panthers earned a hard fought victory over Barnegat on opening night, fell to a solid Colts Neck team by single digits, and lost to Holmdel in overtime. Â Led by David Rogers, Amboy still does have a very good junior class. Â They have plenty of athleticism, and decent guard play. Â Many of these players saw a lot of action at the JV level last year, and will be called upon to contribute at the varsity level this coming season.
Manasquan got off to a fast start in this game with the first seven points. Â The Warriors scored a couple baskets within the first couple minutes of play, and then added a three pointer from the right wing for a 7-0 lead. Â The Panthers battled back though with a 19-7 tear over the next 12 or so minutes to take a 19-14 lead. Â Rogers helped out during the run with a bucket to tie the score at 10-10 midway through the first half. Â The Panthers continued to surge with seven of the next nine points for a 26-9 surge, and a 26-16 lead with under a minute to go in the first half.
After a lull in the scoring of 2:15, Amboy opened up the second half with a perfectly shot three pointer from the left corner off a kickout for a 29-16 lead. Â The Panthers followed that up with a stop on the defensive end, and scored at the other end for a 31-16 lead before Manasquan connected on a three attempt from the right wing to narrow the deficit to a dozen at 31-19. Â The Panthers would respond with a three of their own, but the Warriors pulled to within 12 again at 34-22 with a bucket, and one of two free throws. Â The Monmouth County team closed within single digits though with a 7-2 spurt.
First, the Warriors got a two handed dunk while being fouled for a three point play, and then added two more scores including a putback at the 12:00 mark for a 36-29 Amboy lead. Â Squan began to put its transition game to work with a fast break layup at the 11:02 mark to draw within five as the Panthers called for time. Â Following the timeout, the Warriors began to create havoc with a halfcourt trap, but Perth Amboy was able to overcome it for a score, and a seven point lead midway through the second half.
The Panthers were able to maintain that lead for a while, and eventually put the game away with a 5-0 run to take a 51-39 lead with a minute left. Â Amboy went on to win 51-42.