MONMOUTH JUNCTION, NJ–On Wednesday night, the 2012 Greater Middlesex Conference Semifinals took place at South Brunswick High School. The first semifinal took place at 5:30 PM between third seeded East Brunswick and second seeded North Brunswick. It was the first time that EB has been in the semifinals since 2001 while NBTHS was making its first GMCT Final Four appearance since 1998.
North Brunswick led 13-12 after one period, and took a 24-20 lead into the locker room at halftime. However, the Bears rallied from a 31-22 deficit with a 12-0 run to take a 34-31 lead early in the fourth. Behind Dion Rogers though, the Raiders reached its first GMCT Final since 1997 when it closed the game on a 12-5 run for a 43-39 victory. Below is the play-by-play from the final three quarters.
First Quarter
North Brunswick leads 13-12 after one period.
Second Quarter
6:15–NBT–Shaliek Short scores basket for a 15-12 lead.
5:56–EB–Rob Ukawuba fouled–makes both FTs for a 15-14 NBT lead.
5:35–NBT–Dion Rogers hits three from right corner for an 18-14 lead.
4:30–NBT–Fleming scores on layin from left side for a 20-14 lead.
4:15–EB–Krantz gets basket for a 20-16 NBT lead.
3:48–NBT–timeout.
3:21–NBT–Fleming scores on transition layup for a 22-16 lead.
3:09–EB–jumper for a 22-18 NBT lead.
2:42–NBT–draws charge.
2:05–NBT–traveling.
1:53–NBT–Rogers comes up with steal.
1:27–EB–Mike Summerer taps in putback for a 22-20 NBT lead.
1:00–NBT–Gadsden throws down two handed jam for a 24-20 lead.
44.1–EB–traveling.
4.2–EB–swipes steal.
0.0–EB–Ross shot is off the mark. Â NBT leads 24-20 at the half.
Third Quarter
7:13–EB–traveling.
7:05–NBT–Rogers three pointer from right wing for a 27-20 lead.
6:46–EB–Amir Bell drives to the basket for layup, and a 27-22 NBT lead.
6:43–EB–timeout.
6:12–EB–turnover.
5:58–NBT–traveling.
4:55–NBT–Rogers swipes steal and passes ahead to Fleming for a layup, and a 29-22 lead.
4:27–NBT–steals errant pass.
4:03–EB–turnover.
3:46–NBT–timeout.
3:30–NBT–Short scores basket for a 31-22 lead.
2:48–EB–Bestawros fouled and makes both FTs for a 31-24 NBT lead.
2:31–EB–Danny Leung forces NBT turnover.
2:21–EB–Joe Ross throws inbounds pass of NBT player, and scores for a 31-26 NBT lead.
1:45–EB–Ross drains three from right wing for a 31-29 NBT lead.
55.9–EB–Ross just misses three.
24.0–EB–Leung fires in three from right wing for a 32-31 lead.
0.0–NBT–Rogers throws up shot from right side, but it hits iron.
EB–10-0 run to end third.
Fourth Quarter
7:49–EB–traveling.
7:18–EB–Krantz forces steal.
7:02–EB–Leung layup for a 34-31 lead.
5:32–NBT–Fleming to Dennis Ford Jr. for layin and a 34-33 EB lead.
5:28–EB–offensive foul.
5:03–NBT–traveling.
4:36–NBT–timeout.
3:44–NBT–Rogers fouled on three attempt and makes 2 of 3 FTs for a 35-34 lead.
3:22–NBT–Fleming steal leads to Rogers score for a 37-34 lead.
2:48–EB–big block.
2:33–EB–timeout.
2:17–NBT–full timeout after getting steal.
1:47–EB–Bell swipes steal.
1:44–EB–Bell fouled–makes 1 of 2 FTs for a 37-35 EB lead.
1:42–NBT–Short fouled–makes both FTs for a 39-35 lead.
1:34–EB–traveling.
1:15–EB–Ukawuba fouled–makes both FTs for a 39-37 NBT lead.
1:06–NBT–timeout–after EB players tie up Rogers for jump ball–NBT keeps possession.
45.9–NBT–timeout after taking some time off the clock.
20.2–NBT–Fleming fouled–makes both FTs for a 41-37 lead.
15.0–NBT–swipes steal.
11.5–NBT–Fleming fouled–makes both FTs for a 43-37 lead.
0.9–EB–calls timeout after Ukawuba scores on putback–Summerer goes down–able to walk off the floor under his own power. Â NBT leads 43-39.
0.0–NBT–Rogers runs out the clock–NBT fans storm the court after sportsmanship handshake between teams…NBT wins 43-39.
1st time NBT reaches GMCT Final since winning it in 1997.