SOUTH PLAINFIELD, NJ–In nightcap of the evening doubleheader at South Plainfield Middle School, the Hawks of J.P. Stevens took on Middletown South in the opening round of the 2012 Cotoia Tournament.
The Eagles jumped out to a 6-0 lead in the first 1:12, and never relinquished the lead although Stevens tied the game late in the first period, and only trailed 19-16 at the half. The third quarter saw the Shore Conference team begin to pull away with the first six points of the third quarter for a 25-16 lead at the 5:23 mark, and then got a three pointer to take a 31-21 advantage heading into the fourth.
In the final frame, the Hawks could only get as close as 10 points as the Eagles led by as many as 17 late before winning, 44-29. Below are game notes from the contest.
First Quarter
7:50–MS–scores off the opening tip for a 2-0 lead.
7:20–MS–layup for a 4-0 lead.
6:48–MS–gets steal for a layup and a 6-0 lead.
4:59–JPS–gets on the board with a basket for a 6-2 MS lead.
4:30–JPS–John Maxham hits three pointer for a 6-5 MS lead.
4:02–MS–layup for an 8-5 lead.
3:15–MS–basket for a 10-5 lead.
2:30–JPS–Sajeh Chowdhary hits baseline jumper from left side for a 10-7 JPS lead.
1:40–JPS–Veer Patel hits three from right side of the key for a 10-10 tie.
53.8–MS–three pointer from right side for a 13-10 lead.
40.4–JPS–turnover.
Second Quarter
7:26–JPS–Shariff Burch–fouled–makes both FTs for a 13-12 MS lead
6:57–JPS–traveling
5:18–MS–knocks down three from left side of the key for a 16-12 lead.
5:04–MS–deflects ball out of bounds.
3:46–JPS–timeout after MS hits another three for a 19-12 lead.
2:15–JPS–three pointer from right wing for a 19-15 MS lead.
1:26–JPS–Francois Ballou–fouled–makes 1 of 2 FTs for a 19-16 MS lead.
53.0–JPS–Burch called for offensive foul.
0.0–MS–unable to score, but lead at the half 19-16.
Third Quarter
7:42–MS–turnover.
7:35–JPS–turnover.
6:45–MS–draws charge on Burch.
5:23–MS–starts 2nd half with a 6-0 run including a layup for a 25-16 lead.
3:30–JPS–Chowdhary–gets steal and is tripped up for foul  on floor.
3:12–JPS–timeout after Chowdary hits line drive shot for a 25-18 MS lead.
2:59–MS–three pointer from top of the key for a 28-18 lead.
2:30–JPS–Chowdhary hits three pointer for a 28-21 MS lead.
1:58–JPS–deflects ball out of bounds.
1:54–MS–traveling.
3.4–JPS–loses he ball out of bounds after Chowdary misses three and the Hawks can’t make the follow.
0.0–MS–hits three at the buzzer for a 31-21 lead.
Fourth Quarter
6:15–MS–scores basket down low for a 33-21 lead.
5:47–MS–throws ball out of bounds–turnover.
5:12–JPS–fouled on floor–Ballou–makes both FTs for a 33-23 MS lead.
4:44–MS–full timeout.
4:23–MS–fouled–makes 1 of 2 FTs for a 34-23 lead.
4:00–MS–picks pocket for steal.
3:38–MS–three point play for a 37-23 lead.
3:36–MS–deflects ball out of bounds.
3:00–JPS–Chowdhary sinks baseline jumper for a 37-25 MS lead.
2:41–JPS–timeout after Maxham scores for a 37-27 MS lead.
2:22–MS–fouled–makes both FTs for a 39-27 lead.
1:38–JPS–Chowdhary goes up and deflects pass, but is called for a foul–fouls out of the game–MS–makes both FTs for a 41-27 lead.
33.9–MS–fouled–makes 1 of 2 FTs for a 44-27 lead.
20.0–JPS–Veer Patel knocks down jumper from left baseline for a 44-29 MS lead.
0.0–MS–runs out the clock for a 44-29 win.