CARTERET, NJ–On Friday afternoon, GMC Hoops traveled over to Carteret High School to see its third scrimmage of the season between the Ramblers and Bayonne of the Hudson County Interscholastic Athletic Association. Â In the JV scrimmage, Bayonne dominated the first period and the last half of the second period to come away with a 35-13 victory. Â Then, in the second half of the varsity scrimmage, Bayonne jumped out to an 11-1 lead in the third period, and went on to win the frame 24-13. Â Carteret stormed back in the fourth quarter by jumping ou to a 19-7 lead before winning the stanza, 21-12. Â Bayonne did get the overall edge in the second half by a score of 36-34. Â Below are some notes from both scrimmages.
JV Scrimmage
First Quarter
Bayonne jumped out to a 5-0 lead before Carteret finally scored at the 5:49 mark. Â The Junior Ramblers pulled within one before the Junior Bees ended the period with a 15-0 run. Â Bayonne put on a layup clinic as their pressure defense forced turnovers that were converted into layups for a 20-4 showing in the quarter
Second Quarter
Carteret seemed to make some strides in the first half of the period as the Ramblers showed some more poise and composure in jumping out to a 9-4 lead at the 4:26 mark, but Bayonne’s pressure defense began to have its effect the rest of the way. Â The Bees ended the frame with an 11-0 tear with its formula of pressure defense and easy baskets for the 15-9 quarter win.
Varsity Scrimmage
Third Quarter
Like the JV, Bayonne’s varsity turned up the heat with full court pressure. Â It seemed like Carteret was turning the ball over on every possession as the Bees jumped out to an 11-1 lead. Â Brandon Gilder (6 points) helped the Ramblers draw within seven at 13-6 with a three point play and a jumper from the right wing, but Bayonne stayed in control with an 11-2 spurt to take a 24-8 lead before Byron Benjamin converted a three point play at the 32.3 mark. Â Jaquan Robertson, who had 4 points in the frame, closed out the scoring with a one handed dunk from the left side as Bayonne won the period, 24-13.
Fourth Quarter
Showing a sense of urgency, Carteret jumped out to a 9-4 lead as Gilder hit a three from the right side, and Robertson followed with trey from the left side before Gilder converted a three point play.  After Bayonne got a score to pull within three at 9-6, the Ramblers went on a 10-1 run as both Gilder and Robertson  had scores to help give Carteret a 19-7 lead.  Bayonne then scored five straight points including four from the foul line to pull within seven with a minute and a half to play,  but CHS ended up winning, 21-12.  Carteret was much more aggressive on both ends of the floor, and took it to Bayonne.
Note: Â GMC Hoops arrived late to the scrimmage and was only able to see the second Hal of the varsity scrimmage.