SPOTSWOOD, NJ–On Friday night, GMC Hoops traveled down to the Spotswood Athletic Center on the campus of Spotswood High School to take in a Blue Division showdown between the 9th ranked Chargers and the top ranked Cardinal McCarrick Eagles. Unfortunately for Spotswood fans, it was anything but a showdown. McCarrick put on a clinic for three and a half quarters, and led by almost 40 points before the Charger reserves finished strong to provide a bright spot in a 69-34 loss. The Eagles were led by the backcourt tandem of Gilberto Cue and NyQuan McCombs, who each had 14 points while forward Hodari Bazemore and reserve Bryan Harris each chipped in with 10 points and Elijah Mitchell added 9. Junior Marlon Hart collected 7 points and 5 rebounds while sophomore big man, Matt Ciaccio added 6 points and 8 rebounds in defeat for the Chargers. Below are some game notes from the action:
First Quarter
4:00–Arrive. McCarrick leads 7-0.
3:03–Spotswood called timeout with McCarrick leading 15-2 after a putback by Santago Dervishaj.
0:00–Spotswood ended the first period with the last five points including a three pointer from the left corner by Andrew Fuzesi and a layup by Eric Dadika for a 15-7 McCarrick lead.
Second Quarter
7:27 left in the first half and McCarrick leads 18-7 after a three point play by NyQuan McCombs.
6:35 left in the first half and there is a timeout with McCarrick now up 20-7.
3:00–McCarrick putting on a clinic. The Eagles could do no wrong as Elijah Mitchell and NyQuan McCombs spearheaded a 20-6 start to the 2nd with several threes for a 35-13 lead.
0:00–Game has gone to the half with McCarrick leading 35-20. Spotswood ended the first half just like the first quarter with the last seven points of the first half including 2 of 3 fts by Dadika and a three point play by Marlon Hart.
Third Quarter
0:00–End of third quarter and McCarrick leads 49-24 after a 14-4 showing in period. Hodari Bazemore had a couple scores to open period. Matt Ciaccio had a basket for Spotswood.
Fourth Quarter
6:23 left in the game and Spotswood calls timeout with McCarrick up 53-24 after scores by McCombs and Gilberto Cue.
0:00–Game just ended with top ranked McCarrick rolling past Spotswood 69-34. Charger reserves finish the game on a strong note with a 10-7 run over the last several minutes. McCarrick was led by Cue and McCombs with 14 points each while Bryan Harris and Hodari Bazemore chipped in with 10 and Elijah Mitchell added 8. Marlon Hart led Spotswood with 7 points while Matt Ciaccio chipped in with 6.