MONMOUTH JUNCTION, NJ–On Tuesday evening, GMC Hoops headed over to South Brunswick High School to take in a key early season match-up from the GMC Red Division between 3rd ranked South Brunswick and 4th ranked Old Bridge.
Led by senior guard, Stephen Strom, who connected on two threes in the early going, the Knights jumped out to a 10-2 lead just a little over three minutes into the contest. However, South Brunswick took control the rest of the way with a 52-30 surge over the last 28:54 of the contest for a 54-40 victory.
The Vikings were led by junior guard, Mike Ugarte, who had 16 points including two threes and a perfect 4 of 4 from the line. Senior forward, Eric Savage chipped in with 15 points, and junior Ryan Moran came off the bench, and made a key contribution with four three pointers for 12 points along with tough defense and hustle. Moran’s final three helped put the game away as it sparked an 11-2 tear over the last three and a half minutes.
Connor Romano and Stephen Strom each had 16 points in a losing cause for Old Bridge. Romano went a perfect 9 of 9 from the foul line while Strom knocked in five three pointers. Below are game notes from the action:
First Quarter
5:16–OB jumps out to a 7-2 lead on a layup by Kyke Parris, a floater by Connor Romano, and a three by Stephen Strom
4:54–SB–timeout after another three by OB for a 10-2 lead.
3:13–SB on a 7-0 run including three by Moran, a steal by Miran that led to an Isaiah Franklin layup and a jumper from left elbow by Mike Ugarte for a 10-9 OB lead.
1:34–SB ties it at 12-12 on a three point play by Savage.
40.8–SB–Savage picks up 2nd foul.
0.0–SB misses three attempt from left wing as time runs out for a 12-12 tie.
Second Quarter
6:30–SB–takes a 17-15 lead, first of game on a 5-3 run including another three by Moran. Strom had trey for OB
5:00–SB–timeout after a scramble for a loose ball.
4:30–OB–Strom three from top of the key for an 18-17 lead.
4:13–SB–Kunal Thakral layup for a 19-18 lead.
2:12–SB–Jaier Garrett drives and kicks to Ugarte for a three pointer and a 22-18 lead.
1:45–OB–basket for a 22-20 SB lead.
25.0–SB–Romano fouled and makes both FTs for a 24-22 SB lead.
Third Quarter
6:21–OB–timeout. After OB opens qtr with three point play by Romano, SB battles back with next 5 points including a three by Ugarte and a breakaway layup by Sean Nally for a 29-25 lead.
4:18–SB–now on a 10-0 run after five more points including layup by Ugarte for a 34-25 lead.
0:00–OB misses three from left wing as time runs out. SB ends qtr on a 6-3 run with Savage accounting for all 6 points on a jumper in the paint that got a kind bounce, a layup and 2 of 4 FTs for a 40-28 lead.
Fourth Quarter
6:45 left and SB leads 40-33 after OB 5-0 run including trey by Stephen Strom for a 40-33 SB lead.
5:45–OB–Romano fouled and makes both FTs for a 40-35 SB lead.
5:05–SB–Garrett–fouled and makes one of two FTs for a 41-35 lead.
4:43–OB–timeout.
4:18–SB–Ugarte fouled and makes both FTs for a 43-38 lead.
4:05–SB forces 5 sec call on OB.
3:49–OB–misses both FTs but SB commits turnover.
3:28–SB–timeout after three by Strom closes gap to 43-38.
3:04–SB–Moran sinks three from left wing for a 46-38 lead.
2:55–OB–trapped in right corner calls timeout.
2:35–SB–Savage layup for a 48-38 lead.
2:22–SB–Garrett fouled and makes both FTs for a 50-38 lead.
1:57–SB–Savage fouled and makes both FTs for a 52-38 lead.
1:40–OB–Romano fouled and makes both FTs for a 52-40 SB lead.
0:00–SB wins 54-40.
Final Stats
South Brunswick had 11 field goals, 6 threes, and made 14 of 22 from the foul line for its 54 points.
Old Bridge had 5 field goals, 6 threes, and sank 12 of 13 from the charity stripe for its 40 points.
Only four different players scored for Old Bridge: Romano (16 points), Strom (16 points), Kyle Parris (6 points), and C.J. Santoro (2 points). No other Old Bridge player besides Romano or Strom got a field goal in the second half. Romano and Strom accounted for 80 percent of the Knights scoring and all of Old Bridge’s three pointers.
South Brunswick had 7 different players score including three in double figures: Ugarte (16 points), Savage (15 points), Moran (12 points), Garrett (5 points), Franklin (2 points), Nally (2 points), and Kunal Thakral (2 points). Moran had a three pointer in each quarter. Ugarte, Savage, and Moran combined to account for just under 80 percent of SBHS’ scoring (79.6 percent).
South Brunswick had a 16-0 edge over Old Bridge in bench points.
Team Fouls: Old Bridge had 15. South Brunswick had 14.
After Strom hit his fifth three of the game to close the gap to 43-38 with 3:28 remaining, South Brunswick scored 11 of the last 13 points including 6 of 6 from the foul line.
JV GAME: Prior to the start of the varsity game between Old Bridge and South Brunswick, the two JV squads went at it, and the Junior Vikings won easily, 54-28.