SOUTH RIVER, NJ–On Wednesday afternoon, GMC Hoops traveled over to South River High School to take in the latest installment of the Clash of the Rams between Wardlaw and South River. Wardlaw jumped out to a 7-0 lead over the first 2:48 of the game, but South River took over with a 26-8 surge over the next 11:13 to take a 26-15 lead. After that, Wardlaw didn’t get any closer than 7 points as South River went on to win 64-39. Freshman Derrick Whitaker led the way with a game high 20 points while fellow frosh Mike DeSantis chipped in with 17. Brendan O’Brien led Wardlaw with 11 points while freshman Ryan Patela chipped in with 10. Below are game notes from the action:
First Quarter
7:00–Wardlaw goes on top 3-0 on a trey from the top of the key by Ryan Patela.
5:12 left in the first quarter and Wardlaw jumps out to 7-0 lead after this score by Brendan O’Brien.
1:59 left in the first quarter and we’re tied at 7-7 after this three by Mario Nigro.
0:00–End of first quarter and South River leads Wardlaw 10-9. South River scored 10 of the last 12 points including a layup by freshman Mike DeSantis and 1 of 2 FTs by fellow Frosh Derrick Whitaker.
Second Quarter
5:15 to go in the first half and South River leads 15-10 after a three from the right wing by Derrick Whitaker.
3:38 left in the first half and South River leads 17-13 after a three from the right wing by Wardlaw’s Ryan Patela off a kickout by Garrett Racz.
2:51 left in the first half and there is a timeout with South River leading 19-13.
1:59–South River’s Antonio Martinez fires in a three from the right wing to give the Rams a 26-15 lead. Rams on a 26-8 surge.
0:00–Game has gone to the half, and after two late second quarter scores by Scott Hargrove, Wardlaw trails South River, 26-19. Wardlaw first half scoring. Freshman Ryan Patela leads Wardlaw with 7 points including two threes. South River first half scoring. Freshman Derrick Whitaker leads SR with 8 points while fellow Frosh Mike DeSantis has 6 and senior Mario Nigro has 5.
Third Quarter
6:28 left in the third and Wardlaw calls time after South River scores the first four points of the 2nd half for a 30-19.
5:22 left in the third quarter and SR leads Wardlaw 33-19 after Derrick Whitaker completes this three point play.
3:42 left in the third quarter and SR now leads Wardlaw 37-19. SR Rams start half on an 11-0 run.
1:19 left in the third quarter and South River calls time after a transition layup by Jordan Rose to close the gap to 37-26.
0:00–End of the third quarter and South River leads 40-26 after a three from the right wing by Mike DeSantis.
Fourth Quarter
6:54 left in the game and South River now leads 46-26 after a three from the left corner by Mario Nigro. Over the last 15 minutes or so of the game, South River has outscored Wardlaw, 46-19.
4:59–Thanks in part to a score by Mike DeSantis, South River leads Wardlaw 52-29.
3:26–Timeout in the game with South River leading 55-35.
38.5 seconds left in the game and South River leads 64-37. Rams on a 9-2 run.
0:00–Game just ended here at SRHS with South River winning 64-39. Wardlaw scoring for the game: Brendan O’Brien ended up with a team high 11 while Ryan Patela chipped in with 10. South River scoring: Derrick Whitaker led the way with 20 points while Mike DeSantis chipped in with 17. The three freshmen for South River scored 39 of the 64 points.