SOUTH AMBOY, NJ–After watching Perth Amboy Tech cruise past Highland Park in the first game of the GMC Hoops Gold Division Doubleheader on Wednesday, GMC Hoops traveled to South Amboy Middle-High School to take in the contest between the Guvs and South River in the nightcap. After South Amboy’s Elijah Munoz sank a three pointer to open the fourth quarter to close the gap to 43-38, South River finished the game on a 28-10 surge to avenge its only conference and division loss with a 71-48 victory. Freshman Derrick Whitaker led the Rams with a game high 25 points while big man Matt Pietrzyk chipped in with 12 and Antonio Martinez and Zac Rafano added 11 and 10 points respectively. Julian Munoz led South Amboy with 15 points while Keahre Ford chipped in with 13. Below are game notes from the action:
First Quarter
7:07–Arrive with South River leading 3-0.
4:58 left in the first quarter and South River ties game at 5-5 on a jumper from the left corner by Mike DeSantis.
3:02 left in the first quarter and South Amboy ties the score at 9-9 on a foul line jumper by Julian Munoz.
0:00–End of the first quarter and South Amboy pulls within 13-12 on a three from the right wing by Julian Munoz.
Second Quarter
7:01 left in the first half and South River takes an 18-12 lead on a trey from the right wing by Mario Nigro.
5:21 left in the first half and there is a timeout after a Keahre Ford three closes the gap to 18-14.
3:49 left in the first half and South River now up 20-16 after a score by Mike DeSantis.
2:09 left in the first half and South River calls timeout after a layup by Derrick Whitaker for a three point play and a 23-19 lead.
0:00–Game has gone to the half with 10th ranked South River leading South Amboy, 25-21. South River first half scoring: Derrick Whitaker leads the Rams with 8 while big man Matthew Pietrzyk has 6. South Amboy first half scoring: Julian Munoz leads the Guvs with 10 points while Keahre Ford chipped in with 7.
Third Quarter
7:07 left in the third quarter and South Amboy calls time after a three from the left side of the key by Derrick Whitaker gives South River a 30-21 lead.
3:13 left in the third quarter and South Amboy on an 8-2 run after a score by Julian Munoz closes the gap to 38-29.
2:22 left in the third and South River goes up 43-30 on a three from the left corner by Derrick Whitaker.
0:00–End of the third and South River leads South Amboy 43-35 after Guvs end period on a 5-0 run.
Fourth Quarter
7:22 left in the game and South Amboy creeps to within 5 at 43-38 on this three by Elijah Munoz
4:43 left in the game and South River is back up by double digits at 52-42 on a jumper by Derrick Whitaker
3:33 left in the game and South Amboy calls time after this steal for layup by Keahre Ford ends a 10-0 South River run for a 60-44 Rams lead.
2:38 left in the game and South River now leads 67-46 after a score by Antonio Martinez.
0:00–Game just ended here at South Amboy with 10th ranked South River avenging it’s only GMC loss this season with a 71-48 win over the Guvs. South River scoring for the game against South Amboy last night: Derrick Whitaker led four different players in double figures with 25 points. Matt Pietrzyk chipped in with 12 while Antonio Martinez and Zac Rafano added 11 and 10 respectively. South Amboy scoring for the game versus South River last night. Julian Munoz led the Guvs with 15 points while Keahre Ford chipped in with 13.