SOUTH PLAINFIELD, NJ–With the seeding of the state tournament approaching, GMC Hoops took a look at the most recent NJSIAA power points standings from February 5th courtesy of NJ.com, and did some analysis. Here is a breakdown of each section that involves at least one team from the Greater Middlesex Conference.
NORTH JERSEY, SECTION 2
Group 4
Westfield (13-5) 439; Newark East Side (13-5) 423; Linden (12-3) 421; Ridge (11-5) 401; Woodbridge (14-3) 368; North Hunterdon (10-6) 359; Millburn (12-4) 351; Union (10-7) 349; Dickinson (11-8) 331; Franklin (9-7) 322; Plainfield (6-9) 300; East Orange (9-8) 298; Bayonne (8-10) 294; Watchung Hills (7-8) 285; Bridgewater-Raritan (7-11) 271; J.P. Stevens (10-7) 267; Phillipsburg (8-11) 252; Columbia (6-10) 250; Perth Amboy (6-11) 241; Piscataway (6-12) 221; Elizabeth (2-16) 174; Scotch Plains-Fanwood (2-15) 173.
If the Playoffs Were to Start Today…
The 16 teams that would qualify would be the following:
- Westfield (13-5)
- Newark East Side (13-5)
- Linden (12-3)
- Ridge (11-5)
- Woodbridge (15-3)
- North Hunterdon (10-6)
- Millburn (12-4)
- Union (10-7)
- Dickinson (11-8)
- Franklin (9-7)
- Plainfield (6-9)
- East Orange Campus (9-8)
- Bayonne (8-10)
- Watchung Hills (7-8)
- Bridgewater-Raritan (7-11)
- J.P. Stevens (10-7)
Some thoughts: The GMC’s struggles against non-conference competition hurt here with Stevens just getting in at No. 16 despite a 10-7 record. Bridgewater-Raritan, which has double digit wins over EB and Sayreville, which defeated JPS twice, slipped ahead of the Hawks at No. 15 despite a 7-11 record. BR, Franklin, Ridge, North Hunterdon, and Watchung Hills are all in the field from the Skyland Conference, which is currently 25-6 versus the GMC so far this season. Woodbridge has had a great season, and may get through the first round, but it will be tough sledding for the Barrons beyond that.
Group 3
Chatham (16-1) 501; Somerville (16-0) 486; Rahway (14-2) 409; Cliffside Park (13-4) 401; Colonia (12-4) 391; Summit (12-5) 391; Warren Hills (11-4) 382; Snyder (11-5) 362; Cranford (10-5) 317; Matawan (10-8) 298; Voorhees (8-10) 292; Nutley (9-7) 290; Mendham (8-9) 284; Barringer (6-10) 282; Gov. Livingston (6-9) 259; J.F. Kennedy (6-9) 227; Ferris (8-10) 221; West Morris (6-12) 210; Orange (6-13) 189; Irvington (4-11) 170; Carteret (6-12) 167; South Plainfield (4-13) 150.
If the Playoffs Were to Start Today…
The 16 teams that would qualify would be the following:
- Chatham (16-1)
- Somerville (16-0)
- Rahway (14-2)
- Cliffside Park (13-4)
- Colonia (13-4)
- Summit (12-5)
- Warren Hills (11-4)
- Snyder (11-5)
- Cranford (10-5)
- Matawan (10-8)
- Voorhees (8-10)
- Nutley (9-7)
- Mendham (8-9)
- Barringer (6-10)
- Governor Livingston (6-9)
- J.F. Kennedy (7-10)
Some thoughts: Again the GMC is hurt by performance in non-conference play with several teams on the outside looking in. Colonia looks to be a strong contender to defend its N2 Group 3 Championship. Some geography comes into play here with Matawan in the Bayshore section of Monmouth County moving into N2 Group 3 after being in CJ Group 2 for a while. This is not unprecedented though. Remember in 2004 when Raritan defeated South Plainfield to win the section? The Rockets, which gave that historic SPHS team its only loss, was from the same section of Monmouth County (Hazlet). There is also Cliffside Park of Bergen County, and Snyder from Jersey City in this section as well.
CENTRAL JERSEY
Group 4
Hunterdon Central (16-1) 485; Colts Neck (14-3) 418; South Brunswick (14-2) 409; Freehold Township (12-5) 407; Old Bridge (12-6) 400; East Brunswick (10-6) 363; Hightstown (12-4) 356; Sayreville (15-4) 340; Montgomery (10-5) 331; Marlboro (11-6) 302; Middletown North (10-7) 278; Trenton (8-9) 254; Manalapan (7-10) 231; Hillsborough (3-13) 217; West Windsor-Plainsboro North (7-9) 214; Princeton (4-13) 189; North Brunswick (4-12) 186; Monroe (6-12) 179; Freehold Borough (5-12) 158; Edison (4-14) 148; West Windsor-Plainsboro South (0-18) 123; New Brunswick (0-15) 104.
If the Playoffs Were to Start Today…
The 16 teams that would qualify would be the following:
- Hunterdon Central (16-1)
- Colts Neck (14-3)
- South Brunswick (14-2)
- Freehold Township (12-5)
- Old Bridge (13-6)
- East Brunswick (10-6)
- Hightstown (12-4)
- Sayreville (15-4)
- Montgomery (10-5)
- Marlboro (11-6)
- Middletown North (10-7)
- Trenton (8-9)
- Manalapan (7-10)
- Hillsborough (3-13)
- West Windsor-Plainsboro North (7-9)
- Princeton (4-13)
Some thoughts: This is usually one of the better brackets for GMC schools with sectional championships from South Brunswick in 2007 and East Brunswick in 2013 as well as a sectional finals appearance for Old Bridge back in 2003 (lost to Trenton). The GMC has loaded this bracket again with solid teams such as current GMC Hoops Top Ten members: No. 2 South Brunswick, No. 5 Sayreville, No. 6 Old Bridge, No.7 East Brunswick.
Here’s another interesting thing to point out. North Brunswick is on the outside looking in and Hillsborough, the defending sectional champion, is currently sitting at No. 14 despite losing to NBTHS over the holidays. This is a classic example of how strong the Skyland is this year. Once again, the Skyland as a group is 25-6 versus the GMC this season.
Hillsborough not only played and lost to North Brunswick and South Brunswick, but also has to contend with the likes of top seeded Hunterdon Central, Gill St. Bernard’s, Ridge, Montgomery, Bridgewater-Raritan, and Watchung Hills in a very strong Skyland Conference Delaware Division. The Raiders also lost to Hightstown in the same holiday tourney that they lost to NBTHS.
Hunterdon Central is the real deal folks. Could be the best Hunterdon Central team since the days when former South Plainfield boys coach, Willie Leonardi coached at the school in the mid to late 1970s. Over the summer, GMC Hoops saw them play at the Bound Brook Summer League, and they were impressive. In addition to playing at Bound Brook, the Devils also played at the Hamilton Park Summer League in Jersey City along with Old Bridge and Colts Neck.
Like the Knights, the Devils reached the quarterfinals there, and lost to the Patrick School. HCHS also recently knocked off Gill, which defeated St. Joseph’s earlier this year, and gave Roselle Catholic fits with 14 three pointers in a very entertaining game at the Eric LeGrand Classic.
Group 2
Bordentown (15-1) 452; Manasquan (16-2) 451; Rumson-Fair Haven (14-3) 429; Willingboro (10-6) 375; North Plainfield (13-2) 366; East Brunswick Tech (12-5) 342; Lincoln (11-6) 335; Spotswood (16-2) 322; Delran (11-6) 297; Johnson (7-9) 269; Point Pleasant Boro (8-7) 269; Hillside (6-11) 266; Holmdel (8-8) 261; Raritan (10-7) 258; Roselle (7-8) 243; New Providence (5-11) 225; Bernards (6-9) 201; Delaware Valley (4-13) 182; Robbinsville (4-12) 161; Metuchen (2-14) 126; Monmouth (2-15) 121.
If the Playoffs Were to Start Today…
The 16 teams that would qualify would be the following:
- Bordentown (15-1)
- Manasquan (16-2)
- Rumson-Fair Haven (14-3)
- Willingboro (10-6)
- North Plainfield (13-2)
- East Brunswick Tech (13-5)
- Lincoln (11-6)
- Spotswood (17-3)
- Delran (11-6)
- Johnson Regional (7-9)
- Point Pleasant Boro (8-7)
- Hillside (6-11)
- Holmdel (8-8)
- Raritan (10-7)
- Roselle (7-8)
- New Providence (5-11)
Some thoughts: There are no GMC teams in Central Jersey Group 3 this year since J.F. Kennedy moved over to North Jersey Section 2 Group 3. There are only two teams from the Greater Middlesex Conference in CJ Group 2: Spotswood and East Brunswick Tech, which moves up from CJ Group 1.
Here’s something to think about: North Plainfield, which is a solid squad that defeated both J.P. Stevens and South Plainfield in the Anthony J. Colonia Tournament over the holidays, is in a Central Jersey bracket while South Plainfield is in a North Jersey Section 2 bracket.
The Spotswood Chargers are a solid contender in CJ Group 2, but Bordentown is awfully tough. The Scotties defeated South Brunswick at the Moody Park Summer League Quarterfinals this past summer, and are defending champions. Manasquan and Rumson-Fair Haven won’t be easy either. Like CJ Group 4, this was a very wild bracket last year as well.
Another thing to note is that Spotswood currently sits as an 8th seed in the current standings. The Chargers may be getting hurt by the fact that the Blue Division is not really played well as a whole until the past two or three weeks. Ahr has won 5 of its last 6. Kennedy has won 6 of 10, Middlesex had won 4 of 6 recently, and Carteret has won 4 games including a win at North Brunswick.
Group 1
Bound Brook (12-6) 350; Florence (12-5) 320; South River (13-6) 320; Point Pleasant Beach (10-7) 318; Perth Amboy Tech (14-6) 303; Piscataway Tech (12-7) 302; South Amboy (9-10) 281; South Hunterdon (9-10) 238; Somerset Tech (11-3) 211; Henry Hudson (8-8) 206; Keyport (4-11) 183; Dunellen (3-14) 162; Middlesex (6-11) 162; Highland Park (4-14) 149; Keansburg (1-15) 149; Manville (5-12) 147; Shore (2-17) 140; Asbury Park (2-11) 120; Academy for Urban Leadership Charter (1-14) 107; Academy Charter (6-10) 102; Central Jersey College Charter (0-6) 37; Edison Academy (0-2) 24; Woodbridge Academy (0-0) 0.
If the Playoffs Were to Start Today…
The 16 teams that would qualify would be the following:
- Bound Brook (12-6)
- Florence (12-5)
- South River (13-6)
- Point Pleasant Beach (10-7)
- Perth Amboy Tech (14-7)
- Piscataway Tech (13-7)
- South Amboy (9-11)
- South Hunterdon (9-10)
- Somerset Tech (12-3)
- Henry Hudson (8-8)
- Keyport (4-11)
- Dunellen (3-15)
- Middlesex (6-12)
- Highland Park (4-14)
- Keansburg (1-15)
- Manville (5-12)
Some thoughts: This is another section where the GMC has had some success with Highland Park winning sectional titles in 2001 and 2002, and Piscataway Tech winning in 2003. The Raiders also made the final in 2004 while Metuchen reached the sectional championship in 2005 and 2006. More recently, South River reached the sectional semifinals two years ago, and Amboy Tech reached the semis last year.
The bracket is currently loaded with GMC teams including solid Gold Division squads in South River, Amboy Tech, Piscataway Tech, and South Amboy. Amboy Tech only lost to Bound Brook by six on Monday (54-48), and South Amboy has come close to knocking off a giant with a two point loss to Sayreville on day two of the season. However, the Guvs have been inconsistent, especially recently, where they have lost 6 of their last 8.
Here’s something to ponder: How is Dunellen seeded as high as Middlesex when the Jays defeated the Destroyers head to head? The Jays also have 6 wins including a win over Highland Park, which also split with Dunellen, and over N2 Group 3 member, Carteret. This is the reason why head to head match-ups need to be included in the Power Points formula.
NON-PUBLIC SOUTH
Non-Public South A
St. Joseph (Met.) (14-3) 567; Christian Brothers (14-2) 498; Notre Dame (17-1) 442; St. Augustine (16-0) 437; Bishop Eustace (12-4) 420; St. John Vianney (9-8) 356; Donovan Catholic (11-6) 350; Union Catholic (11-4) 350; Paul VI (6-11) 296; Gloucester Catholic (8-9) 252; Red Bank Catholic (7-11) 251; Camden Catholic (6-9) 250; Pingry (10-6) 245; Bishop Ahr (6-7) 192.
If the Playoffs Were to Start Today…
The 16 teams that would qualify would be the following:
- St. Joseph’s (15-3)
- CBA (14-2)
- Notre Dame (17-1)
- St. Augustine (16-0)
- Bishop Eustace (12-4)
- St. John Vianney (9-8)
- Donovan Catholic (11-6)
- Union Catholic (11-4)
- Paul VI (6-11)
- Gloucester Catholic (8-9)
- Red Bank Catholic (7-11)
- Camden Catholic (6-9)
- Pingry (10-6)
- Bishop Ahr (8-7)
Some thoughts: Once again, St. Joseph’s and Bishop Ahr are the only two GMC teams in this section. After winning the section three straight years en route to three state titles and T of C appearances, and a T of C title in 2014, the Falcons of St. Joe’s lost in the quarterfinals last year to Union Catholic.
The Vikings defeated the Falcons twice last year with the other win coming in the Metro Classic at Kean on Valentine’s Day. Joes will likely get the first round bye, but will have to contend with Union Catholic again in the quarterfinals, and then perhaps St. Augustine or Bishop Eustace.
The good thing is that the Falcons won’t likely see CBA until the final. Bishop Ahr is the last seed as of right now, and would likely play against another Turco coached team in Notre Dame led by Dave Turco’s brother, and former Monroe head coach, Bob Turco. As always this is a loaded bracket, and this year is no exception.
Non-Public South B
Patrick School (15-4) 567; Gill St. Bernard’s (16-2) 494; Ranney (16-2) 449; Trenton Catholic (12-3) 447; Roselle Catholic (14-4) 446; Mater Dei (16-1) 431; Holy Spirit (11-5) 375; Rutgers Prep (10-8) 375; Wildwood Catholic (12-2) 347; St. Mary (Eliz.) (9-6) 339; Doane Academy (13-7) 312; St. Joseph (Hamm.) (9-5) 282; St. Rose (11-7) 261; Timothy Christian (7-11) 218; Immaculata (4-11) 211; Koinonia (7-7) 208; Holy Cross (3-15) 189; Wardlaw-Hartridge (7-11) 188; Calvary Christian (Old Bridge) (4-11) 162; Moorestown Friends (4-12) 125; Lewis (0-0) 0; Trinity Hall (0-0) 0; Wilberforce (0-0) 0.
If the Playoffs Were to Start Today…
The 16 teams that would qualify would be the following:
- Patrick School (15-4)
- Gill St. Bernard’s (16-2)
- Ranney (16-2)
- Roselle Catholic (14-4)
- Mater Dei (16-1)
- Holy Spirit (11-5)
- Rutgers Prep (10-8)
- Wildwood Catholic (12-2)
- St. Mary’s of Elizabeth (9-6)
- Doane Academy (13-7)
- St. Joseph’s of Hammonton (9-5)
- St. Rose (11-7)
- Timothy Christian (7-12)
- Immaculata (4-11)
- Koinonia Academy (7-7)
- Holy Cross (3-15)
Some thoughts: Right now, Timothy Christian would be the only GMC team in this very loaded and uber competitive field. Wardlaw still could get in, but if not, the Rams still have a chance to make a good run in the NJSIAA Prep B Tournament, where they already defeated Newark Academy in the opening round, and will face Princeton Day next Sunday in a rematch of a game the Rams lost over the holidays in the Ernie Vajda Tournament.
This is perhaps the most competitive bracket top to bottom in the entire state. There are some really top notch programs here with Patrick School, Gill, an up and coming Ranney squad, Roselle Catholic, Mater Dei, Holy Spirit, Rutgers Prep, Wildwood Catholic, and St. Mary’s of Elizabeth. The GMC last won this bracket in 2011 when McCarrick defeated Trenton Catholic in the semifinals and Gloucester Catholic in the title game. Whoever wins this bracket will likely face St. Anthony’s or Hudson Catholic in the state final.