NORTH EDISON, NJ–On Friday evening, GMC Hoops took in action in the GMC Gold Division Clash between East Brunswick Tech and Wardlaw at the Wardlaw-Hartridge school.
The game was a tale of two different halves as E.B. Tech broke away from a deadlock late in the first half with a 13-4 tear that included a three pointer and jumper by Dylan Stratton, a hook shot from R.J. Jobin, and a layup by A.J. Rambone off a nice dish by Vincent Pellicane for a 31-23 lead at the intermission.
However, in the second half, Wardlaw turned up the defense, and shut down East Brunswick Tech. As a result, the Rams were able to put together a 28-9 surge over the final two periods for a 51-40 victory. Shalon Wallace scored 10 of his 16 points over the game’s final 16 minutes while Ryan Petela hit two threes in the fourth quarter to lift Wardlaw to victory, and finished with 10 points.
Stratton and Jobin led the way in defeat for the Tigers with 11 points each while Pellicane chipped in with 7. Below are game notes from the action:
First Quarter
5:00–Wardlaw jumps out to a 7-2 lead on two free throws by Raphael Genty, a pair of free throws by Raphael Genty, and a three pointer from the left wing by Jordan Rose that banks in. Rams on a 7-0 run. Daniel Rachkelyuk opened the game with a bucket for EB Tech.
3:06 left in 1st qtr and Wardlaw leads EB Tech, 9-4 on a Ryan Patella pull-up jumper off an inbounds play on the right side.
2:45–Wardlaw goes up 11-4 on a putback by Raphael Genty.
2:24 left in first qtr and EB Tech calls time after AJ Rambone connects on a three from the left wing for an 11-7 Wardlaw lead.
0:00–End of 1st qtr and EB Tech closes to within two at 15-13 thanks to a three from the right wing by Dylan Stratton.
Second Quarter
5:06 left in the first half and EB Tech takes a 20-19 lead on this score by Vincent Pellicane.
1:00–EB Tech now leads 29-21 after a three pointer from the left corner by Dylan Stratton. R.J. Jobin connected on a hook shot and Stratton hit a jumper during the 11-2 Tigers run.
7.6–Wardlaw pulls within 29-23 on a layup by Scott Hargrove as he is fouled.
0:00–East Brunswick Tech closes the half with an A.J. Rambone layup off a nice drive and dish by Vince Pellicane for a 31-23 lead at the break. The Tigers scored 13 of the last 17 points of the second period. Wardlaw’s first half scoring. Shalon Wallace leads the Rams with 8 pts while Scott Hargrove has 6. EB Tech’s first half scoring. RJ Jobin leads the Tigers with 9 while Dylan Stratton has 8.
Third Quarter
6:00–Wardlaw opens the half with a basket by Shalon Wallace for a 31-25 EB Tech lead.
4:40 left in 3rd and Wardlaw closes within 31-27 on a Shalon Wallace jumper from the right low block off a nice feed by Rose.
3:36 left in the 3rd and EB Tech calls time to avoid turnover. Tigers still lead 31-27.
2:04 left in 3rd and Wardlaw pulls within two at 31-29 on a Shalon Wallace basket off a baseline drive from the left side. Rams start 2nd half on a 6-0 run.
0:00–End of 3rd and EB Tech clings to a 34-31 lead thanks to a jumper from the left elbow off a nice dribble spin move by Dylan Stratton.
Fourth Quarter
7:09–Wardlaw ties the game at 34-34 on a three pointer by Petela.
6:51 left in 4th and Wardlaw has taken a 36-34 lead on another Shalon Wallace score, who swiped a steal in the Rams backcourt, and went coast to coast for a layup.
5:44–EB Tech ties the game at 36-36 on a Dan Rachkelyuk jumper from the right low block off a nice entry pass from Jobin.
5:08 left in 4th and Wardlaw takes a 39-36 lead on a Ryan Petela trey from the top of the key
4:33 left in 4th and EB Tech calls time trailing 41-38. Both teams exchanged buckets including another score by Wardlaw’s Wallace.
2:49 left and EB Tech calls 30 sec timeout trailing 41-38. Wardlaw ball.
1:27 left and Wardlaw calls time after Rose takes a pass from Petela for a layup as he is fouled for a traditional three point play, and a 46-38 lead.
0:00–Game just ended with Wardlaw defeating EB Tech, 51-40. Scott Hargrove ran out the clock for the Rams after two free throws by Wallace, one FT by Hargrove, and two from Genty closes out Wardlaw’s scoring in the game. The Rams outscored the Tigers by a 28-9 margin in the second half. Shalon Wallace finished with a game high 16 points while Ryan Petela chipped in with 10 for Wardlaw. R.J. Jobin and Dylan Stratton led E.B. Tech with 11 points each while Vince Pellicane chipped in with 7.