MONMOUTH JUNCTION, NJ–On Thursday night, GMC Hoops traveled down to South Brunswick High School for the GMC Red Division showdown between second ranked St. Joseph’s and third ranked South Brunswick. The game lived up to its advanced billing with both teams going down to the wire before a winner was determined.
St. Joseph’s ended the first half on a 15-5 tear that included three pointers from Letrell West (17 points) and Richard Greaves (9 points) to take a 36-21 lead over South Brunswick into the intermission. The Vikings dug down deep to get back into the contest in the second half though.
Buoyed by four three pointers and two traditional three point plays, South Brunswick rallied with a 28-7 surge over the first 12:18 of the second half to retake the lead and increase it to 49-43 midway through the fourth. Chris James (9 points) fired in three treys for 9 points while Anthony Blakey (6 points) had a three pointer and a conventional three point play for the Vikings during the rally.
The Falcons found a way to win though. Sparked by a bucket from Greaves at the 3:42 mark of the fourth, St. Joe’s came back with a 13-4 tear to end the game for the 56-53 win. Highlighting the run was a dunk by Malachi Walker (6 points, 10 rebounds, and 4 blocks) with 2:16 left, a drive to the hoop for a layin by Greaves with 53 seconds remaining, and the go ahead score by West with 12.5 seconds to play.
Mike Granda, who finished with 15 points helped sealed the win with two free throws in the closing seconds. South Brunswick, which was led by Tavian Alford with 11 points, had a couple chances in the final seconds to tie or take the lead, but were unable to score as St. Joseph’s remained unbeaten at 10-0, remain in first place in the GMC Red, and likely to move up to the top spot in the next GMC Hoops Top Ten poll. Below are game notes from the action:
First Quarter
7:45–SB–draws first blood at 2-0 on a reverse layup off a drive from the left side by Greg Lee.
7:15–STJ–ties the game at 2-2 on a transition layup from the right side by Letrell West off a steal and assist by Tyree Taganeca-Ford.
6:45–SB–takes a 4-2 lead on a layup from the left side by Vic Huetz.
6:30–STJ–ties the game at 4-4 up on a short jumper from the left lane by Malachi Walker off a dish from Richard Greaves.
6:00–STJ–takes a 7-4 lead on a three from the left corner by Tyree Taganeca-Ford off an offensive rebound and kickout by Malachi Walker.
5:30–SB–takes an 8-7 lead on a reverse layup by Vic Huetz off a great bounce pass by Chris James.
4:33 left in the first qtr and St. Joseph’s jumps out to an 11-8 lead on a scoop shot layup from the right side by Letrell West.
3:53 left in the first and South Brunswick calls time after a Mike Granda three puts Falcons up 16-8.
2:53 left in the first qtr and South Brunswick pulls within 16-10 on a drive for a layup by Mike Ugarte. Ends a 9-0 St. Joseph’s run.
0:00–End of 1st qtr and Joe’s leads South Brunswick 19-12 thanks to a Tyree Taganeca-Ford three from the left wing off a kickout from Mike Granda.
Second Quarter
5:39 left in 1st half and South Brunswick closes to within 21-16 on a Tavian Alford jumper from the left baseline. Vikings open second by scoring 4 of the first 6 points.
4:03 left in first half and Joe’s leads South Brunswick 27-16 after a Letrell West three from the right wing.
2:05 left in first half and Joe’s leads 30-16 after a Richard Greaves trey from the left baseline off a pass from Letrell West. Falcons on a 9-0 run.
21.3 seconds left in the first half and South Brunswick trails St. Joseph’s 34-21 after Greg Lee drove to the basket from the right wing for a layup as he was fouled for a traditional three point play. Zach Martini had put the Falcons up 34-18 moments earlier with a layup.
0:00–Game has gone to the half with St. Joseph’s leading South Brunswick 36-21 after two FTs by Mike Granda for the Falcons. St. Joe’s ends the first half on a 15-5 tear.
Third Quarter
4:33 left in the 3rd and South Brunswick on a 9-1 run including a Chris James trey from the right wing to close gap to 37-30. Mike Ugarte sparked the run with a three point play, and Anthony Blakey added a trey of his own.
3:29 left in 3rd and Joes calls time after a Chris James trey from the top of the key pulls South Brunswick within four at 37-33.
2:07 to go and in 3rd and South Brunswick closes to within 38-36 on another long Chris James three from the right wing.
0:00–End of 3rd and South Brunswick takes a 41-40 lead on a layup from the left side by Tavian Alford. SB on a 20-4 tear. Blakey had pulled the Vikings within one with a traditional three point play.
Fourth Quarter
7:00–SB–opens the fourth quarter with a three pointer from Kunal Thakral for a 44-40 lead.
3:42 left in 4th and St. Joe’s calls time after Richard Greaves scores on a layup off a backdoor cut and a nice feed from Malachi Walker to end a 28-7 SB tear for 49-45 South Brunswick lead. Falcons had been without a FG for the first 12:18 of the second half.
2:16 left in 4th and South Brunswick calls time after this Malachi Walker dunk pulls Joe’s within 51-49.
1:15–SB–Vic Huetz fouled in the left corner. Makes both ends of the bonus for a 53-50 lead.
53.0 seconds left in 4th and South Brunswick now leads 53-52 after this Joes score by Richard Greaves.
31.4–South Brunswick at the line, and missed the front end of a one and one. St. Joseph’s gets the rebound.
12.5 seconds left in 4th and Joes takes 54-53 lead on a jumper in the paint by Letrell West after he lost the handle briefly.
1.2 seconds left and Joe’s calls time with ball and 54-53 lead after South Brunswick loses the ball out of bounds.
0.9 seconds left and South Brunswick calls time trailing 56-53 after two FTs by Joes Mikey Granda.
0:00–Game just ended with St. Joseph’s defeating South Brunswick, 56-53. Mike Granda netted two FTs for the Falcons with 0.9 seconds to go to help seal the win. South Brunswick had a couple chances in the last 12.5 seconds to tie or take the lead, but couldn’t score. Letrell West led all scorers with 17 points while Granda chipped in with 15. Richard Greaves added 9 for the winners. Tavian Alford led South Brunswick in defeat with 11 points while Chris James chipped in with 9 and Anthony Blakey added 6.