MIDDLESEX, NJ–After taking in the GMC Gold match-up between East Brunswick Tech and Dunellen, GMC Hoops traveled further west on Route 28 to Middlesex High School for the nightcap of the GMC Hoops Route 28 Doubleheader between the Blue Jays and Timothy Christian.
In a key crossover game with seeding implications, Middlesex and Timothy Christian went back and forth in a very competitive game between two of the top small schools in the Greater Middlesex Conference. Trailing 44-41 with 5:46 remaining, Timothy Christian finished the game on a 14-5 surge for a 55-49 victory.
Rob Saydee, who entered the game with 979 career points, led the way for TCS with 19 points to close to within two points of 1,000. Will Clemons chipped in with 15 points while Pierce Kokosinski added 14. Jake Robel led Middlesex in a losing cause with 18 points while Chris Hendricks chipped in with 15. Below are game notes from the action:
First Quarter
5:30–Arrive with Middlesex leading 2-0.
4:19 left in 1st quarter and Timothy Christian calls timeout trailing 5-2 on a Chris Hendricks three from the right side of the key.
1:37 left in 1st quarter and Timothy Christian leads 12-9 on a Pierce Kokosinski three from the left wing.
0:00–End of first quarter and Timothy Christian leads Middlesex 16-9 after a Will Clemons score. Tigers outscored Jays 16-4 over last half of the period.
Second Quarter
5:00 left in 1st half and Middlesex pulls within two at 19-17 on a Chris Hendricks three from the top of the key off a kickout by Anthony Mason.
1:13 left in first half and Middlesex ties it up at 23-23 on a Nick Montajes three from the left wing off a kickout by Jake Robel. Middlesex now on a 6-4 run.
0:00–Game has gone to the half with Timothy Christian leading Middlesex 26-25 after 3 FTs by Rob Saydee with 1.0 seconds left. Timothy Christian first half scoring: Rob Saydee leads the Tigers with 10. Unofficially Rob Saydee needs 11 points to get 1,000 for his career. Middlesex first half scoring: Chris Hendricks leads the Blue Jays with 9.
Third Quarter
4:41 left in 3rd and Middlesex leads Timothy Christian 33-30 on a Chris Hendricks trey from the left wing. Blue Jays open the second half on an 8-4 run.
0:00–End of 3rd and Middlesex leads Timothy Christian 40-38 on this Chris Hendricks from the left wing. Three ends an 8-4 run by TCS for a one point lead. Middlesex outscores TCS by a margin of 15-12 in third.
Fourth Quarter
5:46 left in 4th and Middlesex leads Timothy Christian 44-41 after Nick Montajes dribbles in from the left wing and between two TCS defenders for a score.
3:23 left in 4th and Middlesex calls time after a Jake Robel putback gives Jays a 46-45 lead.
55.7 seconds left in the 4th and TCS takes a 51-49 on a Will Clemons putback.
52.2 seconds left and TCS calls timeout leading 51-49.
19.9 seconds left and TCS now leads Middlesex 53-49 after this Pierce Kokosinski score.
15.3 seconds left and TCS calls time with ball and 53-49 lead.
10.0–TCS–Pierce Kokosinski gets an offensive rebound off a missed FT, and then draws a foul that results in two FTs for a 55-49 lead.
0:00–Game just ended with Timothy Christian edging Middlesex 55-49. The Tigers ends the game on a 14-5 tear for the win. TCS’ Rob Saydee finishes the night just two points shy of 1,000 for his career. TCS scoring for game: Rob Saydee led all scorers with 19. Will Clemons added 15. Pierce Kokosinski had 14Middlesex scoring for the game: Jake Robel scored 18 points while Chris Hendricks scored 15. Timothy Christian tallied its 55 points on 13 FGs, 6 threes, and 11 of 14 FTs. Middlesex scored its 49 points on 10 FGs, 8 threes, and 5 of 8 FTs.