Newcomer Kuiper And Osofsky Both Score 20 Points Or More In Rout Of Bulldogs
SPOTSWOOD, NJ–On Monday night, GMC Hoops traveled to Spotswood High School after work to see its first after work game of the season. The Chargers were hosting Metuchen, which was playing its first game after its home opener against Middlesex on Friday was postponed due to a bomb threat to the school earlier in the day.
Spotswood entered the game having already played and won its first game, a victory over neighborhood rival, South River, 70-55 on Friday night. Having that game under their belt helped the Chargers in this one. Metuchen came out similar to the way they came out against Rutgers Prep in a recent scrimmage. Spotswood jumped out to a 35-17 lead with 2:49 to go in the first half. The Bulldogs tried to get in it with a 4-0 rally over the next 1:19 to pull within 35-21, but the Chargers ended the half with an 8-2 burst including six points by newcomer Allen Kuiper (23 points) on two free throws and two layups, and then another layup by Tom Pareti in the waning moments of the second period for a 43-23 halftime lead.
In the third quarter, Spotswood went to work right away with a three point play by Tyler Osofsky (20 points) that keyed an early 5-2 run for a 48-25 lead before Metuchen rallied with five straight points to close the gap to 48-30 midway through the period. The Chargers then got four of the next six points to go up 52-32 aat the 1:33 mark as Kuiper got two field goals while Metuchen’s lone score came on a layup by Mike Crusco, who struggled from the field in this one. On a subsequent Spotswood possession, Osofsky got another layup while being fouled, but missed the bonus free throw that would have converted the traditional three point play, but the Chargers still led 54-32. Kuiper then closed out the quarter with an offensive rebound and follow at the buzzer for a 56-32 lead heading into the fourth.
In the final period, Spotswood opened up with another 5-2 run that included a turnaround jumper by Kuiper and a three pointer from the left wing by senior guard, Cody Pace, for a 61-34 lead before Metuchen got a score at the 5:04 mark. The Chargers then got one of two free throws from Mike Liming and another field goal from Kuiper to go up by 30 despite a three pointer by Nick Callas before the Chargers called for time at the 1:15 mark. Garrett Walters then closed out the scoring with a foul line jumper in the waning moments for the 66-39 final. With the win, the Chargers improve to 2-0 while Metuchen falls to 0-1. More details on this game will be forthcoming as well as video highlights from the second half.