SOUTH PLAINFIELD, NJ–At the beginning of the first week of action in the various NJSIAA State Tournaments, there were 17 teams from the Greater Middlesex Conference competing. As of the end of Thursday night’s action, there were only four teams remaining: Cardinal McCarrick, Colonia, Middlesex, and Piscataway. The Eagles are in action on Friday night at home in South Amboy against Bishop Eustace of Pennsauken in a game from the Non-Public B South State Tournament that will be covered by GMC Hoops as well as WCTC. You can listen live to the streaming broadcast of the game on WCTC’s web site starting at 8:00 PM. McCarrick’s Girls are also in action in a game that will start at 6:00 PM in South Amboy so that is why the game is delayed an hour past the usual 7:00 PM start time.
Meanwhile, Piscataway will also be in action on Friday night in a game at home against sixth seeded Union in the North Jersey Section 2 Group IV State Tournament. The start time for this game will be at 7:00 PM. While there is also a girls game being played at P-Way, but it starts at 5:00 PM so the boys contest will start at its normal time. Moving on to Saturday, Middlesex, the only top seed in the state tournament from the GMC, will be hosting fourth seeded Asbury Park in the Central Jersey Group I State Tournament. I’m currently waiting for a start time on the game, and will have it at some point. Early indications are though that the game will be at 7:00 PM. Also on Saturday, in the North Jersey Section 2 Group III State Tournament, fourth seeded Colonia, coming off a dramatic comeback victory over Union Hill at CHS on Thursday night will travel just up the road on Inman Avenue to Rahway, where it will take on top seeded Rahway, a team that has only lost once this season, and that was to national and state powerhouse, St. Patrick’s in the Union County Tournament (79-66). Still awaiting the start time on the game. But, it is likely that the game will be at 7:00 PM since the Indians usually have their games on Saturday nights.
Three of the four teams have are usual GMC contenders for sectional and state titles over the course of history, and particularly recent history when you look at Cardinal McCarrick and Colonia. The Eagles won the Non-Public B South section twice in the last five years (2003 and 2005) while the Patriots won the North Jersey Section 2 Group III Championship last season in a memorable double overtime classic against their opponent on Thursday night, Union Hill of Union City in Hudson County. Meanwhile, Piscataway has not had any state playoff success in recent years, the Chiefs have made appearances many times over the past twenty years or so, and won back to back sectional titles (1994 and 1995) and a state championship in 1994 thanks to John Celestand, Justin Bailey, Dewey Ferguson, and others. The only real stranger to this year’s dance is Middlesex, which last made a state tourney appearance in 2000-01, the first year of the GMC Hoops web site when then head coach, George Rauh, and standout players such as James vonBischoffshausen and Howie Horowitz led the Blue Jays to the final, where it lost to Highland Park, then coached by Rocco Funari, and led by standout players Amir White, Tarell Greene, and Terrence Highsmith at Piscataway High School.
Sizing up the chances for these four teams, you have to be honest, and say that it is not going to be an easy road for all four teams. Not to say that it is absolutely impossible. All four squads have won a considerable number of games this season (each team has won at least 18 games in 2007-08), and have some intangibles that give them a shot. However, knowing the history of GMC teams in the state tournament over the years, and seeing what teams left that may pose obstacles in these particular teams way, you can only be cautiously optimistic.
Cardinal McCarrick
McCarrick would be an easy choice to win it all in Non-Public B South since they are a high seed, and have the home court through the semifinal round. However, Trenton Catholic disposed of the Eagles in South Amboy in last year’s Quarterfinal round, and in 2004, the Eagles lost to Wildwood Catholic in the semifinals at Cardy Mac. The Crusaders, led by Anthony Raffa, then defeated the Eagles in Wildwood in the 2006 state tourney. Ironically though for the Eagles, Wildwood Catholic didn’t qualify for the states this season, which is a good thing for McCarrick since the Crusaders have only lost to the South Amboy school once, and that was in the 2003 Championship Game at Lakewood.
Even if Cardinal McCarrick gets by through to the Championship Game, it faces the likelihood of squaring off against a talented and athletic squad from Trenton Catholic, formerly known as McCorristin. One thing about the Eagles this year that will help them significantly in this possible rematch is the fact that they have St. Peter’s transfer, Dominic Appiah to patrol the boards. His presence has not only provided McCarrick with much needed rebounding, but it has only helped Burwell, who doesn’t need to focus on the interior, and can play his outside-in game. Appiah’s physical presence also helps guards like Will Snider and Julio Rosario drive the baseline for layups. With opponents having to focus on the junior forward, opportunities open up on the offensive glass for athletic junior, Branten Widgeon, the younger brother of former St. Joseph’s standout, Kenny Widgeon. The younger Widgeon can also grab his share of rebounds too. Rebounding was a big achilles heel for Joe Lewis and his Eagles last season, that not even Vince Rosario could overcome. This year, the issue has been resolved, which gives the South Amboy school a chance for its third sectional title in the last six years.
Besides the improved rebounding, the Eagles have improved significantly on defense than it has been in recent years. While Cardinal McCarrick had become an offensive juggernaut with a more up tempo style in its philosophy after Mika Wilson led the Eagles to its first ever GMCT title and first sectional title in 2003 with a more halfcourt oriented style, the team defense lagged behind, and was toward the bottom of the GMC in terms of points scored. However, this season, that has dramatically changed for the better as the Eagles have given up only 52.4 points per contest, which is among the top in the conference this season. Between the improved rebounding and defending, Cardy Mac is much more formidable this season, and Joe Lewis knows that as he isn’t afraid to play almost anyone. Just ask Union, a team that is taking on Piscataway on Friday night in the North Jersey Section 2 Group IV playoffs. The Farmers did hand McCarrick its first defeat since December on February 9th, but the team that had recently defeated Linden in overtime (81-74), and lost to New York power, Mount Vernon by only four, had to rally in the final minutes for a four point, 51-47 victory.
Obviously, McCarrick must get good outings from Mike Burwell if they are to win, and get the typical support of Julio Rosario on the scoresheet. However, a bigger key may lie at the point guard position with Will Snider. Against St. Joseph’s in the GMCT Championship, he appeared to force things at times, and play out of control, which forced Lewis to eventually go with sophomore Craig Thomas at one point in the second half. Snider is a fine playmaker and defender, but he must be under control if the Eagles vaunted offense is going to be firing on all its cylinders.
Colonia
The Patriots have some things go for it despite the fact that it has Rahway in its path. One thing right off the bat is Brandon Hall, the senior point guard. He is the glue that keeps things together for the Pats. He can do so much when he is on the floor. He can orchestrate the offense with his playmaking ability. He can shut down your team’s best scorer. He can rebound, and like he so well illustrated against St. Joseph’s in a game played at the Bird Cage in Metuchen on January 5th, Hall can take over games. If Colonia is going to go further, Hall must stay out of foul trouble as best as he can. More importantly, if Hall does have to leave the game for stretches, other leaders must come forward, especially, senior Jeff Mentzel and junior guard, J.J. D’Amico, who both have been on the varsity the past two seasons. One of these two must take it upon themselves to take the other less experienced varsity players such as Mike Nweme, Mike Karabin, Jordan Edmonds, and Xavier Coleman under his wing, and settle them down.
Against Union Hill, Hall had to leave the game midway through the fourth quarter, and the Patriots looked lost without him out there on the floor. Consequently, the Hillers rallied and took the lead late before Hall returned, and Colonia turned the tables with the last seven points for the thrilling 52-49 victory. A similar thing happened against Cardinal McCarrick in the first meeting between the two schools on January 16th in Colonia. The Pats played masterfully over the first two quarters for a 23-8 lead late in the first half, and eventually a 23-12 halftime lead. However, CHS let McCarrick back in the game with bad turnovers, and a loss of composure. Versus Rahway, the Patriots might not be as fortunate against an Indians team that can tighten the screws defensively with the likes of point guard, LaDante Berry-White, and former Sayreville standout, Bryan Champagne, and the Union County school, and Mountain Valley Conference member, puts the energy from their raucous home crowd to its advantage.
Take the contest against Carteret in the nightcap of the 2008 Kowal Games Tripleheader at Rahway back on Feburary 2nd. The Ramblers played splendidly in the first half, taking what was given to them, and making nice plays for scores. Brian Williams was particularly solid with some nice drives and dishes to Robert “Double-Double” Jackson and Al Tampa. However, in the second half, as the Indians began to assert themselves defensively, Williams and the rest of the Carteret Ramblers grew frustrated, and lost their focus on what made them successful in the first half, and that resulted in a game deciding 23-2 surge that turned a 41-29 Indian deficit into a 52-43 Rahway lead, and eventually a 61-55 victory. The Patriots must keep their composure especially when Hall is on the bench, and minimize turnovers that the Indians can turn into transition and easy basket opportunities. Another key to this game could be foul shooting. In Rahway’s win over Carteret, the Indians only managed to make 6 of 16 from the foul line including a 5 of 7 effort at the charity stripe from senior swingman Ronnie Sawyer. the Pats might want to exploit this vulnerability, especially if its close late.
Awaiting the winner of the Rahway-Colonia contest will be the winner of the Scotch Plains-Mendham game also to be held on Saturday. Colonia has had past history against Scotch Plains, defeating it last year in the Quarterfinal round at CHS. Both the Raiders and Patriots have played a common opponent this season in J.P. Stevens. Over the holidays, Stevens defeated Scotch Plains in the semifinals of the 2007 John “Butch” Kowal Tournament while the Hawks lost to Colonia in the Quarterfinals of the 2008 GMCT. Moreover, the Hawks also lost to Rahway, 61-57 in the Championship of the Kowal Tourney. Mendham on the other hand is a totally different story since neither team has faced each other in the past, nor do they share common opponents in 2007-08.
Middlesex
Perhaps forgotten in the chase for sectional gold, the Blue Jays actually earned the GMC’s only top seed in the state tournaments by becoming the top dog in the Central Jersey Group I bracket. The Blue Jays are TEAM in every sense of the word, and that is due mostly in part to this group’s great chemistry, and camaraderie. They show this extensively in their play with their tremendous unselfishness and that in turn translates to balanced scoring in just about every game. The Jays interior players also play well together with fine passes up close for layups. The team rebounds well, and can hit the three with the likes of John Stockton, Mike Perone, and Billy Lester. Ryan Farley comes off the bench to provide some support for starters Nick Fariella and John’s younger brother, Mark Stockton on the low blocks. Let’s not forget fan favorite, Kyle Paul Adams. Like their Blue Division rival, Cardinal McCarrick, the Blue Jays, have home court through the semifinal round.
Looking at their opponent for the semifinals on Saturday, Asbury Park, Middlesex actually shares a common opponent with the Bishops, and that is South Amboy. The Guvs, the darlings of the GMC this year, had their state tourney hopes derailed, and a magical season come to a halt as Asbury Park rolled to a 98-75 victory over South Amboy in Monmouth County on Thursday afternoon. Earlier in the season, the Guvs, without top scorer, Mark Simko, who was serving a two game suspension, and with standout forward, Larry Lenahan in foul trouble in the middle of the third quarter, took Middlesex down to the last minute before falling, 50-44. In all fairness to Middlesex though, but still not taking anything away from South Amboy’s effort, the Blue Jays had played a game the night before, and were taking on the Guvs with short rest. Tempo will obviously be a huge factor in this one. The Blue Jays must not make the same mistake it did against Cardinal McCarrick, and try to run with Asbury Park. That is not to say that Middlesex can’t run the break at all, but it means that it has to be more judicious, and pick its spots much like St. Joseph’s did against Piscataway in the GMCT Semifinals.
Intertwined with the tempo of the game will be turnovers, Middlesex must keep its composure, and handle the basketball and limit mistakes, especially against the likelihood of a ton of pressure from the Bishops. The Jays must also make sure to keep Asbury Park in front of them, and make them work on offense, and earn their points. A good shooting night by either John Stockton, Mike Perone, and Billy Lester would go a long way in helping their chances, and Middlesex could use some hard nosed play from Fariella, who is the team’s battler and tough guy. Looking ahead, if the Blue Jays win, they would play either Keyport of the Shore Conference, and rival of Asbury Park, or Academy Charter, also of Monmouth County, and coached by former Rebounds organizer, Shawn Heeter in the Championship at Franklin High School. While Middlesex did not play either team during the regular season, it played Keyport over the summer at the Middlesex County Summer League, and defeated the Raiders in the post-season tournament there. In addition, the Jays also have a common opponent with Keyport in Dunellen. On February 19th, Middlesex defeated its neighborhood rival at DHS, 50-47 while Keyport defeated Dunellen in the CJ Group I Quarterfinals (62-46).
Piscataway
Last, but definitely not least are the Chiefs of P-Way. There has been a lot of chatter on the message board about the Mighty Watchung Conference having three teams in the Final Four of the North Jersey Section 2 Group IV bracket. Two of the three teams are traditional participants in the semifinals and finals of this bracket in recent years: Linden and Plainfield. Piscataway will be facing the least known of the three in terms of state tourney play the past few years, the Union Farmers. Freddy Farmer, UHS’s mascot, and incarnation of University of Nebraska’s Herbie Husker, has had a lot to be excited about, and proud of this season. Former Piscataway and New Brunswick head coach, Tony DiGiovanni, has done a great job turning around the hoops program at his alma mater in just a few short years. Travis Taylor, a 6’6″ forward, recently earned Star-Ledger Player of the Week Honors, and had a big hand in Union’s win over Cardinal McCarrick on February 9th in South Amboy. The Chiefs also played Cardy Mac on the road, and lost in overtime (70-65) as Mike Burwell scored 34 points in the second half, and the extra session for a total of 42 on the game despite a broken bone in his non-shooting hand.
The Chiefs seemed to have lost something around the time of the defeat to McCarrick. Tristian Benjamin was suspended for disciplinary reasons, and the team appeared to be missing something in terms of their intensity and hunger in games seen by GMC Hoops against South Brunswick, Carteret, and St. Joseph’s. However, that fire may have returned on Wednesday night when Piscataway took on Watchung Hills in P-Way for the Quarterfinal round of the state tournament, the Chiefs regained some of that edge that propelled them in early season wins over Immaculata, Seton Hall Prep, and at J.P. Stevens. Piscataway plays much better when it is in the hunted role, and although the Chiefs are the section’s number two seed, they feel like they’re not being respected, which serves to their advantage. P-Way has the home court through the semifinals, which is a nice intangible to have since it is yet to lose a game there this season. Some other nice things that the Chiefs can build on for this game with Union is the fact that they got solid contributions from its reserves such as Aaron Hush, Thomas Bennett, Jeff Adkins, and Wayne Newsome while getting much needed perimeter scoring from James White and Bryan Waluk. Waluk had perhaps his best offensive effort of the season against the Warriors.
The key for Piscataway is its offense. The defense has always been good, and a constant in its success these past two seasons. However, if the Chiefs expect to emerge as champion in this Watchung Conference laden mine field of a section, it will have to get more from its offense, and have it approach the level of its defense if not match it. Last year, during its surprising GMCT run, the Chiefs made shots from the perimeter, and at the line while finishing well inside. If they are to pull off the difficult feat of winning this bracket, they must do well in those areas. In the 2008 GMCT Semis, Piscataway didn’t knock down shots from long distance, and had trouble scoring inside. Even in the victory over Watchung Hills, P-Way missed layups, particularly in the second half.