GMC Hoops Game Notes–#2 South Brunswick vs. #1 St. Joseph’s–East Brunswick/GMC JV Tournament Final–February 27, 2015

EAST BRUNSWICK, NJ–On Friday night, GMC Hoops took in the Championship Game of the 2015 East Brunswick/GMC JV Tournament between 2nd seeded South Brunswick and top seeded St. Joseph’s. This was the rubber match between the two schools, which split their two games during the regular season. St. Joseph’s won on opening night in a close one at SBHS (43-38), and South Brunswick won on the road at St. Joe’s. Buoyed by a more balanced scoring attack, and a 27-12 edge in points scored from beyond the arc, the Junior Vikings were able to claim their first JV tourney title since 2006 when they also defeated St. Joe’s, and were coached by current varsity head coach, Joe Hoehman. Danesh Thirukmaran led the way for South Brunswick with 14 points while Jaren Almonte chipped in with 11, and Tavian Alford, Vic Huetz, and Shawn Bautista each added 8. Xavier Townes led all scorers with 21 for St. Joseph’s while Dexter Jackson chipped in with 13, and Tony Gamboa added 9. Below are game notes from the action:

First Quarter

6:01 left in the first quarter and Joes calls timeout with a 2-0 lead on a bucket by Dexter Jackson.

2:53 left in the first quarter and Joes up 8-6 on a layup by Tony Gamboa.

2:23 left in the first period and SB calls timeout after score by Xavier Townes for a 10-6 lead.

1:12 left in the first half and SB quickly goes in front 12-10 on back to back threes by Danesh Thirukmaran.

0:00–End of first quarter and South Brunswick still in front by the score of 12-10.


Second Quarter

5:29 left in the first half and Joes out in front 16-14. At least four lead changes and a tie in the game.

0:00–We have reached halftime of the 2015 EB/GMC JV Final and SB ends half on an 8-0 run including threes by Chris James and Shawn Bautista for a 26-20 lead. Junior Vikings outscore Joes 12-4 over the last 5:29 of the half. SB first half scoring: Danesh Thirukmaran has 8 points while Jaren Almonte has 7. St. Joseph’s first half scoring: Dexter Jackson and Jose Medina each have 6 for Falcons.


Third Quarter

6:30–Quite a battle going on here at EBHS. SB leads 29-22 after a three from the right side by Shawn Bautista off a great save on a ball going out of bounds by Tavian Alford.

4:47 left in the third and SB now leads 34-24 after a layup by Tavian Alford.

3:18 left in the third and SB leads 34-27 after a trey from well beyond the arc on the left wing by Joes Xavier Townes.

0:00–End of third and Joes trails SB 38-32.


Fourth Quarter

7:09 remaining and an upset in the making with SB getting another three from Danesh Thirukmaran for a 41-32 lead.

6:46 to play and Xavier Townes converts a traditional three point play to pull Joes within 41-35.

6:09 left in the game and SB calls time after another Joes three for a 41-38 SB lead.

5:09 left in the game and SB calls timeout with Joes drawing within one at 42-41 on a couple fts by Tony Gamboa.

3:23 left in the game and SB leads 47-42 thanks in part to a three from the left wing by Chris James.

2:56 left in the game, and this is a real knock down drag out fight!! Dexter Jackson hits a three to pull Joes within three at 47-44.

1:51 left and officials assess St. Joseph’s bench with technical. South Brunswick makes two free throws, and then draws a foul on the ensuing possession that resulted in two more charity shots to go up 53-46.

0:48 left in the game and Joes pulls within 55-52 on a three from the left side of the key by Xavier Townes. Junior Falcons on a 6-2 run.

0:20 left in the game and Joes closes the gap to one at 55-54 on a layup by Townes. Joes on an 8-2 run.

0:17 left and SB calls timeout.

0:13 left and Almonte is fouled. He makes two free throws to put South Brunswick up 57-54.

0:00–Upset in JV tourney as 2nd seeded South Brunswick defeats top seeded Joes, 57-56. Trailing by three in the closing seconds, Joes put up a three point attempt from the left corner that was off the mark, and put back in by Medina as time ran out.