ROSELLE, NJ–On Monday night, GMC Hoops traveled up to Roselle Catholic High School for the final two games of the evening in the first round of games in the 2017 Allstate Eric LeGrand Classic.
The first game of the GMC Hoops doubleheader at the Eric LeGrand Classic was a Union County Conference match-up between state powerhouse Roselle Catholic and Westfield. The Lions of RC jumped out to an 11-0 lead sparked by a two handed putback dunk by Khalil Whitney to open the game.
However, Westfield, bolstered by the three point shooting of Matt LaCorte, rallied with a 24-16 run to close the gap to 27-24 late in the first half. The Blue Devils would get no closer though as Roselle Catholic ended the half on a 9-3 run that included a dunk by Nate Pierre-Louis and a power move from the left baseline by Naz Reid for a 36-27 lead at the break.
From there, the Lions gradually pulled away with a 32-13 showing over the first 12 minutes or so of the second half for a 68-40 lead, and cruised from there for a 76-51 victory. Pierre-Louis finished the game with 21 points while Raheem Carter chipped in with 16 including four three pointers.
Whitney chipped in with 14 points while Reid contributed with 11 and former St. Joseph’s standout, Alanzo Frink added 9 for the winners. LaCorte finished with 21 points as well to tie for game high while teammate Phil Martini chipped in with 9. Below are game notes from the action:
First Quarter
7:30–RC opens the game with this two handed jam on the putback by Khalil Whitney for a 2-0 lead.
4:00–RC takes an 11-0 lead after a three by Raheem Carter.
2:27 left in 1st and RC leads Westfield, 15-5 after a two handed stuff by Naz Reid off a powerful baseline move from the left side.
0:00–End of 1st quarter and RC leads Westfield 17-10 after a putback by Nate Pierre-Louis. Ends a 5-0 Westfield run.
Second Quarter
5:50 left in 1st half and RC leads Westfield 23-16 thanks in part to an Alanzo Frink putback. Both teams open the period by scoring six points.
3:22 left in the first half and despite an empathic two handed dunk in transition by Nate Pierre-Louis, Westfield only trails 27-24. Blue Devils on an 8-4 run and have outscored RC by a margin of 24-16 since trailing 11-0.
17.6 seconds left in the first half and RC leads Westfield 34-27 after a trey from the left side of the floor by Pierre-Louis.
0:00–Game has gone to the half with RC leading Westfield 36-27 after Naz Reid powers through two defenders from the left baseline for a layin. RC closes the half on a 9-2 spurt.
Third Quarter
5:53 left in 3rd and RC leads Westfield 41-30 thanks to an emphatic one handed slam by Nate Pierre-Louis. Lions now on a 14-6 run since 3:22 mark of 2nd quarter.
2:27 left in 3rd and RC leads 51-37 after a three from the right wing from Carter off a pass from Pierre-Louis. Roselle Catholic on a 24-13 surge.
0:00–RC ends the third on a 9-3 run including a reverse one handed stuff by Naz Reid for a 59-40 lead.
Fourth Quarter
5:15–RC opens the fourth quarter on a 9-0 run for a 68-40 lead. Alanzo Frink with a layup to highlight run.
4:28 left in 4th and Westfield calls time after a three from the right corner by Marshall Roberson closes the gap to 68-43 in favor of RC.
0:00–RC wins the game 76-51. Westfield ends the game on an 11-8 run.