GMC Hoops Highlights–February 24, 2017–#3 Sayreville vs. #1 St. Joseph’s–GMCT Championship

Here are highlights from the action in the 2017 Greater Middlesex Conference Tournament Championship Game between top seeded St. Joseph’s and third seeded Sayreville at the Rutgers Athletic Center.

Despite losing both big men, Jahsim Floyd (2 fouls) and Ope Olaloko (3 fouls) to foul trouble in the first half, Sayreville jumped out to a 26-12 first half lead including seven straight points by Xavier Townes before St. Joseph’s finished the half on a 6-0 run that included a score by freshmen Zach Martini to close within 26-18 at the intermission.

Martin’s bucket would be part of what became a 38-18 surge by Joes to end the game including all of tournament MVP Letrell West’s 19 points, in a performance reminiscent of Larry Spigner’s second half and overtime for Metuchen against top seeded St. Peter’s in the 1988 GMCT Final, to win the game, 50-44.

Townes led the way in defeat for Sayreville with 13 points while Ryan O’Leary chipped in with 11. Malachi Walker had 8 points including a couple huge baskets during the Falcons rally, 7 rebounds, and 4 blocks for St. Joseph’s. Mike Granda and Tyree Ford also had 8 points for the winners.

It was the 10th championship for St. Joseph’s, which has won 7 of the last 8 GMCT titles, and appeared in the last 10 GMCT Championship Games. It was also the 8th overall GMCT crown for head coach, Dave Turco, who equals the legendary Perth Amboy head coach, Bill Buglovsky for most MCT/GMCT titles by a head coach.