Here are highlights from the action in the GMC Red Division Showdown between second ranked St. Joseph’s and third ranked South Brunswick near the midpoint of the 2016-17 GMC boys basketball season.
GMC Hoops traveled down to South Brunswick High School for the GMC Red Division showdown between second ranked St. Joseph’s and third ranked South Brunswick. The game lived up to its advanced billing with both teams going down to the wire before a winner was determined.
St. Joseph’s ended the first half on a 15-5 tear that included three pointers from Letrell West (17 points) and Richard Greaves (9 points) to take a 36-21 lead over South Brunswick into the intermission. The Vikings dug down deep to get back into the contest in the second half though.
Buoyed by four three pointers and two traditional three point plays, South Brunswick rallied with a 28-7 surge over the first 12:18 of the second half to retake the lead and increase it to 49-43 midway through the fourth. Chris James (9 points) fired in three treys for 9 points while Anthony Blakey (6 points) had a three pointer and a conventional three point play for the Vikings during the rally.
The Falcons found a way to win though. Sparked by a bucket from Greaves at the 3:42 mark of the fourth, St. Joe’s came back with a 13-4 tear to end the game for the 56-53 win. Highlighting the run was a dunk by Malachi Walker (6 points, 10 rebounds, and 4 blocks) with 2:16 left, a drive to the hoop for a layin by Greaves with 53 seconds remaining, and the go ahead score by West with 12.5 seconds to play.
Mike Granda, who finished with 15 points helped sealed the win with two free throws in the closing seconds. South Brunswick, which was led by Tavian Alford with 11 points, had a couple chances in the final seconds to tie or take the lead, but were unable to score as St. Joseph’s remained unbeaten at 10-0, remain in first place in the GMC Red, and likely to move up to the top spot in the next GMC Hoops Top Ten poll.