TOMS RIVER, NJ–Last Wednesday, March 18th, GMC Hoops took its second ever trip to the Ritacco Center to see the two quarterfinal round games of the 2009 NJSIAA Tournament of Champions. The last time the site traveled down the Garden State Parkway to Exit 82 was back in December 2007 to see the opening round of the WOBM Classic between Old Bridge and the host school, Toms River North. However, the site did not visit the Poland Springs Arena portion of the center since the game between the Knights and the Mariners was played in Toms River North’s gym.
The site managed to get out there just in time to catch and take video footage of both games between the Group III State Champion, Neptune and the Group IV Champion, Lenape as well as the finale between two rival schools from Newark, and the Colonial Division of the Colonial Hills Conference, Science Park, the Group II State Champion, and University, the Group I State Champion. Both games were quite competitive although they contrasted in styles.
The first game between Neptune and Lenape was a defensive struggle. The Scarlet Fliers jumped out to a 9-0 lead, but then let the Indians, which knocked off West Windsor Plainsboro-South in the Group IV Semifinals, and then North Jersey Section 1 Group IV Champion, Paterson Eastside in the State Championship, back into the game. Nevertheless, Neptune, a member of the Shore Conference, and playing not too far from its backyard, still had the lead late, and should have probably won the game. However, the Scarlet Fliers took an ill-advised three pointer, and then missed critical free throws down the stretch that set the stage for beleaguered Lenape guard, Mike Celestin, who struggled for much of the game, to put in a last second layin for the 41-40 victory.
The nightcap was fast and furious with the Phoenix of University of Newark, known more for its girls team, taking it too its crosstown and conference rival that had defeated it twice in regular season play this year. However, behind 33 points from senior guard, Kenneth Ortiz, and a strong 27-17 showing in the fourth quarter for a 71-59 Science Park victory, and a three game season series sweep. Ortiz scored 13 points in the decisive fourth quarter while Rameel Johnson added 21 for the game to help the winning cause. Fifth seeded Lenape advanced to take on top seeded St. Patrick’s while third seeded Science Park got a match-up against second seeded Immaculata on Friday night, March 20th.
GMC Hoops had a great time heading down to Ritacco and getting back into the game that it loves to follow for all of you.