Greater Middlesex Conference Steps It Up Against Non-Conference Competition
Good afternoon again. In addition to the trends I’ve been noticing early on in the crossover games during the holidays around the Greater Middlesex Conference, I was pleasantly surprised to see the GMC as a whole step up its play in the various holiday tournaments against non-conference competition.
Prior to the holidays, I had posted an article in the blog concerning the rough start the conference had against foes from outside the GMC. Through the first several days of the 2008-09 season, the Greater Middlesex Conference had gone 4-8 in 12 contests versus teams from other conferences. However, over the last week or so, the GMC has turned things around dramatically.
In 35 games played in various holiday tournaments, the GMC went a stunning 24-11. And for those, who may be skeptical the type of wins these were take a look at the list I’ve compiled off the top of my head:
- Colonia 58–Rahway 51–John “Butch” Kowal Tournament
- Colonia 54–Westfield 42–John “Butch” Kowal Tournament
- J.P. Stevens 55–Scotch Plains 52 OT–John “Butch” Kowal Tournament
- Cardinal McCarrick 71–Hun 61–Joe Silver Tournament
- Cardinal McCarrick 57–Lincoln 41–Joe Silver Tournament
- Cardinal McCarrick 54–Hillside 50–Joe Silver Tournament
- Middlesex 50–Cranford 39–Middlesex Tournament
- Piscataway 48–Watchung Hills 43–Len Sepanak Memorial Tournament
- Spotswood 82–North Plainfield 80–Bound Brook Crusader Classic
- Spotswood 69–Bound Brook 67–Bound Brook Crusader Classic
- North Brunswick 55–Hamilton 47–North-West Classic
- East Brunswick 56–Hamilton 45–North-West Classic
Let’s also not forget that Colonia defeated Scotch Plains on December 22nd in Colonia, 41-39. Furthermore, the GMC is holding its own against conferences that have always given it trouble in the past such as the Watchung, Skyland, and Shore. Against these three, the GMC is so far a combined 12-5. Overall, the conference is now 28-19 against foes from outside the GMC. Below are some teams that have stood out against non-conference competition thus far this season:
- Cardinal McCarrick (3-0)
- Colonia (3-0)
- East Brunswick Tech (2-0)
- J.P. Stevens (2-0)
- Metuchen (2-0)
- Middlesex (2-0)
- Spotswood (2-0)
- St. Joseph’s (2-0)
- North Brunswick (2-1)
Breaking down the 28-19 record by division you have the following: Blue Division (8-4), Red Division (7-4), White Division (8-6), and Gold Division (5-4). So, all four divisions in the GMC are over .500 against non-conference opponents.