Thirty Memorable St. Joseph’s Games From the Turco Era (2005-2017)
SOUTH PLAINFIELD, NJ–Last month, MyCentralJersey.com reported that St. Joseph’s announced the hiring of new head coach Mike Thompson, a 1982 graduate of the school, who led the Falcons in defeat to St. Thomas Aquinas in the 1982 Middlesex County Tournament Championship, replaced Dave Turco, who coached at the school for 12 years, and led the school to 10 straight GMCT finals, and 7 of the last 8 GMCT titles including a record five straight from 2010-2014. Below are 30 memorable moments from the Dave Turco era at St. Joseph’s.
Baptiste Leads St. Joseph’s in 4 OT Thriller Over Holy Spirit–March 2, 2006
When Dave Turco took over in the 2005-06 season, the Falcons were coming off a season in 2004-05, where they had started 1-7 including losses to St. Patrick’s, Christ School, Abington Friends, and St. Benedict’s after losing Andrew Bynum to a knee injury, but turned things around with 15 wins in 16 games including victories over Rochester East in the Primetime shootout, and then South Brunswick in the GMCT Semis.
Those Falcons would lose to South Plainfield in a memorable 2005 GMCT Championship, and Monsignor Donovan in the opening round of the 2005 Non-Public A South State Playoffs to finish 16-10. Bynum then graduated, and was drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA Draft after deciding to go pro instead of attending UConn. Turco had taken that same team without Bynum, but still with Sean Baptiste (FDU) and Kenny Widgeon (FDU), and made it overachieve.
The 2005-06 Falcons would finish at 21-6, and although they would fall to eventual GMCT champion, Colonia in the GMCT Elite Eight, they would manage to reach the Non-Public A South sectional semifinals. To get there, sixth seeded St. Joseph’s would have to overcome a long trip down to South Jersey, and defeat third Holy Spirit, a team that had a first round bye, in the quarterfinal round. Led by Baptiste, who averaged 23 points and 7 rebounds per game, those Falcons would pull off the huge 94-92 win in an epic four overtime thriller.
Carroll Battles to Lift St. Joe’s Past Holy Spirit in OT–February 27, 2007
For the second straight year, St. Joseph’s and Holy Spirit of Absecon would meet in the NJSIAA Non-Public A South State Playoffs. After the Falcons traveled down to South Jersey and stun a highly touted Spartans team in four overtimes, led by FDU-bound, Sean Baptiste, Holy Spirit traveled up to Middlesex County for a 2007 state tourney rematch.
In another nip and tuck game, Darrell Carroll, who is a cousin to former Cardinal McCarrick and St. Joseph’s standout, Marques Townes as well as Townes’ younger brother Xavier, who played varsity for the Falcons before transferring to Sayreville his senior year, turned in a solid performance with 16 points on 6 field goals and 4 foul shots to lead the Falcons to victory.
Carroll, who also went on to play college hoops at Catholic University, capped off his night with one of his patented spinning drives for a layup with 6.0 seconds to play to lift the Falcons to a 56-55 win. Carroll also added two charges and an assist. Lamar Fisher, a Sayreville transfer, who ended up playing Division 3 hoops at Cabrini College, helped out with 13 points. Freshman, Steve Rennard also chipped in with 10 points.
The Falcons, which started the season at 0-3, won 19 of its last 25 games including an 8-4 mark against non-conference teams before falling to CBA on the road in the sectional semifinals.
Falcons and Ahr Go Overtime in GMCT Quarterfinals–February 17, 2008
In one of the rare match-ups of these neighborhood rivals in the GMCT during the GMC Hoops era, the sixth seeded Falcons, led by Steve Rennard and Nikko Vastola, battled the third seeded Bishop Ahr, led by the likes of Mike Williamson, Kevin Uszenski, and Billy Rooney in a hard fought battle that needed overtime before a winner was decided.
Uszenski fired in a three pointer late in the fourth to force the extra session, but St. Joseph’s managed to prevail to advance to the semifinals. The Falcons outscored Ahr 13-10 in the extra session as Rennard scored 6 of 7 points during a run that turned a 51-51 tie into a 58-51 lead. Steve Brandenburg then sealed the win by making 4 of 5 from the foul line. Rennard and Brandenburg accounted for 11 of the 13 Falcon points in the overtime for the win.
Watch Highlights from Regulation in St. Joseph’s win over Ahr in 2008 GMCT Quarterfinals
Watch Highlights from Overtime in St. Joseph’s win over Ahr in 2008 GMCT Quarterfinals
St. Joseph’s Surprises Piscataway in GMCT Semifinals–February 19, 2008
After being upset as a 2nd seed in the Round of 16 by 15th seeded Old Bridge in the 2007 GMCT, the 2008 edition of the Falcons made a memorable run in that year’s GMCT by first defeating neighborhood rival, Bishop Ahr in a memorable quarterfinals, and then stunning defending champion, and second seeded Piscataway in the semifinals at South Brunswick High School.
Executing a tremendous game plan, especially on the defensive end led by the Swat Patrol of Gerard Lewis and Marcus Ashamole, the Falcons reached their first GMCT Championship in the Turco era with a 56-42 victory. St. Joseph’s led at one point in the second half by the score of 40-22. J.D. Griggs, a football standout, who went on to play Division I at Iowa and Akron, led the Chiefs back into the contest with 7 points during a 15-4 rally that closed the gap to 44-37.
P-Way then scored 4 of the next 6 points including a score by Bryan Waluk to close the gap to five at 46-41, but Gerard Lewis scored a key bucket while Steve Rennard added a pair of free throws to spark a 10-1 finish to wrap up the win.
Watch Highlights from St. Joseph’s win over Piscataway in 2008 GMCT Semis
Quenton DeCosey’s GMC Hoops Debut–Perth Amboy/GMC Freshmen Tourney Championship–February 27, 2009
In one of the most memorable and most talent laden Perth Amboy/GMC Freshmen Tourney Championships that have been covered by GMC Hoops, Quenton DeCosey made his site debut while leading the Freshmen Falcons against Piscataway, which had a very talented group of youngsters led by Tajae Sharpe, who went on to play football at UMass, and professionally for the Tennessee Titans. The Falcons started out fast by scoring the first 9 points of the game, but P-Way would eventually rally to win the game, 57-52.
Watch Highlights from DeCosey’s GMC Hoops Debut in 2009 Perth Amboy Freshmen Tourney Championship
Rennard Goes Off Against Red Bank Catholic–Non-Public A South Quarterfinals–March 5, 2009
After getting knocked out in the opening round of the 2008 Non-Public A South State Playoffs by Gloucester Catholic, St. Joseph’s managed to make its third trip to the sectional semifinals with a 79-66 win over Red Bank Catholic in the 2009 Non-Public A Quarterfinals. Steve Rennard exploded for 15 points in the third quarter, and the Falcons finished the game on an 18-9 run to break away from a tenuous 61-57 lead to come away with the victory.
Sophomore DeCosey Sensational in Rout Over P-Way–January 15, 2010
After not playing varsity his freshman year at St. Joseph’s, Quenton DeCosey broke into the lineup as a sophomore, and became an integral part to the Falcons drive to its first GMCT Championship. This particular game against arch rival, and defending champion, Piscataway, DeCosey connected on 12 of 14 shots from the field including 4 of 6 from three point land, and made one of two from the line for a game high 29 points along with 9 rebounds, 2 steals, and an assist in an 83-39 route of the Chiefs.
Read about DeCosey’s Performance in St. Joe’s Win Over P-Way in January 2010
Read analysis from St. Joseph’s Rout of P-Way in January 2010
Ashamole Three Wraps Bow Around Joes First GMCT Title in Turco Era–February 28, 2010
After reaching the GMCT Championship for the third straight year under Dave Turco, the St. Joseph’s Falcons steamrolled to the title over Monroe Township, which was coached by Turco’s older brother Bob, who had served as an assistant to him when he coached at Carteret and South Brunswick.
Led by sophomore Quenton DeCosey, who had a game high 18 points, and tourney MVP, Steve Rennard, who added 14 points, St. Joseph’s jumped out to a 25-7 first quarter lead, and coasted from there to a 65-45 win at Woodbridge High School. Wrapping up the win was junior Robbie Ashamole, who netted his only career three pointer from the top of the key to finish with 9 points.
Bob Turco would eventually take the head coaching job at Notre Dame in Lawrenceville the following summer, and build that school into one of the top programs in Non-Public A South, Mercer County, and the Colonial Valley Conference.
Read about St. Joseph’s Defeating Monroe in 2010 GMCT Championship for first title under Turco
The Great Contino Lifts Falcons Past CBA–Non-Public A South Quarterfinals–March 5, 2010
After winning its first GMCT crown under Dave Turco against Monroe, the Falcons set out for its first sectional championship since 1999. One major obstacle that stood in the way of St. Joseph’s towards this goal was CBA, a team that had ended the Falcons season in the sectional semifinals in 3 of the previous 4 years. The last time St. Joseph’s had defeated CBA was in the 1999 sectional semifinals when legendary Jay Williams was a senior.
It was a clash of Titans as CBA, ranked eighth was seeded fifth in the tourney while St. Joe’s was ranked 10th, but seeded fourth. The Falcons came into the game shorthanded since Quenton DeCosey, who helped lead the Falcons to the GMCT title, was not able to play in the contest for disciplinary reasons. Stepping up to fill the void was Nick Contino, a part of the highly talented class that came in with Steve Rennard in 2006, who only had five three pointers on the season coming in.
Contino would came up big in this NJSIAA Non-Public A South Quarterfinals with four threes, and finished with 14 points. Rennard also chipped in with 14 points while Eric Peterson added 8 points. The atmosphere at St. Joseph’s was standing room only. The game had been already sold out in advance. Coming from watching Bishop Ahr fall to Bishop Eustace in another Non-Public A South Quarterfinal down the road, I could distinctly remember hearing the roar of the crowd from outside the Maglio Gymnasium before I managed to get into see the contest.
I knew that the game was sold out, but I had decided to take a gamble, and see if I could somehow get in. Once I heard the roar from outside, something that I will never forget, I knew I had to somehow get in, and see this game. Jerry Smith, the AD happened to walk into the lobby as I approached, and said that the game was sold out, but then must have realized it was me, and had someone from the snack bar open the door to let me in. The win also clinched St. Joseph’s first ever GMC Hoops Trophy.
Read the Story on how the Great Contino Came to the Rescue to Lift Falcons Past CBA.
DeCosey Leads Falcons Past P-Way for 2nd Straight GMCT Title–February 25, 2011
The GMCT repeat was a challenge since St. Joseph’s had lost to Piscataway in the 2009 GMCT Championship, and was taking on a squad with many juniors from a very talented freshmen team that defeated DeCosey and the Falcons Green team that same 2009 season in the Perth Amboy/GMC Freshmen Tourney Final.
There had been a three way tie in the GMC Red between Piscataway, St. Joseph’s, and East Brunswick. P-Way emerged as the top seed from those three teams while Joes earned the second seed, and EB drew the third. The Falcons reached the GMCT Final by defeating a very young and talented seventh seeded Perth Amboy team led by J.D. Rodriguez and Hamilton Capellan, who would eventually transfer out with Rodriguez first going to McCarrick, and then later joining Capellan at Bound Brook.
After defeating Amboy in the GMCT Elite Eight, the Falcons squared off against sixth seeded Cardinal McCarrick led by Monroe transfer Ahmid Williams and freshmen Marques Townes, who would eventually transfer and make history at St. Joe’s, in the GMCT Semifinals at South Brunswick. It marked the first time that former Monroe teammates Danny Brix (St. Joseph’s) and Williams squared off against each other in regular season or tournament varsity action.
The Falcons and Eagles would fight tooth and nail much like they had done before in the 2008 GMCT Championship, 2009 GMCT Semis, and the following year in the 2012 GMCT Semis before St. Joseph’s would emerge victorious in a close battle. P-Way led by the likes of Tajae Sharpe, Brian Wong, and Thierno Diallo, then defeated a fifth seeded and very talented Bishop Ahr team led by Rashad and Roger Kilgore, Ryan Blakely, and North Brunswick transfer, Dillon Salva.
In the final, St. Joseph’s took it to Piscataway early. Led by DeCosey, the Falcons, jumped out to a 36-24 lead late in the third period after Brix (11 points) knocked down a huge three from the left wing. The Falcons then held on for a 51-43 win. DeCosey would finish with a double-double of 22 points and 10 rebounds along with 4 blocks. Kevin Mayce also chipped in with 8 points. It was the fourth straight year that the Falcons had reached the GMCT Championship.
Watch Highlights of Quenton DeCosey Leading St. Joseph’s Past P-Way for 2011 GMCT Title.
St. Joseph’s Rallies to Defeat Seton Hall Prep–SFIC Festival–January 7, 2012
It would be a statement game for St. Joseph’s. One of many watershed moments from the magical 2011-12 season that gave Turco and the Falcons their first ever state title and Tournament of Champions appearance. Prior to this season, the Falcons had gone up for a Non-Public A State Title three times, and each time they lost to Seton Hall Prep (1992, 1998, and 1999).
On the first weekend of the new year, January 7, 2012, the Falcons took on Seton Hall Prep in the nightcap of the SFIC Festival at Kean University’s Harwood Arena in a game that would be the first of two meetings between the two schools that season. In a nip and tuck contest that saw 20 lead changes and 10 ties including 7 lead changes and 4 ties alone over the final 7 minutes of the contest, Quenton DeCosey scored 33 points while also collecting 10 rebounds, 5 blocks, 5 assists, and a steal to lead Joes to a 61-59 upset.
DeCosey was also clutch down the stretch by knocking down a three for a 58-57 Falcons lead with 2:13 remaining, and a leaner with 44 seconds left to help seal the victory. Danny Brix and Karim Awad each chipped in with 8 points while Karl Anthony Towns added 6 points, 9 rebounds, and 2 blocks. It was a huge win for the program, and one that probably set the stage for the Falcons to win its first ever state championship.
Falcons Get Statement Win At SFIC Festival
DeCosey and Towns Power Falcons to 3rd Straight GMCT Title–February 24, 2012
For the fifth straight year, the St. Joseph’s Falcons reached the GMCT Championship, and played their fourth different opponent in the final in a North Brunswick squad that was led by the likes of Dion Rogers, Chance Gadsden, and Iverson Fleming.
St. Joseph’s got off to a fast start by scoring 18 of the first 23 points sparked by a monstrous dunk from freshman, Karl Towns. North Brunswick would rebound, and get the deficit down to single digits, but couldn’t make it a one possession game as the top seeded Falcons defeated the second seeded Raiders for their third straight GMCT crown with a 70-65 victory.
Quenton DeCosey earned GMC Tourney MVP honors for the second straight year by recording a double-double of 24 points and 12 rebounds. Towns chipped in with a double-double too by collecting 15 points and 12 boards along with several blocked shots. Danny Brix (12 points) and Jimbo Long (11 points) also scored in double figures while Karim Awad added 8.
View Highlights from St. Joseph’s Defeating North Brunswick in 2012 GMCT Final
Awad to the Rescue–St. Joseph’s vs. Bishop Eustace–Non-Public A South Semifinals–March 5, 2012
Karim Awad, who also played in the same game that Quenton DeCosey made his GMC Hoops debut as a freshman at St. Joseph’s in 2009, was an unsung hero on the 2011-12 Falcons squad. Despite getting yelled at by other St. Joe’s parents in games such as the Tip-Off Classic against Teaneck at the beginning of that season, Awad often put in yeoman’s work like getting 8 rebounds against the Highwaymen in the team’s only regular season loss that year.
But perhaps, his biggest moment of that year, and of his career at St. Joseph’s was in the Non-Public A South Semifinals against a highly touted Bishop Eustace team that featured Division I prospect, Carson Pureifoy, who would later join Roselle Catholic standout, Jameel Warney at Stony Brook and make that school a power in the America East Conference under the direction of Steve Pikiell, who now coaches at Rutgers. The Crusaders also had a solid athlete in Sho DaSilva, who made a very memorable dunk in the second half of the contest.
St. Joseph’s would prevail in this very intense and dramatic overtime classic thanks to Awad, who scored 6 of his 12 points in the extra session to lead the Falcons to a 12-2 showing that lifted them to a hard fought, 71-61 victory. DeCosey led all scorers with 36 points while Pureifoy led Eustace with 34. Karl Anthony Towns chipped in by collecting a double-double of 14 points and 10 rebounds for the Falcons. DaSilva chipped in with 16 points in a losing cause for the Crusaders.
View Highlights from the 2nd half and OT of the Falcons win over Bishop Eustace.
Towns Four Point Play–St. Joseph’s vs. Paul VI–Non-Public A South Championship–March 7, 2012
This was the moment that Karl Anthony Towns proved his worth as a freshman to St. Joseph’s. From the time he arrived at Joes in September 2011, there was already a great deal of hype and expectations from this phenom, who is the son of former Piscataway Tech head coach, and Monmouth University standout, Karl Towns.
There were conflicts at the beginning. There were some chemistry issues most notably in the first weekend of the season in the 2011 Hoop Group Tip-Off Classic against Teaneck, which turned out to be one of only two losses St. Joseph’s would have all year. There was also the Marist in late January 2012 game where Danny Brix literally grabbed Towns after the freshman opened the game by firing up some jumpers and threes.
All would be forgiven, and the addition of this soon to be NBA superstar would be justified with a memorable four point play against Paul VI of Haddonfield in the Non-Public A South Championship at Jackson Liberty High School. Towns, who scored all seven of the Falcons points in the second period as they clung to a 24-22 halftime lead, knocked down a triple from the left wing as he was fouled with 5:53 left to not only tie the game, but spark a 15-0 run to close out a 48-37 victory.
Towns finished with 11 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 blocks while Quenton DeCosey led all scorers with 14 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 blocks. Brix chipped in with 10 points including six in the fourth while Karim Awad also added 10 while Jimbo Long contributed with 6. The win gave St. Joseph’s its first sectional championship since Jay Williams, Brian Wilson, Ryan Uszenski, and Paul Bocage led the Falcons past Bishop Eustace at Lakewood High School in the 1999 Non-Public A South Championship.
Watch Highlights of St. Joseph’s Defeating Paul VI for the 2012 Non-Public A South Championship.
Read Game Notes from St. Joseph’s Win over Paul VI for 2012 Non-Public A South Title.
Read Play-by-Play from St. Joseph’s Victory over Paul VI in 2012 Non-Public A South Title Game.
St. Joseph’s Defeats Seton Hall Prep 2nd Time for 1st State Title–Non-Public A State Championship–March 10, 2012
St. Joe’s would win its first ever state championship by once again defeating one of its state tourney nemesis, Seton Hall Prep. The Falcons would knock off the Pirates for the second time this season with a 77-68 victory.
Things didn’t start off well for the Falcons early on. The Pirates, led by Dallas Anglin, Stephon Mosely, and Princeton bound, Spencer Weisz, took a 12-6 lead after going on an 8-0 run. St. Joe’s would respond with a 41-14 onslaught over the next 14 minutes to take a commanding 47-26 lead early in the third. Quenton DeCosey highlighted the run with a dunk while Karl Anthony Towns capped it with a three.
Seton Hall Prep would make a run to make things more respectable, but would fall short. DeCosey finished with 30 points while Danny Brix added 19, and Towns chipped in with 12. Anglin and Mosely led Seton Hall Prep with 23 apiece while Weisz, who would play college hoops with East Brunswick’s Amir Bell, chipped in with 12.
GMC Hoops Preview–Seton Hall Prep vs. St. Joseph’s–Non-Public A State Championship–March 10, 2012.
Read Game Notes from St. Joseph’s Defeating Seton Hall Prep for its First Ever State Championship
Baldwin’s Fourth Quarter–St. Joseph’s vs. Patrick School–Bernoskie Games–February 2, 2013
With the departure of DeCosey and Brix, St. Joseph’s was looking to return to the T of C, and Karl Anthony Towns was coming back along with his cousin Wade Baldwin, who transferred in from Immaculata, and Cardinal McCarrick transfer, Marques Townes, who was the cousin of former Falcon standout, Darrell Carroll.
The new look Falcons would struggle for much of the season. Despite still being among the top teams in New Jersey, it would finish second to an East Brunswick squad led by the trio of Amir Bell (now playing at Princeton), Rob Ukawuba (played at NJIT), and Garry Baumer. The Bears would defeat Joes in both regular season match-ups, which were memorable games.
St. Joseph’s would begin to turn things around and make an unforgettable drive to the 2013 GMCT Championship by giving De’Andre Bembry and Patrick School all it could handle in a losing cause at the Bernoskie Games played at Rahway High School in early February. Playing without Towns, who sat out for precautionary reasons after tweaking his knee earlier in the week.
The Falcons trailed for the entire game, and trailed 50-36 after three periods before rallying in the fourth behind Baldwin. The Belle Mead native would score 20 of his 30 points in the final period, and collected his game high on 10 field goals, 2 threes, and 4 free throws. Baldwin also collected 11 rebounds and 10 assists for a triple-double. Townes chipped in with 15 points while Raven Owen added 13.
Bembry led Patrick School with 22 points and 9 rebounds, Daniel Knight added 14 while Jason Boswell chipped in with 13. Although St. Joseph’s lost, it finally began to just play basketball, and not worry about things surrounding the game. It also was a game where these Falcons found out a little bit about themselves, and Baldwin showed he could carry the team on his back, which would be key a couple weeks later in the greatest GMCT Championship Game ever.
Falcons Dunking Display Overpowers Spotswood in GMCT Quarterfinals–February 17, 2013
After battling the Patrick School in the Bernoskie Games at Rahway, the St. Joseph’s Falcons began to really come together and gel as a team as they headed into the 2013 GMCT. Following a 66-39 rout of neighborhood rival, and 15th seeded Bishop Ahr, second seeded St. Joe’s took on 7th seeded Spotswood, led by all time leading scorer, Jake Dadika, who had transferred out of St. Joseph’s a year earlier.
The Falcons dominated with an incredible performance that was highlighted by 11 dunks in the contest. Six from Karl Anthony Towns, three from Wade Baldwin, and two from Marques Townes. St. Joe’s only led 19-13 after the first period, but then went on a decisive 24-11 run in the second to take a commanding 43-24 halftime lead. From there, the Falcons continued to pull away with a 42-19 showing in the second half for a 85-43 victory.
St. Joseph’s then rolled past 11th seeded Old Bridge in the semifinals to reach the GMCT Championship Game for the sixth straight year. The Falcons would take on arch rival and 2012-13 GMC Red Champion, East Brunswick in the title game for a chance to equal the mark for most consecutive county/conference crowns set by the Perth Amboy teams from 1972 to 1975.
Watch the Dunking Display Put on by St. Joseph’s in the 2013 GMCT Elite Eight versus Spotswood.
St. Joseph’s Defeats EB in Double Overtime GMCT Finals Thriller–February 22, 2013
In the greatest MCT/GMCT Championship ever, second seeded and GMC Red St. Joseph’s took on top seeded and Red Division Champion, East Brunswick in front of a very large crowd at the Rutgers Athletic Center in the 2013 GMCT Final.
Although both teams were the best two teams in the conference coming in, St. Joseph’s was playing at a higher level. Throughout the previous rounds of the 2013 GMCT, the Falcons dominated their opponents and looked sharper while EB, although still dominant, looked out of sync at times.
Both teams would fight tooth and nail just like they had twice before earlier in the season when EB came out on top. This time though, the Falcons were determined to have a different outcome. St. Joseph’s controlled its emotions a bit better, and despite a tremendous shooting performance from the Bears’ Danny Leung, and Karl Anthony Towns fouling out in the overtime, the Falcons emerged victorious.
Trailing 61-58 with about a minute to play, St. Joe’s went on a decisive 8-2 run including a steal for a layup by Marques Townes and free throws by Townes and Baldwin down the stretch to wrap up the win. Leung led all scorers with a game high 24 points while Rob Ukawuba chipped in with 20 points. Baldwin led St. Joseph’s with 21 points while Townes chipped in with 17.
Falcons Defeat Atlantic City to Reach First TOC Final–March 15, 2013
Several weeks after defeating East Brunswick in a classic 2013 GMCT Championship, St. Joseph’s won its second straight sectional and state titles by defeating Paul VI for the second straight year in the Non-Public A South Sectional Championship at Jackson Liberty High School, and then downing St. Peter’s Prep of Jersey City in the Non-Public A State Championship at Pine Belt Arena.
By virtue of winning its second straight state championship, St. Joseph’s was in the 2013 NJSIAA Tournament of Champions, and got a bye to the semis for the second straight year. St. Joseph’s, the second seed, took on Group IV champion, Atlantic City, which had defeated Linden in the State Championship Game at the RAC. The Vikings also outlasted a game Point Pleasant Beach squad in overtime in the TOC Quarterfinals at Pine Belt Arena.
After losing to Plainfield in the 2012 TOC Semis, the Falcons were looking to make the next step and become the first GMC team ever to play for a TOC title. The Vikings, which defeated East Brunswick in the Group IV State Semis, took a 31-29 halftime lead before St. Joseph’s erupted with a 34-18 margin in the second half for a 63-49 victory to earn the right to play top seeded Roselle Catholic in the Championship Game.
Karl Anthony Towns led the Falcons with 24 points while both Wade Baldwin and Marques Townes chipped in with 15. St. Joseph’s would fall to Malachi Richardson and Tyler Roberson of Roselle Catholic in the TOC Final at Sun National Bank Center.
Watch Highlights from St. Joseph’s Victory over Atlantic City in the 2013 TOC Semis.
Watch Bleacher Cam Highlights from St. Joseph’s Win over Atlantic City in 2013 TOC Semis.
GMC Hoops Preview–St. Joseph’s Takes on Atlantic City in TOC Semis.
GMC Hoops Analysis–St. Joseph’s Defeats Atlantic City for 1st Ever TOC Finals Berth.
GMC Hoops Preview–St. Joseph’s Takes On Roselle Catholic for NJSIAA TOC Crown
GMC Hoops Analysis–Roselle Catholic’s Win Over St. Joseph’s for 2013 NJSIAA TOC Championship.
St. Joseph’s Takes Montverde Academy To Wire–Metro Classic–February 16, 2014
After the historic season the Falcons had in 2012-13, St. Joseph’s had not only the big three of Karl Anthony Towns (Kentucky), Wade Baldwin (Vanderbilt), and Marques Townes (FDU) back, but also added Raven Owen (Canisius), a player that transferred to the school and played a role in the Falcons winning the 2013 GMCT, and Bree Tyree, a transfer from Rutgers Prep.
The Fab Five had a tremendous year that led St. Joseph’s to even greater historical heights in 2013-14. St. Joseph’s went 30-2 that season with losses to only DeSoto, Texas in a holiday tournament, and Montverde Academy in the Metro Classic that year. Montverde Academy, which is located outside of Orlando, Florida, is now coached by Kevin Boyle, who took the head coaching job at the school after a very successful tenure at St. Patrick’s, which is now the Patrick School.
The Eagles, which were led by future NBA Lottery Picks, D’Angelo Russell and Ben Simmons, trailed 43-36 at the half, and 62-55 late in the third quarter before going on a decisive 16-0 run that lasted well into the fourth to take a 71-62 lead, and eventually go on to win, 79-70. Karl Anthony Towns led St. Joseph’s with 22 points while Bree Tyree chipped in with 17.
Russell led all scorers with 24 points while Simmons chipped in with 22. St. Joseph’s would earn the top seed in the 2014 GMCT, and defeat second seeded East Brunswick for the second straight year in the GMCT Championship before going on to win its third straight sectional and state titles, and its first ever TOC Championship.
Watch Highlights from Montverde Academy’s Win Over St. Joseph’s at 2014 Metro Classic.
Townes Powers Falcons to Fifth Straight GMCT Title–February 27, 2014
After soundly defeating Pace Academy of North Carolina in the Primetime Shootout at Roselle Catholic, and then battling Montverde Academy of Florida in the Metro Classic at Kean University’s Harwood Arena, the St. Joseph’s Falcons set out to defend the GMCT Championship, and win its record fifth straight crown.
The top ranked Falcons won all four of its games in the 2014 GMCT by double digits, and an average margin of victory of 32 points per game including a 73-49 win over 5th seeded Colonia in the GMCT Semis, and a 59-45 victory over second seeded East Brunswick. It was the second straight year that St. Joseph’s defeated EB in the final, and the fifth straight GMCT crown breaking the record set by the 1972-75 Perth Amboy Panthers of four straight.
Marques Townes stepped up during the tourney to earn GMCT MVP honors. Townes led the Falcons in the GMCT Championship against East Brunswick with 22 points while Karl Anthony Towns chipped in with 13. Amir Bell led East Brunswick with 21 points while Gary Baumer chipped in with 12.
Watch St. Joseph’s Defeat East Brunswick for Fifth Straight GMCT Crown.
View Slideshow of Photos from the action in St. Joseph’s Win Over East Brunswick in 2014 GMCT Final.
Watch Highlights from the action in St. Joseph’s Win over Colonia in 2014 GMCT Semis.
View Slideshow of Photos from the action in St. Joseph’s Win over Colonia in 2014 GMCT Semis.
Falcons Hang on to Defeat Linden to Reach 2nd Straight TOC Final–March 20, 2014
After rolling through the field in the 2014 Greater Middlesex Conference Tournament to win its record fifth straight GMCT title, the St. Joseph’s Falcons then continued to play solid basketball as it went through the Non-Public A South State Tournament, and then win the Non-Public A State Championship.
En route to these titles, the Falcons dominated teams such as Bishop Eustace in the Non-Public A South Semifinals, and Paul VI in the Non-Public A South Championship for the third straight year. Then, St. Joseph’s rolled past St. Peter’s Prep in the Non-Public A State Championship to earn its third straight TOC berth, first round bye, and semifinal appearance.
St. Joe’s would battle Linden, the Group IV State Champion, in the TOC Semis after the Tigers fought off a fierce challenge from Pitman, the Group I State Champion, which defeated Bloomfield Tech for the title, in the TOC Quarterfinals at Pine Belt Arena in Toms River. The game started out as if the Falcons would cruise to the TOC final.
With Karl Anthony Towns scoring all 8 of his points within the first half of the first quarter, the Falcons appeared unstoppable, but they went away from the big man, and although they had put together a large lead, they couldn’t put Linden away. Then, with about five and a half minutes to go in the fourth quarter, Towns fouled out of the game, and Linden made a momentous run to get back into the game.
Sparked by the three point shooting of Juwan Dolbrice, who capped a 29-10 Linden surge with two threes from the left wing, the Tigers closed the gap to one at 58-57 after a three by Otis Livingston with less than 49 seconds to play. However, St. Joseph’s was able to survive as it got a pair of free throws from Raven Owen with 34 seconds left to key a 5-2 run that ended the game for a 63-59 victory.
Towns, Wade Baldwin, and Marques Townes led the Falcons with 15 points each while Bree Tyree chipped in with 11 and Owen added 7. Quadri Moore led Linden in a losing cause with 19 points while Livingston chipped in with 16. Dolbrice and Josh Carter each added 11 points. Meanwhile, Newark East Side, the Group 3 State Champion, which had a bye to the TOC semis, knocked off defending TOC champion, Roselle Catholic in the semis, to set up the 2014 TOC Finals match-up.
GMC Hoops Preview—2014 NJSIAA TOC Semifinals.
GMC Hoops Summary—Newark East Side Upends Roselle Catholic in TOC Semis.
GMC Hoops Summary—St. Joseph’s Hangs on to Defeat Linden in TOC Semis.
View Slideshow of Photos from the action in St. Joseph’s win over Linden.
View Slideshow of Photos from the action in Newark East Side’s win over Roselle Catholic.
Watch Highlights from the action in St. Joseph’s Win over Linden in 2014 TOC Semis.
St. Joseph’s Edges Newark East Side to Win First TOC Title for GMC–March 24, 2014
After surviving a dramatic rally by Linden to win in the TOC semifinals, St. Joseph’s had to get through a Newark East Side team that had won the Group 3 State Title, and knocked off defending TOC champ, Roselle Catholic in the other TOC semifinal in the 2014 TOC Championship at Sun National Bank Arena.
Once again, the Falcons were entangled in a very close battle late. In a low scoring contest, St. Joseph’s jumped out to a 19-7 first quarter lead, increased that advantage to 17 with 7:05 left in the opening half, and held a 41-32 lead after three periods before the Raiders rallied in the fourth with a 15-8 showing that included a 15-5 surge capped by a three pointer by Jamar Gilbert with 1:37 remaining in regulation for a 47-46 lead.
Marques Townes, who was the hero and MVP of the Falcons GMCT run, netted two foul shots with 1:08 to play, and made another free throw with 14 seconds remaining for a 49-47 edge. Akbar Hoffman put up a last second attempt from beyond the arc that was altered by the presence of Wade Baldwin, and St. Joseph’s was able to hang on for the school and GMC’s only Tournament of Champions title in boys basketball.
Townes led St. Joseph’s with 11 points while Baldwin and Bree Tyree chipped in with 10, and Karl Anthony Towns added 8. Ahmad Harrison led Newark East Side in defeat with 10 points. St. Joseph’s finished the season at 30-2 overall including a 26-0 record against schools from New Jersey. Towns was later selected as National Gatorade Player of the Year.
GMC Summary—2014 NJSIAA T of C Final, St. Joseph’s Hangs on to Defeat Newark East Side, 49-47.
A Look Back on the 2014 NJSIAA Tournament of Champions.
Watch Highlights from St. Joseph’s win over Newark East Side in the 2014 NJSIAA TOC Final.
Tyree’s Dunk Brings Down the House on Social Media–St. Joseph’s @ South Brunswick–December 19, 2014
Following St. Joseph’s historic season in 2013-14 that concluded with the Falcons hoisting the gold ball trophy at Sun National Bank Arena after its 2014 TOC final win over Newark East Side, four of the Fab Five, Karl Anthony Towns, Wade Baldwin, Marques Townes, and Raven Owen all graduated.
The only returning player from that historic team was Bree Tyree, who was joined by Branislav Vujadinovic to lead the 2014-15 Falcons. The Falcons were still favored to win the GMC again, but others appeared to be primed to knock them off of their perch including several teams in the GMC Red.
However, on opening night, St. Joseph’s made a huge statement with a suffocating defensive win at South Brunswick. The game started out back and forth early on with the Vikings led by senior Jack Engel, and junior Eric Savage having the lead, but then Joes took over by going on a 25-8 surge over a span of 10:58 to take a 38-19 lead late in the third.
Highlighting the run was a monstrous dunk from the right side of the floor by Tyree to open the second half that not only brought down the house at South Brunswick’s Gymnasium, but also on social media outlets such as Twitter and Facebook. Tyree would finish the game with 17 points while Vujadinovic chipped in with 13 in a 53-34 victory.
Making a statement in the win, St. Joseph’s would then cruise to an undefeated season in the GMC Red, and its eighth straight GMCT finals appearance, but the Falcons would lose the title game for the first time in six years to Colonia at Rutgers.
Read about the 2014-15 GMC Hoops Pre-Season Top Ten.
Read about the Week One Player of the Week from the 2014-15 Season.
Watch Highlights from St. Joseph’s Opening Night Win Over South Brunswick.
St. Joseph’s Reclaims GMCT Title With Win Over South Brunswick–February 25, 2016
After losing to Colonia in the 2015 GMCT title game, and being dethroned in the quarterfinal round of the 2015 Non-Public A South State Tournament to Union Catholic, St. Joseph’s reloaded in the off-season by adding several new faces including Tyus and Khalif Battle, the sons of former Colonia HS standout, Gary Battle, and Alanzo Frink, the younger brother of former St. Anthony’s standout, Jerome Frink. In addition, Gold Division standout, Letrell West also transferred in from Piscataway Tech.
Tyus Battle considered going to St. Joseph’s upon graduating middle school, but eventually settled on going to Gill St. Bernard’s. He would become a Falcon for his senior year. These additions made St. Joseph’s a solid favorite to reach the NJSIAA Tournament of Champions again in 2016, but more importantly, put the Falcons as the team to beat in the 2016 GMCT. The Falcons would go through the conference schedule undefeated, but did get tested on a number of occasions, and struggled against non-conference foes.
In the end though, St. Joseph’s was able to emerge victorious in the GMC to reclaim the top spot in the conference once again with a 56-48 victory over second seeded South Brunswick in the GMCT Championship played at Kean University’s Harwood Arena in Union Township. For the first three periods, South Brunswick, led by senior standout, Eric Savage, hung tough, and only trailed 38-35 heading into the fourth, but the Falcons would pull away behind tourney MVP, Frink.
The sophomore transfer finished with a game high 25 points while Bree Tyree chipped in with 13, and Tyus Battle added 11. Savage led South Brunswick with 24 in a losing cause. The game marked the 9th straight GMCT finals appearance for the Falcons, and their sixth title in seven seasons.
Watch Highlights from the action in St. Joseph’s win over Woodbridge in the 2016 GMCT Semifinals.
Watch Highlights from the action in St. Joseph’s win over Spotswood in the 2016 GMCT Quarterfinals.
Tyus Battle’s Dunks Versus Notre Dame in State Playoffs–March 7, 2016
Throughout the 2015-16 season, the St. Joseph’s Falcons didn’t seem to run on all cylinders, but still managed to win the GMC Red, and reclaim the GMCT. The Falcons then had to go through the field in the 2016 Non-Public A South State Playoffs.
After getting a first round bye, St. Joseph’s hosted, St. John Vianney of Holmdel in the sectional quarterfinals. Led by Tyus Battle, and Bree Tyree, the Falcons jumped out to a 40-22 halftime lead, and led by as many as 40 points late in the third quarter before cruising to a 79-46 victory.
Tyree had game high with 35 points including 23 in the first half alone. He also collected 10 assists, 6 rebounds, 3 steals, and a block. Tyus Battle added 19 points along with 10 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 steals, and 2 blocks. Alanzo Frink also contributed with 10 points and 9 rebounds.
The win advanced the Falcons to the sectional semifinals, where they faced Notre Dame of Lawrenceville coached by Turco’s brother and former Monroe boys basketball head coach, Bob Turco, The Irish also had Middlesex County standouts, Isaiah Wong, the younger brother of Terrence Wong (South Brunswick) and Brian Wong (Piscataway), and Travis Cumber, the younger brother of Ryan Cumber (East Brunswick).
Early on Notre Dame gave St. Joe’s quite a battle. The Falcons only had a 17-13 lead late in the first period, Tyree took a loose ball off a rebound, and darted up the court to throw down a mammoth two handed dunk, but it was waived off due to a charging call on Tyree. Moments later though, Battle hold off a loose ball, and went in for a monstrous two handed jam that brought the Falcons Nest down.
A short time later, Battle took an outlet pass, and went in for an emphatic one handed slam. The two dunks really got the crowd into the game, and even whipped up Battle into a frenzy himself as he had to be taken out of the game himself to catch his breath. Despite the flurry of dunks by both Battle and Tyree, Notre Dame still hung tough with a run late in the second to only trail St. Joe’s 46-39 at the intermission.
However, in the second half, the Falcons took over with a 52-30 showing that included a 25-11 showing in the fourth for a 98-69 win. Lost in all of the frenzy was a solid double-double performance by Alanzo Frink, who finished with 31 points and 13 rebounds. Battle ended up with a triple double of 20 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists. Tyree chipped in with 12 points, 7 rebounds, 7 assists, 3 steals, and a block. Branislav Vujadinovic fired in 17 points as well.
The win seemed to put St. Joseph’s in good position to reclaim the Non-Public A South crown after falling to Union Catholic in the quarterfinal round a year ago. Unfortunately, a solid team effort by St. Augustine’s Prep of Richland led by Saeed Nelson, denied the Falcons their fourth sectional crown in five years in what was a memorable overtime game highlighted by a dramatic fourth quarter rally from Joes.
Read the GMC Hoops Preview for the 2016 Non-Public A South Semifinals.
Read the GMC Hoops Preview for the 2016 Non-Public A South Championship.
St. Joe’s Makes Statement in Holiday Tourney Win Over Lakewood–December 28, 2016
After St. Joseph’s fell to St. Augustine Prep in the 2016 Non-Public A South Championship, Battle (Syracuse) and Tyree (Ole Miss) would graduate and move on to play hoops at the Division I college level. There would be additional changes though.
Khalif Battle will first transfer to Roselle Catholic, and then Trenton Catholic for his sophomore year. Alanzo Frink also transferred to Roselle Catholic. Xavier Townes, the younger brother of Marques Townes, transferred to Sayreville. In addition, another 8 players transferred out of St. Joseph’s at the lower levels to play at other schools including several in the GMC.
Despite that, the Falcons still had a solid group of players coming up from the Freshmen and JV levels, and they still had the core three seniors in Mikey Granda, Malachi Walker, and Letrell West returning to lead the team. In addition, St. Joe’s picked up three solid freshmen including Richie Greaves, Tyree Tanganeca-Ford, and Zach Martini.
Following a bit of an up and down start in the 2016 Immaculata Fall League, St. Joseph’s turned things around to finish at 5-2 on the fall. Then, the Falcons opened the season by winning its first three conference games including a comeback victory over East Brunswick at home on opening night, a rout of Piscataway on the road, and a close win over Monroe at home.
The 2016-17 St. Joseph’s Falcons season began to take a life of its own in the 2016 Neptune Holiday Jubilee Tournament. After a first round win over a solid Ewing program (42-35), St. Joe’s took on Lakewood, one of the top programs in Ocean County and the Shore Conference year after year, and dominated the contest from the start.
St. Joe’s jumped out to a 19-3 lead and didn’t let Lakewood get any closer than 9 points the rest of the way en route to a solid 55-35 victory. West, who was GMC Hoops Player of the Week for Week One, led the way with a game high 24 points while Tyree Taganeca-Ford added 7, and both Granda and Walker chipped in with 6 while Walker also added 10 rebounds.
The Falcons, which outscored Lakewood by a 24-0 margin from beyond the arc, went on to knock off long time state playoff rival, Seton Hall Prep for the title in the Championship Game and started the season at 6-0. It would be only the beginning to a magical ride that ended up being the last hurrah for Turco at St. Joseph’s.
Read the story on St. Joseph’s Win Over Lakewood at the 2016 Neptune Holiday Jubilee.
Watch Highlights from St. Joseph’s Win Over Lakewood at the 2016 Neptune Holiday Jubilee.
Greaves Rallies Falcons to Defeat South Brunswick in Red Division Thriller–January 12, 2017
This would be another defining moment for a Falcons team that had three players returning from last year’s squad that played a combined 110 minutes a year ago, and three freshmen.
Some had South Brunswick projected as the top team in Middlesex County in 2016-17. Most didn’t see St. Joseph’s winning the GMC title. The Falcons were looking to get a huge win on the road at SBHS in Monmouth Junction when the two teams met on January 12, 2017 in a key Red Division showdown.
St. Joe’s jumped out to a 36-21 halftime lead before South Brunswick answered in the second half with a 28-7 surge highlighted by three treys by Chris James, and a three pointer and a conventional three point play by Anthony Blakey to take a 49-43 lead with under four minutes to play.
Richie Greaves sparked the decisive 13-4 rally with a layup at the 3:42 mark of the fourth. Walker then hammered home a two handed dunk with 2:16 mark, and Greaves added another layup with 0:53 left before Letrell West scored on a bucket with 12.5 seconds to go to lift the Falcons past the Vikings with a 56-53 win.
West finished the contest with a game high 17 points while Mikey Granda chipped in with 15 including two free throws that wrapped up the win. Greaves added 9 points while Tyree Ford contributed with 7. Walker only scored 6 points, but grabbed 10 rebounds, and swatted 4 shots. This game proved to be a moment of truth about this St. Joseph’s squad, where we found out about its character, and heart.
View a Slideshow of Photos from the action in St. Joseph’s Win Over South Brunswick.
Watch Highlights from the action in St. Joseph’s Win Over South Brunswick.
Read the story about St. Joseph’s Come From Behind Victory Over South Brunswick.
Read the game notes from St. Joseph’s Come From Behind Win Over South Brunswick
GMC Hoops Taking It to the Rack—January 13, 2017.
Ford’s Threes Lead Falcons to Comeback Win over Neptune–January 28, 2017
Following the win over South Brunswick, St. Joseph’s moved up to the top spot in the GMC Hoops Top Ten for the first time this season. On January 17th, the Falcons defeated East Brunswick at EBHS for the season sweep of its arch rival.
Joes would remain undefeated going into a non-conference game against Neptune of the Shore Conference at Marlin Gymnasium in Metuchen on Saturday, January 28, 2017. The Falcons trailed for most of the game including a 27-18 deficit early on in the third quarter.
Then, St. Joseph’s rallied with a 21-12 surge over the last 14 minutes of regulation to tie the game at 39-39 and force overtime. After Neptune scored the first points of the extra session, the Falcons scored 8 of the next 11 points for a 47-44 victory en route to a 47-46 win.
Freshman Tyree Taganeca-Ford was a key catalyst with 15 points including 11 in the second half made up of three treys. Letrell West led the way for the Falcons with team high 16 points while Richie Greaves added 7 as well as a key steal that led to two free throws. Jared Kimbraugh led all scorers with a game high 20 points for Neptune.
Read the story about St. Joseph’s Come From Behind Win Over Neptune.
Read game notes from St. Joseph’s Come From Behind Victory Over Neptune.
Watch Tyree Taganeca-Ford’s Highlights from St. Joseph’s Win Over Neptune.
Watch Malachi Walker’s Dunks from St. Joseph’s Win Over Neptune.
Watch Highlights from St. Joseph’s Come From Behind Win Over Neptune.
West Leads Joes to GMCT Championship with 2nd Half Performance of the Ages–February 24, 2017
It would be the high point of the 2016-17 St. Joseph’s Boys Basketball Season. Facing off against pre-season GMC Hoops number one, Sayreville, which featured former St. Joe’s player, Xavier Townes, the Falcons, which rolled past Piscataway in the Quarterfinals, and then hung on to defeat fourth seeded Woodbridge in the semifinals.
Sayreville, the third seed in the tournament, and the GMC White Champion, won a dramatic overtime win over South Brunswick in the GMCT Semifinals at SBHS. The Bombers were looking to win their first GMCT title since 2000 when it defeated a Carteret team that was then coached by Turco. For a while, things looked like the Bombers would do just that.
Led by the efforts of Xavier Townes and Ryan O’Leary, Sayreville not only jumped out to a 26-12 lead late in the second quarter, but they managed to force St. Joe’s standout player, Letrell West to the bench with two fouls and no points. Townes drew a charge on West for his second foul. Zach Martini sparked a late 6-0 run with a bucket to close the gap to 26-18 at the intermission.
Martin’s basket not only sparked the half ending run, but also a 38-18 surge to end the game. West came alive in the second half with all 19 of his points in a performance reminiscent of Larry Spigner’s performance for 6th seeded Metuchen in the 1988 GMCT Championship against top seeded St. Peter’s. Ironically, Spigner’s Metuchen squad defeated a Carteret team that included Turco in the 1988 GMCT Semifinals.
St. Joseph’s came away with the 50-44 victory for its 10th championship overall and 7th in the last 8 seasons. The Falcons made their 10th straight GMCT Finals appearance. Letrell West was selected as the tournament’s MVP completing a tremendous story from West being a standout player for Piscataway Tech in the GMC Gold two years ago, to a defensive specialist for the Falcons in 2015-16, to the King of Middlesex County.
Watch Highlights from St. Joseph’s Win Over Sayreville in the 2016 GMCT Championship.
Watch Highlights from St. Joseph’s Win Over Woodbridge in the GMCT Semifinals.
Watch Highlights from St. Joseph’s Win Over Piscataway in the GMCT Quarterfinals.
Watch Highlights from Letrell West’s Performance Against Piscataway in the GMCT Quarterfinals.
GMC Hoops Looks Back on the GMCT Final.
How Turco and St. Joseph’s Adapted to Produce A Magical Season.