METUCHEN, NJ–On Saturday afternoon, GMC Hoops started a tripleheader of coverage with a trip out to St. Joseph’s High School and Maglio Gymnasium to take in the non-conference clash between the top ranked Falcons and the Neptune Fliers of the Shore Conference’s Class A North Division.
Early on, Neptune took it to St. Joseph’s by jumping out to a 10-6 first quarter lead, and after the Falcons tied the game at 17-17 midway through the second, finished the half on a 7-1 run for a 24-18 halftime lead. The Scarlet Fliers then opened the second half by scoring the first three points to take its largest lead of the game at 27-18.
Tyree Taganeca-Ford got St. Joe’s going with an offensive rebound and follow at the 5:36 mark of the third and a three pointer from the right wing moments later to close the gap to 27-23, but Neptune got two quick scores for a 31-23 advantage. Joes chipped away at the deficit again though, and eventually took the lead.
The Falcons were able to do it by getting to the line as Letrell West drew a couple fouls, and made two pairs of free throws to help close the gap to 32-28 at the end of three quarters. Then, in the fourth, St. Joseph’s scored 5 of the first 7 points including a jumper by West at the 6:34 mark, and a three from the right wing by Taganeca-Ford at the 5:45 mark to close the gap to one at 34-33.
St. Joe’s went in front 35-34, but then Neptune took the lead back on a post-up move by Jared Kimbraugh with 3:32 remaining in regulation. Malachi Walker gave the Falcons the lead back at 37-36 with his second putback dunk of the game with 3:06 remaining. Neptune then scored the next three points before West tied the game at 39-39 with 2:08 remaining in regulation.
Both teams had chances to win the game late in regulation, but failed to score, and the two teams went to overtime. In the extra session, Neptune scored first at the 1:47 mark on another spin move from the left side by Kimbraugh, but then Joes took the lead for good on a three from the right wing by Taganeca-Ford with 37.4 seconds left. The Falcons then made 5 of 6 from the line the rest of the way for the 47-46 win.
West finished with a team high 16 points while Taganeca-Ford chipped in with 15. Kimbraugh led all scorers with a game high 20 points for Neptune. With the win, the Falcons improved to a remarkable 17-0. Below are game notes from the action:
First Quarter
5:00–Both teams struggle to score early on until Neptune scores on a layup off a steal for a 2-0 lead.
2:11 left in the first and Joe’s trails Neptune 6-4 after a drive down the middle for a layup by Tyree Taganeca-Ford
0:00–End of first qtr and St. Joe’s trails Neptune 10-6 despite a Malachi Walker putback jam late in the period.
Second Quarter
7:20 left in 2nd and St. Joe’s pulls within two at 10-8 as Letrell West drives down the right lane, and goes under Kimbraugh for a layup.
5:00 left in 1st half and Joes calls time after a Letrell West step-back trey pulls Falcons within two at 15-13.
2:54 left in 1st half and we’re tied at 17-17 on a Zach Martini putback. Falcons on a 11-7 run to open the second.
0:00–Neptune ends first half on a 7-1 run including this trey for a 24-18 lead at the half. Dwaine Jones caps the Scarlet Fliers run with a long three before the buzzer. Neptune first half scoring: Jared Kimbraugh leads the Scarlet Fliers with 10 points. St. Joseph’s first half scoring: Letrell West leads the Falcons with 7 points while Tyree Taganeca-Ford chipped in with 4.
Third Quarter
5:36 left in 3rd and Joe’s calls time after Tyree Ford gets an offensive rebound and goes in for a layup to close the gap to 27-20.
4:45 left in the 3rd and Joes pulls within four at 27-23 on a three from the right side by Tyree Ford.
3:00–Neptune scores the last four points including another layup by Kimbraugh for a 31-23 lead.
44.1 seconds left in 3rd and Neptune clinging to a 31-28 lead thanks to a transition layup from the right side by Kimbraugh. St. Joseph’s gets two pairs of free throws by West to help close the gap to three.
0:00–End of 3rd and Neptune leads St. Joe’s 32-28.
Fourth Quarter
6:34 left in 4th and Letrell West hits a jumper from the right side of the key to pull Joes within 4 at 34-30
5:45 left in 4th and Neptune calls time after a Tyree Ford trey from the right wing pulls Joes within one at 34-33. Great hustle by West sets up the three.
3:32 left in 4th and Neptune leads Joes 36-35 on a spin move from the right low block by Kimbraugh.
3:06 left in 4th and Joes takes a 37-36 lead on a putback dunk by Malachi Walker
2:08 left in 4th and Joes ties game at 39-39 on a leaner from the right lane by Letrell West that banked in off the glass.
1:39 left in 4th and Joe’s calls time with ball and score tied at 39-39. Mike Granda drew a charge moments earlier.
2.0 seconds to go in regulation and Neptune calls time with ball and score tied at 39-39. Joes turned the ball over moments earlier with a traveling violation.
0:00–GOING TO OVERTIME!!! Neptune and Joe’s tied at 39-39 after the Scarlet Fliers missed a last second heave from inside midcourt with time running out. Joes ends regulation on a 16-8 run and outscored Neptune by a margin of 21-12 since trailing 27-18 early in the third.
Overtime
1:47 left in first OT and Neptune leads 41-39 on a spin move from the left low post by Kimbraugh.
37.4 seconds left and Joes takes 44-41 lead thanks to a Tyree Ford three from the right wing, and a steal by Richard Greaves that drew a foul, and resulted in two FTs.
7.6 seconds left in OT and Neptune calls time after two FTs by Mike Granda gives Joes a 47-44 lead. Granda also made 1 of 2 FTs earlier for the Falcons.
0:00–Game just ended with St. Joseph’s hanging on for a 47-46 win after a last second follow by Neptune’s Kimbraugh. St. Joseph’s scoring for the game: Letrell West led the Falcons with 16 while Tyree Ford chipped in with 15 and Richard Greaves added 7. Neptune’s scoring for the game: Jared Kimbraugh led all scorers with a game high 20 points while Jules Calhoun chipped in with 9.