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GMC Hoops Highlights–February 4, 2012–Cardinal McCarrick vs. Roselle Catholic–Bernoskie Games

Here are the video highlights from the final three plus quarters of play in the finale of the 2012 Kowal-Bernoskie Scholarship Games at Rahway High School between Cardinal McCarrick and Roselle Catholic. Led by St. Patrick’s transfer, Hakim Sanitil, the Lions took a 53-38 lead late in the third quarter before McCarrick rallied with an 18-9 tear to pull within six on a couple of occasions in the final minutes of the contest. Roselle Catholic came away the winner though by the final score of 64-56. It was the second year in a row that Roselle Catholic defeated McCarrick in the finale of the Bernoskie Games.

GMC Hoops Play-By-Play–Cardinal McCarrick vs. Roselle Catholic–Kowal/Bernoskie Scholarship Games–February 4, 2012

RAHWAY, NJ–It was a split decision for the two GMC teams playing in the 2012 Kowal/Bernoskie Scholarship Games at Rahway High School. Earlier in the day, Dunellen defeated Westfield to build on the momentum from its last second win over Timothy Christian on Friday night, but McCarrick fell to Roselle Catholic in the finale. The Lions took a 53-38 lead late in the third quarter, but the Eagles as always, fought valiantly until the end with an 18-9 tear to pull within six at 62-56 with less than two minutes to play. Roselle Catholic, led by St. Patrick’s transfer, Hakim Sanitil, would come away with the 64-56 win. Below is the play-by-play from the three plus quarters of action that I saw.

First Quarter

1:10–arrive–RC leads 13-10.
0:35–both teams exchange buckets for a 15-12 RCs lead.
1.4–CM–Jonathan Rodriguez picks up third foul
0.0–RC leads 17-13 after one.

Second Quarter

7:26–CM–Mohammed Alli sinks jumper for a 17-15 RC lead.
6:59–RC–swipes steal off pass by Marques Townes.
6:49–RC–Hakim Sanitil gets layup to roll in for a 19-15 lead.
5:54–RC–Sanitil scores again for a 21-15 lead.
5:41–CM–Townes swipes steal after CM misses shot.
5:14–RC–Chris Gross throws one down from right side for a 23-15 lead.
4:59–CM–Alonzo Hamilton fouled–makes both FTs for a 23-17 RC lead.
4:00–CM–Townes swipes steal, and throws down two handed dunk for a 23-19 RC lead.
3:45–RC–Jameel Warney scores off inbounds for a 
3:19–CM–Alonzo Hamilton fouled–makes both FTs for a 26-21 RC lead.
3:15–RC–Sanitil fouled–makes 1 of 2 FTs for a 28-21 lead.
2:47–CM–Rob Nunez puts back miss by Townes for a 28-23 RC lead.
2:43–RC–30 second timeout.
1:45–RC–Gross fouled–makes both FTs for a 30-23 lead.
1:26–CM–Hamilton scores basket for a 30-25 RC lead.
1:20–RC–Sanitil–scores for a 32-25 lead.
30.0–CM–turnover.
5.0–CM–gets steal, but is unable to make heave at buzzer.  RC leads 32-25 at the half.

Third Quarter

7:50–CM–McDaniel fouled on follow of Hamilton miss–makes 1 of 2 FTs for a 32-26 RC lead.
7:33–RC–gets basket, and CM called for foul–34-26 RC lead.
7:00–CM–Townes fouled–makes 1 of 2 FTs for a 34-27 RC lead.
6:29–CM–McDaniel fouled–makes 1 of 2 FTs for a 34-28 RC lead.
6:08–CM–Rodriguez sinks three pointer from left wing for a 34-31 RC lead.
6:00–RC–Warney scores basket for a 36-31 lead.
5:15–RC–Gross scores for a 38-31 lead.
4:42–CM–Rodriguez sinks jumper from left wing for a 38-33 RC lead.
4:29–RC–gets basket and a foul, but misses bonus FT for a 40-33 lead.
4:20–RC–Sanitil blocks shot by Rodriguez.
4:15–RC–Rodriguez swipes steal.
3:57–CM–Alli sinks jumper for a 40-35 RC lead.
3:55–CM–full timeout.
3:40–RC–Gross sinks three from left corner for a 43-35 lead.
3:32–CM–backcourt violation.
3:22–RC–Sanitil converts three point play for a 46-35 lead.
3:09–RC–Wes Cherry skies high for layin and a 48-35 lead.
3:02–CM–Alli sinks three from left side for a 48-38 RC lead.
2:57–RC–turnover.
2:30–RC–Sanitil scores for a 50-38 lead.
2:11–CM–called for technical foul–Sanitil–makes 1 of 2 FTs for a 51-38 lead.
1:45–CM–Townes fouled–misses both FTs.
1:25–RC–misses shot, and goes off the backboard–out  of bounds.
1:09–CM–turnover.
49.3–CM–Rodriguez fouled–makes 1 of 2 FTs for a 53-39 RC lead.
6.0–CM–Rodriguez drives to the hole for layup, and a 53-41 RC lead after three.

Fourth Quarter

7:39–RC–draws charge on Rodriguez–fourth foul.
7:29–CM–Hamilton draws charge on Santil–fourth foul.
6:47–CM–Hamilton drains triple from right wing for a 53-44 RC lead.
6:35–RC–Warney scores for a 55-44 lead.
5:58–CM–Townes able to make tough shot from right baseline for a 55-46 lead.
5:15–RC–Gross scores for a 57-46 lead.
4:54–CM–Townes rattles in jumper for a 57-48 RC lead.
4:30–RC–basket for a 59-48 lead.
3:50–CM–Townes dishes to Hamilton for layup from right low block for a 59-50 RC lead.
3:31–RC–Gross fouled by McDaniel–misses both FTs.
3:25–CM–basket on RC goaltending–59-52 RC lead.
3:12–RC–Warney fouled on spin move in left low block–makes 1 of 2 FTs for a 60-52 lead
3:05–CM–Townes connects on tough shot for a 60-54 RC lead.
1:56–CM–McDaniel fouled on follow off Townes miss–makes both FTs for a 62-56 RC lead.
1:30–RC–full timeout.
1:09–RC–Sanitil–fouled–makes both FTs for a 64-56 lead.
47.3–RC–#0–fouled–misses both FTs.
35.0–RC–draws charge on Townes.
0.0–RC–runs out the clock for the 64-56 win.

GMC Hoops Highlights–February 3, 2012–J.F. Kennedy @ Metuchen–Blue Division Clash

Here are video highlights from J.F. Kennedy’s 55-36 victory over Metuchen in GMC Blue Division action. On senior night in Metuchen, the Bulldogs managed to get an 8-8 tie after the first four and a half minutes of play, but the Mustangs closed the first half with a 25-11 surge in the last 11:26 to take a 33-19 halftime lead. Then, Vik Pawar netted a three pointer from the top of the key in the first half minute of the third to give JFK a 36-19 lead en route to the victory. Josh Kamenas scored 14 of his 22 points in the first half while Pawar added 8 of his 18.

Kennedy Could Still Be A Dangerous Team

Mustangs Have Talent And Experience; Just Need To Be More Consistent To Finish The Year Strong

METUCHEN, NJ–Following J.F. Kennedy’s win over his Metuchen Bulldogs on Friday night, first year MHS head coach, Jon Korellis stated what I have felt since the summer. Kennedy is too good a team to be 6-12 at this juncture of the season. After upsetting third seeded North Brunswick to reach the quarterfinals of the 2011 GMCT, and nearly making a monumental comeback against Scotch Plains in the opening round of the 2011 North Jersey Section 2 Group III State Tournament, the Mustangs lost key players Daishon Robinson, A.J. Pichalski, Jordan Toczynski, and A.J. Williams to graduation.

However, JFK still had a solid group coming back including Steve Alvarez, Josh Kamenas, Vik Pawar, and Shabas Clarke. Add to that, the duo of baseball standout Zach Buchholz and Kyle Alvarez, and there were ingredients for another good season under the direction of head coach, Chris Banos. Instead, the Mustangs have struggled with consistency and offensive production, and against a more difficult schedule this season, it has hurt. Kennedy has had to contend with a Holmdel team from the Shore Conference that has only lost a handful of games, Carteret three times, Bishop Ahr, Point Pleasant Boro, Woodbridge, and Colonia.

True there were those two surprising losses at the hands of Middlesex. Throw those two games in with a victory over Carteret in the Championship of the Gene Haley Tournament, and you would have a Mustang squad that was at .500. Kennedy seemed to be righting the ship around mid-season with a four game winning streak that included an upset of Point Boro, which is usually one of the top teams in Ocean County year in and year out. Unfortunately, a second tough loss at Middlesex set the Mustangs back. Losses mounted after that in a five game losing streak, and JFK is in a position it didn’t think it would be in at this point in the season.

Banos is still optimistic about his squad. He feels that if his Mustangs can get on a roll now, they could pull a surprise in the upcoming GMCT. There is a good nucleus there. Steve Alvarez has the ability to take over from the perimeter. Kamenas is a solid player, who made nice passes and drew charges as well as scored against Metuchen on Friday night. He and Vik Pawar played a nice two man game by not only scoring 73 percent of JFK’s points, but also finding each other for scores. Shabas Clarke is athletic, can rebound, block shots, and score in the paint. Kyle Alvarez looks to be a nice playmaker while Darrin Perez provides some help off the bench.

Prior to the win over Metuchen, Kennedy did show signs of coming out of its slump. The Mustangs only lost by five at Spotswood last Friday night, and lost by a dozen to Bishop Ahr on Wednesday night. The Mustangs have played the Trojans tough both teams that they have faced each other. Putting together a few wins before the tourney, and riding that momentum through the first two rounds could be all Kennedy needs to put itself in a position to surprise again this year.

Spotswood’s Soulias Commits To Kean University

Charger Standout Joins South Plainfield’s Mike Burton, Monroe’s Kenny Pace, and Carteret’s Xavier Fuller On The Cougars Squad Next Fall

UNION, NJ–It has been a nice couple weeks for Spotswood senior, Tommy Soulias. In addition to being honored as the GMC Hoops Player of the Week for Week Six, Soulias has made his college choice. On Friday afternoon, GMC Hoops was notified by Kean University assistant coach, Tom Wagenblast that Soulias has committed to attend Kean and play for the Cougars next fall.

Soulias is the latest from the GMC to sign on at Kean. Recent Kean graduate, Vinny Darpino, who had a solid career at Colonia, played semi-pro basketball before heading over to Europe. Within the past couple years, several more players from the Greater Middlesex Conference have signed on to play for the Cougars including Mike Burton, a 1,000 point scorer from South Plainfield, Kenny Pace, a member of Monroe’s 2010 GMCT finalist team, and Xavier Fuller of Carteret. Tramane Miller of South Plainfield also joined the Kean roster this year.

Counting Friday night’s game against Highland Park, where he scored 24 points, Soulias is averaging 21.5 points per game, and has scored at least 20 points in twelve games this year including three where he scored at least 30 points. He now has 869 points for his career. Kean is rebuilding with a 4-18 record this season including a 3-7 mark in the NJAC. Last year, the Cougars were 18-8 overall including a 10-3 mark in conference.

GMC Hoops Play-By-Play–J.F. Kennedy @ Metuchen–Blue Division Clash–February 3, 2012

METUCHEN, NJ–On Friday night, J.F. Kennedy traveled to Metuchen to face the Bulldogs in a Blue Division clash. The Mustangs broke away from an 8-8 tie with a 25-11 surge over the final 11:26 of the first half to take a 33-19 lead at the intermission. JFK then got a three pointer from Vik Pawar to open the third quarter for a 36-19 lead, and rolled from there to a 55-36 victory. Kamenas had 14 of his game high 22 points in the first half while Pawar chipped in with 8 of his 18 points. Below is play-by-play from the game.

First Quarter

6:46–MET–Kauri Qualls scores for a 2-0 lead.
6:27–MET–Steve Fortuna pokes away steal.
6:15–JFK–Josh Kamenas draws charge on Tim Redshaw.
5:52–MET–Qualls deflects pass out of bounds
5:47–JFK–Vik Pawar scores down low for a 2-2 tie.
5:40–JFK–Kamenas pokes away steal
5:25–JFK–Josh Kamenas scores on short baseline jumper from left side for a 4-2 lead.
4:47–JFK–Kyle Alvarez banks in triple from left wing for a 7-2 lead.
4:30–MET–Qualls makes layup from left side for a 7-4 lead.
4:10–JFK–Kamenas fouled–makes one of two FTs for an 8-4 lead.
3:56–MET–Artie Flaherty scores on layup from left side for a 8-6 JFK lead.
3:26–MET–Flaherty connects on baseline jumper from right side for an 8-8 tie.
3:08–JFK–Kamenas scores for a 10-8 lead.
2:32–JFK–Steve Alvarez feeds Pawar for layup from left side while being fouled for a three point play, and a 13-8 lead.
2:28–MET–calls timeout.
2:08–MET–Tom Chalker splashes three pointer for a 13-11 JFK lead.
1:54–JFK–Steve Alvarez sinks three from left wing for a 16-11 lead.
1:12–MET–traveling.
57.0–JFK–Darrin Perez sinks jumper for an 18-11 lead.
31.9–JFK–Kurt Lorentzen feeds Kamenas for layin, and a 20-11 lead.
5.0–MET–Qualls sinks jumper from right low block for a 20-13 JFK lead.
0.0–JFK–Shabas Clarke misses jumper at the buzzer.

Second Quarter

7:21–MET–strips Kamenas.
7:16–JFK–Clarke blocks shot.
7:08–JFK–Perez to Kamenas for layup, and a 22-13 lead.
6:52–MET–basket for a 22-15 JFK lead.
6:20–JFK–Perez sinks three for a 25-15 lead.
5:45–JFK–turnover.
5:24–MET–Hunter Clarke puts back missed jumper for a 25-17 JFK lead.
5:09–MET–traveling.
4:14–JFK–Pawar knocks in three from right corner for a 28-17 lead.
3:59–MET–kick violation.
3:29–MET–kick violation.
3:15–JFK–Pawar picks up steal, but fails to score–MET gets ball.
2:21–MET–Brian Eustace scores on floater off drive through middle for a 28-19 JFK lead.
1:09–JFK–Kamenas scores on hook shot from left low block that banks in for a 30-19 lead.
36.5–JFK–Kamenas barrels in for layup as he is fouled for a three point play, and a 33-19 lead.
0.0–MET–Chalker swipes steal, but layup by Flaherty doesn’t count since it was after the buzzer.  JFK leads 33-19 at the half.

JFK–finishes half with a 25-11 surge over last 11:26.
JFK scoring–Kamenas–14 points, Pawar–8 points, Perez–5 points, Steve Alvarez–3 points, Kyle Alvarez–3 points.
MET scoring–Qualls–6 points, Flaherty–4 points, Chalker–3 points, Clarke and Eustace–2 points.

Third Quarter

7:29–JFK–Pawar sinks triple from top of the key for a 36-19 lead.
7:07–MET–Qualls scores basket for a 36-21 lead.
6:49–MET–Redshaw gets rebound, passes ahead to Clarke, who is fouled on layup attempt–makes both FTs for a 36-23 JFK lead.
6:15–JFK–Kamenas basket for a 38-23 lead.
5:02–MET–traveling.
4:41–JFK–Kamenas–three point play for a 41-23 lead.
4:23–MET–Chalker three pointer from left corner off kickout by Fortuna for a 41-26 JFK lead.
4:19–JFK–offensive foul.
4:15–MET–turnover.
3:50–MET–30 sec timeout.
3:24–JFK–traveling.
3:10–MET–misses a layup and a follow.
2:58–MET–Flaherty steal.
2:30–MET–Chalker swipes steal.
2:22–MET–Qualls fouled on follow of miss by Chalker.  Makes 1 of 2 FTs for a 41-27 JFK lead.
1:23–JFK–gets on the floor for loose ball to get a steal.
1:03–JFK–Kyle Alvarez swipes steal, and goes in for layup, and a 43-27 lead.
1:00–MET–full timeout.
43.2–JFK–Kyle Alvarez dives for loose ball, but ball goes out of bounds to Metuchen.
11.1–JFK–Pawar feeds Kamenas for layup attempt that picks up foul, and results in one of two FTs for a 44-27 lead.
0.0–MET–misses shot at buzzer.

Fourth Quarter

7:37–JFK–Pawar gives a nice feed to Kamenas for layup, and a 46-27 lead.
7:22–MET–Tim Redshaw dribbles through traffic, and hits on short shot for a 46-29 JFK lead.
7:10–JFK–Kamenas feeds Pawar for layup while being fouled for a three point play, and a 49-29 lead.
6:31–MET–Qualls scores on layup down low for a 49-31 JFK lead.
5:15–JFK–Pawar score for a 51-31 lead.
3:51–JFK–Alvarez gives a nice feed to Pawar, but he is unable to score.
3:37–JFK–offensive foul.
3:28–MET–Brennan fouled–makes 1 of 2 FTs for a 51-32 JFK lead.
2:58–JFK–Kamenas gets ball from Perez in left low block looks around, and then puts up short right handed hook for a 53-32 lead.
2:46–MET–Matt Meoni scores for a 53-34 JFK lead.
2:26–JFK–Pawar puts in follow for a 55-34 lead.
2:21–MET–30 sec timeout.
2:09–MET–basket for a 55-36 JFK lead.
1:45–JFK–Omar Reyes blocks shot.
JFK wins 55-36.

Spotswood’s Soulias, Carteret, Piscataway Tech, and Timothy Christian Earn Week Six Honors

Spotswood Senior Honored For Second Time

SOUTH PLAINFIELD,  NJ–For the second time in the last four months, Spotswood’s Tommy Soulias is being honored by GMC Hoops as the Player of the Week.  The Chargers senior, who earned the honor for the Fall 2011 season, got the award again in week six thanks to a near record breaking performance.

Against neighborhood rival, South River, Soulias pumped in 42 points including 10 three pointers in a 96-71 victory.  The record for most three pointers in a game is held by former one thousand point scorer at Piscataway Tech, Charles Edwards, who connected on 11 threes in a game back in 2004.  In the win over the Rams, Soulias also had three field goals, six foul shots, four rebounds, and five assists.

Soulias has scored 30 points or more three times this season, and 20 points or more 11 times.  Through this Wednesday’s game against Middlesex, Soulias is averaging 21.3 points per game and 4.2 rebounds per game.  He has had a very balanced approach to his scoring with 60 field goals, 53 treys, and 60 foul shots.   The senior swingman has also collected 30 assists, 19 steals, and 5 blocks.

Led by Soulias, Spotswood has rebounded from a 7-18 season last year to post a 12-4 record including a 9-2 mark on the road.  The only two losses away from the Spotswood Athletic Center have come against two top ten teams in North Brunswick and Carteret.  Soulias is fast approaching a milestone as he now has 845 points.  With eight players in the GMC already over a 1,000 for their careers this year, Soulias will join a very crowded list when he reaches that plateau over the next couple weeks.  Congraulations Tommy, and best of luck the rest of the season.

Earning our Team of the Week honor in the GMC Profile for week six were the Carteret Ramblers.  The Ramblers recently defeated Bishop Ahr to tie for first place in the GMC Blue, and have only lost two games this season.  Both of those were to top ten opponents in BGA and South Brunswick.  Those two losses came within days of each other.  The Ramblers also won the Gene Haley Memorial Tournament over the holidays for the first time since 2005.  Carteret is one of the few teams that has been able to stop the week six Player of the Week, Tommy Soulias.  In the two games against Spotswood, the Ramblers held Soulias to an average of 5.5 points per game.

One of Carteret’s trademarks through the years has been defense.  Whether Bob Molarz, Dave Turco, John Dolan, Jose Rodriguez, or Herman White have coached at the school.  Defensively, the Ramblers make you work very hard on offense by making you earn every thing you get.  They can also make big plays on defense that can change the entire complexion of a contest.  Whether it is drawing a charge to swing momentum, or a steal that leads to an easy basket, the Ramblers use defense to create their offense.  By  working its opponents hard on the defensive end, Carteret is able to wear its foes down.  Carteret has a rugged, physical style of play anchored by frontcourt mates Kevin Van Dyke and Ryan Oliver.

Meanwhile, on offense, the Ramblers are led by seniors Avery Carter and Tanveer Dosanjh.  So far this season, Carter has scored in double figures in 14 of the 17 games played, and is averaging 13.7 points per game.   Meanwhile, Dosanjh has scored in double figures in 7 of the 17 contests this year, and is averaging just under 10 points per game.  The best performance Dosanjh had this season was a 28 point game against Spotswood back on January 20th in Carteret.  Carter’s top effort was against Edison in the opening round of the Gene Haley Tournament.  Our selection for Game of the Week went to the Gold Division for Piscataway Tech and Timothy Christian’s first place showdown on January 25th.

In the first meeting between the two schools back in December, P-Way Tech surged to a 46-25 victory thanks to a 32-14 showing in the second half.  This time, despite only getting a combined 18 points from their two 1,000 point scorers, Kristian Svendsen and Dan Decker, the Tigers were able to overcome a 25-16 halftime deficit, and 33-22 third quarter PVT advantage to come away with the 49-47 victory.  Sophomore Brandon Summers led the way with a career high 18 points on 8 of 9 shooting from the field.  The Raiders got 34 of their 47 points from Will Joyce (18 points) and Galen Smith (16 points).  P-Way Tech broke away from a 14-14 tie with an 11-2 tear to end the first half, and opened the second half with an 8-6 run for an 11 point lead.

However, TCS closed the game with a 27-14 surge including a reverse layup by Will Gaskin, who limited Smith to no threes in the second half, to tie the game at 45-45, and then a baseline jumper from Summers at the 1:46 mark for a 47-45 lead.  Decker and Jeff Parker each made one of two from the line down the stretch to help preserve the victory.

GMC Hoops Highlights–January 28, 2012–J.P. Stevens @ New Brunswick–Crossover Clash

Here are video highlights from the crossover clash between J.P. Stevens and New Brunswick. The Hawks took a 42-30 lead with 7:00 to go in the fourth quarter only to have the Zebras rally back within one thanks to an 18-7 tear over a span of 5:59. Za’Kry Shivers capped the rally with a three pointer from the left side to pull New Brunswick within one at 49-48 with 1:01 remaining. However, Stevens was able to pull out the 54-50 win thanks to free throws down the stretch by Marvin Crawford and Sky Harris.

GMC Hoops Highlights–January 31, 2012–Colonia @ J.P. Stevens–Red Division Clash

Here are video highlights from the second half of action in the Red Division Clash between Colonia and J.P. Stevens. After Stevens guard, Brandon Ahmed tied the game at 32-32 with a score at the 2:28 mark of the fourth quarter, Colonia closed the game with a 10-2 run as the Patriots limited the Hawks to no field goals while getting one of two from the line from Trent Barneys with 2:26 to go, and a three from Jordan McDaniel at the 1:56 mark for a 36-32 lead en route to a 42-34 victory.

GMC Hoops Highlights–January 30, 2012–Spotswood @ North Brunswick–Crossover Clash

Here are video highlights from the second half of action between Spotswood and North Brunswick in a key crossover clash involving the second ranked team in Middlesex County. After the game was tied at 29-29 at the intermission, the Chargers opened the second half with an 11-3 run for a 40-32 lead midway through the third period.

The Raiders fought back with a 14-5 tear for a 46-45 lead. The two teams went back and forth the rest of the frame before Jake Dadika converted a three point play in the waning seconds of the period to give Spotswood a 52-51 lead heading into the fourth. However, in the final period, Iverson Fleming scored 12 of his 18 points in the game including three treys to boost North Brunswick to a 71-67 victory.