The Freshmen Game of the Week, Freshmen Roundup, and the JV Roundup are now available. Check them out in our GMC Hoops Summary archive.

GMC Hoops Summaries--February 13, 2010
Week Eight--GMC Red/Blue Crossover Clash

Third Quarter Showing Lifts Bears Past Chargers, 61-51

By Greg Machos
February 13, 2010

SPOTSWOOD, NJ--In a preview of a possible 2010 GMCT Elite Eight matchup two neighbors went at it in a crossover game as East Brunswick traveled to Spotswood to take on the Chargers. A little more than 24 hours earlier, the Bears got the fourth seed ahead of the Chargers even though there is very little difference between the two. EB justified its place as a top four seed with a 21-13 showing in the third period that broke away for a 26-26 tie at halftime for a 47-39 lead. Then, despite going 25 percent from the floor in the final period, the Bears were able to seal the hard fought 61-51 win by making 8 of 10 from the foul line. They also did a solid job on Spotswood guards, Cody Pace and Tyler Osofsky, which combined for only two points and no field goals in the fourth quarter.

Leading the Bears balanced attack was senior Miles Colmon, who scored 12 points including four in the fourth quarter, while grabbing five rebounds in the victory. East Brunswick had nine different players score including two that scored in double figures while seven had six points or more. On the other hand, Spotswood had five players score including three in double figures. Twelve players played for EBHS while only seven played for Spotswood. EB Freshman forward, Rob Ukawuba, chipped in with 10 points on three field goals and four foul shots. Colmon had four field goals and four foul shots. Pace led all scorers with a game high 19 points on four field goals, three treys, and two foul shots while Osofsky chipped in with 13 points on three field goals, two threes, and a free throw. Senior forward Allen Kuiper also helped out for Spotswood with 12 points on three field goals and six free throws.

East Brunswick led by as many as ten points on two occasions including at the very beginning of the fourth quarter, and at the end of the game. The Bears connected on 19 field goals, two threes, and 17 foul shots while Spotswood made 11 field goals, six threes, and nine foul shots. EB outscored the Chargers in each of the final three periods of play after falling behind by a point at the end of the first quarter. The visitors from the GMC Red helped their cause by going 17 of 20 at the charity stripe according to the article from NJ.com. After being over at the GMCT Play-In round game between South Plainfield and Edison, GMC Hoops managed to get over to Spotswood just in time for the final period of play between these two very good teams. EB opened the fourth with a layup by Colmon at about the 7:30 mark for a 49-39 lead

On their next possession, the Chargers got a drive through the middle from Pace that drew a foul, and produced two free throws at the 7:10 mark for a 49-41 EB lead. There was a lull in the scoring for the next 3:15 as both teams scrapped and hustled for loose balls and rebounds. The Bears had a chance to score at the 6:12 mark when sophomore Joe Ross (a field goal and four free throws) swiped a steal, and drove in for a layup, but Pace came up with an athletic play by blocking the shot. Another minute went by with no scoring, but the Bears were winning the battle on the boards. And, when Spotswood managed to get some offensive rebounds like the three in the sequence around the 4:40 mark, it couldn't get shots to fall as Garrett Walters (a three pointer for his only 3 points) missed a jumper, and then a follow while Osofsky missed a three pointer. Kevin Lantz got the rebound for EB, but missed the front end of a one and one.

East Brunswick finally broke the ice when senior forward, Anthony Gudzak (four field goals for 8 points) got the rebound of a Mike Liming (a field goal for two points) miss, drove upcourt, and dished to Kevin McHenry,(7 points on two field goals and three free throws) who drew a foul on the layup attempt, and made two free throws at the 3:55 mark for a 51-41 lead. Kuiper, who scored eight of his dozen in the fourth, replied with an offensive rebound and follow attempt that drew a foul, and produced two foul shots at the 3:42 mark for a 51-43 EB lead. McHenry then traveled at the 3:21 mark, and then Kuiper scored on a power move to the basket for a layup that closed the gap to 51-45 with 3:04 remaining. Tucci gave the Bears some breathing room with a layup at the 2:23 mark for a 53-45 lead. Spotswood quickly came down the floor with a score on a Liming layup for his only points of the game, and a 53-47 EB lead as the Chargers called for time at the 2:19 mark.

Following the timeout, James Pareti fouled Ross at the 2:16 mark, and the sophomore made both from the foul line for a 55-47 lead. Kuiper gave the Spotswood faithful hope when he grabbed the offensive rebound off a Pace miss, and put in the follow as he was fouled by Lantz, who left the game with his fifth foul. Kuiper missed the bonus free throw though, and the Bears stayed in front at 55-49 with 1:51 left. East Brunswick began to take time off the clock, and go for either high percentage shots, or free throws. Mike Summerer got a layup for the Bears at the 1:17 mark for his only points of the contest, and a 57-49 lead. Colmon then added one of two from the line for a nine point advantage with just under 52 seconds to play. Kuiper gave Spotswood fans hope again when he made both at the line for a 58-51 score at the 42.39 second mark, and then the Chargers forced a five second call with 41.05 seconds to play.

However, Spotswood couldn't take advantage of the turnover as Osofsky and Pace missed three point attempts. James Pareti was called for a traveling violation, but it was overruled by one of the officials, who said it was a jump ball. Still the Chargers couldn't sieze the opportunity, and Colmon eventually drew a foul, and made another one of two from the line for a 59-51 lead with 30.55 seconds to play. Ross then closed out the hard fought win with two free throws at the 13.26 second mark for the 61-51 final. With the victory, EB improved to 18-3 overall on the season including a 16-3 mark in conference play. Spotswood dropped to 15-3 overall on the year including a 12-3 mark in the GMC. The Chargers were back in action on Monday afternoon against Monroe in another important crossover while the Bears, which lead the GMC Hoops Trophy standings with a 5-0 record, had their next game on Thursday night in the GMCT Round of 16. Analysis is forthcoming in the blog.

RETURN TO THE GMC HOOPS HOME PAGE

If you are finished checking the GMC Boys Basketball Summaries, and would like to see other parts of the website.  Click below to return to the home page.

• Return to the GMC Hoops Homepage

If you have any questions about, or any suggestions for this website, please feel free to either fill out our guestbook, or contact me at gmachos@gmchoops.com.