The summaries of all the recent scrimmages are online as well as all the summaries from December, the first week of January, Freshmen Roundup, JV Roundup, and JV Games of the Week. Check them out in our GMC Hoops Summary archive.

GMC Hoops Summaries--February 7, 2007
Freshman Game Of The Week--Week Eight

Old Bridge Frosh Pull Away In Fourth To Defeat St. Joe's Green, 49-39

By Greg Machos
February 7, 2007

METUCHEN, NJ--At the beginning of the year, GMC Hoops did the first ever Freshmen/JV/Varsity Tripleheader in the history of the web site. One of those three games featured one of St. Joseph's two freshmen teams, St. Joseph's (White), which steamrolled past visiting South Brunswick by a score of 69-26 in the first GMC Hoops Freshmen Game of the Week for the 2006-07 season. On that same day, the St. Joseph's (Green) team took on David Brearley of Kenilworth, and rolled to an easy victory over the Little Bears from Union County and the Mountain Valley Conference, 48-6. The Little Falcons of the Green team followed that with a victory over Edison the following week. As a matter of fact, St. Joseph's (Green) won its first five games including a holiday tournament in Kearny. However, since that time, the Little Falcons of the Green team have stumbled with eleven losses in their last thirteen games including a 54-40 defeat at the hands of today's opponent, Old Bridge on January 16th.

Old Bridge's freshmen have come a long way since the beginning of the season. On opening night, the Young Knights traveled to East Brunswick, and got beaten soundly by the Little Bears, 59-32. However, by the middle of the season, Old Bridge had turned things around to the point that it defeated EB at home, 59-54. The first quarter was back and forth with Old Bridge taking a 16-14 lead as Jimmy Gaffigan led the charge with a three pointer and two field goals while teammates Stew Luciaw and Matt Totten added four and five points respectively for the visitors. Meanwhile, guard Shane Alvarez led the Little Falcons with nine first period points. In the second quarter, Gaffigan, who ended up with 15 points on the game, netted two more from long distance while teammate Femi Adeleye chipped in with a trey of his own to account for all of Old Bridge's second period scoring. St. Joseph's got two points each from Luis Diaz, Niten Srinivasan, Sean Cauley, and Alvarez (4 rebounds, 4 steals, and 2 assists over final 21:25), who netted a pair at the foul line at the 1:28 mark to make it 22-18 in favor of the Young Knights.

Following Alvarez's two foul shots, Gaffigan helped close out the scoring in the first half with his third and final trey of the game to make the score 25-22 at the intermission. Gaffigan ended up with 13 points in the half to account for 52 percent of his team's offense. In the third period, the Little Falcons hung tough with a 13-12 showing that kept them within two at 37-35 going into the fourth. Swingman, Philip Giankas (2 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals over final two and a half quarters) made one of two free throws at the 7:49 mark, and the 7:16 mark to add to a layup he had in between for a personal 4-0 run that gave St. Joe's a 26-25 lead. Cauley then followed that up with a one of two showing at the line for a 27-25 lead with 6:49 to go in the period. However, Totten, who actually pulled down eight rebounds in the third quarter alone, took over for Old Bridge with an assist on a Luciaw layup to tie things up at 27-27 with a bit less than six and a half minutes left in the third, and then a three point play off an assist from Anthony Rybek (2 points) at the 3:27 mark to answer a three pointer by Diaz to make it tied again at 30-30. Following a Little Falcon timeout at the 3:09 mark, the Young Knights took the lead as Luciaw took a feed from Gaffigan and scored as he was fouled for a three point play to make it 33-30 at the 2:50 mark.

Totten, who ended up collecting 9 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals over the final 21:25 of the contest along with 11 points for the entire game, followed that with a score off another assist from Rybek (3 rebounds, 3 steals, and 2 assists over the final two and a half periods) to make it 35-30 before Diaz, who hit all three of his shots including two three pointers for eight points on the game, connected from long range once again to make it a two point contest at 35-33 with 1:12 remaining in the third. Old Bridge pushed its advantage back up to four at 37-33 before Cauley (9 points on four field goals and one of two at the line) beat the buzzer on an offensive rebound and putback off a miss by Alvarez, who was held scoreless in the second half as he missed all ten of his field goal attempts from the 5:25 mark of the second quarter on. In the fourth quarter, Old Bridge pulled away with a 12-4 decisive spurt to get the 49-39 victory. It didn't start out that easy though as St. Joseph's tied things up at the 6:54 mark. Reserve shooting guard, Matt Pagano (4 points on a field goal and two foul shots), picked up a steal and was fouled on a layup attempt. He made the first free throw, and then after a 30 second timeout by head coach, Bob Yunker, Pagano, who scored all his points in the second half, made the second to knot the game up at 39-39.

Unfortunately for the Little Falcons, they couldn't take the lead, or tie the game again after that because Old Bridge closed things out with a 10-0 run. Totten sparked the tear with a steal that eventually was converted into a score as Justin Morik got his only points of the game on an offensive rebound and putback at the 5:04 mark to make it 41-39. Following a Young Knights timeout at the 4:48 mark, the visitors reeled off two more score to go up 45-39 as they spread out the floor forcing St. Joe's to have to foul. Old Bridge called three timeouts over a span of 3:46, but those stoppages ensured the team a victory by keeping it from unraveling in the face of St. Joseph's pressure. Gaffigan then got his only points of the second half on a pair of free throws at the 38.4 second mark to make it 47-39, and then Adeleye, who had five points on the day, closed out the contest with a steal for a layup to make the final 49-39 score. Over the final 21:25 of the game, Old Bridge shot 13 of 30 including three trifectas for 43.3 percent while St. Joseph's shot only 8 of 35 including two threes for 22.9 percent. At the line, St. Joseph's fared better going 7 of 10 at the charity stripe while Old Bridge made all three of its attempts.

The Falcons forced more turnovers as Old Bridge made 19 miscues during the span of the game that I covered while the home team only had 16. St. Joe's had more steals with an 11-10 edge, but Old Bridge had the advantage in rebounding (23-15) and assists (8-5). The visitors scored in double digits in three of the four periods while St. Joseph's registered double figures in only two. The Young Knights also outscored the Little Falcons in three of the four quarters although the fourth period showing was the deciding factor. Also playing in the contest for Old Bridge were Moheb Thomas (an assist) and Marc Studenic while Ron Gardner (two steals), Tim Perez (0 of 2 FG and two rebounds), Sam Syjongtian (0 of 5 FGs, an assist, and a steal), Mark Radil, and Zach Sikanowicz all got in for St. Joe's. Note: I arrived at the game with 5:25 to go in the second period since I was at home updating the site. Special thanks to the scorekeepers for both Old Bridge and St. Joseph's for their assistance and patience, and St. Joe's AD, Jerry Smith for his help on getting me up to speed.

GMC Hoops Summaries--January 24, 2007
Freshman Game Of The Week--Week Six

Monroe Breaks Open Game Late To Defeat Sayreville, 36-20

By Greg Machos
January 24, 2007

PARLIN, NJ--To make up for some lost time this season, GMC Hoops had been attempting to see two freshmen games in the same week for the past several weeks, but didn't get around to it until finally the past couple days thanks to a Freshmen/JV/Varsity Tripleheader on Monday afternoon in Sayreville, and Wednesday afternoon's game again at the Bomb Shelter between the Baby Bombers and the Little Falcons of Monroe. If you recall, last year, I had made a mention in a column I wrote that Monroe Hoops was on the way up after their historic 24-5 season led by Player of the Year, A.J. Rudowitz, who is now attending Division II Stonehill College. One of the reasons for the promising future was an undefeated Middle School team, which had the likes of Ken Pace Jr. and Tim Brix Jr. along with a solid front line that consisted of several players in the 6'1" to 6'2" range, and had a lot of depth.

Well, those youngsters, which were undefeated last season, have moved up to the high school, and mostly play on the freshmen team along with a couple players coming over from Immaculate Conception, a Catholic school in Spotswood. There are even five players from this group that are on the JV squad including Pace Jr., Brix Jr., Blake Bascom, Ken Titus, and Matt Stolte. So far this season, the JV squad has a 9-6 record coming into their matchup against a Sayreville team that has only lost once this season, and the Freshmen are 12-1. Oh, and by the way, there's more good talent coming. I recently saw on a message board that Monroe has another solid Middle School team that is undefeated at 15-0 after competing very well during the summer at the Raritan Bay Summer League in South Amboy. Meanwhile, Sayreville was looking to continue to turn things around after winning against Woodbridge on Monday, 36-18, to snap a four game winning streak. The Baby Bombers have been a perennial contender at the Freshmen level when it comes to the Perth Amboy/GMC Tournament, which is held every season in February.

If you are a fan of defense, then this was the game for you. Only one team, Monroe, scored in double digits in one of the four periods of play. The score was only 15-7 at the half as Sayreville shot 2 of 15 from the floor, 3 of 8 at the line, and made 14 turnovers while Monroe shot 6 of 25 from the field, 3 of 4 at the charity stripe, and made 10 turnovers. Then, in the third quarter, the Little Falcons (1 of 19 FGs and 3 of 9 FTs), also known as the Baby Purple Birds, and the Baby Bombers (1 of 8 FGs and 4 of 8 FTs) combined to make only 2 of 27 shots while netting 7 of 17 at the foul line. Despite both teams shooting woes, the game wasn't decided until the fourth quarter. Sayreville, which trailed 20-14 after three periods, began the fourth with the first five points including a long three pointer from point guard, Robert Pizzi to close the gap to one early in the frame at 20-19. However, Monroe put the game away with a 16-0 outburst over a span over about a five and a half minute span to take an insurrmountable, 36-19 lead with a little more than a minute to play. The Baby Bombers, which committed 22 turnovers in the contest, finally scored on a free throw at the 1:15 mark to round out the final 36-20 score.

For the game, Monroe shot 14 of 58 from the floor for a paltry 24.1 percent while making 8 of 17 at the foul line for 47.1 percent. Meanwhile, Sayreville, which had seven players break into the scoring column, went just 5 of 35 including two threes for only 14.3 percent from the floor while going 8 of 22 at the charity stripe for 36.4 percent. The Little Falcons had the edge in many other statistical categories including rebounding (39-20), assists (7-3), steals (14-6), and turnovers (17-22) while the Baby Bombers held advantages in threes (2-0), blocks (5-3), and charges (2-1). Pizzi ended up with the team high for Sayreville with 6 points on 2 of 5 shooting including both of the Baby Bombers three pointers, a rebound, two assists, and a steal. Jarrel Smith chipped in with four points on one of four shooting and two of two at the foul line along with a rebound and a steal. John Craivec also helped out in the losing effort with 3 points, 5 rebounds, and a steal.

Dave Milewski made two of four at the foul line for his two points along wtih five rebounds and three steals. Mike Olisa also got two points by making both his foul shot attempts while collecting two rebounds, blocking five shots, and swiping a steal. Koran Clyne had a field goal for two points along with five rebounds of his own, and an assist while T.J. Miara, who has two sisters on the Sayreville Girls Basketball team, had a point, a rebound, and two charges. Now, for Monroe, I do not currently have the roster of the team at the moment. When I went to the scorers table at halftime, I could only get the Sayreville players, which, by the way, I knew most already since I had seen them two days earlier against Woodbridge. However, I'm working on the issue, and will have the info updated in this summary soon. In the meantime, here is what I have. Leading the way for the Little Falcons, which had nine players get into the scorebook, was #1, who had the best shooting day out of all the players on the team with a 3 of 5 effort from the floor, and 2 of 3 at the foul line for eight points along with five steals, three rebounds, and an assist. Next, #5 helped out with seven points on two field goals and three of five at the line to go along with three rebounds, two steals, and a block.

#50 picked up six points on two field goals and two foul shots, but also had a team high eight rebounds, and a steal. #12 added four points on two field goals while also collecting two rebounds and two steals. #15 had three points on a field goal and a free throw while picking up an assist and a steal. Two Monroe players each had two points on a field goal and seven rebounds, but #21 added an assist while #43 picked up a steal and a charge. #13 had a field goal for two points and a rebound and #2 rounded out the scoring for the visitors with a field goal for two points as well as four assists and two rebounds. #32 (four rebounds, two blocks, and a steal), #14, #3, and #10 (a rebound) also played, but did not score. In the first quarter, Sayreville could only muster three points on three of four shooting at the foul line while going 0 of 9 from the field, and committing six turnovers. Monroe, on the other hand, was only slightly better with 3 of 10 shooting from the floor, and one of two at the foul line for its seven points while also making six miscues.

The Baby Bombers didn't get on the board until the 1:27 mark when Milewski made one of two free throws to end a 5-0 Little Falcon start over the previous 5:33. Olisa then followed up thirteen seconds later with a pair from the charity stripe to make it 5-3 at the 1:14 mark. Monroe then closed out the scoring with a field goal coming off an offensive rebound and putback to make the score, 7-3 going into the second. The second quarter saw Sayreville, which had 14 of its turnovers on the game in the first half, make eight more mistakes while only attempting six shots from the field, and making just two of them. The Baby Bombers were even more futile at the line going 0 of 4. Meanwhile, Monroe, which dominated the boards, particuarly, on the offensive end for numerous second chance opportunities, had only 3 of 15 shooting while making both foul shot attempts and turning the ball over four times. The result was an eight point, 15-7 lead at half as the visitors from MTHS went on a 4-0 run to open the frame before Sayreville made its first field goal of the contest at the 3:28 mark, and then closed the half with a 4-2 run for an 8-4 showing in the stanza.

There wasn't much in the way of highlights in the third, but Sayreville still managed to close the gap to six going into the final period with a 7-5 showing as Smith made a pair at the line with 7:34 to go in the period, Milewski followed that with one of two free throws at the 6:33 mark, Pizzi connected on the first of two threes with a high arching shot from the top of the key at the 4:15 mark, and Miara closed out the Sayreville third quarter scoring with his only point of the contest on one of two free throws at the 2:38 mark. The Baby Bombers had actually cut the gap to three at 17-14 after Miara's foul shot, but Monroe, which caused all kinds of problems for the home team with its full court pressure, got a pair of free throws from #5 at the 1:17 mark and one of two from the guard at the 0:38 mark to make it 20-14 after three. The Baby Bombers then got as close as one point in the fourth before Monroe finally put the game away with its huge surge for its 13th win of the season. With the victory, Monroe's freshmen, are now 13-1 with the only defeat coming at the hands of South Plainfield in overtime on opening day at SPHS. Sayreville drops to 5-10.

GMC Hoops Summaries--January 22, 2007
Freshman Game Of The Week--Week Six

Sayreville Snaps Losing Streak With Win Over Baby Barrons, 36-18

By Greg Machos
January 22, 2007

PARLIN, NJ--Over the years, the Sayreville Boys Basketball Program has built a tradition of excellence at the lower levels. Starting with current head coach, Shawn Currie, and continuing with current JV coach and assistant, Mike Provenza, the Sayreville Freshmen team has been one of the premier ninth grade teams in the GMC. Starting back in 2001, the Baby Bombers have reached the Elite Eight of the Perth Amboy/GMC Freshmen Tournament five times in six years. Three of those years, Sayreville reached the Championship Game, where it defeated East Brunswick in 2002 and lost to South Plainfield in 2004. In 2003, SWMHS earned the top seed of that season's tourney, but got upended in the Quarterfinals at home by an eighth seeded South Brunswick team, 57-45. Last season, the Baby Bombers reached the Quarterfinal round again only to lose to eventual tourney runner-up, Bishop Ahr.

This year was supposed to be another solid season for Sayreville with talented guards and a more up-tempo style, but prior to the Carteret game on January 12th, the team learned that three of its players including two starters were no longer on the team for disciplinary reasons. At that point, the Baby Bombers were near .500 at 4-5, but that night they lost to the Little Ramblers of Carteret, 39-34, after having to radically change its offensive game plan on short notice, and slowing things down to the tune of a 10-10 halftime score. "We had to slow things down, spread the floor, and run time of the clock since we were without two of our starters," said Sayreville's first year Freshmen Coach, Michael Ryan, "I told our kids to make at least five passes on every possession." The next night, an even more formidable challenge presented itself as Sayreville hosted Union, a team that competes in the rough and tumble world of the Watchung Conference. The depleted squad still competed, but lost to the Young Farmers by a 48-34 score. To give an example of how devastating the losses of these players were to the team, take a look at what transpired in two games played against North Brunswick this season.

On opening day in North Brunswick, the Baby Bombers with their full roster, rolled to an easy 18 to 20 point victory over the Little Raiders. However, recently, on January 18th, the two teams squared off again at the Bomb Shelter, and NBTHS got revenge in a five point win. Two days later, Sayreville lost its fourth straight with a 38-31 decision to neighborhood rival, Old Bridge. "It's been tough on the kids because we had to change everything completely right in the middle of the season," said Ryan, "But the kids have really worked hard." The hard work paid off as the revamped Baby Bombers used its spread offense to perfection in a 36-18 win over the Baby Barrons of Woodbridge. Sayreville outscored the visitors in each quarter including a 13-4 showing in the first to take control early on. Woodbridge was held to single digits in each period including three quarters with only four points. Seven Baby Bombers broke into the scoring column including six that had five points or more in a balanced attack.

John Craivec led the way with a game high 9 points while teammate T.J. Miara chipped in with seven points. Nick Pizzi, the younger brother of JV point guard, Robert Pizzi, connected for six points as well as Dave Milewski, who also happened to pull down five rebounds. Koran Clyne added five points while grabbing seven boards in the win. Woodbridge was led by Aaron Fuller, who scored six points. "I'm really happy for our kids," said Coach Ryan, "they have taking a lot of heat in school from the other kids." As a matter of fact, a little while after the interview with Ryan ended, a Sayrevile Freshmen player was walking along during the JV Game, and was asked by another student if they had won, or not. When he said yes, the other student blurted out, "It's about time!" Regardless of what happens the rest of the way, you have to give these kids credit for hanging in there, and not giving up despite of the recent circumstances. This season has offered a great lesson in character for these kids to build on over the next several years.

GMC Hoops Summaries--January 11, 2007
Freshman Game Of The Week--Week Four

McCarrick Freshmen Pull Away From Metuchen, 56-48

By Greg Machos
January 11, 2007

METUCHEN, NJ--Prio to Vince Rosario's monsterous 44 point performance that included 9 of 20 shooting from three point range to boost Cardinal McCarrick past Metuchen, 80-74, in the varsity nightcap, the freshman squads from the two respective schools did battle in the afternoon at the Dawg Pound in Metuchen. McCarrick, which defeated Middlesex the last time GMC Hoops saw them in action, was only leading by two early in the fourth when the Little Eagles closed out the contest with a 12-6 run including a 9-0 game deciding burst over a span of three minutes to pull away for the 56-48 victory over the Bulldog Pups. Metuchen was held scoreless for nearly four minutes after scoring the first four points of the final frame to make it a 44-42 game with over seven minutes remaining in the third installment of the GMC Hoops Freshmen Game of the Week for the 2006-07 season.

Simultaneously, the Little Eagles, which were upset in the quarterfinals of the Colonia Freshmen Summer League Tournament by Metuchen back in July, ran off nine straight poiints including a Rob Olivieri layup with 5:23 to play that made it an eight point game at 50-42. Cardy Mac then closed out the run with a putback that resulted from three offensive rebounds at the 3:36 mark to make the score, 52-42. Metuchen finally got back on the board a little more than a half minute later when the Bulldog Pups got a layup at the 3:05 mark to make it an eight point game at 52-44. The score sparked a 6-3 run by Metuchen to close the game, but it wasn't enough as McCarrick won by eight in a GMC Blue matchup. It was quite an entertaining game as neither team had a lead bigger than ten points over the final 26:11 of the contest. Nevertheless, Cardinal McCarrick led throughout with a 15-8 advantage when GMC Hoops arrived, a 17-12 edge at the end of one, a 25-18 lead on an 8-3 spurt in the middle of the second, and a 31-27 halftime lead. In the second quarter, Metuchen actually outscored the Little Eagles thanks to a 7-4 half closing run for a 15-14 edge in the period.

The Bulldog Pups made 5 of 12 field goals, and 5 of 9 from the free throw line to its 15 points despite eight turnovers while Cardy Mac made just 6 of 14 shot attempts from the floor, and 2 of 2 free throws for its 14 despite seven miscues. Cardinal McCarrick stretched its advantage with a 13-11 showing in the third, and a 12-10 effort in the fourrth for the eight point win. The Little Eagles outscored Metuchen in three of the four periods. One key factor during a portion of this contest were points off turnovers and second chance points. During a span of about ten minutes, Cardinal McCarrick converted six points off ten Bulldog Pup turnovers, and six second chance points off eight offensive rebounds while Metuchen had only two second chance points and five points off nine McCarrick turnovers. Over that same span, the Little Eagles made eight of twenty-two from the floor for 36.4 percent while Metuchen was 6 of 14 for 42.9 percent. The Bulldog Pups made up for that shooting discrepancy with a 7 of 11 effort at the line for 63.6 percent while Cardy Mac made both of its shooting attempts.

During the third quarter, GMC Hoops had an opportunity to talk with Metuchen head coach, Rich Stoner, who is in his third year at the school. Recently, the Bulldogs have been turning things around after an 0-2 start with losses to Spotswood at home and Bishop Ahr on the road. Since that time though, Metuchen had won five of six games going into the contest with McCarrick on Thursday night. The only loss during that six game stretch was a heartbreaking overtime loss to Johnson Regional in the opening round of the Roselle Park Tournament, which the Bulldogs could have still won despite the difficulties they had in that game. Coach Stoner believes that his defense is playing better this season. "The most points we've given up this season was against Ahr," Stoner said in reference to the 68-53 loss to the Trojans on December 18th. He also went on to comment that his varsity team was affected by the great seasons turned in by the Bulldog football and soccer teams, which four of his starters: Lamar Nichols, Jon Brown, DeJuan Miller, and Chris Pisano play on.

Starting with Thursday's game against McCarrick, the Bulldogs were entering a tough stretch. According to Stoner, Metuchen will be facing a crossover opponent in Woodbridge and a non-conference foe in St. Augustine's Prep of Richland, a perennial state power from South Jersey, and divisional games against the Eagles, at JFK (which may not be as easy as some may think), at Spotswood, and Bishop Ahr at home over the next ten days or so.

GMC Hoops Summaries--January 6, 2007
Freshman Game Of The Week--Week Three

Piscataway Defeats Neighborhood Rival Franklin, 50-39

By Greg Machos
January 6, 2007

PISCATAWAY, NJ--The Little Chiefs of Piscataway will be an interesting team to watch in 2006-07. This past summer, the P-Way freshmen squad won the regular season and tourney title at the 2006 Colonia Freshmen Summer League with the likes of Malcolm Griggs and Wayne Newsome leading the way. Despite efforts by the Piscataway coaching staff to keep this promising group together, Griggs and Newsome were forced to move up to JV and Varsity since the Chiefs had several players quit or become ineligible just weeks prior to opening day. Nevertheless, Piscataway always has plenty of talent, and it was on display in a recent win over J.P. Stevens. The Little Chiefs ran out to a 49-13 halftime lead on their way to a victory over its Red Division rival from North Edison.

GMC Hoops had originally scheduled that game for its first of two Freshmen Games of the Week, but due to a work schedule change, neither of the two scheduled contests were seen. However, the rescheduling did allow an opportunity to once again see the Little Chiefs in action as they took on their old neighborhood rival from the days of the Mid-State Conference, Franklin. This game was a much closer affair than the Stevens matchup although at first it seemed that Piscataway was once again headed towards a blowout. Arriving with 3:06 left in the third period, GMC Hoops sat down to see that P-Way was winning easily, 36-19. The Little Chiefs then scored a bucket to make it 38-19 at the 2:30 mark, and added a free throw at the 2:17 mark for a twenty point, 39-19 lead. But, the Little Warriors from Franklin in nearby Somerset County and the Skyland Conference's Delaware East Division, fought back to make things interesting in the fourth.

Closing the third quarter with six of the last seven points to make it a 40-25 Piscataway lead entering the final frame, Franklin began to turn up the heat a bit with full court pressure that simply rattled the Little Chiefs. Franklin began the fourth with a 14-7 spurt including an 8-0 burst over a span of 3:16 to pull within single digits at 47-39 with 1:24 to play. Piscataway had opened the quarter with a steal at midcourt for a layup by #31 to make it 42-25, but Franklin scored the next two baskets over the subsequent 51 seconds to make it a 42-29 P-Way lead with 6:36 to go in regulation. The Little Chiefs would get on the board again with a drive down the right side of the lane for a layup by #55 to make the score, 44-29 with exactly six minutes left. The forward then followed that up with a one of two effort at the line to make it 45-29 at the 5:39 mark before Franklin came back with a pair of its own foul shots to make it 45-31 at the 5:17 mark.

Piscataway made it a sixteen point lead again when #24 passed off to #55 for a short baseline jumper from the right side that made the score, 47-31 with 4:40 remaining. At this point, the Little Warriors made their run. Franklin reeled off the next eight points including a three point play at the 2:19 mark that made the score, 47-37, and forced Piscataway coach, Brian Tuskan, to call a timeout. Then, following a missed front end of a one and one at the 1:54 mark, the Little Warriors came back with a steal off of its press, and was fouled on a layup attempt. The foul resulted in two free throws to close the gap to 47-39 with just 1:24 to play. However, that would be as close as Franklin would get as P-Way got one of two from the line at the 30 second mark, and then a layup at the 15 second mark to come away with the eleven point, 50-39 victory. Later in the day, Piscataway's varsity won a hard fought defensive struggle, 33-29 over Franklin to give them more wins already this season than all of last season.

GMC Hoops Summaries--December 15, 2006
Freshman Game Of The Week--Opening Night

St. Joseph's-White Romps Past South Brunswick, 69-26

By Greg Machos
December 15, 2006

METUCHEN, NJ--Center Andrew Presnal shot 4 of 9 from the floor and a near perfect 7 of 8 at the foul line for 15 points while collecting two rebounds, an assist and a steal to lead St. Joseph's White team to a 69-26 rout of South Brunswick's Freshmen team in opening day action on Friday afternoon. Teammate Robert O'Grady chipped in with a 5 of 8 effort from the floor and 2 of 2 at the foul line for 12 points along with 6 rebounds, and a steal. Matt Delaney went 4 of 13 from the floor for eight points, but pulled down 13 rebounds whille picking up two steals and a block. Dhaliwal Gaganjot directed the offense with 9 points on four of eight shooting from the floor, and one of two free throws while also picking up five rebounds, five assists, and four steals.

Guard Eric Peterson helped out in the team effort as well with three of five field goals for six points while adding four rebounds, an assist, and a steal. Elijah Mims only connected on two of his eight shot attempts, but made all four of his attempts at the charity stripe for eight points, and also collected four rebounds, three assists, three steals, and a blocked shot. Jonathan Lee went 2 of 4 from the field for his four points while grabbing three rebounds and collecting two charges, an assist, steal, and block. Nick Contino only took two shots, and made one for just two points, but he contributed in other ways with three rebounds, five assists, and two steals. Rounding out the St. Joseph's scoring was reserve Robert Gomulka, who made two of his three shots for four points while grabbing two rebounds and handing out an assist.

St. Joseph's jumped out in front early with an 18-4 first quarter showing as the Little Falcons limited South Brunswick to just one of ten shooting from the floor for ten percent while forcing ten turnovers. The Little Vikings seemed to settle down somewhat in the second quarter as St. Joe's only outscored them 15-11, but in the third, the Little Falcons put the game away with a 20-6 showing for a 53-21 commanding lead. For the game, St. Joseph's shot 45.5 percent from the field (27 of 60) while making 13 of 19 foul shots for 68.4 percent. Meanwhile, South Brunswick was limited to just 9 of 44 shooting for 20.5 percent, and committed 34 turnovers. The Little Vikes struggled at the line as well by making only 6 of 16 attempts for 37.5 percent.

The Little Falcons dominated in just about every statistical category. St. Joe's had more rebounds (42-18), assists (17-7), steals (15-8), blocks (4-2), and turnovers (26-34) while South Brunswick only had more threes (2-0) and charges (3-2). Nine of ten players played for St. Joseph's, and they all scored while thirteen players got in for SBHS including seven that scored. However, only two players for the Little Vikings had five points or more. Connor Scharff (2 of 7 FGs, 1 of 2 FTs for 5 points, a rebound, and an assist) and Kyle Berger (2 of 5 FGs, 1 of 2 FTs for 5 points, two rebounds, and an assist) were the most aggressive going to the basket, and led the Little Vikes with five points each while Mike Bobev (1 of 4 FGs, 1 of 2 FTs for 4 points, 3 steals, and an assist) sank a three pointer and one of two foul shots for four points. Big man Brandon James (1 of 6 FGs and 1 of 3 FTs) only had three points, but also grabbed seven boards and collected a steal and a blocked shot in the loss. St. Joe's-White is now 1-0 overall and in the GMC Red while South Brunswick drops to 0-1 overall and in divisional play.

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.