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GMC Hoops Summaries--March 4, 2010
Week Eleven--Central Jersey Group II State Tourney

Vadas Leads Manasquan Past Middlesex, 46-24

By Greg Machos
March 4, 2010

MIDDLESEX, NJ--Driving into Middlesex High School's parking lot, you could see the students getting ready for the Central Jersey Group II Quarterfinal round game between the Blue Jays of Middlesex High School and the Warriors of Manasquan. There was tailgating going on as the kids were getting syched up for this rematch of last year's CJ Group II Championship Game won by Manasquan, 59-36. As game time approached, the Middlesex student section, one of the best in the GMC was getting ready to root on their team. However, despite all the preparation and anticipation, the Middlesex faithful still came away with that same empty feeling.

What was supposed to be a rebuilding year for Middlesex, especially when the status of senior forward, Avery Barnes, was uncertain at the beginning of the year, turned out to be a great success even though it came to an end on Thursday night. Last year's, Asbury Park Press All Shore Area First team selection, Matt Vadas turned in a solid performance for Manasquan with 8 of 13 shooting from the floor for a game high 19 points as the Warriors advanced to the semifinals with a comfortable, 46-24 win. Vadas also picked up 5 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals, and 2 blocks for the winners while teammate, Nick Lutrino chipped in with 10 points on three treys and a foul shot.

Neal Sterling also contributed with three field goals for 6 points while Adam Cook (2 FGs for 4 points), Ryan Casey (a three pointer for 3 points), Zach Rogers (FG for 2 points) and Nick Abbott (FG for 2 points) rounded out the Warriors scoring. Middlesex had three players that scored four points each including Avery Barnes (2 FGs for 4 points, 4 rebounds, an assist, steal, and block), Terrell Mayers (2 of 4 FGs for 4 points and a rebound) and reserve Ray Lang (FG plus 2 of 2 FTs for 4 points). Manasquan, which is a perennial contender whether in Central Jersey Group II, or Central Jersey Group III, made 19 of 36 shots for 53 percent including 7 of 17 from beyond the arc for 41 percent.

Meanwhile, Middlesex was just 9 of 37 from the floor for 24 percent including 0 of 6 from three. The Jays did outperform the Warriors at the foul line though with 6 of 12 for 50 percent versus one of four for 25 percent. The fourth seeded Blue Jays also had fewer turnovers (6-9) and more offensive rebounds (10-4). However, the fifth seeded Warriors had more total rebounds (23-17), assists (16-3), steals (3-2), blocks (3-2), and charges (2-0). Middlesex was only 2 of 14 from the floor in the first half, and didn't get into double figures scoring wise until midway through the third when it trailed by a score of 35-10. Manasquan shot 10 of 19 overall from the field in the first half as Vadas scored 15 of his points on 6 of 11 shots including 3 of 7 from three.

Vadas scored 11 of his points in the first period including three treys in the final 1:26 of the frame as the visitors from the Shore Conference jumped out to a 19-2 lead. Manasquan drew first blood on a layup off an assist by Vadas just seconds into the game. Adam Wells (a point and 4 rebounds) had a chance to get Middlesex even, but missed both free throws at the 7:05 mark. A little more than a minute later, Vadas scored on a layup for a 4-0 lead at the 5:54 mark. The Jays finally got on the board at the 4:50 mark when Barnes drove in, and kicked out to Chris Winkleman (2 points, a rebound, and an assist) for a jumper from the left wing to cut the deficit in half at 4-2. Lutrino would respond right away though with a three from the left wing for a 7-2 Manasquan lead with 4:36 left in the period.

Lutrino would strike again with another three at the 2:16 mark for a 10-2 advantage as Middlesex called for a 30 second timeout. Following the stoppage, Vadas took over with a three from the left wing at the 1:26 mark, another trey from way deep on the right wing at the 37.3 second mark, and then a steal for a third three with just over a second left in the first for a 19-2 advantage. Manasquan had five threes and two layups in the period while limiting Middlesex to a meager field goal. In the second period, Manasquan was content with taking time off the clock while still outscoring the Jays by a 6-2 margin. Vadas added a layup at the 4:00 mark, and another at the 2:42 mark while Chris Fuscoletti (2 points and 2 rebounds) accounted for the lone Middlesex score in the second.

The Blue Jays started the second half with some life as John Santoro (3 points, 2 rebounds, and an assist) drove in for a layup, and Mayers got a bucket as he was fouled at the 6:33 mark. Despite all of that though, Middlesex still trailed 27-8. Then, Manasquan put the game away with an 8-2 spurt over the next 2:31 including threes by Lutrino and Ryan Casey for a commanding 35-10 lead. Mayers got the only points for the Jays during this stretch to wrap up his scoring for the night. Barnes then ended the third period scoring for MHS with a basket and a foul at the 1:26 mark, and a reverse layup off a pass from Santoro at the 1:15 mark for a 36-14 Manasquan lead.

The Warriors finished off the win with an 8-1 run over a span of 4:07 for a 44-15 lead with 5:08 left in the fourth. Vadas closed out his night with two field goals during the run. The reserves for both teams took over from there as Middlesex ended the contest with a 9-2 spurt for the 46-24 final score. With the victory, Manasquan improves to 20-7 overall, and advances to the semifinal round of the CJ Group II Tournament where they will face top seeded Willingboro, which squeaked past eighth seeded Snyder (47-46) in another quarterfinal. Middlesex ended its season at 17-8. Analysis will be forthcoming in the blog.

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