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GMC Hoops Summaries--February 12, 2010
Week Eight--Prime Time Shootout

Ridge Breaks Away In Middle Periods For Win Over Monroe, 79-59

By Greg Machos
February 12, 2010

UNION, NJ--To tip off the weekend of top rated high school basketball at the 2010 Prime Time Shootout, Monroe of the GMC's White Division was taking on Ridge from the Delaware West Division of the Skyland Conference in the opener that took place early Friday evening. The Purple Birds entered the contest on a 13 game winning streak after losing to New Brunswick on January 2nd. Meanwhile, Ridge, which defeated another GMC White team earlier this season when it downed Colonia (52-49) in the opening round of the Len Sepanak Tournament on December 26th, was also coming in hot with eight straight wins.

Something had to give, and it did as Ridge broke away from a 19-15 first quarter lead with a 37-22 advantage over the middle two periods for a 56-37 lead, and eventually went on to win 79-59 at Kean University's Harwood Arena. The Red Devils, which won the Skyland Delaware West Division for the third straight year, got its 79 points on 26 field goals, six threes, and nine free throws while Monroe got its 59 points on 13 field goals, seven threes, and 12 foul shots. Ridge outscored Monroe in each of the four periods played. The Red Devils had 12 players get into the game with eight of them scoring while Monroe had 11 players compete in the contest with nine of them scoring. Ridge, which earned the second seed in the 2010 Somerset County Tourney, had four players score in double figures while Monroe had only two.

Junior 6'7" forward, Tom Gambino, tied teammate and senior guard/forward, Andrew Madlinger with 16 points. However, Gambino earned game MVP honors for his team as he made seven field goals, and two free throws. He also pulled down eight boards. Madlinger had five field goals and two threes for his 16 while Christian Frisoli added 12 points on two field goals, two threes, and two free throws. Nick Cefalo, a standout in football during the fall sports season, came up with triple double as he scored 10 points on two field goals and two threes while grabbing 11 rebounds, and handing out 10 assists. Cefalo recorded a double-double of 12 points and 10 assists in the victory over Colonia in the Sepanak Tourney. Sophomore guard, Dylan Kerwin also contributed with nine points with three field goals and three foul shots while junior Connor Skea made four field goals for 8 points.

The Falcons were led by senior guard/forward, Timmy Brix, who earned his team's game MVP honors with 14 points on five field goals and four free throws. Younger brother, Danny, a sophomore, also chipped in with double figure scoring as he had 10 points on two threes, a field goal, and two free throws. Kenny Pace and Ahmid Williams each had 9 points on two field goals, a three pointer, and two foul shots. Monroe had earned the second seed in the 2010 GMCT earlier in the day after winning the rough and tumble GMC White Division for its first divisional title in school history. The Falcons gave up the most points it had given up all season, but they had very little time to get ready for the contest with only one practice (for one hour) to prepare in the previous nine days. In addition, it was Monroe's first experience in the showcase game atmosphere while Ridge had already played in the Coalition to House the Homeless in Elizabeth and the Dan Finn Classic.

GMC Hoops picked up the action with 3:30 to go in the third period, and the game already well in Ridge's hands. The Red Devils were ahead 47-28 at that point when Williams stepped up to the line, and made two free throws for a 47-30 Ridge lead. Cefalo then responded with a three pointer at the 3:15 mark for a 50-30 Red Devils lead. Zach Batchelor (three pointer and a foul shot for 4 points) sank a three from the right corner at the 2:47 mark for a 50-33 score. Skea gave Ridge a 52-33 lead with a score at the 2:26 mark, but when the Red Devils tried to increase the lead, Pace drew a charge on Madlinger at the 1:56 mark. Danny Brix then connected on a three pointer from the left wing to close the gap at 52-36 with 1:40 to play in the period.

Monroe then had an opportunity to get closer, but Skea drew a charge on Timmy Brix at the 1:09 mark, and Cefalo converted the turnover with a field goal for a 54-36 lead at the one minute mark of the third. Danny Brix then made one of two from the line for a 54-37 Ridge lead with 49.5 seconds left, but Gambino made two free throws of his own with 8.1 seconds left in the period for a 56-37 lead. In the fourth period, both teams combined to score 45 points with Ridge getting a slight edge. The Red Devils opened the period with a 6-5 run over the first 2:40 for a 62-42 lead with 5:20 left. Ridge maintained that lead as both teams scored seven points for a 69-49 score with three minutes to play. Madlinger scored all seven points for RHS on a three pointer and two field goals.

Both teams ended the game by scoring ten points each for the 79-59 final score. With the victory, Ridge improved to 16-3 overall on the season while Monroe dropped to 17-3 overall. The Red Devils won their ninth straight, and were scheduled to play Franklin in the Somerset County Tournament Quarterfinals. Meanwhile, Monroe was set to play Spotswood on Monday afternoon and Franklin on Tuesday. Video highlights and analysis will be forthcoming in the blog.

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