East Brunswick Falls To Mid-Jersey Heat At Rebounds On Monday Night

Note: Get the latest update to the GMC News section, which includes info on Vince Rosario's transfer to Central Connecticut State, and Steve Brandenburg's commitment to UConn.

On Monday night, the fourth week of action took place at the 2008 Rebounds Fall League in Neptune. After winning their opening night contest over St. John Vianney, the Bears of East Brunswick fell for the third straight week, but again not without a fight. Despite giving up considerable size down low, and playing in an uptempo game that played more to their opponent's strengths, East Brunswick battled to pull within five or six points on several occasions in the game, but ended up losing by nine to the Mid-Jersey Heat, 54-45. Details on this and last week's loss to Neptune, are being worked on, and will be out later this week along with more news stories from around the GMC.

Middlesex's Stockton To Attend Albright While St. Joe's Konopacki To Play Volleyball At Ramapo

Note: See the most recent updates to the GMC News section and the blog.

Within the past week, GMC Hoops has learned that Middlesex senior guard, John Stockton has committed to play basketball for Division III Albright College of the Commonwealth Conference while St. Joseph's guard, Paul Konopacki, has made a commitment to play volleyball at Division III Ramapo College of the New Jersey Athletic Conference. In addition, the web site has news on New Brunswick starting up a Middle School program next season as well as an update on three Piscataway juniors, who have made important contributions to the Central Jersey Jammers AAU team this spring.

East Brunswick Hangs Tough, But It Isn't Enough As Neptune Proves To Be Too Much At Rebounds

Note: See the most recent updates to the GMC News section and the blog.

On Monday night, the third week of action, had East Brunswick taking on Neptune in the GMC Hoops featured game of the evening. Despite a game effort by the Bears that saw them rally to within twelve at 37-25 after trailing early on in the first half by a 26-7 margin, East Brunswick fell behind eventually by twenty points at 54-34 midway in the second half, and lost to Neptune, 68-55. Junior Nick Navara put on a fine show with great shooting from the perimeter including at least four or five threes (didn't keep track of stats). Fellow juniors Dustin Schuld, Alec Mayo, and Mauro Tucci also contributed in the losing cause. EB is now 1-2 on the spring after GMC Hoops learned from Rebounds that Point Boro did indeed emege victorious last Monday. Details on EB's latest loss will be out later.

Week Three Of 2008 Rebounds Spring League On Monday Night

Note: See the most recent updates to the GMC News section and the blog.

On Monday night, the third week of action will take place at the 2008 Rebounds Spring League at the Rebounds facility in Neptune, New Jersey. Once again, East Brunswick will be in action with perhaps its toughest test of the Spring yet. In the 9:00 PM round of games, the Bears will face off against Neptune, a finalist in the 2008 Central Jersey Group III State Tournament this past season.

First GMC News Update Of May

Note: There have been three more entries posted in the blog including one on the start of the 2008 Raritan Bay Summer League in South Amboy, which is scheduled for May 19th.

The third week of action in the 2008 Rebounds Spring League will take place on Monday night, and GMC Hoops plans to be there to cover the action. In the meantime, the web site has just posted two more articles in the GMC News section. The first is one from Friday, and it concerns former J.P. Stevens standout, Andrew Biancosino, and how he became a bright spot in a very difficult season for FDU-Florham. Another one, posted on Saturday, is about two other former GMC players, John Byrne of East Brunswick and Biancosino's teammate at Stevens, Ryan Washington, who both made key contributions to Montclair State's fine season that included a berth in the 2008 NJAC semifinals.

East Brunswick Edged By Point Pleasant Boro In Overtime At Rebounds On Monday Night, 52-51

Note: GMC Hoops has learned that Colonia senior, Jeff Mentzel, will be attending Ramapo College in the fall. See details in the GMC News section.

In the second night of action at the Rebounds Spring League, the 8:00 PM contest over on the Nets court was plagued in the second half by errors by the scoreboard operator, but it didn't ruin what ended up being a fiercely competitive game between East Brunswick and Point Boro. EB had taken a 28-20 halftime lead, and led by as many as nine in the second half before Point Pleasant Boro, which lost to Monroe in the opening round of the 2008 Central Jersey Group III State Tournament, embarked on a crucial 13-0 tear over a 6:20 span to take a 42-38 lead with 7:36 to play in regulation. Capping the rally was a unconventional four point play at the 7:36 mark of the second half.

However, like they did in the second half in their opener last Monday against St. John Vianney of Holmdel, the Bears showed determination and fortitude with an 8-4 showing over the final 7:36 to knot the game at 46-46 on a three pointer by junior Alec Mayo. Then, in the extra session, fellow junior, Kevin Johnson took in a pass in the left side, and connected on a jumper to open the scoring for a 48-46 lead with 1:29 left. Following a trey from the right wing at the 1:08 mark, and then another subsequent score by Point Boro, EB junior, Nick Navara connected for a three pointer from deep with 11.3 remaining to tie the contest up at 51-51.

Unfortunately, Point Pleasant Boro, which competes in the Shore Conference Class B South Division, pulled out the win with a free throw in the waning moments, and Mayo's last minute shot from about 35 feet struck the front of the rim as the Panthers came away with the 52-51 win. Despite falling to 1-1 overall on the spring, East Brunswick has played quite competitively against solid competition from the Shore. In other action from the league on Monday night, Lakewood remained undefeated in Division A by winning a closely contested contest with Manasquan, 64-60. Details now available in the blog.

2008 Rebounds Spring League Resumes On Monday Night

Note: See what former St. Peter's standout, Billy Leahy is now doing at Division III Widener in Pennsylvania in the GMC News section.

The second week of action is taking place in the 2008 Rebounds Spring League at the Rebounds facility in Neptune on Monday night. East Brunswick takes on Point Pleasant Boro of the Shore Conference at 8:00 PM on the Nets Court. Last week, the Bears won their opener with a second half rally for a one point victory over St. John Vianney.

Former GMC Standouts Doing Quite Well At College Level

Note: See the complete list of former GMC standouts currently on rosters for Division I and Division II colleges in the blog.

GMC Hoops continues to follow up on former and current GMC players that have done, or are doing well. On Sunday, the web site posted articles on four former GMC players contributing to the success of Stonehill College in Massachusetts, Sean Baptiste's solid season at FDU despite the Knights struggles, Kyan Hines making the roster at Division II St. Augustine's of the CIAA, and former South Brunswick standout, Dan Stokus' steady development at NJIT. See all details as well as other recent articles in the GMC News section.

Even More GMC News

Note: GMC Hoops is looking for information on college commitments by GMC players. See details in the blog.

GMC Hoops has just posted four more news articles concerning commitments by graduating seniors from the GMC as well as follow-ups on former conference standouts at the college level. Mark Simko of South Amboy is attending Richard Stockton College in the fall while South Plainfield's Shamai Santiago walked on to Division II powerhouse, Gannon University in Pennsylvania. In addition, another SPHS standout, Matt Bazsika turned in a fine effort at Division III Albright College out of Reading Pennsylvania this past season while Perth Amboy's Jermaine Clark continued to be a key cog off the bench for Division II St. Rose in Albany, New York. See all details as well as other recent articles in the GMC News section.

Piscataway's White Heading To Southern Connecticut State While Former NBHS Standout Watson Making Waves At Williamson

Note: Piscataway is looking to get its Freshmen and JV teams into holiday tournaments next season. See details in the GMC News section. Greg Machos has posted an article in the blog regarding the things that always make the GMCBCA Senior All-Star Game special. See details.

GMC Hoops continues to work on the news section of the web site by adding several more articles to it. Stories include the announcement that Piscataway gridiron and basketball standout, James White will be attending Southern Connecticut State University in the fall, and former New Brunswick High School talent, Davar Watson making a huge splash at Williamson Trade School in Pennsylvania. Missed yesterday's news stories, no problem, you can see them here. For other news articles, visit the GMC News section.

Another GMC News Update

Note: Greg Machos has posted an article in the blog regarding the things that always make the GMCBCA Senior All-Star Game special. See details.

GMC Hoops continues to work on the news section of the web site by adding several more articles to it. Stories include the phenomenal season completed by Middlesex County College as well as on former St. Joe's standout and Sayreville native, Lamar Fisher making strides in his freshman campaign at Cabrini College. There is also news on South Amboy's Larry Lenahan, who will be attending Centenary College in Hackettstown this fall. For other news articles, visit the GMC News section.

EB Begins Journey Toward 2008-09 On Right Foot With Come From Behind Win Over Vianney, 54-53

Note: Greg Machos has posted an article in the blog regarding the things that always make the GMCBCA Senior All-Star Game special. See details.

The first night of action took place at the 2008 Rebounds Spring League in Neptune on Monday night with East Brunswick taking on St. John Vianney of Holmdel in the first set of games held at 7:00 PM. In this battle against a formidable Shore Conference foe, the Bears trailed by as many as 18 points at the 13:38 mark of the second half (39-21) before rallying from behind with a 33-14 surge including 11 points on three treys and two free throws by junior guard, Dustin Schuld, 9 points on three treys from another junior guard, Alec Mayo, and two clutch jumpers by Nick Navara over the final 1:32 to win the game, 54-53. See details on this game as well as another contest from Monday night's action in the blog.

2008 Rebounds Spring League Kicks Off Monday Night

The off-season leagues and team camps kicks off on Monday Night when the first night of action in the 2008 Rebounds Spring League takes place at the Rebounds facility in Neptune, New Jersey. Only one team, East Brunswick, is competing from the GMC out of the 20 teams that are participating. See details in the blog.

Dark Team Wins In Overtime Behind Burwell And Uszenski, 96-94

Note: On Friday, Colonia's Brandon Hall is expected to sign a Letter of Intent to play basketball at St. Peter's College of Jersey City this coming fall. See details as well as the story on Bishop Ahr senior Mike Williamson's plans to attend William Paterson in the updated GMC News section. Some video highlights from Thursday night's GMCBCA Senior All-Star Game have been posted in the blog. I continue working on the 2008 GMC Hoops Awards, and I've added some more categories this year. However, I'm not going to commit on a date for when the awards will appear. My goal is to get them up much sooner than I did last year's or the year before.

It was a fitting finale to the 2007-08 GMC Boys Basketball season as 30 of the best seniors that the Greater Middlesex Conference has to offer came together at Perth Amboy High School on Thursday night for the 2008 GMCBCA Senior All-Star Game. Behind another hot shooting performance by game MVP, Kevin Uszenski of Bishop Ahr, the Dark Team had built up what appeared to be a commanding 80-66 lead with about eight minutes to go in the game.

However, the Light Team, led by South Brunswick senior swingman, Arman Wilson, who scored a game high 22 points on ten field goals and two free throws, rallied with a 24-10 surge down the stretch in regulation to tie the contest at 90-90 with 26 seconds to play. After the Dark Team called for a timeout with 18 seconds to play to prevent a turnover at the hands of the Light team's pressure, Brandon Hall failed to connect on a last second jumper, and the two squads went into the extra session still tied at 90 apiece.

In the overtime, Wilson netted two free throws just twelve seconds in for a 92-90 lead with 1:48 left. Exactly fifty seconds later, Mike Burwell, who scored all six of the Dark Team's points in the extra period, knotted the game back up with a layup for a 92-92 tie at the 58 second mark. Then, a bit more than 30 seconds later, Burwell drained a three pointer from the right wing for a 95-92 lead with 25 seconds to go. Mark Simko got his only field goal of the game on a drive through the paint to pull the Light Team within one again at 95-94 with 13 seconds to go. However, the Dark Team was able to put the game away as Burwell made one of two at the line with just two seconds to play, and J.D. Griggs last second heave from midcourt fell short for the 96-94 Dark Team win.

For the game, Burwell ended up with 11 points total on two field goals and a three pointer as well as a 4 of 6 effort from the line. Uszenski had three treys and two field goals including a follow for a jam that drew the biggest roar from the crowd with about twelve minutes to go in the second half for a 72-63 lead. Sayreville's Ricky Harding added 10 points on two threes and two field goals while Carteret's Byron Merricks showed some scoring punch with 10 as wel on three field goals, a trey, and a free throw. Paul Konopacki added 9 points with some high flying athleticism that led to three field goals including two for conventional three point plays, and 3 of 4 from the line. JFK's Will Roman had 8 points on four field goals while Ahr's Mike Williamson, who according to his father, Jerry, will be attending William Paterson next fall, added 8 as well on two threes and a field goal.

Meanwhile, the scoring leaders for the Light Team were Wilson with his 22 points, Woodbridge's Anthony Graham, who had 15 points on three field goals, a three pointer, and 6 of 7 from the line including three foul shots after being fouled on a three point attempt with 5:52 left that capped a 13-1 tear to close the gap to just 81-79, South Amboy's Larry Lenahan with his 10 points on five field goals, Perth Amboy's Edwin Guerra, who added eight points on four field goals, Piscataway's James White also added 8 points on two field goals, a three pointer, and one of two from the line. Barry Holmes of Edison also helped out with 6 points on a field goal, a three pointer, and 1 of 2 free throws.

For the first 13:53 of the game, there were a total of eight lead changes and four ties with neither team taking a lead larger than three points. However, after falling behind 26-24 at the 8:07 mark on a pair of free throws by Graham, the Dark Team embarked on a key 7-0 stretch over a span of just 58 seconds to take a 31-26 lead. Highlighting the run was a three point play by Konopacki for a 31-26 lead at the 7:09 mark. Then, after Lenahan scored on a layup off a nice feed at the 4:54 mark that pulled the Light Team within three again, Roman took over with all eight of his points during a 12-4 tear over a 3:29 stretch that pushed the Dark Team advantage to 47-34 with 1:25 to go in the opening half.

With both teams exchanging baskets for a 49-36 score at halftime, the Light Team jumped out to a quick start in half number two with a 25-14 surge over the first 7:24 to close to within a basket at 63-61 with 14:36 to go in regulation. Highlighting the rally were several key spurts including a 7-2 run to start the half that included two more free throws from Graham for a 51-43 at the 20:19 mark, a 6-2 burst that pulled the Light Team to within four at 57-53 before a reverse layup by Brandon Hall and a subsequent block by Burwell on Lenahan at about the 15:57 mark, and then an 8-4 spurt capped by a John Stockton layup off an assist by Simko for the 63-61 score.

But, then, the Dark Team went on a key 7-0 outburst that included an Alex Cacoilo layup and a trey by Merricks for a 70-61 lead with 13:05 to go. Uszenski then scored seven points including his crowd pleasing follow along with a three pointer and a layup over the next 3:16 to build the advantage to eleven at 77-66 with 9:49 to go. A short time later, another three was registered by the Dark Team for the largest lead of the game. Overall, there were 10 lead changes and 6 ties in the contest. After the Light Team rallied to pull within a basket with just under six minutes to play, the Dark Team seemed to have the showcase game in their grasp with a pivotal 7-2 run that included a Williamson jumper, and another trey by Uszenski for a seven point, 88-81 edge with just about two minutes to go.

However, the Light Team, which showed tremendous resilience throughout despite falling short, fought back again with a 9-2 rally to close out regulation play. White sparked the comeback with a three pointer from the left wing at the 1:40 mark to make the score 88-84. Omar Smith then scored off an offensive rebound and follow off a missed shot by Griggs for an 88-86. Then, after a Mike Williamson score in the paint for a 90-86 lead, the Light Team tied the contest with the next four points including a Arman Wilson layup that tied the game at 90-90 with about a half minute left in the second half.

GMC Hoops shot video of this game so there was no stats taken. These games are always fast paced, which makes it hard to compile stats so shooting the video was a better idea. The scoring numbers here were right out of the scorebook. Hopefully, we'll have some video highlights soon for all to enjoy.

GMC News Update

Note: I continue working on the 2008 GMC Hoops Awards, and I've added some more categories this year. However, I'm not going to commit on a date for when the awards will appear. My goal is to get them up much sooner than I did last year's or the year before.

GMC Hoops has received a number of requests to post information regarding a number of different leagues and showcase events that are taking place throughout the course of the off-season including a number of summer leagues. All the info has been posted in the recently updated GMC News section. See details.

Tonight's The Night--GMCBCA Senior All-Star Game At Amboy

Note: I continue working on the 2008 GMC Hoops Awards, and I've added some more categories this year. However, I'm not going to commit on a date for when the awards will appear. My goal is to get them up much sooner than I did last year's or the year before.

The final act of the Greater Middlesex Conference Girls and Boys Basketball seasons will take place tonight at Perth Amboy High School with the playing of the GMCBCA Senior All-Star Games. The games will be a doubleheader that is scheduled to start at 6:00 PM. GMC Hoops will be covering this event for only the third time in its history. See details.

2008 GMCBCA Senior All-Star Game Rosters Now Available

Note: I continue working on the 2008 GMC Hoops Awards, and I've added some more categories this year. However, I'm not going to commit on a date for when the awards will appear. My goal is to get them up much sooner than I did last year's or the year before.

They're in! GMC Hoops has just received the rosters for both teams in this year's GMCBCA Senior All-Star Game, which is scheduled to take place on Thursday night at Perth Amboy High School. Special thanks to Cardinal McCarrick head coach, Joe Lewis, for providing the web site with the information on not only the rosters, but the game itself. See details.

2008 GMCBCA Senior All-Star Game Update

Note: I continue working on the 2008 GMC Hoops Awards, and I've added some more categories this year. However, I'm not going to commit on a date for when the awards will appear. My goal is to get them up much sooner than I did last year's or the year before.

GMC Hoops has an update on the situation with the upcoming GMCBCA Senior All-Star Game, which is rapidly approaching. On Thursday night, April 17th, the game will take place in Perth Amboy. See the latest update on the situation with this game. In addition, there is news on the 2008 Rebounds Spring League, which has been rescheduled to start on April 21st. See details.

2008 GMCBCA Senior All-Star Game Set For April 17th

Note: I continue working on the 2008 GMC Hoops Awards, and I've added some more categories this year. However, I'm not going to commit on a date for when the awards will appear. My goal is to get them up much sooner than I did last year's or the year before.

Good news everyone! I have received word about the status of the 2008 GMCBCA Senior All-Star Game. The game has been scheduled for Thursday night, April 17th at Perth Amboy High School. See details in the GMC Hoops Blogosphere. In addition, read some more entries that I've put in the blog since I last updated the home page. Articles include a salute to Cardinal McCarrick's Mike Burwell, a story on St. Joseph's solid run in the 2008 GMCT, and thoughts on the NCAA Final Four.

I also have information on the 2008 Rebounds Spring League, which, believe it or not, starts next Monday night.

GMC Hoops Site Update--Blogging Away

Note: I have been working on the 2008 GMC Hoops Awards, and I'm making progress. However, I'm not going to commit on a date for when the awards will appear. My goal is to get them up much sooner than I did last year's or the year before. Also, I've been getting e-mails with questions on when the GMCBCA Senior All-Star Game is being held. Frankly, I do not know, and you'll be surprised to find that a number of coaches don't know either. See details.

I've been working a ton on putting up articles with thoughts on the year gone by in the GMC Hoops Blogosphere. I've got a number of articles on Piscataway including a comparison between the 1994 and 2008 teams, a salute to the P-Way seniors, the future of Chiefs basketball, and how this year's Chiefs took a page from the 2007 South Brunswick Vikings. There are also some video highlights from Piscataway's win over Linden in the North Jersey Section 2 Group IV Championship Game. In addition, GMC Hoops also took time to salute Colonia's point guard, Brandon Hall as well as the rest of the Patriots for their fine season despite some difficulties. The web site also looked back on the phenomena that was Guvmania in 2007-08 as well as paid tribute to the seniors on Middlesex High School's Basketball team.

Read about how this year's Cardinal McCarrick's team stacks up against the 2003 and 2005 Cardy Mac squads, and see if this year's Eagles were indeed the best ever at the school. I also wrote up a blog entry on my busted brackets for the NCAA Tournament, which will draw a laugh from a lot of you. Many more write-ups for the month of March can be found in the General section of the blog.

Rancocas Valley Puts An End To The Piscataway Dream, 55-43

Note: Stats from Sunday's Group IV State Championship between Piscataway and Rancocas Valley, and Group I State Championship between Salem and Science Park have been posted. You can view them in the GMC Hoops Game Stats section. Take a look at the GMC Hoops Honors section for the awards given the past two weeks for Player of the Week, Game of the Week, and Team of the Week (GMC Profile). Also, view the final GMC Hoops Trophy Standings as well as the past winners of the award. View the last scores, stats, final standings, conference standings, schedules, and other data to view in the GMC Info section, and review the GMCT in the GMC History section. You may also want to check out the predictions page to compare how GMC Hoops Pre-Season Projections finally worked out for all the teams. The RSS Feed has also been updated with latest links to articles.

On a cold, blustery, and windy day that is typical of early March, the Piscataway Chiefs were looking to make history on Championship Sunday at the Rutgers Athletic Center. Seeking its first state title since 1994, and its second all time, P-Way took on Rancocas Valley of Mount Holly and the Burlington County Scholastic League in the Group IV State Championship. Despite the fact that junior forward, and game MVP for P-Way, Tristian Benjamin made three of five shots for six of the Chiefs' eight first quarter points, Rancocas Valley was 2 of 3 from three point range, and led by a score of 12-8 after one. Points continued to be at a premium in the second quarter as the Red Devils, which were the Central Jersey Group IV Champions, and handily defeated Atlantic City in the other state semifinal, 67-43, edged the Chiefs 10-9 for a 22-17 halftime lead. At the half, both teams shot fairly equally, but the Devils made two more three pointers, and three more free throws for the five point lead. Those two areas would ultimately play a piovtal role in the game's outcome.

In the third quarter, Piscataway turned up the heat, and played more like it had done in the North Jersey Section 2 Group IV State Tournament with an aggression, and fire that had characterized their story book drive to the title. The Chiefs outscored Rancocas by a 17-10 margin including a 10-0 run highlighted by a Bryan Waluk baseline drive off a Benjamin skip pass, a Benjamin rebound and coast to coast layup, an offensive rebound and assist by Benjamin on a short shot by Aaron Hush, and then capped by a J.D. Griggs putback off a Benjamin miss for a 27-22 lead. Piscataway had scored as many points in the third as it had done in the entire first half to take a 34-32 lead after only leading twice in the first half at 2-0 and 13-12. However, in the fourth, the Red Devils surged to victory with a 23-9 showing as they gained the state championship via the foul line, where the Burlington County school made 26 of 32 shots for the game for 81.3 percent. Meanwhile, the Chiefs were only 5 of 9 for 55.6 percent. Add that to the fact that P-Way was only 2 of 13 from long distance versus 3 of 10 for the Devils, and you have the makings for an upset.

After Piscataway had pulled within one at 37-36 on a Waluk drive and dish to Griggs with about five minutes and change left in the contest, Rancocas Valley, which had lost in the Central Jersey Group IV sectional semifinals to South Brunswick in 2007, closed out the win with a 18-7 tear that included two pairs of free throws from senior 6'7" center Larry Awosanya at the 2:42 and 50 second marks respectively for all four of his points in the game. Junior forward, Mike Bersch led all scorers with 20 points on five field goals including 2 of 5 from three point land, and a perfect 8 of 8 at the line to go along with 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 blocks, and a steal. Senior point guard, Mustafa El-Amin, the Devils game MVP, chipped in with 12 points on two field goals, and 8 of 9 FTs as well as 8 rebounds and 5 assists. See stats from this contest.

In the second game of the afternoon, the Salem Rams gave Science Park of Newark all it could handle in the first half of their Group I State Championship as they only trailed by one point at 38-37. However, the Chargers, which defeated Schalick (69-66) and Seton Hall's Paul Gause in the state final back in 2005, surged in the second half with a 22-10 showing in the third, and a 17-11 effort in the fourth to pull away for the 77-58 victory.

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