No. 7 Perth Amboy Battles From Behind To Avenge Loss To No. 5

No. 7 Perth Amboy Battles
From Behind To Avenge Loss To
No. 5 South Brunswick
PERTH AMBOY – Not known as a perimeter shooting team and
facing a lot of zone defenses, Perth Amboy must find other
ways to win.
Playing air-tight defense, scoring in transition and
rebounding the ball with a vengeance on both ends of the floor
was the formula the Panthers used on Tuesday night in posting
a 37-34 victory over South Brunswick in a GMC Red Division
clash.
South Brunswick called a timeout with eight seconds left
trailing by three, but a contested 3-pointer was off the mark
at the buzzer from the left side as Perth Amboy completed the
come-from-behind victory.
Perth Amboy held the Vikings to four points in the fourth
quarter and scoreless in the session until 1:30 remained.
The Panthers (9-8), No. 7 in The Authority Sports Top 10, won
their fourth game in a row and avenged a one-point loss
earlier in the season to the fifth-ranked Vikings (11-5).
South Brunswick played without its leading scorer in Jack
Engel (foot) and played its eighth straight game without
starter Terrence Wong (knee). Perth Amboy played without parttime starter Ethon Diaz (hand).
Nate Melendez, a 6-5 senior, posted 10 points and eight
rebounds for Amboy, while 6-6 senior John Wahrmann finished
with eight points and 14 rebounds, including seven offensive.
Wahrmann had all eight of his points in the second half and
nine of his rebounds. Carlos Done, a 6-4 senior, also scored
eight points for Amboy, while Eric Savage scored 15 for South
Brunswick.
Perth Amboy out-rebounded South Brunswick 41-18. There was
solid defense played on both ends as South Brunswick wound up
4 of 20 from 3-point range, while Amboy was 1 of 12.
South Brunswick played a series of zone defenses after the
first quarter and never trailed as it took a 30-26 lead into
the fourth quarter. The Vikings had led by as many as eight in
the second quarter.
With 4:39 left in the game, Amboy took its first lead, 32-30,
as Johnny Jones turned his fourth steal into an easy hoop.
After Melendez gave Amboy a three-point lead with one foul
shot, followed by a missed one-and-one by South Brunswick,
Wahrmann scored from down low for a five-point cushion with
just under 2:00 left.
Savage ended South Brunswick’s scoring drought with one foul
shot to make it a four-point Amboy with 1:30 left, but two
foul shots by Done made it 37-31 with 20 seconds left.
On the other end, Ryan Moran nailed his second 3-pointer as
South Brunswick trailed 37-34 with 20 seconds left.
After Amboy missed a one-and-one, but South Brunswick could
not take advantage.
Perth Amboy hurt itself from the line, shooting 6 of 16. South
Brunswick was 6 of 9.
SOUTH BRUNSWICK (34): Garrett 1-0-2. Savage 4-(1)-4-15, Ugarte
3-1-7, Nally 0-(1)-0-3, Dugger 0-1-1, Moran 0-(2)-0-6,
Pietrefesa 0-0-0, Thirukumaran 0-0-0. Totals 8-(4)-6-34.
PERTH AMBOY (37): Done 1-(1)-3-8, Jones 2-1-5, Griggs 1-0-2,
Melendez 4-2-10, Wahrmann 4-0-8, Robles 1-0-2, Rivera 1-0-2,
Hannah 0-0-0. Totals 14-(1)-6-37
SOUTH BRUNSWICK (11-5): 12 10 8 4 –34
PERTH AMBOY (8-7): 10 6 10 11 –37
REBOUNDS
PERTH AMBOY: 41 (30 defensive, 11 offensive)
Perrh Amboy coach Edwin
Santana (right) with Joe
Hoehman of South Brunswick
before the game
Wahrmann 14 (7 offensive)
Melendez 8 (2 offensive)
Done 5 (1 offensive)
Jones 5 (1 offensive)
Robles 4
Griggs 3
Rivera 1
Hannah 1
SOUTH BRUNSWICK: 18 (15 defensive, 5 offensive)
Dugger 4 (2 offensive)
Savage 4
Garrett 3 (1 offensive)
Ugarte 2 (1 offensive)
Pietrefesa 2 (1 offensive)
Moran 2
Nally 1
TURNOVERS
PERTH AMBOY: 17
SOUTH BRUNSWICK: 9
FREE THROW SHOOTING
PERTH AMBOY: 6 of 16
SOUTH BRUNSWICK: 6 of 9
3-POINT SHOOTING
PERTH AMBOY: 1 of 12
SOUTH BRUNSWICK: 4 of 20
BIGGEST LEADS
PERTH AMBOY: 6
SOUTH BRUNSWICK: 8
TIES: 2
LEAD CHANGES: 1
FACES IN THE CROWD
Former Perth Amboy
great Jermaine Clark
was at the game
Jermaine Clark
Neptune Cardona
Ronnie Holled
Steve Rubin
LaVerne Green
Greg Machos
Eric Lemberakis
Dan Berdia
Boys Basketball For Tuesday,
Feb. 3: St. Joseph, Colonia
Clinch Titles
SCORES
Dunellen 63, Highland Park 40
East Brunswick Tech 54, Somerset Tech 32
St. Joseph 61, East Brunswick 57
Old Bridge 48, Piscataway 34
Perth Amboy 37, South Brunswick 34
Sayreville 47, Stevens 44
Woodbridge 56, New Brunswick 53
Edison 68, South Plainfield 45
Colonia 62, Monroe 47
McCarrick 45, American History 41
EAST BRUNSWICK — Guard Breein Tyree, a major Division 1
prospect with close to 10 offers as a junior, finished with a
career-high 33 points, which included six 3-pointers, to lead
St. Joseph, No. 1 in The Authority Sports Top 10, to a 61-57
victory over No. 4 East Brunswick to clinch the Red Division
title of the GMC before a large gathering in East Brunswick on
Tuesday.
St. Joseph (12-2) captured its second straight division title
and fifth in the last six years (2010-11 was a three-way tie).
The Falcons, who beat East Brunswick (10-5) for the second
time this season, won their 36th straight game against
Middlesex County competition and its 26th straight against the
division.
Branislav Vujadnovic of St. Joe’s driving to the hole
against Mike Vick (Photo by Cliff Ross)
Tyree, who also posted seven rebounds, seven assists and five
steals, was on fire all night, especially early on, as he hit
three 3-pointers and added a slam dunk in the opening quarter
when the Falcons jumped to an 18-13 lead.
The athletic one from Somerset finished the first half with 23
points on five 3’s as the Falcons led 35-23, then St. Joseph
took a 47-38 lead heading into the fourth quarter.
But East Brunswick was not about to back down. Catching St.
Joe’s on a cold streak and rebounding the ball, the Bears
crept to within 54-53 with 3:27 left when Addis Ralph and Alex
Fitzgerald finished off a 13-2 run with back-to-back 3’s as
the home crowd was on its feet, going wild.
Things went back and forth from there and with just over 1:00
left, East Brunswick had possession trailing by one and its
first chance to take the lead, but was off the mark on a
contested three.
Tyree then made one of two foul shots with 14 seconds left for
a two-point lead. East Brunswick had a chance to tie or take
the lead, but a jumper from the lane was off the mark with
five seconds left.
Branislav Vujadanovic then made two free throws to shape the
final score.
Vujadanovic added 14 points for St. Joseph, Marcus Ashamole
finished with 10 points and nine rebounds. Mike Vick and
Fitzgerald led EB with 14, Ralph finished with 12 and Matt
Ross had seven.
St. Joseph outscored East Brunswick from the foul line, 9-1.
COLONIA 62, MONROE 47
Jodrell
Thompson
COLONIA — Colonia broke open a close game after halftime and
went on to lead by as many as 27 points to win its 12th game
in a row and capture the White Division title of the GMC.
Colonia (14-2), unbeaten in 2015, captured its first division
title since 2007-08.
Colonia, unbeaten within the GMC, led 17-16 after the first
quarter before going up by nine at the half and by 21 after
three quarters.
Jodrell Thompson led a balanced attack with 15 points, Pat
Nagiub had 12 and Trevor Bevilcqua had 10. Monroe fell to
10-5, including 0-2 vs. Colonia.
NO. 7 PERTH AMBOY 37, NO. 5 SOUTH BRUNSWICK 34
PERTH AMBOY — I was in the house for this Red Division clash.
I will have a full game report with stats, pictures, videos
and Faces in The Crowd later.
John Wahrmann, Perth Amboy
Trailing the entire game, including by four to start the
fourth quarter, Perth Amboy held South Brunswick scoreless
until 1:30 remained in the game in posting its fourth straight
victory and avenging a one-point loss earlier in the season.
South Brunswick (11-5) played without its leading scorer, Jack
Engel (foot), and also played its eighth straight game without
starter Terrence Wong (knee). Perth Amboy played without
starter Ethon Diaz (hand).
Nate Melendez led a balanced Perth Amboy (8-7) attack with 10
points and eight rebounds and John Wahrmann recorded eight
points and 14 rebounds, including seven offensive. Perth Amboy
out-rebounded South Brunswick 41-18. Eric Savage led South
Brunswick with 15 points.
Perth Amboy took its first lead of the game with 4:39 left on
a steal/layup by Johnny Jones and never trailed again.
NO. 2 CARDINAL MCCARRICK 45, AMERICAN HISTORY 41
Hodari
Bazemore
SOUTH AMBOY — The Eagles received a scare from the Newark
School, but improved to 16-0.
American History from Newark (8-8) trailed by two at the half
before McCarrick was able to open a 10-point lead heading to
the final quarter.
American History opened with a 6-0 run to cut the lead to
four, but that was as close as it would draw.
McCarrick, playing without two key reserves in Ralph Menard
and Bryan Harris, who are both hurt, was led by NyQuan McCombs
(11), Hodari Bazemore (10), Josh Green (8) and Gilberto Cue
(8).
NO. 10 OLD BRIDGE 48, PISCATAWAY 34
PISCATAWAY — Piscataway trimmed a 10-point halftime deficit to
two at 33-31 in the fourth quarter, but Kyle Paris hit a 3pointer as Old Bridge finished the game on a 15-3 run to beat
its Red Division foe for the second time this season.
Connor Romano led Old Bridge (9-8) with 17 points and was 10
of 10 from the foul line, including 8 of 8 down the stretch.
Luis Cruz added nine points.
D’Ondre Dent scored 11 points for Piscataway (3-12), Donzell
Cunningham had 10.
SAYREVILLE 47, J.P. STEVENS 44
Jayson DeMild
EDISON – Trailing by four after one quarter, by two at
halftime and by two after three quarters, Sayreville outscored
Stevens 19-14 in the fourth to pull out the White Division
victory.
Sayreville (7-9) beat Stevens (8-10) for the second time this
season, almost by the identical score as the first one was
47-41.
Jehyve Floyd, the 6-8 Holy Cross commit, recorded 11 points,
10 rebounds and five blocks to lead the Bombers, Jayson DeMild
led the club in scoring with 15.
Mike Lionikis scored 14 for Stevens, Alex Corrigan had 13.
NO. 9 WOODBRIDGE 56, NEW BRUNSWICK 53
Quaasim Glover
NEW BRUNSWICK — The Barrons had to overcome a 24-18 halftime
deficit, then survive a potential, game-tying possession in
the end to avoid the White Division upset.
Quaasim Glover (19) and Zahneer Shuler (17) combined for 36
points to lead Woodbridge (10-6), Trevon Blakely scored 21 for
New Brunswick (1-13).
EDISON 68, SOUTH PLAINFIELD 45
SOUTH PLAINFIELD — Justin Payne led four doublefigure scorers with 16 points and Justin Turner
added 15 as the Eagles avenged an earlierseason, White Division loss.
Edison (5-10) trailed 15-13 after one quarter
before outscoring the home team 24-7 in the
second to gain control.
Ishmael Treadwell and John Zanfordino added 10
Justin
Payne,
Edison
points each for Edison, while Lamont Williams
and Jason Lee scored 14 each for South
Plainfield (6-12).
Edison surpassed its highest score of the season by 14 points.
DUNELLEN 63, HIGHLAND PARK 40
David Johnson
HIGHLAND PARK — Senior guard David Johnson, a 1,000-yard
rusher in football and a 1,000-point scorer in basketball who
is seeking to become the school’s all-time leading scorer,
pumped in 34 to lead the Destroyers.
Tyquan Fowler added 14 for Dunellen (10-4), Piney Harp (12)
and Will Jacobs-Perez (10) scored double figures for the Owls
(2-14).
Johnson needs 212 points to break the all-time mark held by
Tim Connery (1987).
EAST BRUNSWICH TECH 54, SOMERSET TECH 32
EAST BRUNSWICK — Noah Westbrook led 10 different scorers as
the Tigers improved to 7-9 with the non-conference victory.
Somerset Tech fell to 2-10.
The Authority Sports Out In
Full Force Tonight
The Authority Sports will be out in full force tonight.
I will be at Perth Amboy as the hot Panthers host South
Brunswick in a GMC Red Division clash at 7.
I will have live updates from the game via twitter
(@JHaleyAuthority), followed later in the evening with a full
game report with stats, pictures, videos and of course FITC or
Faces In The Crowd.
St. Joseph coach Dave Turco
(left) and Mark Motusesky of
East Brunswick
Karl Towns Sr. will be with me too at his old stomping grounds
when he was an assistant at Amboy.
Karl, who has been out of commission following knee surgery,
is back on the beat. He will see games throughout the week and
wrap it all up at the end of the week in Karl’s Kourt.
South Brunswick is ranked No. 5 in The Authority Sports Top
10, Amboy is No. 7 with a bullet. South Brunswick won the
first meeting, 48-47.
At East Brunswick, St. Joseph will be looking to wrap up the
GMC’s Red Division title with a victory in a 5:30 tip-off. The
No. 1-ranked Falcons have won 35 straight games against GMC
competition, including 25 straight against the Red Division.
The last GMC team to beat St. Joseph? No. 4 East Brunswick in
2012-13.
The Authority’s Chris Banos will be there, breaking the game
down from a coach’s point of view. Chris will also be tweeting
out updates (@cbanosAuthority) and he will have pictures and
video later in the night.
The Authority’s Cliff Ross will also be on hand taking
pictures of the action.
St. Joseph won the first meeting, 52-36.
And of course, the Authority is the last media outlet left who
provides details on each game played, so look for our roundup
of games with pictures. One key game is Monroe playing at No.
3 Colonia. A victory wraps up the White Division crown for the
Pats.
TUESDAY’S SCOREBOARD
Dunellen at Highland Park, 4
Somerset Tech at East Brunswick Tech, 5:30
St. Joseph at East Brunswick, 5:30
Piscataway at Old Bridge, 5:30
South Brunswick at Perth Amboy, 7
Sayreville at Stevens, 7
Woodbridge at New Brunswick, 7
Edison at South Plainfield, 7
Monroe at Colonia, 7
American History at McCarrick, 7
Boys Basketball Power Points
CENTRAL JERSEY
Group 4: Freehold Township (12-4) 388; Montgomery (12-3) 376;
Manalapan (9-5) 328; South Brunswick (11-4) 323; East
Brunswick (10-4) 296; Old Bridge (8-8) 288; Monroe (10-4) 283;
Trenton (9-5) 267; Colts Neck (8-3) 263; Howell (9-6) 259;
Marlboro (7-7) 251; Hunterdon Central (7-8) 250; Hillsborough
(8-6) 243; North Brunswick (6-6) 231; Sayreville (6-9) 213;
Brick Memorial (6-6) 209; Freehold Borough (4-11) 169; West
Windsor-Plainsboro South (4-10) 162; Princeton (4-10) 160;
Jackson Memorial (3-10) 138; West Windsor-Plainsboro North
(0-14) 96.
Group 3: Ewing (16-0) 479; Red Bank Regional (12-3) 405;
Hamilton West (12-3) 349; Somerville (12-1) 331; Wall (11-4)
331; Hopewell Valley (10-5) 287; Neptune (7-7) 283; Allentown
(9-4) 267; Middletown North (6-8) 260; Nottingham (8-6) 240;
Iselin Kennedy (5-10) 229; Northern Burlington (6-8) 208;
Middletown South (5-10) 204; Lawrence (6-9) 186; Holmdel (6-8)
185; Ocean Township (5-9) 175; Hightstown (3-11) 151; Long
Branch (1-13) 122; Steinert (2-12) 121; Jackson Liberty (1-12)
91; New Brunswick (1-12) 90.
Group 2: Manasquan (13-3) 350; Lakewood (12-2) 345; RumsonFair Haven (11-4) 325; Rahway (11-4) 321; Spotswood (10-5)
314; Bordentown (11-4) 279; Gov. Livingston (9-5) 275;
Hillside (8-9) 273; North Plainfield (8-5) 272; Manchester
Township (10-3) 264; Delran (10-6) 255; Matawan (7-8) 244;
Pemberton (8-5) 239; Johnson (11-5) 237; Delaware Valley (6-9)
175; Raritan (7-9) 165; Cinnaminson (4-8) 161; Willingboro
(4-9) 155; Roselle (4-12) 142; Point Pleasant Boro (3-10) 139;
Robbinsville (4-11) 127; Monmouth (0-16) 116.
Group 1: Piscataway Tech (12-4) 336; Perth Amboy Tech (12-3)
316; Point Pleasant Beach (10-5) 304; Shore (10-4) 292; South
Hunterdon (12-4) 274; Florence (11-4) 252; Bound Brook (7-7)
218; South River (8-8) 207; South Amboy (9-9) 186; East
Brunswick Tech (6-9) 174; Manville (6-9) 156; Asbury Park
(6-5) 139; Henry Hudson (5-7) 136; Keyport (5-7) 134; Metuchen
(4-9) 128; Middlesex (2-11) 124; Highland Park (2-13) 111;
Academy Charter (6-7) 96; Keansburg (0-15) 76; Somerset Tech
(2-8) 52.
NON-PUBLIC
SOUTH JERSEY
Non-Public A: St. Augustine (15-1) 537; Camden Catholic (14-1)
445; Christian Brothers (12-4) 421; Gloucester Catholic (14-2)
403; Union Catholic (12-3) 396; Red Bank Catholic (11-5) 376;
Notre Dame (13-4) 355; St. Joseph (Met.) (11-2) 342;
Immaculata (9-7) 339; Holy Cross (11-3) 319; St. John Vianney
(8-6) 261; Donovan Catholic (8-5) 232; Bishop Eustace (6-8)
231; Paul VI (5-8) 195; Bishop Ahr (5-8) 170.
Non-Public B: Roselle Catholic (15-2) 475; Rutgers Prep (14-2)
439; Cardinal McCarrick (15-0) 419; Patrick School (10-4) 414;
Wildwood Catholic (15-3) 404; Holy Spirit (11-4) 379; Marist
(12-3) 370; Gill St. Bernard’s (8-7) 357; Trenton Catholic
(10-4) 357; St. Mary (Eliz.) (8-4) 334; Doane Academy (11-5)
320; St. Joseph (Hamm.) (7-6) 235; Moorestown Friends (8-8)
208; Mater Dei (8-8) 204; Pingry (7-6) 198; Calvary Christian
(Old Bridge) (9-6) 192; St. Rose (7-7) 188; Wardlaw-Hartridge
(6-8) 149; Ranney (5-8) 107; Timothy Christian (1-14) 107;
Koinonia (1-12) 83.
NORTH JERSEY
Non-Public A: Seton Hall Prep (13-1) 447; Pope John (13-2)
438; Don Bosco Prep (13-2) 427; St. Joseph (Mont.) (11-3) 387;
Bergen Catholic (10-5) 343; Delbarton (8-6) 261; St. Peter’s
Prep (7-9) 208; DePaul (3-9) 150; Paramus Catholic (3-7) 117.
Non-Public B: St. Anthony (14-1) 507; Hudson Catholic (14-2)
498; St. Mary (Ruth.) (13-3) 428; Dwight-Englewood (10-4) 305;
Morristown-Beard (8-5) 245; Morris Catholic (8-7) 241; Oratory
(8-5) 240; Newark Academy (9-4) 229; Queen of Peace (8-6) 215;
Hawthorne Christian (8-6) 211; Montclair Kimberley (6-7) 210;
Saddle River Day (6-10) 207; Christ the King (8-7) 206; Golda
Och (5-5) 158; Eastern Christian (4-9) 121; Trinity Christian
(0-3) 29; Pioneer Academy (0-0) 0.
NORTH JERSEY, SECTION 2
Group 4: Linden (12-4) 407; Ridge (12-2) 380; Barringer (10-2)
308; Union (8-6) 284; Dickinson (8-6) 274; Bayonne (7-8) 263;
Woodbridge (9-6) 257; Perth Amboy (7-7) 256; Watchung Hills
(9-7) 256; J.P. Stevens (8-9) 254; Bridgewater-Raritan (7-6)
244; North Hunterdon (5-11) 243; Westfield (8-5) 241; Columbia
(6-8) 238; Plainfield (5-10) 236; Millburn (6-8) 202; Edison
(4-10) 165; Elizabeth (4-9) 165; Scotch Plains-Fanwood (3-11)
164; Phillipsburg (3-12) 147; Franklin (3-11) 146; Piscataway
(3-11) 139.
Group 3: Colonia (13-2) 399; Passaic Valley (13-2) 375; Orange
(10-5) 344; Mendham (10-3) 341; Chatham (10-4) 334; West Essex
(12-4) 320; West Side (11-1) 311; Carteret (11-4) 302;
Cliffside Park (9-5) 285; Roxbury (9-4) 278; Summit (8-7) 270;
Irvington (8-7) 269; Newark East Side (8-4) 260; Warren Hills
(9-4) 244; West Morris (6-9) 209; Voorhees (5-9) 200; Ferris
(7-8) 197; Nutley (5-9) 190; Morris Hills (6-6) 189; South
Plainfield (6-11) 186; Cranford (3-11) 147; Parsippany Hills
(3-12) 116.
Group 2: Snyder (12-4) 391; Rutherford (10-6) 321; Hanover
Park (11-5) 311; Lincoln (9-5) 290; Hackettstown (8-6) 278;
Newark Central (6-9) 271; Caldwell (10-6) 249; Harrison (8-5)
215; Whippany Park (7-7) 213; Parsippany (7-8) 197; Arts (6-5)
196; Newark Tech (3-8) 174; Ridgefield Park (6-9) 170; McNair
(8-9) 151; Bernards (3-10) 132; North 13th Street Tech (4-7)
130; Madison (2-12) 124; Fort Lee (2-11) 107; Lyndhurst (2-11)
102; Science Park (2-11) 101; Leonia (5-7) 100; Morris Tech
(4-13) 91.
Group 1: New Providence (9-4) 309; Dunellen (9-4) 272;
Ridgefield (9-3) 246; Weehawken (9-3) 226; Shabazz (8-6) 223;
Dayton (10-4) 221; University (6-10) 219; North Arlington
(8-6) 217; Secaucus (9-7) 216; Glen Ridge (8-5) 206; American
History (8-7) 201; Bloomfield Tech (5-10) 192; Roselle Park
(6-9) 174; Hoboken (5-12) 146; Collegiate (Newark) (6-6) 137;
Weequahic (2-11) 114; Technology (3-8) 108; University Charter
(4-11) 105; Brearley (3-10) 100; METS Charter (0-10) 51;
Hoboken Charter (0-7) 47; North Star Academy (1-3) 46; Visions
Academy (0-4) 21.
NORTH JERSEY, SECTION 1
Group 4: East Orange (13-2) 458; Paterson Eastside (10-4) 369;
Paterson Kennedy (11-5) 365; Bloomfield (11-5) 356; Hackensack
(10-6) 319; Ridgewood (10-5) 318; Union City (10-5) 316;
Montclair (8-8) 308; Kearny (8-8) 273; North Bergen (6-10)
261; Livingston (7-7) 239; Morris Knolls (8-5) 237; West
Orange (9-4) 235; Morristown (6-7) 233; Passaic Tech (6-8)
202; Bergen Tech (5-11) 198; Clifton (4-11) 170; Randolph
(4-10) 163; Passaic (4-8) 156; Memorial (2-13) 142; Fair Lawn
(3-9) 126; Belleville (3-14) 119.
Group 3: Ramapo (12-3) 401; Wayne Valley (11-4) 376; Montville
(11-2) 354; Garfield (12-2) 326; West Milford (10-4) 313;
Teaneck (8-7) 308; Mahwah (11-3) 299; Tenafly (9-4) 284; Mount
Olive (9-2) 281; Northern Highlands (9-3) 275; Bergenfield
(9-2) 271; Demarest (6-9) 223; River Dell (6-7) 196; High
Point (7-8) 195; Old Tappan (4-9) 189; Pascack Valley (5-8)
188; Paramus (5-10) 183; Indian Hills (4-9) 176; Vernon (5-9)
171; Wayne Hills (3-12) 171; Sparta (3-10) 145.
Group 2: Ramsey (14-1) 402; Dwight-Morrow (9-6) 320;
Manchester Regional (12-2) 314; Jefferson (10-3) 287; Glen
Rock (8-5) 253; Mountain Lakes (7-6) 235; Pequannock (10-4)
232; Newton (9-4) 227; Pascack Hills (7-7) 226; Dover (7-9)
219; New Milford (7-8) 192; Lakeland (5-9) 186; North Warren
(7-8) 182; Elmwood Park (5-9) 177; Lodi (5-7) 153; Westwood
(4-9) 152; Dumont (3-11) 146; Kinnelon (4-11) 146; Kittatinny
(3-11) 137; Wallkill Valley (5-10) 136; Lenape Valley (4-11)
123; Sussex Tech (1-11) 67.
Group 1: Cresskill (14-1) 355; Wood-Ridge (11-5) 321;
Hasbrouck Heights (9-5) 279; Paterson Charter (8-7) 240;
Verona (7-7) 229; Hopatcong (8-4) 211; Bogota (8-6) 208;
Pompton Lakes (8-5) 202; Palisades Park (7-6) 192; Boonton
(7-8) 184; Cedar Grove (4-10) 155; Park Ridge (5-7) 149;
Saddle Brook (5-9) 149; Midland Park (4-9) 148; Waldwick
(3-11) 140; Belvidere (3-10) 139; Becton (3-11) 133; Emerson
Boro (3-13) 126; Wallington (4-10) 125; West Caldwell Tech
(8-4) 112; Butler (1-12) 100; Hawthorne (1-12) 84; Bergen
Charter (1-13) 70.
SOUTH JERSEY
Group 4: Cherokee (10-5) 367; Toms River North (13-2) 365;
Cherry Hill West (11-4) 335; Lenape (10-4) 333; Southern
(11-4) 329; Atlantic City (9-4) 323; Rancocas Valley (11-4)
323; Shawnee (10-5) 321; Cherry Hill East (11-3) 317; Eastern
(9-5) 305; Washington Township (8-8) 300; Kingsway (10-5) 288;
Egg Harbor (9-4) 248; Absegami (5-11) 199; Clearview (5-10)
194; Williamstown (5-11) 181; Toms River East (6-8) 171;
Vineland (4-10) 166; Pennsauken (3-12) 150; Brick Township
(2-13) 121; Millville (0-17) 105.
Group 3: Delsea (14-3) 437; Winslow (8-7) 333; Highland (13-3)
301; Timber Creek (8-7) 298; Toms River South (9-4) 286;
Oakcrest (9-5) 280; Moorestown (7-8) 277; Mainland (8-7) 263;
Central Regional (8-6) 215; Ocean City (6-8) 196; Cumberland
(6-7) 191; Hammonton (5-10) 184; Pinelands (7-7) 180;
Westampton Tech (4-8) 159; Seneca (4-9) 153; Woodrow Wilson
(2-14) 145; Camden Tech (6-7) 122; Lacey (3-9) 121; Triton
(2-12) 101; Burlington Township (3-10) 99; Gloucester Tech
(1-14) 98.
Group 2: Haddonfield (13-2) 439; Camden (12-4) 403; Middle
Township (11-4) 365; Bridgeton (9-5) 313; Collingswood (10-5)
276; Deptford (8-8) 266; Cedar Creek (8-7) 244; Sterling (9-6)
236; Medford Tech (7-9) 219; Pleasantville (6-8) 209;
Woodstown (6-9) 203; Buena (8-6) 199; Glassboro (6-9) 187;
Audubon (6-10) 180; Barnegat (6-8) 178; Lower Cape May (4-10)
166; West Deptford (5-8) 164; Overbrook (3-13) 147; Atlantic
Tech (3-9) 132; Pennsauken Tech (5-9) 113; Cape May Tech (1-9)
66; Salem Tech (0-0) 0.
Group 1: Paulsboro (14-1) 390; Penns Grove (11-4) 373;
Schalick (10-6) 334; Haddon Heights (7-8) 271; Wildwood (8-7)
248; Lindenwold (9-7) 247; Woodbury (9-5) 240; Gloucester
(9-5) 224; Haddon Township (7-6) 219; Riverside (6-9) 195;
Salem (8-9) 191; Clayton (7-8) 175; Palmyra (7-7) 171;
Burlington City (4-8) 132; Gateway (3-12) 123; Pennsville
(3-11) 119; Pitman (1-14) 104; Maple Shade (2-12) 100; Camden
Charter (2-9) 92; LEAP Academy (2-12) 91; New Egypt (0-16) 86.
Boys
Basketball
Notebook:
News, Notes, Anecdotes
It’s as easy as 1-2-3
No. 1 St. Joseph, No. 2 Cardinal McCarrick and No. 3 Colonia
have settled in nicely to the top three slots in The Authority
Sports Top for a while now.
It’s kind of unique because they don’t play each other with
St. Joseph competing in the Red, Colonia in the White and
McCarrick in the Blue.
And that should make the GMCT an intriguing one at that.
Here are some quick-hitters on the Top 3:
St. Joseph (11-2), McCarrick (15-0) and Colonia (13-2) are a
combined 39-4.
They are also 31-0 combined against the GMC.
St. Joseph coach Dave Turco
addressing team (Photo by
Marlo Williamson)
ST. JOE’S:
* St. Joseph is scheduled to play four games this week
Tuesday at No. 4 East Brunswick, 5:30
Thursday home vs. No. 8 North Brunswick, 7
Friday home vs. Dwight Morrow (9-6) of Englewood, 6:15
Sunday vs. Pt. Beach (10-5) in The Prime Time Shootout at
Roselle Catholic, 3
* St. Joseph has won 35 straight games against the GMC and 25
straight against the Red Division.
The last GMC/Red Division loss was in 2012-13 against East
Brunswick.
* St. Joseph has posted 12 straight winning seasons and nine
straight seasons of 20 wins or more.
CARDINAL MCCARRICK:
* McCarrick is 15-0. The last Middlesex County team to begin a
season 15-0? East Brunswick in 2012-13. And who beat the Bears
th
in their 16 game? St. Anthony. And who was the associate head
coach for St. Anthony? Current McCarrick head coach Ben
Gamble.
Ben Gamble
The Middlesex County record for most starts to begin a season?
South Plainfield began the 2003-04 season at 27-1 before
losing to Raritan in a sectional final by one point.
* Cardinal McCarrick already has the school record for most
wins to start a season. The all-time school winning streak –
not necessarily from the start – is 17, which was done twice.
COLONIA:
* Colonia is 11-0 in 2014.
* Colonia has won 11 games in row. Only two of them have been
closer than 11 points. During its win streak, the Patriots are
averaging 60.0 points per game and giving up 39.3.
Colonia starting five, from
left: Brandon Haines, Pat
Nagiub, J.J. Corbett. Chase
Barneys, Jodrell Thompson
* Colonia features five players in its rotation who are
starters on the football team.
Combining the two seasons, Chase Barneys, Bryce Barneys,
Jodrell Thompson, Brandon Haines and J.J. Corbett have a wonloss record of 24-3, including 21-0 vs. the GMC.
SHOWCASE EVENTS
Hera are upcoming showcase events involving local teams:
PRIME-TIME SHOOTOUT
Sunday, Feb. 8
At Roselle Catholic
Commonwealth Academy vs. Notre Dame, 12
Teaneck vs. Lakewood, 1:30
Pt. Pleasant Beach vs. St. Joseph’s (Met.), 3
Our Savior New American vs. Pope John, 4:30
St. Benedict’s vs. Newark Tech, 6
Paterson Eastside vs. Roselle Catholic, 7:30
TRI-STATE HOOP-FEST
Saturday, Feb. 14
At Roselle Catholic
Matawan vs Bloomfield Tech, 12
Colonia vs Ridge, 1:30
Rumson vs Sayreville, 3
Life Center vs St Mary (Eliz.), 4:30
Roselle Catholic vs Lakewood (Girls), 6
Sunday, Feb 15
Lakewood vs Newark West Side, 12
St. Benedict’s vs Marist, 1:30
Newark Eastside vs Phelps (PA), 3
Rutgers Prep vs Cardinal McCarrick, 4:30
Paterson Eastside vs Lincoln (NY), 6
Linden vs Pope John, 7:30
METRO CLASSIC
Saturday, Feb. 14
At Kean University
St. Joseph (Met.) vs. Union Catholic, 6:30
Montverde Academy (Fla.) vs. St. Benedict’s, 8:30
TWO-TIME SUPER BOWL CHAMP
Congratulations to former New Brunswick hoopster Jonathan
Casillas, who also played a little football for the Zebras. Oh
yeah, he was also a state sprint champion.
Jonatahan Casillas
Casillas, a back-up linebacker and standout special teams
player for New England, earned his second Super Bowl ring on
Sunday.
Casillas also earned a ring with the Saints, where he was a
starter. After signing a free agent contract with the
Buccaneers, Casillas was traded to the Patriots during the
2014 season.
A role model who comes back to New Brunswick in the summer and
runs a free two-day camp for youths, it couldn’t happen to a
better kid.
Casillas was a former winner of the now defunct Gene Haley
Memorial Scholarship Award, named after my father and awarded
to the top athlete in Middlesex County.
Casillas, an un-drafted free agent who blew out his knee as a
senior at Wisconsin, finished his sixth season in the NFL.
CURRENT ACTIVE LEADING SCORERS
Jaquan
Robertson
(Photo by Natalia
Chauhan)
Jaquan Robertson, Carteret 1,283
Sean Darrar, South River 1,178
David Johnson, Dunellen 1,026
Jordan Little, Perth Amoy Tech 950
Artie Flaherty Jr., Metuchen 865
Brandon Gilder, Carteret 848
Aziz Austin, Piscataway Tech 833
Zahneer Shuler, Woodbridge 790
Tom Weiler, Bishop Ahr 700
L.J. Williams, North Brunswick 588
Evan Collier, Metuchen 554
Matt Cocorikis, Monroe 567
Jehyve Floyd, Sayreville 552
LEADING ACTIVE 3-POINT SHOOTERS
Aziz
Austin
of
Piscataway Tech
Sean Darrar, South River 171
Aziz Austin, Piscataway Tech 122
Zahneer Shuler, Woodbridge 98
Jaquan Robertson, Carteret 95
Tom Weiler, Bishop Ahr 88
Josh Decker, Timothy Christian 81
Brandon Gilder, Carteret 72
Artie Flaherty Jr., Metuchen 70
Matt Ross, East Brunswick 68
Eric Dadika, Spotswood 64
GMC CROSSOVER RESULTS:
Here’s how the Red Division has fared against the White: 7-1
(R) East Brunswick over Woodbridge
(R) East Brunswick over Sayreville
(R) Old Bridge over Edison
(R) Old Bridge over Monroe
(R) Perth Amboy over South Plainfield
(R) Perth Amboy over Stevens
(R) Piscataway over Sayreville
(W) Stevens over Old Bridge
Here’s how the Red Division has fared against the Blue: 3-0
(W) North Brunswick over Bishop Ahr
(W) Old Bridge over Bishop Ahr
(W) South Brunswick over Carteret
Here’s how the Blue Division has fared against the White: 4-2
(B) Metuchen over New Brunswick
(B) Carteret over South Plainfield
(B) Carteret over Edison
(B) Carteret over Woodbridge
(W) Colonia over Kennedy
(W) Woodbridge over Kennedy
Here’s how the White Division has fared against the Gold: 3-0
(W) Stevens over South River
(W) South Plainfield over Dunellen
(W) South Plainfield over Piscataway Tech
Here’s how the Blue Division has fared against the Gold: 5-0
McCarrick over South Amboy
Middlesex over Highland Park
Middlesex over Dunellen
Spotswood over South River
Spotswood over Dunellen
RECORD BREAKER?
David Johnson
David Johnson of Dunellen needs 246 more points to become the
school’s all-time leading scorer.
Johnson, who rushed for over 1,000 yards in football at
quarterback, has 1,026 points. The record is 1,271 held by
1987 graduate Tim Connery.
ALL IN THE FAMILY
Sean Darrar, the leading boys scorer in the GMC from South
River and Gabrielle Harris, the leading girls scorer from
South River, are first cousins.
COACH’S SON MAKES DECISION
Ryan Jensen, son of Metuchen coach Guy Jensen, has made a
verbal agreement to attend Wagner on a football scholarship.
The TE/DE chose Wagner over LIU-Post, Shippensburg, Central
Connecticut and Assumption.
Ryan’s dad was
who went on to
College of New
successful hoop
a three-sport standout at Kennedy in Iselin,
play quarterback at Trenton State College (now
Jersey), who then went on to become a highlycoach.
DID YOU KNOW?
Colonia head coach and Roselle Catholic head coach Chris
Chiera were teammates at Monmouth University back in the day.
MOVIN’ ON UP
Jaquan Robertson recently moved up to No. 2 on Carteret’s alltime scoring list:
Keith Hughes
The Ramblers history:
Keith Hughes 1,742 (1986)
Jaquan Robertson 1,283 (2015)
Jose Rodriguez 1,227 (2001)
Omar Alston 1,185 (2002)
Corey Lowe 1,178 (1988)
Robert Jackson 1,058 (2009)
Ron Helley 1,035 (1955)
Dennis Burney 1,001 (1993)
2009-10 LEADING SCORERS
Rashad Adams, Perth Amboy Tech 21.1
Wayne Newsom, Piscataway 18.0
Rasheed Howard, Kennedy 16.9
Joe Marciano, Kennedy 16.8
C.J. Gray, Colonia 16.7
Kristian Svendsen, Timothy Christian 16.6
Joe Charmello, South Amboy 16.4
Shawn Fenton, South River 16.0
Mike Crusco, Metuchen 15.6
Tyler Osofsky, Spotswood 15.6
Kenny Pace, Monroe 15.5
Homer James, East Brunswick Tech 15.4
Steve Rennard, St. Joseph 15.3
Jaquan Cook, New Brunswick 14.9
Jonard Hall, Dunellen 14.8
Dana Raysor, McCarrick 14.8
David Webb, Highland Park 14.8
Dion Rogers, North Brunswick 14.4
Greg Grippo, Edison 14.1
Keith Hughes, Woodbridge 14.0
Cody Pace, Spotswood 13.6
Andrew Morgan, St. Joe’s 13.2
Tyler Abad, Old Bridge 13.1
Malcolm Batts, Perth Amboy Tech 13.1
Tarif Jackson, Sayreville 13.0
Tait Pirkle, North Brunswick 13.0
Tim Brix, Monroe 12.8
Simuel Williams, New Brunswick 12.7
Matt Wagner, Colonia 12.5
Morece Isaac, McCarrick 12.3
Robert Brown, East Brunswick Tech 12.1
Quenton DeCosey, St. Joe’s 12.1
Dan Brix, Monroe 11.8
Dakar Hamlet, Carteret 11.7
Milton Pittman, New Brunswick 11.6
Yamir Carroo, Edison 11.6
Allen Kuiper, Spotswood 11.6
Brandon Walsh, South River 11.5
Mike Liming, Spotswood 11.3
Luke Francisco, Dunellen 11.2
Kyle Pearson, Woodbridge 11.1
T.J. Janho, Timothy Christian 11.0
Nick Callas, Metuchen 10.9
Xavier Foster, South River 10.4
Evan Carberry, Metuchen 10.2
Daishon Robinson, Kennedy 10.2
Pat Widdoss, Bishop Ahr 10.1
Kearny Canela, Perth Amboy 10.0
Mark Gibson, North Brunswick 10.0
Dan Decker, Timothy Christian 10.0
D.J. Griffin, Bishop Ahr 10.0
GMC Past Division Champions
Since 1985
With one more division victory, St. Joe’s clinches the Red,
Colonia clinches the White and McCarrick clinches the Blue.
The Gold is still up the air.
Dunellen leads with a 7-1 record, but still has to play eight
division games.
Piscataway Tech and Perth Ambouy Tech are both 11-2 with three
games to play.
Piscataway Tech and Perth Amboy Tech have split. Dunellen and
Perth Amboy Tech have split.
Dunellen, which beat Piscataway Tech once, will play the rematch on Friday in Dunellen.
Here are the GMC Division winners since the conference was
formed in 1985:
Best Single-Season Records
Since GMC Began in 1985
With Cardinal McCarrick getting out to a 15-0 start, I began
to search the archives to find out the last time a GMC team
began a season like that.
The answer was East Brunswick in 2012-13. The Bears also began
15-0 before losing to St. Anthony.
So then I decided to search for the best start before the EB
team of 2013-14.
The answer is South Plainfield, which began 2003-04 at 27-0
before losing its final game to Raritan in a sectional final,
finishing 27-1.
So then I decided to record the best single-season records
since the GMC was formed in 1985.
Here we go:
30-2: St. Joseph 2013-14
29-2: St. Joseph 2011-12
28-3: John F. Kennedy 1989-90
27-1: South Plainfield 2003-04
27-3: South Brunswick 2006-07
27-5: St. Joseoh 2012-13
26-3: South River 1990-91
26-4: Carteret 1999-00
26-4: East Brunswick 2012-13
25-3:
25-3:
25-3:
25-4:
25-4:
25-5:
24-2:
24-2:
24-3:
24-3:
Carteret 1985-86
East Brunswick 1986-87
St. Joseph 1998-99
Metuchen 1987-88
Perth Amboy 1989-90
St. Joseph 1991-92
Perth Amboy 1992-93
Piscataway 1994-95
Bishop Ahr 1991-92
J.P. Stevens 1988-89
24-4: East Brunswick 1985-86
24-4: New Brunswick 1985-86
24-4: Perth Amboy Tech 1992-93
24-4: Piscataway Tech 1989-90
24-4: St. Joseph 1997-98
24-4: South Plainfield 1990-91
24-4: St. Joseph 2008-09
24-4: Sayreville 2013-14
24-5: Monroe 2005-06
24-5: McCarrick 2007-08
24-5: Piscataway 2007-08
24-6: Piscataway 2008-09
23-2: Piscataway 1993-94
23-2:
23-3:
23-3:
23-4:
23-4:
23-5:
23-5:
23-5:
23-6:
23-6:
23-6:
22-2:
St. Peter’s 1992-93
Carteret 2001-02
St. Joseph 1990-91
Colonia 2005-06
Highland Park 1986-87
McCarrick 2004-05
North Brunswick 1996-97
St. Joseph 2009-10
McCarrick 2002-03
Piscataway Tech 1990-91
South River 1989-90
East Brunswick 1995-96
22-3: Colonia 1994-95
22-3: Metuchen 2005-06
22-3: Colonia 22-3
Boys
Basketball
Scoring
Leaders/3-Point Leaders/High
Games
SCORING LEADERS
Jordan Little,
P.A. Tech
Sean Darrar,
Sout River
Sean Darrar, South River 26.0
Jordan Little, Perth Amboy Tech 22.3
David Johnson, Dunellen 20.5
Ryan O’Leary, South Amboy 18.8
Lamont Williams, South Plainfield 18.3
Matt Ross, East Brunswick 17.7
Jaquan Robertson, Carteret 17.7
Matt Cocorikis, Monroe 17.6
Tom Weiler, Bishop Ahr 17.3
Breein Tyree, St. Joseph 16.5
Jehyve Floyd, Sayreville 16.5
Zahneer Shuler, Woodbridge 16.1
David Johnson,
Dunellen
Ryan O’Leary,
South Amboy
L. J. Williams, North Brunswick 16.0
Eric Dadika, Spotswood 15.7
Letrell West, Piscataway Tech 15.4
Josh Decker, Timothy Christian 15.1
Aziz Austin, Piscataway Tech 14.5
Donzell Cunningham, Piscataway 14.1
Jack Engel, South Brunswick 13.9
Joe Duffy, Kennedy 13.9
Alex Corrigan, J.P. Stevens 13.8
James Corbett, Colonia 13.6
Branislav Vujadinovic, St. Joseph 13.4
Connor Romano, Old Bridge 13.3
Matt
Ross,
East Brunswick
Lamont
Williams,
Plain.
Noel Garay, Perth Amboy Tech 12.8
Mike Newman, Wardlaw-Hartridge 12.8
NyQuan McCombs, Cardinal McCarrick 12.7
Will Jacob-Perez, Highland Park 12.5
Marlon Hart, Spotswood 12.5
Zaire Robinson, Woodbridge 12.4
Artie Flaherty, Jr., Metuchen 12.4
Carlos Done, Perth Amboy 12.3
Gilberto Cue, Cardinal McCarrick 12.3
Brandon Gilder, Carteret 12.3
So.
Nick Palko, Wardlaw-Hartridge 12.1
Eric Savage, South Brunswick 11.8
Stepp Oziegbe, Kennedy 11.8
Jaquan
Robertson,
Carteret
Matt
Cocorikis,
Monroe
Trevon Blakey, New Brunswick 11.5
Mike Valentin, Sayreville 11.5
Matthew Ciaccio, Spotswood 11.3
Marcus Ashamole, St. Joseph 11.1
Tim Kales, South Amboy 11.0
Chase Barneys, Colonia 10.8
Devon Dabel, South Plainfield 10.8
Marcus Evans-Little, Middlesex 10.8
Dante Whipple, Old Bridge 10.8
Natanahel Melendez, Perth Amboy 10.7
Zachary Torres, South River 10.7
Jordan Hankerson, South Plainfield 10.7
David Okoh, Monroe 10.6
Kush Patel, Kennedy 10.5
Nick Dooley, J.P. Stevens 10.5
Kayshawn Wilson, Middlesex 10.3
Michael Ugarte, South Brunswick 10.1
Mike Vick, East Brunswick 10.0
3-POINT LEADERS
Jack
Engel,
So. Brunswick
Alex Corrigan,
Stevens
Sean Darrar, South River 50
Alex Corrigan, J.P. Stevens 48
Lamont Williams, South Plainfield 47
Jack Engel, South Brunswick 45
Josh Decker, Timothy Christian 38
Ryan O’Leary, South Amboy 33
Matt Ross, East Brunswick 30
Connor Romano, Old Bridge 28
Patrick Genthe, South River 28
Zahneer Shuler, Woodbridge 27
Aziz Austin, Piscataway Tech 27
Zahneer
Shuler,
Woodbridge
Josh
Decker,
T. Christian
Branislav Vujadinovic, St. Joseph 26
Eric Dadika, Spotswood 26
Mike Valentin, Sayreville 24
Tom Weiler, Bishop Ahr 23
Gilberto Cue, Cardinal McCarrick 23
Stepp Oziegbe, Kennedy 23
Jaquan Robertson, Carteret 22
Marc Fychok, Piscataway Tech 22
Andrew Fuzesi, Spotswood 22
Luke Romeo, Wardlaw-Hartridge 22
Stephen Strom, Old Bridge 22
NyQuan McCombs, Cardinal McCarrick 21
Mason Settembre, East Brunswick Tech 21
Breein Tyree, St. Joseph 20
Noel Garay, Perth Amboy Tech 19
Letrell West, Piscataway Tech 19
Brandon Gilder, Carteret 19
John McHenry, East Brunswick 18
Amir Alford, Carteret 18
Luis Rodriguez, Perth Amboy Tech 17
Ethon Diaz, Perth Amboy 16
Trevon Blakey, New Brunswick 16
Pranay Bhandare, North Brunswick 16
Rico Viani, Monroe 15
Jordan Hankerson, South Plainfield 15
Carlos Done, Perth Amboy 15
HIGH GAMES
Jehyve
Floyd,
Sayreville
Eric Dadika,
Spotswood
Ryan O’Leary, South Amboy 42
Sean Darrar, South River 39
Jordan Little, Perth Amboy Tech 38
Lamont Williams, South Plainfield 37
Eric Dadika, Spotswood 34
Jehyve Floyd, Sayreville 32
Matt Cocorikis, Monroe 30
Zahneer Shuler, Woodbridge 30
Tom Weiler, Bishop Ahr 29
David Johnson, Dunellen 28
Aziz Austin, Piscataway Tech 26
Josh Decker, Timothy Christian 26
L. J. Williams, North Brunswick 26
L.J. Wiliams,
No. Brunswick
Tom
Weiler,
Bishop Ahr
Branislav Vujadinovic, St. Joseph 26
Letrell West, Piscataway Tech 25
James Corbett, Colonia 25
Zaire Robinson, Woodbridge 25
Trevon Blakey, New Brunswick 25
Kayshawn Wilson, Middlesex 25
Matt Ross, East Brunswick 24
Connor Romano, Old Bridge 24
Zachary Torres, South River 24
Jaquan Robertson, Carteret 23
Breein Tyree, St. Joseph 23
Jack Engel, South Brunswick 23
Donzell Cunningham, Piscataway 23
Marlon Hart, Spotswood 22
Matthew Ciaccio, Spotswood 22
Stepp Oziegbe, Iselin Kennedy 22
Artie Flaherty, Jr., Metuchen 22
Addis Ralph, East Brunswick 22
Patrick Genthe, South River 22
Pat Naguib, Colonia 22
New Boys Basketball Top 10
NO. 1 ST. JOSEPH (11-2): The Falcons rolled past two Red
Division foes this week (Piscataway and Old Bridge) by a
combined score of 124-72 as the streak continues – 36 straight
wins over GMC competition, 25 straight against the Red
Division.
Did you know? St. Joe’s has won 20 straight GMC Tournament
games and is 26-2 in its last 28 GMCT games.
THIS WEEK:
Monday: Dwight Morrow at St. Joseph, 7
Tuesday: At No. 4 East Brunswick, 5:30
Thursday: Home vs. No. 8 North Brunswick, 7
NO. 2 CARDINAL MCCARRICK: (15-0): The Eagles will be going for
history this week as it seeks to become the first team in the
school’s 90-year-plus history to win 18 games in a row.
They already have the record for most wins to start the
season, but wins over American History, Kennedy and Middlesex
would produce an 18-game winning streak, a school first. Three
McCarrick teams have won 17 in a row.
THIS WEEK:
Tuesday: At American History, 7
Wednesday: At Kennedy, 6
Friday: Home vs. Middlesex, 7
Colonia starting five, from
left: Brandon Haines, Pat
Nagiub, J.J. Corbett. Chase
Barneys, Jodrell Thompson
NO. 3 COLONIA (13-2): The Patriots have not lost in 2014,
going 11-0. Colonia is also 12-0 vs. Middlesex County this
year.
Center Pat Nagiub has been ailing, but Chase Barneys, Jodrell
Thompson, Brandon Haines, J.J. Corbett and the bench continue
to play unselfish on the offensive end
defensive end.
and intense on the
THIS WEEK:
Tuesday: Home vs. Monroe, 7
Thursday: Home vs. South Plainfield, 7
Saturday: St. Mary’s (Eliz.) at Colonia, 3:30
Mike
Vick
of
East
Brunswick
going
up
against St. Joe’s (Photo
by Cliff Ross)
NO. 4 EAST BRUNSWICK (10-4): The Bears stumbled on the road in
overtime against Columbia, but rebounded with an 18-point win
over Sayreville. The Bears have made 23 3-pointers in their
last three games.
THIS WEEK:
Tuesday: Home vs. No. 1 St. Joseph, 5:30
Thursday: At Old Bridge, 5:30
Saturday: Home vs. No. 5 South Brunswick, 3
NO. 5 SOUTH
the Vikings
second time
first was a
BRUNSWICK (11-4): In the middle of a hot streak,
suffered a 22-point loss to North Brunswick, the
they were beaten by the Raiders this season (the
buzzer-beater).
South Brunswick did regroup with a win over North Bergen on
Saturday.
South Brunswick players from
left Terrence Wong, Jack
Engel, Eric Savage
THIS WEEK:
Tuesday: At No. 7 Perth Amboy, 7
Thursday: At Piscataway, 7
Saturday: At No. 4 East Brunswick, 3
Brandon Gilder (left) and
Jaquan Robertson of Carteret
after beating Woodbridge.
NO. 6 CARTERET (11-4): Since losing back-to-back games which
came down to the wire against No. 2 McCarrick (36-33) and No.
5 South Brunswick (55-49), the Ramblers have reeled off four
straight, including an impressive 59-54 win over Woodbridge.
Jaquan Robertson continues to get it done on both ends of the
floor and one both ends of the glass. Robertson has over 1,000
points, Brandon Gilder is closing in.
THIS WEEK:
Monday: At No. 8 North Brunswick, 7
Wednesday: At Bishop Ahr, 7
Thursday: Home vs. Edison, 5:30
Saturday: Home vs. Piscataway, 1
Perth Amboy first rotation
from left Carlos Done,
Johnny Wahrmann, Johnny
Jones, Ethon Diaz, Eddie
Griggs (injured starter Nate
Melendez not pictured)
NO. 7 PERTH AMBOY (7-7): The Panthers are on a season best
three-game winning streak, having beaten No. 10 Old Bridge,
No. 4 East Brunswick and Piscataway. It took some time for
this talented team to mesh, but the time is now.
THIS WEEK:
Tuesday: Home vs. No. 5 South Brunswick, 7
Saturday: At No. 8 North Brunswick, 1
North Brunswick, from left,
Pranay Bhandare, Kishan
Patel, L.J. Williams, Joe
Castellanos, Eric Slade and
Dante Anderson
NO. 8 NORTH BRUNSWICK (6-6): It’s hard to get a read on this
club. The Raiders beat a hot South Brunswick club at the
buzzer, lose four games in a row, then not only knock off No.
5 South Brunswick again, but do so by 22.
One thing is for sure, this a talented team capable of making
some serious noise in the post-season.
THIS WEEK:
Monday: Home vs. No. 6 Carteret, 7
Wednesday: Home vs. Steinert, 7
Thursday: At No. 1 St. Joseph, 7
Saturday: Home vs. No. 7 Perth Amboy, 1
Zaire Robinson (Photo
by Cliff Ross)
NO. 9 WOODBRIDGE (9-6): The Barrons have lost to No. 3
Colonia, No. 4 East Brunswick and No. 6 Carteret and are still
waiting for that signature win, but there’s plenty of season
left and the talent is there.
THIS WEEK:
Monday: Home vs. Edison, 7
Tuesday: At New Brunswick, 7
Thursday: At Monroe, 7
NO. 10 OLD BRIDGE (8-8): The Knights have suffered two
lopsided losses to No. 1 St. Joseph, but they’ve proven they
can compete with everyone else.
THIS WEEK:
Monday: At South Amboy, 7
Tuesday: Home vs. Piscataway, 5:30
Thursday: Home vs. No. 4 East Brunswick, 5:30
Carteret
Responds
To
Woodbridge Run, Wins 59-54
Behind Robertson, Gilder
WOODBRIDGE – Basketball is truly a game of runs, but the
response to ‘the run’ is what usually determines the outcome
of a game.
Both teams responded to huge runs when Carteret, No. 6 in The
Authority Sports Top 10, battled No. 9 Woodbridge in a GMC
crossover matinee on Saturday, but it was Carteret getting off
the canvas last and responding positively as the Ramblers
posted a 59-54 decision.
Senior forward Jaquan Robertson, the school’s second all-time
leading scorer closing in on 1,300 points, led the way with 23
points and 14 rebounds. Senior guard Brandon Gilder, who could
also reach 1,000 career points, added 12 points and nine
rebounds as the two combined for 35 points and 23 rebounds,
including 23 and 14 in the second half.
Point guard Amir Alford added 11 points, all coming in the
first half before he left the game in the second half with a
knee injury.
Zahneer Shuler recorded 21 points and eight rebounds for
Woodbridge, including 12 and six in the third quarter when the
Barrons (9-6), from the White Division, outscored Carteret
28-10 to turn a 14-point halftime deficit into a four-point
lead.
“I thought Woodbridge showed a lot of character coming back
like they did in the second half,’’ said Carteret coach Herman
‘Mugsy’ White. “But I thought we showed some character too
being able to withstand their big run big run.’’
Carteret (11-4), from the Blue Division, took the momentum
early and led 13-12 after one quarter despite turning it over
eight times. But its defense would force six Woodbridge
turnovers in the second quarter and the Ramblers cashed in on
the other end.
Zahneer
Shuler,
Woodbridge
Behind a dizzying flurry in the final 1:00 of the half,
Carteret led by 14, 32-18 by holding the Barrons to six points
in the second quarter.
A long halftime ceremony took place to honor the Woodbridge
team of 1974-75, which turned in the school’s best record ever
at 29-2 and won its only Group 4 state crown.
The Barron players sat in their seats and watched intently,
cheering on the team which was celebrating a 40-year
anniversary.
Perhaps inspired by past royalty, Woodbridge responded and had
the 74-75 cheering them on by outscoring Carteret by 18 points
in the third quarter to claim a four-point lead after Robinson
beat the buzzer to the session.
But now it was Carteret’s turn to respond.
Amir Alford,
Carteret
By scoring the first nine points of the fourth quarter, the
Ramblers were back in control just like that, 51-46 with 5:56
left to play.
Woodbridge crept to within 51-50 with 2:29 left, but a 6-1 run
finished by a Ra’Keem Bennett layup with 48 seconds left
proved to be the difference.
“I like the way our kids responded in the fourth quarter,”
said White. “It was a team effort, especially on the boards
and on defense. We showed some depth too when Matt Merz came
in for Amir Alford, who hurt his knee, and gave up some great
minutes.”
CARTERET (59): Robertson 5-(3)-4-23, Gilder 3-(2)-0-12, Alford
2-(2)-1-11, Bennett 3-1-7, Montgomery 3-0-6, Jordan 0-0-0.
Merz 0-0-0, Kennedy 0-0-0. Totals 16-(7)-6-59
WOODBRIDGE (54): Robinson 3-(2)-1-13, Smith 0-0-0, Shuler 3(3)-6-21, Cole 2-0-4, Hatcher 0-0-0, Glover 3-(1)-1-10, Henry
2-0-4, Rutkowski 1-0-2, Thermitus 0-0-0. Totals 14-(6)-8-54
CARTERET (11-4): 13 19 10 17 – 59
WOODBRIDGE (9-6): 12 6 28 8 – 55
REBOUNDS
CARTERET: 39 (31 defensive, 8 offensive)
Jaquan Robertson 14 (2 offensive)
Brandon Gilder 9 (2 offensive)
Vincent Montgomery 7 (2 offensive)
Jamar Jordan 4 (1 offensive)
Ra’Keem Bennett 4 (1 offensive)
Amir Alford 1
WOODBRIDGE: 31 (25 defensive, 6 offensive)
Zaire Robinson 8 (3 offensive)
Zahneer Shuler 8 (1 offensive)
Keshaun Henry 4 (2 offensive)
Charles Cole 4
Tyler Smith 4
Quaasim Glover 2
Dante Hatcher 1
TURNOVERS
CARTERET: 17
WOODBRIDGE: 17
FOUL SHOOTING
CARTERET: 6 of 13
WOODBRIDGE: 8 of 20
THREE-POINT SHOOTING
CARTERET: 7 of 14
WOODBRIDGE: 6 of 13
LARGEST LEAD
CARTERET: 14
WOODBRIDGE: 4
TIES: 1
LEAD CHANGES: 3
FACES IN THE CROWD:
Tim Olah
Mark DiDonna
Randy Aldleman
Ed Etzold
Rich Kazimir
Dorothy Zimjewski
Kelly Fitzhenry
John Eberhart
Nancy Drum
Marie Anderson
John Golden
Daniel Harris
Enzio Tamburel
Paul Patten
Don Provost
Ed Barcellona
Robert Morecraft
Kevin Balog
Steve Orlick
Arlene Futy
Mike ‘Zip’ Zirpolo
Brian Cherepski
Lou Urbano
Robert Zega
Charlie Mohr
James McCarthy
Tom Chmiel
Stew Jago
Ronnie Holled
Mike O’Hara
Mike Gigliello
Mrs. Gigliello
Glenn Lottman
Joe Ward
Lee Warren
Kyle Anderson Sr.
Derek Anderson
Brian Kaelber
Brian Flaherty
Nick Sardone
Jack Frost
Jason Calhoun
Bill Leahy
Alex Bosch
Bill Kovacs
Kevin Van Dyke
George Ryan
Mr. Pearson