By Warren Rappleyea
Sayreville War Memorial High School’s girls’ basketball team is the top seed in the Greater Middlesex Conference (GMC) Tournament, while the Bombers’ boys’ squad earned the third seed.
Neighboring Old Bridge High School — fresh off its upset win over Saint Joseph High School of Metuchen — garnered the fifth seed in the boys’ tournament. The Lady Knights, who are winners of three of their last four games, are seeded 12th in the girls’ tournament.
The high-flying Sayreville girls have won 16 straight games and are 20-1 overall. The Bombers’ lone loss came in December to Toms River High School North in the WOBM Classic. With an aggressive defense and a bevy of players who can score, Sayreville has been dominant and easily won the GMC’s White Division.
Coach Janet Cook’s team also bested previously undefeated Morristown High School Jan. 28. With the ever-dangerous Isi Enahoro and Patrice Harding, who average 12 steals between them, the Bombers are always looking to counter. With an ability to score off the break as well as from 3-point range, Sayreville is a difficult team to defend.
Enahoro averages 14.7 points to lead the team in scoring, while Harding averages 10 points. They have scored 30 3-pointers apiece. Ryane Brush averages 13.3 points and leads the Blue and Gray with 37 treys.
“This is a veteran team,” Cook said. “They know each other, and they know what is expected, and that means playing hard at both ends. We’re very proud of our defense, and everyone pitches in. Most important, the girls want to win, and it shows on the court.”
On Feb. 15, Cook’s team was scheduled to host 17th-seeded Spotswood High School, which defeated 16th-seeded Metuchen High School in a preliminary-round game, 42-37, Feb. 13.
Sayreville’s boys have won six straight to up their record to 17-5. Coach John Wojcik’s team showed its mettle Feb. 11 with a come-from-behind win over Matawan Regional High School. The Bombers outscored the Huskies, 21-11, over the final eight minutes to prevail, 74-68. Five players scored in double figures, led by Ryan O’Leary, who tallied 21 points.
O’Leary averages 16.7 points to lead the team in scoring. His 31 3-pointers also are tops on the Bombers. Xavier Townes has been hot of late, scoring a season-high 24 points in a 75-72 victory over Woodbridge High School Feb. 3. Townes, who raised his scoring average to 13.5 points, added 22 points in an 82-65 success against New Brunswick High School Feb. 7.
On Feb. 16, the Bombers host the winner of a Feb. 14 matchup between 14th-seeded John P. Stevens High School and 19th-seeded New Brunswick.
The Old Bridge boys enter the tournament on a roll. Coach Jim Macomber’s team went to St. Joseph Feb. 7 and appeared on their way to a big win. The Falcons, however, came roaring back from 14 points down to knot things up with just five seconds remaining in regulation time.
Macomber managed to settle his team down, and the Knights recovered their poise through a scoreless first overtime period before outscoring their hosts in the second OT to win, 62-59. Kyle Parris led the Knights with 16 points, and Mike Olivia connected for 13 points, including three 3-pointers.
Old Bridge followed the big win with a comfortable 67-33 decision over Saint John Vianney High School Feb. 8 to raise its record to 15-7.
Parris, who averages 18.2 points, posted a season-high 33 points Feb. 4 in a 55-40 victory over Monroe Township High School. Will Osvald, Jared Meyer, Julius Belton, Rich Calandrino and Brandon Millings are all capable of scoring in double figures and may need to as opponents concentrate on Parris in the tournament.
“We depend on Kyle a lot because we’re a young team,” Macomber said. “We’ve been inconsistent this year. When we’ve been on, we can play with anyone. Now our younger guys have gained the experience they need, and we’re starting to see that consistency.”
On Feb. 16, the Knights host the winner of the Feb. 14 preliminary-round game between 12th-seeded East Brunswick High School and 21st-seeded South River High School.
The Lady Knights defeated 28th-seeded Piscataway Vocational Technical High School in a preliminary-round game Feb. 13, 50-19. They moved on to face fifth-seeded Woodbridge Feb. 15.
Coach Jon Bill’s girls are 12-8, including an impressive 66-63 win against Edison High School Feb. 7. Meaghan Dowdell led the way with 18 points. Leading scorer Amanda Carney added 16 points, and freshman Rachel Kuhl contributed 14 points. The always dangerous Carney is averaging 19.9 points, while Kuhl averages 15 points and tops the team with 55 3-pointers.
By Warren Rappleyea
Sayreville War Memorial High School’s girls’ basketball team is the top seed in the Greater Middlesex Conference (GMC) Tournament, while the Bombers’ boys’ squad earned the third seed.
Neighboring Old Bridge High School — fresh off its upset win over Saint Joseph High School of Metuchen — garnered the fifth seed in the boys’ tournament. The Lady Knights, who are winners of three of their last four games, are seeded 12th in the girls’ tournament.
The high-flying Sayreville girls have won 16 straight games and are 20-1 overall. The Bombers’ lone loss came in December to Toms River High School North in the WOBM Classic. With an aggressive defense and a bevy of players who can score, Sayreville has been dominant and easily won the GMC’s White Division.
Coach Janet Cook’s team also bested previously undefeated Morristown High School Jan. 28. With the ever-dangerous Isi Enahoro and Patrice Harding, who average 12 steals between them, the Bombers are always looking to counter. With an ability to score off the break as well as from 3-point range, Sayreville is a difficult team to defend.
Enahoro averages 14.7 points to lead the team in scoring, while Harding averages 10 points. They have scored 30 3-pointers apiece. Ryane Brush averages 13.3 points and leads the Blue and Gray with 37 treys.
“This is a veteran team,” Cook said. “They know each other, and they know what is expected, and that means playing hard at both ends. We’re very proud of our defense, and everyone pitches in. Most important, the girls want to win, and it shows on the court.”
On Feb. 15, Cook’s team was scheduled to host 17th-seeded Spotswood High School, which defeated 16th-seeded Metuchen High School in a preliminary-round game, 42-37, Feb. 13.
Sayreville’s boys have won six straight to up their record to 17-5. Coach John Wojcik’s team showed its mettle Feb. 11 with a come-from-behind win over Matawan Regional High School. The Bombers outscored the Huskies, 21-11, over the final eight minutes to prevail, 74-68. Five players scored in double figures, led by Ryan O’Leary, who tallied 21 points.
O’Leary averages 16.7 points to lead the team in scoring. His 31 3-pointers also are tops on the Bombers. Xavier Townes has been hot of late, scoring a season-high 24 points in a 75-72 victory over Woodbridge High School Feb. 3. Townes, who raised his scoring average to 13.5 points, added 22 points in an 82-65 success against New Brunswick High School Feb. 7.
On Feb. 16, the Bombers host the winner of a Feb. 14 matchup between 14th-seeded John P. Stevens High School and 19th-seeded New Brunswick.
The Old Bridge boys enter the tournament on a roll. Coach Jim Macomber’s team went to St. Joseph Feb. 7 and appeared on their way to a big win. The Falcons, however, came roaring back from 14 points down to knot things up with just five seconds remaining in regulation time.
Macomber managed to settle his team down, and the Knights recovered their poise through a scoreless first overtime period before outscoring their hosts in the second OT to win, 62-59. Kyle Parris led the Knights with 16 points, and Mike Olivia connected for 13 points, including three 3-pointers.
Old Bridge followed the big win with a comfortable 67-33 decision over Saint John Vianney High School Feb. 8 to raise its record to 15-7.
Parris, who averages 18.2 points, posted a season-high 33 points Feb. 4 in a 55-40 victory over Monroe Township High School. Will Osvald, Jared Meyer, Julius Belton, Rich Calandrino and Brandon Millings are all capable of scoring in double figures and may need to as opponents concentrate on Parris in the tournament.
“We depend on Kyle a lot because we’re a young team,” Macomber said. “We’ve been inconsistent this year. When we’ve been on, we can play with anyone. Now our younger guys have gained the experience they need, and we’re starting to see that consistency.”
On Feb. 16, the Knights host the winner of the Feb. 14 preliminary-round game between 12th-seeded East Brunswick High School and 21st-seeded South River High School.
The Lady Knights defeated 28th-seeded Piscataway Vocational Technical High School in a preliminary-round game Feb. 13, 50-19. They moved on to face fifth-seeded Woodbridge Feb. 15.
Coach Jon Bill’s girls are 12-8, including an impressive 66-63 win against Edison High School Feb. 7. Meaghan Dowdell led the way with 18 points. Leading scorer Amanda Carney added 16 points, and freshman Rachel Kuhl contributed 14 points. The always dangerous Carney is averaging 19.9 points, while Kuhl averages 15 points and tops the team with 55 3-pointers.
