GMC Final Preview: St. Thomas Aquinas vs. South Brunswick
Photo by St. Thomas Aquinas It was an incredible atmosphere at New Brunswick High School on Wednesday night. The GMC Tournament semi-finals took place midweek and the championship is now set. No. 2 St. Thomas Aquinas will take on No.…
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It was an incredible atmosphere at New Brunswick High School on Wednesday night. The GMC Tournament semi-finals took place midweek and the championship is now set. No. 2 St. Thomas Aquinas will take on No. 4 South Brunswick, who is fresh off an upset of the top-seed.
The night began with St. Thomas Aquinas and Edison. The Trojans came in coming off two double-digit victories in the tournament. Wake forest commit Quadry Adams was seen prior to the game in street clothes with a knee brace strapped on. This did not effect the Trojans in this one. They scored 26 points in the second quarter to take full control of the game. Edison did not have an answer for St. Thomas Aquinas’ athleticism and length. Kyree Henry led the way with 20 points and 10 rebounds. Sophomore sensation Jaquan Harris finished with 17 points, eight rebounds, five assists, two steals, and two blocks.
After a 72-55 win for the Trojans, game two was on. Top-seed St. Joe’s Metuchen looked to continue their reign of dominance in the GMC. South Brunswick had other plans. Yathin Vemula caught fire in the firs half and had 15 points entering the break. South Brunswick held a five-point lead and it grew to 10 in the third quarter. The defending champs would not go quietly. St. Joe’s battled all the way back and took a two-point lead with 11 seconds left. Justin Carbone tied the game with an elbow jump shot with three seconds left.
In overtime, the teams combined for just eight points. It took a second overtime period to decide this game. South Brunswick took complete control and outscored the Falcons 15-4 in the second overtime. Carbone led the way with 27 points. Devin Strickland was clutch down the stretch going 6-6 from the free throw line.
When St. Thomas Aquinas and South Brunswick take the floor, it will come down to which team gets hot. South Brunswick hit nine three’s in the semi-finals and rebounded effectively. St. Thomas Aquinas is more athletic than most teams they face. They are impossible to guard once they get in the lane and hit the offensive glass hard. Both teams are strong defensively. They both play with extreme effort and speed.
This is going to be an up-and-down game. Teams will not waste time on offense. Whoever gets hot first will come out on top. South Brunswick is looking to take down the top two seeds in back-to-back games. For St. Thomas Aquinas, they will be looking to become the new beasts of the GMC.