Greater Middlesex Conference Tournament: Second Round Stock Risers

<p>The second round of the Greater Middlesex Conference Tournament was filled with excitement as top seeded St. Joseph (Metuchen) was taken to overtime by Wardlaw-Hartridge. Third seeded New Brunswick was upset by 14th seeded Old Bridge. Conference tournaments are great ways to raise a player's stock as it provides a win or go home scenario in every game. The GMC Tournmanet is no different as some players have taken advantage of the big stage. Here are the stock risers from the second round of the Greater Middlesex Conference Tournament.</p> <p><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/tyje-kelton/">Tyje Kelton</a></strong><strong>, 6'5 SF/PF Dunellen 2020</strong></p> <p>Dunellen's all-time leading scorer has been a force all season and his game against Perth Amboy was no different. Kelton was unstoppable as he dropped 32 points in Dunellen's 89-78 win over Perth Amboy. The 6'5 senior could not be stopped from getting to the rim, finished through contact and knocked down a pair of three-pointers. Kelton has been one of the top players in the GMC this season and is looking for another big game in the quarterfinals.</p> <p><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/k-shawn-shulters/">K-Shawn Shulters</a>, 6'3 SG St. Joseph (Metuchen) 2020</strong></p> <p>St. Joseph (Metuchen) needed overtime to get by Wardlaw Hartridge as the Falcons held on for a 65-62 victory. Shulters stepped up as he paced the team with a team-high 17 points. The Villanova football commit attacked the basket with a purpose and knocked down big shots when his team needed him to. Shulters has been a key part of the Falcons' success this season and they will need him to continue his strong play if St. Joseph (Metuchen) wants to repeat as GMC Tournament champions.</p> <p><strong>Samar Abdullah, 6'0 CG St. Thomas Aquinas 2022</strong></p> <p>Wake Forest commit <strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/quadry-adams/">Quadry Adams</a> </strong>may have scored a game-high 25 points, but it was Abdullah who made the big difference. The sophomore guard knocked down five three-pointers in the game to help push the Trojans to a 77-43 victory over South Plainfield. Abdullah showcased a quick release on his shot and moved well off the ball to free himself on the perimeter. <strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/jaquan-harris/">Jaquan Harris</a> </strong>did not play in the game, so Abdullah's ability to knock down three-pointers makes St. Thomas Aquinas that more dangerous.</p> <p><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/tyrell-murchison/">Tyrell Murchison</a>, 5'10 PG South Brunswick 2021</strong></p> <p>Seniors <strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/justin-carbone/">Justin Carbone</a> </strong>and <strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/devin-strickland/">Devin Strickland</a> </strong>have paced South Brunswick's scoring attack this season, but it was Murchison who stole the show in Piscataway. The 5'10 junior guard poured in a game-high 23 points in the 86-66 victory as the Chiefs could not keep him out of the lane. Murchison was able to beat his defender off the bounce and knocked down three shots from behind the arc. If he is able to maintain his strong play, than South Brunswick will be a tough out in the GMC Tournament and Central Jersey Group 4.</p> <p><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/starrell-hearns/">Starrell Hearns</a>, 6'2 SF Carteret 2021</strong></p> <p>Hearns has been playing at a high level all season and his game against Monroe was no different.The 6'2 junior scored a game-high 24 points, while helping the Ramblers' defense hold <strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/andrew-turco/">Andrew Turco</a></strong> to a season-low 13 points. Hearns was at his best attacking the basket as Monroe could not keep him out of the lane. He was a force on the defensive end as he finished with four blocks and a pair of steals. Hearns has been one of the more underrated juniors in New Jersey this season, but more performances like this will put him on the radar.</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Other Names to Know:</strong></span></p> <p><strong>Savion Pressley, 5'10 PG Wardlaw-Hartridge 2022</strong></p> <p><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/lorenzo-perez/">Lorenzo Perez</a>, 5'10 PG Perth Amboy 2023</strong></p> <p><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/justin-carbone/">Justin Carbone</a>, 6'4 SG 2020</strong></p> <p>&nbsp;</p>