Outstanding efforts from Junior G/F Darren Smith (23pts/4rebs/2stls/1asst), Senior Center Ian Robinson (21pts/8rebs/2stls) and 2003 Playoff MVP, Junior Guard, Marquis Jones (17pts/4rebs/3blks/3stls/3assts) grounded the high flying Cardinals of Plainfield. After battling to a 37-37 tie in the first half South Plainfield's constant pressure finally wore down the Plainfield guards. Contesting every pass and shot, the Tigers slowly built a lead at the conclusion of the 3rd quarter to 66-55. Mike Gordon (29pts/3rebs/2stls/1asst) did everything he could and no one, on either team left anything on the floor in this one. This game started out back and forth with both teams guards creating havoc for each other. Corey Gilmore (10pts/2rebs/2blks/2stls/1asst) and Gary Houston (8pts/2rebs/2stls/1asst) were all over the floor and the Cardinal guards, Mike Gordon and Isa Carnegie (13pts/3rebs/1blk/1stl/1asst) were no different.Tyron Martin also added 8pts and 8rebs for Plainfield.

All of us at HAWKSBASKETBALL wish you all the best in your upcoming HS season!

In what looked like a solid win for Linden after a first half lead of 32-23, everything turned around as the Cardinals nipped away at the Linden lead, which was a high as 15pts at one point. Mike Gordon (23pts/3rebs/2blks/3stls/2assts was a huge factor in the Cardinals comeback but it was super key free throws by Akeem Barnes (11pts/ 3rebs/1stl/1blk) that sealed Linden's fate. The Tigers top guns Quinn Johnson and Ariel Garcia were held in check scoring a combined 19pts! Great game and both teams played their hearts out.

South Plainfield 58 - St. Joe's 54

This game went back and forth from the opening tip. Late game turnovers gave South Plainfield the edge and they selfishly held on to the ball to cap this one. Marquis Jones (16pts/3rebs/1stl) led the Tigers along with Sr. Ian Robinson (16pts/3rebs/1blk/1stl) . This game came down to guard play with South Plainfield tenacious defense winning the battle. Sean Baptiste (15pts/1reb/1asst) and Andrew Bynum (14pts/7rebs/1blk/1asst) led the Falcon's who were trying to grab another upset.

Ariel Garcia (14pts/5rebs/1stl/3assts) and Nick Russo (14pts/2rebs/2stls) picked up the slack as Linden defeated the Raiders 55-52 in a game that went to the wire. #1 seed Linden kept it's cool last night versus Scotch Plains without their leading scorer Quinn Johnson! Linden connected for24pts from 3pt. land to stay in the game throughout the night. Scotch Plains' last minute turnovers cost them dearly. At the 2:00 minute mark the game was 43-45, Scotch Plains, then Nick Russo (4 - 3pters) hit his last 3pter to give the Tigers the lead 46-45. Scotch Plains had one more chance at the victory as they fouled Lawrence McGhee of Linden to put him on the line to shoot 1 & 1, with less than a minute to play and down by 1. McGhee stepped to the line, with 3 players from Scotch Plains rebounding and no one from Linden, and sunk the first shot and missed the second but was able to grab the rebound and was fouled again! McGhee then hit the next two and put the game away.

Derrick Caracter (18pts/10rebs) and Lance Thomas (17pts/5rebs) led Scotch Plains.

Plainfield 43 - Holmdel 35

Mike Gordon (9pts/1reb/4stls/2blks/3assts) and Lamar Clary (8pts/11rebs) led the Cardinals as they stung the Hornets 43-35. Terrific work on the boards was the difference in this game as Plainfield outrebound Holmdel 26-19. The extra possessions were the game breaker for the Cardinals. Francis Annamaria had 12pts. for Holmdel.

St. Joe's 53 - Franklin 50

Franklin got it going just a little too late last night as the St. Joe's Falcons continue to steam through the playoffs picking up their 3rd straight victory over a higher seed! St. Joe's Andrew Bynum (19pts/13rebs/2blks/1stl) was the main ingredient for this win. Sean Baptiste also added 10pts for the Falcon's. Franklin was led by Mike Tyree with 19pts.

South Plainfield 49 - Roselle Catholic 44

Top Junior's Marquis Jones (15pts/5rebs/1stl) and Darren Smith (14pts/4rebs/2stls/1asst) led the way for the Tigers as they put down the Lions of Roselle Catholic 49-44. South Plainfield's trademark, "In Your Face" defense made it a long evening for the Lions. Idris Hilliard had 16pts for Roselle Catholic.

Woodbridge High School
Linden 87 - Dunellen 53

#1 seed Linden easily disposed of #23 Dunellen in a one sided game 87-53. Quinn Johnson (29pts/9rebs) and Ariel Garcia (19pts/9rebs/1blk/2stls/1asst) led the Tigers. Todd DeNapoli had 16pts for Dunellen.

Scotch Plains 57 - Bridgewater 36

Lance Thomas (17pts/9rebs) had to pick up his game in this one as the Raiders pulled away from the Panthers 57-36. Michael Johnson (14pts/5rebs/5stls) and foul troubled Derrick Caracter (12pts/7rebs/1blk/2stls/2assts) added to the mix with for Scotch Plains. Jon Katz had 19pts in the loss for Bridgewater.

Plainfield 60 - Colonia 59

In the game of the night Plainfield beat Colonia at the line 60-59. With :00:95 left on the clock Michael Gordon (17pts/5rebs/5stls/5assts) hit the game winning foul shot and missed the second on purpose as the Cardinals held on to beat the Patriots. Rob Gardella's 24pts fell short in the game for Colonia.

Holmdel 70 - Hunterdon Central 44

In another one sided game, Holmdel destroyed Hunterdon Central 70-44. Dave Coraggio (24pts/5rebs/2stls/1asst) led the Hornets in this one. Ryan Finch had 12pts for the Devils.

Woodbridge High School
Roselle Catholic 44 - Linden 49

Jerrod Starling (24pts/4rebs/1stl) and Ariel Garcia (20pts) were the one/two punch that put Roselle Catholic away 49-44. David Cherry had 12pts for Roselle Catholic.

Columbia 70 - JFK 54

Columbia took control of this one early and never looked back as they ran by the Mustangs 70-54. Brandon Nwobu's (25pts/11rebs) monster effort was the clincher for Columbia. Bobby Jorgensen had (36pts/8rebs) for JF Kennedy.

Bridgewater 59 - East Brunswick 53

Raichien Dikerson's (21pts/6rebs) was the top play from the Panthers as the slipped by East Brunswick 59-53. Jon Katz also added (16pts/4rebs/3stls/2assts) for Bridgewater. Jason Jones had (23pts/7rebs) for the Bears.

Scotch Plains 78 - Woodbridge 54

Woodbridge High School
Scotch Plains 41 - Plainfield 39

With the score tied at 39-39 and :07 seconds left on the clock, Derrick Caracter (19pts/4rebs/3blks/1stl/1asst) stole an inbound pass as he layed out on the floor to get the steal. Gavin Ford (5pts/3rebs/3stls) was fouled on the play and calmly hit the 1 and 1 to give Scotch Plains the win. Michael Gordon and Isa Carnegie each had 9pts for Plainfield. This was a terrific game as Plainfield pulled away early to take a 23-16 halftime lead but Scotch Plains came storming back as the second half began to even up the score and eventually take the victory.

Watchung Hills 54 - South Brunswick 53

Matt Giannini (17pts/6rebs/1blk) led Watchung Hills to the win over South Brunswick 54-53 in another terrific game @ Woodbridge. This game also went down to the wire as Cliff Breese's 23pts wasn't enough for the Vikings in the end.

Franklin 68 - Hunterdon Central 60 - OT

It took Franklin 1 overtime to get past a tough Hunterdon Central team 68-60. Lamont Heading (20pts/8rebs/1blk/2stls) and Mike Tyree (20pts/1reb/2stls) led the way for the Warriors. This was a close game throughout as the Devils led at halftime 36-34 on a strong effort by Greg Sheppard (16pts/7rebs). But Hunterdon Central couldn't hang on in the end as Franklin pulled away easily in the overtime.

Bridgewater 39 - Columbia 34

Bridgewater's physical play was too much for Columbia down the stretch as the Panthers pulled away to seal the victory 39-34. Adam Goodwin's (15pts/6rebs/1stl/1asst) all around effort was good enough to put the victory in the win column for Bridgewater. Kevin Hauser had 10pts for Columbia.

Holmdel 58 - Metuchen 34

Jamie Magale (19pts/1reb/3stls/2assts) led the Hornets to victory over Metuchen 58-34. Dave Corragio also netted 16pts for Holmdel.

St. Joseph's 57 - Dunellen 44

St. Joe's took an early lead at halftime 37-22 and never looked back as they defeated Dunellen 57-44. sophomore Sean Baptiste (24pts/1stl/1asst) led the way for the Falcons. Jaren Barrett had 14pts for Dunellen.

Avenel Middle School
Perth Amboy 60 - Metuchen 30

Jermaine Clark (16pts/4rebs/1stl/1asst) led Perth Amboy as the Panthers mauled Metuchen 60-30. Jefferson Mwango also added 9pts and 9rebs for the Panthers.

South Plainfield 69 - Dunellen 51

Marquis Jones' (17pts/5rebs/3stls/1asst) was just too much for Dunellen as the Tigers blew by Dunellen 69-51. Gary Houston (15pts/5rebs/1stl) also added to the knockout punch. Todd DiNapoli led the Destroyers with (18pts/5rebs/2stls/7assts).

Roselle Catholic 49 - North Hunterdon 41

Roselle Catholic outlasted North Hunterdon 49-41 as Dan Hennessey's 13pts led the Lions. Kevin Kitching (10pts/7rebs) and Jeff Hood (10pts/3rebs) led North Hunterdon.

Marist 40 - JP Stevens 37

Shaheed McPherson's 11pts was enough to squeeze out the win for Marist over JP Stevens 40-37. Jason Calander had 11pts for the Hawks.

East Brunswick 64 - Woodbridge 54

Jason Jones (19pts/10rebs/3stls/1asst) and Jibril Holmes (19pts/3rebs/1asst) was the one, two punch that knocked out Woodbridge 64-54 and kept the Bear's perfect record in tact. Brian Rivera led the Barrons with 11pts/6rebs/2blks/1stl/2assts.

Linden 73- JF Kennedy 54

Linden defeated JF Kennedy 73-54 to remain one of two teams still undefeated in the "FALL-BALL CLASSIC". Quinn Johnson (22pts/6rebs) and Hafeez Brown (12pts/3 rebs) put up early numbers adn the Tigers never looked back. Bobby Jorgensen had 23pts for the Mustangs.

Avenel Middle School
East Brunswick 56 - Dunellen 35

Tom Wagenblast (16pts/8rebs) led the East Brunswick to it's 5th straight win over Dunellen, 56-35. Wagenblast was aided by a terrific rebounding effort by Jason Jones (9pts/14rebs) in the victory. Todd DeNapoli led Dunellen with 13pts.

North Hunterdon 39 - Watchung Hills 35

North Hunterdon's Jeff Hood (15pts/6rebs/1blk/1stl/2asst) had a good effort to hold off Watchung Hills 39-35. Steve Wilson also kept the middle clogged for the Lions with 5 blocks! Matt Giannini's (17pts/8rebs) effort wasn't enough for Watchung Hills.

South Plainfield 51 - Holmdel 38

South Plainfield got back to their winning ways with a victory over undefeated Holmdel 51-38. Marquis Jones led the Tigers with (14pts/7rebs/1blk/1stl/3assts.) David Carrigio had 19pts for Holmdel.

Rutgers Prep 48 - Metuchen 40

Rutgers Prep stopped Metuchen 48-40 with the help of Chris Yorlano's (17pts/3stls/3assts.) Kevin Rush poured in 21pts for Metuchen.

JF Kennedy 67 - South Brunswick 56

Bobby Jorgensen (19pts/5rebs/5stls) led the Mustangs to their 3rd victory over South Brunswick 67-56. Elliot Solop also added 12pts for Kennedy. Dan Stonkus had a nice effort for South Brunswick with 17pts/5rebs.

Linden 68 - Perth Amboy 58

Linden held off Perth Amboy last night 68-58 to remain one of three teams still undefeated in the "FALL-BALL CLASSIC". Charles Miller (15pts/11rebs) played huge for Linden while teammates Quinn Johnson and Ariel Garcia added 15pts each, in the win. Jermaine Clark had 17pts for the Panthers.

Avenel Middle School
East Brunswick 60 - Marist 57 (3-OT)

Jason Jones' (33pts/18rebs/2stls/1asst) two buzzer beaters were just enough to take the game from Marist in the third overtime to beat Marist 60-57 last night in one of the most exciting games of the night. Eric Lyles (18pts/1reb/1blk/3stls) and Jyron Brooks (17pts/9rebs/3blks/3stls/2assts) led Marist.

Holmdel 50 - St. Joe's 47

Francis Anamaria (12pts/4rebs/5assts) and Kyle Wibley (12pts/1asst) led Holmdel to their fourth consecutive victory over St. Joe's 50-47. Holmdel remained 1 of 3 teams to remain undefeated in the "Fall-Ball Classic". Andrew Bynum (15pts/6rebs/2blks/1stl/2assts) for St. Joe's in the loss.

Franklin 59 - No. Hunterdon 31

Devin Perkins (15pts/2rebs/2stls/3assts) and Lamont Heading (13pts/14rebs/3blks/3stls/2assts) had a terrific all-around effort to step it up for Franklin in their lopsided victory over conference rival, North Hunterdon 59-31. Jeff Hood had 12pts for North Hunterdon.

Dunellen 20 - Metuchen - 18

Todd Denapoli (12pts/5 rebs/3assts) led Dunellen past Metuchen for their first victory of the season over Metuchen 20-18. Kevin Rush had 12pts for Metuchen.

Colonia High School
Perth Amboy 56 - Rutgers Prep 31

Jermaine Clark (19pts/3rebs/2stls/4assts) put Perth Amboy over the top against Rutgers Prep 56-31 in a one-sided win. Chris Yorlano had 10 for the Argonauts.

Scotch Plains 52 - South Plainfield 35

Scotch Plains got back in the win column with their victory over a tough South Plainfield 52-35. Sophomore Derrick Caracter (20pts/4rebs/4blks/1stl/2assts) led all scorers. Lance Thomas also added 13pts/6rebs for Scotch Plains. Darren Smith had 11pts for South Plainfield.

Columbia 60 - Woodbridge 53

Columbia prevailed over Woodbridge 60-53. This game came down to the wire because of the Barron's scrappy and tough 2nd half play. Columbia went out to a 12pt lead early but the Barrons came storming back in the second half to make a game of it. Namde Ahaneku (22pts/6rebs/1stl) led the way for the Lions. Brian Rivera (22pts/9rebs/1blk/3stls/3assts) had a huge second half scoring 19 of his 22pts in the second half for Woodbridge but it wasn't enough as the Barron's took the loss.