By: Lance Manion
The South Brunswick High School boys basketball team got the Greater Middlesex Conference Tournament off to a bang, routing Perth Amboy Tech, 69-21, on Tuesday night.
Martin Soaries poured in seven of his 12 points in the first quarter when the fifth-seeded Vikings (18-4) jumped out to a 27-8 lead. Eleven South Brunswick players etched their names in the scoring department, with junior guard Brian Morgan leading the way with 13 points.
Mike Sobers, a junior guard, added 12 while Malcolm Soaries chipped in with 10 as the Vikings advanced to a GMCT second-round home meeting with No. 12 Highland Park on Thursday.
Head coach Chris Balent was unavailable to comment on the game.
The win over Perth Amboy Tech improved South Brunswick to 24-20 all-time in GMC Tournament play. The Vikings are seeking their first Middlesex County championship in school history after advancing to the semifinals a year ago.
The tournament quarterfinals move to South Brunswick High on Saturday, with four games running from 12 to 5 p.m. The semifinals also will be played in South Brunswick on Monday night while the championship game is scheduled for Thursday, 8 p.m., at the Rutgers Athletic Center.
Last week, South Brunswick wrapped up the regular season with a 60-49 win in overtime over Piscataway. Nick Fazio, a senior forward, and junior guard Devon Young each scored 16, while Martin Soaries contributed 12 points as the Vikings finished in second place in the GMC Red Division. Prior to the game, South Brunswick honored its seniors, including Fazio, Tommy Hill, Mike Zwiren, John Peri-Okonny and Paul Taeffner.
Once the GMC Tournament concludes, the Vikings will begin their quest at winning a state title. South Brunswick drew a 4-seed and will host Hunterdon Central in the opening round of the NJSIAA Central Jersey Group IV tournament on Feb. 27.
