By Jeff Appelblatt
Since Matt Gigliello took over as Woodbridge High School’s boys’ basketball coach in 2012, his teams have had an easy of it through the season en route to the quarterfinals of the Greater Middlesex Conference (GMC) Tournament.
And so often, the team from Saint Joseph High School of Metuchen — a team that Gigliello was an assistant coach for at one point — stands in everyone’s way.
When St. Joe’s dominated Piscataway Township High School, 81-57, Feb. 19, he knew what his team was going to face in the next round.
Woodbridge’s coach was confident his players knew, too, and they know what it will take to compete with the Falcons.
“These guys know what it’s going to take to beat them,” Gigliello said about his team. “It’ll take a clean game and a big effort. We have to go out there and do well.”
A few years back, Woodbridge rival Colonia High School was able to knock off St. Joe’s in the tournament. Gigliello is certain his players remember and are focused on the task at hand.
Gigliello doesn’t have a master plan to beat the Falcons, but he knows his team will need to be near perfect.
Woodbridge (18-4) has been quite close to perfect, but the coach hopes his players are ready for another level of perfection.
“We have to go out and play our best game of the season,” the coach said, thinking ahead to the 7 p.m. matchup with St. Joe’s Feb. 22 in South Brunswick. “This time of the year is exciting.”
Gigliello hopes that his senior-led lineup will be ready to compete.
“We have an experienced group,” Woodbridge’s coach said. “It’s translated to wins, and now we’ll see if we’ve got a few more.”
Right before the Falcons (23-1) beat Piscataway, Woodbridge defeated Old Bridge High School, 63-54 behind the balanced attack of the Barrons’ main six. Harry Rutkowski led the way with 13 points, Hura Blaine scored 12 and Curtis Nesbit and Keshaun Henry scored 11 apiece.
Rounding out the day, Kemari Persol and Quassim Glover combined for 16.