in first place
in GSAC South
Brookdale men beat No. 2 Gloucester in GSAC tilt
Jersey Blues
in first place
in GSAC South
BY TIM MORRIS
Staff Writer
It was only round one of a possible three, but it didn’t diminish Brookdale Community College’s thrilling 65-62 win over previously undefeated Gloucester.
Brookdale knocked off the No. 2-ranked team in the country on Jan. 20 in Lincroft behind a strong inside game provided by Miguel Rodriguez and clutch shooting from Jerome Hubbard.
Trailing 60-59, the Neptune graduate Hubbard buried a 25-foot trey that put the Blues up 62-60 with 1:21 remaining in the game. He then added three free throws to extend the lead to 65-60 — paving the way for the huge Garden State Athletic Conference game that had national ramifications.
"Games like this make you grow," said BCC head coach Paul Cisek. "It was a great game. They’re good, real good, and so are we. We played a great game.
"A couple of guys stepped up for us off the bench," he added.
Dennys Gomez, from Perth Amboy provided a big lift in the first half when Brookdale was struggling. He scored six points and provided a lot of energy.
"He gave us a lot of good time," Cisek said.
The 6-4 Jenkins, out of New Brunswick, helped Brookdale dominate the paint coming up with 16 points.
"We went with our inside power game really for the first time this year," Cisek said.
The Blues have become an outside-inside team this winter with their outside shooting setting up their inside game. Against the second-ranked Roadrunners, the Jersey Blues looked to pound the ball inside, especially in the second half where Gloucester had no answer for the 6-7 Rodriguez.
"Rodriguez dominated the second half," Cisek said. "He scored, rebounded and blocked shots."
The sophomore from Milford Academy led the team with 17 points and 13 rebounds.
In a game where no team enjoyed more than a four-point lead at any one time, it was the outside shot that saved the day for Brookdale. Hubbard’s rainbow three turned the tide in Brookdale’s favor.
Hubbard had 14 points, three assists, three blocks and two assists.
Brookdale improved its record to 13-4 overall, but 7-0 in the GSAC Southern Division and now, all alone in first place. Gloucester fell to 15-1 overall and 6-1 in the conference.
The two teams will play again on Feb. 12 at 5 p.m. in a game that will probably decide the division title and top seeding for the Region XIX tournament, where they could meet for a third time. The Jersey Blues are the defending Region champions.
The 65-62 win over Gloucester was another sign that the young Jersey Blues have grown up.
"We never became rattled, they just went out and did their thing," noted Cisek. "We’re a much more athletic team this year and that was a factor."
With Rodriguez, 6-4 Devin Davis (Red Bank Regional), 6-4 Jenkins and 6-4 Joe Leone (Middletown North), the Blues can go big against anyone. They made life difficult for Gloucester.
Brookdale also has depth in the backcourt with the eligibility of transfer Jamar Pressley, a true point guard. The addition of Pressley, another Neptune grad and former teammate of Hubbard, has allowed Hubbard to move to his natural position — the two guard.
The Blues now have a very strong backcourt that can handle the pressure and get after teams. Gomez can also play the point and swing player Kelvin DeLosAngeles (Perth Amboy) has allowed Cisek to alternate his four guards as a unit.
Brookdale did not get caught basking in the glory of its win over Gloucester as the Blues bounced Atlantic Cape, Thursday night in Mays Landing, 86-65. Jenkins led a balanced attack with 18 points, followed by 17 from Rodriguez and 16 from DeLosAngeles. The Blues improved to 8-0 in the conference and 14-4 overall.
Brookdale is home tomorrow night against Ocean at 7 and on the road Tuesday at Middlesex.
The Jersey Blues return to Lincroft for games against Mercer, Feb. 5 at 5 p.m. and Salem on Feb. 7 at 3 p.m., before embarking on a three-game road trip that includes the Feb. 12 stop in Gloucester.
Brookdale finishes the regular season with a pair of home games, Camden Feb. 17 at 8 p.m. and Morris Feb. 19 at 7 p.m.