GMC Recap

Season Recap

Led by promising sophomore Aiden Derkack, Colonia won the GMC Tournament and advanced to the North Jersey Group III Final, falling to eventual state champion Ramapo. They finished with a 22-9 record against a difficult slate outside the GMC, with losses to quality teams, including Phillipsburg, Elizabeth, Hudson Catholic and Middle Twp. Senior Jaeden Jones was the primary supporting act for Derkack, averaging 15ppg and finishing just shy of 1,000 points for his career, while classmate James Curet filled a role on the glass as the team's second leading rebounder. A clean sweep of St Thomas Aquinas and South Plainfield were high water marks on the season.

In spite of losing outbound transfers, Spotswood coach Steve Mate guided the Chargers to a 20-7 season, though early post season exits in both county and state tournaments will leave a sting. While seniors Dan Yarus(TCNJ) and Kiye Walker were expected to do heavy lifting regardless, the loss of the Ahmetaj brothers meant that the senior duo shouldered an even heavier load this past winter. They responded with flying colors as they combined for over 1,000 points and hit the boards with purpose. Juniors Joseph Nardino and Zeyad Elshazly stepped into bigger roles with confidence and kept the standard high. While losing Yarus and Walker will hurt the Chargers, the return of Nardino, Elshazly and classmate Brayden Krahling gives them a good starting poitn for next winter.

Player Of The Year

Aiden Derkack, Colonia

The 6'6" sophomore is already the top player in the GMC regardless of class and one of the best in the state as well. The do it all guard was the driving force behind the Patriots 20 win season and run in the playoffs. With two more years to go and a body that hasn't even begun to fill out yet, Derkack has a very high ceiling.

GMC First Team Sensational Seven

Sam Jones, Sayreville

Jaeden Jones, Colonia

Dan Yarus, Spotswood

Jeremy Clayville, St Joseph's Metuchen

Kiye Walker, Spotswood

Myles Marabuto, Monroe

Rinelson Dilone, St Thomas Aquinas

GMC Second Team Sensational Seven

Chidi Chukwarah, Sayreville

Alex Grospe, South River

Abudl Adebule, South Plainfield

Micah Eason, Woodbridge

Aiden Ur, St Thomas Aquinas

Myles Dickerson, Timothy Christian

Jalen Fleming, Timothy Christian

GMC Third Team Sensational Seven

Keithan Shuler, Sayreville

Gavin Pelkey, South Amboy

Chukwudi Mamah, Timothy Christian

Owen Griffin, Saint Joseph's Metuchen

Brandon McCain, North Brunswick

Tyrece Parrott, Carteret

Zeyad Elshazly, Spotswood

Final Rankings

1.) Colonia(22-9)

2.) St. Joseph Metuchen(19-9)

3.) Saint Thomas Aquinas(17-12)

4.) South Plainfield(21-8)

5.) Monroe(19-8)

6.) Spotswood(20-7)

7.) Woodbridge(16-8)

8.) Timothy Christian(18-10)

9.) Sayreville(15-12)

10.) Old Bridge(15-10)