Immaculate Holds Serve Over Tech

GSBR spent a Sunny Saturday afternoon in Montclair, grabbed a brunch and took in the Immaculate Conception victory over Newark Tech.

Immaculate Conception was fast out the gate led by junior guard Myles Blackley, jumping out to a 7-0 lead inside a minute. The 6’3” junior added another bucket and then a triple from one step across half court to make it 12-0 midway through the opening quarter. After a layup made it 14-0, Newark Tech took a timeout to try and regroup. After another IC bucket, Marcus Bragg got Newark Tech on the board with a bucket and foul, making it 16-3 with 2:45 to go in the first. Tech made a run to get within 16-10 late in the first, but IC put their foot on the gas and led 23-13 after one, inspite of a Bragg buzzer beater.

Immaculate did well to hold serve through the second quarter, throwing multiple defensive looks at Tech and using their size advantage at both ends of the floor to control the paint and glass, leading 28-19 at the midway point of the second. After buckets by Akeem Langevine and 6’6” sophomore forward Zakhi Manning, the lead ballooned back into double digits.

Newark Tech made adjustments at the half and came out strong with a balanced offense led by the Braggs and cut the lead to 48-44 midway through the third, prompting Coach Salmon to insert 6’5” sophomore prospect Kole Grandison into the game for the first time after resting him in the opening half. Behind Grandison and Blackley, the lead pushed back to double digits after 3 at 55-45.

Tech fought valiantly in the fourth quarter but was unable to climb the mountain in spite of making several runs at Immaculate, who held on for the win behind a fantastic showing on the glass by the entire team, holding serve for a 75-64 win to advance in the Essex County Tournament.

Following the contest, IC coach Jimmy Salmon was presented with a commemorative basketball to mark his 250th victory as a coach, which his team earned him over Christmas break.