Madison entered 2024 as a team looking to cement itself as a proper contender in Morris County's chasing pack. Their only losses have been to a ReportIt Top 25 team in Morris Catholic and on Wednesday, they added a statement win as they dominated Summit for a 70-51 victory.
Madison’s junior leader, Evan Colao, started the game with a jumper that was quickly answered by a Summit triple and the teams were off and running. Summit jumped out with the early advantage after a three by Matt Caplan. Two possessions later, Jake Easton extended their lead to 11-5 but Jackson Maloney fired back to keep Madison within a score. The teams traded scores throughout the quarter and Easton kept Summit in the drivers seat with a quarter ending buzzer beater, giving them an 18-15 lead.
Maloney opened the scoring in the second with a hard baseline drive and tough finish at the rim and took a 19-18 lead after a quick outlet pass, fast break and Colao layup. Madison began the second on a 12-2 run and opened their largest lead of the game at 27-20 midway through the quarter. After a Colao jumper at the 2:00 mark, the run extended to 18-2 and the Madtown lead ballooned by 33-20. Tripp Johnston beat the buzzer to end the run but Madison headed to the lockers up 33-23.
Madison pushed the lead to 15 early in the third after a Colao triple and were patient with their offensive sets and moved the ball well to get open looks and were leading 47-30 after a Colao layup with 3:00 to go in the third. It was 55-37 after three with Madison putting on an impressive exhibition of team basketball on both ends of the floor.
The fourth quarter was academic as the Dodgers cruised to a dominant 70-51 victory as both teams began to empty their benches.
Case Agency Player Of The Game
Evan Colao, Madison
The junior guard is the engine that drives the Dodgers forward. He’s a bundle of energy at both ends of the floor. Handled the ball well, can shoot it and had a fantastic performance leading his team to victory. Colao finished with 17 pts and 4 assists. His teammates Gavin Randall(22) and Jackson Maloney(18) had good games as well, but Colao is the X-Factor.
