GSBR stopped off at Colonia HS tonight to see the Patriots tangle with the high flying Phillipsburg Stateliners in a massive non-conference tussle and it did not disappoint.
Phillipsburg jumped out to an 8-2 lead led by junior guard Matthew Scerbo, who had two drives to the basket and 2 free throws in the early going. Colonia answered back with baskets by Matt McSorley and James Coret to cut it to 10-7 as the first quarter moved forward. The Stateliners finished the quarter with a another drive by Scerbo and a long three by Jason Abbott to lead 15-8 after 1.
The second quarter began with Scerbo getting to the bucket twice as Phillpsburg consistently broke down the Colonia defense to score inside the paint. Pburg led 21-10 midway through the second. Colonia cut the lead to single digits behind two strong moves by Jaeden Jones and a 3 pointer by Dylan Chiera but Ameer Herran found further success in the paint as Phillipsburg took the lead into the half at 30-21.
The Patriots would not go quietly into the Middlesex County night, with 6'6" sophomore prospect Aiden Derkack scoring half a dozen early points as Colonia forced the Stateliners into several turnovers as they fought back into the game. McSorley and Jones each hit three pointers to even it up at 37. Phillpsburg then inserted 6'7" forward Jayveon Jackson into the game and he scored inside on two bank shots, continuing the theme for the visitors in the paint, ending the quarter with Pburg up 43-38.
The final quarter began with both teams trading baskets as Colonia would begin to press up court and double up on Matthew Scerbo. While Scerbo was the focus of the Patriots efforts, his teammat Herran had a tremendous 4th quarter for Pburg as he hit a long three point shot, a layup and a thunderous dunk, allowing Phillipsburg to keep the lead at 54-46. Colonia hit two three point shots by Derkack to cut the lead to three, but was forced to foul and the Stateliners were 5 for 6 from the free throw line to close out the game and score their second statement victory in two days, walking out of Colonia with a 59-55 win. Scerbo led the Stateliners with 23.
