GREATER MIDDLESEX CONFERENCE TOURNAMENT FINAL
BRACKET
Thursday, Feb. 22 at Rutgers University
2-Piscataway (20-4) vs. 5-Edison (13-11), 6
HOW THEY GOT HERE: Second-seeded Piscataway has reached the final for the first time in three years under first-year head coach Chris Puder. After a strong win over South River in the first round, Piscataway moved past defending champion and No. 10-seed Sayreville, 51-45, in the semifinals and evaded third-seeded Bishop Ahr for a 65-54 win in the semifinals on Monday.
Piscataway has been one of the top teams in the county all season, highlighted by its three-point regular season win over Bishop Ahr, which was unbeaten at the time.
Piscataway has non-conference losses to Bridgewater-Raritan and Marlboro and did lose by a point to top-seeded East Brunswick in their second meeting this year.
Edison, seeded No. 5, has made an improbable and unlikely run into the county final for the first time in 14 years. After a 73-57 win over Woodbridge in the first round, Edison snuck past fourth-seeded South Brunswick for a 50-48 win in the quarterfinals.
That set the stage for Monday's impressive effort – a 64-50 win over top-seeded East Brunswick, avenging a pair of regular-season losses to the Bears – to reach the final.
Edison, with 11 losses this season, opened the year on a tough note with three losses in its first four games. The Eagle didn't reach .500 until a win over Old Bridge on Jan. 13 to get to 5-5. Edison's current five-game winning streak is its longest of the season.
PREVIOUS MEETINGS: Piscataway won both meetings with Edison during the regular season, taking a 57-56 win on Dec. 19 and a 49-34 win on Jan. 17.
HISTORY: Piscataway last played in the GMC final in 2015, a 77-74 win against Monroe, while Edison's last appearance in the final came in 2004.
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Piscataway has the luxury of depth on its side, with the ability to roll nine or even 10 players deep if needed.
LaNiya Miller has been the go-to scorer for the Chiefs, averaging 18.4 points per game and has the ability to take any game over with her scoring tenacity.
Freshman Ariel Jenkins has provided a major boost to Piscataway in the paint. Jenkins is averaging 11.5 points per game this year and has been a key addition to the offense. Yamirah Bennett and Saniya Myers have also played important roles to help Piscataway reach the GMC final for the first time in three years.
For Edison, its ability to run the floor and play an aggressive style is complemented by the work from its guards, Samira Sargent and Lourdes Marasigan. Sargent is averaging 15.2 points per game, while Marasigan has poured in 11.5 points per game this year.
Daniella Marmol missed eight games during the season with a hand injury, but when healthy, is as productive as any big in Middlesex County. Marmol commands the low post like no other player and attacks quickly and aggressively, making her a tough defensive assignment.
Marmol is averaging 15.4 points per game this year and her tenacity on both ends of the floor makes her a vital part of what Edison hopes to do against Piscataway on Thursday night.
Virginia Lagdameo and Kenisha Chester are also important players for Edison.
KEY FACTOR: How will Edison match up with Piscataway's size?
It's no secret that Piscataway likes to attack the paint, early and often, and usually has the advantage in the low post. Marmol will certainly be up to the challenge, but Piscataway's ability to throw a few different looks – and a seemingly endless rotation of players – can make life challenging for Edison.
If Edison can get a few stops early, run the floor and use its athleticism and speed to get the game played at its pace, it will have a good chance to make a run for a county title. The big-game jitters should be out of Edison's system now after its dismantling of East Brunswick on Monday, so a quick start could be in the equation for the Eagles.
If Piscataway attacks the paint and has early success, it could be a successful blueprint for the program's first GMC title since 2015.
THE PREDICTION: Piscataway 60, Edison 50
Brian Deakyne may be reached at bdeakyne@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @BrianDeakyne. Like NJ.com High School Sports on Facebook.
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