HNT/GMC Boys Basketball Top 10
1. Linden (8-2): The Tigers are in the midst of a four-game win streak since falling to the Patrick School on Jan. 3. In those four games, Linden is averaging 70 points per game. Tavon Jones is leading the way with 16.5 points, 6.5 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game, while Khalief Crawford has been contributing 14.2 points, 3.4 rebounds and 2.9 assists. The Tigers have only one game on the schedule this week, a rematch at home against the Patrick School on Tuesday at 7 p.m.
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2. St. Joseph (11-0): St. Joseph is the last remaining undefeated team in the Greater Middlesex Conference, and sits at 5-0 atop the Red Division. Letrell West has been on fire so far this season, averaging 20.2 points, 5.4 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game. The Falcons picked up two big Red Division wins this past week, against Old Bridge and South Brunswick, and will face two more this week, East Brunswick on Tuesday and Piscataway on Thursday before traveling to Lakewood on Saturday.
3. Sayreville (9-4): Sayreville jumps up a spot this week after dealing Woodbridge its first loss and facing a tough opponent in St. Mary's (Eliz.) on Sunday, falling 60-53. Sunday's loss snapped a four-game win streak, but the Bombers will look to get back on track against North Brunswick on Tuesday, J.F. Kennedy on Thursday and will play the Skyland Conference's Hunterdon Central on Friday.
4. Piscataway (7-3): The Chiefs also made a jump this week, moving from No. 8 to the No. 4 spot. Piscataway is in the middle of a six-game win streak, and are averaging 65.5 points a game over that span. The Chiefs will play Perth Amboy on Tuesday before facing a big challenge in Red Division opponent St. Joseph (Met.) on Thursday.
5. South Brunswick (9-2): South Brunswick had a three-game win streak snapped with a three-point loss to St. Joseph (Met.) in a rematch of the GMC Tournament final, but won its next game against Bridgewater-Raritan. The Vikings have only one game on the docket this week, a Red Division matchup against Old Bridge on Tuesday.
6. Woodbridge (9-2): Woodbridge had its eight-game win streak snapped with a loss to Sayreville on Jan. 7, won its next game against Immaculata but fell to Union County's Scotch Plains-Fanwood on Sunday. The Barrons will look to get back on track against Edison on Tuesday and will face Toms River North at the Central Regional Showcase on Saturday.
7. Carteret (11-2): The Ramblers, which are still sitting atop the GMC Blue Division at 5-0, have won their last three games after a loss to Perth Amboy on Jan. 9. Carteret will face South Plainfield on Tuesday, North Brunswick on Friday and Perth Amboy Tech on Saturday.
8. Old Bridge (8-4): Old Bridge had a four-game win streak snapped with a loss to St. Joseph (Met.) on Saturday.The Knights have two more big Red Division games this week as they host South Brunswick on Tuesday and Perth Amboy on Thursday before facing Howell at the Central Regional Showcase on Saturday.
9. Rahway (7-1): Rahway has won three in a row since falling to A.L. Johnson on Dec. 29. The Indians have a big Union County Conference Valley Division game on Tuesday against undefeated Scotch Plains-Fanwood and will travel to Summit on Saturday.
10. North Brunswick (7-3): North Brunswick breaks into the Top 10 for the first time this season in the middle of a six-game win streak. The Raiders are currently averaging close to 60 points a game over that span, and will look to keep the winning streak going against some tough competition this week. On Tuesday North Brunswick will travel to Sayreville, and on Thursday will face Carteret before traveling to Lincoln on Saturday.
Records through Sunday. Staff Writer Lauren Knego: lknego@gannettnj.com; on Twitter: @laurenknego