Colonia Secures Second Straight GMC Title with a Performance from Wortman and Derkack
coverage & photo by: Nery Rodriguez
Colonia once again proved their mettle in the Greater Middlesex Conference Tournament final, overcoming a strong challenge from Piscataway with a 70-63 victory.
The evening started with Colonia's junior guard Aiden Derkack setting an aggressive pace, scoring nine points early and pushing his team to a quick lead. Despite this fast start, Piscataway adjusted their defense, assigning Nwaigwe to stifle Derkack, limiting his offense through the middle of the game.
RJ Wortman emerged as the unexpected hero for Colonia. With Piscataway focusing heavily on Derkack, Wortman seized the opportunity to drive through the defense, scoring crucial baskets during key moments of the game. His standout performance included 12 points in the middle quarters, helping to alleviate some of the defensive pressure.
The game remained close until the third quarter when Colonia began to pull away, leveraging their defensive stops to build a lead. Despite leading by as much as 16 points, Piscataway’s relentless spirit saw them close the gap to five points late in the game. However, Colonia’s early lead and strategic play proved too much for Piscataway to overcome.
The victory was significant for Colonia not only because it confirmed their dominance in the conference but also as it marked Coach Jose Rodriguez’s 200th career win. His leadership and tactical acumen have been instrumental in shaping Colonia into a powerhouse in New Jersey basketball.
For Piscataway, the loss was tough but also a clear indicator of their growth under first-year coach Bob Turco. The team has shown immense improvement, and players like Nwaigwe and sophomore Jayden Harrison, who stepped up significantly, suggest a bright future.
This championship game not only highlighted individual brilliance but also the depth and resilience of both teams, promising more exciting basketball in the tournaments ahead.
After the game we caught up with Derkack after an impressive team win and another GMC title under their belt. "Our whole motto is Stay Public... I could've went to a few good private school teams but I am so happy to stay home and play with my friends and get wins like these"