MIDDLESEX COLLEGE MENS BASKETBALL ENTERS NJCAA D2 NATIONAL POLL
Middlesex College Men's Basketball has thrived in their first season moving up to the NJCAA Division II level and now they're being recognized nationally.
The Colts came in ranked #21 in the latest NJCAA Division II National Poll after winning their first six games of the season. Among the Cols wins were victories over previously ranked Raritan Valley, who fell out of the top 25 this week, and key road wins at College of Southern Maryland, Mercer CC and Anne Arundel CC.
There are 157 two-year schools competing in Men's Basketball at the NJCAA D2 level this season. Middlesex College is the only Region 19 school to receive votes in this week's rankings.
Winston Smith's squad has once again made their mark on the defensive end, allowing just 66 points per game. That total places them in the top 20 nationally. The Colts are one of just four Region 19 teams across all divisions that remain undefeated.
Middlesex has been successful playing unselfish basketball with different players coming up with big plays in every game. Jahmere Glover (Sophomore/Irvington, NJ) leads the team at 17.7 points per game with Savion Pressley (Sophomore/Woodbridge, NJ) right behind him at 14.7 PPG. Glover also leads the Colts with 10 rebounds per game.
Nigel Garcia (Sophomore/Maplewood, NJ) has been great off the bench for the Colts. He has averaged 11.2 points as a reserve including a monster 24-point effort in the Colts biggest win of the season over Raritan Valley CC.
Sean Williams (Freshman/Old Bridge, NJ) has been a key to the Colts defense, averaging 4.8 steals per game, which places him in the top 10 in the country in that category.
Jakin Edmond (Sophomore/Union, NJ) has been fantastic defensively for Middlesex too. He leads the team with 1.7 blocks per game and is second on the team with 7.2 rebounds per game.
Damien Downes (Freshman/South Brunswick, NJ) has also been a key player off the bench this season. Downes has given Middlesex meaningful minutes and has come up with some huge plays this season. He averages 20.2 minutes in reserve and played a season-high 27 minutes against Raritan Valley CC, scoring nine points.
Justin Laguerre (Freshman/Union, NJ), Lorenzo Perez (Freshman/Perth Amboy, NJ), Anthony Williams (Freshman/Old Bridge, NJ), Daniel Starcevic (Freshman/Highland Park, NJ) and Noah Taylor (Freshman/Colonia, NJ) have all also contributed to the Colts fast start.
The Colts have three games this week, travelling to Essex CC on Tuesday, hosting undefeated Montgomery CC at home on Thursday and then heading to Bucks CC on Saturday.