It’s “Go Time” for St. Thomas Aquinas, as No. 3 Trojans visit No. 4 Colonia in GMC Red showdown

St. Thomas Aquinas head coach Bob Turco is a veteran. But even he has never had a year like this.

The combination of the NJSIAA’s new transfer policy – everyone gets one free transfer, no sit-out, no bonafide change of address needed – and Dave Boff’s move from Roselle Catholic to a small charter school in Neptune left Turco with just one returning player from last season’s GMC championship team.

And yet, the Trojans’ new-look roster quickly hit the ground running with a seven-game win streak to start the year.

The illness bug has hit St. Thomas Aquinas recently, and head coach Bob Turco’s team has had to manage with a short-handed rotation since December 21. The Trojans have overcome that to win six of eight games during that stretch, most recently beating Mount Union (NY) 80-65 on Sunday.

But with one division loss already, to Monroe, which now owns a potential tiebreaker over STA, every game has that much more importance.

And that will no doubt be the case Thursday evening when No. 3 St. Thomas Aquinas travels to No. 4 Colonia for a huge showdown. Game time is 5:45 pm, and pregame at 5:25 for a contest that can be heard on Central Jersey Sports Radio. 

Chris Tsakonas and Alec Crouthamel are on the call; click here to listen.

The Trojans have three players averaging double-figures this season. Dominican international student Rinelson Dilone has commanded the interior on both sides with 15.7 points per game and 15.1 rebounds per game, while Aiden Ur (16.4 ppg) and Greek international student Paris Papadatos (13.1 ppg, 4.9 assists per game) have also played a major role in the offense.

Click below to hear Central Jersey Sports Radio’s Chris Tsakonas talk with St. Thomas Aquinas coach Bob Turco: