Colonia’s Taylor Derkack drives against Middlesex in the GMC Tournament semifinals at Spotswood High School on February 14, 2024. (Photo: Alec Crouthamel)
When second-seeded Colonia felt some pressure in the second half, they leaned on one of the program’s all-time players to a 56-40 victory over Middlesex, the Greater Middlesex County Tournament’s 14-seed on a Cinderella run.
Taylor Derkack, the school’s all-time leading scorer, put up a game-high 27 points and contributed in almost every possible way to help bring the Patriots to its second consecutive GMC Tournament final. She racked up numerous rebounds, blocks, and steals to stifle the Blue Jays’ resurgent offense and build a wire-to-wire lead throughout the entire game.
Colonia (19-7) will look to avenge its 49-42 loss to St. Thomas Aquinas in last year’s GMC Tournament final, and will have a chance to do so depending on if the Trojans take down Monroe in the other semifinal game. The Patriots played their best basketball in the first half, opening up a 36-15 lead at halftime. Freshman Hailey Conklin was the Patriots’ other double-digit scorer, putting up 15 points.
For Middlesex (15-12), star junior Jess Devine led the way with 21 points, including scoring all 16 of the Blue Jays’ points in the third quarter. Their season ends in the semifinals after a huge tournament run in head coach Stew Lester’s first season.
Click below for postgame reaction from Central Jersey Sports Radio’s Alec Crouthamel with Colonia head coach Sandi Chiera and senior Taylor Derkack:
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