Fanatic Summation of the Plainfield vs. St. Anthony’s Game

On a scale of 10, the Cardinals played a 3.8. Plainfield played a great game defensively for the first 21 minutes of the game. The youthful Cardinals mixed up their defensive sets to frustrate the cold shooting Friars of St. Anthony’s. The Cardinals, to the surprise of many, was controlling the glass by out rebounding the Friars 17 – 10 for the first 21 minutes of the game. Coach Bob Hurley is legendary for a reason. He inspired his team to pick up the defensive intensity and attack the glass on every loose ball. St. Anthony’s dominated the last 11 minutes of the contest. The Friars responded by grabbing more boards than the Cardinals down the stretch 15 – 2 and out scoring Plainfield 32 - 11.

The most disappointing period for the Cardinals was the 4th. With the wheels coming off at the tail end of the 3rd period, the Cardinals never regrouped going into the final 8 minute stretch. In fairness to the Cardinals, St. Anthony ensured that the Cards would not regroup. The 6’6 250 lb Derrick Williams used his brute strength to out muscle the Cardinals down low. The 6’9” Devon Collier used his height to intimidate or reject any shot attempt in the paint. There were always 2 St. Anthony defenders with in arms length of Tyrone Johnson. With the Friar’s harassing physical defense flexing their muscle, St. Anthony pulls the game out of reach during this period.

The most impressive period was the 2nd. With sophomore sensations Diijon Allen-Jordan and Justin Sears controlling the paint with slam dunks and grabbing every loose ball, the Cardinals shook the confidence of the more experience Friars. The multiple defense sets kept the Friars off balance limiting them to only 2 field goals made during the 2nd period stretch. The Cards dominated the paint over St Ants by grabbing 7 rebounds compared to the Friar’s 2. This effort helped the Cardinals overcome a 7 point deficit and take a 2 point lead going into the half.

The Plainfield Fanatic Efficient 5 for the game
1) St. Anthony’s – Senior Derrick Williams – 6’6” {ER – 25}
With out Derrick in this game, the Cardinals would have won by double digits. His strength was a man against boys. He created space for put backs, he boxed out for rebounds, and his uncanny leaping ability rejected multiple shot attempts. Derrick shot 56% from the floor, 80% from the free throw line, grabbed a game high 8 rebounds, had 2 assists, 2 steals, and a game high 3 rejections. Derrick will be playing his college ball at the University of Richmond next year.

2) St. Anthony – Senior Devon Collier – 6’9” {ER – 25}
Devon was an absentee player in the 1st half. After getting his ear chewed off by Coach Hurley, he responded like a man possess. Collier did not play the 1st period and did not grab a single rebound in the 1st half but his play in the 2nd half was near perfect. His inspired play shifts the momentum of the game for the Friars. Collier scored 13 of his 14 points in the 2nd half without missing one shot attempt and grabbed all of his 7 rebounds in the 2nd half. Devon also shot an impressive 80% from the free throw line. Devon will be playing his college ball at Oregon St next year who is coached by the brother of the 1st Lady of the United States.

3) St. Anthony’s – Senior Elijah Carter – 6’2” {ER – 15}
Carter may be the most improve guard in the state this year. The Paterson native led all scorers with 17 points. His 3 point shooting opened the middle up for the Friar’s big men. Elijah made 3 shots from behind the arc and shot 67% below the arc. Elijah will be playing his college ball at St. Bonaventure next year.

4) Plainfield – Sophomore Justin Sears – 6’7” {ER – 11}
Will some one please give this kid a day off! The sophomore has played against some of the best big men not only in the county or state, but the nation in his 1st year of varsity ball day in and day out. His team high 6 rebounds helped the Cardinals out play the Friars in the 1st half.

5) Plainfield – Junior Tyrone Johnson 6’3” {ER – 9}
Johnson faced a tough challenge with the Friars but was still able to help the Cardinals go up by 5 points past the midway point in the 3rd period. Johnson was the leading scorer for the Cardinals with his 13 points.

The efficient rating was based on shooting accuracy, foul shooting accuracy, rebounds, assists, steals, defensive intensity, and turnovers.