Fanatic Summation of the Plainfield vs. Linden Game

On a scale of 10, the Cardinals played a 9.0. This is a very high rating considering the Cards were playing the second highest ranked public school in the state. This game was competitive for the first 8 minutes. The Cards used a 25 – 4 run to open up an 18 point lead. The Tigers of Linden reduced the lead to 11 but the Cardinals held them at that point for the remainder of the game.

The most disappointing period for the Cardinals was the 1st. The Cardinal’s focused on shutting down Qadeer Lewis. Lewis dropped over 24 points and missed a double-double by one rebound in the previous meeting. The Coach Lubreski defense did its job well on Lewis holding him to 17% (1 – 6) shooting from the floor in the opening period. Linden responded to the Plainfield strategy with the hot shooting of Elijah Hodge and Jeffrey Knight who both combined for 3 – 3 shooting from behind the arc. The Tiger combo of Hodge and Knight helped Linden to outscore Plainfield in the opening period 13 -10.

The most impressive period was the 2nd. The insertions of “Mr. Zone Buster” Nate Grant-Dewitt and Sekou “Bolt” Harris sparked Plainfield to one of their most impressive scoring runs this year. Nate and Sekou nailed three 3 point attempts from deep in as many tries. Nate also finished a penetrating dish from Tyrone Johnson in the midst of the 3 point explosion the Cardinals displayed in the Tiger Den. The Coach Lubreski defensive strategy was nearly perfect. The multiple defensive sets not only shut down the Tiger’s offensively, but Linden could only get off 5 shot attempts for the entire 2nd period. The only points coming off a Qadeer Lewis assist to Armani Scipio for a lay-up. The Cardinals out scored the Tigers during the 2nd period 17 – 2.

The Plainfield Fanatic Efficient 5 for the game
1) Plainfield – Junior Tyrone Johnson – 6’3” {ER – 16}
Johnson had battle scars all over his arms from the no call physical play. The football experience paid off for Johnson as he led another balance scoring effort with 13 points. Johnson also had 4 rebounds and a game high 6 steals.

2) Linden – Senior Trell Meyers – 6’3” {ER – 15}
The Cardinals were able to ground the high flying Meyers but Trell did his best to fight off the feisty Cardinals. Meyer’s was the most efficient Tiger on this day with his 60% shooting from the floor, his team high 6 rebounds and team high 4 steals.

3) Plainfield – Sophomore Diijon Allen-Jordan – 6’5” {ER – 9}
If Diijon had finished off his 2-handed dunk attempt in the paint, the Cardinal Fanatic section was going to storm the court! Diijon has shown his competitive spirit in every game this season and believes that a Dunk is worth more than 2 points. Diijon dropped 9 points, grabbed 5 rebounds, a steal, an assist, and a rejection to lead a balance effort by the Cardinals.

4) Plainfield – Sophomore Sekou Harris – 5’9” {ER – 9}
The lightning quick Harris escaped any trap attempts by the aggressive Tigers. Harris looks like he will be the next in line for the "Mr. Zone Buster" title. Harris shot 100% from behind the arc. His Curly Neal basketball handling ability helped the Cardinals defeat the top public school defensive team in the state.

5) Plainfield – Senior Mike Price 6’2” {ER – 9}
Mike “the” Price “is right” has been “Money” with his defensive skills. Price seems like he will have a future in law enforcement because his long arm of the law rejected multiple shots, garnished multiple steals, grabbed multiple rebounds and disrupted multiple attempts by Linden to get into their offensive sets. Price should be a candidate for first team defense before the season is done.

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