East Orange vs. Plainfield Semi Finals of the State Group Tournament

On a scale of 10, the Cardinals played an 8.6. The East Orange Campus Jaguars came in this game with size and more quickness than the youthful Cardinals. Junior Mario Moody Jr. of the Jaguars is an athletic freak of nature. Speed, quickness, and vertical ability second to no one in the Public School system through out the state. For the fanatics that were not in attendance, Moody is only a less skillful prototype of a Ronald Roberts of St. Peters or Michael Gilchrist of St. Patrick. But the East Orange center tried to affect the MOOD of the Cardinals center Justin Sears. With experience beyond his 2 years of basketball, the sophomore center calmly used his fundamentals to do the basics of boxing out and positioning. The battle of two of the best public school big men was a near draw but Sears came up big when needed the most to get the edge on an instant classic battle of big men. Sears clutch free throw on a one and one to tie the game in the 4th period along with a game momentum changing rejection catapulted the Cardinals to victory. Mike Price defense was surely missed during a stretch in the 3rd and 4th period (out with foul trouble) as the Jaguars outscored the Cards 19 – 4 to take the lead. The re-insertion of Price gave the Cards a boost as the Cards returned the favor by ending the game on a 15 – 3 run.

The Plainfield Fanatic Efficient 5 for the game
1) Plainfield – Sophomore Justin Sears – 6’7” {ER – 24}
After having the stocks of Sears drop to a near collapse after the St. Patrick game, Sears and Co. rebounded miraculously to the point where the Government is looking into filing an anti-trust suit due to the monopoly that Sears has on the interior paint. Facing an ultra talented center in 6’8” Mario Moody Jr., Justin just took it as another day in the office. Justin approached this game in a business like matter by giving a double-double performance. Justin dropped 16 points while grabbing a game high tying 11 rebounds (Moody also with 11 boards). Justin also picked up a team high 3 steals and hit clutch free throws in the decisive 4th period.

2) East Orange – Junior Mario Moody Jr. – 6’8” {ER – 21}
No clear scouting report was out on this junior phenom. Mario is one of the most athletic big men in the state with major Division 1 ability. As Plainfield, East Orange has many players playing at other schools. How Moody went undiscovered, only the Jaguars can answer that. Moody was the reason this game was so tough for the Cardinals. Mario dropped a team high 11 points, grabbed a game high tying 11 rebounds, and had a game high 4 rejections. Moody will be a player to watch for next season.

3) Plainfield – Junior Tyrone Johnson – 6’3” {ER – 11}
The composure of Johnson kept the Cards under control when the Jaguars took the lead in the final period. Johnson led all scorers with 18 points, grabbed 6 rebounds, and picked up 2 steals. Johnson free throws in the final minute of the game sealed the victory for the Cardinals.

4) East Orange – Senior Dominique Debts – 6’6” {ER – 8}
Debts 2 handed slam in the 4th period erupted the Jaguar fans to their feet which gave the Jaguars a 2 point lead to quiet the Cardinal fanatics. Debts shot an efficient 67% from the floor to keep the Jaguars in the game.

5) Plainfield – Senior Mike Price – 6’2” {ER – 8}
Mike continues to make the efficiency rankings on the defensive side. Mike defensive skills are being notice by college recruiters. His absence during the 19 – 4 run by the Jaguars gave the East Orange fans something to cheer about. When Mike was on the floor, the Cardinals out scored the Jaguars 43 – 24. While running the point duties, Price only committed 1 turnover.

The efficiency rating is base on points scored, shooting accuracy, foul shooting accuracy, rebounds, assists, steals, defensive intensity, and assist – turnover ratio