The Future...

The Future ... Part III

With 1st team all-state Tyrone Johnson transferring to possibly Montrose Christian; it would seem to look like a down year.

Although this is horrible news to the Cardinal Fanatics, the outlook is not all gloom. There are many contributors from this year’s record setting team that will be returning. Justin Sears who is going through another growing spurt, Jahmal Lane after having a solid freshman year, had the infamous sophomore jinx year, but will be one of the most experience varsity players along with Lock em Down Allen Brown. Dijon Allen-Jordan (possible starting QB for the football team) may be the best athlete on the team. At 6’5” and still growing, Dijon possesses excellent leaping ability and can stick anyone from a guard to a center. The biggest surprise may come from the once smallest guy on the floor in Sekou Harris.

The young supporting class made magnificent strides last year. Justin Sears proved to be one of the best big men in the State. Sekou Harris proved to be the missing link during the Cardinals Group 4 State Championship lost. This team has transformed under the direction of Coach Lubreski from a run and gun team during the Vasil error to a team that limits opponents possessions with discipline offense and stifling defense. The returning Cardinals are a great fit for the Lubreski system.

The Cards return 3 of the top 4 shot blockers from last years team. Justin Sears led the team in rejections while fellow sophomore Diijon Allen-Jordan and Jahmal Lane were the other 2 under class men that led the Cardinals in block shots.

The lost of Mike Price to graduation maybe a bigger hit than most people would realize. This years Cardinal Fanatic defensive MVP suffocated opponents point guards. Price was a major factor when the Cardinals went into Tiger Country and upset the defending Group 4 champs 2 years ago. Price was only a sophomore when he scored 21 points and kept Linden legend and former all-state D1 college player, Desmond Wade under wraps. Junior Allen “Lock-em Down” Brown will have to take over that role. Allen was also one of the top three-point shooters on the Cardinals (led team in percentage shooting behind the arc). Sekou Harris will also be a pest on the defensive end. Harris’s lightning speed will give opponents fits on both end of the floor. Harris was also one of the most accurate shooters from the 3 point line. Harris led the team in foul shooting percentage along with assists before his season ending injury.

Before the emergence of Justin “The Rejecter” Sears, Jahmal was one of the Cardinals leading shot blocker as a freshman. Jahmal "Let's have a Block Party" Lane had multiple shot blocks and proved be an excellent defender during his freshman campaign.

The Cardinal Fanatic will go out on limb and make an early prediction that the Cardinals will bring back...... HOLD THE PRESS!!!!

Just got news that fellow Plainfield resident and 1st team all-state guard Miles Davis of St. Peters Prep is possibly considering a petition that Johnson would reconsider the move to Montrose Christian if Davis decides to team up with him and represent the Queen City!!!!!!!

Let’s go BACK TO HISTORY....

On a cold dismal night during an Elizabeth – Plainfield football game, the Cardinal Fanatic had a sit down conversation with at the time, newly hired Coach Vasil. Vasil was ecstatic about his current team but he nearly jumped out of his seat when explained that he had 3 six graders that could play varsity right now. Those three were Hubbard school team mates (Miles and Tyrone) and Maxson stud Derrick Gordon (currently at St. Pat’s and verbally committed to Western Kentucky). Vasil new he had something special coming up the pipeline.

BACK TO THE FUTURE....
With Derrick Gordon finishing his senior season at St. Pat's, Miles Davis transferring from St. Peters to Notre Dame Prep in Massachusetts, and Tyrone transferring officially to Montrose Christian in Maryland how will the Cardinals do?

It seems improbable for the Cardinals to do well when arguably the 3 best guards in the state all live in Plainfield but will be playing else where.