2010 - 2011 Final Season Summation

What a season!

The Plainfield Cardinals won the elusive state championship! Some critics said it was easier for them since they dropped down to Group 3 but the Cardinal Fanatic says the contrary.

Group 4 was dominated by Linden this year, which was arguably the only other public school in New Jersey that was better (Star Ledger final rankings had the Cardinals #4 and the highest ranked public school). Based on their head to head battles, Linden came out on top 2 of the 3 games. The Cardinal Fanatic would have loved to see a fourth battle. The outcome may have been a little different due to the adjustments that were made by Plainfield. Other than Linden, the Group 4 best was Paterson Eastside, Roncocas Valley and Piscataway. The Cardinals defeated Piscataway by 21 points. Paterson Eastside biggest man was 6’4”, which would have been a problem against the triple towers of the Cardinals. Roncocas Valley may have been a challenge but the Cardinals still would have been too long.

Group 3 on the other hand had the match-ups that would have posed problems for the Cardinals. The game that would have been the biggest challenge was East Side of Newark. But internal issues demised this contending team. Mendham returned many key players from last years Group 3 championship team. But again the length of the Cardinals and the key adjustments that were made by Coach Lubreski and staff proved to be pivotal. Delano Mullings and Vaughn Anderson became key contributors during the playoff run. Mullings and Anderson combined to score the key points in the double overtime victory over Mendham for the Cardinals 3rd consecutive sectional crown. Teaneck had the size and the guard play and was considered the favorites. But again the Cardinals strategic execution proved to be just enough to eek out their 2nd consecutive North Group 3 crown (last year North Group 4 champions). Kingsway who were Group 3 finalist last year would have been another tough one but the length of the Cardinals again would be key. Burlington Twp who upset Kingsway was the surprise of Group 3 team of the year but again, the length of the Cardinals dominated the paint.

So the road to the Group 3 crown was much more difficult than it would have been for the Group 4 crown for this year. For next year Group 3 still will be the toughest group. Newark East Side, Teaneck, and Plainfield all return the main core of their teams. So a return trip to the TOC will be tough. Group 4 lost a ton and may be up for grabs next year. Who knows, maybe Plainfield will get back more students and move back up.

TOC
The Cardinals were not satisfied with just winning the states as they rail roaded their first 2 opponents of the TOC and won by a combine difference of 43 points. This earned them the right to be considered the public schools best team. This also earned the Cards the right to battle the #1 team in the nation, St. Anthony’s of Jersey City in the finals of the Tournament of Champions.

The Cardinals battled admirably. Sekou “Trey Swish” Harris played like he was determined to bring home the Gold. Trailing by only 2 possessions with a 60 seconds remaining in the game, the Cardinals just did not have enough to pull out the victory.

The road to the Championship was not easy as pre-season turmoil dominated the blogs. With the un-timely transfer of 2009-2010 first team all-state player, Tyrone Johnson to Montrose Christian, the critics said the Cardinals would be non-factors for this year.
This team suffered more talented hometown players playing else where than ever before. With Derrick Gordon earning 1st team All-State honors, this Cardinal team had the potential of having 3 – 1st team All-State players on the roster. If this 2010-2011 Cardinal team was the best public school team in the state, what would they have done with Johnson, Gordon, and Miles Davis (Notre Dame Prep – Ma.)? Let’s not forget Jameel Warney (Roselle Catholic) who is arguably the best big man in Union County. This team would be the nations best. But the current roster of Cardinals played without the hometown super-stars. This Cardinal team played for the name in the front of their jerseys. There was one unification concerning the entire team – They played for Plainfield PRIDE!

Thanks Cardinals for putting the “P” back in Plainfield!!

Special thanks to the seniors for making history---
Allen Brown
Delano Mullings
Vaughn Anderson
Crystal Pyne (Team Statistician)


CONGRATS!!!



Next up: Honarable Mention 2010 - 2011 All Efficiency Performances in a Plainfield Game.....