A Fanatic Summation of the Semi-Finals of the Tournament of Champions - #2 St. Augustine vs #3 Plainfield

Plainfield 50
St. Augustine 40


Plainfield scored 15 field goals below the arc while St. Augustine scored 8. This gave Plainfield a 14 point advantage. St. Augustine scored 6 3-pointers compared to Plainfield’s 3 3-pointers. This gave St. Augustine a 9 point advantage in the 3-point category. Plainfield connected on 11 free throws compared to St. Augustine's 6 thus giving the Cardinals a 5 point advantage from the charity stripe and the total difference of 10 points for the game.

Where did the Cardinals win this game? Defense, defense and some more defense. The Cardinals trio of guards, Sekou Harris, Allen Brown, and Delano Mullings stifled one of the best guards out of South Jersey. St. Augustine’s Isaiah Morton shot a dismal 11% below the arc and shot 29% from the 3-point line. Allen Brown used his size advantage to muscle around the 5’8 guard. Mullings and Harris matched Morton speed foot for foot and stayed in his chest all game. If he did get by, Justin “Where’s the Block Party at” Sears was there to block his shot. Speaking of a Block Party, the Cardinal’s decided to throw a party at the beautiful Monmouth University Recreational Center. And the party was jumping with the Cards rejecting 12 shots compared to St. Augustine’s 0. The Cardinals actually won the turnover battle which has been a sore point all season. The Cardinals turned the ball over well below their season average. The Cardinals turned the ball over 11 times compared to #2 seed’s 20. The Card’s distributed the ball well as Sekou “Trey Swish” Harris led the game with his gift giving with 6 assists.

Cardinal Fanatic Efficient 5

1) Plainfield – Junior Justin Sears 6’8” {ER-20}
Although Justin only scored 4 points his other contributions were big. The efficiency rating is not based on points scored alone but also on other contributions that is needed to win. Sears demonstrated that with his 6 rebounds, 3 steals, and game high 9 rejections. Sears also only committed 1 turnover. To show Sears value in this game, his 9 rejections turned away a possible 18 points.

2) Plainfield – Junior Jahmal Lane 6’3” {ER-17}
Lane consistent pressure of driving to the basket sparked the Cardinals in what may be their biggest victory in school history. Lane sparked a lack luster outside shooting exhibition by taken the ball to the rim. Lane scored 12 points on 71% shooting below the arc. Lane also grabbed 6 rebounds, dropped 3 assists, and picked up a game high 5 steals.

3) Plainfield – Junior Dii’Jon Allen-Jordan 6’6” {ER-15}
Dii’Jon “The Dunk Master” Allen-Jordan continues to make people ask in the arena, “Who is this guy?” Dii’Jon high flying act is now on notice as the fans rise to their seats to get a glimpse of his sky walking dunks! Dii’Jon spectacular slam dunk on Brandon Slotoroff (a top defender) of St. Augustine was photo'ed by the Star Ledger. But as stated in previous blog’s his game is not about dunks. The 6’6” junior swing man is becoming an outside threat and the Cardinal Fanatic is holding on to his beak to see what his game will transform into for next year. Dii’Jon scored a game high 13 points and grabbed a game high tying 9 rebounds (St. Augustine’s Austin Johnson also with 9 rebounds). Dii’Jon completed his stat line by dropping 2 assists, 1 steal, and 1 rejection.

4) Plainfield – Sophomore Denzel Christian 6’6” {ER-12}
To score 2 points and still make the efficiency 5 says a lot of Denzel. Denzel did all the things that do not show up in the stat book. While Justin Sears was rejecting shots from his side of the paint, Denzel altered and disrupted multiple plays on the other side of the paint. Early foul trouble did not stop the aggressive play of Christian as he grabbed 5 rebounds, 1 assist, and rejected 2 shots. Denzel efficiency was proven in the fact he did not turn the ball over for the entire game.

5) St. Augustine Prep – Sophomore Ryan Buchowski 6’3” {ER-10}
Ryan played the most efficiently for the Hermits of St. Augustine Prep. Ryan was perfect from the field. This was a much needed help since St. Augustine only shot less than 30% from the field. Ryan also grabbed 4 rebounds and did not commit a turnover for the entire game.


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