The Cardinals will open this
season with the X on their backs as the Linden Tigers pay a visit in what will
be a battle. Coach Collichio is the
master of getting 120% effort out of his players. Although Coach Lubreski is no slouch himself in getting the best
out of his players as it was proven with a trip to the Tournament of
Championship finals back in March/April.
But that is the past and the
coaching staff is not talking about pass deeds. Linden is not talking either as they come in with arguably the
best sophomore in the state. Quadri
Moore is a 6’9” sharp shooter from deep.
Moore has expanded his game down low also and will be a major impact in
tonight’s game. Linden has also added
another big man. No scouting reports on
this new player other than he is also 6’9”.
This gives Linden a formable front line.
This seems to be a slight
deviation from the Collichio style at the powerhouse public school from Union
County. Linden is usually guard
driven. Thus, a lot was lost with the graduation
of three of their top guards, Elijah Hodge, Rodney Sanders, and Jaurice
Jones. The three provided nearly 85% of
the offensive output while their on the ball defense always kept the Tigers in
the game. Who will replace them? We will see tonight.
In last years opening season game
at Linden, Elijah Hodge was the player of the game. In what was an early blow out, the Cardinals fought tooth and
nail to come back within 2 points with possession and a minute left in the
game. The Cardinals achilles heel,
TURNOVERS, bit them as an unforced turnover was committed and Linden sealed the
game. Elijah Hodge floor generalship
and pull up jump shot over the Cardinals big men was impressive.
Here is a look back at last years
opening game Cardinal Fanatic Efficiency summary top performers.
Elijah Hodge – graduated
Hodge was the key to the victory
with his pull up jumper. Hodge shot 75%
below the arc and 67% from the 3 to tally a game high 21 points. Hodge also had a game high 5 steals, a team
high 4 assists all while committing only 1 turnover.
Rodney Sanders – graduated
Sanders electrified the crowd with
his lob pass catch for a 2 handed slam.
His backbreaking shooting from behind the arc sparked the Tigers. Sanders shot 50% from beyond the 3-point
line, 80% below the arc, and was perfect from the foul line. Sanders grabbed 3 rebounds while only
committing 1 turnover.
Sekou Harris – Senior
Harris nearly singly handily
brought the Cardinals back to victory.
His 4th period clutch shooting silenced the near sell out
Linden faithful. Harris shot 88% from
the charity line hitting 7 out of 8 shots.
Sekou also hit for a 40% clip from beyond the arc and 67% below the arc
to total a team high 17 points.
Dii’Jon Allen Jordan – Senior
Dii’Jon shot at a 67% clip hitting
6 out of 9 shots from the floor for 16 points.
Dii’Jon also grabbed 6 rebounds, picked up 3 steals, and had a game high
2 rejections.
Justin Sears – Senior
Justin shot 60% from the floor
hitting 3 out of 5 shots. Justin battle
with the multiple big men of Linden to win the battle of the boards with a game
high 7 rebounds.
Pre-game analysis
Look for Quadri Moore to lead the
Tigers. The Tigers will have youth in
their backcourt and could be pivotal on the success or demise of the Tigers for
the season
Look for the Cardinals Sekou
Harris to lead the charge. Yale bound
Justin Sears will have his hands full with 13’6” of 2 Linden players down low
to battle with. Allen-Jordan has been
nursing old nagging football aches and pains and may not play or used
sparingly. The most varsity experience
player on the floor will be Jahmal Lane.
The 4 year varsity player played the pre-season as he was in mid season
form.
The best-kept secret will be out
the bag for the Cardinals in point guard Ahmid Williams. Williams will bring back memories of the
Cardinal Fanatic best on the ball defender of all-time, Mike Price. With one exception, he is even faster. Look for Williams to be an immediate impact.
GAME TIME!!!!
7:00 @ the Rico Parenti Gymnasium
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