UNION COUNTY CHAMPIONS!!! - A Fanatic Summation of the Plainfield vs Roselle Catholic Game

2012 Union County Champions

The Cardinal Fanatic found this to be a very intriguing game where there was more to the victory than just statistical facts.  We will look over every statistical category and the Cardinal Fanatic will interject a non-factual observation. Lets get started first with each statistical category.

Where did the Cardinals win this game?

–        Shooting Percentage (Advantage Plainfield) – Plainfield was able to be more efficient in their accuracy from the field.  Plainfield below the arc shot 50% compared to Roselle Catholic’s 47%; Plainfield 44% from beyond the arc compared to Roselle Catholic 31%.  A major key to the game was the foul shooting accuracy as Plainfield shot an impressive 82% compared to Roselle Catholic’s 60%.

–        Turnovers (Advantage Roselle Catholic) – Roselle Catholic took care of the ball slightly better than the Cardinals.  Roselle Catholic committed 3 less turnovers than the Cardinals

–        Interior Defense/Rejections (Advantage Plainfield) – It was a total team effort for the Cardinals to protect the interior paint.  The talented Jameel Warney and the 6’9” Tyler Roberson had it difficult in the paint area.  The Cardinals rejected 5 more shot attempts than Roselle Catholic.

–        Sharing the Ball (Even) – Both teams distributed the ball well.  Both teams combined for 28 assists with Plainfield having a 2-assist advantage.

–        Rebounds (Even) – Plainfield grabbed 4 more rebounds than the taller Roselle Catholic.

–        3-Pointers made (Even) – Both teams connected on 4 3-pointers.

–        Points in the Paint/Below the arc (Advantage Roselle Catholic) – Roselle Catholic converted 48 points in the paint area compared to the Cardinals 42 points.

–        Free Throws (Advantage Plainfield) – This is where the game was won.  Plainfield converted 12 more free throws, which was a major advantage in a game that was evenly played.

–        Additional Opinionated Interjection – Wesley Cherry shot the highest percentage from the field in the game.  Chris Gross was probably the best deep threat on the floor but was not utilized.  Credit should be given to the Cardinals overall team defensive effort as both players were defended well.  Cherry’s shot attempts were minimized from the off the ball defense of Jahmal Lane.  The same could be said for Chris Gross.  Gross, who scored 1,000+ points for his high school career, was also limited to shot attempts by the off the ball defense of Taylor Plummer.  This ultimately slowed down a potentially additional offensive firepower for Roselle Catholic. 

Cardinal Fanatic Efficient 8

1) Plainfield – Senior Sekou Harris 6’0” {ER-28}

Sekou “Trey Swish” was brilliant as he shook off the Kean University shooting slump.  Sekou shot 63% below the arc, 50% from beyond the arc, and 100% from the free throw line to score a game high 26 points.  Trey Swish also grabbed 3 rebounds and dished out a game high tying 5 assists (Roselle Catholic’s Hakim Saintil also with 5 assists).

2) Roselle Catholic – Junior Tyler Roberson 6’9” {ER-23}

Tyler played his best game against the Cardinals.  Roberson showed the fans why is one of the most sought after underclassmen by Div 1 recruiters in the nation.  Roberson shot 57% from the field to score a team high 16 points.  Roberson completed a double double night by grabbing a game high 11 rebounds.  Tyler was not finish with his stat line as he dropped 3 assists and rejected 1 shot.

3) Roselle Catholic – Senior Jameel Warney 6’8” {ER-22}

The Plainfield resident dropped 15 points and just missed a double double by grabbing 9 rebounds.  Warney also picked up 2 steals, dropped off 2 assists, rejected a team high 2 shots.  Warney completed a very Efficient night by only committing 1 turnover.

4) Plainfield – Senior Justin Sears 6’8” {ER-21}

Sears battled admirably against the trees of Warney and Roberson.  Sears aka Dr. Double Double lived up to his title.  Sears scored 11 points and grabbed a team high 10 rebounds.  Dr. Double Double also picked up 1 steal, dropped off 2 assists and re-confirmed the Paint Department in all Sears has been shut down with his game high 4 rejections.

5) Roselle Catholic – Senior Wesley Cherry 6’5” {ER-20}

The big discussion in the stands was whether Cherry Sr. (Wesley’s Pops) was a better player back in the day at the 6:00 in the morning pick up games at Tamaques Park in Westfield or the Wesley Cherry Jr that was putting down 2 handed tomahawk slam dunks against my Cards!!! Well Pops, the Cardinal Fanatic is telling Father Cherry to take seat in my rocking chair next to me!  Wesley shot a blazing 83% from the floor.  Wesley also grabbed 4 rebounds, picked up 1 steal and dished out 2 assists. Another Cardinal Fanatic Efficiency measurement was the defensive effort of Wesley.  Wesley was able to slow down the hot shooting Harris.  If not for Cherry’s effort Harris may have scored 30+ points. Cherry completed a very Efficient night by committing only 1 turnover for the entire game.   

6) Plainfield – Senior Jahmal Lane 6’4” {ER-19}

Jahmal’s effort earned him Star Ledger Player of the Week!  Jahmal shot an Efficient 64% from below the arc and 50% from beyond the arc to score 22 points.  Jahmal also picked up 1 steal, grabbed 5 rebounds, dished out 2 assists and rejected 2 shot attempts.

7) Plainfield – Senior Dii’Jon Allen-Jordan 6’6” {ER-16}

Dii’Jon shot 5 for 5 down the stretch from the free-throw line to hold off Roselle Catholic.  Dii’Jon would finish the game shooting 83% from the free throw line.  Dii’Jon also grabbed 6 rebounds, picked up 2 steals, dished out 3 assists, rejected 1 shot attempt, and only committed 1 turnover.  Mr. Mustard finished the game with a 3:1 assist to turnover ratio.

8) Plainfield – Senior Taylor Plummer 6’5” {ER-15}

Plummer was Efficient with his shooting as he shot 67% from the field.  But Plummer’s main contribution was not putting the ball in the bucket but the other things that does not get the glamour.  Plummer’s defensive effort in slowing down 6’7” sharp shooter Chris Gross was superb.  Taylor also grabbed 4 rebounds, picked up a game high tying 3 steals (Roselle Catholic’s Hakim Saintil also with 3 steals), dropped off 2 assists and rejected 1 shot attempt.

The first Union County Champions of the 21st Century!!!!

Notable Plainfield High School Alumni in attendance

Sharp Shooter Hassan Talley - Member of Plainfield's 1983 State Championship Team

Collegiate All-American Wide Receiver and College All-Star Hula Bowl Participant - Tim Egerton.

Tim was a member of the 1982-1983 Plainfield Football team that ended Westfield's 16 consecutive Thanksgiving Day winning streak. Tim is one of the best recievers to wear the Cardinal uniform!

Donald Jones (center) Plainfield Cardinal Football - NFL and current Buffalo Bills #19 Wide Receiver

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