All Time Best Efficiency Performers

With the season just starting, which will be the Cardinal Fanatic top Efficiency Performers.

 Entering the 3^rd season of Efficiency Rating, here is a list of the top performers from the past 2 years (2009 – 2011) and where they are now. 

	High School	Name	Year	ER	Where are they now
1	Plainfield	Justin Sears	2010-2011	47	Plainfield HS
2	St. Patrick	Kyrie Irving	2009-2010	40	Cleveland Cavaliers
3	Plainfield	Tyrone Johnson	2009-2010	36	Villanova
4	Roselle Catholic	Jameel Warney	2009-2010	36	Roselle Catholic HS
5	Mendham	Tori Vicarisi	2010-2011	35	Emory University
6	St. Patrick	Michael Gilchrist	2009-2010	33	Kentucky
7	Plainfield	Jahmal Lane	2010-2011	31	Plainfield HS
8	St. Patrick	Derrick Gordon	2010-2011	31	Western Kentucky
9	Pocono Mt. West (PA)	Tynell Fortune	2010-2011	31	California University of Pa
10	Plainfield	Dii'Jon Allen Jordon	2010-2011	30	Plainfield HS
11	Plainfield	Justin Sears	2009-2010	29	Plainfield HS
12	Linden	Elijah Hodge	2010-2011	28
13	Linden	Qadeer Lewis	2009-2010	26
14	St. Anthony's	Devon Collier	2009-2010	25	Oregon St.
15	St. Anthony's	Derrick Williams	2009-2010	25	University of Richmond
16	Westfield	Pat Sabatino	2009-2010	25	Stevens Inst of Technology
17	Westfield	Ryan Hess	2010-2011	25	St. Joseph University
18	Robeson (NY)	Sean Pond	2010-2011	25
19	Chester (PA)	Maurice Nelson	2010-2011	25	Harcum College
20	Rahway	Hakeem Kornegay	2010-2011	25	Rahway HS
21	Governor Livingston	Kevin Ferguson	2010-2011	24	West Point
22	Plainfield	Denzel Christian	2010-2011	24	Plainfield HS
23	Ridge	Dylan Kerwin	2010-2011	24	Ridge HS
24	Plainfield	Allen Brown	2010-2011	24	Union County College
25	St. Patrick	Chase Plummer	2009-2010	23	UMBC
26	Plainfield	Sekou Harris	2010-2011	23	Plainfield HS
27	Robeson (NY)	Christopher Miller	2010-2011	23
28	St. Anthony's	Myles Mack	2010-2011	23	Rutgers
29	Seton Hall Prep	Sterling Gibbs	2009-2010	22	Texas
30	Elizabeth	J.R. Pringley	2009-2010	22	Felecian College
31	Columbia	Jamar Chavis	2009-2010	22
32	Cardinal McCarrick	Morece Isaac	2009-2010	22	St. Francis (PA)
33	St. Anthony's	Kyle Anderson	2010-2011	22	St. Anthony's HS
34	St. Anthony's	Lucious Jones	2010-2011	22	Robert Morris
35	Scotch Plains Fanwood	Charles Oliver	2009-2010	21	Rider
36	Union	Jonathan Merceous	2009-2010	21	Pace University
37	Don Bosco	Vaughn Gray	2009-2010	21	George Mason
38	Plainfield	Mike Price	2009-2010	21	Montclair St.
39	East Orange	Mario Moody Jr.	2009-2010	21	Wagner
40	Mendham	Drew Jacobs	2010-2011	21	Mendham
41	St. Patrick	Michael Gilchrist	2010-2011	21	Kentucky
42	Elizabeth	Hakeem Rojers	2010-2011	21	Elizabeth HS
43	Seton Hall Prep	John Caprio	2009-2010	20	Georgetown
44	Columbia	Femi Agunbiade	2009-2010	20	William Paterson
45	Linden	Rodney Sanders	2010-2011	20
46	Chester (PA)	Rondae Jefferson	2010-2011	20	Chester
47	Rice (NY)	Melvin Johnson	2010-2011	20	St. Benedicts
48	Somerville	Steve Garfi	2010-2011	20
49	Ridge	Jack Kerwin	2010-2011	20	Ridge HS

A Fanatic Summation of the St. Benedict vs Plainfield Game

St. Benedicts won the field goals made comparison by +5. St. Benedicts converted 29 field goals to Plainfield’s 24. The Cardinals were +3 in the 3-point conversion comparison.  Plainfield converted 3 treys to St. Benedicts 0.  Jahmal Lane’s clutch 3-point shooting in the final period helped the Cardinals gain the edge from behind the arc. The Gray Bees also had the advantage in the free-throw comparison.  St. Benedicts made 9 free throws to Plainfield’s 8.  Thus the scoring difference as St. Benedict edge out the Cardinals in a thriller.

Where did the Cardinals loose this game?  It’s the same cry from last year.  If the Cardinals win the edge on the boards, the game is 95% a sure bet the Plainfield will have the “W” at the end of the day.  This was not the case as St. Benedicts reinforced their effort on the boards in the 2^nd half.  The Cardinals controlled the glass early to extend their lead to a game high 7-points.  But St. Benedicts Kamall Richards battled admirably with Justin Sears.  Richards 13 rebounds were big but it was Denzel Taylor’s 7^th rebound of the game that was pivotal.  His rebound and put back tied the game and sent Sears to the bench with his 5^th foul. Tyler Ennis 7^th rebound off of Denzel Taylor’s missed foul shot and put back won the game in final seconds. 

Cardinal Fanatic Efficient 5

1) Plainfield – Senior Justin Sears 6’8” {ER-43}

Dr. Double-Double gave the 2^nd highest Efficiency Rating in 3 years with his performance in a loosing cause.  Sears shot 69% from the floor with his multiple repertoires of moves around the basket to score a team high 21 points.  Sears was also efficient from the foul line shooting 75%.  His 2 free throws with 20 seconds remaining gave the Cards a 2-point lead.  Justin added to his stat line with a game high 15 rebound performance, along with a game high 5 rejections, and 4 assists which was only 2^nd to Ahmid Williams game high 5 assists.  Sears completed an efficient night by only committing 2 turnovers.  Sears was named Hoop Group MVP for the Cardinals.

2) St. Benedicts – Senior Kamall Richards 6’7” {ER-26}

The Pocono Mountain East (PA) transfer was the unheralded hero for the Grey Bees.  His 2^nd half improvement on the boards proves to be the true difference maker in this game.  With Sears and Dii’Jon Allen-Jordan controlling the glass for the Cardinals, Kamall Richards took over the glass in the 2^nd half to grab a team high 13 rebounds.  Richards shot 63% from the floor to score 12 points with most of his points coming down the critical stretch of the game.  Kamall also rejected a team high 2 shots and did not commit a single turnover.  St. Johns, Drexel, Penn State, Bucknell, Pitt, Rhode Island, and St. Joseph are recruiting Kamall.  It must not have been a coincidence that the 2004 consensus National Coach of the year, St. Joseph’s Phil Martelli, was in attendance paying close attention to the Grey Bee star.

3) St. Benedicts – Senior Melvin Johnson 6’3” {ER-25}

Melvin Johnson is another long list of guards out of New York City.  Melvin transferred from Rice (NY), which shut its doors at the end of the previous scholastic year.  A resident of Harlem and headed to the University of Miami, the Cardinal Fanatic knew that Johnson would play a key role for the Grey Bees.  Johnson did just that by earning Hoops Group MVP with his game high 27 points.  Johnson also had 2 steals and 3 assists.  Melvin was very efficient as the guard had a 3-1 assist to turnover ratio.

4) Plainfield – Senior Jahmal Lane 6’4” {ER-20}

Jahmal continues to show consistency with his jump shot.  His 2 fourth period 3-pointers were big for the Cardinals down the final stretch.  Lane shot 67% from the floor below the arc and shot an identical sizzling 67% from behind the arc to score a total of 18 points for the game.  Lane added to his stat line with a game high tying 3 steals (St. Benedicts Denzel Taylor also with 3 steals), 2 assists and 1 rejection.  Lane was also very efficient with the ball as he committed only 2 turnovers for the game.

5) St. Benedicts – Junior Tyler Ennis 6’4” {ER-14}

Tyler Ennis is one of the highest recruited players in the nation.  Ennis has offers from the following schools; Georgetown, Georgia Tech, Iowa State, Rutgers, Oklahoma State, Virginia, West Virginia, Cincinnati, Kansas, Boston College, UNCC, Missouri, North Carolina St., Oregon St., Rice, Santa Clara, Villanova, and Seton Hall. I did not say interest, I said OFFERS!!!! WOW!!! Ennis, who hails from Canada, last second rebound and put back was the difference in the game.  Ennis shot 75% below the arc to score 12 points.  The pro like body point guard also grabbed 7 rebounds, had 2 assists, and 1 rejection.  The point guard only had 2 turnovers to complete a game saving efficient night. 




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

A Fanatic Summation of the Plainfield vs Linden Game

Linden - 60
Plainfield - 78

Plainfield won the field goals made comparison by +3.  Plainfield converted 22 field goals to Linden’s 19.  The Cardinals were a +2 in the 3-point conversion comparison. Linden’s Quadri Moore scored all 4 3-point field goals for the Tigers.  Plainfield had 4 players contribute, Jahmal Lane – 1, Denzel Johnson – 1, Sekou Harris – 2, and Ahmid Williams – 2, to help the Cardinals gain the edge from behind the arc. The Cardinals also had the advantage in the free-throw comparison.  Plainfield made 16 free throws to Lindens 10.  With the Cardinals gaining an edge in every scoring category, the difference tallied up to the 18-point final differential.

Where did the Cardinals win this game?  It’s the same cry from last year.  If the Cardinals win the edge on the boards, the game is 95% a sure bet that Plainfield will have the “W” at the end of the day.  This was the case as the Cardinals doubled up on the Tigers by out rebounding them by 18 boards.  The Cardinals snatched 36 rebounds compared to the Tigers 18.  Justin Sears led the way with 9 rebounds.  Another big factor was the distribution of the ball.  This Cardinal team is a very unselfish team.  This is the most assists dished out in a single game since the Epps, Baskerville, and Johnson combination dished out a whopping 27 assists against a stacked Ray Graham (Pitt Football Standout) Elizabeth team several years ago.  The Cards combined to dish out 16 assists with Sekou Harris and Ahmid Williams playing the role of identical twins.  Both guards dished out a game high 5 assists.  This unselfish play had Plainfield with 4 players in double-digits scoring with Dii’Jon Allen-Jordan missing the double digit scoring by 1 point.

Cardinal Fanatic Efficient 5

1) Plainfield – Senior Justin Sears 6’8” {ER-25}

Although the young lad will be attending one of the IVY Leagues top academic and basketball schools, Sears has already earned the title of Dr. Double-Double.  Sears missed his patented double-double performance by 1 rebound.  Sears game high 9 rebounds was still impressive considering he had to battle with two players 6’9” down low.  Sears also dropped a team high 22 points shooting an efficient 69% from the floor.  Sears added to his stat sheet with a game high tying 2 rejections (Dii'Jon Allen-Jordan also with 2 rejections).

2) Plainfield – Senior Ahmid Williams 5’9” {ER-23}

Ahmid shook off the early game nervousness to drop 16 points.  Ahmid amass his scoring output by shooting a sizzling 80% below the arc and 40% from behind the arc.  Ahmid added to his efficiency by dishing out a game high tying 5 assists.  Williams finished the game with and efficient 5-2 assist to turnover ratio.

3) Linden – Sophomore Quadri Moore 6’9” {ER-21}

If there is a better sophomore in the state, please call the Cardinal Fanatic at 1-800-OMG!  Do not let the big man fool you.  Arguably the best 6’9” shooter in the nation, Moore shot 50% from 3-point land.  His nifty moves down low will only get better for the young lad as he mixed up his game on arguably the best defensive big man in the state (Sears).  Moore also shot 100% from the free throw line to drop a game high 26 points.

4) Plainfield – Senior Jahmal Lane 6’4” {ER-21}

The 4-year varsity letter winner started off the season shooting 3-3 on Bernard King like mid range jump shots in the opening minutes of the game.  This helped over come the hot shooting of Quadri Moore.  Lane shot a NBA Street on fire 80% from the floor primarily on perimeter shooting and knocked down his only 3-point attempt.  Lane also shot 75% from the free-throw line.  Jahmal scored 14 points and was 1 of 4 Cardinals scoring in double figures.

5) Plainfield – Senior Sekou Harris 6’0” {ER-17}

With Ahmid Williams running the point, Sekou “Trey Swish” Harris now has time to set up his shot off the ball.  Sekou starts of the season perfect from behind the arc.  His accuracy from the free throw line was on display as he shot a team high 80%.  Harris dropped 12 points, grabbed 5 rebounds, 1 rejection, 1 steal, and a game high tying 5 assists.


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

Plainfield vs Linden Pre-Game

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 4^th 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

DEJAVUE??? GHOST OF THE PAST - CLASS OF 1984

These are no longer the youthful Cardinals.  These Cardinals are the veteran seasoned battle tested Mighty Cardinals.  But there is a ghost that roams the hallway of the High School that was built over a cemetery.  Lets go back to find out about this ghost.

March 1975

The horrific loss to Scotch Plains Fanwood ended an undefeated 25 consecutive victory run by the heavily favorite Union County Champion Cardinals.  The Ghost of 75 roamed the hallways only for one year and was put to rest as the Class of 76 brought home the crown defeating undefeated (30-0) Neptune for the group crown.

March 1983

It was early spring of 1983.  Plainfield excited the entire state as they took down heavily favorite Trenton Central in the Group 4 state championship at then known Brendan Byrne Arena (Izod Center).  The future look spectacular as the majority of the impact players would be returning.  Plainfield finished with their highest state ranking ever (Ranked #2 by the Star Ledger).  The Repeat buzz has started, and the chant, “WE’RE #1” begun.

December 1983

The season began with a buzz that was not felt since the regular season undefeated 1975 era.  Returning from the 1983 state championship team was Tournament MVP – 6’5” Eric “Squirrel” Felder, 6’4” Del Harrison, 6’0” point guard Michael Pretty, 6’3” sharp shooter Hasaan Tally, 6’4” Walt Monroe (note: 6’4” Walt Monroe Jr. currently on JV team) 6’8” identical twins Raymond and Ronald Gregory, and 6’8” Lurch (its been a long time forgot his name).  The Buzzword was REPEAT.  But the Cardinals did suffer a loss that did not seem to hit the press.  Legendary assistant and JV coach Mr. Morris Griffin left the Cardinal program and joined the Panthers of East Orange.

January 1984

The Cards were impressive.  In one game they took down Columbia High School who featured (15 year NBA player Mark Bryant). The Gregory twins dominated Bryant, who was a first team Parade All-American. The Cardinals blew out the only team that was predicted to give the Cardinals a challenge.  The REPEAT chant starts to grow louder!!!

March 1984

The Cardinals rolled through the season and was favorites to repeat by all the experts and Cardinal faithfuls.  All the Cardinals would have to do is beat Mr. Griffin and the East Orange Panthers to claim a 2^nd consecutive sectional crown.  But Mr. Griffin knew the Cardinals well, and the over-confident heavily favorite Cardinals suffered the most devastating defeat since the undefeated 75 team lost to Scotch Plains-Fanwood in the playoffs.

The Repeat chant was silenced. 

Ever since there has been rumors of the ghost of 84 roaming the halls expressing what should of, would of, could of!!!

December 2011

The buzz is eerily familiar with the Class of 2012 as it was with the Class of 84.  28 years later everything is ghostly familiar.  Team with size, shooters, and quickness. 84 had legendary Rico Parenti (the only state championship coach in Plainfield History at the time) and now Coach Lubreski (the only Plainfield coach to win 3 consecutive sectional crowns and reach the TOC finals.)

DEJAVUE????

Have we learned from past mistakes?  The big difference, our coaching staff is intact and last year is a distant memory.  Lets put the Ghost of 84 to rest….

THE NEW JOURNEY BEGINS!!!!

Under Construction

With one week before basketball officially opens, the Cardinal Fanatic will take a look back at the top 50 Efficiency Performances of all times (note: Entering 3rd year of record keeping).  We will also look back at the top Cardinal Basketball players since the mid 70's.  Finally, we will bring back the greatest individual opponents the Cardinals have faced since the mid 70's.  Stay tune......

We will also look at the upcoming season and take an overview of the top teams in Union County, State, and Group 3.

Note:  Provide your input on top Cardinals and Opposing Players of all times in the comment section.