Plainfield Basketball Future - A Fanatic Summation

Who's returning...

With the season winding down, many are saying that Plainfield Basketball will be down next year. With 95% of multi year varsity players graduating this year, the outlook of the future does not seem bright. 6’6” Denzel Christian will be the veteran of the team entering his 4^th year of varsity play next year.  Sharp shooter Denzel Johnson will be teaming up with Christian as the only returning varsity players with major game time.  6’5” reserve sophomore Andrew Jordan  and 6'2" reserve sophomore Christian Cook will be also looked upon to help nurture the future youthful Cardinals. 

Plainfield Cardinal Junior Varsity

But as the Cardinal Fanatic was watching the Junior Varsity and Freshman play my beak started to expand in amazement at the talent our youngsters have. The leaping ability of Jordan Sears and Walt Monroe Jr., the accurate foul shooting and 3-point accuracy of Najee Lucky, the lock down defense of Steven Jones, and the penetrating drives of Terrill Lockley were some of the up and coming Junior Varsity players we may see next year.  The JV Cardinals started off the season slow but started to jell as the season progressed.  The JV Cardinals made a run during the JV Union County tournament only to lose in the semi-finals in a nail biter to Elizabeth by 3 points. 

 Here is a little insight of some of our Junior Varsity Cardinals

JV interviews

JV Interview Part 1

JV Interview Part 2

Plainfield Cardinal Freshmen

The Freshman team nearly completed a perfect season with their only defeat coming at the hands of St. Anthony’s of Jersey City.  The Freshman Cardinals entered the Cougar Classic Freshman Tournament as the favorites and did not disappointment the Cardinal Fanatic.  The Freshmen Cardinals battled a talented Union Catholic team in the finals who only suffered one loss this season.  You guessed it; Union Catholic’s loss was to Plainfield.

Plainfield native Serge Gilbert led the game in scoring for Union Catholic with 16 points but the Freshmen Cardinals were too deep. 

Sekou look alike, Kyle Wider led the Cardinals with 12 points and Zaichair Wilson dropped 10 points to lead the Cardinals in scoring.  Daniel Andrews grabbed 8 rebounds from his guard/small forward position while 6’8” Ahmad Baker led the game with 9 rebounds and 5 rejections.  But the early play of Jaquise Wilson kept the Cards in the game.  With 6’4” guard Jachal Simmons forced to watch the game from the bench in foul trouble, Wilson stepped up and scored 6 points in the 2^nd period on 3 of 5 shooting to help the Cardinals overcome an early 7-point deficit.  The Cardinals would take the lead on the play of Jaquise and never look back to win 49-39 and be crowned The Cougar Tournament Champions.  Jacquise Wilson would earn tournament MVP.

Freshman Interviews

Jaquise Wilson

Ahmad Baker

Kyle Wider

Jachal Simmons

Zaichair Wilson

Freshmen Coach Dabney & Coach Payton

To sum it up, the Cardinal Fanatic is seeing positive things in his crystal ball for the future of Plainfield Basketball!!!