EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ–On Monday night, GMC Hoops traveled up to the Izod Center for the second straight year to cover the NJSIAA Tournament of Champions final between third seeded Plainfield and top seeded St. Anthony’s of Jersey City. Â The last time these two teams met was on January 2nd at the New Year’s Jump-Off Up in Teaneck with the Friars winning by the score of 59-47. Â
St. Anthony’s entered this game with an unblemished 32-0 record while Plainfield had won 11 of its last twelve to enter the contest at 24-8. Â This is the first time Plainfield has competed in the T of C while St. Anthony’s is playing in the event for the 12th time. Â The Friars have won 10 T of C Championships. Â
St. Anthony’s led most of the way in this contest, and extended its advantage to 11 early in the fourth quarter on threes by Jordan Quick and Myles Mack, and although Plainfield got within six points on several occasions, but couldn’t get any closer in a 61-49 loss.
First Quarter
St. Anthony’s leads by the score of 14-13. Â Myles Mack got the Friars on the board first with a pair of foul shots at the 6:29 mark before Sekou Harris replied with a three pointer at the 5:41 mark. Â Harris made two threes in the period while Justin Sears added four points including a layup and a pair of free throws. Â Plainfield led 10-8 late in the first, but St. Anthony’s rallied with a 6-0 run including another pair of free throws by Mack and a basket by Kyle Anderson for a 14-10 lead before Dijon Allen-Jordan banked in a three pointer at the buzzer to close the gap to one in favor of the Friars.
Second Quarter
7:33–After a St. Anthony’s score. Â The Friars were called for a technical, and Harris made both foul shots to close the gap to 16-15.
7:15–Official timeout–St. Anthony’s leads by the score of 16-15.
6:18–Plainfield 30 second timeout with a 19-16 lead…Cardinals on a 6-0 run including a basket by Jahmal Lane for the three point lead. Â St. Anthony’s in the bonus…Kyle Anderson at the line. Â He makes both foul shots for a 19-18 Plainfield lead.
4:53–Officials timeout…Plainfield player down on the floor…It is Allen-Jordan.  The Cardinals almost made a highlight real play moments earlier when Harris alleyooped to Allen-Jordan but he couldn’t put the ball in the basket.  St. Anthony’s  was unable to score at the other end.
4:27–St. Anthony’s draws a charge on Lane, and then a technical foul was called on Lane. Â Mack makes two free throws for a 20-19 Friars lead.
3:30–Plainfield gets two free throws from Harris for a 22-21 St. Anthony’s lead. Â Both teams now in the bonus…Friars have 7 team fouls while Cardinals have 9.
3:01–St. Anthony’s–Anderson makes misses both free throws.
2:57–Plainfield–traveling violation–turnover.
2:35–St. Anthony’s–Jordan Quick hits a three pointer for a 25-21 lead.
2:15–Plainfield–Lane connects on jumper for a 25-23 Friars lead.
1:22–Plainfield–Sears sinks jumper to tie the game at 25-25.
1:05–St. Anthony’s–Anderson sinks a three pointer from the left wing for a 28-25 lead.
0:54–Plainfield–Sears draws foul, but misses both free throws.Â
0:52–Plainfield–Denzel Christian gets the offensive rebound off the missed second free throw by Sears, and draws a foul for a one of two showing at the foul line.
0:30–St. Anthony’s–Anderson scores on a baseline floater for a 30-26 lead.
0:00–Plainfield–Long shot by Harris is off the mark to end the half with St. Anthony’s leading by the score of 30-26. Â The Friars have 9 team fouls while Plainfield has 10. Â Each team has one technical foul.
Third Quarter
7:08–Plainfield–Harris scores on a transition layup for a 30-28 Friars lead.
6:28–St. Anthony’s–Jerome Frink gets basket as he is fouled by Sears, but misses bonus free throw for a 32-28 Friars lead.
6:00–Plainfield–Allen-Jordan scores down low for a 32-30 St. Anthony’s lead.
5:08–St. Anthony’s–Frink converts three point play for a 35-30 Friars lead.
3:30–Plainfield timeout–follows layup by Mack for a 37-30 lead.
3:02–St. Anthony’s–Anderson dishes to Josh Brown for a layup, and a 39-30 lead.
2:17–Plainfield–Allen-Jordan sinks two free throws for a 39-34 St. Anthony’s lead.
1:40–Plainfield–Harris pulls up for jumper to close the gap to 39-36.
1:30–St. Anthony’s–calls full timeout
1:15–St. Anthony’s–Anderson connects for a score off the drive, and a 41-36.
0:45–St. Anthony’s–Mack blocks shot by Harris.
0:11–Plainfield–Delano Mullings draws a 5 second violation on Mack.
0.0–St. Anthony’s can’t convert steal by Anderson off Harris as Mack’s last second shot attempt hits back iron…Friars remain in front by the score of 41-36.
Fourth Quarter
7:40–Official timeout..discussion with coaches about a call. Â Finally decide on giving Plainfield possession…double foul has been called. Â One of the fouls given to Dijon Allen-Jordan.
7:00–St. Anthony’s–three pointer from left side by Jordan Quick for a 44-36 lead.
6:41–Plainfield–Lane misses two free throws.
6:10–St. Anthony’s–three pointer from left wing by Myles Mack for a 47-36 lead.
5:54–Plainfield–timeout.
5:05–Plainfield–Lane drives in for a floater–47-38 St. Anthony’s lead.
4:15–Plainfield–Harris connects for three pointer from left corner for a 47-41 Friars lead.
4:01–St. Anthony’s–Frink misses both free throws.
3:35–St. Anthony’s gets a layup from Lucious Jones for a 49-41 lead.
3:12–St. Anthony’s–30 second timeout.
2:45–St. Anthony’s–Jones scores layup for a 51-41 lead.
1:45–Plainfield–Harris pulls up for short jumper and a 53-45 St. Anthony’s lead.
1:36–Plainfield–calls timeout after a Jahmal Lane score makes it 53-47 St. Anthony’s
1:24–St. Anthony’s–Anderson swishes two free throws for a 55-47 lead.
1:17–St. Anthony’s–Anderson swats away shot by Harris.
1:12–St. Anthony’s–Mack fouled after Plainfield called for a five second violation. Â Misses one and one.
1:05–Plainfield–Lane makes two free throws–Cardinals timeout–55-49 Friars lead.
0.0–St. Anthony’s–wins 61-49 after two more scores by Jerome Frink, and a breakaway layup by Mack as time was running out.
Team MVP for St. Anthony’s:  Kyle Anderson  Â
Team MVP for Plainfield: Â Sekou Harris