Linden Impressive In Team Camps’ Final Day Of Play
LINDEN, NJ–After reaching the 2014 Tournament of Champions semifinals, and putting together a dramatic fourth quarter rally before losing to eventual champion, St. Joseph’s, the Linden Tigers were expected to take a step back somewhat with the graduation of 6’8″ forward, Quadri Moore, who will be attending the University of Cincinnati starting in the fall. Â However, after watching the Tigers play two games in the final day of action at the 2014 Linden Team Camp, one wonders if there will be much of a drop off at all.
In the first game against Columbia of Maplewood, Linden streaked out to a 28-15 lead late in the first half, and then hit two more threes to go up by 19 before the Cougars closed back to within 15 at 36-21 at the half, and then opened the third quarter with a three to pull within a dozen. Â Columbia wouldn’t get any closer though as Linden reeled off the next 7 points including a three from the left wing by Quinton Dixon to take a 43-24 lead. Â The Tigers continued the barrage with more threes in a 15-8 spurt to end the third quarter with a 58-32 lead. Â Linden didn’t stop there either. Â LHS outscored Columbia by a margin of 24-11 in the fourth to finish off the 82-43 blowout.
In its second and final game of the day, and final contest of the team camp, Linden faced off against neighborhood rival, and Union County Conference foe, Patrick School of Elizabeth. Â In a tight game throughout, the Tigers took a 30-26 halftime lead only to have the Celtics rally with a 14-10 showing to even the score at 40-40 heading into the fourth. Â Linden went back out in front for a bit, but the Patrick School tied things up at 47-47 on a four point play by Bryce Aiken. Â The Tigers would get back into the driver’s seat for good with a 10-5 spurt including a pivotal three point play with under two minutes to go for a 57-52 lead. Â After that, the Celtics were unable to get any closer than three points the rest of the way.
Linden looked very impressive. Â Not just because its typical defensive pressure, quickness, and athleticism, but also because of the Tigers ability to shoot the three point shot. Â The Tigers have a lot of players with good three point shooting ability, especially in transition. Â With the likes of Quinton Dixon, Juwan Dolbrice, Otis Livingston, Josh Carter, and James Julius all returning, the Tigers should have plenty of firepower to make another run at the Union County Tournament and Group IV state championships come next February and March. Â Dolbrice, who is also a standout running back in football, nailed two huge threes in the Tigers furious fourth quarter rally against St. Joe’s in the T of C semis. Â Meanwhile, Dixon and Livingston played a huge role in the Tigers win over then second ranked Paterson Eastside with a bulk of the 10 threes made in the Group IV state semifinals.
In other action, Union Catholic broke away from a 38-38 tie with five minutes remaining with a 9-0 run, and finished its game against Middletown North on a 14-6 tear for a 52-44 victory. Â The Vikings had a 21-11 lead late in the first half only to have the Lions respond with a 15-6 rally to tie the game at 27-27 midway through the third quarter. Â The game was a back and forth battle for the next 10 minutes or so with Middletown North responding to every basket or three pointer by Union Catholic with one of its own to either stay in striking distance, or even tie the game. Â The game was tied two more times at 35-35 and 38-38 before UC put the game away. Â The Patrick School won its other contest by defeating Rutgers Prep while the Argonauts evened up its day by winning over Hanover Park. Â Hillside ended up going winless by losing 46-25 to Union, and then falling 57-48 to Newark Arts.
The Comets jumped out to a 21-15 lead midway through the second period before, Arts surged in front for good with a 14-5 tear to take a 29-26 advantage at the half. Â The Jaguars led by double digits in the second half before winning the game by nine. Â Unfortunately, GMC Hoops was unable to see any GMC teams in action.