WEST ORANGE, NJ–In the second game of this triple header of games seen by GMC Hoops from the Hoop Group Tip-Off Classic at West Orange High School, third ranked Plainfield and second ranked St. Benedict’s Prep went at it in a classic more fitting for the month of March than the first weekend in December. Tyler Ennis scored on a putback off a missed free throw with 5.8 seconds left to boost the Grey Bees to a 67-65 win over the Cardinals. Below are the notes from the game:
First Quarter
St. Benedict’s called timeout with 1:37 to go in the first period with a 12-11 lead after a Plainfield score ended a 4-0 run by the Grey Bees. Â It has been a back and forth game with both teams using the entire floor. Â Ahmid Williams gave the Cards a 3-2 lead with a trey, and later handed out an assist on a two handed jam by Justin Sears.
Following the timeout, former Rice standout Melvin Johnson connected on a jumper for a 14-11 lead at the 1:17 mark only to be quickly answered by Sears with putback at the 1:04 mark to end the quarter wth St. Benny’s leading by the score of 14-13.
Second Quarter
St. Benedict’s opened with a score by Isaiah Briscoe on a reverse layup at the 7:26 mark, but Sears responded again with a baseline jumper from the right side at the 7:14 mark for a 16-15 Grey Bees lead. Â Sears then battled for a rebound, and outletted ahead to Sekou Harris, who banked in a shot from the left side as he was fouled for a three point play, and an 18-16 lead at the 6:18 mark.
Plainfield called time with 11.5 seconds left after a nice block by St. Benedict’s on a shot by Sekou Harris. Â After the Grey Bees tied the score at 18-18, the Cardinals went on a 16-9 run to end the half. Â Harris helped shape the margin with a couple of free throws in the final minute while Dijon Allen-Jordan put in a scoop shot in the waning seconds of the half for the 34-27 lead. Â Sears was solid at both ends of the floor with blocked shots and rebounds on the defensive end, and putbacks and layups at the other end.
Third Quarter
With 4:20 to go in the period, Plainfield called for time with a 40-35 lead. After Allen-Jordan scored a basket to open the second half for a 36-27 lead, the Grey Bees rallied with an 8-4 spurt to pull with five. Â The Cardinals went back up by nine thanks to a bucket from Allen-Jordan, and a two handed jam off the break by Sears for a 44-35 score before Jamal Richards scored a basket as he was fouled with 3:28 to go in the third.
At the 2:05 mark, St. Benedict’s called time out after Sears got hold of the ball on the break and dribbled his way through the Gray Bees defense for a layup, and a 46-41 lead. Â Johnson had just drove in for a layup as he was fouled to pull the Newark school within three at 44-41. Â Â Following the timeout, the Grey Bees scored again to close within three again, and had a chance to pull within a point, but Sears blocked a shot from the left low block, Â and the Cards scored on a putback at the other end for a 48-43 lead.
The Grey Bees ended the quarter with the final three points including a technical free throw after Sears was cited by the officials for hanging on the rim while trying to put home a two handed jam.
Fourth Quarter
Plainfield calls a full timeout with 5:57 to go in the contest after Johnson scored a layup off a nice crossover to tie the game at 50-50. Â Since trailing 46-41, St. Benedict’s have outscored the Cardinals by a 9-4 margin. Â Jahmal Lane opened the fourth quarter scoring for Plainfield.
Plainfield calls for time with 2:58 left following two free throws by St. Benedict’s closed the gap to 57-56. Â The Cardinals scored five straight points including a three from the right wing by Lane at the 5:33 mark, and then a two handed dunk by Sears at the 5:00 mark for a 55-50 lead. Â Briscoe then made a jumper at the 4:15 mark followed by a score from Johnson to close the gap to 55-54. Â Sekou Harris then connected on a jumper with 3:22 remaining for a 57-54 lead.
The Grey Bees closed within one, but Lane would score on a layup underneath for a 59-56 lead with 2:00 to go. Â The Newark school battled back with five of the next six points including a layup for a 61-60 lead. Â St. Benedict’s called for time at the 1:23 mark after taking the lead on a steal that was cashed in after several putback attempts. Â Following the timeout, Lane connected for a three pointer from the right wing for a 63-61 lead, but the Grey Bees tied it right back up at 63-63 with a nice move for a layup by Johnson with under a minute to go.
Sears draws a foul with 23.1 seconds left, and then makes both free throws for a 65-63 lead. Â The Grey Bees then called for time with 20.8 seconds to go. Â After the stoppage, St. Benny’s got a basket and a foul by Denzel Taylor with 7.8 seconds left. Â Taylor missed the bonus free throw, but Tyler Ennis putback the miss for the 67-65 victory.
Players Of The Game
- Plainfield–Sears–21 points, 15 rebounds, and 4 blocks
- St. Benedict’s–Melvin Johnson–29 points