SOUTH PLAINFIELD, NJ–With the final approval by the Plainfield Board of Education on Tuesday night, Jeff Lubreski returned to coaching after a three year absence following his two decade run at nearby South Plainfield. Lubreski, who compiled an impressive resume while at SPHS, takes over for Pete Vasil, who resigned amidst controversy last month after being asked to reapply for the head coaching position at PHS despite putting together a fine record in just three short seasons.
Speaking of Vasil, one of the consequences of the coaching change could be the reduced chance of there being a possible Piscataway vs. Plainfield matchup at the 2009 Prime Time Shootout scheduled to take place at Rutgers. Back at the end of April, GMC Hoops bumped into Vasil during a Tri-County Red Cross function at the Cafe Vivace in Plainfield. One of the subjects discussed between the site and Vasil was the idea of having Piscataway and Plainfield take on each other at the 2009 Prime Time. Vasil proposed having the game at the RAC since it would bring in a great deal of fans. GMC Hoops then contacted Piscataway head coach, Guy Jensen about the idea, and it was considered. However, not much discussion about the potential matchup has taken place since then. The coaching situation that developed in Plainfield over the past several months may have had something to do with that.
Both teams have been scheduled to play in the event although a schedule has yet been finalized. It is the opinion of this web site that this game should be played. Since both towns are next door neighbors to one another, never play each other during the regular season, and represent the some of the best that the GMC and Watchung Conference have to offer, it would be a great game to have in the Prime Time lineup. In addition, many of the players on both teams know each other well, and people such as Dennis Wells, who helps Piscataway, and Anthony Graham, who helped out with Plainfield during the fall at the HawksBasketball Fall-Ball Classic, have ties to the other school. The close proximity to the RAC would also mean that a great deal of Plainfield and Piscataway fans would come, and Jeff Lubreski would return to the scene of his two greatest accomplishments while at SPHS.
It’s a great fit. Let’s play the game!