Many Tigers Learning What It Takes To Play At The Varsity Level
SOUTH PLAINFIELD, NJ–The summer league season began this past week, and the South Plainfield boys basketball team began its journey to the 2011-12 season with a couple of small steps. The Tigers competed last weekend at the Rutgers University Scarlet Shootout, and then opened its summer league schedule with two games at the Rahway Summer League this past week.
At the Scarlet Shootout, the Tigers were without returning starter, Claude Payne, and then lost soon to be sophomore, Jordan Lackey to an injury in a 30 point loss to Raritan. The Tigers did rebound to roll past Academy Charter by 30, and played well against Notre Dame of Lawrenceville for a half before going down. SPHS then lost to a squad called the Pied Pipers by 10. South Plainfield went 1-3 over the two days of action.
Meanwhile, at Rahway, the Tigers lost both of their games in the opening week of the Rahway Summer League. On Tuesday, South Plainfield took on Edison, and trailed at one point by 12 points before playing much better in the second half to pull within one at 36-35 before losing by the score of 39-35. On Thursday night, SPHS had a difficult time putting the ball in the basket throughout the contest against J.P. Stevens as it trailed at the half by a 28-8 score. The Tigers held the Hawks to just 10 points in the second half, but only had 12 themselves in a 38-20 loss.
South Plainfield has some talent, but a number of the players are still learning what it is like to play basketball at the varsity level. Playing in the Kean Spring League as well as the Rahway Summer League and Scarlet Shootout this summer will go a long way beyond wins and losses to prepare the Tigers for the upcoming 2011-12 boys basketball season.