Plainfield Shows Out Over Roselle Catholic in Union County Finals
photo & coverage by: Nery Rodriguez
In a showdown between county rivals, Plainfield took on Roselle Catholic in the Union County Finals at Kean University, marking their third meeting of the season. Each team had claimed a victory in prior matchups, setting the stage for a highly anticipated decider that lived up to its hype.
The game opened with Plainfield establishing a rapid pace. Micah Gordon ignited the scoreboard with sharp shooting, contributing significantly to Plainfield's early dominance. Supported by NaJai Hines, who not only scored 7 points in the first quarter, dominated the boards and added defensive blocks as Plainfield quickly took control. Their combined efforts led to an 18-7 lead in the first quarter, showcasing their readiness to capitalize on Roselle Catholic's initial slow start.
As the game progressed into the second quarter, the dynamics slightly shifted. Roselle Catholic began to find their rhythm, thanks in part to Tyrease Hunter’s aggressive play, contributing a total of 21 points for the game. Despite their efforts, Plainfield maintained their lead, ending the first half ahead at 32-19, with Gordon tallying 11 points by halftime and Hines pulling down 10 rebounds and blocking shots to keep their momentum.
Coming out of halftime, Plainfield continued to execute their game plan with precision. The third quarter saw them extend their lead, not just through offense but with staunch defensive plays that limited Roselle Catholic's scoring opportunities. Hines continued his impressive performance, while the Cardinals consistent scoring kept applying pressure. Roselle Catholic, tried to dig out with big plays by Hunter and supported by Trevon Lewis. Plainfield's strategic defensive adjustments and continued offensive execution widened their lead even more.
Plainfield outscored Roselle Catholic 34-17 in the second half, with This decisive half ensured Plainfield not only recaptured their lead but also secured the victory with a final score of 66-53. This win secured Plainfield’s the Union County title, demonstrating their dominance and strategic maturity. For Roselle Catholic, the loss was a hard pill to swallow but the Lions move forward and have a shot at making serious noise in the post season.
"It feel's good, we haven't gotten the title in some years and it feels good to bring it back to the community." said Micah Gordon after the game. Najai Hines spoke on Plainfields preparation in this game "we already knew what they wanted to do, they wanted to dig into us and make our guards feel uncomfortable. We played 5 on 8 in practice.. we just prepared"