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BOSCO/PLAINFIELD CONTEST THRILLS AT PLAYAZ EVENT

by MATT WHITFIELD

Last weekend Teaneck (NJ) High School played host to the ‘New Year’s Jump Off’ hosted by the Playaz Basketball Club AAU program, run by Jimmy Salmons. One of the day’s most competitive games saw Plainfield and Don Bosco Prep battle it out on the hardwood. By the time the two teams tipped off assistant coaches from Providence, Virginia, St. Joseph’s, Rutgers, Villanova and Connecticut had made their way to Teaneck for the action and RU head coach Fred Hill was also in the building.

The Don Bosco Ironmen got off to a hot start in the contest, grabbing an 18-9 lead after the first quarter. The Ironmen’s star quarterback from their championship football squad Gary Nova led the barrage and scored all 17 of his points, which included five made baskets from three-point range, in the first half. However, Plainfield battled back with a big second quarter to tie the score at 32-all at intermission.

The third period saw another strong start by Bosco as Vaughn Gray starred and spurred an 11-0 run that gave the Ironmen a 45-34 lead, their biggest of the game. Plainfield responded, again, answering the challenge with a 15-2 run, as sophomore Dijon Allen-Jordan scored all eight of his points during the run, spanning the end of the third quarter and into the fourth.

Gray scored on a traditional three-point play with 3:16 remaining to put Bosco up 55-53. However, that was when Plainfield’s star, Tyrone Johnson seized control of the game. Johnson scored the final eight points for the Cardinals in the last 2:01 and his strong hoop in the lane with nine seconds left gave Plainfield the lead for good at 59-58. Johnson iced the win with two foul shots five seconds later and Gray’s 30+ foot desperation attempt to force overtime was off the mark.

After struggling early against the strength and size of Bosco, Johnson would find his groove in the second half showing he was capable of taking charge and it would really show as the game went on. Johnson still showed blazing speed with the basketball yet he maintained control of his handle as usual. Johnson also turned it up a notch when he needed too with several clutch made free throws late in the game (he scored 14 of his game-high 26 points at the line).

Following the game, the dual sport star (Johnson is a dual-threat QB for the Cardinals football squad) reinforced what he had been telling NBE in the last year.

“I’ll be playing basketball in college,” said Johnson.

Johnson did not want to mention what schools had offered him, but did say he had taken visits to West Virginia, Villanova, Seton Hall and Georgetown. This past summer Johnson had also mentioned he had Rutgers, UNLV, Syracuse, Kentucky, Wake Forest and Florida involved in his recruitment.

Another talented prospect to watch for Plainfield is sophomore Jahmal Lane. The 6-foot-2 guard looks to be developing a solid frame and is a typical Plainfield hoopster with his ability to get to the rim in an instant with exceptional speed. Lane told NBE following the game he has early offers from St. Joseph’s, Seton Hall and Rutgers with Villanova also taking an early look.

Of our many viewings of Vaughn Gray, this was the best we had seen the Bosco G/F in action. Gray scored 23 points and grabbed 7 rebounds and looks to have added some weight and strength since the last time NBE saw him and passes the look test of a college wing physically. With potential college suitors looking on, Gray showed his versatility by playing tight defense, battling for rebounds and showed the ability to score attacking the basket. His basketball IQ is high, which allows him to contribute in all facets and displayed the ability to handle the ball in transition under control, and penetrate the lane to score or create.

After the game Gray told NBE after his college situation is the same currently as it was back at the Hoop Group Fall JamFest where he claimed offers from Providence, St. John’s, Rutgers, Seton Hall, Virginia, Rhode Island, St. Joe’s and Temple. He mentioned, also, that he wants to visit St. Joesph’s in the near future.

One of the day’s biggest revelations was the play of Bosco junior guard Gary Nova. Most consider the Ironmen quarterback/shooting gaurd a football prospect, but Nova hit five three-pointers in the first half and has all the physical tools needed in a 6-foot-2, 210-pound frame right now to play college basketball. His toughness and strength was a tough match-up for Tyrone Johnson early in the game. His physical play did catch-up to him, however, in the second half as he fouled out of the contest.

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