Plainfield Advances to County Tournament Finals on Balanced Scoring, Dishing and Deep Swishing

Six different Cardinals players connected from beyond the arc, collectively shooting an impressive 81% from three-point range.

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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The Plainfield Cardinals defeated the Elizabeth Minutemen 87-65 in the Union County Conference Tournament semifinals, showcasing a balanced scoring attack and impressive three-point shooting. Despite being outrebounded by the Minutemen, Plainfield countered with efficient perimeter shooting, with six different players connecting on three-pointers at an 81% clip. Micah Gordon, Plainfield's all-time leading scorer, shifted his focus to playmaking, finding open teammates throughout the game.

Why it matters

Plainfield's performance highlighted the team's depth and ability to adapt their game plan to counter their opponent's strengths. The Cardinals' three-point shooting barrage was reminiscent of the 1985 Villanova NCAA championship team, demonstrating their offensive firepower and ability to win games in a variety of ways.

The details

Plainfield effectively countered the Minutemen's dominance on the boards through highly efficient and balanced scoring. Six different Cardinals players connected from beyond the arc, collectively shooting an impressive 81% from three-point range. Tylor Hunter, Rashawn Williams, and Marcus Richards each contributed to this effort by combining for a flawless 6-of-6 from deep. Kamai Lowery further bolstered the team's momentum with timely three-pointers at an 80% accuracy rate. Devin Thomas, who became involved in perimeter shooting in the second half, also made a significant impact, hitting 67% from long range while maintaining perfect accuracy from the free-throw line and leading the team in rebounds.

  • On Tuesday, Elizabeth Minutemen demonstrated a strong performance on the boards, outrebounding Plainfield by 12.
  • Elizabeth began the contest strongly, doubling Plainfield's score at 12-6 late in the first quarter.

The players

Plainfield Cardinals

The high school basketball team from Plainfield, New Jersey that advanced to the semifinal round of the Union County Conference Tournament.

Elizabeth Minutemen

The high school basketball team from Elizabeth, New Jersey that faced off against Plainfield in the Union County Conference Tournament semifinals.

Micah Gordon

Plainfield's all-time leading scorer who shifted his focus toward playmaking, frequently finding open teammates.

Jayden Johnson

A standout shooting guard for the Elizabeth Minutemen who led all scorers with 25 points, including a notable 75% conversion rate from three-point range.

Jalen Maldonado

A player for the Elizabeth Minutemen who contributed 21 points in the game.

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What they’re saying

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

The takeaway

Plainfield's balanced scoring attack and three-point shooting prowess demonstrated the team's depth and ability to adapt their game plan to counter their opponent's strengths. The Cardinals' performance was reminiscent of the remarkable exhibition given by the 1985 Villanova NCAA championship team, showcasing their offensive firepower and versatility.