UNION – Union County powers St. Patrick and Plainfield met for the second time this season, this time at the Kean College Harwood Arena. This time the young St. Patrick team held off a late charge by the Plainfield Cardinals 55-52 Thursday night.

Dii ‘Jon Allen-Jordan spotted Plainfield an 8-0 with a couple of hoops off early steals. After a St. Patrick timeout, the Celtics ripped off a 21-3 run that stunned Plainfield before the end of the opening quarter.

Guard play on both defensive ends equated to an evenly played second period. Thomas Rivera disrupted Plainfield’s half court offense and forced three turnovers in a two-minute span. Ahmid Williams countered with strong defensive play that kept Plainfield in the game.

No matter what Plainfield did in the third period, St. Patrick

had an answer. DeAndre Bembry was the stabilizer with six points including a two-handed slam in the period.

Senior Sekou Harris led a frantic fourth quarter comeback with 11 points in the period. With St. Patrick in the double-bonus, Plainfield attacked the basket with furor. Justin Sears gathered six offensive boards and provided multiple attempts at baskets in each trip. Two late free throws by Harris closed the game to 53-52 before Jared Nickens provided the margin of victory with free throws at the other end.

Players of the game:

St. Patrick - DeAndre Bembry scored a game high 20 points.
Plainfield – Dii ’Jon Allen-Jordan and Sekou Harris both scored a team high 15 points.

Game stats
More pictures

Next game: Henry Wise (MD)

Date: Saturday February 4, 2012

Time: 2:00 pm

Place: Atlantic City High School