Boys basketball: Woodbridge avoids being snared by North Plainfield
WOODBRIDGE — With senior night being celebrated less than 24 hours after a thrilling, last-second decision over North Brunswick, and two days before a crucial matchup against White-Division-leading South Plainfield, the Woodbridge High School boys basketball team’s Tuesday divisional contest against North Plainfield was clearly a “trap” game for the Barrons, especially since they had previously beaten the Canucks by 33 points.
And that appeared to be the case for at least a half, as Woodbridge played unevenly against a squad that kept the game close and trailed by just three at the break.
Woodbridge switched its defense and its mindset in the second half, combining some zone pressure and better decision-making, to forge a 75-61 victory over the stubborn Canucks.
“We had a big, emotional win (Monday) and guys might have been a little banged up, tired. “Woodbridge coach Jonathan Toczynski said. “But great teams give the extra effort and we just kind of had to find it today. North Plainfield’s really scrappy, they were not going away. We just had to fight through it.”
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Micah Eason poured in 12 of his game-high 25 points in the fourth quarter, as Woodbridge (10-5, 8-2) maintained the 14-point cushion it had built in the third.
“We just really wanted to come out after the tough win against North Brunswick, we had to come out again and play just as hard, if not harder,” said Eason. “We had a little slow start in the beginning but picked it up towards the end and we were able to finish the game.”
Woodbridge found itself trailing before the game even started as guard Zayd Johnson was assessed a technical foul for dunking during warmups and Quadir Williams staked North Plainfield (5-10, 3-7) to a 1-0 cushion before the opening tip. It was the only lead the Canucks enjoyed all evening.
The Barrons answered with five consecutive points, on an Eason free throw and buckets by Lucas McGorry and Nadino Jones, to claim the lead for good. But Woodbridge couldn’t create much separation as North Plainfield stayed close behind 13 first-half points by Joshua Strong, including nine from 3-point range.
Toczynski opted for a three-quarter court, 1-2-2 press defense in the third quarter, and the resulting turnovers and increased pace seemed to energize the Barrons. Woodbridge scored the first five points in the half and ran off eight more late in the quarter, including traditional three-point plays by Izaiah Toliver and Eason, to forge a 56-42 advantage going into the fourth quarter.
“Just keeping up pressure, changing pace, trying to get out run-outs because that’s when we’re at our best,” Toczynski explained. “Our ball pressure was really good and I thought we were really unselfish with the ball for the most part, finding the open man.”
North Plainfield did close to 64-57 after a 3 by Nfii Bannavti, and Liam Chester deposited eight of his 11 points in the final stanza, but it was not enough, especially with Eason heating up.
“My mindset in the fourth quarter is just to win the game,” Eason stated. “Whatever I can do to help my team win, to be able to lead them to a W, that’s what I’m going to do. If that’s scoring the ball, getting my teammates involved, that’s what I’m going to do.”
Junior Bryan Anderson came off the bench to contribute 18 points, seven boards and two blocks, while Eason distributed six assists. Strong’s 17 points paced North Plainfield.
Woodbridge can now turn its attention to South Plainfield and its bid for the divisional title.
“We’re excited for it, they’ve been at the top of the White Division and we respect them,” Toczynski said. “Its another great opportunity for us to see where we’re at. We want to play the best of the best and we’re going to give it our best shot on Thursday.”
This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: NJ Boys basketball: Woodbridge avoids being snared by North Plainfield
