Plainfield is again without its star class of 2011 member Tyrone Johnson, but Isaiah Epps ’10 and Anthony Baskerville ’09 are both here for the team. Plainfield was 1-1 yesterday, losing to Trenton Catholic (NJ) in the nightcap and beating St. Joseph’s Metuchen (NJ) in overtime. Shabazz was also 1-1 yesterday, getting blown out by Windsor (CT) and defeating Trenton Central (NJ). It’s yet another matchup of Garden State public schools, and it’s already started. I again do not have names, just numbers, sorry.

7:03pm- Shabazz took advantage of Isaiah Epps showing up late and missing the first 6:30 of play, jumping out to a 10-6 lead.

7:04pm- After both teams exchanged baskets, Anthony Baskerville got a steal near halfcourt and got the ball to Mike Price ’10, who finished and got fouled, turning it into a three-point play by hitting his free throw. Thus, Shabazz’s lead is down to one, 12-11.

7:05pm- Some fancy dribbling by Isaiah Epps led to him getting into the lane and banking in a shot from about 13-feet.

7:07pm- With nine minutes left in the first half, Shabazz is ahead 14-13.

7:10pm- A three-ball from Epps has tied the score at 16 with 6:30 to play in the half.

7:12pm- Baskerville grabbed an offensive board and then went up with the ball, putting Plainfield ahead 18-16. Shabazz then hit a deuce in response, and Epps came right back with a bucket for Plainfield, giving the team a 20-18 advantage.

7:14pm- It’s Epps with the assist to #14 down low to put Plainfield up by four. #14 then scored again to put the squad up by half a dozen. Two straight buckets by Shabazz has the lead down to two points, 24-22, with 90 seconds left in the half.

7:17pm- Epps hit a tough, long two from the corner to give Plainfield a four-point cushion, 26-22.

7:18pm- The score will stay 26-22 as we head to halftime.

7:19pm- #14 is the game’s top scorer with 10 points, while #20 and #35 each have six points for Shabazz.

7:22pm- Epps hit a pull-up jumper from about 14-feet off a nice move.

7:23pm- Shabazz has just taken a timeout with 17:39 to go in the game, trailing 34-22, as Plainfield is winning the half 8-0.

7:29pm- With 12:30 to play, Plainfield is on top by a score of 38-34, as Shabazz is on a 12-4 run over the last five minutes.

7:31pm- Isaiah Epps has put Plainfield up by seven with an old fashioned three-point play.

7:34pm- With 7:15 remaining in the game, Shabazz is down 44-36.

7:35pm- Epps banged down a three-pointer to put Plainfield up by 11, 47-36.

7:36pm- Epps drilled another three from basically the same spot as the last one, but two or three feet further back. Plainfield is now ahead 50-36 with five minutes left.

7:37pm- Epps has just drilled another trey, making it nine straight points for Plainfield off threes from the rising junior to put the team up 53-36 with just over 4:45 left.

7:39pm- A triple from #23 of Shabazz has ended Plainfield’s 9-0 run.

7:42pm- With 35 seconds left, Plainfield is ahead 55-43.

7:43pm- Plainfield has the win by a final score of 55-43.

Isaiah Epps was far and away the game’s top scorer, dropping in 26 points and hitting five treys. Mike Price added 11 points for Plainfield, and #14 had 10 points. For Shabazz, #20 led the way with nine points, nailing one three. #35 and #11 both eight points for Shabazz. Isaiah Epps of Plainfield and #20 of Shabazz are Northstar Basketball’s MVPs for their respective squads.