FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact
Vashon Lamont Hill, Chief of Marketing and Communications
Email: vhill@plainfield.k12.nj.us
Phone Number: (908) 731-4442 (Office)
Plainfield Cardinals Head to State Championship After Thrilling Victory
PLAINFIELD, NJ – March 11, 2026 – The Plainfield Cardinals are headed back to the state championship stage after a dramatic semifinal victory that had fans on the edge of their seats from start to finish.
In a Section 2 Group 4 semifinal matchup for the ages, the defending champion Cardinals battled the East Orange Jaguars in a game filled with momentum swings, clutch performances, and unforgettable moments. Junior standout Micah Gordon delivered a remarkable performance, leading Plainfield to a hard fought 13-point victory and securing the Cardinals’ return to the state championship.
East Orange junior guard James Roberts kept the Jaguars within striking distance all night, pouring in 30 points while knocking down three-point shots and battling on the boards. The Jaguars entered the fourth quarter with a two-point lead and growing confidence that they could pull off the upset.
Plainfield responded with resilience and championship composure. Timely three-point shots from Elijah Pierre and Candido Rodriguez kept the Cardinals within reach, while senior forward Rashawn Williams dominated inside with 19 points and 12 rebounds despite battling early foul trouble. Senior guard Devin Thomas added 15 points, consistently scoring when the team needed it most.
Then came the moment that changed everything.
With the game on the line in the fourth quarter, four-star junior Micah Gordon took control. Gordon scored 15 of his 27 points in the final quarter alone, outscoring the entire East Orange team during that stretch and sealing the victory that punched Plainfield’s ticket to the championship game.
The Cardinals will now compete for the NJSIAA Group 4 State Championship at Jersey Mike’s Arena at Rutgers University on Saturday, March 14, at 2:00 p.m., where they will look to add another historic chapter to the program’s legacy.
Tickets for the championship game are $15 for adults and must be purchased online through the Rutgers University Box Office. Students and senior citizens can purchase tickets in person at the Jersey Mike’s Arena Box Office on game day for $10, beginning one hour before the first game.
All seating is general admission.
Parking at the arena will be $20 per car, and arena doors will open one hour before the first scheduled game of the day.
Fans should also note that Rutgers University does not allow tailgating in parking lots on game day, and arena security policies will be strictly enforced.
To ensure quick entry, spectators are advised to leave bags at home. Only clear bags are permitted inside the arena, and all items brought into the facility will be inspected. Bottles, cans, coolers, banners, flags, balloons, noise making devices, and other prohibited items will not be allowed.
As the Cardinals prepare for the championship, excitement continues to build across the Plainfield community. With a team defined by resilience, talent, and championship experience, fans are expected to travel in large numbers to support the program as it competes for another state title.
The stage is set. The lights will be bright. And once again, the Plainfield Cardinals will take the floor with a championship within reach.
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For more information on the Plainfield Public School District or this story, please contact the Office of Marketing and Communications at information@plainfield.k12.nj.us or by phone at, (908) 731-4442.