Plainfield Looks On With Pride As Four Rec League Alums Take The Court For March Madness
PLAINFIELD, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- These are exciting times in the Tri-State area with four local schools in the NCAA tournament, and one local town will be well represented when the madness begins.
As CBS2's Otis Livingston reported, Stony Brook's Jameel Warney, Seton Hall's Derrick Gordon, Yale's Justin Sears, and Xavier's Myles Davis will all be playing in the tourney, and all came through the Plainfield Recreation Department.
"It's amazing though like these kids are all from the same city, played together in our youth program. It just meant the world to the community," Terrence Johnson, Director MSU Skyliners, said.
Talent development in Plainfield began with a plan in mind.
"You know first hand as your son Otis Jr played when he was a young kid, what we try to teach here is fundamentals first. For about the first 30 days, 45 days it's just fundamentals and then we put them on teams and have them compete," Plainfield Rec Coordinator, Lenny Cathcart said.
The classroom hasn't been a problem for Yale's Justin Sears. The two-time Ivy League Player of the Year is on track to graduate in May and has been a beacon for the youth of Plainfield.
"That's what I love about it, not the basketball part, but the education part. He shows anyone here that you can stay here and play basketball and get an education, and go to Yale, " Cathcart said.
Cathcart said Plainfield has produced many kids who have played division 1 basketball, but these four are the first to come through the rec program and play in the NCAA tournament.
It's possible that Xavier and Stony Brook can meet in the Elite 8 and Yale and Seton Hall could meet in the National Championship Game.
