March 23, 2012

Tariq Carey (far right) celebrates with Kyle Anderson (left) and Jerome Frink (center). (Photo: Jason Bernstein)

Plainfield vs St. Anthony Boys Basketball Photo Gallery

EAST RUTHERFORD – Tariq Carey made the drastic shift from leading man to a reserve role when he transferred to St. Anthony before his senior season.

In his final high school game when the Friars needed the free flowing offense Carey had been known for, the guard reminded everyone why he had been a 1,000-point scorer at his old school of Newark East Side.

"I had my ups and downs this season," Carey said. "But when (Coach Bob Hurley) needed me the most and my team needed me the most, I think I stepped up."

"Tariq really picked us up today," Hurley said. "He had a really good game off the bench offensively for us."

With starting point guard Josh Brown forced to the sidelines with foul trouble, Carey came in and delivered a season-high 18 points in Tuesday night's 66-62 win over Plainfield.

Trailing 10-6 when he entered the game for the first time with 2:38 left in the opening period, Carey assisted on buckets by Hallice Cooke and Kyle Anderson, allowing the Friars to regain the lead.

Carey was merely heating up, scoring eight points in the second quarter. Late in the period, he buried a 3-pointer from the wing. Forty-three seconds later, Carey would strike again, this time with a long-range dagger from the corner to make it 25-20 for the Friars.

"I just did what I had to do," he explained. "Josh was in foul trouble, I just came in and stepped up. I know my role, these guys are the starters and I didn't want to come in and jeopardize anything.

"As the sixth man I come in relaxed and make big plays. I didn't feel like I had to prove anything because I did what I was supposed to do."

Carey's hot hand continued into the second half with 10 more points. The full-sized court of the IZOD Center was the ideal environment for Carey, allowing his to display his quickness and ability to improvise take over.

"Offensively he's a very good player and in a game like this where the court is open  and he can use instincts (he can thrive), Hurley said. "He's used to just going, so when the game was a going game, he was really good and when it settled into (a slower pace), maybe not so much. He made huge plays in the second half of the game. A bunch of shots that really gave us some separation."

Carey was an efficient 7-for-10 shooting and added three assists in the win.  He connected on a field goal with 1:25 left and a free throw with 39 seconds remaining to help the Friars hold off a furious Plainfield comeback  to win their second-straight Tournament of Champions title.

When Carey made the decision to leave his Newark school, he knew he'd have to make a lot of sacrifices to his individual game at St. Anthony.

Minutes after winning, Carey was asked whether the sacrifices were worth it. Based on the guard's ear-to-ear smile, there was little doubt he had no regrets about the deicision.

"Of course!" said Carey, still basking in the joy of a championship victory. "I finished 32-0!"

Tariq Carey (left) attacks the basket while being guarded by Plainfield's Taylor Plummer. (Photo: Jason Bernstein)

Plainfield vs St. Anthony Boys Basketball Photo Gallery