All Group Returners
The high school basketball season is almost here as the first games open up on Thursday. The new season is full of possibilities as all but one of the 15 members of the All-State have graduated. West Virginia commit Taj…
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Continue ReadingThe high school basketball season is almost here as the first games open up on Thursday. The new season is full of possibilities as all but one of the 15 members of the All-State have graduated. West Virginia commit Taj Thweatt of Wildwood Catholic is the only returning All-State member. The majority of All-Group teams were seniors as there are only 12 returning All-Group members. Group 1 has the most returning players as five players who were selected to the All-Group team return.
Dayton’s DJ Alicea returns after averaging 23.8 points per game as a junior. The 6’2 combo guard should be Dayton’s all-time leading scorer by the end of the season and is looking to be a part of the first team All-Group 1 again, like he did a season ago. Temple football commit DJ Woodbury is the other returning first team All-Group 1 member after averaging 18.1 points per game last season. He led Burlington City to the Central Jersey Group 1 title and the Blue Devils are looking to repeat in 2019-20.
Dunellen’s do-it all forward Tyje Kelton was named as a second All-Group 1 member, but should be a part of the first team after his senior season. The 6’5 forward is extremely skilled and is looking to make a deep run in the North 2 Group 1 tournament. Glassboro’s Keon Sabb and Penns Grove Kavon Lewis are the last two returning All-Group 1 members. Both players were selected to the third team, but they are in serious contention to be members of the first team in 2019-20.
Group 2 also returns two players who made it to the first team in 2018-19. Louisville baseball commit Alex Galvan returns for Manasquan and is looking to lead the Warriors to its second straight Central Jersey Group 2 title. Kentucky commit Lance Ware averaged slightly under a double-double last season and is back to lead the Panthers. Camden has a loaded roster and is looking to take home its 12th state crown this season.
Wall’s Quinn Calabrese made first team All-Group 3 last season after leading the Crimson Knights to the Central Jersey Group 3 title. He averaged a little over 18 points per game as a junior and should raise that number to over 20 a game as a senior. Junior point guard Christian Cevis was the engine who powered West Morris to 26 wins and an appearance in the North 2 Group 3 title game. He was a second team All-Group 3 selection after averaging over 11 points and six assists per game. His junior season could be something special as the Wolfpack are one of the top teams in Group 3 this season.
Snyder’s Corey Manning-Floyd was named to the third team All-Group 3 after a spectacular junior season. The 6’5 small forward averaged 20.3 points and 9.4 rebounds a game for a 17-7 Snyder team. The Tigers are looking for a little more success this season and they should behind Manning-Floyd’s play as a senior.
Monmouth commit Mikah Johnson Jr. is the only returning member of the All-Group 4 teams from last season. The Newark East Side guard was a member of the first team after helping the Red Raiders make the semifinals of the Tournament of Champions. Johnson Jr. is the undisputed leader of the Red Raiders this season as they look to repeat as Group 4 champions in 2019-20.
Thweatt was selected to the second team All-Group Non-Public in 2018-19 after a dominant season on the boards. The West Virginia commit averaged 20.7 points and 10.2 rebounds per game for Wildwood Catholic. The Crusaders made the Non-Public B South final last season where they lost an overtime heart breaker to eventual TOC winner Ranney. Thweatt returns to lead Wildwood Catholic to the Non-Public B final and for a potential spot on the first team All-State.