Predicting the Unsung Heroes for New Jersey’s Top Teams
New Jersey has never struggled to put out quality high school basketball teams. The Patrick School is the fourth best team in the nation, according to the USA Today Super 25, while Roselle Catholic sits at 24. Both teams have great players…
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Continue ReadingNew Jersey has never struggled to put out quality high school basketball teams. The Patrick School is the fourth best team in the nation, according to the USA Today Super 25, while Roselle Catholic sits at 24. Both teams have great players as Jonathan Kuminga and Cliff Omoruyi are two of the top players in New Jersey. While both players are capable of carrying their teams to the Tournament of Champions, they need an unheralded player to help get them over the hump. Here are some potential unsung heroes for New Jersey’s top teams.
Samson Johnson, 6’9 PF Patrick School 2021
Johnson may have an offer from UConn, but the junior power forward is not seen as one of the team’s top post players. Adama Sanogo and Bretner Mutombo are most likely to start inside for the Patrick School, while Kuminga terrorizes opponents from the perimeter. Johnson is an athletic, power forward that knows how to finish in transition. The Togolese native has quick feet and affects numerous shots around the basket. The Patrick School will not have to count on Johnson being a double-double machine, but he will be a key to the team’s success in 2019-20.
Richie Greaves, 6’0 PG Roselle Catholic 2020
The Binghamton commit was part of last season’s Non-Public B North title and is hoping for a Tournament of Champions crown this season. The senior point guard is one of the state’s top shooters and has underrated handles. His ability to pass the basketball will open up opportunities for Omoruyi, CJ Wilcher and Niels Lane. Greaves is an elite shooter who will keep the Lions as a TOC contender throughout the season.
Freddie Young Jr, 6’3 PG/SG Trenton Catholic 2021
Young is one of the most underrated guards in New Jersey. The Princeton Day School transfer can shoot the ball from deep, stop the ball in the halfcourt and break his defender down off the bounce. He is also capable of taking over a game, which will relieve pressure off of VCU commit Jamir Watkins. Senior E.J. Evans will most likely be the team’s second leading scorer, but Young will determine how far the Iron Mikes will go in 2019-20.
DaSean Lopez, 6’3 CG Wildwood Catholic 2021
Taj Thweatt and Jahlil White are dynamic scoring options, but Wildwood Catholic needs a point guard to help facilitate the offense. Lopez is the team’s top option as he can hurt defenses in a variety of ways. He can knock down perimeters shots, but his best ability is finishing around the rim. Lopez will need to become more of a passing threat in his junior season as he had too many games with no assists. Thweatt and White need Lopez to become a distributor if Wildwood Catholic wants to compete in Non Public B.
DiAri Duncan, 6’8 PF Bergen Catholic 2021
Notre Dame commit Matt Zona is the top stretch-4 in New Jersey, but Bergen Catholic needs an interior presence to compete with Roselle Catholic and the Patrick School. Duncan is the perfect compliment to Zona as he runs hard, alters shots and gobbles rebounds around the rim. The Metro Learning Center transfer also has a soft touch around the basket and is unafraid to mix it up down low. Bergen Catholic has a dynamic backcourt in Will Richardson and Raejon Figures and should have a complete frontcourt with Zona and Duncan.
Cian Medley, 6’0 PG Camden 2023
The Panthers are led by Kentucky commit Lance Ware, but Medley is the key to their success. The freshman point guard has great quickness to create separation in the open court and has the potential to be one of the top passers in the state this season. He has a good connection with fellow freshman DJ Wagner and he understands how to play the game in the half-court. Medley may be a freshman, but he has the ability to spearhead a deep postseason run with his point guard play.
Jordan Ortiz, 6’5 PF Newark East Side 2022
Jahzeer Gaskins was also an option for Newark East Side, but Ortiz is the clear choice here. The sophomore power forward is an excellent interior defender as he alters lots of shots around the rim despite standing only 6’5. He runs the floor well and has a soft touch around the basket. Newark East Side is loaded on the perimeter in Mikah Johnson Jr., Gabriel Olaniyi, David Olaniyi and Gaskins, but need Ortiz to provide them with an interior presence.
Zy’ree Beverly, 6’7 PF Elizabeth 2022
Elizabeth may be undersized, but the Minutemen are a tough, gritty team that compete on the defensive end. New Haven commit Jordan Price is a quality interior player, but lacks the size to alter shots at 6’4. Beverly is a strong 6’7 power forward that has a soft touch around the basket and knows how to carve out space in the paint. He is a good enough interior presence to take pressure off of Price down low. D.J. Watkins and Jayden Pierre are a talented guard tandem, but Beverly’s impact down low is the key to Elizabeth’s success.