Player Evaluations from Jan. 13-20
We are in the middle of another strong week of boys basketball in New Jersey. This one will try to top last week where many players stood out and caught the eyes of fans. There were plenty of games that went on capped off by the Coaches vs. Cancer Shootout on Saturday. Here are some player evaluations from the games that I saw last week.
St. John Vianney vs. Neptune: Jan. 16
Brian Stuart (2020) | St. John Vianney
Stuart was the clutch player of the game against Neptune. The Lancers picked up a road win behind Stuart’s 14 points. He was the player who the team turned to in the final minutes to knock down some key free throws. And that is exactly what he did. Stuart was a strong shooter. He knocked down two three’s in this game and could have had a few more but passed them up.
Alex Leiba (2020) | St. John Vianney
Leiba is the tall forward who rebounds at a high rate. He finished one point away from a double-double with nine points and 12 rebounds. He was always in the right place when a shot went up. Leiba’s offensive skills were impressive because of his advanced post moves. That is something that is lost in the high school game nowadays.
Sam Fagan Sam Fagan 5'10" | PG Neptune | 2021 State NJ (2021) | Neptune
It was clear that Fagan was the leader of Neptune’s offense when watching this game. It was obvious because of the facts that Fagan did not sit much and he was calling out his own plays. Fagan is a smooth ball handler who can create his own space and get a shot off quickly. That is where he excels. Fagan is an elite shooter from anywhere on the floor and can spot up or shot quick off the dribble.
Teaneck vs. Newark Tech: Jan. 17
Hunter Toro (2020) | Teaneck
Teaneck went as far as Toro led them against Newark Tech. In a 10 point win, Toro scored 32 points and grabbed 10 rebounds. His size will not jump out at you but Toro is very under control on the court. He is a sharp shooter who can heat up quickly. Toro was not an elite ball handler but he was good enough to get to the rim and finish with contact.
Xavier Washington (2021) | Teaneck
Washington did most of his work from the three-point line in this game. He was a microwave in the second quarter knocking down three of his four shots from deep. Washington is an undersized guard who can get open on the perimeter and torch his opponents. What Washington lacks in size, he makes up for in quickness and basketball IQ.
Kelvin Marshall (2021) | Newark Tech
Teaneck could not stop Marshall inside. They did not have the answer. He finished with 15 points on 5-8 shooting and 11 rebounds, six on the offensive end. At 6’4, Marshall has the size and strength to dominate on both sides of the ball. He was a big man with a soft touch around the rim. Marshall’s one knock was the free throw line. He was just 5-11 from the line.
Hudson Catholic vs. Bayonne: Jan. 17
Zion Cruz (2022) | Hudson Catholic
If you follow NJ high school basketball in any sense, you have heard of Cruz. There is a reason that he is the top ranked sophomore in the state. He showed it in a blowout win against Bayonne. Cruz finished the game 14-19 with 28 points. He can do it all on the offensive end. Cruz scored 28 points without help from the three-point or free throw line. He has an elite pull up jump shot which he showed off from the elbow early and often. He threw down three ferocious dunks on breakaway opportunities. Cruz is still an underclassman. He will be one of the msot recruited players when it is his time.
Elijah Gertrude Elijah Gertrude 6'4" | SG Hudson Catholic | 2023 State #145 Nation NJ (2023) | Hudson Catholic
Gertrude did not play much in this game because Hudson Catholic is loaded. But when he did get in, he showed why he has a high ceiling. Gertrude is just a freshman and when ranking the Class of 2023 in NJ, it is hard to keep Gertrude out of the top 10 or 15. He is a shifty ball handler who keeps the ball on a string. He has not showed off his full ability to score yet but that will come with time. Gertrude’s role will increase as a sophomore but he is an eye opening player even in limited minutes.
Mater Dei vs. CBA: Jan. 18
Peter Gorman (2020) | Mater Dei
Gorman is one of the top scorers in the state to this point. He is the main piece of Mater Dei’s offense. Against CBA, Gorman scored 17 points to lead his team. Gorman is a high energy player who does not turn his motor off until the game is over. He has the bulldog mentality that coaches love to have on their team. Gorman does not have a quick release on his jump shot but it is effective. He knocked down his one attempt against CBA and drew two three shot fouls from deep. He finished 8-10 from the free throw line.
Colin Farrell Colin Farrell 6'2" | SG Christian Brothers Academy | 2021 State NJ (2021) | CBA
When CBA needed a big play, it was going to come from Farrell. He scored 16 points in the win over Mater Dei and it seemed that they came in big spots. Farrell attempted and made just one three in this game but his ability to get to the basket was strong. His biggest area to work on is glaring and obvious, the free throw line. Lucky for CBA that this game was well in hand when Mater Dei began to foul in the fourth quarter. Farrell was just 1-9 from the free throw line.