South Jersey teams with the best chance to win the TOC
The Tournament of Champions is the ultimate goal for teams across the Garden State as it provides New Jersey with a true champion. Historically, North Jersey has ruled the Tournament of Champions with 16 of the last 20 champions coming…
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Continue ReadingThe Tournament of Champions is the ultimate goal for teams across the Garden State as it provides New Jersey with a true champion. Historically, North Jersey has ruled the Tournament of Champions with 16 of the last 20 champions coming from North Jersey. The Patrick School, Roselle Catholic and Elizabeth are the top candidates to take home the TOC this season, but they are not the only teams with those aspirations. Here are the top South Jersey teams to take home the Tournament of Champions in 2019-20.
Camden
The Panthers are the last public school team to win the Tournament of Champions and they have the pieces to take it home this season. They are led by Kentucky commit Lance Ware as he controls the paint with his size and athleticism. Freshman guard DJ Wagner is the team’s top scorer and he is only getting better. Juniors Jerome Brewer and Ta’Quan Woodley provide leadership and toughness for a talented Camden team. Cian Medley is not the same type of scorer that Wagner is, but he is a solid perimeter defender. The Panthers are teemed with talent and are looking to return to the Tournament of Champions for the first time since their title winning 2000 season.
Wildwood Catholic
The Crusaders may have lost to Elizabeth in the Seagull Classic, but they are still one of the top teams in New Jersey. West Virginia commit Taj Thweatt has been dominant down low for Wildwood Catholic and is looking to make the All-State team for the second consecutive season. Temple commit Jahlil White is an excellent complimentary scorer as he takes the pressure off of Thweatt. Lower Cape May transfer Martin Aguelnov gives the Crusaders a perimeter shooter, while TCNJ commit Jacob Hopping is a play-maker on the perimeter. Wildwood Catholic was minutes away from making the Non-Public B final and is looking to make it in 2019-20.
Paul VI
The Eagles have gotten off to a fast start so far this season as they have won four of their first five games. Italian native Nicolo Nobili has been a huge part of that success as he leads Paul VI in points and rebounds. Junior guards Wisler Sanon and Jalen Boyd-Savage have had good starts to the season and should get better as the year goes along. Paul VI got by rival Camden Catholic earlier in the season, but is looking to knock them out of the state tournament in March.
Rutgers Prep
The Somerset County squad is not technically a South Jersey school, but the Argonauts are eligible for this list because their state group is Non-Public B South. Rutgers Prep is one of the most dynamic offensive teams in the state behind star junior forward Trey Patterson. Classmate Noah Harris is one of the top shooters in New Jersey, while Sacred Heart commit Nico Galette provides interior toughness. Sophomores Otega Oweh and Ryan Petit round out a talented Rutgers Prep squad. The Argonauts are currently 8-0 and could potentially have one of their best seasons in school history.
St. Thomas Aquinas
The Edison-based team is in a similar situation to Rutgers Prep as the Trojans’ state group is Non-Public A South. Wake Forest commit Quadry Adams is one of the top guards in the state with his versatile offensive game. Jaquan Harris is a big-time sophomore guard who is just beginning to scratch the surface. Southern New Hampshire commit Derrick Grant is a tenacious rebounder, while Kyree Henry provides St. Thomas Aquinas with a big-time shooter. When Gill St. Bernard’s transfer Tristan Jeffries starts playing, St. Thomas Aquinas will be one of the teams to beat in Non-Public A.