NJ Boys Basketball: Group 1 Power Rankings
We are currently in the first week of February and teams are finishing their regular season schedules. The groups are starting to come together and the Group 1 power rankings will be the final rendition before the tournaments begin. Here…
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Continue ReadingWe are currently in the first week of February and teams are finishing their regular season schedules. The groups are starting to come together and the Group 1 power rankings will be the final rendition before the tournaments begin. Here is how the group has shaped out to this point of the season.
Burlington City (16-1)
Burlington City has just one loss this season. They have dominated the BCSL and are the team to beat in Group 1. They are one of the favorites to hoist that state tournament trophy. Deonte Woodbury is one of the dynamic scorers on this team. He is averaging 19.1 points per game to lead Burlington City. He is joined by a pair of sophomores in Jamaal Morris and Jameel Morris. They have created a big three that will be tough to take down.
Paterson Charter (15-2)
Paterson Charter has won 14 of their 15 games by double-digits including multiple blowout victories. They suffered two losses. One was to Newark East Side and one was to Union Catholic in the PCSST Holiday Classic Championship. Paterson Charter is extremely balanced on the stat sheet. Sadiki Miller is the team’s leading scorer but there are a few players right behind him. Jahar Price, Caleb Ruffin, and Marquis Harris have all been strong on the offensive end this season.
Dunellen (16-2)
Dunellen went through a mini two-game losing streak in the middle of the season but they have since won nine in a row. All of the nine wins have come by 15 or more points. Dunellen has impressive wins over Perth Amboy Tech, Middlesex, and Dickinson. Dunellen is led by Tyje Kelton who is one of the state’s top scorers. He is averaging 19.5 points per game. Drew Johnson has also been a huge force along with Jalen Thomas.
Penns Grove (12-4)
Penns Grove has played a very tough schedule this season. They played Timber Creek to within four points and suffered a loss to Burlington City. Penns Grove has big wins over Gloucester and Kingsway. They could be higher on the ranking but the top three have been so dominant as of late. Penns Grove is neck-and-neck with the top teams in Group 1 led by Kavon Lewis.
Hasbrouck Heights (13-2)
Hasbrouck Heights has won four in a row since suffering a loss to Paterson Charter, their second of the season. Kunga Tsering has been the clear leader for Hasbrouck Heights during his junior season. Psering is averaging 16.4 points per game this season. Will Koukoutsis, Steven Faussette, and Jaden Castro have been lethal from three-point range this season. Hasbrouck Heights is a very balanced team who can score in a multitude of ways.
Bogota (13-3)
Bogota played Hasbrouck Heights right down to the wire in the preliminary round of the Bergen County Jamboree. They suffered a 51-49 loss that snapped their seven-game win streak. Bogota has won some close games this season including a one-point win against Cresskill and a two-point triumph over Midland Park. Evan Meberg and Taj Collins have been the leaders on the offensive end for Bogota. They will both be back next season to this is a team that is in good position for the future.
Pitman (13-3)
Pitman’s first loss was a one-point fall to Overbrook back in January. They went on an 11-game win streak after that loss but that has been snapped with two straight losses. Pitman will look to get back on track in their next game against Schalick. Rob Petersen is averaging 16.4 points per game this season to lead Pitman. Marco Morini has been a beast on the boards as he is averaging 13.2 points and 8.1 rebounds per contest.