NJ State Preview Podcast
The state tournament is just around the corner, which is why now is a great time to bring out a preview podcast. It previews all 20 sections of the state tournament, starting with North 2 Group 4 and ending with Non-Public B North. The podcast details the favorites of each group, players to watch and potential darkhorses to keep an eye on.
Camden’s DJ Wagner was highlighted in the podcast as the freshman guard is looking to lead the Panthers to their first TOC appearance since 2000. His scoring ability has taken the pressure off of Kentucky commit Lance Ware and junior Jerome Brewer, while Ta’Quan Woodley has thrived down low. Manasquan looks to be Camden’s top competition in Group 2 with Ben Roy and Alex Galvan, but Cornell commit Sean Hansen might have something to say about that.
The discussion in Group 3 was more intriguing as there are multiple teams with the capability of taking it home. Moorestown is the defending champion and could repeat witnh Kevin Muhic and Logan Jagodzinski running the show, but South Jersey is full of pitfalls. Timber Creek’s senior-laden roster led by Demetrius Paynter and Eric Benjamin, while Tyrese Myrick is capable of carrying Westampton Tech.
Group 1 was one of the more intriguing sections as it has a good variety of match-ups. Burlington City and Bound Brook seem destined for a match-up in the Central Jersey final, which should feature DJ Woodbury and Quadir Harrell. Dunellen and University would be an exciting final in North Jersey 2 as the individual match-up between Tyje Kelton and Bakir Cleveland would be one to watch. South Jersey has a great guard play in Lindenwold’s Tazir Cantey, Penns Grove’s Kavon Lewis, Pitman’s Rob Peterson and Overbrook’s Damian Rawls.
Group 4 has seen some chaos over the past couple of weeks and it should continue in the state tournament. Middletown South and New Brunswick were both upset in their conference tournaments, so watch for James Anderson and Ahyan Brown-Miller to come up big for their teams. Monmouth commit Mikah Johnson Jr. is looking to lead Newark East Side back to the Tournament of Champions, but Watchung Hills and Elizabeth stand in the way in North Jersey 2 Group 4. Toms River North’s senior duo of Jakari Spence and Najae Hallenback should lead the Mariners to the South Jersey title, but watch out for Derek Simpson and Lenape.
Non-Public A and B has ruled the New Jersey basketball scene as a public school has not won the Tournament of Champions since Camden did it in 2000. Jonathan Kuminga and Adama Sanogo are looking to lead the Patrick School back to the Tournament of Champions, but Roselle Catholic and Gill St. Bernard’s stand in the way in Non-Public B North. Non-Public B South could feature a potential match-up between Trey Patterson of Rutgers Prep and Taj Thweatt of Wildwood Catholic. Will Richardson vs. Mark Armstrong would be a must watch game in the Non-Public A North final, while Paul VI is looking for its first ever TOC appearance behind juniors Wisler Sanon, Nicolo Nobili and Jaylen Boyd-Savage in Non-Public A South.
The state tournament is always a fun time of year and 2020 could be one for the ages.