NJSIAA Opening Round: Biggest Winners
The state tournament is officially underway with Groups 1 and 3 kicking off yesterday. It was a chaotic opening day as 10 double-digit seeds secured road upsets, including 14th seeded Pascack Valley and 13th seeded Teaneck in North 2 Group…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingThe state tournament is officially underway with Groups 1 and 3 kicking off yesterday. It was a chaotic opening day as 10 double-digit seeds secured road upsets, including 14th seeded Pascack Valley and 13th seeded Teaneck in North 2 Group 3. Bound Brook, Lakewood and Nottingham all survived upset bids, while Burlington City made a statement in its opening game. Here are the biggest winners from the opening day of the state tournament.
Burlington Township
The Falcons entered Central Jersey Group 3 on a three-game winning streak and they continued their hot play with a 54-37 win over Matawan. Senor Emmanuel Ayetigbo Emmanuel Ayetigbo 6'6" | PF Burlington Township | 2020 State NJ was a force down low with 18 points and 10 rebounds, while junior Daniel Thomas Daniel Thomas 5'10" | PG Burlington Township | 2021 State NJ controlled the pace of the game. Their defensive effort on John Buekers John Buekers 6'6" | C Matawan | 2020 State NJ and Niles Haliburton Niles Haliburton 6'3" | CG Matawan | 2020 State NJ was phenomenal as they combined to score seven points. The Falcons take on another Shore Conference opponent in third-seeded Lakewood, and they will have to stop Ryan Savoy Ryan Savoy 6'4" | SF Lakewood | 2020 State NJ , who is coming off a 19-point, 24-rebound performance against Steinert.
Rafael Castro Rafael Castro 6'9" | PF Dover | 2021 State #157 Nation NJ , 6’9 PF Dover 2021
The 6’9 junior forward has been dominant all season and continued his strong play with a monster performance against Morris Hills.He recorded his second triple-double of the season as he dropped 30 points, ripped down 17 rebounds and swatted 10 shots. Morris Hills could not stop the junior forward as he scored around the basket, knocked down free throws and showed off his range with a three-pointer. Castro has received four DI offers in the past two weeks and that offer sheet will grow if he continues putting up numbers like that in the state tournament.
Mike Goodall, 6’0 PG Toms River East 2020
The Raiders did not just beat Highland as they blew them out 85-56 on the road. Goodall was unstoppable as he had 40 points, 10 rebounds and six steals. The 6’0 senior was hard to keep out of the lane as he was constantly making shots around the rim and knocked down four three-pointers. Goodall ripped down rebounds in traffic and played with great instincts on the defensive end. It was Goodall’s second 40-point game in the past week as he dropped 46 points against Lacey on February 25.His ability to score the ball makes the quarterfinal battle against Timber Creek that more interesting.
New Providence
The defending Group 1 champions started off their title defense with a 65-55 upset victory over Whippany Park. Seton Hill commit Sean Dillon Sean Dillon 5'10" | PG New Providence | 2020 State NJ controlled the pace of the game as he finished off with 23 points and five assists. Junior Carsten Schumm dominated down low as he had 20 points, 25 rebounds and eight blocks. The Pioneers have a tough road game against University, but they are going to be a tough out in the quarterfinals.
Pedro Miranda, 5’9 PG Payne Tech 2022
Seniors Michael Dabas Michael Dabas 6'3" | SG Middletown South | 2020 State NJ and Daniel Oravbiere have been Payne Tech’s top players, but Miranda stole the show in the 59-56 upset victory over Rahway. The 5’9 point guard finished with a game-high 24 points. Miranda was lethal from behind the arc as he knocked down five three-pointers. His ability to stretch the floor allowed room for Oravbiere to dominate down low. Colby College commit Eric Baier Eric Baier 6'3" | SG Summit | 2020 State NJ is looming in the next round, so Miranda will have his work cut out for him in the quarterfinals against Summit.
Burlinton City
The Blue Devils were supposed to beat Central Jersey College Charter in the opening round, but their resounding 120-44 win is worth noting. They controlled the game from the opening tip as Burlington City was up 40-2 after the first quarter. Temple football commit DJ Woodbury DJ Woodbury 6'2" | CG Burlington City | 2020 State NJ paced the Blue Devils with 19 points, while Jamaal and Jameel Morris Jameel Morris 6'1" | PG Trenton Catholic | 2023 NY combined to score 30 points. Burlington City is looking to repeat as Central Jersey Group 1 champions and it’s opening game is proof that the Blue Devils are the favorites to repeat.