Sectional Group 3 Finals: Players to Watch
The sectional finals for Group 3 are here as eight teams have a chance to take home a sectional title. Three teams are looking to repeat as champions, while a new winner will be crowned in South Jersey. These finals…
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Continue ReadingThe sectional finals for Group 3 are here as eight teams have a chance to take home a sectional title. Three teams are looking to repeat as champions, while a new winner will be crowned in South Jersey. These finals are terrific opportunities for players to step up their game. Here are the top players to watch in the sectional Group 3 finals.
Moses Pierre Moses Pierre 6'0" | PG Irvington | 2020 State NJ , 6’0 SG Irvington 2020
Classmate Karriem Thomas Karriem Thomas 5'9" | PG Irvington | 2020 State NJ has been a marksman from behind the arc, but Pierre sets the tone for Irvington. The senior guard is averaging a near double-double as he excels at ripping down rebounds against bigger defenders. Pierre is at his best attacking the basket and knows how to draw contact around the rim. He has been playing at a high level all season and the Blue Knights will need him to be at his to knock off defending North Jersey 2 Group 3 champion Colonia.
Max Pernetti Max Pernetti 6'5" | SF Ramapo | 2020 State NJ , 6’6 SF Ramapo 2020
Pernetti has powered the Raiders this season as they are looking to repeat as North Jersey 1 Group 3 champions. The Gettysburg commit uses his length and athleticism to get easy baskets around the rim. Pernetti has a good pull-up jumper and is a versatile defender who can defend multiple positions. Ramapo has a tough road showdown against Sparta, but Pernetti’s ability to control the game on both ends gives the Raiders a slight edge.
Demetrius Paynter Demetrius Paynter 6'6" | PF Timber Creek | 2020 State NJ , 6’6 PF Timber Creek 2020
Senior guards Eric Benjamin Eric Benjamin 5'11" | PG Timber Creek | 2020 State NJ , Justin Bladden and Jalen Bergen Jalen Bergen 5'11" | PG Timber Creek | 2020 State NJ have been key parts to the Chargers’ success this season, but Paynter is the one who controls the paint. The 6’6 senior knows how to get position down low and is tough to move off the block. Paynter has a nice touch around the basket and knows how to draw contact. He is a great rebounder and is an underrated shot-blocker because of his timing and positioning. Timber Creek hosts Cherry Hill West in the South Jersey Group 3 final and the Chargers need their senior quarter to be at their best.
Quinn Calabrese Quinn Calabrese 6'3" | SG Wall | 2020 State NJ , 6’3 SG Wall 2020
Junior Pat Lacey Pat Lacey 6'1" | SG Wall | 2021 State NJ carried Wall in the semifinals against Allentown, but Calabrese will have to be at his best in the final. The 6’3 senior can score from all three levels and takes the ball to the basket strong. Calabrese has a good-looking stroke and is capable of getting hot in a hurry. The Crimson Knights are looking to defend their Central Jersey Group 3 title against division rival Neptune, so Calabrese will have to be at his best for Wall in the final.
Sam Fagan Sam Fagan 5'10" | PG Neptune | 2021 State NJ , 5’10 PG Neptune 2021
Neptune needs Fagan to be at his best in order for the Scarlet Fliers to pull off the upset. The junior point guard is capable of scoring points in bunches as he dropped 40 points in the double overtime upset of Somerville in the quarterfinals. Fagan has deep range, but is also capable of blowing by his defender in the halfcourt. Neptune lost both games this season against Wall, but Fagan is hoping for a different result in the Central Jersey Group 3 title game.
Other Players to Watch:
Aidan Mastandrea Aidan Mastandrea 6'1" | PG Sparta | 2020 State NJ , 6’1 SG Sparta 2020
Jimmy Frage, 6’0 PG Colonia 2020
Hakim Melvin, SG Cherry Will West 2020