Passiac County: Biggest Shoes to Fill
Passiac County featured two sectional winners with Paterson Charter winning the group semifinals. Paterson Kennedy won the North Jersey 1 Group 4 and ended the season in the top 20. Both squads lost marquee seniors and will need someone to…
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Continue ReadingPassiac County featured two sectional winners with Paterson Charter winning the group semifinals. Paterson Kennedy won the North Jersey 1 Group 4 and ended the season in the top 20. Both squads lost marquee seniors and will need someone to replace them next season. Here are the top players in Passiac County who have big shoes to fill next season.
Yasen Crawford Yasen Crawford 5'11" | PG Paterson Kennedy | 2022 State NJ , 5’9 PG Paterson Kennedy 2022
The Knights were one of the top teams in New Jersey all season as they won 27 games, took home the Passiac County Tournament title and a sectional final. Seniors Mark Heber Mark Heber CG Paterson Kennedy | 2021 CT and Deishon Harrison paced Paterson Kennedy’s attack, creating a huge void in the scoring column. Sophomore JayQuan Briggs is the team’s top returning scorer, but Crawford will be the one tasked with becoming more of a dominant scorer. The 5’9 point guard makes plays with the ball in his hands and can stretch the defense with his ability to knock down three-pointers. Paterson Kennedy will need its 2022 duo of Briggs and Crawford to rise its level of play for the Knights to repeat as North Jersey 1 Group 4 final.
Jamar Belfield Jamar Belfield 5'10" | PG Paterson Charter | 2022 State NJ , 5’10 PG Paterson Charter 2022
The Lions had a historic 2019-20 season as they won 27 games and won their first ever sectional title. Belfield was the engine for Paterson Charter all season as he ran the offense. The 5’10 point guard is cat quick and can blow by his defender in the half court. Belfield is a tough on-ball defender and can finish around the basket. Paterson Charter needs Belfield to up his scoring if the Lions want to repeat as North Jersey 1 Group 1 champions.
Irving Watkins, PG Depaul Catholic 2023
Anthony Corbo and John O’Reilly paced the Spartans’ scoring attack, but both of them will be graduating. Watkins was the team’s third leading scorer in 2019-20 and will be tasked with shouldering more of the scoring load. The freshman guard is a good shooter from distance as he moves well off the ball and has a quick release. Watkins can also take his defender off the dribble and finish around the basket. The Spartans are looking for someone to step up in a big way in 2020-21 and Watkins looks to be the guy.
Travis Pittman Jr., 6’4 SF Passiac 2021
Antrell Monroe Jr. did everything for Passiac last season, but he will need help with the graduations of Kendell Malloy and Cam’ron Sylvester. Pittman Jr. has the toughness to replace Malloy’s rebounding down low, but will need to improve his scoring. The 6’4 junior uses his length and athleticism to swat shots around the basket and is one of the top defenders on the team. Pittman Jr. has a nice touch around the basket and is working on his range. Monroe is ready to lead Passiac in 2020-21, but he will need Pittman Jr.to elevate his scoring game if the Indians want to have a good season next year.
Travis Miles, 6’5 PF Clifton 2021
Edward Perez was a force down low for Clifton all season long and he will need to be replaced next season. Sophomore Kyle Vellis led the Mustangs in scoring last season, while Miles is tasked with replacing Perez’s presence in the paint. The 6’5 junior is tough on the boards and scrapes for offensive rebounds on every possession.Miles has a nice touch around the basket and has a nice looking shooting stroke. Clifton wants to improve from its 8-18 record last season and the Mustangs will need Miles to step up his game for that to happen.