Non-Public A Top Backcourts
The non-public schools have ruled the roost in New Jersey basketball with the last three Tournament of Champions finals being a non-public showdown. Don Bosco Prep appeared in consecutive finals, while Bergen Catholic has been one of the state’s top…
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Continue ReadingThe non-public schools have ruled the roost in New Jersey basketball with the last three Tournament of Champions finals being a non-public showdown. Don Bosco Prep appeared in consecutive finals, while Bergen Catholic has been one of the state’s top teams over the last two seasons. Non-Public A is filled with talented guards who have the potential to play big-time college basketball. Here are the top backcourts in Non-Public A.
St. Thomas Aquinas: Jaquan Harris Jaquan Harris 6'4" | PG St. Thomas Aquinas | 2022 State #164 Nation NJ & Kyree Henry Kyree Henry 6'0" | CG St. Thomas Aquinas | 2021 State NJ
The Trojans finished the season strong as they took home the GMC tournament title and won 23 games. Third team All-State selection Quadry Adams Quadry Adams 6'3" | PG St. Thomas Aquinas | 2020 State #361 Nation NJ is moving on to Wake Forest, but St. Thomas Aquinas still has a solid group of guards. Harris is a big point guard who can score from all three levels and makes plays with the ball in his hands. Henry is a great shooter who moves well off the ball and has a quick release on his shot. St. Thomas Aquinas is the favorite to repeat as GMC tournament champions with the return of Harris and Henry.
Bergen Catholic: Will Richardson Will Richardson 6'2" | PG Bergen Catholic | 2022 State #76 Nation NJ & Julian Brown Julian Brown 6'1" | PG Bergen Catholic | 2022 State NJ
The Crusaders won their second straight Non-Public A North title behind their sophomore guard duo. Richardson is an athletic play-maker who can facilitate the offense and score at a high rate. Brown is an electric guard who can get hot in a hurry. Bergen Catholic loses Raejon Figures Raejon Figures 6'2" | SG Bergen Catholic | 2020 State #274 Nation NJ to graduation, but fellow classmates Elijah Flournoy Elijah Flournoy 6'3" | SG Covenant College Prep | 2023 State NJ and Chase Jackson are ready to fill his shoes. The Crusaders will be in contention again for the Non-Public A North title with Richardson and Brown back in the fold.
St. Peter’s Prep: Mark Armstrong Mark Armstrong 6'2" | PG St. Peter's Prep | 2022 State #39 Nation NJ & Rayshawn Ford Rayshawn Ford 6'2" | SG St. Peter's Prep | 2021 State NJ
The Marauders lost to Bergen Catholic in the sectional final and they should be back there again in 2020-21. Armstrong is a threat to drop 25 points every time he steps on the floor as he can score from all three levels. Ford is at best his attacking the basket and knows how to finish through contact. They are both good passers who also play solid defense. St. Peter’s Prep is looking to take home the Non-Public A North title with Armstrong and Ford getting another year together.
Paul VI: Wisler Sanon Wisler Sanon 6'2" | CG Paul VI | 2021 State NJ & Jalen Boyd-Savage Jalen Boyd-Savage 6'3" | CG Olympus Prep | 2022 State NJ
The Eagles lost to St. Augustine in the Non-Public A South semifinals, but they should be in contention to win it this season. Sanon is a gritty guard who plays tough on ball defense and can attack the basket. Boyd-Savage is a strong driver who can finish through contact and has a solid mid-range game. He is also a good defender and has a good chemistry with classmates Nicolo Nobili Nicolo Nobili 6'9" | PF Paul VI | 2022 OH and Jordan Pierre. Paul VI is hungry to take home the Non-Public A South title behind its 2021 guard duo of Sanon and Boyd-Savage.
Dwight-Englewood: Jayden Lemond Jayden Lemond 6'3" | PG Blair Academy | 2023 State #183 Nation NJ & David Mager David Mager 6'3" | SG Dwight-Englewood | 2022 State NJ
The Bulldogs may have lost in the opening round of the state play-offs, but they have one of the top young backcourts in the Garden State. Lemond is a play-maker with the ball in his hands and knows how to finish around the basket. Mager is a crafty guard who can score in a multitude of ways. The duo are solid defenders and play with a good chemistry. Dwight-Englewood has the pieces to make a deep run in the county and state tournaments behind Lemond and Mager.
Other Players to Watch:
St. Joseph (Mont.): Albert Serrano Albert Serrano 6'1" | SG St. Joseph Montvale | 2021 State NJ & Danny Lans
Don Bosco Prep: Aaron Carter Aaron Carter 6'2" | PG ISchool Lewisville | 2022 State TX & Isaiah Edmond Isaiah Edmond 6'2" | CG Don Bosco Prep | 2022 State NJ
Christian Brothers Academy: Ryan Mabrey Ryan Mabrey 6'3" | PG La Lumiere | 2022 IN , Colin Farrell Colin Farrell 6'2" | SG Christian Brothers Academy | 2021 State NJ & Mike White Mike White 6'2" | SG Christian Brothers Academy | 2021 State NJ
Union Catholic: Isaiah Hill Isaiah Hill 6'3" | CG We Believe | 2022 State NLG & Elijah Barlow Elijah Barlow 6'1" | CG St. Joe's Metuchen | 2021 State NJ
Camden Catholic: Lucas Dunn Lucas Dunn 6'1" | PG Camden Catholic | 2021 State NJ & Colin Merriman