Non-Public B Guard Duos to Watch
In this article:
Non-Public B has been the top group in New Jersey for the past decade, housing nine of the last 10 Tournament of Champions winners. Big-time programs like Roselle Catholic and Patrick School are perennial powers in the Garden State. The…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingNon-Public B has been the top group in New Jersey for the past decade, housing nine of the last 10 Tournament of Champions winners. Big-time programs like Roselle Catholic and Patrick School are perennial powers in the Garden State. The guard play in the group is full of talent that will contribute at the next level. Here are the top guard duos to watch in Non-Public B North this season.
Roselle Catholic: Corey Floyd Jr Corey Floyd Jr 6'4" | SG Roselle Catholic | 2022 NJ . & Simeon Wilcher Simeon Wilcher 6'4" | PG Roselle Catholic | 2023 State #17 Nation NJ
The Lions have to replace four guards from last season’s team, but Floyd Jr. and Wilcher have the talent to carry the load. The former has been a key part of the rotation for the last two seasons with his ability to play on both ends of the floor. Wilcher can break down his defender off the bounce and knows how to finish around the basket. Both players are capable of knocking down jumpers from behind the arc and can run the offense effectively. Roselle Catholic added Amar’e Marshall Amar’e Marshall 6'2" | PG Roselle Catholic | 2021 State NJ and Jamarques Lawrence Jamarques Lawrence 6'2" | SG Roselle Catholic | 2022 State NJ to the roster, but Floyd Jr. and Wilcher are the ones running the show in 2020-21.
Patrick School: Zion Cruz & Dionte Johnson Dionte Johnson 6'0" | PG Patrick School | 2022 State NJ
The Celtics need someone to replace Noah Farrahkan at the lead guard position and they found their man in Cruz. The athletic 6’3 guard is at his best attacking the basket and loves to finish above the rim. Johnson played alongside Farrahkan last season and is one of the top on-ball defenders in the 2022 class. He makes good decisions with the ball in his hands and is the perfect compliment to Cruz in the backcourt. The Patrick School will be tough to beat again this season with Cruz and Johnson steering the ship.
St. Joseph Academy: Marcus Pierce Marcus Pierce 6'1" | CG Compass Prep | 2022 State NJ & Jordan Stafford Jordan Stafford 6'3" | PG St. Joseph Academy | 2021 State NJ
No guard improved his stock more than Pierce over the summer as he showed his ability to impact the game in multiple ways. The 6’2 guard is tough to contain off the bounce and knows how to finish around the basket. Pierce is also a good passer and solid on-ball defender. Stafford made plays all summer with his ability to get to the basket, make smart passes and make plays on the defensive end. St. Joseph Academy’s guard duo is a sight to see as Pierce and Stafford should carry the Wildcats deep into the sectional playoffs.
Trenton Catholic: Freddie Young Freddie Young 6'3" | PG Trenton Catholic | 2021 State NJ Jr. & Braxton Jones Braxton Jones 6'0" | PG Roselle Catholic | 2022 State NJ
The departure of Donavin Crawford Donavin Crawford 6'3" | SG Nottingham | 2021 State NJ to Nottingham creates a hole in the Iron Mikes’ backcourt, but they have a strong duo in place with Young Jr. and Jones. The former is a pure point guard who has a smooth handle and can finish above the rim. Young Jr. makes good decisions with the ball in his hands and is capable of knocking down perimeter jumpers. Jones is a knockdown shooter from deep, but he can also attack the basket and finish in the midrange. Freshman Deuce Jones Deuce Jones 6'1" | PG College Achieve | 2024 State #221 Nation NJ may also get time in the backcourt, but Young Jr. and Jones are the main guys to watch this season.
Ranney: Elijah Perkins Elijah Perkins 6'4" | CG Camden | 2022 State NJ & Isaac Hester Isaac Hester 6'0" | PG Ranney School | 2023 State NJ
Perkins had a strong sophomore season as he was named to Second Team All Shore. The 6’4 guard is at his best attacking the basket as he can use his athleticism to finish over the top or make tough layups in traffic. Hester is a crafty ball-handler as he knows how to get into the lane. He has a nice release on his jumper and is a good on-ball defender. Ranney has the potential to make a deep run in the sectional playoffs behind Perkins and Hester in the backcourt.
Other Players to Know:
Rutgers Prep: Noah Harris Noah Harris 6'0" | PG Rutgers Prep | 2021 State NJ & Ryan Pettit Ryan Pettit 6'2" | SG Rutgers Prep | 2022 State NJ
Morris Catholic: Omarion Jett-Dobbs Omarion Jett-Dobbs 6'2" | CG St. Benedict's | 2022 State NJ & Justin Brown Justin Brown 6'0" | PG Morris Catholic | 2022 State NJ
Montclair Immaculate: DiAndre South DiAndre South 6'4" | SG Montclair Immaculate | 2022 NJ & Jayden Brown Jayden Brown 6'0" | PG Montclair Immaculate | 2021 State NJ
Hudson Catholic: Justin Glover Justin Glover 6'2" | SG Hudson Catholic | 2021 State NJ & Isaiah Griffin Isaiah Griffin 5'11" | PG Patrick School | 2023 KS
Gill St. Bernard’s: Denver Anglin Denver Anglin 6'0" | PG Gill St. Bernard's | 2022 State #120 Nation NJ & Samir Thomas Samir Thomas 6'3" | CG Patrick School | 2024 State NJ