Opening Day Match-ups to Watch: Part 1
In this article:
Garden State basketball is finally here with games tipping off tomorrow. The 2021 season is full of anticipation with teams trying to race out to fast starts during this shortened year. The opening slate of games are full of intriguing…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingGarden State basketball is finally here with games tipping off tomorrow. The 2021 season is full of anticipation with teams trying to race out to fast starts during this shortened year. The opening slate of games are full of intriguing match-ups with clashes that could decide state rankings and divisional titles. Here are the top opening day match-ups to look out for tomorrow.
Montclair Immaculate’s Backcourt duo vs. Bergen Catholic’s Backcourt trio
This answer could seem like a bit of a cop out, but there is no other match-up on opening day that features two top 10 teams. The 7th ranked Lions have a talented back court with floor general Jayden Brown Jayden Brown 6'0" | PG Montclair Immaculate | 2021 State NJ running the show and Pope John transfer DiAndre South DiAndre South 6'4" | SG Montclair Immaculate | 2022 NJ slashing to the basket for easy points. Will Richardson Will Richardson 6'2" | PG Bergen Catholic | 2022 State #76 Nation NJ and Julian Brown Julian Brown 6'1" | PG Bergen Catholic | 2022 State NJ are one of the most dynamic backcourts in New Jersey as they are both capable of going for 20 points a piece on any given night and play extremely well off each other. Elliot Cadeau Elliot Cadeau 6'2" | PG Bergen Catholic | 2024 MO will be making his varsity debut, making the 6th ranked Crusaders even more dangerous. This top 10 showdown is a treat for the opening day of the season and it should be entertaining to watch.
Eastern vs. Paul VI: Tazir Cantey Tazir Cantey 6'0" | PG Eastern | 2021 State NJ vs. Wisler Sanon Wisler Sanon 6'2" | CG Paul VI | 2021 State NJ
The Vikings and Eagles are both entering 2021 with high expectations, making this Olympic Conference showdown more fun to watch. Cantey transferred from Lindenwold and is a dynamic scorer having already eclipsed 1,600 points in his high school career. He will face off against one of the top on-ball defenders in the state in NJIT commit Sanon. Zubair Lee Zubair Lee 6'5" | SF Eastern | 2021 State NJ and Jalen Boyd-Savage Jalen Boyd-Savage 6'3" | CG Olympus Prep | 2022 State NJ will also have an intriguing match-up but not more than Cantey and Sanon. The backcourt clash should determine which teams gets the upper hand in the game.
Gill St. Bernard’s vs. Watchung Hills: Drew Kania Drew Kania 6'7" | SF Gill St. Bernard's | 2022 State NJ vs. Chad Martini Chad Martini 6'6" | PF Watchung Hills | 2021 State NJ
Mackenzie Mgbako Mackenzie Mgbako 6'8" | SF Roselle Catholic | 2023 State #5 Nation NJ was also a consideration for this titanic Skyland Conference tilt to open the season, but Kania will probably spend more time defending Martini down low. The 6’7 junior forward is extremely skilled as Kania can knock down jumpers from the perimeter, put the ball on the floor and get to the basket. Kania had to work boxing out current Princeton player Zach Martini Zach Martini 6'7" | PF Gill St. Bernard's | 2020 State #349 Nation NJ and his younger brother should provide a similar challenge down low. The Cornell football commit is a force on the glass and is one of the top passers out of the post in New Jersey. Both teams have been at the top of the Skyland Conference for the past couple of seasons, making this clash even more fun to watch.
Somerville vs. Bound Brook: Kyle Rolon Kyle Rolon 6'3" | SG Somerville | 2021 State NJ vs. Davie McLarty Davie McLarty SG Bound Brook | 2021 State NJ
Somerville and Bound Brook battled in the Valley division of the Skyland Conference and it should be no different this season. Rolon has one of the cleanest shooting forms in all of New Jersey and can knock down triples in bunches. The Crusaders will throw multiple looks at him with McLarty getting the preliminary look. The 6’0 guard is a facilitator for head coach Anthony Melesurgo’s offense and plays with quick hands on defense. Versatile wing Cam’Ron Summers Cam’Ron Summers 6'4" | SG Bound Brook | 2021 State NJ will also get looks on Rolon, creating an intense game to kick off the 2021 season.
Nottingham vs. Allentown: Brandon Raba Brandon Raba 6'2" | CG Nottingham | 2021 State NJ vs. Dante Weise Dante Weise 6'1" | PG George School | 2023 State PA
The Northstars and Redbirds will be fighting for CVC supremacy throughout the season and the point guard matchup will illustrate that. Raba is creative with the ball in his hands as he makes flashy passes, but does not force the issue in the half court. He is a creative finisher around the basket and does not mind drawing contact. Weise is a true floor general for Allentown as he is always looking to set up his teammates and has a good handle to blow by his defender in the half court. Both players will be fun to watch as the CVC slate moves forward.