Group 1 Dynamic Duos
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It’s unfortunate that there could not be a state tournament in 2021 as it has been filled with so much excitement. Some prospects have taken big steps in the offseason, which has led to their team having a good season.…
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Continue ReadingIt’s unfortunate that there could not be a state tournament in 2021 as it has been filled with so much excitement. Some prospects have taken big steps in the offseason, which has led to their team having a good season. This is especially true in Group 1 with many players jockeying for position to land on the All-Group team. Here are the top dynamic duos in Group 1 this season.
Bound Brook: Quadir Harrell Quadir Harrell 5'10" | PG Bound Brook | 2022 State NJ & Cam’Ron Summers Cam’Ron Summers 6'4" | SG Bound Brook | 2021 State NJ
The Crusaders are really a tantalizing trio with Davie McLarty Davie McLarty SG Bound Brook | 2021 State NJ controlling the pace of the game, while Harrell and Summers fill it up. The former is an electric scorer with the ability to scorch the nets from distance, but also finish around the basket. Summers is at his best attacking the basket and does not mind drawing contact. Both players are strong rebounders and solid defenders. Bound Brook is one of the top teams in Group1 because of the play from Harrell, Summers and McLarty.
Wildwood: Diante Miles & Omarion McNeal Omarion McNeal 6'6" | PF Olympus Prep | 2022 State NJ
The Indians are another tantalizing trio with Seamus Fynes Seamus Fynes 6'0" | PG Wildwood | 2021 State NJ as all three players have put up outstanding numbers this season. Miles is wired to score with three 30-point games this season. He can score from anywhere on the floor and can fight for rebounds on both ends. McNeal has been a walking double-double this season and is a powerful finisher above the rim. Wildwood have been one of the most exciting teams to watch in South Jersey this season and its tantalizing trio is a big reason why.
Paterson Charter: Asim Jones Asim Jones 6'3" | SG Paterson Charter | 2022 State NJ & Jashair Rosa
The Lions join Bound Brook as the only undefeated teams in Group 1 as they have been buoyed by a pair of Manchester Regional transfers. Jones is a lightning quick with the ball in his hands and is tough to keep out of the lane. He plays with quick hands on the defensive end and is a strong rebounder. Rosa is unafraid to do the dirty work in the paint and has a nice touch around the basket. Paterson Charter has not skipped a beat this season with the additions of Jones and Rosa.
University: Bakir Cleveland Bakir Cleveland 6'4" | SG University | 2021 State NJ & Janaie Coates Janaie Coates 6'8" | PF University | 2021 State NJ
The Phoenix may have dropped their last two games, but the play of their Lincoln (PA) bounds players is not the reason they lost. Cleveland is a tough-minded guard who is at his best attacking the basket as he is a good finisher around the rim. He makes plays with the ball in his hands as he recorded a triple-double against Newark East Side and can defend multiple positions. Coates is a physical forward who scraps for rebounds on both ends of the floor, but has also started to develop a nice touch around the basket. Both players have been huge for University this season as they look to conclude their varsity careers in style.
Shabazz: Naceiar Kirksey & Altarik Johnson
No team in Group 1 has been more surprising than Shabazz this season and the chemistry between Kirksey and Johnson is why. The former has been on a scoring tear with 10 straight games of at least 20 points. Kirksey is tough to keep out of the lane and understands how to draw contact around the basket. Johnson is a versatile threat as he can bury triples from deep, but also fight for rebounds on both ends of the floor. Kirksey and Johnson play really well off each other, which is why Shabazz are 9-2 on the season.
Other Duos to Watch:
Arts: Spencer Joyner Spencer Joyner 6'4" | PG Arts | 2023 State NJ & Elijon Nix Elijon Nix 6'0" | PG Arts | 2023 State NJ
Lindenwold: Eddie Ngene & Eriq Campbell
Overbrook: Damian Rawls Damian Rawls 6'1" | CG Overbrook | 2021 State NJ & Jaylan Hornsby
Dunellen: Jalen Thomas & Drew Johnson Drew Johnson SF Dunellen | 2021 State NJ
Gloucester: Jason Pino & Steven Light