Sizzling Showdowns to Watch
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A nor’easter rocked New Jersey over the last two days, halting basketball across the state. Games are slated to restart today and it is full of games that are loaded with talent. Here are the top games to watch on…
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Continue ReadingA nor’easter rocked New Jersey over the last two days, halting basketball across the state. Games are slated to restart today and it is full of games that are loaded with talent. Here are the top games to watch on Wednesday, February 3.
Patrick School vs. St. Benedict’s
Any time these Garden State powers match-up makes the game a must watch. UConn commit Samson Johnson Samson Johnson 6'10" | PF Patrick School | 2021 State #145 Nation NJ patrols the paint for the Celtics, while Zion Cruz and Dionte Johnson Dionte Johnson 6'0" | PG Patrick School | 2022 State NJ run the show in the back court. The Grey Bees have a talented backcourt of their own with Ty-Laur Johnson Ty-Laur Johnson 6'1" | PG St. Benedict's | 2023 #134 Nation NY , Aaron Clark Aaron Clark 6'6" | SG Brewster Academy | 2023 State #135 Nation NLG and Isaiah Griffin Isaiah Griffin 5'11" | PG Patrick School | 2023 KS leading the way with Everton Browne Everton Browne 6'0" | PG St. Benedict's | 2022 State NJ helping out as well. Cal commit Sam Alajiki Sam Alajiki 6'7" | SF St. Benedict's | 2021 State NJ will make an impact for St. Benedict’s, but will have to contend with underclassmen Scotty Middleton Scotty Middleton 6'7" | SF Sunrise Christian | 2023 #50 Nation KS and James Moore on the perimeter. This game is loaded with high major D1 talent, which makes for entertaining game.
Westfield vs. Elizabeth
The two UCC teams are looking to gain momentum in arguably the hardest division in New Jersey with teams like Roselle Catholic, Linden and Union Catholic also residing in the Watchung division. Big men Sean Logan Sean Logan 6'10" | PF Westfield | 2022 State NJ , Logan Howland Logan Howland 6'7" | PF Hun | 2023 NJ and Stevens commit Jack Spellman Jack Spellman 6'8" | PF Westfield | 2021 State NJ will be looking to establish themselves against Newark East Side transfer Delroy Smith Delroy Smith 6'7" | PF Hillside | 2023 State NJ and Zy’ree Beverly Zy’ree Beverly 6'6" | PF Elizabeth | 2022 State NJ early. Camden transfer Sebastian Robinson Sebastian Robinson 6'2" | CG Roselle Catholic | 2023 State NJ is ready to make some noise this season and should create problems for Ryan Friedberg Ryan Friedberg 6'4" | SG Westfield | 2022 State NJ and Pete Meixner Pete Meixner 5'11" | PG Westfield | 2023 State NJ . Evan Perez Evan Perez 5'10" | PG Elizabeth | 2021 State NJ and Al-Fatir Connor Al-Fatir Connor 6'0" | PG Elizabeth | 2021 State NJ are also crafty guards for the Minutemen who should make an impact on the game. Both teams need this game if they want to contend with Roselle Catholic for the division title.
Montclair Immaculate vs. Newark East Side
The last two Essex County tournament champions lock up which creates for an intriguing battle, especially in the backcourt. Jayden Brown Jayden Brown 6'0" | PG Montclair Immaculate | 2021 State NJ and Zakai Zeigler Zakai Zeigler 5'9" | PG Montclair Immaculate | 2022 NY are playing as well as any backcourt duo in the Garden State with the duo combing to average slightly under 46 points per game. David Olaniyi David Olaniyi 5'10" | PG Newark East Side | 2022 State NJ has taken over as the go-to scorer for the Red Raiders, while Naftali Koomson Naftali Koomson 6'6" | PF Newark East Side | 2021 State NJ has been the breakout player in the SEC so far. Pope John transfer DiAndre South DiAndre South 6'4" | SG Montclair Immaculate | 2022 NJ provides a good third option for the Lions, while Donta Davis and Nick Thomas control the interior. Sophomores Quatrell Wilson Quatrell Wilson 6'5" | SF Newark East Side | 2023 State NJ , Sutan Fitzpatrick and Nasir Wheeler Nasir Wheeler 5'9" | PG Newark East Side | 2023 State NJ will have to step for Newark East Side to pull off the against Montclair Immaculate.
St. Joseph Academy vs. St. Augustine
This Cape-Atlantic West match-up is huge as it’ll determine early supremacy in the division and league as a whole. American commit Matthew Delaney Matthew Delaney 6'7" | PF St. Augustine | 2021 State NJ is a load down low and should create havoc down low for the Hermits. University of the Sciences commit Keith Palek Keith Palek 6'7" | SF St. Augustine | 2021 State NJ and John Horner John Horner 6'6" | SF St. Augustine | 2021 State NJ will also be tough to stop as both players can play inside or on the perimeter. The Wildcats have a premiere backcourt as Marcus Pierce Marcus Pierce 6'1" | CG Compass Prep | 2022 State NJ has been dominant to start the season, while classmates Jordan Stafford Jordan Stafford 6'3" | PG St. Joseph Academy | 2021 State NJ and Dom Thomas Dom Thomas 6'3" | SG St. Joseph Academy | 2021 State NJ help out on the perimeter. Xavier Ernest Xavier Ernest 6'3" | SG St. Augustine | 2021 State NJ and Ja’Son Prevard Ja’Son Prevard 6'2" | CG St. Joseph Academy | 2022 State NJ are the X-Factors in what should be an exciting game in the Cape-Atlantic League.
Wildwood vs. Gloucester Catholic
This game is vital for both teams as they are looking to take the early lead in the Tri-County Classic division. Alvernia commit Ryan Roney Ryan Roney 6'0" | SG Gloucester Catholic | 2021 State NJ has been doing it all for the Rams as he is averaging 22 points, four assists and 3.5 steals per game to start the season. Wildwood’s dynamic backcourt of Diante Miles and Seamus Fynes Seamus Fynes 6'0" | PG Wildwood | 2021 State NJ have been getting it done as they combined to average 33 points per game. Omarion McNeal Omarion McNeal 6'6" | PF Olympus Prep | 2022 State NJ has been a force down low for them, while freshman Merle Hans Merle Hans 5'10" | PG Wildwood | 2024 State NJ has been a spark for Wildwood this season. RJ Mustaro and Cade Regan will have to step up their games as Gloucester Catholic looks to knock off Wildwood at home.