Matchups to Watch This Weekend
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The first full week of January is coming to a close and the hoops season is kicking into high gear. The upcoming weekend is filled with intriguing matchups that should light up the scoreboard. Here are the top matchups to…
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Continue ReadingThe first full week of January is coming to a close and the hoops season is kicking into high gear. The upcoming weekend is filled with intriguing matchups that should light up the scoreboard. Here are the top matchups to watch for this weekend.
Mark Armstrong Mark Armstrong 6'2" | PG St. Peter's Prep | 2022 State #39 Nation NJ vs. Ian Jackson Ian Jackson 6'5" | SF Cardinal Hayes (NY) | 2024 State #9 Nation NY
The best matchup of the weekend features a pair of high major recruits that should light up the scoreboard in Armstrong and Jackson. The Villanova commit is capable of scoring at all three levels and does not force the issue in the half court. Jackson is a big-time athlete who finishes with authority around the rim and is not rattled by on-ball pressure. Both players are gamers who will do whatever it takes to win. Tyler Lingham, Jackson Tindall Jackson Tindall 6'7" | PF St. Peter's Prep | 2024 NLG , Matt Kinzler Matt Kinzler 6'7" | PF St. Peter's Prep | 2023 State NJ and Elijah Moore Elijah Moore 6'3" | SG OSL | 2024 State #188 Nation NY are all talented prospects who should make an impact, but Armstrong and Jackson will be the marquee battle to watch.
Keyshun Sanders Keyshun Sanders 5'11" | PG Paulsboro | 2022 State NJ vs. Drew Greene Drew Greene 5'10" | PG Cherry Hill East | 2022 State NJ
This South Jersey matchup may fly under the radar, but it features a pair of talented guards who should lead their teams on deep postseason runs. Sanders is a lightning quick floor general who blows by his defender and finish around the rim. Greene is a heady floor general who rarely turns the ball over and makes opponents pay for giving him space on the perimeter. Both guards know how to get their teammates and make plays on the defensive end. Sanders and Greene should light up the scoreboard, creating an intriguing matchup between Paulsboro and Cherry Hill East.
Gio Panzini Gio Panzini 6'5" | SF St. Rose | 2024 State NJ vs. Jack Seidler Jack Seidler 6'5" | SF Marlboro | 2022 State NJ
Red Bank Catholic and Marlboro already squared off against each in the WOBM Christmas Classic final, creating an intriguing rematch. Panzini is an athletic wing who can finish above the rim but can also score in the mid-range and knock down jumpers from behind the arc. Seidler is a skilled scorer as he is tough to defend in the mid-range and can finish through contact around the basket. Panzini has a good handle, while Seidler is a strong rebounder. RBC and Marlboro is a fun matchup to watch as both teams have intentions of playing each for a third time in the Shore Conference Tournament final.
Derek Simpson Derek Simpson 6'3" | PG Lenape | 2022 State NJ vs. Savion Pressley
This Olympic Conference-GMC clash is a battle between two of the top 15 teams in the state with a top-tier battle at point guard between Simpson and Pressley. The Rutgers commit has a tight handle, which he uses to break his defender down off the bounce and make plays around the basket. Pressley is a lightning quick guard on both ends of the floor as he is a blur in the open floor and makes it tough for opponents to get into their sets on offense. Simpson has a smooth release on shot and can knock down triples in bunches. Lenape and Colonia are two of the top teams in the state, which should make the game fun to watch.
Arnaldo Rodriguez Arnaldo Rodriguez 6'1" | CG St. Joseph Academy | 2023 State NJ vs. Tommy Mooney Tommy Mooney 6'1" | PG Haddonfield | 2022 State NJ
St. Joseph Academy and Haddonfield are two of the top teams in South Jersey and it should be filled with highlights. Rodriguez has been the go-to scorer for the Wildcats as he has four 20-point games this season and he excels at getting to the basket and finishing. Mooney plays with poise with the ball in his hands as he has a good handle and can finish nicely around the basket. He has quick hands on the defensive end, while Rodriguez moves exceptionally well off the ball. Both players are play-makers at both ends, which creates an intriguing matchup to watch this weekend in South Jersey.