NJ/DC Collision Preview
The NJ/DC Collision, featuring top-level basketball programs with some of the most talented players in the country, will be broadcast live on January 27, 2018 from Gonzaga College High School in Washington, DC. With all four varsity boys’ basketball games being carried by Monumental Sports. Below is a brief preview of what should be an exciting day of hoops.
2:45 PM | SIDWELL FRIENDS vs. GILL ST. BERNARD’S
WATCH LIST
SFS: ’18 Saddiq Bey (NC State), ’19 Jason Gibson, ’19 Elijah Williams, ’19 Jack Lewis
GSB: ’18 Alex Schachne (Johns Hopkins), ’18 Brad Bundschuh, ’19 Paul Mulcahy, ’19 Peter Sorber
X-FACTOR: Saddiq Bey and Jason Gibson generally produce consistently for Sidwell, but we think Elijah Williams will be key to their success in this one. The class of 2019 wing, who plays with commendable energy while on the floor, will need to help his team control the boards.
PREDICTION: Both of these teams are very well coached, and deliberate on the offensive end. We expect this to be a relatively low scoring affair that could go either way. Our pick is Sidwell by a final score of 55-54.
4:30 PM | PAUL VI vs. ROSELLE CATHOLIC
WATCH LIST
PVI: ’18 Brandon Slater (Villanova), ’18 Miles Latimer (Stony Brook), ’18 Jeremy Robinson, ’19 Anthony Harris, ’19 Josh Oduro, ’20 Jeremy Roach, ’20 Josiah Freeman, ’21 Trevor Keels
RC: ’18 Nazreon Reid (LSU), ’18 Alanzo Frink, ’19 Kahlil Whitney, ’19 Josh Pierre-Louis
X-FACTOR: 2019 Josh Oduro has emerged in recent weeks as a key figure to PVI’s success. He will likely be asked to lead the effort to try and neutralize McDonald’s All-American Nazeron Reid, and how well he is able to do that could make a difference in this contest.
PREDICTION: Contrary to the first matchup, we anticipate this game to be played at a very fast pace, which likely favors PVI. We have the Panthers winning this one by a final score of 76-73.
6:15 PM | GONZAGA vs. IMMACULATE CONCEPTION
WATCH LIST
G: ’18 Myles Dread (Penn State), ’18 Allin Blunt, ’19 Anwar Gill, ’19 Josh Watts, ’20 Terrance Williams, ’20 Myles Stute, ’20 Chuck Harris
IC: ’18 Jalen Carey (Syracuse), ’19 Justin Winston, ’20 Elijah Hutchins, ’20 Clifford Omoruyi
X-FACTOR: Allin Blunt has not just been one of the most improved players for Gonzaga, but he’s quietly putting up consistently solid numbers. The unsigned senior provides valuable leadership intangibles, versatility, and experience to a relatively young team.
PREDICTION: We just don’t know how Immaculate Conception will be able to match the firepower of the home team in this one. While Syracuse commit Jalen Carey is certainly an excellent scorer, we expect the Eagles to make things as difficult as possible for him while making him work hard on the defensive end. Our prediction is for Gonzaga to win by a final score of 70-65.
8:00 PM | DEMATHA vs. THE PATRICK SCHOOL
WATCH LIST
DM: ’19 Justin Moore, ’19 Jahmir Young, ’19 Carsten Kogelnik, ’19 Josh Wallace, ’19 Jamel Melvin, ’20 Earl Timberlake, ’20 Hunter Dickinson
TPS: ’18 Markquis Nowell, ’18 Valdir Manuel, ’18 Majur Majak, ’18 Giorgi Bezhanishvili, ’19 Al Amir Dawes, ’19 Alejandro Vazquez
X-FACTOR: The Celtics and Stags each feature considerable size in their respective front courts, but we think this game will be won by the team that has better guard play. We believe that 2019 Justin Moore is on a mission this season, and expect him to provide a spark on both ends of the floor as he will likely be matched up with talented lead guard Al Amir Dawes.
PREDICTION: We honestly don’t know what type of pace this game will be played at, but we expect DeMatha to play solid defense, and make The Patrick School work while they have the ball. Our prediction is for the Stags to win by a final score of 60-57.