Group 2 Preview

<p>The start of the high school basketball season is the best time to look at a preview. The upperclassmen are becoming the team leaders, while the freshmen and sophomores are trying to make a good impression on the coach. Group 2 may not contain the top team in the state, but it is loaded with high-end talent and good teams. Haddonfield was last season's group champion, but the Bulldogs will be hard-pressed to repeat this season. Here is a preview for Group 2.</p> <p><strong>Top team: Camden</strong></p> <p>The Panthers may have lost 10 games last season, but they are without a doubt the top team in Group 2. Kentucky commit <strong>Lance Ware </strong>anchors the paint for new coach Rick Brunson. Ware is joined by burly junior <strong>Ta'Quan Woodley </strong>in the front court, while last season's leading scorer <strong>Jerome Brewer </strong>gives The High perimeter scoring. Camden's starting backcourt may be freshmen, but <strong>DJ Wagner </strong>and <strong>Cian Medley</strong> are play-makers.</p> <p>The latter is a defensive pest who excels at picking people's pockets,while the later gives the Panthers a guard who can score from all three levels. Freshman <strong>Cornelius Robinson </strong>provides Brunson with a tough-nosed guard who can get to the basket. The Panthers are the most talented team in Group 2 and should be in the Tournament of Champions this season.</p> <p><strong>Teams with best shot at taking out Camden: Ramsey, Manasquan</strong></p> <p>Ramsey and Manasquan combined to lose seven games last season, making them the most likely teams to take out Camden. Cornell commit <strong>Sean Hansen</strong> is a load on the block and he will challenge Ware and Woodley. Senior point guard <strong>Jaden Quinerly </strong>is one of the state's top on-ball defenders and he could cause trouble for Medley and Wagner Jr. <strong>Steven Turk</strong> is a terrific shooter who spaces the floor well for the Rams.</p> <p>Manasquan is the same type of team as Ramsey as the Warriors rely on their senior big man. Louisville baseball commit <strong>Alex Galvan </strong>is a double-double machine who won't get pushed around in the paint. <strong>Ben Roy </strong>may only be a sophomore, but he is a crafty point guard who can finish in the lane. Senior <strong>Kieren Flanagan </strong>opens up space for Galvan on the interior with his outside shooting. Ramsey and Manasquan have all the pieces needed to beat Camden and make the Tournament of Champions.</p> <p><strong>Darkhorse team: West Side</strong></p> <p>The Roughriders made the Group final last season, but they lost a lot of players from last year's squad. Senior point guard <strong>Kirk Parsons </strong>is a high level point guard who can carry West Side deep into the state playoffs. West Side lost a lot of seniors from last year's squad and needs someone to help Parsons with the scoring load. The Roughriders are a disciplined team that will give opponents problems in the state playoffs.</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Group 2 Preseason First Team:</strong></span></p> <p><strong>Lance Ware, 6'9 PF Camden 2020</strong></p> <p><strong>Kirk Parsons, 6'0 PG West Side 2020</strong></p> <p><strong>Sean Ramsey, 6'8 F/C Ramsey 2020</strong></p> <p><strong>DJ Wagner, 6'2 CG Camden 2023</strong></p> <p><strong>Alex Galvan, 6'7 PF Manasquan 2020</strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Group 2 Preseason Second Team:</strong></span></p> <p><strong>Ben Roy, 6'0 PG Manasquan 2022</strong></p> <p><strong>Jerome Brewer, 6'6 SF Camden 2021</strong></p> <p><strong>Elijah Jones, 6'8 PF Pleasantville 2021</strong></p> <p><strong>Luis Armas, 6'3 G/F Fort Lee 2020</strong></p> <p><strong>Ta'Quan Woodley, 6'7 PF Camden 2021</strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Other Players to Watch:</strong></span></p> <p><strong>Jaden Quinerly, 6'0 PG Ramsey 2020</strong></p> <p><strong>Kieren Flanagan, 6'1 PG Manasquan 2020</strong></p> <p><strong>Asim Jones, 5'10 PG Manchester Regional 2022</strong></p> <p><strong>Wyatt Hasselbauer, 6'7 PF Manchester Township 2022</strong></p> <p><strong>Cian Medley, 6'0 PG Camden 2023</strong></p> <p><strong>Steven Turk, 6'2 SG Ramsey 2020</strong></p> <p><strong>Grant Holbrook, 6'5 Ramsey 2021</strong></p>