Group 4 Preview
In this article:
Outside of Non-Public A and B, Group 4 is the toughest group in New Jersey. The competition between the biggest public schools in the state is fierce with numerous teams ending the season in the top 50 of NJ.com’s final…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingOutside of Non-Public A and B, Group 4 is the toughest group in New Jersey. The competition between the biggest public schools in the state is fierce with numerous teams ending the season in the top 50 of NJ.com’s final poll. Newark East Side was the Group 4 representative in the Tournament of Champions last season. The Red Raiders are in a good position to repeat as Group 4 champs, but has to get through Elizabeth in the North 2 Group 4 final. Here is a preview for Group 4.
Top Team: Newark East Side
The Red Raiders will have to replace Anas Amos, but they have the talent to make a deep run. Monmouth commit Mikah Johnson Jr. is an elite defender who can finish around the basket. Gabriel Olaniyi is a solid perimeter scorer, while David Olaniyi looks to replace Amos in the backcourt. The Red Raiders lack size on the interior, so Jordan Ortiz needs to make an impact inside. Newark East Side is a gritty team that should wind up as the Group 4 representative in the Tournament of Champions for the second straight season.
Team with the best shot at taking out Newark East Side: Elizabeth
It’s a shame that Elizabeth and Newark East Side are in the same group as they are the clear top teams in Group 4. New Haven commit Jordan Price is a gritty forward who knows how to score inside and grab rebounds against bigger defenders. Patrick School transfer Jayden Pierre is a lightning-quick point guard who gives the Minutemen an elite playmaker. D.J. Watkins provides Elizabeth with a smart combo guard who can knock three-pointers. Sophomore forward Zy’ree Beverly gives Elizabeth the interior presence it needs to contend for a deep run. The Minutemen are the team with the best chance to knock off Newark East Side in Group 4.
Dark Horse teams: Toms River North, Hackensack
Toms River North and Hackensack may not have enough talent to beat either Newark East Side or Elizabeth, but they are solid squads capable of making a deep run. Seth Sharif-Brown is a terrific small forward who dominates on the glass. He had 12 double-doubles as a junior and could average over 10 boards a game as a senior. Kevin Mateo is an electric guard who can put up points in bunches for the Comets. Hackensack went 17-13 last season, but the Comets should easily eclipse 20 wins in 2019-20.
Jakari Spence may only be 5’10, but he can play with anyone. The senior guard can attack the paint, shoot the ball from deep and make the proper pass in transition. He is also an elite on-ball defender with over 100 steals in his career. Big man Najae Hallenbeck has a soft touch around the basket and moves his feet well. The Mariners have won at least 21 games in each of the past five seasons and should do that again in 2019-20.
Group 4 Preseason First Team:
Mikah Johnson Jr., 6’4 SG Newark East Side 2020
Jordan Price, 6’4 SF Elizabeth 2020
Seth Sharif-Brown, 6’5 SF Hackensack 2020
Gabriel Olaniyi, 6’3 SG Newark East Side 2020
Jakari Spence, 5’10 PG Toms River North 2020
Group 4 Preseason Second Team:
Jayden Pierre, 6’0 PG Elizabeth 2022
Amir Williams, 6’3 SG Linden 2020
Derek Simpson, 6’0 PG Lenape 2022
Chris Rubayo, 6’8 PF Montgomery 2021
D.J. Watkins, 6’1 CG Elizabeth 2020
Other Players to Watch:
Justin Carbone, 6’4 SG South Brunswick 2020
Kevin Mateo, 6’0 SG Hackensack 2020
Najae Hallenbeck, 6’6 PF Toms River North 2020
Noah Klinewski, 6’2 PG Eastern 2020
Aidan Anderson, 6’2 SG Lenape 2022
Brian Johannsson, 6’5 SG/SF Hunterdon Central 2021
Or Sundjyvsky, 6’4 SG Fair Lawn 2020