Coaches Select/New Jersey Panthers Showcase: Top Takeaways

<p>The Coaches Select and New Jersey Panthers partnered together to create a showcase event at Bound Brook High School. The home Crusaders were one of the featured teams in the showcase, but they were not the only top team in the event. The showcase was filled with great games and good individual performances. Here are the top takeaways from the Coaches Select and New Jersey Panthers Showcase.</p> <p><strong>1. Bound Brook is ready to compete for a Central Jersey Group 1 title</strong></p> <p>The Crusaders held on for a 57-53 victory over Hightstown, but they were impressive in the first half. Sophomore <strong>Quadir Harrell </strong>was named the game MVP as he finished off with 13 points, five rebounds and four assists. <strong>Cam'Ron Summers</strong> had a team-high 16 points and six rebounds, while <strong>Davie McLarty </strong>ended up with 11 points and six boards. Bound Brook was at its best when it pushed the ball in transition as the Rams were in scramble mode on defense. The Crusaders are a talented team with enough pieces to make a deep run in Central Jersey Group 1.</p> <p><strong>2. Saddle River Day is a sleeper team in Non-Public B North</strong></p> <p>The Rebels were playing without star senior <strong>Connor Cyran</strong>, but they did not need him in their 63-46 victory over Immaculata. <strong>Ryan Cassels </strong>stepped up with a game-high 17 points and <strong>Richard Machado </strong>emerged as a potential difference-maker. The freshman guard was aggressive all game long, which resulted in a near double-double (16 points and nine rebounds.) <strong>Sebastian Gianotti</strong> was all over the place for the Rebels as he always seemed to end up on the floor. The Rebels lack the elite size of some other teams in Non-Public B North, but they are a definite sleeper team for the state tournament.</p> <p><strong>3. New Brunswick is one of the favorites in Central Jersey Group 4</strong></p> <p>The Zebras may have struggled in the first half against Toms River East, but they turned the pressure up in the second half to win 53-48. Senior <strong>Tahjay Moore </strong>was a load down low as he finished up with 22 points, 15 rebounds and five blocks. <strong>Ahyan Brown-Miller </strong>was a pest on the ball as he ended up with 10 steals to go along with his 11 assists and 10 points. His triple-double performance was vital as New Brunswick played without sophomore guard <strong>Josiah Brown</strong>. The Zebras' defense along with their quality big man makes them a tough team to beat in Central Jersey Group 4.</p> <p><strong>4. Franklin has the depth to pull off an upset</strong></p> <p>The final game of the Coaches Select and New Jersey Panthers Showcase was the most thrilling as it was a close game throughout. The Warriors were able to pull out a 53-50 victory over St. John Vianney behind game MVP <strong>Edward Turay. </strong>The 6'0 senior forward had a game-high 15 points as he attacked the basket hard, chased down rebounds and caused havoc for the Lancers inside. His interior scoring allowed <strong>Anthony Milligan </strong>and <strong>Tracy Brown</strong> more space to operate on the perimeter. Franklin plays in the tough Skyland Conference, but the Warriors have enough depth to pull off an upset.</p> <p><strong>5. Mike Goodall is one of the most underrated guards in the Shore</strong></p> <p>Toms River East may only be 2-6 on the season, but it is not because of Goodall. The 6'0 senior guard dropped 17 first half points on New Brunswick as part of a showcase-high 26 points. Goodall made the Zebras pay for leaving him open as he knocked down four three pointers and was constantly moving off the ball. He took advantage of poor New Brunswick passes to finish up with six steals on the game. Goodall is one of the top scorers in the Shore Conference and deserves more recognition.</p>