Hoop Group Boardwalk Showcase: Top Takeaways

<p>The Hoop Group Boardwalk Showcase was an event filled with talent and great play. Some games went down to the wire, while others were a bit more one-sided. Two of the top 10 teams in New Jersey participated in the Showcase and both of them came away victorious. Here are the top takeaways from the 2020 Hoop Group Boardwalk Showcase.</p> <p><strong>1. Simeon Wilcher is ready to explode onto the big stage</strong></p> <p>Xavier commit <strong>C.J. Wilcher</strong> may have hit the game-winning layup with 1.1 seconds left to give Roselle Catholic a 45-43 win over Manasquan, but it was the younger Wilcher who stole the show. The freshman guard led Roselle Catholic with 11 points and took over the game down the stretch at times. Wilcher attacked the basket hard and lived around the basket as the Warriors could not keep him in front. He was also a force on the defensive end as sophomore <strong>Ben Roy</strong> struggled to get by the freshman. Wilcher may only be in his debut varsity season, but he is ready to explode onto the high school basketball scene for one of New Jersey's top teams.</p> <p><strong>2. Middletown South is a sleeper team in Group 4</strong></p> <p>The Eagles have one of the top teams in the Shore Conference all season and they proved it against a young Ranney team. They took control of the game from the start and did not look back as Middletown South won 58-45. Senior <strong>Bobby Pirie</strong> was unstoppable at times as he finished with a game-high 18 points and played solid defense on sophomores <strong>Ryan Zan </strong>and <strong>Charles Anyichie</strong>. <strong>James Anderson </strong>was lethal from behind the arc with three triples, while <strong>Jack Sheridan </strong>was a handful for the Panthers' guards. Middletown South is 8-1 now on the season and is a definite sleeper team in Group 4 this season.</p> <p><strong>3. Wildwood Catholic is primed for another Non-Public B South Final appearance</strong></p> <p>The Crusaders struggled with their offense at times against CBA, but they were still able to cruise to a 60-39 victory. West Virginia commit <strong>Taj Thweatt</strong> was a force at both ends of the floor as he finished off with 23 points and 14 rebounds. Temple commit <strong>Jahlil White </strong>struggled with his shot, but he still finished off with 11 points. <strong>Tommy Belansen</strong> came off the bench to chip in 11 points, while TCNJ commit <strong>Jacob Hopping </strong>finished with seven. Wildwood Catholic is a deep team that is looking to make it back to the Non-Public B South Final.</p> <p><strong>4. Red Bank Catholic is capable of making the Shore Conference Tournament Final</strong></p> <p>The Caseys' offense has been cooking at the Robert J. Collins Arena as they have scored 157 points there this season. Red Bank Catholic upset Wall 75-60 behind <strong>Charlie Gordinier</strong>'s 19 points. Sophomore <strong>Alex Bauman </strong>was the difference maker in the game as he recorded 17 points and played lock-down defense on <strong>Quinn Calabrese</strong>. <strong>Cyril Arvantis </strong>was lethal from behind the arc with four three-pointers, while Notre Dame football commit <strong>Kevin Bauman</strong> controlled the defensive glass. If Red Bank Catholic can keep up its shooting form from Robert J. Collins Arena, the Caseys may find themselves playing at Monmouth in the Shore Conference Tournament Final.</p> <p><strong>5. Neptune is more than just Sam Fagan</strong></p> <p>At the start of the season, the Scarlet Fliers were lost when Fagan was unable to make plays on offense. The game against Rumson Fair-Haven was the complete opposite as seniors <strong>Saadiq Armstead </strong>and <strong>Azmere Wilson</strong>, along with sophomore <strong>Malik Fields </strong>carried the load in Neptune's 57-56 win. Wilson knocked down the game-winning free throws with .4 seconds left on the clock and was clutch for Neptune down the stretch. Armstead may have fouled out of the game, but the 6'1 senior was the offensive spark as he finished with a game-high 16 points. Fields was dominant down low as the 6'4 sophomore was able to get whatever shot he wanted in the post. Fagan is vital for Neptune's success this season, but the Scarlet Fliers would not have won without Wilson, Armstead and Fields.</p>