Teams in Need of Big Results

<p>The high school basketball season may be in the beginning stages, but seeding for the state tournament is in full effect. The NJSIAA only counts the results for the first 16 games which occur before the cutoff date of February 8. Some teams have put themselves in a great position, while others are trying to improve their spot with every game. Here are the top teams in need of big results before the February 8 cutoff.</p> <p><strong>Newark East Side</strong></p> <p>The Red Raiders are the reigning Group 4 champions, but they have suffered a couple of big setbacks in the early going. They were upset by Manasquan at the Hoop Group Tip-Off Showcase and were dominated by Montclair Immaculate at home. Monmouth commit <strong>Mikah Johnson Jr.</strong>, sophomore <strong>Jahzeer Gaskin</strong> and senior <strong>Gabriel Olaniyi</strong> have guided Newark East Side in 2019-20. The Red Raiders are currently the 9th seed in North 2 Group 4, which sets up a quarterfinal showdown against undefeated Watchung Hills. Newark East Side has the talent to be one of the top teams in Group 4, but the Red Raiders need to start stringing together wins to avoid a tough draw.</p> <p><strong>Burlington Township</strong></p> <p>The Falcons have played one of the more difficult schedules in Group 3 so far, but they are only 2-6 on the season. Burlington Township has not won a game since the new year and is currently on a four-game losing streak. <strong>Emmanuel Ayetigbo </strong>and <strong>Daniel Thomas</strong> have been the sparks on the offensive end, but they are going to need some more help if Burlington Township wants to avoid playing all their state games on the road. The Falcons have huge games against Moorestown, Burlington City and Trenton Catholic upcoming, which could drastically boost their seed in Central Jersey Group 3.</p> <p><strong>Bordentown</strong></p> <p>The Scotties are in a good position at 6-2, but they would most likely want to avoid a semifinal match-up against Manasquan. Senior guard <strong>Jordan Martin </strong>has been the go-to guy for Bordentown, but he is not alone in the scoring department. Senior <strong>Gavin Shiver</strong> has scored in double-figures in every game but one, including a 32-point performance against Seneca. Bordentown has been solid all season and just needs to keep winning in order to gain a more favorable semifinal game.</p> <p><strong>Hudson Catholic</strong></p> <p>The Hawks are one of the top teams in New Jersey this season, but they would like to avoid a semifinal game against the Patrick School. Star sophomore <strong>Zion Cruz </strong>has been huge for Hudson Catholic this season, while senior <strong>Phil Brown </strong>has provided quality interior play, despite being only 6'4. <strong>Justin Glover </strong>and <strong>Isaiah Griffin </strong>have provided needed shooting and play-making for the Hawks. Marist transfer <strong>Jeremiah Bembry</strong> will provide length on the interior when he gets eligible. Hudson Catholic has the opportunity to finish strong, which should put them in a good position in the state tournament.</p> <p><strong>St. Augustine</strong></p> <p>Non-Public A South is arguably the toughest group in all New Jersey with seven different teams having a legitimate chance of winning the title in 2019-20. The Hermits are one of those teams, but they would want to avoid a quarterfinal match-up against St. Thomas Aquinas. Junior forward <strong>Matt Delaney </strong>has been huge for St.Augustine this season, while sophomore guard <strong>Elmarko Jackson </strong>has been in control of the Hermits' offense this season. St. Augustine has been one of the top teams in South Jersey so far this season and has key games against Wildwood Catholic, Bordentown and Holy Spirit before the cutoff to improve its seed in Non-Public A South.</p>