Essex County Tournament: Players to Watch

<p>Essex County is filled with some of the top teams in the state as Montclair Immaculate and Seton Hall Prep have pulled off big upsets. Irvington is one of the top Group 3 schools in the state, while Newark Central is flying under the radar. Newark East Side has won the last three Essex County Tournament titles and should not be counted out. The Conference Tournament should be fun to watch as some of the state's top players square off.Here are the players to watch in the Essex County Tournament.</p> <p><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/zion-bethea/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/zion-bethea/">Zion Bethea</a></a>, 6'3 PG Montclair Immaculate 2020</strong></p> <p>The Lions are the top seed in the Essex County Tournament and rely on Bethea to run the offense. The Hofstra commit can takeover a game offensively as his 40-point performance against Montclair can attest. Bethea is an elite rebounder for the guard position and knows how to use his body around the basket. The Lions have a solid junior duo in <strong>Amar'e Marshall</strong> and <strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/jayden-brown/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/jayden-brown/">Jayden Brown</a></a></strong>, but Bethea is the one who runs Montclair Immaculate's offense.</p> <p><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/moses-pierre/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/moses-pierre/">Moses Pierre</a></a>, 6'0 SG Irvington 2020</strong></p> <p>The Blue Knights have been one of the top teams in New Jersey all season as they are 16-1 on the season. Sharpshooter <strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/karriem-thomas/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/karriem-thomas/">Karriem Thomas</a></a> </strong>has provided Irvington with a three-point presence, but Pierre carries the offensive load. The senior guard is an elite rebounder and is one of the toughest guards in the state. Pierre has a quick first step to blow by his defender, but is also an elite defender. The Blue Knights are one of the favorites to win the Essex County Tournament, but they need Pierre to be at his best to win it.</p> <p><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/mikah-johnson-jr/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/mikah-johnson-jr/">Mikah Johnson Jr.</a></a>, 6'4 SG Newark East Side 2020</strong></p> <p>Newark East Side may have already lost six games, but do not count out the three-time defending champions. Sophomores <strong>Jazheer Gaskin </strong>and <strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/david-olaniyi/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/david-olaniyi/">David Olaniyi</a></a></strong> are a dynamic backcourt, while Johnson Jr. is one of the top wings in New Jersey. The Monmouth commit is an explosive athlete who excels on both ends of the floor. Johnson Jr. is at his best when he attacks the basket, but he can make opponents pay form behind the arc. The Red Raiders have had a bit of a disappointing season, but they can make up for it with a solid showing in the Essex County Tournament.</p> <p><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/jonathan-kuminga/">Giye Jenkins</a>, 6'0 PG Seton Hall Prep 2021</strong></p> <p>The Pirates have been one of the best surprises of the 2019-20 season especially after their dominant over Wildwood Catholic at the Battle by the Bay. Senior guards <strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/mike-curran/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/mike-curran/">Mike Curran</a></a> </strong>and <strong>Mason Morial</strong> have been solid all season, but Jenkins has been the go-to guy for Seton Hall Prep. The junior guard excels at getting to the basket and is one of the best guard rebounders in New Jersey. Jenkins is not just a scorer as he is an elite on-ball defender. Seton Hall Prep is one of the favorites to win the Essex County Tournament and Jenkins is a reason why.</p> <p><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/izaiah-poole/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/izaiah-poole/">Izaiah Poole</a></a>, 5'10 PG East Orange 2020</strong></p> <p>East Orange has been flying under the radar all season as the Jaguars are 15-2 on the season. Poole has been electric all season long with four 20-point performances this season. He can blow by his defender off the bounce and can knock down shots from behind the arc. Despite standing 5'10, Poole rips down rebounds with some of the best guards in New Jersey. East Orange has the opportunity to go deep in the Essex County Tournament, but the Jaguars need Poole to be at his best.</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Other Names to Know:</strong></span></p> <p><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/danny-oravbiere/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/danny-oravbiere/">Danny Oravbiere</a></a>, 6'6 PF Payne Tech 2020</strong></p> <p><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/tasheem-anderson/">Tasheem Anderson</a>, 6'2 CG Newark Central 2021</strong></p> <p><strong>Jalen Robinson, 5'10 PG Columbia 2023</strong></p> <p><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/gabriel-olaniyi/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/gabriel-olaniyi/">Gabriel Olaniyi</a></a>, 6'4 SG Newark East Side 2020</strong></p> <p><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/bakir-cleveland/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/bakir-cleveland/">Bakir Cleveland</a></a>, 6'4 SG University 2021</strong></p>