Biggest X-Factors in Quarterfinals of Non-Public A North
Photo by Irish Daily Sports The quarterfinals of the Non-Public A North Tournament will take place on Friday night. All teams will play in this round after the top-four received a bye in the first round. We saw some incredible…
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The quarterfinals of the Non-Public A North Tournament will take place on Friday night. All teams will play in this round after the top-four received a bye in the first round. We saw some incredible action in round one and it is only going to get better. For some teams, they will need that second option to step up. Here are the biggest x-factors in the quarterfinal round.
Matt Zona Matt Zona 6'9" | PF Bergen Catholic | 2020 State #200 Nation NJ (2020) | Bergen Catholic
Zona is on an extremely talented team. He got off to a hot start this season but his scoring has dipped as of late. The Notre Dame commit will need to get back to form. He is the big man down low that can control the game on both ends. Bergen Catholic has outstanding sophomore guards in Will Richardson Will Richardson 6'2" | PG Bergen Catholic | 2022 State #76 Nation NJ and Julian Brown Julian Brown 6'1" | PG Bergen Catholic | 2022 State NJ . They need that force down low and that is what the 6’9 Zona can be.
William White (2020) | St. Peter’s Prep
It has been a great year for St. Peter’s Prep led by their star sophomore Mark Armstrong Mark Armstrong 6'2" | PG St. Peter's Prep | 2022 State #39 Nation NJ . Rayshawn Ford Rayshawn Ford 6'2" | SG St. Peter's Prep | 2021 State NJ has also come into his own as a junior but they will need their third member in White. He is a traditional point guard that knows how to manage a game and set his teammates up. White can handle the ball which allows his other teammates to get down the floor to set the offense up. White currently leads the team in assists and steals.
Daniel Lans (2021) | St. Joe’s (Mont.)
St. Joe’s had a great championship run in the Bergen County Jamboree taking down Don Bosco and Bergen Catholic. In the final game, Lans scored 16 points which was second on the team to standout Nazir Williams Nazir Williams 6'0" | PG St. Joseph (Montvale) | 2021 NJ . The team is 9-0 when Lans scores in double-figures this season. He is a di-it-all player on both ends of the floor who gives effort all the time.
Myles Ruth Myles Ruth 6'1" | PG Don Bosco Prep | 2020 State NJ (2020) | Don Bosco
Don Bosco enters the tournament as the fourth-seed led by their two seniors. One is Ruth who serves as their point guard. Ruth is averaging over 12 points and five assists this season. He has run their offense to perfection controlling the ball and finding his open teammates. Brendan Mykalcio has been the team’s leading scorer but Don Bosco will need Ruth to take care of the ball throughout the tournament.
Derrick Bueno Derrick Bueno 6'7" | PF Roselle Catholic | 2021 State NJ (2021) | Paramus Catholic
The fifth-seeded Paramus Catholic made quick work of No. 12 Pope John in round one. Bueno finished with 34 points and 14 rebounds. This is the type of performance they will need if they want to run through the bracket as a lower-seed. Bueno is 6’6 and can matchup with any big man in the tournament.
Matt Tracey (2020) | Union Catholic
Tracey has been hot as of late. He has scored 20 or more points in four of the last five games including a 32-point performance against Bridgewater-Raritan. The senior is a player that can get hot and carry Union Catholic along with Elijah Barlow Elijah Barlow 6'1" | CG St. Joe's Metuchen | 2021 State NJ . They will need all the help they can get against No. 1 Bergen Catholic.