Central Jersey Group 2: Top Prospects

<p><em><span style="font-size: 8pt;">Photo by Doug Hood</span></em></p> <p>Central Jersey Group 2 will begin on Tuesday. There are 16 teams that will battle over the course of four rounds to see who will take home the state title. This bracket has it all. There are top 10 teams, Division I athletes, and elite coaches leading the way. Here are the top prospects to watch entering the tournament.</p> <p><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/ben-roy/">[player_tooltip player_id="901942" first="Ben" last="Roy"]</a> (2022) | Manasquan</strong></p> <p>Roy has turned into a Division I point guard right before our eyes. As a sophomore, Roy has been one of the best scorers in the Shore Conference. He has one of the leaders for a Manasquan team that lost one game all season and rolled through the conference tournament. He scored a game-high 31 points in the championship game against Toms River North. Roy is never the biggest player on the floor but he is always one of the best, whether it is from deep or inside the paint.</p> <p><strong>Alex Baker (2021) | Holmdel</strong></p> <p>If there was one team that gave Manasquan a run in the tournament, it was Holmdel. They lost a close battle 44-40 in the fourth quarter. Baker scored just six points but he has been a huge x-factor for the 20-4 Hornets all season. He has scored in double-figures in 13 games this season including a 23-point performance against Carteret. Baker is a big man who knows how to score from multiple places on the floor.</p> <p><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/ryan-smith/">[player_tooltip player_id="933639" first="Ryan" last="Smith"]</a> (2021) | Robbinsville</strong></p> <p>Smith has six double-doubles this season. He is averaging 14.6 points and 6.2 rebounds per game as a junior. The 6’4 forward has taken a huge step in becoming a complete player for Robbinsville. He has hit just eight three’s this season but is elite at scoring down low. Smith is a big body that can deliver through contact and get to the free throw line. He has good size and strength to play at the next level.</p> <p><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/jordan-martin/">[player_tooltip player_id="896476" first="Jordan" last="Martin"]</a> (2020) | Bordentown</strong></p> <p>What a season it has been for Baker at Bordentown. In 26 games, Baker has scored in double-figures 24 times, hit 36 points twice, and knocked down 58 three’s and 100 free throws. It is hard to make a list of the best scorers in the state without Martin. As of now, the senior has not made a college decision but one program is getting a great talent.</p> <p><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/toriano-munford/">[player_tooltip player_id="900337" first="Toriano" last="Munford"]</a> (2021) | Lincoln</strong></p> <p>Munford is a 6’5 junior who turned into a scoring threat this season. He became red hot down the stretch of the season. He has scored 20 or more points in four of the last seven games including a 27-point performance against Manchester last time out. Munford is a forward who knows how to use his size on the post and when a shot is in the air. Lincoln has themselves a player who can turn into a house hold name around the state next season.</p>