Group 1 Finals: Top Perfomers

<p>The Group 1 sectional finals were full of intrigue as four teams’ dreams of winning the Tournament of Champions stayed alive. Finals provide great opportunities for players to step up their games as they provide players a chance to put everything on the line. Some players responded in a big way as they helped carry their teams in the most important game of the year. Here are the top performers from the sectional Group 1 finals.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="850361" first="DJ" last="Woodbury"], 6’2 CG Burlington City 2020</strong></p> <p>Burlington City repeated as Central Jersey Group 1 champions with a 73-55 victory over Bound Brook and Woodbury was a big reason why the Blue Devils repeated. The Temple football commit posted a game high 25 points as the Crusaders could not keep him out of the lane. Woodbury attacked the basket strong and was unafraid to draw contact around the tin. He also ripped down seven rebounds and dished out four assists in the win. <strong>Naseem Chew </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="931032" first="Jamaal" last="Morris"] </strong>combined for 30 points on the game, but it was Woodbury who brought the Blue Devils to victory.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="896631" first="Kavon" last="Lewis"], 5’9 PG Penns Grove 2020</strong></p> <p>The Red Devils won their first sectional title since 1989 with a 68-51 win over Lindenwold with Lewis headlining the show. The senior guard had a game-high 27 points as he was able to get into an offensive rhythm early. Lewis was able to create easy scoring opportunities for himself around the basket and knocked down three shots from behind the arc. He did not just score as he recorded four steals on the night, along with holding <strong>Eriq Campbell </strong>to 14 points. Lewis has been playing well all season and his performance in the final is his hard work paying off.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="896648" first="Noah" last="Mack"], 6’2 CG University 2020</strong></p> <p>University was the only road team to win in Group 1 as the Phoenix knocked off top-seeded Dunellen 61-50. Freshman <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="850754" first="Spencer" last="Joyner"] </strong>and junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="900345" first="Justin" last="Harcourt"]</strong> had big games for University, but it was Mack who led the team in scoring. The 6’2 senior dropped 17 points in the game as he set the tone for University’s offense early. Mack shot with confidence and knew how to take the ball to the basket. University avenged its loss in the final this season and Mack is a big reason why the Phoenix emerged victorious.</p> <p><strong>Sadiki Miller, 6’0 SG Paterson Charter 2020</strong></p> <p>The Lions won their first-ever North Jersey 1 Group 1 title with a 59-43 victory over Cresskill. Miller was the difference-maker as his shooting gave Paterson Charter the scoring punch it needed. The 6’0 senior knocked down four triples in the first three quarters as he used his quick release and good shooting form to knock them down. Miller moved well without the ball and played solid defense throughout the game. Paterson Charter had lost its last two times in the sectional final, but Miller made sure the Lions would emerge victorious over Cresskill in 2020.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="901978" first="Quadir" last="Harrell"], PG Bound Brook 2022</strong></p> <p>The Crusaders may have lost in the title game, but that does not take away from Harrell’s performance in the final. The sophomore guard had a team-high 23 points as he carried Bound Brook’s offense for most of the night. Harrell knocked down four three-pointers and used his strength to finish tough layups around the rim. He skied for rebounds and played with composure with the ball in his hands. Bound Brook was unable to get past Burlington City, but Harrell’s ability to take over a game gives the Crusaders hope for the future.</p>