NJSIAA Opening Round: Biggest Winners

<p>The state tournament is officially underway with Groups 1 and 3 kicking off yesterday. It was a chaotic opening day as 10 double-digit seeds secured road upsets, including 14th seeded Pascack Valley and 13th seeded Teaneck in North 2 Group 3. Bound Brook, Lakewood and Nottingham all survived upset bids, while Burlington City made a statement in its opening game. Here are the biggest winners from the opening day of the state tournament.</p> <p><strong>Burlington Township</strong></p> <p>The Falcons entered Central Jersey Group 3 on a three-game winning streak and they continued their hot play with a 54-37 win over Matawan. Senor <strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/emmanuel-ayetigbo/">[player_tooltip player_id="929681" first="Emmanuel" last="Ayetigbo"]</a> </strong>was a force down low with 18 points and 10 rebounds, while junior <strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/daniel-thomas/">[player_tooltip player_id="929529" first="Daniel" last="Thomas"]</a> </strong>controlled the pace of the game. Their defensive effort on <strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/john-buekers/">[player_tooltip player_id="896650" first="John" last="Buekers"]</a> </strong>and <strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/niles-haliburton/">[player_tooltip player_id="896651" first="Niles" last="Haliburton"]</a></strong> was phenomenal as they combined to score seven points. The Falcons take on another Shore Conference opponent in third-seeded Lakewood, and they will have to stop <strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/ryan-savoy/">[player_tooltip player_id="896659" first="Ryan" last="Savoy"]</a></strong>, who is coming off a 19-point, 24-rebound performance against Steinert.</p> <p><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/rafael-castro/">[player_tooltip player_id="900333" first="Rafael" last="Castro"]</a>, 6’9 PF Dover 2021</strong></p> <p>The 6’9 junior forward has been dominant all season and continued his strong play with a monster performance against Morris Hills.He recorded his second triple-double of the season as he dropped 30 points, ripped down 17 rebounds and swatted 10 shots. Morris Hills could not stop the junior forward as he scored around the basket, knocked down free throws and showed off his range with a three-pointer. Castro has received four DI offers in the past two weeks and that offer sheet will grow if he continues putting up numbers like that in the state tournament.</p> <p><strong>Mike Goodall, 6’0 PG Toms River East 2020</strong></p> <p>The Raiders did not just beat Highland as they blew them out 85-56 on the road. Goodall was unstoppable as he had 40 points, 10 rebounds and six steals. The 6’0 senior was hard to keep out of the lane as he was constantly making shots around the rim and knocked down four three-pointers. Goodall ripped down rebounds in traffic and played with great instincts on the defensive end. It was Goodall’s second 40-point game in the past week as he dropped 46 points against Lacey on February 25.His ability to score the ball makes the quarterfinal battle against Timber Creek that more interesting.</p> <p><strong>New Providence</strong></p> <p>The defending Group 1 champions started off their title defense with a 65-55 upset victory over Whippany Park. Seton Hill commit <strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/sean-dillon/">[player_tooltip player_id="896453" first="Sean" last="Dillon"]</a> </strong>controlled the pace of the game as he finished off with 23 points and five assists. Junior <strong>Carsten Schumm </strong>dominated down low as he had 20 points, 25 rebounds and eight blocks. The Pioneers have a tough road game against University, but they are going to be a tough out in the quarterfinals.</p> <p><strong>Pedro Miranda, 5’9 PG Payne Tech 2022</strong></p> <p>Seniors <strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/ibn-everette/">[player_tooltip player_id="929688" first="Ibn" last="Everette"]</a> </strong>and <strong>Daniel Oravbiere</strong> have been Payne Tech’s top players, but Miranda stole the show in the 59-56 upset victory over Rahway. The 5’9 point guard finished with a game-high 24 points. Miranda was lethal from behind the arc as he knocked down five three-pointers. His ability to stretch the floor allowed room for Oravbiere to dominate down low. Colby College commit <strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/eric-baier/">[player_tooltip player_id="929700" first="Eric" last="Baier"]</a> </strong>is looming in the next round, so Miranda will have his work cut out for him in the quarterfinals against Summit.</p> <p><strong>Burlinton City</strong></p> <p>The Blue Devils were supposed to beat Central Jersey College Charter in the opening round, but their resounding 120-44 win is worth noting. They controlled the game from the opening tip as Burlington City was up 40-2 after the first quarter. Temple football commit <strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/dj-woodbury/">[player_tooltip player_id="850361" first="DJ" last="Woodbury"]</a></strong> paced the Blue Devils with 19 points, while <strong>Jamaal </strong>and <strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/jameel-morris/">[player_tooltip player_id="931033" first="Jameel" last="Morris"]</a> </strong>combined to score 30 points. Burlington City is looking to repeat as Central Jersey Group 1 champions and it’s opening game is proof that the Blue Devils are the favorites to repeat.</p>