Sectional Group 2 Finals: Match-ups to Watch

<p>The Group 2 sectional finals should be entertaining to watch as each one has an intriguing storyline. The South Jersey final is a rematch of last season where Haddonfield overcame a fourth quarter deficit to repeat as champions. Manasquan and Holmdel will match-up for the fourth time this season with the Warriors winning the first three contests. Ramsey and Pascack Hills are meeting for the third time this season, while North Star Academy is looking to complete its Cinderella run against top-seeded Hackettstown. Here are the match-ups to watch in the sectional Group 2 finals.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="896460" first="Ben" last="Cerrato"] vs. [player_tooltip player_id="766063" first="Lance" last="Ware"], Haddonfield vs. Camden</strong></p> <p>The Panthers have been rolling through South Jersey Group 2  as they are averaging 99 points while allowing fewer than 50 points per game. Haddonfield’s defense has been elite as the Haddons have only allowed 82 total points in the state tournament. Camden’s interior duo of Ware and junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="850504" first="Ta’Quan" last="Woodley"]</strong> impose a tough challenge on an undersized Haddonfield team. Cerrato is the team’s tallest player at 6’6, making the Randolph-Macon commit the one having to guard one of the big men down low. Ware is a tough match-up due to his length and athleticism, so Cerrato will have to be at his best for Haddonfield to pull off the upset on the road.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="900363" first="Aidan" last="Kehoe"] vs. [player_tooltip player_id="850335" first="Sean" last="Hansen"], Pascack Hills vs. Ramsey</strong></p> <p>The match-up between Pascack Hills and Ramsey will be the third time these teams face off against each other, with the schools splitting the series. The Rams hosted the North Jersey 1 Group 2 final last season, but lost to Mountain Lakes. Seniors <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="896628" first="Jaden" last="Quinerly"] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="896682" first="Steven" last="Turk"]</strong> have been playing at a high level, but Hansen is the one who sets the tone on offense. The Cornell commit has a versatile offensive game and is capable of scoring 20 points on any given night. Kehoe has the size and length to disrupt Hansen’s rhythm down low, but the 6’10 junior does not have the frame to get physical in the paint. Whichever big man can control the game down low will decided which team comes away victorious.</p> <p><strong>Alex Baker vs. [player_tooltip player_id="850360" first="Alex" last="Galvan"], Holmdel vs. Manasquan</strong></p> <p>Holmdel and Manasquan are getting accustomed to each other as the Shore Conference A Central foes clash for the fourth time this season. The Warriors have won all three meetings, but needed a fourth quarter rally in the Shore Conference semifinals to escape last time. Shore Conference Player of the Year <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="901942" first="Ben" last="Roy"]</strong> is playing some of the best basketball of his career right now, but Galvan is Manasquan’s most important player against the Hornets. The Louisville baseball commit has a soft touch around the basket and uses his strong frame to rip down rebounds. Baker has been Holmdel’s top scoring option all season, but the 6’5 junior will have to be at his best to pull off the upset. Manasquan has not lost to Holmdel since 2011 and Galvan is looking to continue that streak in the Central Jersey Group 2 final.</p> <p><strong>Zaiid Barry vs. Jalen Baptiste, North Star Academy vs. Hackettstown</strong></p> <p>While Barry and Baptiste will not necessarily be guarding each other in the game, their scoring match-up will be fun to watch. Barry has led the 15th seeded North Star Academy on a Cinderella run in North Jersey 2 Group 2 as the 6’4 forward uses his size and strength to finish down low. Baptiste has stepped up his scoring since <strong>Tyler Gorcyzca </strong>went down with a season-ending injury. Barry will have to be efficient down low if North Star Academy wants to complete its run in the state tournament.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="933724" first="Andrew" last="Gostovich"] vs. DJ Wagner, Haddonfield vs. Camden</strong></p> <p>The battle down low is not the only exciting battle as the guard battle between Gostovich and Wagner will be fun to watch. Both players lead their team in scoring, but get their points in different ways. Gostovich is a big-time shooter who excels at freeing himself up on the perimeter. Wagner has a nose for the basket and can score at all three levels. The freshman guard has been scoring at a high level all season and will look to continue his scoring ability in the South Jersey Group 2 final.</p>