2021 South Jersey Sleepers

<p>Jersey basketball is normally dominated by the teams in the North, but 2019-20 was a change from the norm. Camden was the top team in New Jersey this season with Kentucky commit <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="766063" first="Lance" last="Ware"]</strong> being named Player of the Year by NJ.com, while freshman <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="850751" first="Dajuan" last="Wagner Jr"]. </strong>was selected to the second team. Wildwood Catholic’s duo of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="766090" first="Taj" last="Thweatt"] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="896442" first="Jahlil" last="White"]</strong> were also selected to the All-State teams. South Jersey is filled with big-time talent, but some of them are flying under the radar. Here are the top sleepers in South Jersey.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="900323" first="Donavin" last="Crawford"], 6’3 SG Trenton Catholic</strong></p> <p>Teammate <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="850548" first="Freddie" last="Young"] Jr.</strong> was another candidate for this spot, but Crawford is flying more under the radar. The 6’3 junior has a smooth shooting stroke and only needs a few inches of space to get his shot off. Crawford is not just a shooter as he capable of putting the ball on the deck and getting to the rim. He is a big-time athlete who can chase down blocks on defense and rise up for rebounds. Crawford will be one of the leaders for Trenton Catholic in the 2020-21 alongside Young Jr. in the backcourt.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="900357" first="Nicolo" last="Nobili"], 6’9 PF Paul VI</strong></p> <p>The Eagles were one of the top teams in South Jersey this season and Nobili was a big reason for their success. The Italian native plays with good footwork down low and has a soft touch around the basket. Nobili can also step out and knock down mid-range jumpers. He is a solid post defender and has a good chemistry with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="850529" first="Wisler" last="Sanon"] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="900324" first="Jaylen" last="Boyd-Savage"]</strong>. Paul VI was upset at home by St. Augustine in the Non-Public A south semifinals, which should fuel Nobili and company in 2020-21.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="900329" first="Marcus" last="Pierce"], 6’1 CG St. Joseph (Hammonton)</strong></p> <p>The Wildcats were one of the top surprises in South Jersey this season as they went 22-6, including a home upset of Wildwood Catholic. Pierce was a big reason for their success as he was one of the top guards in the Cape-Atlantic League. The 6’1 junior is hard to contain off the bounce and knows how to finish through contact. Pierce is a good on-ball defender and has a good chemistry with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="901951" first="Daniel" last="Skillings"]</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="900365" first="Jordan" last="Stafford"]</strong>. St. Joseph (Hammonton) has the potential for a big 2020-21 season with Pierce, Skillings ans Stafford returning.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="927391" first="Martin" last="Anguelov"], 6’0 SG Wildwood Catholic</strong></p> <p>The Crusaders captured its first sectional title since 2007 behind Anguelov’s performance in the Non-Public B South final. The junior guard started off the game with a pair of three-pointers to give Wildwood Catholic a quick lead over Rutgers Prep. Anguelov finished off the game with 17 points, but it was his defense on <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="850507" first="Noah" last="Harris"] </strong>that was the difference in the game. He blocked two of Harris’ jump shots and did not allow him to get into a rhythm. Wildwood Catholic is looking to Anguelov for leadership as the Crusades lose three starters to graduation.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="929514" first="Zubair" last="Lee"], 6’5 SF Eastern</strong></p> <p>The Vikings lose Susquehanna commit <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="896459" first="Noah" last="Klinewski"] </strong>to graduation, but they should be in good hands with Lee in the frontcourt. The lanky junior is at his best attacking the basket and knows how to draw contact. Lee has a nice handle on the perimeter and has a good-looking jump shot. He moves his feet well on the defensive end and uses his length to challenge shots. Lee is one of the top small forwards in South Jersey and is in store for a big senior season for Eastern.</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Other Names to Know:</strong></span></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="900341" first="Daniel" last="Hayden"], 6’5 SF Life Center Academy</strong></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="900326" first="Lucas" last="Dunn"], 6’1 PG Camden Catholic</strong></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="929515" first="Logan" last="Jagodzinski"], 6’6 SF Moorestown</strong></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="900331" first="David" last="Gordon"], 6’8 PF Olympus Prep</strong></p>