Skyland Conference Top Swingmen

<p>The Skyland Conference was one of the top conferences in New Jersey last season as three different teams finished in the top ten. Rutgers Prep, Gill St. Bernard’s, Watchung Hills and Bound Brook all played in a sectional final. The competition in the Skyland Conference is tough with some high-level talent on the wing. Here are the top returning swingmen in the Skyland Conference.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="850499" first="Trey" last="Patterson"], 6’8 SF Rutgers Prep 2021</strong></p> <p>Patterson has been one of the top small forwards in New Jersey for the past two seasons as he has scored over 1,000 points in that time. The second team All-State selection is at his best attacking the basket and knows how to finish with authority. Patterson knows how to draw contact around the rim and has a nice-looking jump shot. He is able to rip down rebounds down low and has a good chemistry with classmate <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="850507" first="Noah" last="Harris"]</strong>. The Argonauts are expected to compete for the Non-Public B South title again next season with Patterson at the helm in 2020-21.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="902732" first="Mackenzie" last="Mgbako"], 6’7 SF Gill St. Bernard’s 2023</strong></p> <p>Mgbako may have had to play more down low this season, but he is a small forward prospect. The 6’7 freshman is extremely skilled who can score from all three levels. Mgbako can handle the ball on the perimeter and is an underrated passer. He is tough to box out on the offensive glass and rarely allows defensive rebounds. The Knights will miss <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="850327" first="Zach" last="Martini"] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="850339" first="Will" last="Soucie"] </strong>next season, but Mgbako, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="902736" first="Isaac" last="Hester"] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="850666" first="Denver" last="Anglin"]</strong> are ready to lead them in 2020-21.</p> <p><strong>Brian Johansson, 6’5 SG Hunterdon Central 2021</strong></p> <p>The Red Devils took home the 2020 Hunterdon/Warren/Sussex Tournament title behind Johansson’s versatile play. The 6’5 shooting guard can finish around the basket and knock down three-pointers. Johansson is one of the best rebounding guards in the Skyland Conference and makes plays with the ball in his hands. He is capable of running the offense in a pinch and is an underrated defender. Johansson is in line for a big senior season as the Red Devils look to repeat as Hunterdon/Warren/Sussex Tournament champions.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="929528" first="Trevor" last="Bokach"], 6’4 SG Watchung Hills 2021</strong></p> <p>The Warriors lose first team All-State point guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="896632" first="Michael" last="Bressler"], </strong>but they should be in good shape with Bokach returning. The 6’4 shooting guard is one of the top passers in Somerset County and knows how to put his teammates in the right position to score. Bokach can beat his man off the bounce and make opponents pay for giving him space on the perimeter. He is a good on-ball defender and agood rebounder for a guard. Watchung Hills will take a bit of a step back next season, but Bokach and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="900332" first="Chad" last="Martini"] </strong>will have the Warriors competing for the Somerset County Tournament title.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="900322" first="Davie" last="McLarty"], SG Bound Brook 2021</strong></p> <p>Classmate <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="929517" first="Cam’Ron" last="Summers"]</strong> was also an on option here, but McLarty’s versatile game gets the nod. The junior wing can score at all three levels and is not afraid of drawing contact around the basket. McLarty makes plays with the ball in his hands and works well with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="901978" first="Quadir" last="Harrell"] </strong>in the backcourt. He is one of the top defenders in the Skyland Conference and is a tough rebounder. The Crusaders lost to Burlington City in the Central Jersey Group 1 final, but they should be in contention for it again with McLarty, Summers and Harrell coming back.</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Other Names to Know:</strong></span></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="850671" first="Otega" last="Oweh"], 6’4 SG Rutgers Prep 2022</strong></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="929527" first="Kyle" last="Rolon"], 6’3 SG Somerville 2021</strong></p> <p><strong>Anthony Franklin, 6’3 SG Franklin 2021</strong></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="931021" first="Darren" last="Tuck"], 6’4 SG Immaculata 2022</strong></p>