Top Guard Duos in North Jersey

<p>Guards are important to any team’s success during the season as they are responsible for controlling the pace of the game. Coaches trust their point guards to handle the ball under pressure and make big plays for them down the stretch. While big-time guards like <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="828326" first="Noah" last="Farrakhan"]</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="766099" first="CJ" last="Wilcher"] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="766102" first="Niels" last="Lane"]</strong> will all be graduating, New Jersey is still full of talented guards, especially in North Jersey. Here are the top returning guard duos in North Jersey this season.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="850502" first="Jaylen" last="Blakes"], 6’1 2021 &amp; [player_tooltip player_id="850672" first="Kyle" last="Cuffee Jr."], 6’2 2022 Blair</strong></p> <p>Blair Academy does not compete for the Tournament of Champions, but the Buccaneers have one of the top guard tandems in the state. Blakes is a polished floor general who is capable of taking over games. Cuffee Jr. is a big-time athlete who loves to finish above the rim, but is also capable of making plays in the lane. The duo developed a good chemistry together as Virginia commit <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="766053" first="Jabri" last="Abdur-Rahim"]</strong> missed time due to injury. Their ability to play off each other is important for a Buccaneers team with talent everywhere on the floor.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="787669" first="Corey" last="Floyd Jr"]., 6’3 2022 &amp; [player_tooltip player_id="850752" first="Simeon" last="Wilcher"], 6’3 2023, Roselle Catholic</strong></p> <p>The Lions lose Wilcher, Lane and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="850351" first="Richie" last="Greaves"]</strong>,but their young backcourt should be fun to watch. Floyd Jr. is one of the best two-way guards in the state and is an underrated passer. Wilcher is a smooth guard who plays well above his years. His performance against Manasquan at the Hoop Group Battle for Boardwalk Showcase in September proved he is ready for a big role. Roselle Catholic also has <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="902756" first="Jadin" last="Collins"] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="902745" first="Maurice" last="Mcknight"]</strong> in the backcourt, but Floyd Jr. and Wilcher will be running the show for the Lions in 2020-21.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="850662" first="Will" last="Richardson"], 6’1 2022 &amp; [player_tooltip player_id="850683" first="Julian" last="Brown"], 5’11 2022, Bergen Catholic</strong></p> <p>The Crusaders captured their second straight Non-Public A North title behind its star sophomore guards. Richardson is a big-time scorer as he put up 22.7 points per game in states. Brown is an attack-minded guard who can heat up in a hurry and score 20 points on any given night. The duo play well off each other and know how to get each other involved in the game. Bergen Catholic should be considered the favorite to win its third straight Non-Public A North title with Richardson and Brown in the backcourt.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="850664" first="Mark" last="Armstrong"], 6’2 2022 &amp; [player_tooltip player_id="900328" first="Rayshawn" last="Ford"] 6’3 2021, St. Peter’s Prep</strong></p> <p>The Marauders lost to Bergen Catholic in double overtime in the Non-Public A North title game and they will be looking for revenge next season. Armstrong was one of the top scorers in Hudson County last season and was named to third team All-State. Ford stepped up his game in the state tournament as he poured in at least 20 points in all three state games. Both players are capable of scoring from all three levels and can run the offense. St. Peter’s Prep will be fueled by its loss in the finals as Ford and Armstrong look to take the Marauders back to the Non-Public A North final.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="850511" first="Amar’e" last="Marshall"], 6’2 2021 &amp; [player_tooltip player_id="850513" first="Jayden" last="Brown"] 6’0 2021, Montclair Immaculate</strong></p> <p>Third team All-State member and Hofstra commit <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="850330" first="Zion" last="Bethea"] </strong>helped the Lions capture their first ever Essex County Tournament title, but they still have a pair of talented guards in the backcourt. Marshall is an athletic slasher who is capable of knocking down shots from the perimeter. Brown is a pass-first guard who paced Montclair Immaculate’s offense all season. They are both solid on-ball defenders and are unafraid to rip down rebounds in the post. It will be tough for Montclair Immaculate to replace Bethea, but Marshall and Brown should have the Lions competing for the Essex County Tournament title again.</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Other Names to Know:</strong></span></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="850666" first="Denver" last="Anglin"] &amp; [player_tooltip player_id="902736" first="Isaac" last="Hester"], Gill St. Bernard’s</strong></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="850674" first="David" last="Olaniyi"] &amp; [player_tooltip player_id="901950" first="Jahzeer" last="Gaskin"], Newark East Side</strong></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="787655" first="Jayden" last="Pierre"] &amp; [player_tooltip player_id="900349" first="Pascal" last="Dodard"], Elizabeth</strong></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="901956" first="David" last="Mager"] &amp; [player_tooltip player_id="901957" first="Jayden" last="Lemond"], Dwight-Englewood</strong></p> <p><strong>Ty-laur Johnson &amp; [player_tooltip player_id="933737" first="Everton" last="Browne"], St. Benedict’s</strong></p>