Essex County Breakout Candidates

<p>Essex County is arguably one of the top basketball counties in New Jersey. St. Benedict’s is one of the state’s top basketball programs, while Newark East Side has been a consistent powerhouse in Group 4 with three Tournament of Champions appearances in six years. Seton Hall Prep is a Tournament of Champions winner, while Montclair Immaculate is a competitive program as well. The county is full of talented prospects ready to burst out onto the scene. Here are the top breakout candidates in Essex County.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="933737" first="Everton" last="Browne"], 6’0 PG St. Benedict’s 2022</strong></p> <p>The Grey Bees lose three crucial members of its backcourt in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="850348" first="Adetokundo" last="Bakare"]</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="850349" first="E.J." last="Evans"]</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="896655" first="Nicholas" last="Black"]</strong>. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="902735" first="Ty-Laur" last="Johnson"]</strong> returns for St. Benedict’s, but someone needs to step up alongside him. Browne looks to be the guy as he has the quickness and handle to get by his defender off the bounce. He plays under control on the offensive end and has a good release on his jump shot. St. Benedict’s will be one of the top teams in New Jersey again next season behind its backcourt duo of Browne and Johnson.</p> <p><strong>Cole McGonigal, 6’4 SF Seton Hall Prep 2021</strong></p> <p>The Pirates return their top scorer from 2019-20 in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="773397" first="Giye" last="Jenkins"]</strong>, but they need someone new to step up. McGonigal is the highest returning scorer not named Jenkins and looks primed for more scoring opportunities. The junior forward works hard on both ends of the floor and is a solid rebounder. McGonigal moves well off the ball and has a nice touch around the basket. He should have a breakout senior season as Seton Hall Prep looks to give him more touches on offense.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="902742" first="Delroy" last="Smith"], 6’5 PF Newark East Side 2023</strong></p> <p>The Red Raiders lose <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="850338" first="Mikah" last="Johnson Jr."] </strong>and <strong>Gabe Olaniyi </strong>to graduation. Sophomores <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="901950" first="Jahzeer" last="Gaskin"]</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="850674" first="David" last="Olaniyi"]</strong> are a good guard combination, while Smith had a solid debut varsity season. The freshman forward is a solid post defender as he uses his length and timing to alter shots around the rim. Smith works hard on the glass and can score around the basket. Gaskin and Olaniyi are ready to lead the Red Raiders in 2020-21, while Smith looks to become the main option down low.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="900345" first="Justin" last="Harcourt"], 6’5 SF University 2021</strong></p> <p>The Phoenix took home the North Jersey 2 Group 1 title and return almost everyone from that squad. Harcourt is the team’s second leading scorer and should get more touches with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="896648" first="Noah" last="Mack"]</strong>’s graduation. The 6’5 forward can put the ball on the floor and finish around the basket. Harcourt is a tough rebounder and solid defender. He and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="900296" first="Janaie" last="Coates"] </strong>create a tough interior duo, which should lead University back to the North Jersey 2 Group 1 title.</p> <p><strong>Donta Davis, SF Montclair Immaculate 2021</strong></p> <p>The Lions won their first ever Essex County Tournament title behind Third Team All-State performer <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="850330" first="Zion" last="Bethea"]</strong>. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="850511" first="Amar’e" last="Marshall"] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="850513" first="Jayden" last="Brown"]</strong> were a solid guard tandem, but they need someone to step up down low. Davis did a little bit of everything down low as he fought for rebounds, dished out assists and played solid defense. He can put the ball on the floor and is capable of knocking down perimeter jumpers. Montclair Immaculate will be in the hunt for a second straight Essex County Tournament title behind its trio of Marshall, Brown and Davis.</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Other Names to Watch:</strong></span></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="933695" first="Jalen" last="Hammonds"], 6’0 CG East Orange 2021</strong></p> <p><strong>JhaZaire Head, 6’4 SF Irvington 2021</strong></p> <p><strong>Zahree Brown, 5’10 PG Newark Central 2022</strong></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="900344" first="Sincere" last="Robinson"], 6’5 PF Newark Tech 2021</strong></p> <p><strong>Jalen Robinson, 5’10 PG Columbia 2023</strong></p> <p><strong>Zaire Jefferson, 5’7 PG Payne Tech 2021</strong></p>