Essex County: Top Play-makers

<p>Essex County has always been a hot bed for talent in New Jersey. St. Benedict’s, Seton Hall Prep and Newark East Side are some of the top programs in the state. The conference is home to at least one member of the All-State teams and that trend should continue in 2020-21. Here are the top play-makers in Essex County.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="900302" first="Zaba" last="Bangala"], 6’8 SF St. Benedict’s 2021</strong></p> <p>The Grey Bees have been a factory for producing big-time talent and Bangala looks to be the next guy up. The Swedish native is a true combo forward as he has the skills to play on the perimeter and the strength to finish down low. Bangala has a nice touch around the basket and has a nice looking jump shot. He is a tough rebounder down low and is a good defender. St. Benedict’s lose <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="850331" first="Mounir" last="Hima"]</strong>, but Bangala should keep St. Benedict’s as one of the top programs in New Jersey.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="850511" first="Amar’e" last="Marshall"], 6’2 SG Montclair Immaculate 2021</strong></p> <p>Hofstra commit <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="850330" first="Zion" last="Bethea"] </strong>guided the Lions to one of their best seasons in school history as they captured their first ever Essex County Tournament title. Marshall is the team’s top returning scorer and is capable of leading Montclair Immaculate next season. The 6’2 shooting guard is tough to contain off the bounce and is unafraid of attacking the basket. Marshall knows how to finish around the basket and makes plays with the ball in his hands. Montclair Immaculate may not be a top-10 team in the state in 2020-21, but Marshall will have the Lions firing on all cylinders.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="773397" first="Giye" last="Jenkins"], 6’0 PG Seton Hall Prep 2021</strong></p> <p>The Pirates were one of the top teams in the state all season as they knocked off Wildwood Catholic, Montclair Immaculate and Irvington during the season. Jenkins was the team’s top scorer in 2019-20 and is back to run the show next season. The 6’0 point guard is a blur in the open floor and can score around the basket. Jenkins is a good passer and is one of the toughest guards in New Jersey. Seton Hall Prep should be one of the top teams in Essex County next season behind Jenkins’ play at point guard.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="850674" first="David" last="Olaniyi"], 5’10 PG Newark East Side 2022</strong></p> <p>The Red Raiders took a step back in 2019-20 after they made the Tournament of Champions semifinals and won 29 games. Olaniyi was the team’s fourth leading scorer, but should have a much bigger role in 2020-21. The 5’10 guard is a true point guard who knows how to run the offense. Olaniyi can beat his man off the dribble and is unafraid of attacking the basket against bigger defenders. Newark East Side has the potential to be one of the top teams in Essex County next season behind Olaniyi’s improved scoring.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="850754" first="Spencer" last="Joyner"], 6’2 PG University 2023</strong></p> <p>Joyner may have gotten off to a slow start, but he finished his freshman season strong. The 6’2 guard has a good handle and knows how to draw contact around the basket. Joyner can finish around the basket and is not afraid of the big moment. He is a good rebounder and plays well off the ball. The Phoenix return almost everyone from last season’s North Jersey 2 Group 1 title team and Joyner could help lead University to the Tournament of Champions in 2020-21.</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Other Names to Know:</strong></span></p> <p><strong>Ty-laur Johnson, 5’10 PG St. Benedict’s 2023</strong></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="850513" first="Jayden" last="Brown"], 6’0 PG Montclair Immaculate 2021</strong></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="900311" first="Bakir" last="Cleveland"], 6’4 SG University 2021</strong></p> <p><strong>Jalen Robinson, 5’10 PG Columbia 2023</strong></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="933695" first="Jalen" last="Hammonds"], 6’0 CG East Orange 2021</strong></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="900296" first="Janaie" last="Coates"], 6’8 PF University 2021</strong></p> <p><strong>Tahsheem Anderson, 6’2 CG Newark Central 2021</strong></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="931029" first="Chase" last="Clarke"], 6’5 SF Newark Academy 2022</strong></p>