Big North Prospects with the Biggest Shoes to fill

<p>The Big North Conference is one of the toughest conferences in all of New Jersey. Non-Public A powers Bergen Catholic and Don Bosco Prep call the Big North home, along with North Jersey 1 Group 4 champions Paterson Kennedy. Some of the Big North’s best players are moving on to the next level, creating opportunities for players to step up. Here are the top Big North prospects with the biggest shoes to fill.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="900290" first="DiAri" last="Duncan"], 6’8 PF Bergen Catholic 2021</strong></p> <p>The Crusaders have been one of the top teams in New Jersey over the past two seasons, but they have to replace Notre Dame commit <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="850320" first="Matt" last="Zona"]</strong>. Duncan looks to be the guy ready to replace Zona down low for Bergen Catholic. The 6’8 forward plays with toughness and is unafraid to get physical down low. Duncan is a good rebounder and has a nice touch down low. Bergen Catholic already has a strong guard duo in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="850662" first="Will" last="Richardson"] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="850683" first="Julian" last="Brown"]</strong>, but Duncan’s ability to score down low will be the difference for the Crusaders.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="901993" first="Isaiah" last="Edmond"], 6’2 CG Don Bosco Prep 2022</strong></p> <p>Monmouth commit <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="850355" first="Myles" last="Ruth"]</strong> ran the show for the Ironmen last season, but he will need to be replaced in 2020-21. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="901987" first="Aaron" last="Carter"]</strong> looks to be the guy to run point, creating a bigger role for Edmond. The 6’2 guard is a good rebounder and works hard on the defensive end. Edmond has a good handle and knows how to beat his defender off the bounce. Don Bosco Prep has a good young core in Edmond, Carter and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="850753" first="Akil" last="Watson"]</strong>, who should all have big years next season.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="900330" first="Grant" last="Holbrook"], 6’5 SF Ramsey 2021</strong></p> <p>The Rams took home the North Jersey 2 Group 2 title in 2019-20, but they must replace Cornell commit <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="850335" first="Sean" last="Hansen"]</strong>. Holbrook is the team’s top returning scorer and is ready for a bigger role on the offensive end. The 6’5 forward has a good handle and knows how to finish around the basket. Holbrook has a good looking jumper and has range that extends pas the three-point line. Ramsey needs Holbrook to become a go-to scorer if the Rams want to repeat as sectional champions.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="933696" first="Yasen" last="Crawford"], 5’9 PG Paterson Kennedy 2022</strong></p> <p>The Knights were one of the top teams in Group 4 all season long as they won 27 games, took home the Passiac County title and the North Jersey 1 Group 4 title. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="933657" first="Mark" last="Heber"] </strong>and <strong>Deishon Harrison</strong> are graduating, which gives Crawford a bigger role in the offense. The 5’9 guard has a good handle and can finish around the basket. Crawford is more than just a slasher as he can knock down shots from behind the arc. Paterson Kennedy needs Crawford to take control of the offense if the Knights want to repeat as sectional champions.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="900384" first="Danny" last="Lans"], 6’0 PG St. Joseph (Mont.) 2021</strong></p> <p>The Green Knights took home the Bergen County Jamboree title behind the play of third team All Non-Public selection <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="929687" first="Nazir" last="Williams"]</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="929692" first="Dyree" last="Rogers"]</strong>. Both guards were seniors, creating a scoring void in the backcourt. Lans is a big-time athlete who can finish above the rim, but his game is more than just athleticism. He can attack the basket strong, knock down jumpers and cause disruptions on the defensive end. Lans’ ability to impact the game on both ends of the floor is vital for a St. Joseph (Mont.) team looking to repeat as county tournament champions.</p>