Group 4 Guard Duos to Watch

<p>Group 4 was filled with exciting tournament games as two sectional finals were decided on the buzzer. Elizabeth was a top five team in New Jersey all season, while Watchung Hills spent the majority of the season in the top 15. Guard play is huge in Group 4 as it has helped bring teams to great success during the state tournament. Here are the top guard duos in Group 4.</p> <p><strong>Elizabeth: [player_tooltip player_id="787655" first="Jayden" last="Pierre"] 6’0 2022 &amp; [player_tooltip player_id="900321" first="Al-Fatir" last="Connor"] 5’10 2021</strong></p> <p>The Minutemen lose <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="850359" first="Jordan" last="Price"] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="850354" first="D.J." last="Watkins"] </strong>to graduation, but they should still be one of the teams to beat in Group 4. Pierre knocked down the game-winning shot in the North 2 Group 4 final against Watchung Hills and is one of the top players in the 2022 class. He is hard to contain off the bounce and is one of the best finishers around the rim. Connor is a true floor general and is a tough on-ball defender. Elizabeth will be the favorites to repeat as sectional champions with Pierre and Connor in the backcourt.</p> <p><strong>Lenape: [player_tooltip player_id="850667" first="Derek" last="Simpson"] 6’0 2022 &amp; [player_tooltip player_id="933727" first="Tayvon" last="Gaither"] 6’3 2022</strong></p> <p>Lenape lost in the South Jersey Group 4 semifinals to eventual champion Atlantic City and should be in the same spot again next season. Simpson is an electric guard who can score from all three levels. He is a play-maker with the ball in his hands and is a solid on-ball defender. Gaither is a tough guard who likes to attack the basket and can score through contact. Lenape has the potential to take home the South Jersey Group 4 title with Simpson and Gaither getting more touches.</p> <p><strong>Cherry Hill East: [player_tooltip player_id="931022" first="Drew" last="Greene"] 5’9 2022 &amp; Jake Green 5’10 2022</strong></p> <p>The Cougars made it all the way to the South Jersey Group 4 final behind their dangerous sophomore guards. Greene runs the show for Cherry Hill East as he excels at setting up his teammates. He is an excellent driver and knows how to draw contact around the basket. Green is an elite shooter from deep as his quick release and good shooting form helped him knock down a state-high 102 three-pointers. Cherry Hill East is in a good position for success next season with the return of its 2022 guard duo.</p> <p><strong>Newark East Side: [player_tooltip player_id="901950" first="Jahzeer" last="Gaskin"], 5’10 2022 &amp; [player_tooltip player_id="850674" first="David" last="Olaniyi"], 5’10 2022</strong></p> <p>The Red Raiders are one year removed from a semifinal appearance in the Tournament of Champions and they are looking for similar success next season. Gaskin is the team’s top returning scorer after being the team’s top three-point shooter in 2019-20. He moves well off the ball and plays with good instincts on the defensive end. Olaniyi is a true floor general, but will need to up his scoring output with the graduations of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="850338" first="Mikah" last="Johnson Jr."] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="896465" first="Gabriel" last="Olaniyi"]</strong>. Newark East Side has the pieces to contend in North 2 Group 4 with Gaskin and Olaniyi back for another year.</p> <p><strong>South Brunswick: [player_tooltip player_id="933647" first="Tyrell" last="Murchison"], 5’10 2021 &amp; Yathin Vemula 2022</strong></p> <p>The Vikings won the Central Jersey Group 4 title at the buzzer, but they must replace <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="933653" first="Devin" last="Strickland"] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="896463" first="Justin" last="Carbone"]</strong>. Murchison is the team’s top returning scorer and is primed to take over as the go-to option. He can knock down shots from distance, get to the basket and draw contact. Vemula had the game-winning layup for South Brunswick against Marlboro and plays with confidence. The Vikings will be looking to build on their historic 2019-20 season as they rely on Strickland and Vemula to spark the offense.</p>