Non-Public B Guard Duos to Watch

<p>Non-Public B has been the top group in New Jersey for the past decade, housing nine of the last 10 Tournament of Champions winners. Big-time programs like Roselle Catholic and Patrick School are perennial powers in the Garden State. The guard play in the group is full of talent that will contribute at the next level. Here are the top guard duos to watch in Non-Public B North this season.</p> <p><strong>Roselle Catholic: [player_tooltip player_id="787669" first="Corey" last="Floyd Jr"]. &amp; [player_tooltip player_id="850752" first="Simeon" last="Wilcher"]</strong></p> <p>The Lions have to replace four guards from last season’s team, but Floyd Jr. and Wilcher have the talent to carry the load. The former has been a key part of the rotation for the last two seasons with his ability to play on both ends of the floor. Wilcher can break down his defender off the bounce and knows how to finish around the basket. Both players are capable of knocking down jumpers from behind the arc and can run the offense effectively. Roselle Catholic added <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="850511" first="Amar’e" last="Marshall"] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1025905" first="Jamarques" last="Lawrence"]</strong> to the roster, but Floyd Jr. and Wilcher are the ones running the show in 2020-21.</p> <p><strong>Patrick School: Zion Cruz &amp; [player_tooltip player_id="901943" first="Dionte" last="Johnson"]</strong></p> <p>The Celtics need someone to replace <strong>Noah Farrahkan </strong>at the lead guard position and they found their man in Cruz. The athletic 6’3 guard is at his best attacking the basket and loves to finish above the rim. Johnson played alongside Farrahkan last season and is one of the top on-ball defenders in the 2022 class. He makes good decisions with the ball in his hands and is the perfect compliment to Cruz in the backcourt. The Patrick School will be tough to beat again this season with Cruz and Johnson steering the ship.</p> <p><strong>St. Joseph Academy: [player_tooltip player_id="900329" first="Marcus" last="Pierce"] &amp; [player_tooltip player_id="900365" first="Jordan" last="Stafford"]</strong></p> <p>No guard improved his stock more than Pierce over the summer as he showed his ability to impact the game in multiple ways. The 6’2 guard is tough to contain off the bounce and knows how to finish around the basket. Pierce is also a good passer and solid on-ball defender. Stafford made plays all summer with his ability to get to the basket, make smart passes and make plays on the defensive end. St. Joseph Academy’s guard duo is a sight to see as Pierce and Stafford should carry the Wildcats deep into the sectional playoffs.</p> <p><strong>Trenton Catholic: [player_tooltip player_id="850548" first="Freddie" last="Young"] Jr. &amp; [player_tooltip player_id="901992" first="Braxton" last="Jones"]</strong></p> <p>The departure of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="900323" first="Donavin" last="Crawford"] </strong>to Nottingham creates a hole in the Iron Mikes’ backcourt, but they have a strong duo in place with Young Jr. and Jones. The former is a pure point guard who has a smooth handle and can finish above the rim. Young Jr. makes good decisions with the ball in his hands and is capable of knocking down perimeter jumpers. Jones is a knockdown shooter from deep, but he can also attack the basket and finish in the midrange. Freshman <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1050395" first="Mike" last="Jones Jr."] </strong>may also get time in the backcourt, but Young Jr. and Jones are the main guys to watch this season.</p> <p><strong>Ranney: [player_tooltip player_id="901941" first="Elijah" last="Perkins"] &amp; [player_tooltip player_id="902736" first="Isaac" last="Hester"]</strong></p> <p>Perkins had a strong sophomore season as he was named to Second Team All Shore. The 6’4 guard is at his best attacking the basket as he can use his athleticism to finish over the top or make tough layups in traffic. Hester is a crafty ball-handler as he knows how to get into the lane. He has a nice release on his jumper and is a good on-ball defender. Ranney has the potential to make a deep run in the sectional playoffs behind Perkins and Hester in the backcourt.</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Other Players to Know:</strong></span></p> <p><strong>Rutgers Prep: [player_tooltip player_id="850507" first="Noah" last="Harris"] &amp; [player_tooltip player_id="901961" first="Ryan" last="Petit"]</strong></p> <p><strong>Morris Catholic: [player_tooltip player_id="1016677" first="Omarion" last="Jett-Dobbs"] &amp; [player_tooltip player_id="1016679" first="Justin" last="Brown"]</strong></p> <p><strong>Montclair Immaculate: [player_tooltip player_id="850514" first="DiAndre" last="South"] &amp; [player_tooltip player_id="850513" first="Jayden" last="Brown"]</strong></p> <p><strong>Hudson Catholic: [player_tooltip player_id="850515" first="Justin" last="Glover"] &amp; [player_tooltip player_id="850675" first="Isaiah" last="Griffin"]</strong></p> <p><strong>Gill St. Bernard’s: [player_tooltip player_id="850666" first="Denver" last="Anglin"] &amp; [player_tooltip player_id="1050392" first="Samir" last="Thomas"]</strong></p>