Dark Horse Teams to Watch Per Group

<p>The start of the basketball season may have been pushed back to January 11, but the season is still full of intrigue. Camden ended the season as the state’s top team after the Panthers won their last 25 games. Roselle Catholic and the Patrick School reloaded their rosters, as they look to battle it out for Garden State supremacy. There are also teams flying under the radar, who are capable of making some noise this season. Here are the top dark horse teams to watch per group this season.</p> <p><strong>Group 1: Overbrook</strong></p> <p>The Rams may seem a bit of a cop out after they won 21 games last season, but they are losing three of their top four scorers. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1031004" first="Damian" last="Rawls"] </strong>sets the tone for the Rams’ offense as he attacks the basket with a purpose and can finish above the rim. He is not alone in the backcourt as rising sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="933718" first="Devon" last="Johnson"] </strong>is ready for a larger role in the offense. Big man <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1031005" first="Kenny" last="Juanico"]</strong> patrols the paint by ripping down rebounds and blocking shots around the basket. Even with the scoring losses, Overbrook has the talent to be one of the top teams in Group 1 this season.</p> <p><strong>Group 2: Newark Tech</strong></p> <p>The Terriers had a first round exit in the state tournament last season, but that should not happen this year. Leading scorer <strong>Naim Muhammad </strong>returns to lead the scoring, while power forward <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="900344" first="Sincere" last="Robinson"] </strong>should get more looks down low. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1050410" first="Khalid" last="Sanders"] </strong>may only be a freshman, but he has the talent and skillset to make a major impact right away. The same is true for <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1050411" first="Khalil" last="Sanders"]</strong> as the 2024 duo have the potential to take Essex County by storm. Newark Tech may have only won 10 games in 2019-20, but the Terriers have the potential to eclipse that mark even with a shortened season.</p> <p><strong>Group 3: Roxbury</strong></p> <p>Another team to have a first round exit, Roxbury has the potential to make some noise this season. Sweet shooting <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1035705" first="Trevor" last="Napoliello"] </strong>can get hot from deep in a hurry, but is also capable of finishing around the basket. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1035706" first="Kyle" last="Haegele"] </strong>knows how to get by his defender and does not mind drawing contact around the basket. Incoming freshman <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1050394" first="Chris" last="Ditrolio"] </strong>is one of the top shooters in his class and should get significant minutes early in his varsity career. Roxbury’s ability to connect from distance makes it a team to watch in Group 3 this season.</p> <p><strong>Group 4: Hightstown</strong></p> <p>The Rams won 21 games last season, but they have to replace their top seven scorers. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1017709" first="Spencer" last="Kenny"] </strong>is the team’s top returning scorer and is ready for an expanded role after a strong summer. Classmate <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1012988" first="Ali" last="Ahmed"] </strong>works tirelessly on both ends of the floor and has a nice touch around the basket. Guards <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1027935" first="Ayden" last="Hogan"] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1045873" first="Keenan" last="Reiss"] </strong>both had big summers and should be one of the top guard duos in the CVC. Hightstown’s combination of talent, depth and energy gives the Rams an opportunity to be one of the top teams in Group 4.</p> <p><strong>Non-Public A: St. John Vianney</strong></p> <p>The Non-Public sections may be grouped together this season, but the Lancers are definitely a team to look out for in 2020-21. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="901979" first="Nate" last="Williams"]</strong> had a huge summer for the Jersey Force 16U team and his success there should translate this winter. Rising sophomore guards <strong>Connor Howard </strong>and <strong>Joe DaBlasio </strong>provide the team with toughness and ball-handling on the perimeter. Dual-sport athletes <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1017192" first="Kyle" last="Verriest"] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1050390" first="Dylan" last="Seay"]</strong> give the Lancers additional toughness, along with athleticism. The addition of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1013009" first="Ross" last="Thomas"] </strong>makes St. John Vianney a team to watch in the Shore Conference and in Non-Public A.</p> <p><strong>Non-Public B: St. Joseph Academy</strong></p> <p>The Wildcats have to replace <strong>Daniel Skillings</strong>, but they have more than enough talent to do so. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="900329" first="Marcus" last="Pierce"] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="900365" first="Jordan" last="Stafford"] </strong>return in the backcourt to form one of the top guard duos in the state. Rising sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="933732" first="Devon" last="Theophile"]</strong> is ready for an expanded role around the basket, while <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1013070" first="Arnaldo" last="Rodriguez"] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1013042" first="Ja’Son" last="Prevard"] </strong>provide the Wildcats with shooting and toughness. Newcomers <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1043261" first="Dom" last="Thomas"] </strong>and <strong>Daryl McGraw </strong>gives the Wildcats more scoring pop in the starting lineup. St. Joseph Academy is one of the top teams in South Jersey this season and has the potential to be a top 20 team in the state. </p>