Opening Day Match-ups to Watch: Part 2

<p>The beginning of a new basketball season is always filled with excitement. Coaches are trying to figure out how to best utilize their team’s strengths, while the players are hyped for a new year. The opening slate of games is full of intriguing match-ups that one post was not enough to fit them all in. Here are more opening day match-ups to watch.</p> <p><strong>Holy Spirit vs. Egg Harbor: [player_tooltip player_id="933047" first="Jahmir" last="Smith"] vs. [player_tooltip player_id="1033441" first="Carlos" last="Lopez"]</strong></p> <p>Holy Spirit and Egg Harbor are two teams who should fight for position within the top 5 of the Cape-Atlantic League behind a pair of standout guards. Smith is a dynamic athlete with the ability to finish above the rim and is lightning quick with the ball in his hands. Lopez is an extremely crafty lefty who gets into the lane with consistency. Both players make smart decisions with the ball in their hands and can finish through contact. Smith and Lopez are talented lead guards, creating an exciting match-up to open CAL play.</p> <p><strong>Edison vs. Dunellen: [player_tooltip player_id="1034378" first="Nicholas" last="Barnes"] vs. [player_tooltip player_id="1036182" first="Drew" last="Johnson"]</strong></p> <p>This GMC clash between Group 4 Edison and Group 1 Dunellen may seem like a mismatch, but it creates an intriguing match-up on the floor. Barnes is a do-it all guard for the Eagles as he can run the offense, knock down perimeter jumpers and finish around the basket. His ability to impact the game in many ways will be problematic, but Johnson is up for the task. The Penn State Brandywine commit can put the ball on the floor and has a nice release on his jumper. Both teams are looking for a hot start and it should be a contentious game to open the season.</p> <p><strong>Union City vs. Snyder: [player_tooltip player_id="933710" first="Shy’heed" last="Jenkins-Floyd"] vs. Ahmad Robertson</strong></p> <p>The Eagles should be one of the top teams in the HCIAL with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="850673" first="Maurice" last="Odum"] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="900336" first="Mike" last="Jackson"]</strong>, but this game is all about Jenkins-Floyd. The Snyder transfer will be playing against his former team for the first time and should terrorize them on the defensive end with his quick hands. Jenkins-Floyd is tough to contain off the bounce and makes smart decisions with the ball in his hands. Robertson will get his chances against Jenkins-Floyd as the sophomore guard has a good handle and can finish around the basket. Snyder is rebuilding its roster this season and a strong showing against Union City will benefit them greatly.</p> <p><strong>Wildwood vs. Penns Grove: Diante Miles vs. Nasir Robinson</strong></p> <p>The rematch of last year’s South Jersey Group 1 semi-finals is one to watch as Wildwood looks to claim revenge. Miles is a big-time scorer with two games of over 35 points. He is at his best attacking the basket, but is also capable of knocking down jumpers from distance. Robinson was more of a role player for the Red Devils last season, but his ability to shoot from deep combined with his speed makes him a lethal threat in the half court. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1083343" first="Omarion" last="McNeal"]</strong>’s presence down low will be the X-factor, but the match-up between Miles and Robinson will decide this Tri-County Conference clash.</p> <p><strong>Doane Academy vs. New Egypt: Shawn Congleton vs. Adam Harris</strong></p> <p>This BCSL match-up features two of the more under the radar prospects in the league. Congleton is a knockdown shooter for the Spartans, but he can also finish around the basket. He is a strong rebounder, but will have to move his feet to stop Harris from getting to the foul line. The junior guard loves to draw contact on his way to the bucket as he had four games last season with at least 10 made free throws. Doane Academy and New Egypt are fighting for position within the BCSL and the guard match-up could be a great determination of where the teams end up.</p>