UCC: Under the Radar Players to Watch

<p>The UCC has been one of the top conferences in the state for the last couple of years. Perennial state power Roselle Catholic resides in this division, along with the Patrick School who left in 2019. Union County Conference is loaded with talent headlined by Roselle Catholic’s dynamic duo of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="787669" first="Corey" last="Floyd Jr"]. </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="850752" first="Simeon" last="Wilcher"]</strong>. The Lions are not the only team in the conference loaded with talent as the UCC is filled with players flying under the radar. Here are the top under the radar players to watch in the UCC this season.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1032078" first="Colin" last="Cowan"], 6’4 SG Linden 2021</strong></p> <p>The Tigers were a tough out all last season and they should continue to be this season with Cowan returning. The 6’4 guard can beat his defender off the bounce and is unafraid of drawing contact on his way to the basket. Cowan is a good finisher around the basket and is capable of knocking down jumpers from the perimeter. He is a solid on-ball defender and is an underrated passer. Linden could be one of the teams to watch in the UCC with Cowan getting more touches on the offensive end.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1016639" first="Evan" last="Perez"], 5’10 PG Elizabeth 2021</strong></p> <p>The Minutemen have one of the top backcourts in the county with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="900321" first="Al-Fatir" last="Connor"] </strong>and Perez. The latter is one of the top on-ball defenders in his state and has extremely quick hands. Perez is dynamic with the ball in his hands as he has a tight handle and can blow by his defender. He has a good release on his jumper and works well with Connor in the backcourt. Elizabeth will be one of the top teams in Group 4 once again this year with Perez in the backcourt.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1025340" first="Brian" last="Dolinick"], 6’9 PF Governor Livingston 2022</strong></p> <p>The Highlanders had a rough 2019-20 season, but they got a big addition in Dolinick. The Seton Hall Prep transfer has a nice touch around the basket and knows how to get position down low. Dolinick runs the floor well and has a nice release on his free throws. He uses his length to influence shots around the rim and is a strong rebounder. Governor Livingston could be a sleeper team in the UCC with Dolinick patrolling the paint.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1018568" first="Cameron" last="Campbell"], 5’10 PG Dayton 2022</strong></p> <p>The Bulldogs have to replace the production of the program’s all-time leading scorer in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="850358" first="DJ" last="Alicea"]</strong> and they will rely on Campbell to produce more. The 5’10 guard is at his best attacking the basket where he is a good finisher and can make layups through contact. Campbell is more than just a slasher as he is a tough on-ball defender as well. He has the ability to run the offense and is a good rebounder for a guard. Dayton could cause an upset or two this season with Campbell becoming a more featured part of the offense.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1012996" first="Carsten" last="Schumm"], 6’7 PF New Providence 2021</strong></p> <p>The Pioneers had a bit of a down year after winning Group 1 in 2019, but they should have a strong 2020-21 season with Schumm coming back. The 6’7 forward is a force on the boards and is extremely tough to box out. Schumm is a good shot-blocker around the basket and plays with good positioning down low. He has a nice touch around the basket and sets good screens. Schumm is a physical power forward prospect who is ready to lead New Providence this season.</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Other Players to Watch:</strong></span></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1018571" first="Jaden" last="Carter"], 5’10 PG Scotch Plains-Fanwood 2022</strong></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1017205" first="Bradley" last="Young"], 6’3 SG Union Catholic 2021</strong></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1013064" first="Ted" last="Gregoire"], 6’5 PF Roselle Park 2023</strong></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1013054" first="Tommy" last="Conniff"], 6’9 PF/C Oratory Prep 2022</strong></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1033429" first="Pete" last="Meixner"], 5’11 PG Westfield 2023</strong></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="900316" first="Ernest" last="Carter"], 6’0 CG Rahway 2021</strong></p>