What We Learned From Opening Night

<p>The first day of New Jersey basketball has finally arrived with a slew of games being played yesterday. While there will be no state tournament in 2021, coaches and players were still able to feel the energy that games bring. Opening night was full of intrigue with a couple of statements being made across New Jersey. Here are the top things we learned from the first night of New Jersey basketball.</p> <p><strong>1. Camden solidified its status as the New Jersey’s top team</strong></p> <p>The High came into the season on a 25-game winning streak and kept up its winning ways with a 94-42 beatdown of Cherry Hill West. Five different Panthers were in double figures with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="850751" first="Dajuan" last="Wagner Jr"]. </strong>leading the way with 24. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1012952" first="Devin" last="Benson"] </strong>and Gloucester transfer <strong>Rasheer Fleming </strong>both chipped in 15 points, while <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="850508" first="Jerome" last="Brewer"] </strong>had 12. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="902751" first="Cornelius" last="Robinson"] </strong>finished off with 11 points in an all-around team win for the Panthers. Roselle Catholic transfer <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="992524" first="Aaron" last="Bradshaw"] </strong>did not play last night, easily making Camden the team to beat in New Jersey this season.</p> <p><strong>2. [player_tooltip player_id="1031004" first="Damian" last="Rawls"] has a good chance at leading the Garden State in scoring</strong></p> <p>It’s very early to crown someone as a scoring champ after one game, but Rawls’ performance against Salem deserves recognition. The 6’1 combo guard erupted for 36 points in the 71-51 win for Overbrook and scored in a variety of ways. Rawls attacked the basket with a purpose, finished through contact and buried jumpers from behind the arc. He also dished out five assists, showing his ability to completely control the game on the offensive end. Rawls is a dynamic scorer who got a good start on his way to leading New Jersey in scoring.</p> <p><strong>3. The battle for Ocean County’s best team will be heated</strong></p> <p>Toms River North has been the king of Ocean County for the past couple of seasons and the Mariners proved they are still the go-to team with a 57-46 victory over a strong Southern team. Manchester Township’s junior class did not disappoint with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1024753" first="D’Maari" last="Brown"] </strong>leading the way with 20 points, while <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1013047" first="Savon" last="Myers"] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="901948" first="Wyatt" last="Hasselbauer"]</strong> combined for 25 points. Brick Memorial pulled off the road upset against Jackson Memorial behind <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1039494" first="Luke" last="Braaten"]’s </strong>19 points and 10 rebounds. Ocean County basketball should be entertaining this season with multiple teams getting the opportunity to be the county’s top team.</p> <p><strong>4. [player_tooltip player_id="787644" first="Jaquan" last="Harris"] has All-State potential in 2021</strong></p> <p>St. Thomas Aquinas rounded out <em>NJ.com’s </em>Top 10 and proved that to be accurate with a 90-39 victory. Harris led the way with 23 points and will be the go to guy for coach Turco this season. The 6’4 junior is dynamic with the ball in his hands as he can get to the rim with consistency and is capable of finishing over the top of defenders. Harris is more than just a scorer as he plays with his head up and rarely makes a bad read. If he is able to keep up his play throughout the season, Harris will find his way onto an All-State team in his junior season.</p> <p><strong>5. Trenton’s young core has the Tornados looking toward the future</strong></p> <p>Trenton had a down year in 2019-20, but the Tornadoes put that behind them with a dominant 77-35 win over Steinert. Sophomore <strong>Antwan Bridgett </strong>led the way with 16 points, six assists and four steals, while classmate <strong>Chris Wilson</strong> recorded a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds. <strong>Davontay Hudson </strong>chipped in 12, while seniors <strong>Davvone Wells </strong>and <strong>Doug Evans</strong> both ended up in double figures. It’s only one game, but the progress of the sophomores from last year is key for Trenton. The Tornadoes will be tested against Robbinsville on Friday, but Bridgett, Wilson and Hudson look ready for the challenge.</p>