Sizzling Showdowns to Watch

Joe Esquivel-Murphy February 3, 2021 @ 08:40 AM

A nor’easter rocked New Jersey over the last two days, halting basketball across the state. Games are slated to restart today and it is full of games that are loaded with talent. Here are the top games to watch on Wednesday, February 3. Patrick School vs. St. Benedict’s Any time these Garden State powers match-up makes the game a must watch. UConn commit [player_tooltip player_id="850516" first="Samson" last="Johnson"] patrols the paint for the Celtics, while Zion Cruz and [player_tooltip player_id="901943" first="Dionte" last="Johnson"] run the show in the back court. The Grey Bees have a talented backcourt of their own with [player_tooltip player_id="902735" first="Ty-Laur" last="Johnson"], [player_tooltip player_id="991214" first="Aaron" last="Clark"] and [player_tooltip player_id="850675" first="Isaiah" last="Griffin"] leading the way with [player_tooltip player_id="933737" first="Everton" last="Browne"] helping out as well. Cal commit [player_tooltip player_id="977499" first="Sam" last="Alajiki"] will make an impact for St. Benedict’s, but will have to contend with underclassmen [player_tooltip player_id="709244" first="Scotty" last="Middleton"] and James Moore on the perimeter. This game is loaded with high major D1 talent, which makes for entertaining game. Westfield vs. Elizabeth The two UCC teams are looking to gain momentum in arguably the hardest division in New Jersey with teams like Roselle Catholic, Linden and Union Catholic also residing in the Watchung division. Big men [player_tooltip player_id="1018572" first="Sean" last="Logan"], [player_tooltip player_id="1013052" first="Logan" last="Howland"] and Stevens commit [player_tooltip player_id="1018553" first="Jack" last="Spellman"] will be looking to establish themselves against Newark East Side transfer [player_tooltip player_id="902742" first="Delroy" last="Smith"] and [player_tooltip player_id="901975" first="Zy’ree" last="Beverly"] early. Camden transfer [player_tooltip player_id="1013067" first="Sebastian" last="Robinson"] is ready to make some noise this season and should create problems for [player_tooltip player_id="1016687" first="Ryan" last="Friedberg"] and [player_tooltip player_id="1033429" first="Pete" last="Meixner"]. [player_tooltip player_id="1016639" first="Evan" last="Perez"] and [player_tooltip player_id="900321" first="Al-Fatir" last="Connor"] are also crafty guards for the Minutemen who should make an impact on the game. Both teams need this game if they want to contend with Roselle Catholic for the division title. Montclair Immaculate vs. Newark East Side The last two Essex County tournament champions lock up which creates for an intriguing battle, especially in the backcourt. [player_tooltip player_id="850513" first="Jayden" last="Brown"] and [player_tooltip player_id="1036729" first="Zakai" last="Zeigler"] are playing as well as any backcourt duo in the Garden State with the duo combing to average slightly under 46 points per game. [player_tooltip player_id="850674" first="David" last="Olaniyi"] has taken over as the go-to scorer for the Red Raiders, while [player_tooltip player_id="900343" first="Naftali" last="Koomson"] has been the breakout player in the SEC so far. Pope John transfer [player_tooltip player_id="850514" first="DiAndre" last="South"] provides a good third option for the Lions, while Donta Davis and Nick Thomas control the interior. Sophomores [player_tooltip player_id="902743" first="Quatrell" last="Wilson"], Sutan Fitzpatrick and [player_tooltip player_id="933715" first="Nasir" last="Wheeler"] will have to step for Newark East Side to pull off the against Montclair Immaculate. St. Joseph Academy vs. St. Augustine This Cape-Atlantic West match-up is huge as it’ll determine early supremacy in the division and league as a whole. American commit [player_tooltip player_id="900295" first="Matthew" last="Delaney"] is a load down low and should create havoc down low for the Hermits. University of the Sciences commit [player_tooltip player_id="1012958" first="Keith" last="Palek"] and [player_tooltip player_id="900318" first="John" last="Horner"] will also be tough to stop as both players can play inside or on the perimeter. The Wildcats have a premiere backcourt as [player_tooltip player_id="900329" first="Marcus" last="Pierce"] has been dominant to start the season, while classmates [player_tooltip player_id="900365" first="Jordan" last="Stafford"] and [player_tooltip player_id="1043261" first="Dom" last="Thomas"] help out on the perimeter. [player_tooltip player_id="1013002" first="Xavier" last="Ernest"] and [player_tooltip player_id="1013042" first="Ja’Son" last="Prevard"] are the X-Factors in what should be an exciting game in the Cape-Atlantic League. Wildwood vs. Gloucester Catholic This game is vital for both teams as they are looking to take the early lead in the Tri-County Classic division. Alvernia commit [player_tooltip player_id="900369" first="Ryan" last="Roney"] has been doing it all for the Rams as he is averaging 22 points, four assists and 3.5 steals per game to start the season. Wildwood’s dynamic backcourt of Diante Miles and [player_tooltip player_id="1012971" first="Seamus" last="Fynes"] have been getting it done as they combined to average 33 points per game. [player_tooltip player_id="1083343" first="Omarion" last="McNeal"] has been a force down low for them, while freshman [player_tooltip player_id="1051496" first="Merle" last="Hans"] has been a spark for Wildwood this season. RJ Mustaro and Cade Regan will have to step up their games as Gloucester Catholic looks to knock off Wildwood at home.