Conference Title Match-ups to Watch

<p>The final weekend of the 2021 season is upon as some teams are fighting for the chance to win their playoff pod. The match-ups in the playoff pods are full of intrigue, creating a perfect end to the season. Here are the top conference title match-ups to watch this weekend.</p> <p><strong>Colonia vs. St. Thomas Aquinas: [player_tooltip player_id="1017710" first="Jordan" last="Derkack"] vs. [player_tooltip player_id="1013044" first="Adam" last="Silas"]</strong></p> <p>The loss of star junior guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="787644" first="Jaquan" last="Harris"]</strong> hurts the Trojans, but their backcourt of Silas and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="900317" first="Kyree" last="Henry"]</strong> is enough to do damage in any game. The former has been running the show as he is averaging nearly five assists per game, but he also has the ability to get to the basket and score. Silas will have his hands full with Derkack, who has done a little bit of everything for the Patriots. The athletic 6’3 guard plays with confidence on the offensive end as he has the ability to finish above the rim, knock down triples or find his open teammates. The individual battle between Derkack and Silas will be fun to watch in the GMC Karl Towns/Jay Williams pod.</p> <p><strong>Manasquan vs. Marlboro: [player_tooltip player_id="901942" first="Ben" last="Roy"] vs. Jon Spatola</strong></p> <p>The Warriors have not lost to a Shore Conference opponent in two years and Roy is looking to maintain that streak into his senior season. The reigning Shore Conference Player of the Year leads the conference in scoring as he can score at all three levels and shoots the ball with confidence. Roy will be challenged by Spatola who seems to play his best basketball on the biggest stage. He dropped 21 points in the second half in the Mustangs’ upset win over Ranney as he went a perfect 10-10 from the foul line. The point guard clash in the Shore Conference pod A will be a heavyweight fight that should go down to the end.</p> <p><strong>Overbrook vs. Wildwood: [player_tooltip player_id="1031004" first="Damian" last="Rawls"] vs. [player_tooltip player_id="1142786" first="Diante" last="Miles"]</strong></p> <p>It’s a shame that there is no sectional playoffs, but the consolation is the matchup between two of the top Group 1 schools in South Jersey. The Rams are led by Rawls who is a dangerous scorer with three 30-point games this season. The 6’1 guard is at his best attacking the basket, but he is also capable of knocking down jumpers from distance. Miles leads the scoring charge for Wildwood as he is adept at getting into the lane and making plays. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1083343" first="Omarion" last="McNeal"] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1012971" first="Seamus" last="Fynes"]</strong> will make a big impact in the game, but the battle between Rawls and Miles will decide the game.</p> <p><strong>Watchung Hills vs. Rutgers Prep: [player_tooltip player_id="1039493" first="Elijah" last="Lewis"] vs. [player_tooltip player_id="901961" first="Ryan" last="Petit"]</strong></p> <p>This game was filled with so many intriguing match-ups to watch, but the clash of 2022 guards cannot be passed up. Lewis has been the breakout player of the Skyland Conference as he has emerged as a play-maker for the Warriors. The 6’3 guard attacks the basket with a purpose and is unafraid of drawing contact on his way to the rim. Petit is a sniper from distance, but the lefty guard is a bulldog on the defensive end and is always one of the first players on the floor. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="850507" first="Noah" last="Harris"]</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="929528" first="Trevor" last="Bokach"]</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="900332" first="Chad" last="Martini"]</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="901974" first="Donovan" last="Long"]</strong> will all make their marks on the game, but the main attraction is the individual match-up between Lewis and Petit.</p> <p><strong>Robbinsville vs. Nottingham: Brian Herbert vs. [player_tooltip player_id="900323" first="Donavin" last="Crawford"]</strong></p> <p>This CVC match-up was split in the regular season, so this pod matchup will be the rubber match. Herbert has emerged as a trusted scorer on the perimeter for the Ravens as he has a quick release and can get hot from distance in a hurry. He moves well off the ball and is a good rebounder for a guard. Crawford knows how to finish around the rim, but he is also a knockdown shooter from distance. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="933639" first="Ryan" last="Smith"] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="933645" first="Brandon" last="Raba"]</strong> are the leaders of their teams, but Herbert and Crawford are the difference-makers in the game.</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Other Match-ups to Watch:</strong></span></p> <p><strong>Morris Catholic vs. Pequannock: Omarion Jett vs. [player_tooltip player_id="1013043" first="Ethan" last="Sutherland"]</strong></p> <p><strong>Rumson Fair-Haven vs. Wall: [player_tooltip player_id="1027924" first="Jackson" last="Patton"] vs. [player_tooltip player_id="901981" first="Colin" last="Ackerman"]</strong></p> <p><strong>Bound Brook vs. Immaculata: [player_tooltip player_id="900322" first="Davie" last="McLarty"] vs. [player_tooltip player_id="931021" first="Darren" last="Tuck"]</strong></p> <p><strong>Hamilton West vs. Hightstown: [player_tooltip player_id="1142781" first="Jack" last="Boufford"] vs. [player_tooltip player_id="1017709" first="Spencer" last="Kenny"]</strong></p> <p><strong>East Brunswick vs. North Brunswick: Devin Kennedy vs. [player_tooltip player_id="1034375" first="Donovan" last="Crawford"]</strong></p>