An Early Look at Non-Public Groups With the Watson Bros Decision

<p>Garden State basketball was hit with a big news yesterday as <strong>Akil </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1050391" first="Tarik" last="Watson"]</strong> decided to transfer to Roselle Catholic from Don Bosco Prep. The move could not have come at a better time as the Lions lost <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="787669" first="Corey" last="Floyd Jr"]. </strong> to reclassifying up to go to UConn early last week. Roselle Catholic needed someone to step up inside with the graduation of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="900335" first="Derrick" last="Bueno"]</strong>, which they got in the Watson brothers.</p> <p>Akil can play on the wing as he can beat his defender off the bounce and has a nice release on his jumper. He pairs nicely with fellow rising junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="850752" first="Simeon" last="Wilcher"]</strong>, creating one of the most dynamic 2023 duos in the nation. The additions of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1153997" first="Jaiden" last="Glover"] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="901992" first="Braxton" last="Jones"]</strong> on the perimeter makes the Lions tough to stop on a nightly basis.</p> <p>Tarik has the ability to play on the perimeter as well, but is more than adept at playing inside due to his physical frame. The 6’7 forward has a nice touch around the basket and can knock down jumpers in the mid-range. He and fellow rising sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1050409" first="Richard" last="Brisco"]</strong> gives Roselle Catholic an athletic front court, which should create havoc for teams across New Jersey.</p> <p>Don Bosco Prep took the biggest hits as the Ironmen have to replace their production inside some how. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1153959" first="Dylan" last="Harper"] </strong>returns to carry the scoring load as the 6’4 guard can score in a variety of ways. He has a clean shooting stroke, but can also attack the basket off the bounce and draw contact.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1153958" first="Isaiah" last="Brown"]</strong> should take a big jump as well as he will get more looks on the offensive end. The 6’0 guard has a nice handle and knows how to finish around the basket. Brown played with Harper this summer for NJ Legacy, so their chemistry together will be one to watch.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1150263" first="Evan" last="Cabral"] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1013059" first="Nick" last="Koch"]</strong> are names to watch this season as both players will be tasked with more responsibilities. The former is a gritty guard prospect who is at his best attacking the basket and can finish through contact. Koch can make plays off the bounce and can hit open jumpers from distance when given space.</p> <p>The Non-Public B title will be hotly contested this season with Roselle Catholic and Gill St. Bernard’s as the favorites to make the TOC. The potential battles between the Watson brothers, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="902732" first="Mackenzie" last="Mgbako"] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="902746" first="Naasir" last="Cunningham"]</strong> are exciting to think about as all four players are high major recruits. Throw in the point guard matchup between Wilcher and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="850666" first="Denver" last="Anglin"]</strong> and you have a can’t miss game in the Garden State. </p> <p>Non-Public A should be a fun game to watch as well as Bergen Catholic and St. Peter’s Prep look to be the teams to beat. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="850662" first="Will" last="Richardson"] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="850664" first="Mark" last="Armstrong"] </strong>did not disappoint as they combined for 49 points in an overtime thriller won by Bergen Catholic to decide the 2020 sectional title. Seton Hall Prep and St. Joseph(Mont.) are teams to pay attention to as they have the potential to pull off an upset or two in the state tournament.</p> <p>The Non-Public tournaments are always full of excitement and this year should be no different with the additions of the Watson brothers.</p>