Dark Horse TOC Teams

Joe Esquivel-Murphy November 18, 2021 @ 09:34 AM

The Tournament of Champions has been the Garden State’s defining tool of determining which basketball team is best. The NJSIAA passed new rulings which could eliminate the tournament in the 2022-23 academic year, meaning this could be the last Tournament of Champions title. Camden, Roselle Catholic, Gill St. Bernard’s and Bergen Catholic are the top four contenders to take home, but there are a couple of dark horses that can make noise. Here are the top dark horse contenders for the TOC.

St. Peter’s Prep

The Marauders are not truly a dark horse contender as they should be one of the top teams in the state this season. Villanova signee Mark Armstrong Mark Armstrong 6'2" | PG St. Peter's Prep | 2022 State #39 Nation NJ runs the show for St. Peter’s Prep, but he is not the only player to watch on the perimeter. Tyler Lingham is the perfect compliment to Armstrong on the perimeter with his combination of length, shooting and talent. Matt Kinzler Matt Kinzler 6'7" | PF St. Peter's Prep | 2023 State NJ and Jackson Tindall Jackson Tindall 6'7" | PF St. Peter's Prep | 2024 New E are a pair of talented 6’7 wings that should have big junior seasons. St. Peter’s Prep made the Non-Public A North Final in 2020 and is looking to get back to the sectional final this season.

St. Thomas Aquinas

The Trojans were upset in the opening round of the 2020 state tournament and are looking forward to make a big run in 2022. Seton Hall signee Jaquan Harris Jaquan Harris 6'4" | PG St. Thomas Aquinas | 2022 State #164 Nation NJ is a mismatch in the backcourt as he uses his combination of size and athleticism to make plays. Fellow senior Adam Silas Adam Silas 6'2" | CG St. Thomas Aquinas | 2022 State NJ is capable of running the offense and moves his feet well on the defensive end. Transfers Terrell Pitts Terrell Pitts 6'4" | SG St. Thomas Aquinas | 2023 State NJ , Chris Santner Chris Santner 6'10" | PF St. Thomas Aquinas | 2023 State NJ and Jalen Pichardo Jalen Pichardo 6'6" | SF St. Thomas Aquinas | 2023 State NJ add in talent, athleticism and toughness. St. Thomas Aquinas is a team to watch as the Trojans are teamed with talent.

Westfield

The Blue Devils are one of the top teams in Group 4 this season as they are looking to improve upon their 2020 sectional semifinal. Davidson signee Sean Logan Sean Logan 6'10" | PF Westfield | 2022 State NJ had a breakout junior campaign and is one of the top forwards in the state with his ability to stretch the floor and swat shots. Zander Barraza Zander Barraza 6'0" | PG Westfield | 2022 State NJ and Theo Sica Theo Sica 6'1" | SG Westfield | 2023 State NJ provide Westfield with additional shooting, which should give Logan more space to operate. Cornell soccer commit Ryan Friedberg Ryan Friedberg 6'4" | SG Westfield | 2022 State NJ gives the team more athleticism on the perimeter. Westfield will be a team to watch this season as the Blue Devils look to make noise in Union County this season.

Hudson Catholic

The Hawks are an exciting team to watch as they are filled with talent. Tahaad Pettiford Tahaad Pettiford 6'1" | PG Hudson Catholic | 2024 State #27 Nation NJ is an absolute gamer who controls the tempo of the offense, while Elijah Gertrude Elijah Gertrude 6'4" | SG Hudson Catholic | 2023 State #145 Nation NJ provides toughness, athleticism and defense. Xavier Edwards Xavier Edwards 6'3" | SF Hudson Catholic | 2022 State NJ scraps for rebounds down low, despite standing only 6’3, while Aaron Davis Aaron Davis 6'5" | SF Hudson Catholic | 2023 PA gives Hudson Catholic more explosive in the half court. Newcomers Omari Moore and Maurice McKnight Maurice McKnight 5'10" | PG Hudson Catholic | 2023 State NJ are good compliments to Pettiford in the backcourt, while Ricardo Gomez Ricardo Gomez 6'8" | PF Hudson Catholic | 2022 State NJ provides size of the bench. Hudson Catholic should challenge St. Peter’s Prep as the top team in Hudson County this season.

Lenape

The Indians fell to eventual South Jersey Group 4 champion Atlantic City in 2020 and they are looking to avenge that loss this season. Rutgers signee Derek Simpson Derek Simpson 6'3" | PG Lenape | 2022 State NJ has been the go-to guy for Lenape since his debut season and can score in a variety of ways. Tayvon Gaither Tayvon Gaither 6'3" | SG Lenape | 2022 State NJ compliments Simpson nicely as the 6’3 wing is a strong rebounder and can finish through contact around the basket. Aidan Anderson Aidan Anderson 6'2" | SG Lenape | 2022 State NJ provides the team with shooting on the perimeter, along with toughness on the defensive end. Lenape is a team to watch in South Jersey as Simpson looks to end his varsity career with a sectional title.