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" | SF
St. Peter's Prep | 2023
State
NJ
and
Jackson Tindall
Jackson
Tindall
6'7" | SF
St. Peter's Prep | 2023
State
NJ
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
6'0" | PG
Hudson Catholic | 2024
State
#26
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
State
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.