Group 4 Teams to Watch This Season

<p>The high school basketball season in the Garden State is finally here with tryouts starting today. Coaches are looking forward to getting their teams ready for the upcoming season. Group 4 has a bunch of teams ready to make deep runs in the postseason tournament. Here are the Group 4 teams to watch this season.</p> <p><strong>Elizabeth</strong></p> <p>The Minutemen are the reigning North 2 Group 4 sectional champions and are looking to retain their title this season. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1147089" first="Etienne" last="Richelieu"] </strong>is the team’s top returning scorer and he can score in a variety of ways in the half court. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1013067" first="Sebastian" last="Robinson"]</strong> should get more shots on the offensive end, while <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="902742" first="Delroy" last="Smith"]</strong> looks to get mor touches down low. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1153987" first="London" last="Carson"]</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1153979" first="Jaden" last="Barnett"]</strong> are sophomores to watch, while senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="901975" first="Zy’ree" last="Beverly"] </strong>provides more size down low. Elizabeth have the combination of size, athleticism and talent to take home the Group 4 title.</p> <p><strong>Newark East Side</strong></p> <p>The Red Raiders are the last Group 4 champion to compete in the Tournament of Champions and have the opportunity to do so again in 2021-22. Senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="850674" first="David" last="Olaniyi"] </strong>is the go-to guy on the perimeter as he can put up points in bunches, but also run the offense effectively. Junior forward <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="902743" first="Quatrell" last="Wilson"]</strong> is ready for an expanded role in the offense with his combination of length and athleticism. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1150278" first="Sutan" last="Fitzpatrick"] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="933715" first="Nasir" last="Wheeler"]</strong> are a pair of gritty guard prospects that make plays on defense. Newark East Side is ready for a big 2021-22 season and should contend for a sectional Group 4 title.</p> <p><strong>Marlboro</strong></p> <p>The Mustangs return basically everyone from last year’s team and they should be one of the favorites to take home the Central Jersey Group 4 title. Small forward <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="931028" first="Jack" last="Seidler"]</strong> is a Shore Conference Player of the Year contender as he can score through contact, knock down jumpers in the mid-range and finish around the rim. Point guard <strong>Jon Spatola </strong>is tough to contain off the bounce and plays with great energy on both ends of the floor. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1028018" first="Jay" last="Ratner"]</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1203281" first="Zach" last="Molod"]</strong> give the team more depth and scoring on the perimeter. Marlboro are led by Seidler and Spatola, who are looking to end their varsity careers on a high note after losing in the sectional final in 2020.</p> <p><strong>Westfield</strong></p> <p>The Blue Devils had a historic 2019-20 season and are looking to build upon it in 2021-22. Davidson signee <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1018572" first="Sean" last="Logan"]</strong> is one of the forwards in New Jersey as he runs the floor hard, swats everything around the basket and hit jumpers from behind the arc. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1146391" first="Zander" last="Barraza"]</strong> stretches the floor with his shooting, while Cornell soccer commit <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1016687" first="Ryan" last="Friedberg"]</strong> provides the team with length and athleticism on the perimeter. Junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1269793" first="Theo" last="Sica"]</strong> is in store for a breakout season with his combination of shooting and ball-handling. Westfield has a chance to make a deep run in the sectional tournament, especially with Logan manning the paint.</p> <p><strong>Cherry Hill East</strong></p> <p>The Cougars lost in the 2020 South Jersey Group 4 title game and are looking to avenge that loss this season. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="931022" first="Drew" last="Greene"] </strong>runs the offense effectively with his nice handle and willingness to get his teammates involved in the half court. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1013040" first="Jake" last="Green"]</strong> is a marksman from deep with a quick release and an ability to get hot from distance in a hurry. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1045716" first="EJ" last="Matthews-Spratley"] </strong>is a skilled guard prospect who can finish around the basket and draw contact close to the rim. Cherry Hill East is a team to watch in South Jersey this season with their combination of talent and experience.</p>