Opening Night Matchups to Watch

<p>The beginning of the high school basketball season is almost here with high schools across the Garden State tipping off on Friday. The opening slate of games is full of intriguing matchups, which is perfect to kick off the 2021-22 season. Here are the top matchups to watch on the opening night of the season.</p> <p><strong>Roselle Catholic vs. Camden: [player_tooltip player_id="850752" first="Simeon" last="Wilcher"]/ [player_tooltip player_id="850751" first="Dajuan" last="Wagner Jr"].</strong></p> <p>This game could be a preview of the Tournament of Champions final, and it houses the most intriguing matchup on the opening night. Wilcher runs the offense effectively for the Lions as he makes good decisions with the ball in his hands and scores when his team needs to most. The North Carolina commit is a good defender and can defend multiple positions with his size and length. Wagner Jr. is a big-time scorer who can hit shots at all levels and make layups through contact around the basket. Both players should contend for All-State honors as they should star in an entertaining game to open the year.</p> <p><strong>Union vs. Marlboro: [player_tooltip player_id="1013069" first="Malachi" last="Johnson"]/ Jon Spatola</strong></p> <p>Union against Marlboro is an interesting matchup as it features two point guards that lead their teams in different ways. Johnson is at best attacking the basket as he is a good finisher and does not mind drawing contact. Spatola plays with a motor that does not stop on either end of the floor, which makes it hard for defenders to keep him out of the lane. The 5’8 guard plays with confidence as he is unafraid of taking big shots in clutch situations. Johnson and Spatola should be a fun lead guard matchup to watch as they look to give their teams a 1-0 start to the season.</p> <p><strong>Montclair Immaculate vs. Newark East Side: [player_tooltip player_id="1150465" first="Tavian" last="Pullock"]/ [player_tooltip player_id="902743" first="Quatrell" last="Wilson"]</strong></p> <p>This is a big-time matchup in the SEC as two perennial powers in the conference face off to kick off the year. Pullock is a lanky wing prospect who knows how to finish above the rim and score around the basket. Wilson attacks the basket hard and knows how to draw contact around the rim. They both are good rebounders who have the potential to defend different positions on the floor due to their athleticism and length. Pullock and Wilson are a pair of intriguing wings that should lead to an intriguing opening matchup in the SEC.</p> <p><strong>South Brunswick vs. JP Stevens: [player_tooltip player_id="1025373" first="Yathin" last="Vemula"]/ [player_tooltip player_id="1013102" first="Keyshawn" last="Winchester"]</strong></p> <p>This GMC matchup might not jump off the page, but it’s a game that features under the radar teams in Group 4. Vemula is a big game player as he knocked down the game-winning layup in the Central Jersey Group 4 championship in 2020. He has a quick release on his jumper and has a nice handle. Winchester is a scoring lead guard with a good shooting stroke and an ability to finish around the basket. Vemula and Winchester are good lead guard prospects who are set to lead their teams in 2021-22.</p> <p><strong>Holmdel vs. CBA: [player_tooltip player_id="1050398" first="Nick" last="Seeloch"]/ [player_tooltip player_id="1213556" first="Peter" last="Noble"]</strong></p> <p>This Shore Conference game is intriguing as it features floor generals of the future for the Conference. Seeloch plays with confidence with the ball in his hands and has a good handle to get by his defender. Noble is a creative point guard as he can blow by his defender of the bounce and is unafraid to pull up from distance. Both players are good passers who know how to get their teammates involved in the half court. Seeloch and Noble are two talented young point guards to watch in the Shore Conference, who should have an interesting opening night battle.</p>