South Jersey Forwards to Watch at the End of Week 1

<p>The high school basketball season has gotten off to a hot start with teams exploding out of the gate. Players are starting to get their groove as the opening week of the season is coming to a close. The forward group in South Jersey are ready to end the week in style before the break for Christmas and Holiday Tournaments. Here are the South Jersey forwards to watch at the end of week 1 of Garden State basketball.</p> <p><strong>Cam Stewart, 6’9 PF/C Trenton Catholic 2022</strong></p> <p>Stewart is the main guy down low for the Iron Mikes and he will be tested down low by a talented Olympus Prep front court. The 6’9 post has a strong frame, which he uses to get position down low on both ends of the floor. Stewart has a nice touch around the basket and is a solid passer out of the post. He fights for rebounds on both ends of the floor and uses his size to alter shots on the defensive end. Stewart will face-off against <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1269659" first="Babacar" last="Mbengue"]</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1052300" first="Charles" last="Nelle"]</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1269658" first="Timothy" last="Charles"]</strong> down low, which will be a good test for him to end the first week of the basketball season.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1083344" first="Ife" last="Okebiorun"], 6’6 PF St. Augustine 2023</strong></p> <p>Okebiorun has had a strong start to the season and is looking to continue his play against Millville. The 6’6 power forward runs the floor hard, creating easy opportunities for himself around the basket. Okebiorun can finish around the basket and draws contact around the rim. He is a strong rebounder and is a good post defender. Okebiorun is starting to get more touches on the offensive end, which will only make his stock rise over the course of the year.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1146496" first="Cameron" last="Downs"], 6’4 SF Pemberton 2022</strong></p> <p>Downs opened off his season with a bang as he dropped 36 points and 14 rebounds and should continue to put up big numbers. The 6’4 forward is at his best attacking the basket as he is a strong finisher and does not mind drawing contact. Downs is also capable of hitting jumpers in the mid-range and is working on becoming a more consistent shooter from deep. He attacks the glass on both ends of the floor and makes plays on the defensive end. Downs is a two-way wing prospect who should have a strong season for Pemberton in 2021-22.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1013050" first="Andrew" last="Ball"], 6’8 SF Shawnee 2022</strong></p> <p>Ball is one of the top forwards in the state and should put it on display this weekend. The Monmouth commit has a clean release on his jumper and can knock down triples in bunches. Ball can also score in the mid-range and uses his size to shoot over smaller defenders. He moves well off the ball and has the length to defend multiple positions. Ball is a big-time shooter who should continue to have good games for Shawnee this season.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="901977" first="Mehki" last="Bassett"], 6’3 SF Collingswood 2022</strong></p> <p>Bassett has started off his senior season on fire with two 25-point games in three outings. The 6’3 wing is at his best attacking the basket as he is a good finisher and is unafraid of drawing contact on his way to the rim. Bassett is more than just a slasher as he can knock down open jumpers from distance and has a quick release on his shot. He is an underrated passer and a good rebounder. Bassett has been lighting up the scoreboard for Collingswood this season and it should continue throughout the course of the season.</p>