2024 South Jersey Guards to Watch

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The upcoming basketball season is full of intrigue as teams are getting ready for a big 2022-23 season. The rising junior class is looking to make their mark, including South Jersey. Here are the 2024 South Jersey guards to watch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1050413' first='Elijah' last='Brown'], 6'4 SG St. Augustine</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Brown had a solid summer with Philly Pride, and it should carry over into the winter with the Hermits. The 6'4 guard attacks the basket with a purpose and is capable of finishing through contact. Brown is more than just a slasher as he has a nice release on his jumper and can knock down open jumpers on the perimeter. He skies for rebounds on both ends of the floor and can defend multiple positions. Brown is an athletic, two-way guard who should make plays for the Hermits in 2022-23.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1273928' first='Jermaine' last='McNeil'], 5'10 PG Middle Township</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>McNeil led the Tigers in scoring last season and should do it again in 2022-23. The 5'10 guard has a quick first step and a good handle, which he uses to blow by his defender and get to the rim. McNeil plays with confidence with the ball in his hands as he is unafraid of pulling up in transition and has a nice release on his jumper. He is a solid rebounder for a guard his size and is an underrated passer. McNeil is a scoring lead guard who should have a strong junior campaign for Middle Township.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1406997' first='Izaiah' last='Cannon'], 6'4 SG Olympus Prep</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cannon is an intriguing prospect to watch in the 2024 class as he can impact the game in a number of ways. The 6'4 guard knows how to push the tempo in transition and knows how to finish around the basket. Cannon has a nice release on his jumper and is able to get to his spot on the floor in the half court. He has the length to defend multiple guard spots and moves well without the ball in his hands. Cannon is a lanky guard prospect who can make plays at both ends of the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1051496' first='Merle' last='Hans'], 5'10 PG Wildwood</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hans had a breakout 2021-22 season, and it should lead to a bigger junior campaign. The 5'10 guard explodes to the basket as he has a good handle and consistently gets to the free throw line. Hans has a good touch on his floater and can get hot from distance in a hurry. He gets his teammates involved in the half court and plays with quick hands on defense. Hans had 10 20-point games last season and should eclipse that mark in 2022-23 with his ability to score the ball at all three levels.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1406998' first='Semaj' last='Bethea'], 5'10 PG St. Augustine</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bethea had a good debut season for the Hermits as he helped control the pace of the game. The 5'10 guard knows how to get to the basket and is unafraid of drawing contact in the paint. Bethea is more than just a slasher as he can also score in the mid-range and shoots the ball with confidence. He is a solid passer and has a good chemistry with Brown. Bethea and Brown will be a guard duo to watch in the Cape-Atlantic league as they look to lead St. Augustine deep into the postseason.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Other Prospects to Watch:</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1273900' first='Taron' last='Murray'], 6'3 CG Camden</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1214158' first='Anthony' last='Farmer'], 5'10 PG Salem</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1407095' first='Cohen' last='Cook'], 6'0 PG Mainland</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1407069' first='Rece' last='Englehart'], SG Moorestown</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1407100' first='Tye' last='Dorset'], 6'2 SG Lenape</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->