2024 Stock Rising Guards

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The class of 2024 got a taste of the big time as sophomores but will be given rapidly expanding roles as juniors. Today we feature five players who will be given major responsibilities by their coaches this coming season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1153981' first='Luke' last='Gaccione']</strong>| 5'10” | G| Saint Mary's Rutherford</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gaccione had the poise of a four year senior starter as a sophomore and was the lead guard for the Gaels backcourt. A crafty, smart lefty with a solid basketball IQ. He can facilitate with his above average passing skills and is also a scoring threat at multiple levels with a good release on his shot. He had great games vs Group I Champs Paterson Charter(19 and 17) and went over 20 several times. He's got two more seasons to grow into one of the top small school players in Bergen County and the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1401992' first='LJ' last='Falconi']</strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/lj-falconi/"><strong></strong><strong></strong><strong></strong></a><a></a>&nbsp;| 6'4” | G | Saint Mary's Rutherford</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Like his teammate Gaccione, Falconi had a great sophomore year and was poised beyond his years. He's a strong, big guard who showcased his abilities primarily as a slasher but showed he can get hot in a hurry and hit shots from beyond the arc. He had 27 vs North Arlington and 14 vs Paterson Charter. Part of a host of college prospects at the Rutherford Catholic school, one of the few remaining "small parish" High Schools in the state. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1406995' first='Eugene' last='Byass']<a href="https://prephoops.com/player/eugene-byass/"><strong></strong><strong></strong><strong></strong></a><a></a>&nbsp;</strong>| 6'0” | G | East Orange</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A physical guard with a solid physical build which should allow him to be a key player for EOC this coming season. He's got the ability to drive at the basket, breaking down defenders off the dribble and scoring with his physicality and also can step back and shoot. His top games as a sophomore were vs Franklin(17) and Paramus Catholic(25)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1153979' first='Jaden' last='Barnett']<a href="https://prephoops.com/player/jaden-barnett/"><strong></strong><strong></strong><strong></strong></a><a></a>&nbsp;</strong>| 5'10”&nbsp; | G | Elizabeth</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Barnett saw some time off the bench for the Minutemen as they won the state Group IV Title. He knows how to get to the basket and finish by breaking down defenders with the ball in his hands. He's a tough defender, which is standard for Union County elite programs. He can move the ball and facilitate in the half court as well. He'll be expected to step into a larger role this coming winter to support <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1153987' first='London' last='Carson']</strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/london-carson/"></a> after the transfer to RC of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1013067' first='Sebastian' last='Robinson']</strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/sebastian-robinson/"></a> .</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1466442' first='Kaiyri' last='Barkley']<a href="https://prephoops.com/player/kaiyri-barkley/"><strong></strong><strong></strong><strong></strong></a><a></a>&nbsp;</strong>&nbsp;|6'0” | G | East Orange 2024</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Barkley played a limited role as a sophomore behind some senior guards and worked in the rotation to earn minutes but he'll be in the mix for an expanded role as a junior on an EOC team that is guard heavy side, one primed to make a run in the county and state playoffs. A physical guard who gets to the rim through contact and battles hard on defense. He had 13 vs North Star and 10 vs Orange.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->