Cape-Atlantic League Guards to Watch

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The basketball season is coming closer with the first games tipping off in about a month. Guard play is key to teams' success and the Cape-Atlantic League has good guards who should have strong seasons. Here are the Cape-Atlantic League guards to watch this winter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1050413' first='Elijah' last='Brown'], 6'4 SG St. Augustine 2024</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Brown led the Hermits in scoring last season and should do it again this season. The 6'4 guard attacks the basket with a purpose as he explodes off the floor for dunks and can draw contact around the basket. Brown knows how to get to his spot on the floor and moves well without the ball in his hands. He is a strong rebounder and can defend multiple positions on the floor. Brown is a two-way guard prospect whose ability to make plays at both ends of the floor is something that will help his stock in a big way.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1273928' first='Jermaine' last='McNeil'] &amp; [player_tooltip player_id='1411627' first='Jamir' last='McNeil'], Middle Township 2024/2025</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The McNeil's paced the Panthers' offense last season and will look to do so again this winter. Jermaine has a smooth release on his jumper and can shoot either off the bounce or catch. Jamir has a tight handle, which he uses to blow by his defender and finish around the basket. The sophomore uses his long arms to get deflections on defense and sets his teammates up in good spots in the half court. Middle Township is looking to make noise this season in South Jersey and should do so with the McNeil's manning the backcourt.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1017198' first='DJ' last='Germann'], 5'11 PG Egg Harbor 2023</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Germann played a key role in the Eagles' offense this season and should be the go-to guy for them in 2022-23. The 5'11 guard has a nice handle as he knows how to beat his defender off the bounce and finish around the basket. Germann is more than just a slasher as he has a good release on his jumper and can make opponents pay for giving him space on the perimeter. He rarely makes bad decisions with the ball in his hands and is an underrated defender. Germann had two 20-point games last season and should have plenty more in his senior season as he looks to eclipse the 1,000-point mark.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1013070' first='Arnaldo' last='Rodriguez'], 6'1 CG St. Joseph (Hamm.) 2023</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rodriguez did a little bit of everything for the Wildcats in 2021-22 and should do more of the same this season. The 6'1 guard is at his best attacking the basket as he is a solid finisher around the basket and is unafraid of drawing contact. Rodriguez has a good shooting stroke and can knock down shots in the mid-range. He has the ability on or off the ball and is an underrated defender. Rodriguez will be the go-to guy for St. Joseph (Hamm.) with his ability to score inside and out.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1407095' first='Cohen' last='Cook'], 6'0 PG Mainland 2024</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>No one ended last season hotter than Cook as he helped led the Mustangs to the 2022 Cape-Atlantic League title. The 6'0 guard has a nice handle, which he uses to get into the lane and finish around the basket. Cook plays under control with the ball in his hands as he is rarely rattled by on-ball pressure. He is a solid rebounder for a guard and is an underrated passer. Cook ended the year with seven 20-point games in his last eight and is looking to carry over that form into the 2022-23 season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Other Players to Watch:</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1402097' first='Jabbar' last='Barriento'], 6'2 SG Millville 2023</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1025309' first='Jayden' last='Lopez'], 5'10 PG Atlantic Tech 2023</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1531989' first='Nazir' last='Rowell'], 5'10 PG Vineland 2023</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1406998' first='Semaj' last='Bethea'], 5'10 PG St. Augustine 2024</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1150262' first='Azmir' last='Kates'], 6'1 CG Wildwood Catholic 2023</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->