Dark Horse Teams That Could Take Home a State Title

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The high school hoops season in the Garden State is right around the corner with tryouts starting in a week and a half. Teams around the state are gearing up to make deep runs in the postseason. Here are the dark horse teams that could take home a state title in 2022-23.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Group 1: Shore Regional</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Blue Devils fell in the quarterfinals of the Central Jersey Group 1 Tournament last season, and they return all five of their top scorers from 2021-22. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1273929' first='Alex' last='George'] </strong>returns to run the offense and he is at his best attacking the basket and can finish around the rim. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1019862' first='Liam' last='Gajewski'] </strong>provides Shore Regional with toughness and shooting on the perimeter and moves well without the ball in his hands. Seniors <strong>Brett Sweeney </strong>and <strong>Richard Studer</strong> provide the Blue Devils with needed toughness on the perimeter. Shore Regional has the opportunity to take home the Central Jersey Group 1 as reigning champion Burlington City moved into South Jersey Group 1 this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Group 2: Newark Central</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's hard to be considered a dark horse after winning 27 games the year before and losing to Camden in the Group 2 final, but that's the spot Newark Central is in this season. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1150532' first='Hazir' last='Lee'] </strong>is the team's leading returning scorer, who attacks the basket with a purpose as he is a good finisher around the rim and can draw contact in the paint. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1050411' first='Khalil' last='Sanders']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1050410' first='Khalid' last='Sanders']</strong> provide a scoring punch on the perimeter as they can both get to the rim and knock down open jumpers behind the arc. The loss of <strong>Jakai Irby</strong> down low is a big loss, so <strong>Dyaire Flood </strong>and <strong>Yasyn Cox</strong> will have to step up. Newark Central has the potential to repeat as sectional champions with its talented backcourt trio.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Group 3: Hamilton West</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Hornets lost a heartbreaker to Brick Memorial last season and they have a chance to make a deep run in the state tournament this season. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1547463' first='Mekhi' last='Lott']</strong> will have an extended role in the Hornets' offense with his nice release and can get hot from distance in a hurry. Trenton Catholic transfer <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1156892' first='Devyn' last='Wright-Myles']</strong> provides the Hornets with athleticism and explosion on the perimeter as he will be tough to stop on the perimeter. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1407071' first='Hyshon' last='Cannon']</strong> will be one to watch in Mercer County as he can get to the rim and finish, but also knock down jumpers on the perimeter. Hamilton West will be one to watch in Group 3 as the Hornets have the potential to get hot at the right time.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Group 4: Newark East Side</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Red Raiders haven't won a sectional title since 2019 and they have a senior crew looking to break that streak in 2022-23. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1150278' first='Sutan' last='Fitzpatrick'] </strong>returns to run the offense and is tough to stop with his combination of skill and quickness. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='902743' first='Quatrell' last='Wilson']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1472516' first='David' last='Ekhelar']</strong> are poised for breakout seasons as they are both long forward prospects who influence shots around the basket. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1407084' first='Amir' last='Abdullah'] </strong>is a sharpshooter from distance and works nicely with Fitzpatrick in the backcourt. Newark East Side is looking to end its state title drought this season and they have the talent to do so.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Non-Public A: St. Peter's Prep</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Non-Public A is littered with good options and the Marauders have the talent to make a deep run in the state tournament. Forwards <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1206534' first='Jackson' last='Tindall']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='902738' first='Matt' last='Kinzler']</strong> provide St. Peter's Prep with length and shooting in the front court, which should help extend the defense in the half court. Xaverian transfer <strong>Nico Pena</strong> will be one to watch as he has a good handle and knows how to finish around the basket. Freshmen <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1609109' first='Richie' last='Rosa'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1595680' first='Mason' last='Santiago']</strong> both know how to finish around the basket and can knock down open jumpers on the perimeter. St. Peter's Prep should make noise in the county and state tournament as the Marauders look to reclaim the Hudson County Tournament title.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Non-Public B: St. Rose</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Purple Roses are a team to watch in the Shore Conference as they should be one of the top teams in the conference all season. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1580579' first='Matt' last='Hodge']</strong> will be tough to stop as the 6'8 forward can play inside and out, along with the ability to swat shots around the basket. Younger brother <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1580578' first='Jayden' last='Hodge']</strong> has a smooth release on his jumper and does not get rattled easily by on-ball pressure. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1153991' first='Gio' last='Panzini']</strong> provides the Purple Roses with toughness and athleticism on the perimeter, while <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1411624' first='Peter' last='Mauro'] </strong>runs the show for them all season. St. Rose will be tough to stop in Non-Public B South as the Purple Roses have the opportunity to make the sectional final for the first time in over a decade.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->