Group 1 Players to Watch

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The first games of the high school basketball season are creeping closer as the opening games tipoff in a little over a week. Group 1 has the potential to be entertaining after Paterson Charter graduated most of its roster from last season's 31-2 team. Here are the players to watch in Group 1 this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1413226' first='Nahsirr' last='Hart'], 6'7 PF Keyport 2025</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Keyport graduates most of its starting lineup from last season, leaving a huge responsibility for Hart to steer the offense in 2022-23. The lanky 6'7 forward has a good face-up game as he can put the ball on the floor and knock down open jumpers from behind the arc. Hart has a nice touch around the basket and runs the floor hard to get easy baskets for himself in transition. He skies for rebounds on both ends of the floor and influences the game on the defensive end with his length. Hart should put up huge numbers for Keyport this season as he looks to lead the Red Raiders back to the Central Jersey Group 1 final.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1466414' first='Adrian' last='Mouzone'], 5'11 PG Paterson Charter 2023</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mouzone is the Lions' top returning scorer and will shoulder a bigger scoring load in his senior season. The 5'11 guard has a good handle, which he uses to beat his defender off the bounce and finish around the basket. Mouzone rarely forces the issue in the half court and rises up with confidence on his jumper. He is a solid rebounder for a guard and knows how to get deflections on the defensive end. Mouzone will be tasked with running Paterson Charter's offense as he looks to help the Lions repeat as Group 1 champions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1407072' first='Rahmire' last='Sanon-Kelly'], 6'1 SG University 2024</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sanon-Kelly will be the go-to guy for the Phoenix on the perimeter as they graduate their top four scorers from last season. The 6'1 guard has a nice release on his jumper and sets his feet before he shoots. Sanon-Kelly moves well without the ball in his hands and knows how to finish around the basket. He is an underrated passer and moves his feet on the defensive end. Sanon-Kelly will be one to watch in Essex County as he gets more touches on the offensive end.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1400495' first='Devin' last='Kimmick'], 6'3 SG New Egypt 2023</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kimmick had a strong 2022-23 season for the Warriors and should have an even bigger senior season for them. The 6'3 guard has a quick release on his jumper and can knock down triples in bunches when given space. Kimmick is more than just a shooter as he can also finish around the basket and is unafraid of contact. He works hard on the glass at both ends of the floor and is an underrated defender. Kimmick dropped 30 points in the Central Jersey Group 1 semifinals against Keyport and should eclipse the 1,000-point mark when the season is over.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1456810' first='Keanu' last='Ray'], 6'2 SG Weehawken 2023</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ray had a strong junior campaign for Weehawken and is looking to duplicate his success in 2022-23. The 6'2 guard has a nice release on his jumper and can get hot in a hurry as he had three games with at least five made threes. Ray is more than just a shooter as he can get into the lane and finish around the basket. He is a solid rebounder for a guard and is capable of running the offense in a pinch. Ray's ability to put up points in bunches is something that will be key to Weehawken's success this season as he is looking to end his varsity career on a high note.</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='1206544' first='Kevin' last='Burns'], 6'0 PG Point Pleasant Beach 2023</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1214158' first='Anthony' last='Farmer'], 5'10 PG Salem 2024</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2339142' first='Jackson' last='Reicherz'], 6'3 SG Cresskill 2025</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1273929' first='Alex' last='George'], 6'2 SG Shore 2024</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1051496' first='Merle' last='Hans'], 5'10 PG Wildwood 2024</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->