Holiday Tournament Match-ups to Watch
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The end of the season is always an exciting time as teams across the state compete in holiday tournaments. They provide opportunities for players to make a name for themselves before the start of the new year. Here are the…
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Continue ReadingThe end of the season is always an exciting time as teams across the state compete in holiday tournaments. They provide opportunities for players to make a name for themselves before the start of the new year. Here are the holiday tournament matchups to watch.
Ramapo vs. Gill St. Bernard’s: Peyton Seals Peyton Seals 6'4" | SG Ramapo | 2024 State NJ -Mario Castro
Ramapo and Gill St. Bernard’s is one of the top games to watch as it features two of the better teams in North Jersey. Seals has a good handle, which he uses to get by his defender and finish around the basket. Castro is a sharpshooter from distance as he has a quick release on his shot and can knock down jumpers in bunches. They both move well off the ball and are good rebounders for guards. Wyatt Engliton-Manner and Jon Ismalji are also talented guards to watch in the game as Ramapo and Gill St. Bernard’s should be a fun game to watch.
Union Catholic vs. Saddle River Day: Yaw Ansong Yaw Ansong 6'11" | C Union Catholic | 2025 State #345 Nation NJ – Parker Neuenhaus Parker Neuenhaus 6'9" | PF Saddle River Day | 2023 State NJ
Union Catholic and Saddle River Day also features skilled guards on the perimeter, but the matchup down low will be the one to watch. Neuenhaus knows how to get position down low and has a good touch around the basket. The 6’9 lefty is also effective in the pick-and-roll game as he sets good screens and can knock down open jumpers from behind the arc. Ansong is a long defender who skies for rebounds and blocks almost everything around the basket. Farouk Muntari Farouk Muntari 6'8" | PF Union Catholic | 2025 State NJ and Terrance Wood Terrance Wood 6'6" | PF Union Catholic | 2024 State NJ will also defend Neuenhaus in the post as the Vikings look to end their losing streak.
South River vs. St. Joe’s Metuchen: Alex Grospe Alex Grospe 5'10" | PG South River | 2025 State NJ – Jeremy Clayville Jeremy Clayville 6'1" | CG St. Joe's Metuchen | 2024 State NJ
This GMC matchup may fly under the radar, but Grospe and Clayville are guards to keep an eye on. The former is a true point guard prospect who does not get rattled by on-ball pressure and can thread passes to his open teammates. Grospe has a good shooting stroke and shoots the ball with confidence from distance. Clayville has a lighting quick release on his shot and has the ability to play on or off the ball. The Rams and Falcons will be looking to end their 2022 season on a high note as both teams have high expectations for the postseason tournament.
Pennington vs. Trenton: Brandon Russell– Davontay Hutson Davontay Hutson 6'2" | SG Trenton | 2023 State NJ
This Mercer County matchup will be one to watch as it features an intriguing matchup between Russell and Hutson. The latter attacks the basket with a purpose as he is a strong finisher in the paint and is unafraid of contact. Russell has a good handle, which he uses to beat his defender off the bounce and finish around the basket. They are both strong rebounders and move their feet well on the defensive end. Pennington and Trenton should be a fun game to watch as both teams have the chance to put up points in bunches.
Snyder vs. Roselle: Ahmad Robertson Ahmad Robertson 5'10" | PG Snyder | 2023 State NJ – Isaiah Fuller Isaiah Fuller 5'11" | PG Roselle | 2023 State NJ
This undefeated matchup is one to track as it features a pair of intriguing lead guards to watch. Fuller is lightning quick with the ball in his hands as he routinely knows how to get to the rim and finish. The 5’10 lefty is more than just a slasher as he has a nice release on his jumper and sets his feet before he shoots. Robertson has a good handle, which he uses to get into the lane to make plays. Snyder and Roselle will be a game to watch as both teams look to maintain their unbeaten start to the season.