Opening Day Match-ups to Watch

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The opening day of the NJSIAA season is nearly here as the season tips off on Thursday The match-ups on the opening day are intriguing as they should be entertaining contests. Here are some opening day match-ups to watch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2><strong>Patrick School vs. Manasquan: [player_tooltip player_id='1153997' first='Jaiden' last='Glover'] vs. [player_tooltip player_id='1411404' first='Darius' last='Adams']</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Celtics have already opened their season, but this will be the Warriors' first test in the 2022-23 season. Glover is playing great to start off the season as he has knocked down jumpers from distance and is shooting the ball with confidence from distance. Adams is a smooth scorer who gets to his spot and is unafraid of taking big shots in crunch time. Both players move well without the ball in their hands and slide their feed on the defensive end. Glover and Adams are talented wing prospects who should have big games on Thursday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2><strong>Salem vs. Overbrook: [player_tooltip player_id='1214158' first='Anthony' last='Farmer'] vs. [player_tooltip player_id='933718' first='Devon' last='Johnson']</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This Tri-County battle is an intriguing matchup to watch as both players will be tasked with leading their offenses. Farmer has a good handle, which he uses to blow by his defender and finish around the basket. Johnson knows how to get to his spot on the floor and rises up nicely on his jumper. Farmer has a good release on his jumper and both players have quick hands on the defensive end. Overbrook took both matchups last season as Salem will be looking to flip the script this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2><strong>Don Bosco Prep vs. Paterson Eastside: [player_tooltip player_id='1153959' first='Dylan' last='Harper'] vs. [player_tooltip player_id='1402079' first='Bryce' last='Stokes']</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Ironmen and Ghosts both won over 20 games last season and they have the potential to do so again in 2022-23. Harper does it all on the offensive end as he can finish around the basket, hit open jumpers from deep, draw contact and facilitate the offense. Stokes attacks the basket with a purpose as he is a solid finisher around the basket and is unafraid of contact. They are both solid defenders and strong rebounder at both ends of the floor. Harper and Stokes will be leading their teams' offenses this season, creating an exciting opening day matchup.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2><strong>West Side vs. Arts: [player_tooltip player_id='1400494' first='Brandon' last='Rodriguez'] vs. [player_tooltip player_id='850762' first='Elijon' last='Nix']</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This all-Newark match-up will be entertaining to watch as both guards are set for big senior seasons. Rodriguez has a quick release on his jumper and can knock down triples in bunches. Nix has a tight handle, which he uses to blow by his defender and can finish in a variety of ways around the basket. Both players know how to get their teammates involved and get deflections on the defensive end. West Side swept the season series last season, so Arts will be looking to flip the script on opening day.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2><strong>Newark Central vs. Seton Hall Prep: [player_tooltip player_id='1150532' first='Hazir' last='Lee'] vs. [player_tooltip player_id='1013099' first='Jackson' last='Bleeker']</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A rematch of last season's Essex County title game, the Blue Devils and Pirates will be looking to kick off their 2022-23 campaigns with a win. Lee is the top returning scorer for the Blue Devils as he is at his best getting to the basket and finishing around the rim. Bleeker has a smooth release on his jumper as he wastes little motion in his jumper and can get hot from distance in a hurry. Lee is a tough on-ball defender, while Bleeker makes good decisions with the ball in his hands. Newark Central is looking for payback on Seton Hall Prep as the Blue Devils look to avenge their loss in the Essex County title game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->