Thursday Games & Players to Follow

With the Christmas tournament period fast approaching and a nasty winter storm on the way, there's a few games to get in before the Christmas break that are worth watching. We're going to hold off on a Friday feature as we're not sure which path the winter storm develops at. If there's games...We'll be back!   In a battle of North Jersey small schools, Rutherford takes on unbeaten Weehawken. RHS is led by 6'6" senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1400500' first='Tarik' last='Bicic'], a multi-level scorer and scholarship level prospect who is averaging over 20PPG through their first three games, going 2-1, with a tight loss to defending G1 Champs Paterson Charter. Weehawken counters with high scoring senior guards [player_tooltip player_id='1456810' first='Keanu' last='Ray'], who could make a run at 1,000 points, and Jack Gobel, who has surprised early this season. WHS also has a sophomore to watch in [player_tooltip player_id='2763431' first='Jayden' last='Ayala'], who is just under 15ppg to start the year.   Another NJIC battle to watch this evening is a tussle of undefeated teams as 3-0 Elmwood Park takes on 3-0 Paterson Charter. Elmwood Park is powered this season by its senior backcourt duo of [player_tooltip player_id='1401553' first='Essam' last='Assaf'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1658308' first='David' last='Forzani']. The multi-year starters are a "fire and ice" combination of scoring, rebounding and facilitation and will make EP a very tough team to beat as both are college prospects. Charter survived a scare on opening night from Bicic and Rutherford and faces another tough challenge in this one from a talented senior backcourt. [player_tooltip player_id='1466414' first='Adrian' last='Mouzone'] is the lone returner with experience but the scoring load has been very balanced between him and players who are breaking into the lineup this year, including juniors DeAngelo Hibbert and KaJuan Gee and sophomore Giovanny Figueroa, who saw spot time last year.   Defending Group IV Champions Elizabeth take on yet another tough test from a pesky Westfield team. The Minutemen escaped Union Catholic on Tuesday and Westfield will certainly put a run in them coming up this evening. The Minutemen are looking for versatile junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1153987' first='London' last='Carson'] to lead the way, accompanied by Bayonne transfer [player_tooltip player_id='1017193' first='Augustine' last='McGee']. Westfield counters with 6'0" senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1269793' first='Theo' last='Sica'] and two talented big men in 6'3" [player_tooltip player_id='1150537' first='TJ' last='Halloran'] , a senior committed to RPI, along with 6'8" junior [player_tooltip player_id='1407094' first='Shane' last='Sheehan'].   In the top game at the shore, Manasquan travels to nearby Saint Rose. It's a game that is now a marquee for the next few years as Manasquan comes in led by high level recruit [player_tooltip player_id='1411404' first='Darius' last='Adams'] and is supported by a host of college players including guards [player_tooltip player_id='1389143' first='Griffin' last='Linstra'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1213557' first='Ryan' last='Frauenheim'], as well as a pair of 6'7" forwards in [player_tooltip player_id='1153968' first='Alex' last='Konov'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1269813' first='Quinn' last='Peters']. Outside of Peters, the other four are all slated to return for the Warriors next year. The Roses will put the newcomers Matthew Hodge and [player_tooltip player_id='1580578' first='Jayden' last='Hodge'] on the floor along with another transfer in Bryan Ebeling. The Roses are still playing without three other impact transfers in [player_tooltip player_id='1411624' first='Peter' last='Mauro'], [player_tooltip player_id='1153991' first='Gio' last='Panzini'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1411642' first='Evan' last='Romano']. When they're eligible, they're among the favorites to win the Shore Conference.   One of the top games in the Northeast this week features defending Pennsylvania Class AAA State Champions Devon Prep taking on Rutgers Prep. Devon Prep is led by Jacen Holloway, who is committed to Army and 6'4" senior guard Lucas Orchard, who has an offer from Monmouth. Rutgers Prep counters with D1 guards of its own in [player_tooltip player_id='902756' first='Jadin' last='Collins'] and [player_tooltip player_id='902744' first='Cameron' last='Piggee'] and this could be the game of the week in the Northeast.   The marquee game of the day in state is 3-0 Newark Arts traveling to 3-0 Seton Hall Prep in a major Essex County showdown at 7PM. Arts has beaten East Side, West Side and East Orange out the gate behind the strong play of senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1400480' first='Faquir' last='Mosley']. While much of the attention has been paid to 6'4" junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1406993' first='Anthony' last='Akande'], Boston University commit [player_tooltip player_id='850754' first='Spencer' last='Joyner'] and 6'5" forward [player_tooltip player_id='1213560' first='Savod' last='Godwin'], it is Mosley who has done the heavy lifting. Seton Hall is run by highly sought after senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1013099' first='Jackson' last='Bleeker'] and 6'7" big man [player_tooltip player_id='609754' first='Darrius' last='Phillips'], but the Pirates have a host of talented role players who are either D3 prospects like Isaiah Shoyombo, 6'2" senior Ethan Maynard--Who has been a surprise-- or multi-sport athletes light Shawn Lyght.

With the Christmas tournament period fast approaching and a nasty winter storm on the way, there's a few games to get in before the Christmas break that are worth watching. We're going to hold off on a Friday feature as we're not sure which path the winter storm develops at. If there's games...We'll be back!