Weekend Battles to Keep an Eye On

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The first weekend of is finally here with teams across the state finishing their opening games. Weekend games are always intriguing as it provides matchups with teams who do not normally faceoff against each other. Here are the weekend battles to keep an eye on.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2><strong>Patrick School vs. Camden</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The High put on a show in its opening game of the season with a 91-50 win over Rancocas Valley. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='850751' first='Dajuan' last='Wagner Jr']. </strong>set the tone for the Panthers early with a deep three, while transfer <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1213160' first='Billy' last='Richmond III']</strong> had 19 points and six steals in his debut. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='992524' first='Aaron' last='Bradshaw'] </strong>was dominant in the paint and will face a frontcourt duo of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1411646' first='Ifaola' last='Tacko']</strong> and <strong>Assane Mbaye</strong> that are both long defenders. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1153997' first='Jaiden' last='Glover']</strong> has gotten off to a hot start for the Celtics and will be tasked with providing perimeter scoring and defense. The Patrick School and Camden should be an entertaining matchup with Division 1 talent across the board.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2><strong>Arts vs. Newark East Side</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This Brick City battle should be fun to watch as both teams have the opportunity to make a deep run in the state tournament. Arts has a talented senior guard duo in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='850762' first='Elijon' last='Nix'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='850754' first='Spencer' last='Joyner']</strong>, who had a strong opening game against West Side. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1150278' first='Sutan' last='Fitzpatrick'] </strong>started his senior season off with a bang as he poured in 27 points and will have help from classmate <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='902743' first='Quatrell' last='Wilson']</strong> on the wing. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1406993' first='Anthony' last='Akande']</strong> is one to watch on the perimeter for the Jaguars, while <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1407084' first='Amir' last='Abdullah'] </strong>provides the Red Raiders with shooting from behind the arc. Arts and Newark East Side should be a classic game with division and county positionining.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2><strong>Immaculate Conception vs. West Side</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Lions open their season against the Rough Riders and they will be a team to watch in North Jersey. Louisville commit <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1050393' first='TJ' last='Robinson']</strong> will be running the show for them, using his combination of a quick first step and tight handle to get to the rim. Wing <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1150465' first='Tavian' last='Pullock']</strong> provides additional scoring on the perimeter, while <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1623005' first='Malachi' last='Arrington'] </strong>gets the touches down low. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1400494' first='Brandon' last='Rodriguez'] </strong>dropped 25 points in the season opening loss to Arts and is looking to repeat the feat against Immaculate Conception. This matchup is critical for both teams as they are looking to pick up their first win of the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2><strong>Ridgewood vs. Teaneck</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This Big North battle will be one to watch as it has a couple of intriguing matchups. Towson commit <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1456811' first='Tyler' last='Tejada']</strong> can score at all three levels and will be challenged by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1402080' first='Jordan' last='Rogers'] </strong>on the perimeter. Sophomore guards <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1411410' first='Keith' last='McKnight']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1411405' first='Johnny' last='Jackson']</strong> are both guards who had strong debut seasons last year and should have big 2022-23 campaigns. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1411647' first='Ty' last='Carnegie']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1407081' first='Evan' last='O'Reilly']</strong> will be the X-Factors to watch on the perimeter with their ability to hit shots from deep. Ridgewood and Teaneck should be a fun battle to watch as both teams look to make noise in Bergen County.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2><strong>St. Augustine vs. Egg Harbor</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This Cape-Atlantic League battle is full of implications as it is an early meeting between the league's top two teams. Junior guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1050413' first='Elijah' last='Brown']</strong> knows how to get to the rim and can defend multiple positions on the floor. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1017198' first='DJ' last='Germann']</strong> dropped 28 points and seven rebounds in the season opener, while <strong>Jay-Nelly Reyes</strong> picked up six steals. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1406998' first='Semaj' last='Bethea'] </strong>and <strong>Ife Okebiorun</strong> will be players to watch for the Hermits as they were instrumental in their win against Holy Spirit. The Eagles won last year's contest 76-51 and are looking for a similar result this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->