Saturday Games&Players To Watch

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Showcase Season is upon us as January kicks off and there are several big games at showcase events around the state this weekend. This morning we take a look at some of the top games to follow on Saturday. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Seton Hall Prep vs Hudson Catholic</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hudson Catholic was hoping for some big things this year but lost star senior guard<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='902741' first='Elijah' last='Gertrude']</strong> for the season due to injury and followed it up by losing <strong>Tahad Pettiford</strong> as well. This took them from being a serious contender for a state title in Parochial A and left some holes for young players to have to step up. Sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1411409' first='Omari' last='Moore']</strong> is the leading scorer for the Hawks right now. They're 4-3 and looking for their first marquee win. While they're undefeated in Hudson County play, they have dropped all three of their headline games thusfar. Seton Hall Prep comes in at 7-1, with their only loss coming to St. Thomas Aquinas in the final of the Matawan Christmas Tournament. SHP is led by <strong>Jackson Bleecker</strong>, a 6'4" guard with scholarship interest, but 6'2" senior guard <strong>Ethan Maynard</strong> has emerged as the go-to scorer for the Pirates this year in the backcourt. The front line is led by another scholarship player, 6'8" senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='609754' first='Darrius' last='Phillips']</strong>. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Saint Peter's Prep vs Union Catholic</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In another matchup of top teams, it's Saint Peter's, the favorites to win Hudson County, tangling with a quickly improving Union Catholic team. Dr. Jim Reagan's Vikings are looking for their next solid win as the program rises. DePaul was a good statement win to say "We're at the club"--but a trio of losses to Elizabeth, Linden and Saddle River Day have them stuck at the door trying to pay the cover charge for admission to the Top Teams Club. If <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1013102' first='Keyshawn' last='Winchester']</strong> can put up a big game offensively, the Vikes will be there. [player_tooltip player_id='1411630' first='AJ' last='Altobelli'] is a solid young guard with a bright future for UC and sophomore forward <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1547474' first='Yaw' last='Ansong']</strong> is a talented prospect with a skillset to continue developing. UC may be a year away, but they'll give SPP's frontcourt a battle, but <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='902738' first='Matt' last='Kinzler']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1206534' first='Jackson' last='Tindall']</strong> may be too experienced for them in this one. Prep's backcourt is paced by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1609109' first='Richie' last='Rosa']</strong>, a promising freshman and junior <strong>Nico Pena</strong>. Prep owns marquee wins over Elizabeth, Immaculate Conception and St StephenSt Agnes(VA). </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>DePaul vs Rutgers Prep</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's been a frustrating season thusfar for DePaul. They've been close-but-no-cigar in every big game they've played. They've been there in the final minutes of each loss but like UC and HC, are still looking for the breakout win. 6'4" sophomore guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1411408' first='Jordan' last='Ghee']</strong> is averaging about 15PPG and has stepped into a leadership role as a young player. Rutgers Prep also finds itself in a similar situation, coming in at 5-4. It was a season with a tough schedule and big promise, but they've also been "right there" at the end of the games they lost but haven't gotten past the final hurdle outside of a nice win over Neumann-Goretti of Philadelphia. RP has two scholarship level guards in the backcourt with [player_tooltip player_id='902756' first='Jadin' last='Collins'] and [player_tooltip player_id='902744' first='Cameron' last='Piggee']. It's a battle of guards today and these two teams that are both seeking their next marquee victory.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Montclair Immaculate vs Roselle Catholic</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Roselle Catholic came into this season ranked #1 in the country by many polls and against a brutal slate to start the year, tumbled out of the national top 25. After bouncing back with wins over Patrick School and 'Squan, they face another tough matchup today. Duke bound <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='902732' first='Mackenzie' last='Mgbako']</strong> is the leader of a RC team that on paper is the most loaded side in the state--and that includes Camden and Bosco...With three out of state losses, RC is now trying to make up for it in the New Year. Immaculate Conception is led by electric junior guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1050393' first='TJ' last='Robinson']</strong>, a Louisville commit who can score from anywhere across half court. Freshman forward <strong>Kole Grandison</strong> gets a major test with the RC froncourt, but he's poised beyond his years. IC could be there at the end if <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1150465' first='Tavian' last='Pullock']</strong> can add points. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Don Bosco Prep vs Manasquan</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Ironmen have made a statement as one of the top teams in the country. They lost to Camden last night but battled for much of the game. In that game, junior guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1153959' first='Dylan' last='Harper']</strong> announced his arrival as one of the top players in the country, regardless of graduating year. DBP owns a host of big wins already and Manasquan would be another name on the big board. Manasquan has played tough in losses to Linden, RC and St Rose thusfar and will be game. Sophomore guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1411404' first='Darius' last='Adams'] </strong>will have an opportunity to show the state how he can match Harper as an elite prospect. For Manasquan to be there at the end, they'll need their role players to step up, like <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1153968' first='Alex' last='Konov']</strong> did with 21 vs RC. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->