Saturday Games&Players To Watch
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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. Seton…
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Continue ReadingShowcase 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.
Seton Hall Prep vs Hudson Catholic
Hudson Catholic was hoping for some big things this year but lost star senior guard Elijah Gertrude Elijah Gertrude 6'4" | SG Hudson Catholic | 2023 State #145 Nation NJ for the season due to injury and followed it up by losing Tahad Pettiford 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 Omari Moore Omari Moore 6'3" | SG Hudson Catholic | 2025 State #245 Nation NJ 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 Jackson Bleecker, a 6’4″ guard with scholarship interest, but 6’2″ senior guard Ethan Maynard 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 Darrius Phillips Darrius Phillips 6'7" | PF Seton Hall Prep | 2023 State NJ .
Saint Peter’s Prep vs Union Catholic
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 Keyshawn Winchester Keyshawn Winchester 5'9" | PG Union Catholic | 2023 State NJ can put up a big game offensively, the Vikes will be there. AJ Altobelli AJ Altobelli 5'11" | PG Union Catholic | 2025 State NJ is a solid young guard with a bright future for UC and sophomore forward Yaw Ansong Yaw Ansong 6'11" | C Union Catholic | 2025 State #345 Nation NJ 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 Matt Kinzler Matt Kinzler 6'7" | PF St. Peter's Prep | 2023 State NJ and Jackson Tindall Jackson Tindall 6'7" | PF St. Peter's Prep | 2024 NLG may be too experienced for them in this one. Prep’s backcourt is paced by Richie Rosa Richie Rosa 6'0" | PG St. Peter's Prep | 2026 State NJ , a promising freshman and junior Nico Pena. Prep owns marquee wins over Elizabeth, Immaculate Conception and St StephenSt Agnes(VA).
DePaul vs Rutgers Prep
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 Jordan Ghee Jordan Ghee 6'3" | SG Don Bosco Prep | 2025 State NJ 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 Jadin Collins Jadin Collins 6'1" | PG Rutgers Prep | 2023 State NJ and Cameron Piggee Cameron Piggee 6'1" | PG Rutgers Prep | 2023 State NJ . It’s a battle of guards today and these two teams that are both seeking their next marquee victory.
Montclair Immaculate vs Roselle Catholic
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 Mackenzie Mgbako Mackenzie Mgbako 6'8" | SF Roselle Catholic | 2023 State #5 Nation NJ 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 TJ Robinson TJ Robinson 6'3" | SG Immaculate Conception | 2024 State #163 Nation NJ , a Louisville commit who can score from anywhere across half court. Freshman forward Kole Grandison gets a major test with the RC froncourt, but he’s poised beyond his years. IC could be there at the end if Tavian Pullock Tavian Pullock 6'5" | SF Montclair Immaculate | 2023 State NJ can add points.
Don Bosco Prep vs Manasquan
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 Dylan Harper Dylan Harper 6'6" | SG Don Bosco Prep | 2024 State #3 Nation NJ 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 Darius Adams Darius Adams 6'4" | SG La Lumiere | 2025 #32 Nation IN 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 Alex Konov Alex Konov 6'7" | PF Manasquan | 2024 State NJ did with 21 vs RC.