The most exciting time of the year is when the county and state playoffs. With county playoffs beginning, we take a look at some interesting matchups in the early rounds of the county tournaments and players to keep an eye…
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Subscribe Already a subscriber? Log inThe most exciting time of the year is when the county and state playoffs. With county playoffs beginning, we take a look at some interesting matchups in the early rounds of the county tournaments and players to keep an eye on.
Bordentown(13-8) vs Cherokee(13-8) in the Burlington County Tournament First Round
Eric Cassidy’s squad enters the BCT on some rocky footing with four losses in their last six games. With three of their top players slated to return next year, Judd Holt Judd Holt SG Cherokee | 2025 State NJ , Will Carr Will Carr SG Cherokee | 2024 State NJ and Louis Galasso Louis Galasso 5'11" | PG Cherokee | 2026 State NJ , the traditionally strong program may be a team to watch this time next season but those three may be enough to get a win this season. Bordentown has recovered from a rough patch to win 3 of 4 behind 6’3″ senior Jack Martin, a guard averaging 17ppg. 6’3″ junior Andrew DaCosta is also a key contributor in the frontcourt at 15ppg. 6’0″ junior Myles Hansford runs the backcourt and is also a capable scorer in double digits. Bordentown may have enough with those three to stave off Cherokee and continue their momentum.
Shore Conference First Round gets underway today as well with a host of competitive matchups.
Ocean Twp(15-6) vs Southern Regional(12-9)
Ocean has made a name for itself with two young stars leading the way in sophomores
Zayier Dean
Zayier
Dean
5'10" | PG
Ocean Township | 2025
State
NJ
and
Ron Richardson
Ron
Richardson
6'4" | SF
Ocean Township | 2025
State
NJ
. They lead a core of underclassmen that could drive the Spartans forward if they all stick it out for four years. They could easily be an 18+ win team but have a few tight losses. They’ll face a tough test against a gritty Southern team but one that has backfooted its way into the SCT. Two weeks ago at 11-3, Southern was in a place to argue for a top 5 seed. They’ve lost 6 of 7 since that point and will need their senior trio of Tom Menegus, Pat Gaffney and Max DiPietro to pull them back as the season reaches “win or go home” territory.
Keyport(13-4) vs Freehold Twp(16-3)
Keyport now stands tall as the class of B-Central after the departure of Ranney and closure of Mater Dei. It’s been a solid season once again for the Raiders, who haven’t missed a beat after graduating a host of talented seniors. 6’4″ multi-sport athlete Max Judson leads the team in scoring and rebounding, while senior Terrek Mimes and junior Michael Ford provide backcourt leadership. There are reports that Nas Hart, Keyport’s promising 6’7″ sophomore forward, may return from injury today. If he does, Freehold Twp will need to count on a huge game from senior big man
Jayden Holmes-Cotter
Jayden
Holmes-Cotter
6'6" | PF
Freehold Township | 2023
State
NJ
, who himself has battled some knocks of late. Township is the favorite but Keyport could be the pesky group that doesn’t go away quietly, especially if Hart suits up.
Point Pleasant Beach(12-6) vs Central Regional(16-5)
The question in this contest is can one beat two. Point Beach will look to do-it-all senior guard
Kevin Burns
Kevin
Burns
6'0" | PG
Point Pleasant Beach | 2023
State
NJ
to try and shoot them past a pair of talented players at Mike Clemente’s disposal in Myles Chevalier and
Jaycen Santucci
Jaycen
Santucci
6'3" | SG
Central | 2025
State
NJ
. Toss in senior guard John Truhan and Central may just have too much for Beach to overcome, along with the different type of opponents the teams have faced. It’s a tall task for Beach, but if Burns can find his rhythm early, they could be there late in the game.
Matawan(12-9) vs Colts Neck(15-5)
The Huskies won 5 of 7 to secure a place in the field and have enough pieces to the puzzle to give the Cougars some fits. Matawan’s 6’4″ senior guard
Colin Haluska
Colin
Haluska
6'3" | SF
Matawan | 2023
State
NJ
, a Muhlenberg commit, leads the team with experience and poise while sophomores Jayden Elijah, a 6’7″ football recruit and 6’0″ Chauncey Brown are playing loose and have emerged as scoring and rebounding options for the Huskies. Colts Neck counters with senior guard
Will Surdez
Will
Surdez
6'3" | CG
Colts Neck | 2023
State
NJ
, who has been hobbled himself the last week or so, junior guard
Michael Belcher
Michael
Belcher
6'3" | SF
Colts Neck | 2024
State
NJ
and 6’6″ Ukrainian refugee Volodymyr Trotsko, who is among the top players in the Shore. It’s a toss up matchup that could go either way on paper and if the same Matawan team that ran off win after win to get into the tournament shows up, the 4th quarter could be fun.
Shore Regional(14-4) vs Brick Memorial(13-9)
Shore has won 3 in a row against opponents they were superior to but Brick has backed its way into the tournament with four losses in a row. If
Alex George
Alex
George
6'2" | PG
Shore | 2024
State
NJ
and
Liam Gajewski
Liam
Gajewski
6'1" | PG
Shore | 2023
State
NJ
can hold serve with Brick’s
Josh Michigan
Josh
Michigan
6'4" | SG
Compass Prep | 2024
NJ
and
Brian Starrett
Brian
Starrett
6'2" | PG
Brick Memorial | 2023
State
NJ
, supporting and frontcourt players may decide the contest. That’s where Memorial’s 6’3″ senior
Dorian Alston
Dorian
Alston
6'5" | SF
Brick Memorial | 2023
State
NJ
comes in. His ability to score and rebound the ball could make the difference today.
