Non-Public Quarterfinals Match-ups to Watch

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The state tournament is up and running with the first round of games being completed. The Non-Public tournament is in the quarterfinals with intriguing match-ups that feature some of the top players in the state. Here are the Non-Public quarterfinal match-ups to watch on Friday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2><strong>Bergen Catholic vs. Seton Hall Prep: [player_tooltip player_id='1050396' first='Terry' last='Copeland']-[player_tooltip player_id='609754' first='Darrius' last='Phillips']</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1213554' first='Brandon' last='Benjamin']</strong> will also battle down low against the Pirates, but Copeland and Phillips will be one to watch. The former is a physical forward who knows how to get position down low, but also can step outside and knock down jumpers. Phillips moves well without the ball in his hands and fires passes to open teammates cutting to the basket. They are both strong rebounders and influence shots on the defensive end with their length. Copeland and Phillips will be battling down low throughout the game, which will be a fun battle to watch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2><strong>Rutgers Prep vs. St. Augustine: [player_tooltip player_id='902756' first='Jadin' last='Collins']-[player_tooltip player_id='1050413' first='Elijah' last='Brown']</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Collins and Brown may not match-up against each other for the entire game, but they could during pivotal moments. The Marist commit attacks the basket strong as Collins is unafraid of finishing through contact and plays with great body control around the rim. Brown knows how to get to the rim as he elevates for dunks and can draw contact in the paint. They are both competitive defenders and work hard for rebounds on both ends of the floor. Collins and Brown are two-way guard prospects who should put on a show in the Non-Public A quarterfinals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2><strong>Hudson Catholic vs. Don Bosco Prep: [player_tooltip player_id='1050399' first='Alex' last='Massung']-[player_tooltip player_id='1153958' first='Isaiah' last='Brown']</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1050389' first='Tahaad' last='Pettiford']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1153959' first='Dylan' last='Harper']</strong> are two of the top players in the country, but Massung and Brown will be a fun match-up to watch as well. Brown has a quick first step and a nice handle, which he uses to beat his defender off the bounce and finish around the rim. He has a nice touch on his floater and can knock open jumpers from behind the arc. Massung is a crafty finisher around the basket and shoots the ball with confidence. Brown and Massung have been making plays for their teams all season long and will look to continue it in the state tournament.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2><strong>St. Joe's Metuchen vs. Immaculata: Josh Ingram-[player_tooltip player_id='1402100' first='Sean' last='Givens']</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This game may fly under the radar, but Ingram and Givens should be a good match-up to watch. The former has a smooth shooting stroke as he wastes little motion and can shot either off the catch or bounce. Ingram is more than just a shooter as he can also get to the rim and has the length to defend multiple positions. Givens can knock down triples in bunches, but can also put the ball on the floor and finish around the basket. Ingram and Givens have the ability to light up the scoreboard with their ability to shoot the ball from behind the arc.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2><strong>Union Catholic vs. Paul VI: Chima Okeoma-[player_tooltip player_id='1411401' first='Emmanuel' last='Joe-Samuel']</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Okeoma and Joe-Samuel will not match-up against each other, but they are both their teams' primary scorers who score the ball in a variety of ways. Joe-Samuel has a strong frame, which he uses to get to the basket and can finish through contact at the rim. The sophomore guard is more than just a slasher as he shoots the ball with confidence from distance and can shoot it either off the dribble or catch. Okeoma is lightning quick with the ball in his hands, which he uses to create space for himself on the perimeter and is a good finisher around the basket. Joe-Samuel and Okeoma have had big 2022-23 seasons and will be looking to keep it up in the Non-Public A South quarterfinals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->