Watchung Hills-Westfield: Top Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The state tournament is in full swing as all the public schools have played their opening round. Watchung Hills and Westfield played a thriller as the Blue Devils won 56-50 to advance to the North Jersey 2 Group 4 quarterfinals. Here are the top standouts from the Watchung Hills-Westfield state playoff game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1407094' first='Shane' last='Sheehan'], 6'8 PF Westfield 2024</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sheehan had a big game down low for the Blue Devils as he finished off with a game-high 20 points and seven rebounds. The 6'8 forward showed off his perimeter touch as he knocked down a pair of triples and has a nice release on his jumper. Sheehan was able to get position down low and finished through contact. He rose up for rebounds on both ends of the floor and used his length to influence shots around the basket. Sheehan will be a player to watch in the 2024 class with his ability to score inside and out.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1273934' first='John' last='Kelly'], 6'3 W Watchung Hills 2024</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kelly had a solid game for the Warriors as he finished with a team-high 12 points. The 6'3 wing put the ball on the floor and finished nicely around the basket. Kelly moved well without the ball in his hands and wasted little motion in his shot. He fought for rebounds on both ends of the floor and moved his feet on the defensive end. Kelly is a sharpshooting wing prospect who should have a big senior season for Watchung Hills.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1150537' first='TJ' last='Halloran'], 6'4 CG Westfield 2023</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Halloran had a solid game for the Blue Devils as he did a little bit of everything for them. The RPI commit showed his tight handle as he was able to get past his defender and finished around the basket. Halloran ran the offense effectively and shot the ball with confidence from behind the arc. He worked hard for rebounds on both ends of the floor and made plays on the defensive end. Halloran's ability to make plays with the ball in his hands will be key for Westfield in the state tournament.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2><strong>Brayden Kolakowski, 6'1 SG Watchung Hills 2023</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kolakowski made an impact for the Warriors throughout the game as he was all over the floor. The 6'1 guard was a force on the glass as he secured numerous second chance opportunities for Watchung Hills. Kolakowski attacked the basket strong and finished nicely in the paint. He moved well without the ball in his hands and did a good job on the defensive end. Kolakowski is a physical guard prospect who plays with a nonstop motor at both ends of the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1269793' first='Theo' last='Sica'], 6'1 SG Westfield 2023</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sica had a good all-around game for the Blue Devils as he made plays at both ends of the floor. The 6'1 guard made good passes to his teammates as he was able to find the open man in the half court. Sica finished nicely around the basket and moved well without the ball in his hands. He jumped passes on defense and worked hard on the glass. Sica is a hardworking guard prospect whose ability to knock down jumpers from behind the arc is something that will help his stock in a big way in the state tournament.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->