December 20 Matchups to Watch

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The NJSIAA basketball season is in full swing with the first full week of hoops underway. December 20 is full of interesting matchups as teams look to continue in their winning ways. Here are the top matchups to watch on December 20.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Long Island Lutheran vs. Don Bosco Prep: VJ Edgecombe/Kayden Mingo-[player_tooltip player_id='1153959' first='Dylan' last='Harper']/[player_tooltip player_id='1153958' first='Isaiah' last='Brown']</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The City of Palms Classic quarterfinal game should be a classic as it features a pair of intriguing guard matchups in the Mingo and Edgecombe against Harper and Brown. The Rutgers commit has a smooth offensive game as he gets to his spot on the floor and doesn't get rattled by on-ball pressure. Edgecombe and Mingo both have tight handles, which they use to get to the basket and can finish through contact. Brown can play both on and off the ball and shoots the ball with confidence from behind the arc. Long Island Lutheran and Don Bosco Prep should go down to the wire as two of the top guards in the country square off against each other.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>St. Peter's Prep vs. Union City: [player_tooltip player_id='1609109' first='Richie' last='Rosa']-[player_tooltip player_id='2201947' first='Anthony' last='Gonzalez']</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Marauders could have <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1595680' first='Mason' last='Santiago']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1483438' first='Peyton' last='Miller']</strong> matchup against Gonzalez, but Rosa will also get time as well. The sophomore guard uses his handle to create separation off the bounce and can finish in a variety of ways around the rim. Gonzalez plays with poise on the ball as he doesn't get rattled by on-ball pressure and can finish through contact. Rosa plays tough on-ball defense as he makes it hard for his man to get to his spot on the floor. The Marauders and Eagles are slated for an intriguing matchup with Rosa and Gonzalez facing off against each other.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>South River vs. Timothy Christian: [player_tooltip player_id='1472517' first='Alex' last='Grospe']-[player_tooltip player_id='2107783' first='Myles' last='Dickerson']</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dickerson currently leads the way in scoring for the Tigers and will matchup well with Grospe. The 6'3 guard is at his best attacking the basket as he finishes strong around the rim and does not mind drawing contact. Grospe uses his handle to generate separation in the halfcourt and can score at all three level. He threads passes to teammates in the halfcourt and gets deflections on defense. Grospe and Dickerson will be a matchup to watch as both players have the potential to light up the scoreboard.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Millburn vs. Newark Collegiate: [player_tooltip player_id='1786555' first='Noah' last='Ravitz']-[player_tooltip player_id='1773142' first='Najee' last='Graham']</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>An under the radar matchup, Ravitz and Graham will be a fun battle to watch in Essex County. The latter has a quick first step, which he uses to beat his man off the bounce and can finish through contact. Ravitz rises up over smaller defenders on his jumper and moves well without the ball in his hands. Graham also has the ability to find his teammates off the bounce and is a strong rebounder. Ravitz and Graham should battle it out throughout the night with their ability to score inside and out.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Salem vs. Pitman: [player_tooltip player_id='1214158' first='Anthony' last='Farmer']-[player_tooltip player_id='1413231' first='Elijah' last='Crispin']</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This South Jersey battle is important as both teams look to start division play with a win. Farmer has a good handle, which he uses to blow by his defender and finish around the rim. He is a strong rebounder for a guard his size and works hard on the defensive end. Crispin plays with confidence on the ball and can get hot from distance in a hurry. Salem and Pitman should be an entertaining game to watch with Farmer and Crispin running the show for each team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->