Opening Night Matchups to Watch

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The NJSIAA basketball season is finally here as opening night tips off tonight. Some of the matchups on opening night are full of intrigue that will be exciting to watch to open the season. Here are the opening night matchups to watch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Patrick School vs. St. Rose: [player_tooltip player_id='1153997' first='Jaiden' last='Glover']-[player_tooltip player_id='1580578' first='Jayden' last='Hodge']</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A heavyweight tilt to open up the slate as two of the top shooting guards in the state should matchup against each other throughout the game. Glover can score the ball at all three levels and finishes through contact around the rim. Hodge has a quick first step, which he uses to beat his defender off the bounce and can finish in a number of ways around the rim. They both use their length to make an impact on defense and move well without the ball in their hands. Glover and Hodge are a pair of talented guard prospects who will battle against each other throughout the night.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Roselle Catholic vs. St. Benedict's: [player_tooltip player_id='1595673' first='Jalen' last='Grant']-[player_tooltip player_id='1411675' first='David' last='Johnson']</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Both the Lions and Gray Bees have multiple players who will bring the ball up the floor during the game, but Grant and Johnson should do it the most during the game. Johnson has a tight handle as defenders struggle to keep him out of the lane. He is more than just a slasher as he can also knock down jumpers from behind the arc and sets his feet before he shoots. Grant plays with composure on the ball as he rarely gets rattle by on-ball pressure and is unafraid of knocking down big shots in crunch time. Johnson and Grant are gamers who should both put up big numbers on opening night.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Linden vs. Union Catholic: [player_tooltip player_id='1213555' first='Nas' last='Robinson']-[player_tooltip player_id='1411630' first='AJ' last='Altobelli']</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The clash for Union County supremacy will be hard fought, especially between the point guards. Robinson uses his speed to blow by his defender, but can also make opponents pay for giving him space on the perimeter. The 5'9 guard threads passes to teammates in the halfcourt and gets deflections on defense. Altobelli is a crafty guard as he makes flashy passes and creates separation off the bounce with his handle. Both teams are looking to repeat as sectional champs and the winner of the point guard battle is the first step to both teams repeating.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Westfield vs. Elizabeth: [player_tooltip player_id='1859529' first='Tyshawn' last='Pearson']-[player_tooltip player_id='1153987' first='London' last='Carson']</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another UCC clash, this matchup is crucial as both teams want to start divisional play with a win. Pearson is a great on-ball defender as he uses his quick hands to get deflections and makes it hard for his man to get to his spot on the floor. Carson attacks the basket with a purpose as he elevates for dunks and can finish through contact. He can defend multiple positions on the floor and has a solid handle. Pearson and Carson may not matchup against each other all night, but it'll be a sight to see when they do matchup against each other.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Pequannock vs. Madison: [player_tooltip player_id='1406996' first='Karson' last='Culuko']-[player_tooltip player_id='1434616' first='Evan' last='Colao']</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>An under the radar matchup as both guards have the potential to light up the scoreboard. Culuko is a sharpshooter as he can knock down triples in bunches and wastes little motion in his release. The 6'2 guard moves well without the ball in his hands, freeing himself for open layups and jumpers in the halfcourt. Colao uses his handle to create space for himself in the halfcourt and can also score in the mid-range. Culuko and Colao both have the ability to put up points in bunches, making the matchup a fun one to watch throughout the night.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->