NJSIAA Group 4 Semifinal Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The NJSIAA state tournament is in full swing as the sectional finals tip off on Friday. The semifinals started last night and were full of intense matchups as teams were looking to get to the sectional final. Here are the NJSIAA Group 4 semifinal standouts from last night.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Gavin Jones, 6'3 F East Orange 2024</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jones saved his best game of the season for the sectional semifinal as he poured in 23 points and 10 rebounds. The 6'3 forward shot the ball with confidence from behind the arc as he drilled five triples. Jones moved well without the ball in his hands, freeing himself for open layups and jumpers in the halfcourt. He skied for rebounds on both ends of the floor and used his length to be disruptive on the defensive end. Jones' standout performance against Passaic was the first double-double of his career and will look to get another against Ridgewood in the sectional final.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1407100' first='Tye' last='Dorset'], 6'3 SG Lenape 2024</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dorset helped lead the Indians back to the South Jersey Group 4 final as he scored a game-high 23 points. The Merrimack commit wasted little motion in his release as he buried four triples on the night. Dorset used his handle to beat his defender off the bounce and was unafraid of drawing contact. He worked for rebounds on both ends of the floor and was disruptive on the defensive end. Dorset is a skilled guard prospect who should continue his strong play in the South Jersey Group 4 final.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Nick Cicchetti, G Monroe 2024</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cicchetti put up a career-high 24 points as he helped get Monroe to its first sectional title in almost two decades. He played with composure throughout the game as he did not get rattled by the big moment. Cicchetti made Manalapan pay for giving him space behind the arc as knocked down three triples and also showed the ability to finish around the basket. He slid his feet on defense and made smart decisions with the ball in his hands. Cicchetti is a gritty guard who is looking to end his varsity career with a sectional title.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2344521' first='Micah' last='Gordon'], 5'9 PG Plainfield 2027</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gordon was unafraid of the big stage as he scored a game-high 21 points to lead the Cardinals to the sectional title. The 5'9 guard used his lightning quick first step to blow by his defender and finished nicely around the basket. Gordon routinely drew contact and did not get sped up by on-ball pressure. He rarely made bad decisions with the ball in his hands and played solid on-ball defense. Gordon has had a standout debut varsity season for Plainfield and is looking to continue it in the sectional final.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1407081' first='Evan' last='O'Reilly'], 6'3 SG Ridgewood 2024</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>O'Reilly lead the Maroons back to the sectional title as he put up a game-high 21 points. The 6'3 guard used his handle to get by by his defender off the bounce and finish around the basket. O'Reilly rose up with confidence on his jumper and was unafraid to take big shots in crunch time. He moved well without the ball in his hands and was able to draw contact on his drives. O'Reilly has been a key cog in Ridgewood's offense over the past three seasons and will do so again in the sectional final.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->