Matchups to Watch in the NJSIAA Group Finals
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The NJSIAA Group finals are here with the Non-Publics tipping tonight. The matchups will be fun to watch as teams are looking to take home a state title. Here are the matchups to watch in the NJSIAA Group Finals. Non-Public…
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Continue ReadingThe NJSIAA Group finals are here with the Non-Publics tipping tonight. The matchups will be fun to watch as teams are looking to take home a state title. Here are the matchups to watch in the NJSIAA Group Finals.
Non-Public A: Adiel Fred Adiel Fred 6'7" | PF Paul VI | 2025 State NJ – Keiner Asprilla Keiner Asprilla 6'11" | C Don Bosco Prep | 2026 State NJ
Paul VI and Don Bosco Prep faced off against each other earlier this season with the Ironmen winning 62-45. Fred had a double-double with 12 points and 10 boards and is looking to duplicate those numbers in the final. The 6’7 forward knows how to get position down low and has a nice touch around the basket. Asprilla influences almost everything around the basket defensively and has a nice touch around the basket. His ability to anchor the Ironmen against Fred is something that will help Don Bosco as they look to win its first Non-Public A title since 2018.
Non-Public B: Kole Grandison Kole Grandison 6'5" | SF Immaculate Conception | 2026 State NJ – Matt Hodge Matt Hodge 6'8" | PF St. Rose | 2024 State #104 Nation NJ
These two might not matchup against each other all night, but Grandison and Hodge should square off at points during the game. The Villanova commit does a little bit of everything for the Purple Roses as he can run the offense, shoot the ball from distance and finish strong above the rim. Grandison has a good handle, which he uses to get to his spot on the floor and rises up with confidence on his jumper. They are both solid defenders and should have good numbers as they look to take home their team’s first sectional title since the 1970s.
Group 2: Shelton Colwell Shelton Colwell 6'5" | SF Arts | 2025 State NJ – Alijah Curry Alijah Curry 6'8" | PF Camden | 2024 State #314 Nation NJ
Colwell and Curry are both playing their first seasons for their respective teams, which has propelled their teams to the final. The former is a lanky wing prospect who can finish through contact and uses his handle to beat his defender off the bounce. Curry has a good touch around the basket and can knock down open jumpers from behind the arc. They are both strong rebounders and influence shots around the basket. Colwell and Curry should battle each other throughout the game as they look to take home a state title.
Group 4: London Carson London Carson 6'4" | CG Elizabeth | 2024 State NJ – Tye Dorset Tye Dorset 6'3" | SG Lenape | 2024 State NJ
The matchup between Carson and Dorset is intriguing to watch as they do whatever it takes to help their teams win. The former attacks the basket with a purpose as he elevates above the rim for dunks and can finish through contact. Dorset rarely gets rattled by on-ball pressure and is able to score at all three levels. They can both run the offense at times and use their length to make plays on the defensive end. Carson and Dorset are versatile guard prospects who should have big games in the state final.
Group 1: Malcolm Bragg Malcolm Bragg 6'3" | SF Newark Tech | 2025 State NJ – David Munro David Munro 6'7" | PF College Achieve | 2025 State NJ
Bragg and Munro have had big seasons for their teams and should do so again in the state final. The former has a good face-up game as he can get to the rim off the bounce and finish through contact around the basket. Munro plays with good footwork around the basket and has a nice touch in the paint. They are both strong rebounders and hold their ground on the defensive end. Bragg and Munro are physical forward prospects who will battle each other all game for rebounds an position in the paint.
Group 3: Peyton Seals Peyton Seals 6'4" | SG Ramapo | 2024 State NJ – Brian Tassey Brian Tassey 6'4" | SG Freehold Boro | 2025 State NJ
Seals and Tassey both run the show for their teams and will be a matchup to watch on Sunday. Tassey uses his quick first step to beat his defender off the bounce and finishes nicely around the basket. Seals can score at all three levels and has the ability to score in bunches. They are both good passers and get deflections on the defensive end. Seals and Tassey are fun guards to watch and should put their games on display during the state final.