2026 Group 1 Prospects to Watch

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The upcoming basketball season is nearly here as October is right around the corner. Group 1 might contain the smallest public schools in NJ, but it still has talent that can make an impact on the hardwood this season. Here are the 2026 Group 1 prospects to watch this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1775139' first='Zaim' last='Barnes'], 5'10 PG Shabazz</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Barnes is one of the speedier lead guards in the 2026 class and should put his speed on display this season. The 5'10 guard is a blur in the open floor as he uses his speed to blow by his defender and finishes nicely around the basket. Barnes can also score in the mid-range and sets his feet before he shoots. He also gets his teammates involved in the halfcourt and uses his quick hands to get deflections on the defensive end. Barnes is a dynamic lead guard prospect who should make plays with the ball in his hands.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1412105' first='Jacob' last='Edgecomb'], CG Point Pleasant Beach</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Edgecomb has been a key part of the Garnet Gulls' rotation over his first two seasons and should carry it over into his junior season. The lefty guard knows how to get to his spot on the floor and can finish through contact around the basket. Edgecomb wastes little motion on his release and can get hot from distance in a hurry. He moves well without the ball in his hands and is an underrated defender. Edgecomb has the ability to put up points in bunches and should do so throughout the course of the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2505095' first='Sam' last='Fasola'], 6'2 SG Park Ridge</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Fasola took a big step up in his sophomore season and should shoulder a larger role in the offense in 2024-25. The 6'2 guard has a smooth release on his jumper and can knock down triples in bunches. Fasola moves well without the ball in his hands, freeing himself for open layups and jumpers in the halfcourt. He slides his feet on the defensive end and rarely forces shots in the halfcourt. Fasola is a sharpshooting guard prospect whose ability to torch the nets from distance is something that will help his stock throughout the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2401469' first='RJ' last='Heigler'], 5'11 CG Woodbury</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Heigler poured in over 400 points in 2023-24 and should eclipse that mark in 2024-25. The 5'11 guard has a quick first step, which he uses to beat his defender off the bounce and finishes well around the basket. Heigler is more than just a slasher as he wastes little motion in his release and can get hot from distance in a hurry. He is a solid rebounder and gets deflections on the defensive end. Heigler had five 20 points games last season and should eclipse that mark in 2024-25.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Dariel Lirzano, SG New Milford</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lirzano stepped up as New Milford's second leading scorer and should have big games for them during the course of the season. He finishes nicely around the basket and can also score in the mid-range. Lirzano sets his feet before he shoots and can make opponents pay for giving him space behind the arc. He is an underrated passer and is able to get deflections on the defensive end. Lirzano had three 20-point games last season and should outdo that total during the 2024-25 season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->