Group 3 Teams and Prospects to Watch

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tryouts are in full swing in the Garden State, meaning that the high school season is coming soon. Group 3 is one of the more intriguing groups in the Garden State and will be one to track throughout the year. Here are the Group 3 teams and prospects to watch this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Colonia: North 2</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Patriots have won the last three sectional titles and is looking to take home their fourth straight in 2024-25. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1595674' first='Aiden' last='Derkack']</strong> is one of the top juniors in the state and he will fill up the box score throughout the course of the season. <strong>Zachary Smith</strong> led Colonia in made triples last season and is looking to duplicate the feat this season. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2628213' first='Dylan' last='Chiera'] </strong>had a couple of big games down the stretch of the season and will be looking to carry it over into his junior season. Colonia has lost to Ramapo in the last three Group 3 semifinals and is looking to get over the hump and into the state final in 2024-25.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Teaneck: North 1</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Highwaymen return their top six scorers from last season and are looking to take home the sectional title this season. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1788774' first='Mickell' last='Taylor Jr'].</strong> and <strong>Jarnell Harmitt</strong> both eclipsed over 400 points last season with Taylor stretching the floor from deep, while Harmitt attacks the rim with a purpose. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1411647' first='Ty' last='Carnegie']</strong> has the potential to play on and off the ball, while <strong>Nasir Middleton</strong> knows how to use his body to get position down low. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2467539' first='Caleb' last='Brown']</strong> has the potential to play either on the wing or in the backcourt, making him an intriguing prospect to watch. Teaneck made the sectional final back in 2023 and is looking to get back there this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Freehold Boro: Central</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Patriots had a historic 2023-24 season as they won the sectional title and got to the state final for the first time in school history. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1412111' first='Brian' last='Tassey']</strong> does a little bit of everything for Freehold Boro as he led the team in rebounds, assists and blocks. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2368285' first='Aidan' last='Hamlin-Woolfolk'] </strong>had a huge state tournament as he averaged 19.5 points per game in the postseason. <strong>Qua'Mir Everett</strong> is a gritty on-ball defender and had big games down the stretch. Freehold Boro is an athletic, lanky squad who has the potential to take home their second straight sectional title.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Camden Eastside: South</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Tigers have been one of the top teams in Group 3 over the past three seasons and will be in the mix again in 2024-25. <strong>Tyrone Washam</strong> is the top returning scorer for Camden Eastside and can thread passes to his open teammates in the halfcourt. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1608251' first='Bryce' last='Hillman']</strong> transferred into the program this offseason and should make a big impact in his debut season. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2431432' first='Abdourahmane' last='Bah']</strong> has the potential to breakout this season as he gets more touches on the offensive end. Camden Eastside hasn't been to the sectional final since 2022 and are looking to go back this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Ramapo: North 1</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Raiders are the two-time defending Group 3 champions and are going for the three-peat. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1413218' first='Ryan' last='Goldman']</strong> is the top returning scorer from Ramapo, and he has a smooth release on his jumper. <strong>Charlie Wingfield</strong> knows how to get position down low and finishes nicely around the basket. Freshman <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2194744' first='AJ' last='Greig']</strong> has the ability to play either on the wing or in the backcourt and will be a 2028 prospect to track throughout the season. Ramapo hasn't lost the North 1 Group 3 title since 2018 and is looking to continue the winning trend this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Other Teams and Prospects to Track:</strong> </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Payne Tech: North 2; Prospects to Watch: [player_tooltip player_id='1919208' first='Gerald' last='Elwell'], [player_tooltip player_id='1413224' first='Robert' last='Foster'], De-An Armstrong</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Ewing: Central; Prospects to Watch: [player_tooltip player_id='2342600' first='Terrance' last='Traylor'], [player_tooltip player_id='1886844' first='Joel' last='Cineus'], [player_tooltip player_id='1919189' first='Cameron' last='James']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Timber Creek: South; Prospects to Watch: [player_tooltip player_id='1943558' first='Asa' last='Wharton'], [player_tooltip player_id='2339167' first='Marcus' last='Upton'], Chris Stowell</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Northern Highlands: North 1; Prospects to Watch: [player_tooltip player_id='2339156' first='Lucas' last='Dipasupil'], Jeffrey Weinberger, [player_tooltip player_id='2384280' first='RJ' last='Blake']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Red Bank Regional: Central; Prospects to Watch: [player_tooltip player_id='1411626' first='Zayier' last='Dean'], [player_tooltip player_id='1845645' first='Ryan' last='Fisher'], [player_tooltip player_id='1456866' first='Ron' last='Richardson']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->