Essex County Tournament Prospects to Watch

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>February is almost here, meaning that county tournaments are right around the corner. The Essex County Tournament is here and is filled with talented prospects who should make an impact during the tournament. Here are the prospects to track during the Essex County Tournament.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2716491' first='Alex' last='Ante'], 6'6 PF Seton Hall Prep 2026</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ante has been fantastic for the Pirates this season as he leads the team in both points and rebounds. The 6'6 forward has a nice touch around the basket and is unafraid of drawing contact down low. Ante can also put the ball on the floor and has a nice release on his free throws. He works hard on the glass at both ends of the floor and holds his ground on the defensive end. Ante has three 20-point games this season and is looking to have more games like that during the county tournament.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1823214' first='Shelton' last='Colwell'], 6'5 SF Arts 2025</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Colwell has been a key player for the Jaguars over the last season and a half and is looking to end his varsity career with a county title. The 6'5 forward has a good face-up game as he can put the ball on the floor and knock down jumpers from behind the arc. Colwell finishes nicely around the basket and is an underrated passer. He rips down rebounds on both ends of the floor and has the length to defend multiple positions on the floor. Colwell has nine double-doubles this season and should add to that total during the postseason.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1919208' first='Gerald' last='Elwell'], 6'5 PF Payne Tech 2026</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2339146' first='Jamir' last='Westry']</strong> has made an impact since becoming eligible, but Elwell has been a load down low all season for the Lions. The 6'5 forward uses his strong frame to get position down low and has a soft touch around the basket. Elwell is able to draw contact down low and is able to knock down open jumpers from behind the arc. He is tough to keep off the boards and can also pass out of the post. Elwell has been dominating the post all season for Payne Tech and should continue to do so in the county tournament.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2349988' first='Michai' last='White'], 6'1 PG St. Benedict's 2028</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>White has been one of the top freshmen in the state this season and will be one to track throughout February. The 6'1 guard has a quick first step, which he uses to blow by his defender and finishes in a variety of ways around the rim. White can also score in the mid-range and wastes little motion in his release. He finds his open teammates in the halfcourt and uses his instincts to get deflections on defense. White has the ability to put up points in bunches and should continue to torch the nets in the postseason.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1411621' first='Myles' last='Blackley'], 6'3 SG Immaculate Conception 2025</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Blackley has taken a leadership role for the Lions this season and is looking to lead them back to the sectional title. The New Hampshire commit uses his handle to get to his spot on the floor and rises up nicely on his jumper. Blackley knows how to finish around the basket and sets his feet before he shoots. He moves well without the ball in his hands and is an underrated passer. Blackley has five 20-point games this season and will be looking to add to that total during the county tournament.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Other Prospects to Watch:</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2344534' first='James' last='Roberts'], 5'11 PG East Orange 2027</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2763494' first='Jayden' last='Solomon'], 6'2 CG Newark Collegiate 2026</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1411664' first='Malcolm' last='Bragg'], 6'3 SF Newark Tech 2025</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Joe Giannetta, 6'1 SG Caldwell 2025</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>La'Mear Singletary, 6'0 CG Montclair 2026</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->