Central Jersey Group 2 X-Factors

<p>With Groups 1 and 3 covered, it's time to turn our attention to the Group 2 tournaments, which tip off on Thursday, February 27th. Central Jersey Group 2 is full of intrigue with multiple players looking to lead their teams on deep runs. Here are the X-Factors from Central Jersey Group 2.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1389143' first='Griffin' last='Linstra'], 6'5 CG Manasquan 2025</strong></h2>   <p>Linstra does a little bit of everything for the Warriors and is looking to end his varsity career on a high note. The 6'5 guard uses his handle to get to his spot on the floor and plays with good court vision to find his open teammates. Linstra is a tough on-ball defender, which he will put on display in Manasquan's sectional title defense.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2205839' first='Luke' last='Cruz'], 6'8 PF Rumson Fair-Haven 2026</strong></h2>   <p>Cruz is one of the most intriguing prospects in the section with his combination of size and shooting. The Penn commit has a high release on his jumper and can get hot from distance in a hurry. Cruz uses his length to swat shots around the rim, which will be something to track during the course of the tournament.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>CJ Karis, 5'9 PG Holmdel 2025</strong></h2>   <p>Karis has taken a massive step up for the Hornets this season as he has more than tripled his scoring from last season. The 5'9 guard has a good shooting stroke and needs very little space to get his shot off. Karis is averaging a little under 15 points per game over his last four games and will be looking to maintain that average during the state tournament.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2107864' first='Eric' last='Klemmer'], 6'5 PF Delaware Valley 2025</strong></h2>   <p>Klemmer has been a presence down low for the Terriers, which should carry over into the state tournament. The 6'5 forward knows how to get position down low and has a nice touch around the basket. Klemmer is also active on the defensive end, which will be key for Delaware Valley to make a deep postseason run.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Brian McKeena, G Wall 2026</strong></h2>   <p>McKeena has been a big part of Wall's resurgence this season as the Crimson Knights have won the most games in a season since winning Central Jersey Group 3 in 2019-20. He has a clean release on his jumper and can get hot from distance in a hurry. Wall are 4-1 this season when McKeena hits three or more triples, which is a number he'll be looking to hit during the state tournament.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2342604' first='Dean' last='Yellen Jr'], 6'0 CG Johnson 2026</strong></h2>   <p>Yellen Jr has sparked the Knights' offense this season and is looking to carry that over into the state tournament. The 6'0 guard uses his handle to get to his spot on the floor and finishes nicely around the basket. Johnson has not lost a game this season when Yellen Jr has scored 20 points or more, which Yellen will be looking to hit during the state tournament.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Cameron Hayes-Durina, G Metuchen 2026</strong></h2>   <p>Hayes-Durina fills up the stat sheet for the Bulldogs as he leads the team in points, rebounds, assists and steals. He attacks the basket with a purpose as he finishes strong around the rim and is unafraid of drawing contact. Hayes-Durina has five double-doubles on the season and will be looking to add to that total during the state tournament.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Jack Jordan, 6'0 CG Delran 2026</strong></h2>   <p>Jordan has been electric at times for Delran as he has two 30-point games on the season. The 6'0 guard has a good first step, which he uses to blow by his defender off the bounce and finishes nicely around the basket. Jordan is only 16 points away from 1,000 points, which he will be looking to hit during the state tournament.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2342615' first='Tyler' last='Bunnell'], 6'3 SG Robbinsville 2026</strong></h2>   <p>Bunnell has been the go-to guy for the Ravens this season and has the potential to have a monster game in the opening round of the state tournament. The Pitt baseball commit finishes strong around the rim and uses his handle to get to his spot on the floor. Bunnell works hard on the glass, which is something to keep an eye on during the opening night of the tournament.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Se'mir Tolbert-Brimage, 6'4 PF Spotswood 2026</strong></h2>   <p>Tolbert-Brimage is in the middle of a breakout season for the Chargers as he is averaging a double-double for them on the season. The 6'4 forward uses his strong frame to get position down low and has a good touch around the basket. Tolbert-Brimage is capable of stepping outside the arc and knocking down jumpers, which is something that will help Spotswood make noise in the state tournament.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Drew Cardia, G Point Pleasant Boro 2025</strong></h2>   <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2621818' first='Hunter' last='Hynes']</strong> has been pouring in points for the Panthers, but Cardia has been running the show this year. He rarely forces jumpers in the halfcourt and can thread passes to his teammates. Cardia's ability to run the offense efficiently is something that will help Point Pleasant Boro win games during the state tournament.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1472517' first='Alex' last='Grospe'], 5'10 PG South River 2025</strong></h2>   <p>Grospe has been one of the most productive guards in the state over the last two years as he has totaled over 1,500 points and 300 assists in only 50 games. The 5'10 guard uses his tight handle to create separation from his defender and is unafraid of taking the big shot in key situations. Grospe has eclipsed the 40-point mark on five different occasions this season and will be looking to do it again during the state tournament.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2443162' first='Chase' last='Martin'], 6'5 PF Bordentown 2027</strong></h2>   <p>Martin has been a force down low for Bordentown and will be looking to make his impact felt during the state tournament. The 6'5 forward has a good touch around the basket and knows how to get position down low. Martin is a tough forward prospect whose ability to control the paint at both ends of the floor will help Bordentown make noise during the state tournament.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Zaire Hopson, 6'0 PG Roselle 2026</strong></h2>   <p>Hopson has taken a big step up for the Rams this season as he has ran the offense nicely in 2024-25. The 6'0 guard has a good handle, which he uses to blow by his defender and has a nice touch in the mid-range. Hopson is averaging 18 points per game over his last three games and is looking to carry over that hot streak into the state tournament.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Ian Mullan, F/C Raritan 2026</strong></h2>   <p>Mullan will need to bring his best game into the state tournament if the Rockets want to pull the first round upset. The junior post sets his feet before he shoots and his range extends out to the three-point lie. Mullan works hard on the boards and he'll have to have a double-double for Raritan to win on Thursday night.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Aidan Saint Louis, 6'0 SG Ocean Township 2026</strong></h2>   <p>Saint Louis enters the state tournament on a heater as he has scored 20 or more points in five straight games. The 6'0 guard shoots the ball with confidence and finishes strong around the basket. Saint Louis has four 30-point games on the season and will be looking to add to that total during the state tournament.</p>

With Groups 1 and 3 covered, it's time to turn our attention to the Group 2 tournaments, which tip off on Thursday, February 27th. Central Jersey Group 2 is full of intrigue with multiple players looking to lead their teams on deep runs. Here are the X-Factors from Central Jersey Group 2.