North Jersey 1 Group 2 X-Factors

<p>Keeping up with the Group 2 X-Factors, the attention now focuses on North Jersey 1. Here are the X-Factors to watch in North Jersey 1 Group 2.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2107785' first='Devin' last='Merker'], 6'3 SG Pascack Valley 2025</strong></h2>   <p>Merker has helped power the Panthers' late season run to the top spot in the section as they are currently on a six-game winning streak. The Middlebury commit has a good release on his jumper and can knock down triples in bunches. Merker has come up clutch for Pascack Valley throughout the season and should continue to do so in the state tournament.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2119096' first='Mason' last='Mangione'], 6'3 SG Glen Rock 2025</strong></h2>   <p>Mangione has been playing at a high level all season for the Panthers, averaging over 20 points and six rebounds a game. The TCNJ commit has a smooth shooting stroke as he wastes little motion and can get hot from distance in a hurry. Mangione can light up the scoreboard, which is something he will look to do during the state tournament for Glen Rock.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2763395' first='Ashawn' last='Johnson'], 6'2 SG Manchester Regional 2025</strong></h2>   <p>Johnson has been vital to the Falcons' success this year and will be looking to end his varsity career on a high note. The 6'2 guard has a good first step, which he uses to blow by his defender and finishes well around the basket. Manchester Regional are 7-1 on the season when Johnson scores 20 or more points and his scoring ability will be key to their success in the state tournament.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1943564' first='Alex' last='Fessel'], SG Vernon 2025</strong></h2>   <p>Fessel led the Vikings to the sectional final last season and will be looking to repeat the feat in 2025. He has a good release on his jumper and is capable of shooting either off the catch or bounce. Fessel can also find his open teammates in the halfcourt for layups, and he will have to balance his scoring with his passing for Vernon to return to the sectional final.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Jake Polsky, G Pascack Hills 2025</strong></h2>   <p>Polsky has been one of the top scorers in the section this season, averaging 21 points per game. He uses his handle to get to this spot on the floor and rises up with confidence on his jumper. Polsky is unafraid of drawing contact on his way to the rim and his ability to get to the line will be something to watch during the state tournament.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Brian Appiah, G Mahwah 2025</strong></h2>   <p>Appiah recently joined the 1,000-point club for the Thunderbirds and will be looking to move higher up the list during the state tournament. He moves well without the ball in his hands, freeing himself for open layups and jumpers in the halfcourt. Appiah is averaging 17 points per game during Mahwah's current four game winning streak and will be looking to maintain his current form during the state tournament.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2621636' first='Joe' last='Cerritelli'], 6'1 SF Westwood 2026</strong></h2>   <p>Cerritelli can play either spot on the perimeter, making him an intriguing prospect to watch on the perimeter. The 6'1 wing has a clean release on his jumper and can knock down triples in bunches. Cerritelli plays with good instincts on the defensive end and his ability to generate turnovers will help Westwood throughout the state tournament.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Owen Farley, 6'0 SG Ramsey 2026</strong></h2>   <p>Farley has taken a big step up for the Rams this season as they look to defend their sectional title. The 6'0 guard has a good shooting stroke and sets his feet before he shoots. Farley has four games this season with at least four made threes, which Ramsey is going to need to make noise during the state tournament.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Ognjen Ljusic, F West Milford 2025</strong></h2>   <p>Ljusic has the potential to have a strong state tournament with his ability to make plays in the paint. He knows how to get position down and has a good touch around the basket. Ljusic can also put the ball on the floor and his ability to play on the perimeter could push West Milford deep into the postseason.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2233796' first='John' last='Campbell'], 6'6 PF Jefferson 2026</strong></h2>   <p>Campbell is a load on the block and will be looking to dominate down low on opening night. The 6'6 forward plays with good footwork on both ends of the floor and has a nice touch around the basket. Campbell is tough to box out on both ends of the floor and should be a tough matchup on the block during the state tournament.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Tucker Berry, F High Point 2025</strong></h2>   <p>Berry has been a force down low all season as he averages a double-double. He rips down rebounds on both ends of the floor and keeps the ball high when given to him in the post. Berry will be a tough cover down low, and High Point will need to utilize his size to make noise in the state tournament.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Jahquin Harrison, PG Lodi 2025</strong></h2>   <p>Harrison provides the Rams with a spark plug on the perimeter, which will be something to watch during the state tournament. He uses his quick hands to get steals on defense and pushes the pace nicely in transition. Harrison has the ability to play off the ball as well, making him an intriguing prospect to watch during the state tournament.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Aiden Reid, 6'3 W Dumont 2026</strong></h2>   <p>Reid has been streaky for Dumont during the season, but the Huskies will need him to be at his best during the state tournament. The 6'3 wing uses his handle to get to his spot on the floor and has a good release on his jumper. Reid can also play the four spot and his versatility will be something that will help Dumont in the state tournament.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2786669' first='Angel' last='Feliz Diaz'], G Elmwood Park 2027</strong></h2>   <p>Feliz Diaz has taken a massive step up this season as he has established himself as the go-to guy for Elmwood Park. He wastes little motion in his release and sets his feet before he shoots. Feliz Diaz jumps passing lanes for steals and will need to generate multiple steals for Elmwood Park to pull off the first round upset.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Matt Wilds, F Leonia 2025</strong></h2>   <p>Wilds does a little bit of everything for Leonia and will need to put his versatility on display in the opening round. He has a good first step, which he uses to get his by defender and can also knock down jumpers from behind the arc. Wilds has the ability of putting up points in bunches and will have to put up a big scoring performance for Leonia on Thursday night.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Mason Maslowski, SG Newton 2025</strong></h2>   <p>Maslowski has been crucial to the Indians' success this season as he averages 20 points and over six rebounds a game. He has a good release on his jumper, but can also take the ball to the rim and finish around the basket. Maslowski has a pair of 30-point games on the season and will a similar type performance for Newton to win in the opening round of the state tournament.</p>

Keeping up with the Group 2 X-Factors, the attention now focuses on North Jersey 1. Here are the X-Factors to watch in North Jersey 1 Group 2.