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<p>The North Jersey 1 Group 3 tournament is set to tip off next week. Prospects are set to have big tournaments as they look to lead their teams to deep runs. Here are the North Jersey 1 Group 3 X-Factors to watch.</p>
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2129304' first='Zach' last='Schweid'], 5'11 CG Demarest 2025</strong></h2>
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<p>Schweid is one of top scorers in the state and should put it on display this tournament. The 5'11 guard has a good handle, which he uses to get into the paint and finishes nicely around the basket. Schweid has 14 20-point games this season and should add to that total during the state tournament.</p>
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Jake Yanofsky, PG Tenafly 2025</strong></h2>
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<p>Yanofsky runs the show for Tenafly and will be one to track during the state tournament. He plays with composure on the ball and finds his open teammates in the halfcourt. Yanofsky can also play off the ball and his ability to hit big shots in crunch time will help his stock in a big way.</p>
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1943561' first='Jarrell' last='Harmitt'], 6'1 SG Teaneck 2025</strong></h2>
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<p>Harmitt has the ability to play in the frontcourt as well, making him a prospect to track. The 6'1 guard attacks the basket with a purpose as he finishes strong around the rim and is unafraid of contact. Harmitt is a tough guard prospect whose ability to defend the ball and score in the paint will help the Highwaymen man a deep postseason run.</p>
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Zachary Blancher, 6'2 PF Northern Highlands 2026</strong></h2>
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<p>Blancher might be an undersized forward prospect, but that won't stop him from making an impact on the interior. The 6'2 forward has a good face-up game as he can get to the rim off the bounce and finishes well around the basket. Blancher holds his ground on the defensive end and will be looking to continue his scoring streak after his 26-point performance against Paramus.</p>
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2763469' first='Chris' last='Ferrare'], G Montville 2026</strong></h2>
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<p>Ferrare has taken a big step up this season as he has shown the ability to play on and off the ball. He has a smooth release on his jumper and can get hot from distance in a hurry. Ferrare can also find his teammates in the halfcourt and his ability to play on the ball will help Montville make noise during the state tournament.</p>
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Chernoh St. Paul, G Wayne Hills 2027</strong></h2>
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<p>St. Paul does a variety of different things for the Patriots and will put it on display during the state tournament. He knows how to get to his spot on the floor and rises up nicely on his jumper. St. Paul's ability to make plays on the defensive end is something that will help Wayne Hills make noise in the state tournament.</p>
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2194744' first='AJ' last='Greig'], 6'4 SG/SF Ramapo 2028</strong></h2>
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<p>Greig has been gaining confidence over the course of the season, which should carry over into the state tournament. The 6'4 wing has a good first step, which he uses to get to his spot on the floor and finishes well around the basket. Greig has the length to defend multiple positions and is looking to continue his hot scoring streak after his 21-point performance against Hackensack.</p>
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Dylan Drullinski, G Old Tappan 2025</strong></h2>
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<p>Drullinski has been up and down during the season for Old Tappan and should have a strong state tournament. He has a good first step he uses to beat his man off the bounce and finishes well around the basket. Drullinski can also knock down jumpers from behind the arc and his ability to hit jumpers from distance will help Old Tappan make noise during the state tournament.</p>
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Luke Rubino, 6'3 SF Wayne Valley 2025</strong></h2>
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<p>Rubino has the ability to play either forward spot, making him an intriguing prospect to watch in the class. The 6'3 forward has a good touch around the basket and is able to finish through contact. Rubino has three 20-point games this season and will be looking to add to that total during the state tournament.</p>
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1456863' first='Justin' last='Hanson'], 6'0 CG Morris Knolls 2025</strong></h2>
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<p>Hanson has been getting hot at the right time as he is averaging around 19 points per game. The 6'0 guard has a nice release on his jumper and can also score around the basket. Hanson is a tough guard prospect whose ability to make plays at both ends of the floor will help Morris Knolls make noise during the state tournament.</p>
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Eshaan Bhansali, 6'1 SG Morris Hills 2025</strong></h2>
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<p>Bhansali has taken a step up this season and will be looking to pull off a first round upset. The 6'1 guard has a good shooting stroke and can get hot from distance in a hurry. Bhansali had eight steals in Morris Hills' win against Ramsey and will need more performances like that during the state tournament.</p>
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2421327' first='Aditya' last='Pandya'], 6'9 C River Dell 2025</strong></h2>
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<p>Pandya has an underrated face-up game as he can put the ball on the floor and can knock down open jumpers from behind the arc. The 6'9 post works for rebounds on both ends of the floor and uses his size to swat shots around the basket. Pandya's ability to protect the paint and hit jumpers on the perimeter makes him an intriguing prospect to watch in the class.</p>
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Maurice Williams, 6'1 CG Dwight-Morrow 2025</strong></h2>
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<p>Williams has been stuffing the stat sheet all season long and should continue to do so during the state tournament. The 6'1 guard has a quick first step, which he uses to blow by his defender and can also score in the mid-range. Williams is a strong rebounder and his ability to make plays at both ends of the floor will be something that could see the Eagles pull off a first round upset.</p>
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Ryan Johannessen, G Roxbury 2025</strong></h2>
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<p>Johannessen is averaging 17.5 points per game over his last two games and will be looking to continue that total in the state tournament. He has a clean release on his jumper and can knock down triples in bunches. Johannessen is a sharpshooting guard prospect whose ability to torch the nets from distance will keep Roxbury in games during the opening round of the state tournament.</p>
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2554021' first='Le-Shem' last='Little'], 6'0 PG Sparta 2026</strong></h2>
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<p>Little has four 20-point games over his seven and will be looking to continue that streak during the state tournament. The 6'0 guard is at his best attacking the basket as he finishes strong around the rim and is unafraid of drawing contact. Little can also score in the mid-range and will be looking for a big performance in the state tournament.</p>
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Emilio Mendez, 5'10 PG Dover 2025</strong></h2>
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<p>Mendez has seen a tick up in his scoring recently as he has 59 points over his last two games. The 5'10 guard has a tight handle, which he uses to get to the rim and knows how to finish around the basket. Mendez can also play off the ball and the Tigers will need him to put up a big scoring game in the opening round of the state tournament.</p>
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The North Jersey 1 Group 3 tournament is set to tip off next week. Prospects are set to have big tournaments as they look to lead their teams to deep runs. Here are the North Jersey 1 Group 3 X-Factors to watch.
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