<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>The Group 4 sectional tournaments are set to tip off on Thursday, which are always fun to watch. North Jersey 1 Group 4 is going to be fun to watch as many prospects have the opportunity to make noise during the state tournament. Here are the North Jersey 1 Group 4 X-Factors.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:heading -->
<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1411405' first='Johnny' last='Jackson'], 5'11 PG Ridgewood 2025</strong></h2>
<!-- /wp:heading -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>Jackson has been electric in his varsity career and is looking to end it with a bang. The 5'11 guard has a quick release on his jumper and can knock down triples in bunches. Jackson is a sharpshooting guard prospect that wants to conclude his Ridgewood career with another state title.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:heading -->
<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2344534' first='James' last='Roberts'], 5'11 PG East Orange 2027</strong></h2>
<!-- /wp:heading -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>Roberts has the ability to play on and off the ball, which he will put on display during the state tournament. The 5'11 guard has a good first step, which he uses to blow by his defender and can finish through contact around the rim. Roberts can also run the offense at times, which will be something that will help East Orange make a deep run in the state tournament.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:heading -->
<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Zach Smith, SG Livingston 2025</strong></h2>
<!-- /wp:heading -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>Smith is one of the top shooters in the section and should put it on display during the state tournament. He has a smooth shooting stroke on his jumper and can get hot from distance in a hurry. Smith is only averaging nine points per game over the past four games and is looking to uptick his scoring during the state tournament.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:heading -->
<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1413217' first='Nasir' last='Hudson'], 6'1 SG Hackensack 2025</strong></h2>
<!-- /wp:heading -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>Hudson does a little bit of everything for the Comets as he leads the team in points, assists and steals. The 6'1 guard attacks the basket with a purpose as he finishes strong around the rim and can also score in the mid-range. Hudson plays with good instincts on the defensive end, and his ability to generate turnovers will help Hackensack make a deep run in the postseason.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:heading -->
<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1919190' first='Xavier' last='Cuevas'], 5'10 PG Paterson Eastside 2025</strong></h2>
<!-- /wp:heading -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>Cuevas has been an integral part of the Ghosts' offense over the past three seasons and will be looking to make an impact during the state tournament. The 5'10 guards plays with poise on the ball as he rarely gets rattled by on-ball pressure and finds his open teammates in the halfcourt. Cuevas is the floor general for Paterson Eastside and is looking to end his varsity career with two sectional titles in three seasons.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:heading -->
<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Austin Peluso, 6'4 SF Fair Lawn 2025</strong></h2>
<!-- /wp:heading -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>Peluso has shown the ability to play either forward spot and should put his versatility on display during the state tournament. The 6'4 forward has a good faceup game as he can put the ball on the floor and has a nice touch around the basket. Peluso is averaging 17 points and nine rebounds over his last two games and will look to maintain his recent scoring surge during the state tournament.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:heading -->
<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Martin Quiros, 6'4 F Montclair 2025</strong></h2>
<!-- /wp:heading -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>Quiros has been a presence in the paint for the Bulldogs this season and is looking to make a huge impact during the state tournament. The 6'4 forward can put the ball on the floor and finishes well around the basket. Quiros has a pair of 20 point games this season and will be looking to add to that total during the state tournament.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:heading -->
<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2858268' first='Sean' last='Perrotta'], 6'1 SG Bloomfield 2027</strong></h2>
<!-- /wp:heading -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>Perrotta has taken a step up this season as he is comfortable within the flow of the offense. The 6'1 guard uses his handle to get to his spot on the floor on the floor and rises up with confidence on his jumper. Perrotta has the ability to put up points in bunches and should put it on display during the state tournament.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:heading -->
<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Nick Matos, 5'7 PG West Orange 2025</strong></h2>
<!-- /wp:heading -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>Matos is averaging 14.5 points per game over the last four games and is looking to continue his hot streak in the state tournament. The 5'7 guard has a nice handle, which he uses to beat his defender off the bounce and sets his feet before he shoots. Matos uses his quick hands on the defensive end to generate steals and will be looking to cause turnovers for West Orange during the state tournament.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:heading -->
<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1628300' first='Fernando' last='Badillo'], 6'3 SG/SF Union City 2026</strong></h2>
<!-- /wp:heading -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>Badillo has made an instant impact for Union City this season, hitting big shots in late game situations. The 6'3 wing has a good release on his jumper and moves well without the ball in his hands. Badillo has four 20-point games this season and will need another game like that in the state tournament for Union City to make a deep run.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:heading -->
<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Sean Isidro, 6'2 PF Memorial 2026</strong></h2>
<!-- /wp:heading -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>Isidro might be an undersized post prospect, but that won't stop him from making plays in the paint. The 6'2 forward knows how to get position down low and can draw contact in the paint. Isidro's ability to control the paint is something that will help Memorial during the opening round of the state tournament.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:heading -->
<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1874042' first='Micah' last='Pierce'], 6'3 SG Paterson Kennedy 2026</strong></h2>
<!-- /wp:heading -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>Pierce has been playing at a high level all season for the Knights and is looking to lead them on a deep postseason run. The 6'3 guard has a quick first step, which he uses to get into the paint and finishes strong above the rim. Pierce uses his length to be disruptive on the defensive end, which will be something that will help Paterson Kennedy make noise during the state tournament.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:heading -->
<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2788989' first='Christian' last='Rodriguez'], 6'1 SG Mount Olive 2028</strong></h2>
<!-- /wp:heading -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>Rodriguez has been a spark plug for the Marauders this season, averaging over 15 points per game. The 6'1 guard has a nice handle as he knows how to get to his spot on the floor and finishes well around the basket. Rodriguez has the ability to knock down open jumpers from behind the arc, which he will need to do for Mount Olive to make a run in the state tournament.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:heading -->
<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Will Souza, 5'10 PG Kearney 2025</strong></h2>
<!-- /wp:heading -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>Souza has seen a big jump in production from last season as he has more than doubled his scoring. The 5'10 guard rarely forces jumpers in the halfcourt and has a good release on his jumper. Souza has only scored 18 points over his last three games and will need his scoring to rise up during the state tournament for Kearney to get out of the first round.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:heading -->
<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Dean Aminyar, 6'0 CG Bergen Tech 2026</strong></h2>
<!-- /wp:heading -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>Aminyar has been super productive over his last two seasons for the Knights as he has scored over 850 points in 53 games. The 6'0 guard has a good release on his jumper and can knock down triples in bunches. Aminyar also jumps passing lanes for steals and will have to force multiple turnovers for Bergen Tech to make a run in the state tournament.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:heading -->
<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Caisius Payano, 5'9 PG Clifton 2025</strong></h2>
<!-- /wp:heading -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>Payano has been facilitating the Mustangs' offense all season and will be looking to pull off an upset in the opening round. The 5'9 guard moves well without the ball in his hands, freeing himself for open layups and jumpers in the halfcourt. Payano has four 20 point games this season and will need another game like that if Clifton wants to pull off an upset in the opening round of the state tournament like they did last season.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
The Group 4 sectional tournaments are set to tip off on Thursday, which are always fun to watch. North Jersey 1 Group 4 is going to be fun to watch as many prospects have the opportunity to make noise during the state tournament. Here are the North Jersey 1 Group 4 X-Factors.
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue Reading
Already a subscriber?
Log in