North Jersey 2 Group 3 X-Factors

<p>The state tournament tips off in less than a week as February 26t is the opening day of the tournament. North Jersey 2 Group 3 is full of intrigue as multiple prospects have the opportunity to have big tournaments.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2870003' first='RJ' last='Wortman'], 6'5 SF Colonia 2026</strong></h2>   <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1595674' first='Aiden' last='Derkack']</strong> powers the Patriots' attack, but Wortman has been starting to heat up over the last couple of games. The 6'5 wing has a good faceup game and finishes nicely around the rim. Wortman has eclipsed 20 points in two of his last four games, which is a great sign for Colonia in the state tournament.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2107790' first='Kevin' last='King'], 6'0 CG Mendham 2025</strong></h2>   <p>King has helped lead the Minutemen to 20 wins this season and is looking to lead them on a deep postseason run. The 6'0 guard uses his handle to get to his spot on the floor and has a good touch in the mid-range. King can put up points in bunches and will be one to watch throughout the state tournament.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1413224' first='Robert' last='Foster'], 6'4 SF Payne Tech 2025</strong></h2>   <p>Foster is a versatile wing prospect who should put his full game on display during the state tournament. The 6'4 forward pushes the ball well in transition and is a good passer out of the post. Foster rarely forces shots in the halfcourt and his ability to impact the game in a variety of different ways will help Payne Tech make a deep postseason run.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2763438' first='Quinn' last='Burke'], 6'7 PF Chatham 2025</strong></h2>   <p>Burke has taken a step up offensively this season and will be looking to impact the game at both ends of the floor. The 6'7 forward knows how to get position down low and has a good touch around the basket. Burke can also knock down jumpers from behind the arc, which will help Chatham make noise during the state tournament.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1981564' first='Brady' last='Scheier'], 5'9 PG Somerville 2025</strong></h2>   <p>Scheier has been playing at a high level for the Pioneers all season long and is looking to end his career on a high note. The Princeton commit has a quick first step, which he uses to get to the rim off the bounce and finishes strong around the rim. Scheier has two games this season with at least 20 points and five assists and ability to balance scoring with distributing will help Somerville in the state tournament.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Jordan Jones, 5'10 PG South Plainfield 2025</strong></h2>   <p>Jones has been a menace on the defensive end all season long as he has over 100 steals on the season. The 5'10 guard uses his quick hands to get deflections and turns those turnovers into easy layups. Jones' ability to make plays with the ball in his hands will be the key to South Plainfield's success in the state tournament.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Aljanai Best, 5'8 PG Rahway 2025</strong></h2>   <p>Best is starting to tick up his production recently and should continue to raise it during the state tournament. The 5'8 guard has a good handle, which he uses to blow by his defender and finishes in a number of ways around the basket. Best can also knock down jumpers from distance, which will be something to watch for during the state tournament.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Danny Willis, G/F Warren Hills 2025</strong></h2>   <p>Willis has been a key part of the Blue Streaks' four game winning streak, averaging 12 points pre game. He has a good touch around the basket and doesn't mind drawing contact. Willis works for rebounds at both ends of the floor, which will help Warren Hills do damage during the state tournament.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Jamil Gonzalez, G Cliffside Park 2025</strong></h2>   <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2421373' first='Tommy' last='Calaprese']</strong> has lit up the scoreboard from deep, but Gonzalez has taken a step up in 2024-25. The dual-sport athlete uses his first step to get into the lane and finishes strong around the rim. Gonzalez has come up big for Cliffside Park this season as they are 6-1 when he scores 20 points or more.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2339153' first='David' last='Fix'], 6'2 SG Summit 2025</strong></h2>   <p>Fix has had big moments for Summit this season and will look to do so again in the state tournament. The 6'2 guard has a clean release on his jumper and can knock down triples in bunches. Fix has three games this season with at least five made threes and will need more games like that in the state tournament to help Summit make a deep run.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Gregory Burton, 5'8 PG Orange 2025</strong></h2>   <p>Burton has shown the ability to play on and off the ball, which will help the Tornadoes make noise. The 5'8 guard has a nice handle, which he uses to blow by his defender and finishes in a variety of ways around the rim. Burton is a tough on-ball defender and his ability to make plays on defense will help Orange make trouble in the state tournament.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2504912' first='Chace' last='Redler'], 6'2 PG Millburn 2027</strong></h2>   <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2549640' first='Chase' last='Plotkin']</strong> and Redler have been a dynamic duo for the Millers as they have combined to score over 1,000 points this season. The 6'2 guard has a smooth release on his jumper and can knock down triples in bunches. Redler has also shown the ability to play on the ball, which will be key for Millburn to pull off an upset in the first round of the state tournament.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Dorrell Crutcher, F Lincoln 2025</strong></h2>   <p>Crutcher has taken a big step up this season as he has been the go-to guy in the paint for the Lions. He uses his strong frame to get position down low and doesn't mind drawing contact. Crutcher has six double-doubles this season and will need to add to that total for Lincoln to pull off a first round upset.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Ryan Ibrahim, 6'6 PF Nutley 2025</strong></h2>   <p>Ibrahim has to bring his best game for Nutley as he has the potential to make plays in the paint. The 6'6 forward knows how to get position down low and has a nice touch around the basket. Ibrahim is a hardworking forward prospect whose ability to control the paint will help Nutley make noise in the opening round of the state tournament.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Andrei Nitulescu, G Randolph 2027</strong></h2>   <p>Nitulsecu has taken a big step forward this season as he has shown the ability to impact the game in a variety of ways. He knows how to get to his spot on the floor and has a good touch in the mid-range. Nitulescu poured in 20 points and six assists against Morristown and will need a game similar to that in the state tournament to have Randolph pull off the upset.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Josh Ketschke, G Cranford 2025</strong></h2>   <p>Ketschke has been playing at high level recently, averaging nearly 19 points per game over his last four. He knows how to get to the rim off the bounce and finishes well around the basket. Ketschke can score points in bunches and will need to so for Cranford to pull off a first round upset.</p>

The state tournament tips off in less than a week as February 26t is the opening day of the tournament. North Jersey 2 Group 3 is full of intrigue as multiple prospects have the opportunity to have big tournaments.