2024-25 UCC Valley Division: Most Impactful Guards

The 2024-25 season was full of tight and competitive matchups and and explosive individual performances and one of if not the best conference in all of New Jersey, the Union County Conference, provided much of that throughout the course of the regular season. With the high school season fully wrapped up, let's dive into some guards that stood out with strong seasons in the Union County Conference's Valley Division.    Behind a 16.6 PPG average, [player_tooltip player_id='2342604' first='Dean' last='Yellen Jr']. showcased his ability to provide a real scoring punch for this year's Arthur L. Johnson squad. Yellen Jr. used his ability to penetrate the defense to get in the paint and showcase all different types of finishes— two foot floaters, one foot floaters, around defenders, through contact, and using both hands. Yellen Jr.'s downhill aggression also awarded him ample trips to the free throw line as the season went along. Yellen Jr also thrived as a spot up shooter, showcasing his ability to excel off the ball and provide floor spacing.     Throughout the course of his senior season, Jordarsen Pierre proved to be a reliable source of offense for Abraham Clark, showcasing his ability to be effective both on and off the ball. With the ball in his hands, Pierre proved to consistently get in the paint and finish in all different types of ways, using an array of different footed floaters and layups, despite being undersized. Off the ball, Pierre proved to be a reliable shot maker from three point range and knocking down mid range jump shots when defenses closed out on him. Pierre averaged 13.3 PPG this year for Abraham Clark.     Throughout the course of his junior season, Zaire Hopson showcased his ability to be a decisive playmaker, often times making the right reads and creating good looks for not only himself but the other guys on the floor. Behind a 14.2 PPG and 4.2 APG average, Hopson used his speed to create advantages and get in the paint— showcasing different ways he can finish at the basket while also finding open shooters out on the perimeter and hitting guys for dump offs down low.     In his breakout sophomore season that saw him average 13.7 PPG, James Cannizzaro showcased his ability to provide a strong scoring punch for Governor Livingston but also do a lot of the little things on the court that impact winning. Cannizzaro's perimeter shooting ability kept defenses honest and opened up other scoring chances for him, ultimately attacking closeouts and getting to the basket. In addition to his ability to make open shots, Cannizzaro did a good job of getting scrappy and contributing in the rebounding department while also being a guy that kept the ball moving in Governor Livingston's halfcourt offense.     On his way to averaging 16.7 PPG throughout the course of his senior season, Alfris Garcia showcased his ability to be a perimeter shot maker, particularly off the catch while also displaying his ability to attack the basket on dribble drives and finish at the basket. Garcia's senior season included multiple explosive 20 and 30 point performances, including 30 points against Roselle and 31 points against Brearly.     [player_tooltip player_id='2315450' first='Liam' last='Griffiths']' ability to be an offensive spark plug was on full display throughout the course of his senior season, averaging 13.7 PPG. Griffiths showcased his shot making prowess particularly from the perimeter, off the catch coming off screens and pin downs as well as off the dribble both in transition and in the halfcourt.

The 2024-25 season was full of tight and competitive matchups and and explosive individual performances and one of if not the best conference in all of New Jersey, the Union County Conference, provided much of that throughout the course of the regular season. With the high school season fully wrapped up, let's dive into some guards that stood out with strong seasons in the Union County Conference's Valley Division.