2026 North Jersey 2 Group 3 Prospects to Track

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>January is over half over, meaning the high school season is heating up. Group 3 is full of intrigue with multiple teams having the opportunities to take home the sectional title. North 2 has 2026 prospects who should have big Februaries. Here are the 2026 North Jersey 2 Group 3 prospects to track.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Gerard Edwell, 6'5 PF Payne Tech</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Edwell has been one of the top 2026 prospects in the state as he has been filling up the box score all season. The Millersville commit has a strong frame, which he uses to get position in the paint and can finish through contact. Edwell can also put the ball on the floor and his range extends out to the three-point line. He is a force on the boards and holds his ground on the defensive end. Edwell is a physical forward prospect who should continue to fill up the stat sheet this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2549640' first='Chase' last='Plotkin'], 6'0 SG/PG Millburn</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Plotkin has been one of the top shooters in the 2026 class and should continue to hit shots from behind the arc. The 6'0 guard has a smooth release on his jumper and can knock down triples in bunches. Plotkin moves well without the ball in his hands, freeing himself for open jumpers and layups in the half court. He is an underrated passer and slides his feet on the defensive end. Plotkin is a sharpshooting guard prospect who should torch the nets from distance over the next couple of weeks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Michael Dufner, SG Warren Hills</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dufner has been key to Warren Hills' success this season as he is averaging 18.6 points per game. He has a good first step, which he uses to beat his defender off the bounce and finishes well around the rim. Dufner can also score in the mid-range and can knock down jumpers from behind the arc. He is a good rebounder and works hard on the defensive end. Dufner has four 20-point games this season and should have more performances like that this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Michael MacAniff, 6'2 SG Chatham</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>MacAniff has helped Chatham to an 8-4 record with his ability to score inside and out. The 6'2 guard uses his handle to get into lane and knows how to finish around the basket. MacAniff is more than just a shooter as he can also knock down shots from behind the arc and moves well without the ball in his hands. He is an underrated defender and rarely forces jumpers in the half court. MacAniff has the ability to put up points in bunches and should continue to do so over the course of February.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2342687' first='Jerelz' last='Ortiz'], PF Cliffside Park</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ortiz has been a force down low for Cliffside Park as he is averaging nearly 20 points and over 12 rebounds per game. He uses his strong frame to get position in the paint and has a nice touch around the basket. Ortiz can also pass out of the post and sets strong screens in the half court. He rips down rebounds on both ends of the floor and uses his length to swat shots around the rim. Ortiz has been a double-double machine for Cliffside Park this season and should continue to rack up double-doubles over the next couple of weeks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Other Prospects to Know:</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2628213' first='Dylan' last='Chiera'], 6'3 SG/PG Colonia</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Enzo Madrini, 6'2 SG Cranford</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Tim LaCanna, 6'2 SG Somerville</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Ryan Warner, G/F Randolph</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2421357' first='Matt' last='Caplan'], 6'2 SG Summit</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->