North 2 Group 1 Guard Duos to Watch

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>January is almost half over, meaning the high school season is in full gear. North 2 Group 1 is full of intrigue as multiple guards have the opportunity to have big postseasons. Here are the North 2 Group 1 guard duos to track</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2782185' first='Anthony' last='Blackmon'] &amp; [player_tooltip player_id='1775139' first='Zaim' last='Barnes'], Shabazz</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2201950' first='Elijah' last='Colon']</strong> has been a great presence to add to the Bulldogs' backcourt, but Blackmon and Barnes have been dynamic for them all season long. Blackmon is electric in the open floor as he uses his speed to blow by his defender off the bounce and finishes well around the rim. Barnes is shifty with the ball in his hands and can score through contact around the rim. They are both tough on-ball defenders and have the ability to play on and off the ball. Blackmon and Barnes are a dynamic guard duo that should continue to put up big numbers for Shabazz throughout the course of the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2201949' first='Ayyub' last='Wilson'] &amp; Kareem Anthony, Arts</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Jaguars have a lot of depth in the backcourt, but Wilson and Anthony lead the charge. The former has a tight handle, which he uses to blow by his defender and can finish in a variety of ways around the rim. Anthony has a nice release on his jumper and can shoot either on or off the bounce. Wilson threads passes to his teammates in the half court, while Anthony moves well without the ball in his hands. Arts are looking to take home its first sectional title as a Group 1 school and the backcourt duo of Wilson and Anthony will be a big reason why they win.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2201961' first='Va'Shaun' last='Harper'] &amp; Iljiah Adams, Newark Tech</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Terriers have won the last three sectional titles and are looking to win their fourth with Harper and Adams in the backcourt. Adams has been a steady presence in the backcourt as he uses his handle to get into the paint and is unafraid of drawing contact. Harper uses his quick first step to blow by his defender off the bounce and finishes strong around the rim. He can also defend multiple positions on the floor, while Adams has shown the ability to play on and off the ball. Newark Tech have the ability to continue its streak as sectional champions with Harper and Adams running the backcourt.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Elijah Zaldivar &amp; Jaydis Smith, North Arlington</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Vikings have jumped out to an 8-1 start this season as Zaldivar and Smith have been impressive this season. Zaldivar uses his handle to get to his spot on the floor and has a nice touch in the mid-range. Smith fights for rebounds on both ends of the floor and has a good touch around the rim. They both use their length to make an impact on the defensive end and move well without the ball in their hands. Zaldivar and Smith are an intriguing duo that should lead the Vikings to a deep run in the postseason.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Robert Eaves &amp; Craig Eaves, Newark Global Studies</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Robert and Craig Eaves have been instrumental to Newark Global Studies, leading them to an 8-2 record so far. Craig Eaves has a nice first step, which he uses to beat his defender off the bounce and can draw contact in the paint. Robert Eaves can play on and off the ball, showing the ability to score in the paint and in the mid-range. They are both tough on-ball defenders and push the pace well in transition. Newark Global Studies has the ability to make noise this postseason with Robert and Craig Eaves making plays on the perimeter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->