2026 Prospects to Watch in the 1st Round of H/W/S Tournament

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>February is here, meaning county tournaments are in full swing. The H/W/S has its first round games tipping off on Tuesday with the 2026 class looking to make its mark during the tournament. Here are the 2026 prospects to watch in the first round of the H/W/S tournament.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2342686' first='Troy' last='Strelec'], 6'5 PF Hackettstown</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Strelec has been a force for the Tigers all season long as he is averaging nearly 22 points and 11 rebounds per game. The 6'5 forward uses his strong frame to get position down low and has a nice touch around the rim. Strelec 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 uses his length to influence shots on the defensive end. Strelec has been racking up double-double this season and should continue to do so in the county tournament.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2554021' first='Le-Shem' last='Little'], 6'0 PG Sparta</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Little has paced the Spartans' offense this season and should continue to do so during the state tournament. The 6'0 guard has a tight handle, which he uses to blow by his defender off the bounce and finishes well around the rim. Little can also score in the mid-range and makes opponents pay for giving him space behind the arc. He pushes the pace well in transition and slides his feet on the defensive end. Little poured in 23 points in his last game and is looking to have more games like that during the H/W/S tournament.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Dylan Heykoop, G Vernon</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Heykoop has taken a step up this season as he is looking to lead the Vikings on a deep postseason run. He has a nice release on his jumper and can get hot from distance in a hurry. Heykoop is more than just a shooter as he can also get to the rim off the bounce and can finish strong around the basket. He moves well without the ball in his hands and is an underrated defender. Heykoop is fresh off a season high 27 points and will be looking to have more games like during the county tournament.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Kyle Beers, G Voorhees</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Beers is one of the top shooters in the county tournament and should put it on display over the next couple of weeks. He has a smooth release on his jumper and can knock down triples in bunches. Beers moves well without the ball in his hands, freeing himself for open jumpers and layups in the half court. He rarely forces shots in the half court and moves his feet on the defensive end. Beers is a sharpshooting guard prospect who should continue to torch the nets from behind the arc.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Andrew Alfano, W North Hunterdon</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Alfano has shown off his versatility this season and should continue to do so in the H/W/S tournament. He has a clean shooting stroke and gets hot from distance quickly. Alfano can also get into the paint off the bounce and finishes well around the rim. He fights for rebounds on both ends of the floor and gets deflections on the defensive end. Alfano has five 20-point games this season and is looking to have more games like that during the county tournament.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->