Group 3 Semifinal Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>All the public school finals are set as 48 teams are still in the running to take home a state title. Group 3 saw some big performances as they helped their teams advance. Here are the standouts from the Group 3 semifinals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2884535' first='Ryan' last='Gannon'], 5'11 PG Middletown South 2029</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gannon was incredible for the Eagles in their upset win over Lawrence as he dropped a game-high 30 points. The 5'11 guard shot the ball with confidence from behind the arc as he hit six triples, including the game-winning shot with five seconds left. Gannon also got into the paint off the bounce and was able to score in the mid-range. He also played off the ball and slid his feet on the defensive end. Gannon has been on fire during the postseason as he is averaging 25.7 points per game over the last three games and will be looking to bring that over into the sectional final against Westampton Tech.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Mateo Bensimon, 6'5 PF Teaneck 2028</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bensimon partnered with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1788774' first='Mickell' last='Taylor Jr']</strong> as they combined to score 46 points in the Highwaymen's victory over Northern Highlands. The 6'5 forward was able to get position down low in the paint and showed a nice touch around the rim. Bensimon also put the ball on the floor and showed his range by knocking down a jumper from behind the arc. He ripped down rebounds at both ends of the floor and rarely forced shots in the half court. Bensimon is averaging 20 points and 13 rebounds during the state tournament and should have similar production in the sectional final against Montville.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2342688' first='Luke' last='Van Auken'], 6'7 PF Delsea 2026</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Van Auken powered Delsea's upset of Deptford in the semifinals as he had 21 points and 14 rebounds. The 6'7 forward used his strong frame to get position down low and showed a soft touch around the rim. Van Auken sets strong screens in the half court and rolled hard to the rim. He skied for rebounds on both ends of the floor and influenced shots around the rim. Van Auken has been a load in the paint for the Crusaders all season and will look to continue his dominance against Ocean City in the sectional final.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Michael MacAniff, 6'2 SG Chatham 2026</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>MacAniff starred for Chatham in the Cougars' victory over South Plainfield as he scored 21 points. The 6'2 guard used his handle to get into the lane off the bounce and finished nicely around the rim. MacAniff moved well without the ball in his hands, freeing himself for open jumpers and layups in the half court. He played on the ball at times and rarely forced shots in the half court. MacAniff has put up 21 points in each of his last two games and will look to continue that trend against Colonia in the sectional final.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2788586' first='Andrew' last='Bena'], 6'3 PF/SF South Plainfield 2028</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bena did all he could for the Tigers as he tied MacAniff with a game-high 21 points. The 6'3 forward showed off a good face-up game as he got to the rim off the bounce and knocked down a pair of jumpers from behind the arc. Bena was also able to get position down low and drew contact in the paint. He worked for rebounds on both ends of the floor and held his ground on the defensive end. Bena had a breakout season for South Plainfield as he put up 18.1 points per game during his sophomore season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->