State Finals Unsung Heroes

Joe Esquivel-Murphy March 17, 2026 @ 09:13 PM

<p>The state tournaments have wrapped up as six teams have taken home the state title. Some prospects had under the radar games, which helped their teams take home the title. Here are the unsung heroes of the state finals.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2833843' first='Owen' last='Wucherpfennig'], 6'7 PF Bergen Catholic 2028</strong></h2>   <p>Wucherpfennig was a force on the boards for the Crusaders as he put up a team-high nine rebounds. The 6'7 forward ripped down rebounds on both ends of the floor as he secured second chance opportunities for his team. Wucherpfennig set strong screens in the half court and was able to pass out of the post. He ran the floor hard on both ends and moved well without the ball in his hands. Wucherpfennig is a gritty forward prospect who should carry over his play on the interior during the spring and summer.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2917025' first='Prosper' last='Highlander'], 6'6 SG/SF Gill St. Bernard's 2026</strong></h2>   <p>Highlander made his impact felt in the paint as he swatted four shots for the Knights in the title game. The 6'6 wing used his combination of good timing and length to swat shots and influenced plenty of others in the paint. Highlander also battled for rebounds and rarely forced shots in the half court. He showed the ability to put the ball on the floor and used his length to defend multiple positions on the floor. Highlander is a lanky wing prospect whose ability to impact the game at both ends of the floor makes him an intriguing prospect to look at the next level.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2342645' first='Kamai' last='Lowery'], 6'3 SG Plainfield 2026</strong></h2>   <p>Lowery was the perfect secondary scorer for the Cardinals as he put up 12 points for them in the state final. The 6'3 guard rose up nicely on his jumper as he wasted little motion and set his feet before he shot. Lowery moved well without the ball in his hands, freeing himself for open jumpers and layups in the half court. He moved his feet on the defensive end and rarely forced shots in the half court. Lowery will be looking to improve his stock even more during the Throne Tournament coming up this weekend</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Owen Crowley, 6'3 F Ramsey 2027</strong></h2>   <p>Crowley had a solid performance for the Rams as he put up 10 points and six rebounds. The Harvard lacrosse commit drilled a pair of three-pointers and set his feet before he shot. Crowley moved well without the ball in his hands and was able to draw contact in the half court. He worked for rebounds on both ends of the floor and used his length to influence shots in the paint. Crowley is a hard-working forward prospect who should continue to play tough defense and spread the floor during the 2026-27 season.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Tighe Olek, F Ocean City 2026</strong></h2>   <p>Olek did a little bit of everything for the Red Raiders as he had seven points, five rebounds and five assists. He played with composure on the ball as he rarely got sped up by on-ball pressure and was able to find his open teammates in the half court. Olek ran the offense effectively and used his handle to get into the paint. He finished nicely around the rim and slid his feet on the defensive end. Olek's versatility is something that drove Ocean City throughout the season, which will help him get early minutes at the next level.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1775139' first='Zaim' last='Barnes'], 5'10 PG Shabazz 2026</strong></h2>   <p>Barnes was a steady presence for the Bulldogs during the final as he put up nine points and six rebounds. The 5'10 guard used his handle to beat his defender off the bounce and finished nicely around the rim. Barnes got to his spot on the floor and showed the ability to play off the ball as well. He fought for rebounds on both ends of the floor and used his quickness to get to his spot on the floor. Barnes is a speedy guard prospect whose ability to play on and off the ball will help him break into a lineup early in his collegiate career.</p>

The state tournaments have wrapped up as six teams have taken home the state title. Some prospects had under the radar games, which helped their teams take home the title. Here are the unsung heroes of the state finals.