Opening Day Match-ups to Watch: Part 1

<p>Garden State basketball is finally here with games tipping off tomorrow. The 2021 season is full of anticipation with teams trying to race out to fast starts during this shortened year. The opening slate of games are full of intriguing match-ups with clashes that could decide state rankings and divisional titles. Here are the top opening day match-ups to look out for tomorrow.</p> <p><strong>Montclair Immaculate’s Backcourt duo vs. Bergen Catholic’s Backcourt trio</strong></p> <p>This answer could seem like a bit of a cop out, but there is no other match-up on opening day that features two top 10 teams. The 7th ranked Lions have a talented back court with floor general <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="850513" first="Jayden" last="Brown"] </strong>running the show and Pope John transfer <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="850514" first="DiAndre" last="South"]</strong> slashing to the basket for easy points. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="850662" first="Will" last="Richardson"]</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="850683" first="Julian" last="Brown"]</strong> are one of the most dynamic backcourts in New Jersey as they are both capable of going for 20 points a piece on any given night and play extremely well off each other. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1046909" first="Elliot" last="Cadeau"] </strong>will be making his varsity debut, making the 6th ranked Crusaders even more dangerous. This top 10 showdown is a treat for the opening day of the season and it should be entertaining to watch.</p> <p><strong>Eastern vs. Paul VI: [player_tooltip player_id="900297" first="Tazir" last="Cantey"] vs. [player_tooltip player_id="850529" first="Wisler" last="Sanon"]</strong></p> <p>The Vikings and Eagles are both entering 2021 with high expectations, making this Olympic Conference showdown more fun to watch. Cantey transferred from Lindenwold and is a dynamic scorer having already eclipsed 1,600 points in his high school career. He will face off against one of the top on-ball defenders in the state in NJIT commit Sanon. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="929514" first="Zubair" last="Lee"] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="900324" first="Jaylen" last="Boyd-Savage"]</strong> will also have an intriguing match-up but not more than Cantey and Sanon. The backcourt clash should determine which teams gets the upper hand in the game.</p> <p><strong>Gill St. Bernard’s vs. Watchung Hills: [player_tooltip player_id="1013045" first="Drew" last="Kania"] vs. [player_tooltip player_id="900332" first="Chad" last="Martini"]</strong></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="902732" first="Mackenzie" last="Mgbako"] </strong>was also a consideration for this titanic Skyland Conference tilt to open the season, but Kania will probably spend more time defending Martini down low. The 6’7 junior forward is extremely skilled as Kania can knock down jumpers from the perimeter, put the ball on the floor and get to the basket. Kania had to work boxing out current Princeton player <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="850327" first="Zach" last="Martini"]</strong> and his younger brother should provide a similar challenge down low. The Cornell football commit is a force on the glass and is one of the top passers out of the post in New Jersey. Both teams have been at the top of the Skyland Conference for the past couple of seasons, making this clash even more fun to watch.</p> <p><strong>Somerville vs. Bound Brook: [player_tooltip player_id="929527" first="Kyle" last="Rolon"] vs. [player_tooltip player_id="900322" first="Davie" last="McLarty"]</strong></p> <p>Somerville and Bound Brook battled in the Valley division of the Skyland Conference and it should be no different this season. Rolon has one of the cleanest shooting forms in all of New Jersey and can knock down triples in bunches. The Crusaders will throw multiple looks at him with McLarty getting the preliminary look. The 6’0 guard is a facilitator for head coach Anthony Melesurgo’s offense and plays with quick hands on defense. Versatile wing <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="929517" first="Cam’Ron" last="Summers"] </strong>will also get looks on Rolon, creating an intense game to kick off the 2021 season.</p> <p><strong>Nottingham vs. Allentown: [player_tooltip player_id="933645" first="Brandon" last="Raba"] vs. [player_tooltip player_id="901991" first="Dante" last="Weise"]</strong></p> <p>The Northstars and Redbirds will be fighting for CVC supremacy throughout the season and the point guard matchup will illustrate that. Raba is creative with the ball in his hands as he makes flashy passes, but does not force the issue in the half court. He is a creative finisher around the basket and does not mind drawing contact. Weise is a true floor general for Allentown as he is always looking to set up his teammates and has a good handle to blow by his defender in the half court. Both players will be fun to watch as the CVC slate moves forward.</p>