Prospects in Need of Big Runs to Get Team Into States

<p>Garden State basketball is heating up with the cutoff for the state tournament a little over three weeks ago. Teams are scrambling to finalize their resumes, especially teams that currently sit outside the state tournament. Here are players in need of big runs to put their teams into the state tournament.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="901990" first="Ryan" last="Curry"], 6’0 PG Montgomery 2022</strong></p> <p>Curry has been the go-to guy for the Cougars all season and they will need him to continue with this huge stretch of games coming up. The Army commit has a good handle and can finish around the rim. Curry has a smooth release on his jumper and can get hot from distance in a hurry. He gets his teammates involved in the half court and moves his feet on the defensive end. Curry has to be at his best over the next couple of weeks as Montgomery has big games against Rutgers Prep, Robbinsville, Burlington Township and Franklin before the cutoff.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1018571" first="Jaden" last="Carter"], 6’0 PG Scotch Plains-Fanwood 2022</strong></p> <p>Carter sparked the upset win over Westfield to open the season, but the Raiders need to get back on track as they have lost their last three games. The 6’0 guard has a good shooting stroke and is capable of getting hot in a hurry from deep. Carter is more than just a shooter as he can also get into the lane and finish. He is an underrated passer and a solid defender. Carter is averaging 15 points per game in wins this season and Scotch Plains-Fanwood will need him to continue to average that for the Raiders to make the state tournament.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1050411" first="Khalil" last="Sanders"], PG Newark Tech 2024</strong></p> <p>The Terriers are in need of a big stretch of games from Sanders as they are in real danger of missing the state tournament. The sophomore guard is at his best attacking the basket as he is a good finisher and is unafraid of drawing contact. Sanders is more than just a slasher as he can also knock down jumpers from behind the arc and can score in the mid-range. He gets his teammates involved in the half court and can make plays on the defensive end. Sanders has to play at a high level as Newark Tech has a big stretch of games over the next three weeks.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="902757" first="Jalen" last="Robinson"], 5’10 PG Columbia 2023</strong></p> <p>Robinson has been the facilitator for the Panthers offense all season and will continue to do so at the 2022 season progresses. The 5’10 guard has a good handle and knows how to get his teammates involved in the half court. Robinson can finish nicely around the basket and make opponents pay for giving him space on the perimeter. He is a good on-ball defender and is a good rebounder for a guard. Robinson is a skilled floor general who will have to be at his best for Columbia to get into the state tournament.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="901950" first="Jahzeer" last="Gaskin"], 5’10 PG West Side 2022</strong></p> <p>Classmate <strong>Nacier Kirksey</strong> is also an option here as the Rough Riders need to get on track to secure their spot in the state tournament. Gaskin is a big-time shooter as he can bury jumpers from distance and his range starts once he crosses half court. The 5’10 guard has a nice handle and is an underrated passer. Gaskin moves very well off the ball and moves his feet on the defensive end. West Side has big games down the stretch against East Orange, Payne Tech and Newark Tech, meaning Gaskin will have to be at his best over the last three weeks.</p>