Tri-County Classic Division Players To Watch ’22-23

Tri-County Classic Division Players To Watch &#8217;22-23

Alex Fydryszewski

September 25, 2022 @ 11:15 PM

We've finally found our way to deep South Jersey to focus on the players and teams in that section of the state. The depth of New Jersey basketball shows even at the smaller Group I and II schools that make up the Tri-County's smallest divisions. The players showcased in this piece should be leaders for their teams this coming season.       Zaire Cesar | G | Clayton   He was overshadowed by the now departed Christian Durham(Archbishop Ryan in Philly) but Cesar is a big bodied guard who is unafraid of contact. He runs the floor well and can finish at the rim with either hand. Helps out on defense as well with good positional awareness and quick feet. Cesar dropped a host of double-doubles last year, including 28&13 vs Glassboro and 20&16 vs Pennsville. He'll have to bring that every night for Clayton to compete without Durham.     [player_tooltip player_id='1413231' first='Elijah' last='Crispin'] | G | Pitman 2025   Coming from a basketball family, the potential and knowledge base was there. Crispin showed up as a freshman for Pitman like his namesakes before him and delivered on that promise. A sharpshooter from deep who has a lethal step back and a lightning quick release on his jump shot. He's a tough defender but offense is his forte. He hit West Deptford for 34, Salem for 31 and Triton for 25 as a freshman.     Amare Smith | 6'3" | F | Salem   Smith is a two sport star at Salem, also featuring for the football team. He uses that toughness and athleticism to his benefit on the basketball court. He averaged 11PPG as a junior and led the team in rebounds. He's a menace in the middle of their press and creates havoc in the midcourt. Tough rebounder who fights for second chances on both ends of the floor. Multiple double-doubles and became a double-double machine in the stretch. He had 20&17 vs Wildwood and 20&15 vs Paulsboro. His future lies on the gridiron as a I-AA Scholarship player.     Junior Hans | 5'11" | G | Wildwood High 2024   Hans had an impressive sophomore year. He made his mark primarily as a scorer but he's got tools as well. He's a tough defender who has active hands, runs the floor with purpose and can finish at the rim with both hands. He had 34 vs Pitman, 28 vs Ocean City and also 25 vs Woodstown. Hans should be one of the top players in deep South Jersey this coming season.     RJ Mustaro | G| Gloucester Catholic   While he's more known for his hard slugging style on the baseball diamond, Mustaro had a big junior year for the Rams. Went from being a reserve to the centerpiece of the program. He's an athlete and uses the craftiness and grit that comes with being a multi-sport guy(He also plays football) to his advantage. He hit for over 400 pts as a junior. Mustaro had 23 vs Clayton, 22 vs Woodstown and 22 vs Washington Twp.   OTHERS TO WATCH:   Myles Rodgers | 6'6"| F | Clayton   [player_tooltip player_id='2335491' first='Jordan' last='Fusik'] |5'7" | G | Wildwood 2024   [player_tooltip player_id='2339165' first='Jack' last='Mustaro'] | G | Gloucester Catholic 2025   Luke Wood | 5'10" | G | Pennsville 2025   [player_tooltip player_id='1214158' first='Anthony' last='Farmer'] | 5'9" | G | Salem 2024

We've finally found our way to deep South Jersey to focus on the players and teams in that section of the state. The depth of New Jersey basketball shows even at the smaller Group I and II schools that make up the Tri-County's smallest divisions. The players showcased in this piece should be leaders for their teams this coming season.