Group 1 State Tournament: Players to Watch

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The state tournament kicks off next week as over 300 teams look to take home a state title. Group 1 contains the smallest public schools in the state and should be entertaining to watch throughout. Here are the Group 1 players to watch in the state tournament.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1773078' first='Tae'Jean' last='Wilson'], G Eagle Academy 2023</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wilson has had a big senior season for Eagle Academy as he helped guide them to the top spot in Central Jersey Group 1. The senior wing is at his best attacking the basket as he finishes strong and is unafraid of drawing contact. Wilson knows how to get to his spot on the floor and can score in the mid-range. He fights for rebounds on both ends of the floor and makes plays on the defensive end. Wilson will be one to watch in the state tournament as he looks to lead Eagle Academy to a sectional title.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1051496' first='Merle' last='Hans'], 5'10 PG Wildwood 2024</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hans has been one of the top players in Group 1 all season long as he has nine 20-point games in 2022-23. The 5'10 guard has a good handle, which he uses to beat his defender off the bounce and finish around the basket. Hans has a nice touch on his floater and can knock down open jumpers from behind the arc. He knows how to get his teammates involved in the half court and uses his quick hands to get steals on defense. Hans is a speedy, floor general who should make plays for Wildwood throughout the state tournament.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1411664' first='Malcolm' last='Bragg'], 6'1 W Newark Tech 2025</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bragg has done a little bit of everything for the Terriers this season and is a reason they are 16-5 in 2022-23. The 6'1 wing has a nice touch around the basket and is unafraid of finishing through contact. Bragg has a good handle and can fire passes to open teammates in the half court. He fights for rebounds on both ends of the floor and moves his feet on the defensive end. Bragg has been filling up the stat sheet all season long for Newark Tech and it should continue in the state tournament.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2><strong>Talen Zitomer, 6'2 W Cresskill 2023</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Zitomer has been consistent for the Cougars this season and is looking to carry it over into the state tournament. The 6'2 wing has a nice release on his jumper and sets his feet before he shoots. Zitomer moves well without the ball in his hands, freeing himself for open jumpers and layups in the halfcourt. He is a solid rebounder and is an underrated passer. Zitomer's ability to get hot from behind the arc is something that will be key for Cresskill in postseason play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1773090' first='JaBron' last='Solomon'], 5'11 PG Woodbury 2023</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Solomon has been on a scoring tear this season as he has two 40-point games, including a 50-point outburst against Audubon. The New Haven football commit has a lightning quick first step, which he uses to blow by his defender and finish craftily around the basket. Solomon rarely gets rattled by on-ball pressure and knows how to get to his spot on the floor. He knows how to get his teammates involved in the half court and gets deflections on the defensive end. Solomon has been lighting up the scoreboard all season long and is looking to continue it in the state tournament for Woodbury.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2><strong>Other Players to Watch:</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1273929' first='Alex' last='George'], 6'2 SG Shore Regional 2024</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1402081' first='Jasir' last='Lane'], 6'3 SF Hoboken 2023</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Deron McLaughlin, F Park Ridge 2024</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1456810' first='Keanu' last='Ray'], 6'2 SG Weehawken 2023</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1466414' first='Adrian' last='Mouzone'], 5'11 PG Paterson Charter 2023</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->