Group 1 Teams and Prospects to Watch This Season

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The NJ high school basketball season is finally here as tryouts started today. Group 1 might be the smallest group for public schools, but there's talent to watch that will make an impact this season. Here are the Group 1 teams and prospects to watch this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Newark Tech: North 2</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Terriers are the reigning two-time sectional champions and are looking to take home their third straight sectional title. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1411664' first='Malcolm' last='Bragg'] </strong>attacks the basket with a purpose and is looking to land back on first team All-Group 1 after doing it in 2023-24. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2421332' first='Marcus' last='Bragg']</strong> has been a steady presence for Newark Tech in the backcourt and has great chemistry with point guard <strong>Rodney Tullis</strong>. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2624505' first='Jalen' last='Baker'] </strong>was a double-double machine for the Terriers last season and will be a menace on the low post. Newark Tech have been to the last two Group 1 finals and are looking to make it back to Rutgers to take home the Group 1 title.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Paterson Charter: North 1</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Lions have won two of the last three sectional titles, including winning the 2022 Group 1 title. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1919184' first='Gio' last='Figueroa']</strong> returns to run the show for the Lions and will be one to watch all season as he recorded three triple-doubles last season. <strong>Kyle Fulcher</strong> took a step up on the offensive end last season and should take another step this season as he gets more touches on the offensive end. <strong>Jhkai Singletary</strong> is one of the most athletic wings in Group 1 and has the potential to breakout this season with his ability to impact the game at both ends of the floor. The Lions are a gritty defensive team as they only allowed over 50 points nine times in 2023-24 and are looking to duplicate that defensive effort this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Henry Hudson: Central</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Admirals are fresh off their best season in school history as they won 21 games and made the Central Jersey Group 1 semifinals. Second team All-Group 1 guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1599859' first='Jack' last='Fitzpatrick'] </strong>returns for Henry Hudson after a junior campaign that saw him average 22 points per game and eclipse the 1,100-point mark for his career. His brother <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2210323' first='Michael' last='Fitzpatrick']</strong> provides stability in the backcourt and has a quick release on his jumper. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2628241' first='Joseph' last='Newell']</strong> emerged as a reliable presence in the post as he averaged a double-double in his debut varsity season and his numbers should only increase in 2024-25. Henry Hudson has the potential to make another deep run in the postseason as the Admirals look to take home the sectional title.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Pitman: South </strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Panthers took home the South Jersey Group 1 title and are looking to repeat as champions. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1413231' first='Elijah' last='Crispin']</strong> did a little bit of everything for Pitman, which led him to landing on first team All-Group 1. <strong>Michael Fisicaro</strong> is a marksman from distance as he drained over 60 triples last year and will be looking to eclipse that mark this season. <strong>Greg Petersen</strong> will be poised to take a step up this season as he should get more touches within Pitman's offense. The Panthers have the ability to get hot from distance in a hurry, which will help them make a deep run in the state tournament.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Kipp Cooper Norcross Academy: South</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kipp made it to the sectional final last season and will be looking to get over the hump this season. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2628224' first='Tahmir' last='Dixon']</strong> was a force down low as he gobbled up double-doubles all season. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2628225' first='Maleake' last='Kelly']</strong> is a versatile guard prospect who had over 300 points and 200 assists in 2023-24. <strong>Jeremiah Shelton</strong> and <strong>Ta'Jon Chambliss</strong> had big moments for Kipp last season and will do so again during the course of the season. Kipp Cooper Norcross Academy returns four of their top five scorers from last season and have the potential to take home the South Jersey Group 1 title.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Other Teams and Prospects to Watch:</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Hoboken: North 2; Prospects to Watch: [player_tooltip player_id='2421336' first='Lamir' last='Boxley'], [player_tooltip player_id='2421334' first='Nick' last='Esposito'], Nick Petruzelli</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Cresskill: North 1; Prospects to Watch: [player_tooltip player_id='1825346' first='Omer' last='Tal'], [player_tooltip player_id='2628192' first='Luke' last='Kopczynski']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Manville: Central; Prospects to Watch: Edryn Morales, [player_tooltip player_id='2628182' first='Josh' last='D'Ambrosio']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Shabazz: North 2; Prospects to Watch: [player_tooltip player_id='1775139' first='Zaim' last='Barnes'], Talib McLean, [player_tooltip player_id='2628207' first='Umar' last='Sannor']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>New Milford: North 1; Prospects to Watch: Luis Placido, Dariel Lirzano, Jake Johnson</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->