Central Jersey Group 1 X-Factors to Watch

<p>The state tournament is a little over a week away with Groups 1 and 3 tipping off on February 26th. Central Jersey Group 1 has the potential to be full of intrigue as prospects look to key their teams to deep postseason runs. Here are the X-Factors to Watch in Central Jersey Group 1.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1628860' first='Isaiah' last='Gore'], 6'2 PG Thrive Charter 2026</strong></h2>   <p>Gore has been playing at a high level all season long for the Iron Mikes and should carry it over into the state tournament. The 6'2 guard uses his quick first step to blow by his defender and finishes nicely around the rim. Gore can also knock down open jumpers from behind the arc and his ability to play off the ball makes it hard for opponents to stop Thrive Charter.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2421339' first='Owen' last='Reynolds'], 6'4 SF Middlesex 2025</strong></h2>   <p>Reynolds does a little bit of everything for the Blue Jays as he leads the team in every statistical category except assists. The 6'4 wing uses his size to see over his defender and rises up nicely on his jumper. Reynolds uses his length to be disruptive on the defensive end and wastes little motion in his release, which makes him a tough matchup at both ends of the floor in Group 1.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1412105' first='Jacob' last='Edgecomb'], CG Point Pleasant Beach 2026</strong></h2>   <p>Edgecomb has shown more consistency with his jumper from distance this season, which should help the Garnet Gulls in the state tournament. The lefty guard wastes little motion in his release and can knock down triples in bunches. Edgecomb is more than just a shooter as he can also get to the rim off the bounce and finishes nicely around the rim, giving him the potential to light up the scoreboard during the state tournament.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1456865' first='Edyrn' last='Morales'], 6'5 SF Manville 2025</strong></h2>   <p>Morales helped key the Mustangs' run to the sectional final last season and should do so again in 2025. The 6'5 wing has a good first step, which he uses to get by his defender off the bounce and finishes well around the basket. Morales rarely forces shots in the halfcourt and uses his athleticism to make plays on the defensive end, making him one of the toughest covers on the perimeter in Central Jersey Group 1.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Jamael Davis, 6'0 SG Dunellen 2026</strong></h2>   <p>Davis may be undersized, but that hasn't stopped him from averaging a near double-double on the season. The 6'0 guard lives in the lane as he knows how to get into the paint off the bounce and doesn't mind contact. Davis is a force on the boards with his 11 double-doubles on the season and should add to it during the state tournament.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1599859' first='Jack' last='Fitzpatrick'], 6'4 PG Henry Hudson 2025</strong></h2>   <p>Fitzpatrick has helped the Explorers since becoming eligible with six 20-point games in that time. The 6'4 guard is at his best attacking the basket where he finishes well around the rim and can make shots through contact. Fitzpatrick can also find his open teammates in the halfcourt, making him an intriguing prospect to watch in the class.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Dominico Dispenza, 5'11 SG Keyport 2025</strong></h2>   <p>Dispenza is on a hot streak right now as he six 20-point performances over his last 10 games. The 5'11 guard knows how to get to his spot on the floor and has a good release on his jumper. Dispenza moves well without the ball in his hands and will be looking to keep up his hot streak during the state tournament.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2116520' first='Jackson' last='Morrison'], 6'3 SG Bound Brook 2025</strong></h2>   <p>Morrison has been lighting up the scoreboard all season as he has seven 30-point games this season. The 6'3 guard has a clean shooting stroke and is capable of knocking down jumpers in bunches. Morrison is an underrated passer and his ability to get his teammates involved in the halfcourt will help Bound Brook make noise in the sectional tournament.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Kenneth McKindra, G Piscataway Magnet 2027</strong></h2>   <p>McKindra has taken a step up this season as he has over 300 points on the season. He has a good handle, which he uses to get to his spot on the floor and knows how to score around the rim. McKindra is averaging 21 points per game over his last three games and is looking to continue to do that over the state tournament.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Colin McAloon, G New Providence 2025</strong></h2>   <p>McAloon has the ability to play either in the backcourt or on the perimeter, making him an intriguing prospect to watch. He knows how to get position on the floor and has a good touch around the basket. McAloon sets his feet before he shoots and will be looking to have a big performance during the state tournament.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Bakar Siddik, G Florence 2025</strong></h2>   <p>Siddik has taken a step up offensively, powering the Chargers' attack. He has a good touch around the rim and uses his size to see over his defender. Siddik can also run the offense in a pinch, giving him the ability to make plays with the ball in his hands.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Jayden Guadalupe, 6'1 SF Highland Park 2025</strong></h2>   <p>Guadalupe might be an undersized wing prospect, but that doesn't stop him from making plays down low. The 6'1 forward knows how to get position down low and has a good touch around the rim. Guadalupe sets strong screens in the halfcourt and his ability to defend in the paint will be key for Highland Park.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Andrew Barham, F Shore 2026</strong> </h2>   <p>Barham has been a presence inside for the Blue Devils, averaging a near double-double. He runs the floor hard, setting himself up for easy layups in transition. Barham is a force on the boards and will need to control the paint for Shore Regional to make a run in the postseason.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Connor Keyes, G South Hunterdon 2026</strong></h2>   <p>Keyes is in the middle of a breakout season as he is averaging nearly 16 points and eight rebounds a game. He knows how to get to the rim off the bounce and finishes well around the basket. Keyes could also have the ball in his hands during the state tournament as the Eagles look to pull off a first round upset.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Anthony Vega, 5'8 PG Perth Amboy Magnet 2025</strong></h2>   <p>Vega runs the show for Perth Amboy Magnet as he leads the team in almost every category. The 5'8 guard uses his speed to blow by his defender off the bounce and finishes in a number of ways around the rim. Vega's combination of speed and skill makes him a dangerous player to watch in Group 1.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Molley Kosso, 6'2 W College Achieve Central 2025</strong></h2>   <p>Kosso has more than doubled his scoring from last season and has the potential to make noise in the state tournament. The 6'2 wing attacks the basket with a purpose as he finishes strong around the rim and can also score in the mid-range. Kosso has a pair of double-doubles this season and will need another one in the state tournament to help College Achieve Central advance.</p>

The state tournament is a little over a week away with Groups 1 and 3 tipping off on February 26th. Central Jersey Group 1 has the potential to be full of intrigue as prospects look to key their teams to deep postseason runs. Here are the X-Factors to Watch in Central Jersey Group 1.