Non-Public Guards Who Could Have Big Games During Opening Day

<p>The state tournament is primed to tip off tomorrow with over 300 teams looking to take home a trophy. Non-Public A and B is filled with talent, especially in the back court. Here are the guards in Non-Public A and B who could have games at the start of the state tournament.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1609109' first='Richie' last='Rosa'], 6'0 PG St. Peter's Prep 2026</strong></h2>   <p>Rosa has been a key part of the Marauders' attack for four seasons and should continue it in the state tournament. The Rider commit has a tight handle, which he uses to blow by his defender and can finish in a variety of ways around the rim. Rosa is more than just a slasher as he has a smooth release on his jumper and can get hot from distance in a hurry. He rarely gets sped up by on-ball pressure and works hard on the defensive end. Rosa and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1595680' first='Mason' last='Santiago']</strong> are a dynamic backcourt that should light up the scoreboard during the opening game of the state tournament.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Erik Perez, 6'4 SG Doane Academy 2026</strong></h2>   <p>Perez has been playing at a high level all season for the Spartans, which should carry over into the postseason. The 6'4 guard attacks the basket with a purpose as he finishes strong around the rim and is unafraid of drawing contact in the paint. Perez can also score in the mid-range and sets his feet before he shoots. He has the length to defend multiple positions on the floor and pushes the pace well in transition. Perez is a versatile guard prospect who should put his game on full display in round one of the state tournament.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2568645' first='Austin' last='Kolakowski'], 6'0 SG/PG Delbarton 2027</strong></h2>   <p>Kolakowski is one of the top shooters in Morris County, which he should put on display in the state tournament. The 6'0 guard has a smooth release on his jumper and can knock down triples in bunches. Kolakowski moves well without the ball in his hands, freeing himself for open jumpers and layups in the half court. He is an underrated passer and gets deflections on the defensive end. Kolakowski is a sharpshooting guard prospect who should torch the nets from distance over the course of the opening round of the tournament.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2202021' first='Aidan' last='Carter'], 6'6 CG St. Joe's Metuchen 2028</strong></h2>   <p>Carter has been a key part of the Falcons' success this season, running the offense efficiently over the last couple of weeks. The 6'6 guard uses his size to see over his defender and rarely gets rattled by on-ball pressure. Carter threads passes to his open teammates in the half court and has a nice touch around the basket. He uses his length to make an impact on the defensive end and is a solid rebounder. Carter is a talented guard prospect who should put fill up the boxscore in the opening round of the state tournament.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2305481' first='Jaylen' last='Lewis'], 6'0 CG/PG Don Bosco Prep 2028</strong></h2>   <p>Lewis has been coming into his own lately, averaging a little over 15 points per game over his last four games. The 6'0 lefty has a clean shooting stroke as he wastes little motion and sets his feet before he shoots. Lewis is more than just a shooter as he can also get to the rim off the bounce and has a good touch in the mid-range. He slides his feet on the defensive end and is an underrated passer. Lewis has the ability to breakout this postseason as he has the ability to hit clutch shots down the stretch for Don Bosco Prep.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Other Prospects to Watch:</strong></h2>   <p><strong>Khalil Shah-Brown, SG Montclair Kimberley Academy 2027</strong></p>   <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2464737' first='Gavin' last='Biasi'], 5'11 CG Red Bank Catholic 2027</strong></p>   <p><strong>Cody Webster, PG Depaul Catholic 2026</strong></p>   <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1859568' first='Shaan' last='Nayar'], 6'1 PG Ranney 2026</strong></p>   <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2731718' first='Riley' last='Gorman'], 6'2 SG/PG Immaculata 2026</strong></p>

The state tournament is primed to tip off tomorrow with over 300 teams looking to take home a trophy. Non-Public A and B is filled with talent, especially in the back court. Here are the guards in Non-Public A and B who could have games at the start of the state tournament.