Key Players for New Jersey’s Undefeated Teams
New Jersey basketball is heating up with upsets and undefeated teams losing their first games. Colonia, Elizabeth, St. Joseph (Montvale) and Watchung Hills all suffered their first losses of the season yesterday. With those four teams losing, there are five…
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Continue ReadingNew Jersey basketball is heating up with upsets and undefeated teams losing their first games. Colonia, Elizabeth, St. Joseph (Montvale) and Watchung Hills all suffered their first losses of the season yesterday. With those four teams losing, there are five remaining unbeaten teams left in New Jersey. Each of the unbeatens have used a different formula to maintain their winning ways, making them extremely intriguing. Here are the key players for New Jersey’s five undefeated teams.
Rutgers Prep
The Argonauts are one of the most explosive offenses in the state with three games of over 90 points so this season. Star forward Trey Patterson has spearheaded the offense as the 6’7 junior is averaging 23 points and 11 rebounds per game. He is scoring at all three levels and is creating space for classmate Noah Harris on the perimeter.
Sacred Heart commit Nico Galette is providing Patterson with help on the interior as the senior forward averages 10 boards a game. Sophomores Otega Oweh and Ryan Petit round out a solid starting lineup for head coach Matt Bloom. Rutgers Prep is currently 12-0 on the season and the Argonauts have shown no signs of slowing down.
West Morris
The Wolfpack have raced out to a 10-0 record with nine of those wins by 10 points or more. West Morris has been efficient on offense as junior point guard Christian Cevis has excelled at running the offense. His 11.6 assists per game are among the state’s best and is a thief on defense with 4.2 steals per game.
Senior Ryan Hillier is West Morris’ go-to scorer at 18.4 points per game and is not afraid to mix it up down low. Junior Ethan Stoute has risen his game since last season as he is one of the key players for the Wolfpack this season. West Morris has a big game against Watchung Hills this weekend as the Wolfpack is looking to maintain its unbeaten start to the season.
Paterson Kennedy
The Knights are also 10-0 on the season and are on track to be the team to beat in North Jersey 1 Group 4. Seniors Mark Heber and Deishon Harrison are the top options on offense with the latter running the show for Paterson Kennedy. Classmate Yassen Crawford is the team’s third leading scorer at 10.1 points per game, but he also provides lockdown defense.
The Knights are not an overly big team, but 6’2 senior Jalen Hargrave is playing well down low. He is the team’s top rebounder and interior presence. Paterson Kennedy has upcoming games against Don Bosco Prep and Paramus Catholic as the Knights look to have a historic 2019-20 season.
Burlington City
The Blue Devils are building on their momentum from last season’s run to the Group 1 final. Temple football commit DJ Woodbury has been a rock all season as he has eclipsed double figures in every game this season. The senior guard dominated unbeaten at the time Doane Academy as he finished with 23 points, 12 rebounds and six assists.
Sophomores Jamaal and Jameel Morris have been huge this season as they have helped Woodbury with the scoring load. The former is the team’s top three-point shooter, while the latter helps Woodbury run the Blue Devils’ offense. Burlington City is 9-0 on the season as the Blue Devils look to repeat as Central Jersey Group 1 champions.
Overbrook
The Rams are the final undefeated team in New Jersey as they are 9-0. Senior Davon Thornton has been playing well to start the season with three 20-point performances so far this season. The 6’2 senior excels at getting to the rim, but is also capable of knocking down three-pointers.
Junior Damian Rawls is the team’s second leading scorer who excels at drawing contact. Forwards Shamar Gantt and Kenneth Juanico have been vital for the Rams’ success down low in 2019-20. Overbrook has a couple of huge tests coming up on its schedule, but the Rams are playing great basketball so far this season.