2020 Jeff Coney Classic: Top Takeaways
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The 2020 Jeff Coney Classic was a great day of basketball. The showcase featured some of the top teams and players in South Jersey, creating intriguing match-ups throughout the day. Some of the top performances at the Jeff Coney Classic…
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Continue ReadingThe 2020 Jeff Coney Classic was a great day of basketball. The showcase featured some of the top teams and players in South Jersey, creating intriguing match-ups throughout the day. Some of the top performances at the Jeff Coney Classic could catapult teams to a great end to the season. Here are the top takeaways from the 2020 Jeff Coney Classic.
1. Paul VI is primed for a deep run in Non-Public A
The Eagles may have only brought nine players to the event, but that was all they needed to trounce Trenton Catholic 73-43. Junior Wisler Sanon dominated the game on both ends as he had a game-high 19 points while playing lockdown defense on VCU commit Jamir Watkins. Jaylen Boyd-Savage and Andrew Harrell combined to score 35 points, which was crucial since Nicolo Nobili and Jordany Pierre struggled with foul trouble. The Eagles may not have a very deep bench, but they have enough talent to carry them through Non-Public A South.
2. Wildwood Catholic is Rutgers Prep’s top competition in Non-Public B South
Burlington Township was playing without senior forward Emmanuel Ayetigbo, but it would not have mattered much as Wildwood Catholic rolled to a 79-46 victory. West Virginia commit Taj Thweatt was a force on both ends of the floor as he gobbled up rebounds, swatted shots around the basket and attacked the basket with a purpose. TCNJ commit Jacob Hopping and junior Martin Aguelnov each dropped 13 points as Jahlil White sat for the majority of the second half. Nine different Crusaders ended up in the score sheet, making them an extremely dangerous team to face in Non-Public B South.
3. Zach Hicks and Tyrese Myrick provided the best head-to-head match-up
Camden Catholic escaped Westampton Tech with a 51-49 victory courtesy of Hicks’ game-winning shot with under a second to play. The 6’8 junior was able to free himself on the wing and buried an 18-foot pull-up jumper. Hicks dropped 27 points on the night, which equaled Myrick for the game-high. The senior guard eclipsed the 1,000-point mark in the game as the Irish could not stop him from getting into the lane. Myrick used his strong frame to finish around the rim and showcased his shooting stroke with four three-pointers. Hicks and Myrick’s individual scoring battle was fun to watch as both players literally carried their offenses in this game.
4. Javontae Jones was the biggest winner on the night
The senior captain for Rancocas Valley wanted to have a big game in front of his home crowd and he stepped up in a big way. Jones dropped a Jeff Coney Classic-high 35 points in Rancocas Valley’s 59-50 win over Ewing. He scored in a variety of ways as he got to the rim, knocked down perimeter jump shots and showcased a solid mid-range game. Jones’ performance against Ewing was one for the ages and it could help spark Rancocas Valley to a higher seed in South Jersey Group 4.
5. Elmarko Jackson and Matthew Delaney are an underrated duo
St. Augustine knocked off Bordentown 82-74, but the scoreline does not accurately represent how dominant the Hermits were in the game. Delaney absolutely dominated down low with 22 points and 12 rebounds as the Scotties could not stop him inside. Jackson was unguardable off the dribble as he scored all but one of his 21 points around the rim. Bordentown’s duo of Jordan Martin and Gavin Shiver may have combined for more points, but they were not as effective as Delaney and Jackson. Senior Kevin Foreman chipped in 17 points,helping out one of the most underrated scoring duos in New Jersey.