GMC Tournament: Biggest X-Factors in First Round

<p><em><span style="font-size: 8pt;">Photo by Scott Faytok | For NJ Advance Media</span></em></p> <p>The GMC Tournament will be in full swing on Thursday. The first round will feature the remaining 16 teams and every seed will be in action. This is a conference with a rich history of success and all-star players. That is no different this season. The star power will be on full display but it takes a complete team to win a championship. These are the biggest x-factors for the remaining teams moving forward.</p> <p><strong>Mo Johnson (2021) | St. Joe's Metuchen</strong></p> <p>The Falcons will enter the GMCT as the top-seed once again. They are led by a group of outstanding guards. K-Shawn Schulters and <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/tyree-ford/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/tyree-ford/">Tyree Ford</a></a> make up what might be the best backcourt in the conference. Sophomore <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/amari-campbell/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/amari-campbell/">Amari Campbell</a></a> has been a dynamic offensive player as well. Johnson is the biggest x-factor. He has been a force down low all season long and that is what St. Joe's needs. Johnson has the ability to take over a game from the post. This gives the Falcons a balanced attack on the offensive end.</p> <p><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/jaquan-harris/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/jaquan-harris/">Jaquan Harris</a></a> (2022) | St. Thomas Aquinas</strong></p> <p>There is no doubt that <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/quadry-adams/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/quadry-adams/">Quadry Adams</a></a> is the leader of the Trojans. The Wake Forest commit has completely taken over the season but Harris has been a close second. The sophomore sensation has scored in double-figures in 19 games for St. Thomas Aquinas. He is averaging just over 14 points per game this season. He leads the Trojans in assists and is second in steals, behind Adams. Harris brings a different aspect to an offense that can score in many ways. He is a slasher who can also shoot from deep. Harris leads St. Thomas Aquinas with 50 made three's this season.</p> <p><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/josiah-brown/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/josiah-brown/">Josiah Brown</a></a> (2022) | New Brunswick</strong></p> <p>Brown has come in and been a complete player in his sophomore season. Ahyan Brown-Miller is the leader but Brown has the ability to get it done in many ways on the floor. He is not a big time scorer with just over six points per game but Brown is a capable rebounder and passer. He is dishing out four assists per game and plays strong defense. Every team needs a glue player that can contribute in many ways and that is Brown.</p> <p><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/tyrell-murchison/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/tyrell-murchison/">Tyrell Murchison</a></a> (2021) | South Brunswick</strong></p> <p>South Brunswick has been led by their dynamic duo. <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/devin-strickland/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/devin-strickland/">Devin Strickland</a></a> leads the team with 21 points per game this season and <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/justin-carbone/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/justin-carbone/">Justin Carbone</a></a> is a close second with 19 per game. Murchison has been a strong third-option He is scoring just over 13 points per game as a junior. South Brunswick is in a strong position to make a run in this tournament thanks to their core of star players.</p> <p><strong>Aiden Ramirez (2022) | Carteret</strong></p> <p>Carteret enters the tournament as the fifth-seed and has a 17-6 record overall. <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/starrell-hearns/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/starrell-hearns/">Starrell Hearns</a></a> has been their star all season but Ramirez has been a key contributor as a sophomore. He is scoring just under 10 points per game and has shown his ability to be a strong rebounder. Ramirez is also among the team leaders in steals per game. Carteret is a complete team that can make a run and Ramirez will be a key factor.</p> <p><strong>Nasir McLean (2020) | Edison</strong></p> <p>Sometimes an x-factor can be a team's main contributor. McLean is second on the team in scoring and leads the team with eight rebounds per game. He is also the team leader in assists and steals. Edison has high hopes of being a team that can contend and to do so, they will need McLean to keep putting up big numbers on a nightly basis.</p> <p><strong>Savion Pressley (2022) | Wardlaw-Hartridge</strong></p> <p>Wardlaw-Hartidge has won 18 games this season but they are the No. 16 seed because of their lack of quality wins. Pressley has taken advantage of his opponents this season. He has scored over 500 points as a sophomore which equates to just under 22 points per game. He has scored 20 or more points in 17 games and 11 out of the last 12. His season-high came in a win over Highland Park when he scored 36 points. Wardlaw-Hartridge will have the tough task of facing St. Joe's Metuchen in the first round. For them to pull off a major upset, Pressley will have to have a massive night scoring the ball.</p>