Group 4 Finals: Top Performers
The Group 4 sectional finals were thrilling as a pair of games were decided in the final seconds of the game. Elizabeth and Watchung Hills faced off in the only top 10 match-up of the night, while Atlantic City was…
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Continue ReadingThe Group 4 sectional finals were thrilling as a pair of games were decided in the final seconds of the game. Elizabeth and Watchung Hills faced off in the only top 10 match-up of the night, while Atlantic City was looking to defend its home gym against Cherry Hill East. The sectional finals brought out some big-time performances as players were trying to push their teams into the Group 4 semifinals. Here are the top performers from the sectional Group 4 finals.
Stephen Byard Stephen Byard 6'7" | PF Atlantic City | 2020 State NJ , 6’7 PF Atlantic City 2020
Byard has been dominant in the state tournament and continued his dominance in Atlantic City’s 61-44 victory over Cherry Hill East. The 6’7 senior poured in 23 points, grabbed 12 rebounds and swatted four shots as the Cougars had no answer for him down low. Byard routinely drew contact around the basket and showcased good footwork against smaller defenders. He has powered Atlantic City’s run to the South Jersey Group 4 title, as Byard averaged 26.3 points per game. The Vikings will need more scoring like that if they want to make their first Tournament of Champions appearance since 2013.
Jayden Pierre Jayden Pierre 6'2" | PG Long Island Lutheran | 2022 State #109 Nation NY ,6’0 PG Elizabeth 2022
Pierre has been a big-time player for the Minutemen all season and proved it again in Elizabeth’s 56-54 victory over Watchung Hills. The sophomore point guard knocked down the game-winning pull-up jumper with 2.3 seconds as he was able to shake off his defender and knock it down with confidence. Pierre had a game-high 18 points and five assists as he was in control of the offense from the beginning. Elizabeth will need more performances like that from Pierre if the Minutemen want to play in the Tournament of Champions for the first time since 1991.
Justin Carbone Justin Carbone 6'4" | SG South Brunswick | 2020 State NJ & Devin Strickland Devin Strickland SG South Brunswick | 2020 State NJ , 6’4 SG 2020/ 6’0 CG 2020 South Brunswick
Sophomore Yathin Vemula hit the game-winning lay-up as time expired to give South Brunswick the 72-71 win, but it was Carbone and Strickland who carried the scoring load for the Vikings. The senior duo combined for 54 points on the night as they were South Brunswick’s only form of offense at times during the game. Strickland scored the team’s first eight point in the game, while Carbone had a game-high 30 points as the Mustangs could not stop the 6’4 senior from scoring. South Brunswick won its first sectional title since 2007 as Carbone and Strickland carried the Vikings to the finish line.
Deishon Harrison, 5’10 PG Paterson Kennedy 2020
Paterson Kennedy has been one of the top teams in Group 4 all season and proved it with a 74-44 win over Ridgewood. Harrison paced the Knights in scoring with 21 points as Ridgewood could not keep him out of the lane. The 5’10 senior was adept at finishing around the rim and shot the ball with confidence in the mid-range. Harrison has been more confident scoring the basketball of late as he has eclipsed 20 points in his last two games. Paterson Kennedy will need him to be assertive scoring the basketball against a tough defensive team in Elizabeth in the Group 4 semifinals.
Aleksy Friedman, 6’0 SG Marlboro 2021
Marlboro was unable to come away with the Central Jersey Group 4 title at home, but Friedman did all he could to help the Mustangs win. The 6’0 junior had a team-high 21 points as the Vikings could not keep him out of the lane. Friedman was at his best going to his left and knocked three big three-pointers during the course of the game. Marlboro loses its all-time leading scorer Alex Ratner Alex Ratner 6'0" | CG Marlboro | 2020 State NJ next season, but the Mustangs have a good foundation in the backcourt in Friedman and Jonathan Spatola.
Other Players to Know:
Mark Heber Mark Heber CG Paterson Kennedy | 2021 CT , 6’2 SG Paterson Kennedy 2020
Jack Seidler Jack Seidler 6'5" | SF Marlboro | 2022 State NJ , 6’5 SF Marlboro 2022
Trevor Bokach Trevor Bokach 6'4" | CG Watchung Hills | 2021 State NJ , 6’4 SG Watchung Hills 2021
Jordan Price Jordan Price 6'4" | SF Elizabeth | 2020 State NJ , 6’4 SF Elizabeth 2020