By Brandon Gould, Richard Greco and Jeremey Schneider | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
John Munson | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
In the title mix
The 2017-18 New Jersey boys basketball season is about ready to tip off, which means hundreds of teams are preparing to hopefully contend for one of the six state championships in March. Which teams have what it takes? See the list of the favorites and contenders in each group below.
2016-17 Group champions
Group 4: Linden
Group 3: Teaneck
Group 2: West Side
Group 1: Verona
Non-Public A: Don Bosco Prep
Non-Public B: Patrick School
GROUP 4
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Favorite: Linden
As long as Tavon Jones is leading the Tigers onto the court, Linden will always be in good shape. Linden has won the Group 4 championship three of the last four years, including last year’s 57-41 win over Shawnee. Jones is fresh off a 17.7 point per game season and is one of the top defensive guards in the state. Linden also returns another key player in fellow senior guard Mikey Watkins (pictured above), who had 10 points per game and is closing in 1,000 points.
Steve Hockstein | For NJ Advance Media)
Contender: Bloomfield
Fresh of a North 1, Group 4 championship, Bloomfield will be in the hunt for the Group 4 title again this season. Junior guard Michael Ramos is coming off a 14.1 point per game season, while senior guard Richie Guillaume averaged 10 points per game. Senior guard Kyle Barrow and senior forward Mayowa Akindebe will be important pieces as well.
Stephanie Maksin | For NJ Advance Media
Contender: Cherokee
Cherokee returns a strong senior class headed by Tymere Bennett (8.8 ppg) and Tyler Ludiwikomski (7.1 ppg). Junior Anthony Dicaro (pictured above) will also be key after leading the team with 11.1 points per game. Cherokee fell to Toms River North, 63-49, in the South Jersey, Group 4 semifinals.
Larry Murphy | For NJ Advance Media
Contender: Freehold Township
Despite graduating four of its top scorers, Freehold Township will likely be in the hunt in Group 4 yet again. Township will be relying pretty heavily on junior Greg Billups, who averaged 6.2 points per game last year. Freehold Township fell to Hunterdon Central in the Central Jersey, Group 4 final last season.
Nick Scalera | For NJ Advance Media
Contender: Hunterdon Central
The Central Jersey, Group 4 champs graduated their top player in Tucker Richardson, but should still have enough talent to compete in Group 4. Senior center Alex Degen (4.6 pgg) as well as senior guards Sam Johnson (9 ppg) and Anthony McDowell (5.8 ppg) will be the key three players for Central this season.
MORE: NJ.com's boys basketball season preview
Contender: Lenape
Lenape took down Shawnee in a regular season matchup before falling it to in the South Jersey, Group 4 semis, 77-64. Lenape brings back senior center Andrew Sims, who led the team with 13.8 points per game. Senior forward Jake Topolski will also bring back after a 6.3 point per game season.
Matt Smith | For NJ Advance Media
Contender: Newark East Side
East Side fell to Linden in a tight North 2, Group 4 final, 59-51, last season. Although leading scorer Elijah Olaniyi graduated, East Side is bringing back an impressive group led by senior guard Hassan Ceesay, who had 11.5 points per game last year. Fellow senior guards Shamir Johnson, Jahid Jenkins and Anas Amos along with sophomore forward Mikah Johnson Jr. help round out the extremely strong group.
George McNish | For NJ Advance Media
Contender: Paterson Kennedy
Senior guard Jaylen Colon (pictured above) is coming off a 16.3 point per game season and will be the key to Paterson Kennedy's success. Sophomore guards Jah-mahi Carnegie and Deishon Harrison as well as junior guards Joshual White and Gemir Robinson will be key alongside senior guard Jamir Lattimore. Kennedy fell to Ridgewood in the North 1, Group 4 quarterfinals last season.
Steve Hockstein | For NJ Advance Media
Contender: Ridgewood
Ridgewood mounted a nice state tournament run before falling to Bloomfield, 39-34, in the North 1, Group 4 final. Ridgewood returns a group of seniors that know how to win. Senior center Michael Schretter and senior guards Tommy Carver and Caesar Silvestro will be Ridgewood’s leaders this season.
ALSO: Must see games on opening weekend
Andrew Mills | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
Contender: Sayreville
Sayreville has a bit of rebuilding to do, but it does return some important players. It will rely on seniors Derek Astarita and Elijah Clarke to provide leadership. Sayreville fell to Freehold Township, 76-66, in the Central Jersey, Group 4 semis. Sayreville added two transfers in Zaire Jackson from Matawan as well as Kaieme Byers from Perth Amboy.
Tom Brenner | For NJ Advance Media
Contender: Shawnee
Last season, Shawnee advanced to the Group 4 final where it fell to Linden, 57-41. The Renegades returns its entire starting lineup from last year’s South Jersey, Group 4 championship team. Senior forward Dylan Deveney leads the team after averaging 16.6 points per game last year. Senior guard Dean Noll is coming off a great offseason and will be looking to build on his 15.1 point per game season. Junior point guard Patrick Kernan, senior forward Sean Heine and senior guards Daevon Robinson and Kane Feudtner round out Shawnee's top returning players.
Tom Brenner | For NJ Advance Media
Contender: Toms River North
Toms River North fell to Shawnee in the South Jersey, Group 4 in triple overtime 76-72 last season. Despite some key losses to graduation, Toms River North fields a sound team with seniors Holden Petrick (10.1 ppg) and Travis Holland (8.1 ppg) leading the way. Toms River North only dropped three games last season.
PLUS: New coaches for the 2017-18 season
GROUP 3
Matt Smith | For NJ Advance Media
Favorite: Teaneck
The defending North 1, Group 3 champs are back and ready for another run in 2017-18. Senior guard Ja'Quaye James (pictured above) is one of the top players back in the state after putting up 22.7 points per game a year ago. Jayden Dawson and Corey Gordon are another pair of top returners for Teaneck, which finished last season with a 27-7 record.
Alexandra Pais | For NJ Advance Media
Contender: Barringer
Barringer finished with a 19-11 record a year ago and won the North 2, Group 3 title. The Bears are down their top two scorers from last season after losing James McNeil to graduation and Luis Curiel to transfer. Guards Jazir Clark (pictured above) and Sadiq Griggs will look to pick up the slack and improve on the eight points per game they put up a year ago.
Keith A. Muccilli | For NJ Advance Media
Contender: Chatham
Jack Rooney is back on the wing for Chatham, while Mac Bredahl returns at guard for the Morris County squad. Rooney hit a team-high 48 3-pointers a season ago and averaged 12.2 points per game. Bredhal averaged eight points per game last season and helped run the offense for the Cougars. Ryan Doherty, Chris Conlin and Johnny Maurer are back as well after playing valuable minutes last season for Chatham, which is coming off a 21-7 season.
ALSO: 25 sophomores on the verge of breaking out
Keith A. Muccilli | For NJ Advance Media
Contender: Ewing
The Mercer County squad went 26-7 a year ago and won the Central, Group 3 title, but Ewing has a lot of production to replace. The Blue Devils lost their top seven scorers from last season and will need a new stable of talent emerge. Keyshawn Preston, Miles Reed, Isaiah Sparks and Caleb Stokes are the top players back from last year’s team.
George McNish | For NJ Advance Media
Contender: Old Tappan
Bryce Nash will be counted on for quality defense and will also be relied on to hit deep balls. Brian Baker, Brick Lombardi and George Stamos will also play larger roles this season for Old Tappan, which finished 19-9 a year ago.
Contender: Orange
The Essex County squad lost five players to graduation, but Orange comes back a strong core, including seven seniors. D'Angelo Blackmand, Armand Jaques and Henry Jean-Baptiste are the team’s top returning scorers and Blackmand is back after pulling down 146 rebounds and blocking a team-high 29 shots.
Michael Mancuso | For NJ.com
Contender: Nottingham
Seniors Richie Jones (pictured above), Darell Johnson, Ku'Jane Johnson and Cliff Joseph are all back for the Nothstars and that core will make Nottingham one of the best teams in Group 3. Joseph is the leader of that group and comes back this season after scoring 19.2 points per game. Nottingham is looking to build on a 23-6 record from a year ago in a season that ended with an appearance in the Central, Group 3 final.
MORE: Group 3 players to watch
George McNish | For NJ Advance Media
Contender: Rahway
The Union County squad went 21-4 a season ago and is set up for continued success. Keyshawn Cummings and Zion Pendelton are both back to lead the offense for Rahway, which has its eyes set on a sectional title. Cummings averaged 17.4 points per game last year, while Pendleton put up 16.5 points per game.
Al Amrhein | For NJ Advance Media
Contender: Timber Creek
Timber Creek made a memorable run to the South, Group 3 final a year ago and is looking to get back there with its three top scorers back. Senior Maurice Murray (pictured above) leads the charge offensively and is back after averaging 25 points per game last year. Isaiah Sanders and Ricky Martin are also back after putting in valuable minutes a season ago.
David Gard | For NJ Advance Media
Contender: Westampton Tech
Westampton Tech is back with its leading scorer, Stan Martin, in the mix after he averaged 15.5 as a junior. Emmanuel Jeh and Laddis Taylor are also back for the Panthers, who made it to the Central, Group 3 semifinals last season.
David Gard | For NJ Advance Media
Contender: Winslow
The South Jersey squad comes back with a collection of capable scorers, including Kameron Johnson (pictured above), Robert Magnum, Tyshiem McClennan-Perkins and Ivan Mosley. Winslow went 17-13 last season and won the South, Group 3 title. The Eagles will look to repeat that success in 2017-18.
PLUS: Boys basketball transfer tracker
GROUP 2
Tim Hawk | For NJ.com
Favorite: Camden
This season Camden has a great chance of snapping its five year streak of losing in the state final. Camden fell to West Side in the final, 51-49, when a buzzer-beater attempt didn’t fall. Senior forward Myles Thompson led Camden with 17 points per game, while junior guard Ethan Tarte had 11.4 points per game. Camden is also adding two very big pieces in Lance Ware, from Life Center, and Osato Iduwe, from out of state. Ware is a 6-8 forward that has a good jumper and can get to the rim, while Iduwe stands at 6-10 and can dominate the paint.
Contender: Barnegat
With only two players graduated, Barnegat could have a Group 2 run in it. Senior guard Mike Revello will lead the team after averaging 16.2 points per game. He will be joined by senior guard Carson Francisco (13.4 ppg), senior forward Alex Grogan (8 ppg) and junior forward Sean Morris (5.1 ppg). Barnegat fell to Camden in the South Jersey, Group 2 semifinals.
Phil McAuliffe | For the Times of Trenton
Contender: Bordentown
With Manny Ansong and Darnill Brown graduated, Bordentown has a tall task ahead of it. Bordentown will rely on senior guard Jacquey Mendez to build on his 14.8 point per game season. Sophomore guard Jordan Martin will be a huge factor after bursting onto the scene with 6.3 points per game. Bordentown fell to Johnson in the Central Jersey, Group 2 semis.
ALSO: Group 2 players to watch
Matt Smith | For NJ Advance Media
Contender: Hackettstown
Hackettstown graduated four of its top six scorers from last year’s North 2, Group 2 semifinalist. Of its returners senior Jelani Awai (pictured above) (8.2 ppg), senior Jack Quinoa (6.3 ppg), senior Ed Omelia (3.2 ppg) and senior Ben Ward (3.6 ppg) will be the leaders of this team. Hackettstown went 6-0 against NJAC Freedom Division opponents last year.
Al Amrhein | For NJ Advance Media
Contender: Haddonfield
Haddonfield fell to Camden in the South Jersey, Group 2 final last season and will be looking to take the next step this season. Heading the group, which won 24 games last season and only graduated one player, will be junior guard Mike Depersia (pictured above), who averaged 15 points per game, and senior guard Will Bond, who is coming off a 14.1 point per game season. Junior forward Aiden Blake (7.7 ppg), junior forward Dylan Heine (7 ppg), senior center Sam Heine (4.5 ppg) and senior guard Ben Schroeter (5.2 ppg) round out the group.
Contender: Hanover Park
Hanover Park has some rebuilding to do from last year’s team that advanced to the North 2, Group 2 final. With three of its top five scorers graduated, Hanover Park will rely on senior guard Michael Boeckel, who had 13.2 points and 7.8 assists per game. Junior forward Alex Malofienko will be looking to step up following a 5.3 point, 4.9 rebounds season.
Reena Rose Sibayan | The Jersey Journal
Contender: Hawthorne
Hawthorne won 20 games last season before falling to Newton, 52-20, in the North 1, Group 2 semis. Senior forward Dallas Hoffman will be the driving force for Hawthorne after he averaged 15.3 points per game. Hawthorne will also rely on senior guard Danny Rodriguez, who averaged 7.5 points per game.
PLUS: Returning scoring leaders
Contender: Jefferson
Jefferson fell to Westwood in the North 1, Group 2 semifinals, 41-39, but should be in great shape heading into the 2017-18 season. It returns its top two scorers in senior forward Steven Breeman, who averaged 19.2 points per game, and junior guard Joe Batelli, who averaged 12 points per game. Senior guards Anthony Johnson and Cole Kandel as well as junior forward Joe Morici will also be key contributors.
Contender: Johnson
Senior guard George Visconti has put together quite the career for Johnson and is hoping to make his senior year his best one yet after leading the team to the Central Jersey, Group 2 final last year. He averaged 21 points per game as a junior. He will have a solid supporting cast of senior forward Joe DiProfio (10.5 ppg), junior guard Brandon Hund (11 ppg), junior guard Brenden Kelly (8.4 ppg) and senior guard Jeff Drajin (3.2 ppg).
Contender: Manasquan
The key for Manasquan is going to be junior Brad McCabe, who is coming off a 10.6 points, 6.7 rebound per game season. Senior Ryan Flanagan will also be key after averaging 4.8 points, 4.3 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game. The two will need to be key after Manasquan graduated four of its top six scorers. Manasquan fell to Rumson-Fair Haven in the Central Jersey, Group 2 semis.
Contender: Mountain Lakes
With leading scorer Jack Schicke back, Mountain Lakes could be a force. The junior forward averaged 14.9 points per game last season. Junior Jack Baker (8.8 ppg) and senior guard Jake Marshall (5.9 ppg) are also key returners for Mountain Lakes, which went 18-9 last year.
MORE: Returning 3-point leaders
Contender: Newark Central
Newark Central returns its top two scorers and five of its top seven. Senior forward DE-End McRae led Central with 18 points and 10.6 rebounds per game, while senior guard Keith Rogers had 8.8 points, 3.6 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game. Junior guard Jihad Evans (5.7 ppg), sophomore guard Zarique Nutter (4.5 ppg) and senior guard Omar Terry (4.4 ppg) will all be crucial pieces as well.
Contender: Newton
Replacing leading scorers Charlie Maker and Jason Heter is not going to be easy for Newton, but senior forward Jake Tarabokija should be up for the task. He finished third on Newton with 10 points per game. Aiding in Tarabokija’s efforts will be senior guards Luismy Arias (7.2 ppg) and Thomas Salomon (3 ppg) and senior forward Luke Young (3.2 ppg), who are all expected to step as well. Newton won the North 1, Group 2 championship last season.
(Scott Faytok | For NJ Advance Media
Contender: Rumson-Fair Haven
Last season there were some questions surrounding how Rumson would do after graduating the school’s leading scorer Brendan Barry. What did Rumson do? Win 20 of its first 21 games and claim the Central Jersey, Group 2 championship. Once again, Rumson graduated some key pieces, but brings back a very strong group. Senior guard Teddy Sourlis (14.7 ppg), senior guard Jack Solano (13 ppg) and junior forward Ian O'Connor (12.3 ppg) lead the group coming back. Senior center Elijah McAllister suffered missed a bulk of last season with two ACL injuries and will be looking to rebound in his senior season. Rumson also addas a transfer in Devin Cooper from Red Bank Regional.
John Munson | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
Contender: Verona
Verona was the Group 1 champion last season, but finds itself in a different ball park competing in Group 2. Verona graduated nearly its entire team from last year's squad. Its key returning player will be senior Joe Zecchino, who averaged 8.2 points per game.
PLUS: Division Alignments for every conference
Contender: Westwood
Westwood put together a nice state tournament run and should be in the hunt for the North 1, Group 2 title again this season. Despite graduating Jordan Steward, Westwood returns leading scorer Colin Liddy, a senior guard, as well as senior forward Joe Kramer and junior forward Joe Paulillo.
Matt Smith | For NJ Advance Media
Contender: West Side
The defending Group 2 champions will be in the hunt again this season. Despite graduating its top three scorers, West Side brings back junior guard James Bell (6 ppg) and sophomore guard Kirk Parsons (6.4 ppg). West Side went 25-7 last season and 18-2 at home. West Side has won the last two Group 2 titles after coming down from North 2, Group 3 two seasons ago.
GROUP 1
Al Amrhein | For NJ Advance Media
FAVORITE: Woodbury
Woodbury is coming off a 26-6 season that included a South, Group 1 championship. The South Jersey squad has some spots to fill, but comes back with Aaron Estrada, who put up 16.9 points per game a year ago. Tommy Carter, JayShawn Harvey, Marcus McGruder and Andre Parker round out the returning cast.
READ: Group 1 players to watch
Contender: Bogota
Timothy Uzor and Deiker Padrino are both back for Bogota, which went 20-8 last season and made it to the North 1, Group 1 semifinals. With Verona now in Group 2, Bogota will have a chance to make a run to the sectional final in 2017-18.
Andrew Miller | For NJ Advance Media
Contender: Bound Brook
The Somerset County squad lost a lot of production from a year ago, but could rebound quickly with Kyle Frauenheim back in the mix. Frauenheim averaged 13.4 points per game a year ago for Bound Brook, which went 20-7 last year and made it to the Central, Group 1 final.
David Gard | For NJ Advance Media
Contender: Burlington City
The Central, Group 1 champs will look to defend their title this season with leading scorer D'Andre Thurmond back in 2017-18. Thurmond averaged 14.3 points per game last season for Burlington City, which won the title during a 22-8 campaign. Dion Butler, Michael Green, Amir Landrum, Deonte Woodbury and Jeremy Young also return for Burlington City.
Contender: Cresskill
Harrison Lucibello, Luka Radovich and Wellington Ventura are all back in the fray for a team that went 21-8 a season ago. Cresskill will look to take the leading role in North 1, Group 1 now that Verona had moved up to Group 2. Cresskill pushed Verona into overtime last year in the final and will look to finish the job if it makes it back to the championship game in 2017-18.
PLUS: Returning assists leaders
Contender: Glen Ridge
Tyler Liddy is back this season after averaging 16 points per game for Glen Ridge, which made it to the North 2, Group 1 semifinals. Liam Gunnarsson and David Weissenberger also return for the Ridgers. Glen Ridge is looking to earn the top seed in its section for the second year in a row and go on a championship run.
Tim Hawk | For NJ.com
Contender: Paulsboro
Eric Diaz (pictured above) and DaiJuan Jackson-Edwards return for Paulsboro, which went 17-13 a year ago and made it to the South, Group 1 final. Diaz averged 14.7 points per game a season ago, while Jackson-Edwards put 6.3 points per game.
Matt Smith | For NJ Advance Media
Contender: Point Pleasant Beach
The Shore Conference squad is back and looking to put itself in the top tier in Group 1 in 2017-18. Trevor Covey, Danny Frauenheim (pictured above) and Jake Lorenzo are all back for Point Pleasant Beach, which put together a 16-10 season a year ago.
Contender: University
University found a way to win another sectional title last season and will have its sights set on the same goal in 2017-18. Senior guard Alquan Dwight returns after averaging 12.8 points per game a year ago. Yusef Goines and Taysir Hall are also back for University, which won the North 2, Group 1 title as a No. 7 seed last year.
PLUS: Returning rebounding leaders
Contender: Weequahic
Tajhon Huntley will have a chance to be the top scorer this season after the graduation of Elijah Ford. Huntley averaged 18.1 points per game as a sophomore last season for Weequahic, which put together a 20-5 campaign a year ago. Seniors Laquan Breedlove, Jonathan Miller and Ishmael Montique also return for the Essex County squad.
Joe Warner | For NJ Advance Media
Contender: Wildwood
The South Jersey squad is back in action this season with a talented cast that includes Kyion Flanders (pictured above), who averaged 29.1 points per game last year. Tyler Tomlin returns as well for a Wildwood team that put together a 22-7 campaign a season ago and made the sectional semifinals.
NON-PUBLIC A
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FAVORITE: Don Bosco Prep
The two-time defending Non-Public A champions went to the Tournament of Champions final, stunning Linden in the semifinal to make it there. Many of the key components from that surprise squad are back, namely versatile swingman Marcellus Earlington and lanky Rutgers commit Ronald Harper. The Ironmen won't be sneaking up on anyone this season as it goes for a 3-peat, but there's no reason to think they don't have the talent to make it happen.
Boys Basketball: Non-Public A players to watch, 2017-18
Andrew Mills | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
Contender: Seton Hall Prep
The Pirates looked really good even in a rebuilding season last year, and sophomore forward Jabri Abdur-Rahim could be in for an All-State season for the West Orange squad. The Prep plays a tough schedule, which could mean losses but that will prepare it for the playoffs.
George McNish | For NJ Advance Media
Contender: Pope John
The Lions were strong in Vincent Johnson's first season at the helm, and should be even better this season. Samba Diallo and Aaron Clarke are two of the best mid-major commits in New Jersey this season and give the West Jersey squad one of the strongest cores in the state.
John Munson | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
Contender: Bergen Catholic
The Crusaders have to replace a lot this season, but coach Billy Armstrong knows how to get the most out of his players while Doug Edert and Matt Zona give the Bergen County squad serious potential.
David Gard | For NJ Advance Media
Contender: St. Augustine
The Hermits have owned South Jersey for years, but are in a major transition period. Much will depend on how well Marlon Hargis steps into the role of go-to scorer for St. Augustine.
Boys Basketball: Non-Public B players to watch, 2017-18
John Munson | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
Contender: Notre Dame
Isaiah Wong was a star for the Irish last season but has transferred out of state. Cartier Bowman is now the guy for Notre Dame, and he's one of the most skilled forwards in the game.
Scott Faytok | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
Contender: St. Joseph (Met.)
How will the Falcons deal with the transition from coach Dave Turco to Mike Thompson? Tyree Taganeca-Ford's emergence after a strong freshman season will be one of the major keys.
Scott Faytok | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
Contender: Union Catholic
The Vikings have one of the top coaches in the state in Jim Reagan and play one of the toughest schedules being in Union County. But that combination typically pays dividends in the state tournament.
NON-PUBLIC B
John Munson | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
Favorite: Hudson Catholic
The Hawks are nationally ranked, and very well could be considered the odds-on favorite to win the Tournament of Champions. The combination of Jahvon Quinerly (pictured above), Luther Muhammad and Louis King gives Hudson Catholic three legitimate All-State candidates. The Jersey City squad is playing a challenging schedule and could take its lumps, but has the talent and coaching to be the best team in the state.
Alexandra Pais | For NJ Advance Media
Contender: Gill St. Bernard's
Returning stars like Paul Mulcahy and Alex Schachne. Check. An excellent coach in Mergin Sina? Check. A thirst for revenge after a controversial loss to Roselle Catholic in the playoffs last season? Check. Everything is there for a T of C type season for the Knights.
George McNish | For NJ Advance Media
Contender: Mater Dei Prep
The Seraphs have been a force in the Shore Conference but graduate Elijah Barnes, which could mean growing pains. The addition of Alexander Rice from Patrick School gives Mater Dei even more guard options.
(Andrew Miller | For NJ Advance Media
Contender: Montclair Immaculate
Syracuse-bound guard Jalen Carey (pictured above) leads a loaded squad that also features star sophomore Zion Bethea, and the Lions will play one of the toughest showcase schedules in the state. How will they handle the pressure?
Andrew Mills | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
Contender: Patrick School
Lots of pieces from last year’s Tournament of Champions-winning squad are now playing in college, but the Celtics return enough and bring in some new pieces that should make them a serious threat. Vladir Manuel (pictured above) and Al-Amir Dawes both showed serious potential last season, while transfer Giorgi Bezhanishvili should be a major breakout player in the paint.
PLUS: Non-Public B players to watch
Noah K. Murray | For NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
Contender: Ranney
With Bryan Antoine and Scottie Lewis making up one of the best duos in the country and a strong supporting cast for coach Taj Holden, the Panthers could be poised for a breakout season.
John Munson | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
Contender: Roselle Catholic
The Lions have been a Non-Public B powerhouse for some time now, and Naz Reid looks to be prepared to have a strong senior season after years of showing his potential. How Josh Pierre-Louis does replacing his brother, Nate, at point guard will be a major key and Kahlil Whitney could be poised for a breakout season.
Alexandra Pais | For NJ Advance Media
Contender: St. Mary (Eliz.)
Another Union County powerhouse, the Hilltoppers have the duo of Calistus Anyichie and Casmir Ochiaka (pictured above) patrolling the paint which should give every team trouble.
Brandon Gould may be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on twitter @BrandonGouldhs. Richard Greco may be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @Richard_V_Greco. Jeremey Schneider may be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on twitter @J_Schneider. Like NJ.com HS sports on Facebook.
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