Group II State Tournament Preview

The Group II State Tournament is a deep field of potential contenders along with three teams who are going to fall into the favorite status--but nothing is a lock-it-up guarantee in the Group II tournament.

FAVORITES

Camden High

Record: 24-2

Best Wins: Roselle Catholic(61-51), Hudson Catholic(63-53), Three wins each over Camden Eastside and Camden Catholic

The #5 team in this week's ReportIt Top 25 has been impressive in an always tough Camden County, going 6-0 against their biggest rivals, Eastside(Formerly Woodrow Wilson for those who may be unaware of the name change) and Camden Catholic. They are led by Kentucky commit Billy Richmond, who has over 700 pts in two seasons at Camden High. They have a very talented supporting cast, including Semaj Bethea and Emmanuel Joe Samuel.

Middle Twp

Record: 25-2

Best Wins: Lenape(64-56), St Thomas Aquinas(81-54), Camden Catholic(74-56), Colonia(59-52), Mainland(61-45), Ocean City Twice, Atlantic City Twice, Gloucester Catholic(73-43)

It has been an absolute banner year for Middle Twp, currently #9 in the ReportIt Top 25. they have taken down a number of contenders and teams who have been in the top 25. Their starting lineup is as tough as they come, with Jamir and Bubba McNeil leading the way next to 5'10" senior Anthony Trombetta, who has had a fantastic season. 6'6" Re Ale Basquine, a junior, has had his moments as well. Toss in role players Amir Elston, Michael Zarfati and a few others and they've got depth to compete with the top teams in Group 2.

Their toughest battle will be winning Group II South Jersey. It's a loaded bracket....and Camden is sitting on the other side.

Newark Arts

Record: 19-8

Best Wins: Bergen Catholic(57-52), East Orange(55-52), St. Joe's Metuchen(63-41), Rutgers Prep(69-58)

Prophet Kates is building Arts into a statewide program and they're currently ranked #16 in the ReportIt Top 25. With four wins over teams who have spent time in the Top 25 this season, they've got an impressive resume for Group II.

Arts can go 10 deep if they have to and are led by 6'3" senior Anthony Akande, junior guard Shelton Colwell and 6'5" senior Savod Godwin. Jayden Holman is a sophomore with a bright future and they've had help from freshman Ayuub Wilson, junior Kevin Freeman and sophomore Clifford Deguerre. Zyaire Price is a multi-year varsity player who can also give them minutes off the bench.

CONTENDERS

Haddonfield

Record: 25-2

Best Wins: Cherry Hill West(57-48), Nottingham(55-43), Pitman(88-50), Moorestown(43-39), Camden Catholic(48-42)

Haddonfield is one of the most consistent public school programs in the state and their tradition goes back decades. They're well coached, make few mistakes and teams have to be at their best to beat them--Even the Favorites.

They're led by senior guard Sam Narducci but have a plethora of shooters that can cause oppoents nightmares defensively, plus 6'8" senior Nate Rohlfing and rugged 6'4" senior forward Patrick Ryan.

They'll have as good a chance as any to take down Middle and Camden in South Jersey.

Newark Collegiate

Record: 20-6

Best Wins: Red Bank Catholic(59-54), Millburn Twice, Science Park(63-38)

Collegiate comes into the state tournament as one of the more battle tested bunches. Among their six losses, they tangled with Linden, Bergen Catholic, College Achieve, Morris Catholic, Saint Joe's of Montvale and Saint Benedicts--All teams who have spent time in the top 25 this year. They're led by seniors Najee Graham and JaQuis Davis, along with Beck'i Camara.

Manasquan

Record: 19-6

Best Wins: College Achieve(57-46), Red Bank Catholic(56-48), Marlboro Twice, CBA(42-40), East Orange(58-50), Toms River North(65-60), Holmdel Twice

Coach Andrew Bilodeau has continued upon the Manasquan Standard of Excellence in his time as coach. A run of success in the 2000s and 2010s has become "The Way" as the Warriors have been dominant in the 2020s. This year's squad faced question marks with the departure of superstar Darius Adams and the injury to Ryan Frauenheim but several players took the 'Squan Leap to step up their game to another level and keep the engine churning.

They're led by 6'4" junior Griffin Linstra and 6'7" senior Alex Konov. They've got a good amount of depth and also have one of the top freshmen in the Shore in Rey Weiseneimer.

They're the favorite in Central Jersey and have been hanging around just outside the Top 25 all season.

Ramsey

Record: 18-7

Best Wins: Ridgewood(50-33), Glen Rock(41-39)

The defending North I Group II champions have had a pretty solid season. They don't have a host of "marquee wins" on the resume, but they survived a rough patch in the middle of the season, played some teams who have been in the Top 25(St Peters Prep, St Marys Rutherford, Ramapo) and are battle tested.

6'5" senior Max Neirenberg is the do-it-all player who can score, but spends the marjority of his time facilitating and helping out on the glass. They've also got two other 6'5" forwards in Logan Bahn and Michael Bernius who have contributed. They don't have a lot of depth compared to say, Arts, but their size could be a matchup problem.

On The Fringe

The following teams have had solid seasons and are capable of making a run in the playoffs. If they get hot this week, they'll be Sectional Shakers.

North Jersey I

Vernon(17-6)

Glen Rock(18-8)

Dumont(15-8)

North Jersey II

Science Park(18-8)

Madison(19-6)

New Providence(17-6)

Lyndhurst(17-9)

Central Jersey

Rumson Fair Haven(17-6)

Holmdel(19-3)

Spotswood(19-6)

South Jersey

Cinnaminson(21-5)

Medford Tech(18-8)

Lower Cape May(20-6)