The NJ.com boys basketball staff takes a look at a variety of playoff scenarios and makes its picks
The NJSIAA Tournament in boys basketball is scheduled to begin on Tuesday for Groups 2 & 4 and Wednesday for Groups 1 & 3. Non-Public A is scheduled for Thursday, while Non-Public B begins on Friday.A lot is going to happen before the state championships in a few weeks, with players across New Jersey taking their games to a new level throughout the postseason.
There will certainly be plenty of big moments.Take a look below as the NJ.com boys basketball staff dives into several scenarios that will likely occur during the state tournament and gives its views on who will rise to the occasion. Mickell Taylor Jr. of Teaneck, Camden's Alex Pace and Trevon Lewis of Roselle Catholic are dangerous players with a game on the line.Mike Kinney: Trevon Lewis, Roselle Catholic, Sr., G The 6-3 Lewis is always a threat to produce late in a game because of his ability to drive and draw contact or pull up for a jumper against a set of legs that have grown weary from covering him all game. He is especially dangerous if the game is tight and there is a trophy to be presented to the winner. He provided the game-winning points last year in the Non-Public B final against St. Rose, 55-51, with a putback and free throw with 26 seconds left. On Saturday, he followed his own miss in transition with a buzzer-beating reverse layup that lifted the Lions to a 65-63 win over Plainfield for the Union County Tournament title.In his first and only season wearing the purple and gold, this transfer from Georgia has proven to be one of the state’s most impactful players. No one has displayed the ability to not only create his own shot but navigate his way through the paint more proficiently than this senior guard. Pace has NBA range on his jumper and is equally as effective attacking the rim. He is among state scoring leaders and third overall in the traditional seven-county South Jersey region at 22.4 points per game. Pace dropped a career-high 39 against Timber Creek in his second game as a Panther and scored a team-high 21 points in Sunday’s Camden County Tournament final against Paul VI.There isn’t a shot that Mickell Taylor Jr. is afraid of. There isn’t a shot that he can’t make, either. An even-keeled sharpshooter, Taylor Jr. can pull up for a 3-pointer, sink a catch-and-shoot jumper with the defense swarming him or use his athletic ability to spin for a jaw-dropping layup. This season, he surpassed 1,700 career points behind one 40-point game, seven 30-point efforts and 13 20-point performances. He is averaging 26.3 points per night and is good for over 3.5 trifectas each game. We can expect plenty of iconic games in the North 1 Group 3 tournament, which holds several championship-level teams, including Teaneck.Mike Kinney: Richie Rosa, Mason Santiago, Oscar Martinez, St. Peter’s Not trying to stuff the ballot box here with three players instead of two. In the Marauders’ offensive schemes, The 6-0 Rosa is the point guard and 6-4 Santiago and 6-5 Martinez are both shooting guards. We’ll leave it to someone else to tell one he can’t be included, though that probably would not be someone from a team that recently had to deal with the trio. Rosa, a Rider Universty commit, is both astute playmaker and copious scorer and he balances those two things with impeccable judgement. St. Peter’s University commit Santiago and Martinez are both strong rebounders, dangerous perimeter shooters and versatile defenders who can cover both smaller guards and long forwards.Prior to the guard tandem becoming eligible due to NJSIAA transfer rules, Williamstown struggled. Since making their debut against Wildwood on Jan. 10, the Braves have gone 14-3 overall - including an 11-game winning streak. Both have played in a ton of big games in their careers and brought the type of senior leadership this team needed if it was going to make a playoff push. Suggs, a transfer from Paul VI, is averaging 20.8 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 2.76 steals. A transfer from St. Joseph , Gordon is right behind at 18.1 points, 4.5 boards, 1.8 assists and 1.4 steals. Williamstown ultimately earned the No. 9 seed and will visit No. 8 Cherokee in the first round of the South Jersey Group 4 playoffs.As the Gaels look to make some noise in a tough Non-Public B North bracket, they can turn to the backcourt duo that’s helped them win the NJIC Tournament and reach the Bergen Jamboree championship. Kennedy, a senior, is one of the most prolific shooters in New Jersey, averaging 22 points behind 96 total 3-pointers. He’s scored at least 20 points in 19 games, averaging 6.8 rebounds and two assists. Ellis, a sophomore, is a retro guard. A bulldog and a general on the court, Ellis can drive to the basket and score at an elite rate, while also having a strong mid-range jumper in his package. He is averaging 13.8 points behind seven 20-point games. He distributes the ball well, averaging nearly 5.5 assists.The 6-6 Workman is more big shooting guard than forward, but it is precisely his ball skills and guard instincts that make him such an effective performer in the lane. He’s not really going to post up unless he has a glaring mismatch, though he is adept at dribbling into the paint to create his own shots or opportunities for teammates when a second defender shuffles over the help against Workman. He has drained a team-high 51 3-pointers and also leads the Crusaders with 8.0 rebounds and 1.4 blocks a game. Workman scored a team-best 16 points Saturday in Morris Catholic’s 62-52 win over Chatham for a second straight Morris County Tournament crown.Getting better with every passing game, this 7-foot-2 sophomore is at his absolute best when in the paint. He lives there, thrives there. Malukila is either blocking or altering shots on defense, grabbing rebounds or scoring points. There’s no need for him to step out and take a jumper when he can set up in the low post and position himself for easy buckets. A native of Congo, Malukila is averaging 16.4 points for the two-time Camden County Tournament champions and top seed in the upcoming Non-Public A South playoffs. He collected 19 points and 10 rebounds Sunday to help Paul VI defeat Camden and successfully defend its Camden County Tournament championship.Brunson’s game is not limited to the paint, but it’s because he is such a strong mid-range and 3-point shooter that’s helped him dominate down low. He’s tall, strong and possesses a basketball acumen that most underclassmen dream of having. He’s slammed home some eye-popping dunks, but he can also score in the post and change hands to deliver a reverse layup. His 6-foot-6 frame allows him to stretch over the opposition, but his talent has made him extremely difficult to guard. This season, he is averaging 23.2 points, 8.2 rebounds and 3.5 assists. Brunson has seven double-doubles this winter, as well as 15 games with 20-plus points. Isaiah Thatcher of Paul VI, Elizabeth's Jayden Johnson and Tommy Denvir of Delaware Valley have proven to be clutch shooters from beyond the arc.Mike Kinney: Jayden Johnson, Elizabeth, Jr., G Johnson is not the state’s most prolific 3-point shooter, though he’s not far off the pace at an average of 3.3 a game and with 86 this season. But you go right ahead and try to launch triples against the level of competition he faces week after week in the brutal Watchung Division of the Union County Conference, and see how many you’re able to hit. What makes Johnson so incredibly potent as a shooting threat is his ability create them for himself. His quickness and dexterity also make Johnson a potent three-point play candidate if he opts for driving the lane instead of launching. Johnson is a 92% free-throw shooter.Just a sophomore, Thatcher has already played in a ton of big games and thrived beyond the arc. He’s among state leaders with 86 3-pointers, most recently matching his career-high with seven against Haddonfield in the Camden County Tournament semifinals. The 6-foot guard has a quick release and has connected for at least one 3-ball in all 28 games for the seventh-ranked Eagles. Thatcher is averaging 13.8 points per game after scoring 11 in the county final Sunday against Camden.Denvir is the only player in New Jersey with 100 3-pointers entering the state tournament. Through 27 games, Denvir has buried 106, which is good for almost four per game. His exceptional marksmanship was on full display in the Hunterdon/Warren/Sussex Tournament final, leading the Terriers to a win against Hunterdon Central with five 3-pointers. He scored 30 points in the victory, his fifth time reaching that mark this season. Denvir is averaging 21.7 points overall, but his ability to keep Delaware Valley in front thanks to his 3-point ability has the program primed for a potential run in the loaded Central Jersey Group 2 tournament.As a 6-7 point guard, Carter has almost an aerial view from the backcourt as he dribbles up the floor and assesses the activity before him. Not only can he see above the guards covering him but he can penetrate to the rim in a blur with his sweeping strides and rise above guys his size and even taller. Carter has already tallied five triple-doubles this season for points, rebounds and assists, and he has nine other double-doubles in the 20 games he has played since the St. Thomas Aquinas transfer became eligible. Carter averages 18.2 points, 9.9 rebounds, 8.6 assists and 2.9 steals for the ninth-ranked Falcons.While he’ll attend Colorado State to play college football, Van Auken has been dominant on the basketball court throughout his four-year career. The 6-foot-7 forward/center is averaging 17.2 points and 11.6 rebounds for Tri-County Liberty champions, collecting 17 double-doubles in 25 games. He most recently went for 17 points and 17 rebounds against Gloucester Tech and followed that with 15/15 against Oakcrest. In 96 career games, Van Auken is averaging 13 points and 10.3 boards. He needs just 12 rebounds to join Demetrius Poles as the only players in program history with 1,000 points and 1,000 boards. Delsea is the No. 4 seed in South Jersey Group 3 and will hist 13th-seeded Pinelands in the opening round.Bunnell, who is heading to Pitt to play D1 baseball as a pitcher next year, has been a double-double machine on the hardwood. He’s posted 17 double-doubles this season, including a 20-20 game on Jan. 21. Only once in those games did he not reach 20 points, either. With a 6-foot-5 frame, Bunnell’s strength has overwhelmed the opposition, leading to him shattering Robbinsville’s all-time scoring record. He currently has 1,563 points and counting, as well as 554 rebounds. He is averaging 21.3 points and 10.6 rebounds this winter as a force in the paint.Mike Kinney: Jermaine Russell, Cedar Grove, Sr., G Over the last 10 games, the 5-11 senior has averaged 26.3 points and also 8.0 rebounds and 3.0 assists to direct his Panthers to seven wins over that prolific stretch. He knocked down 27 of his 53 3-pointers in the 10 games and also found points off the glass and his scrappy defense. Sixth-seeded Cedar Grove hopes Russell will continue his warm trend when it faces 11th-seeded Palisades Park Wednesday in the North 2, Group 1 first round.Look no further than to one of the top sophomores in the state. Thompson has been sensational all season but found a way to take his game to a completely different level over the last few weeks. Averaging 21.2 points per game this winter, Thompson led the Vikings to their first Cape-Atlantic League Tournament title since 2013 and the No. 4 seed in South Jersey Group 4. He averaged 30.3 points in four CAL tournament games, including a career-high 50 in a victory over top-seeded Middle Township in the semifinals. One local reporter said Thompson reminded him of Allen Iverson when the former NBA superstar was in high school.Fresh off recording the 1,000th point of his career on Feb. 16, Vallillo has been scoring at a fantastic pace for a Holmdel team that’s 9-2 in their last 11 games. Vallillo is averaging 17.5 points over this stretch despite the Hornets being a relentlessly pass-first team. He has six 20-point games during this span, and has 10 total games reaching that mark this winter. Overall this season, Vallillo is averaging 19.3 points and over five rebounds. Jaden Brown of Bergen Catholic's Plainfield's Micah Gordon and Seamus Bieg of Camden Catholic are all capable of taking over a game.Mike Kinney: Micah Gordon, Plainfield, Jr., G The immensely talented Gordon nearly rallied Plainfield from a six-point halftime deficit in the Union County Tournament final, but Roselle Catholic’s Trevon Lewis spoiled the comeback bid with a buzzer-bating putback that lifted his Lions, 65-63. Plainfield’s all-time leading scorer with 1,699 points is also one of the steadiest playmakers in the state with 4.9 assists a game, and an outstanding defender averaging 2.6 steals. If Plainfield is down, which is not too often, Gordon will dip into that heavy tool belt for whatever the moment calls for, and he’s almost always going to choose correctly.The 5-foot-10 senior point guard knows how to win, and that’s exactly the type of player every team needs when scoring and leadership have to come to the forefront. Bieg is the heart and soul of the Irish, a major contributor over the past three years with plenty of big-game experience. Bieg can create his own shot, while also knowing when to make that extra pass for a teammate to get a better opportunity. He’s among state scoring leaders at 22.6 points per game , joined the program’s 1,000-point club this winter and hasn’t been held to single digits in any of the team’s 24 games. He’s scored at least 20 points on 16 occasions, matching his career-high of 32 in games against Camden and Camden Eastside.Considering Bergen Catholic’s unprecedented depth, there isn’t one player who needs to shoot the lights out all game. With that said, though, Brown is more than capable of firing off 10 points in a blink. His first step to the basket is one of the fastest in the state. His layup package is one of the most impressive. He can bury a jump shot from anywhere on the court. He’s averaging over 14 points per game, but on minimal shot attempts. When things get hectic, Brown can be relied on to ignite the top-ranked Crusaders to an insurmountable run. Two particular games that stand out for Brown this winter came against national opponents. In a 10-point win against Patrick School, Brown led Bergen with 20 points. He also produced 20 points against Spire Academy , the No. 1 ranked team in the country at the time of the game. He has six 20-point games this year, including five against state-ranked teams, or national teams.Williams almost led the Comets to a mild upset over Burlington Township Saturday with 25 points, but the lively rally effort he sparked fell just short in an 80-75 loss. He hopes to get 10th-seed Hillside off to a stronger start Tuesday when it battles seventh-seeded Voorhees in the first round of the North 2, Group 2 playoffs in Glen Gardner. Williams is averaging 16.5 points and 2.5 steals and has scored double figures in all but two games this season.A transfer from Burlington Township, Hendryx made his mark on the football field as a standout wide receiver headed to the University of Minnesota. But he’s also an excellent point guard who directs the Winslow attack. The Eagles have won eight of their last 10 games, with Hendryx averaging 13.6 points and six assists on the year. An accomplished scorer with over 1,000 career points, Hendryx knows how to get everyone involved and brings that veteran senior leadership every coach needs on the floor.Seeded 12th in the CJG3 tournament, Red Bank Regional is getting hot at the right time. RBR ended its six-game losing streak by closing out the regular season with four consecutive wins, including a title in the Shore Conference Coaches Cup. This is where Valentino steps in, who had 19 points, 11 rebounds, four assists and two steals in the championship victory. He is averaging 13.3 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.8 assists this season. He’s been on fire as of late, putting up 21.5 points during the Bucs’ four-game win streak, including two double-doubles.The 6-2 Sannor will usually cover the opposition’s best guard, and he will typically spend that night making said guard wishing he were regarded as his team’s No. 2 backcourt man. But when the Bulldogs face a taller team, which is often, Sannor will often take on a player three, four inches taller but with little to no advantage against Sannor’s strength and tireless pursuit. Since we are speaking of defense, we also need to mention backup sophomore guard Nosym Brown, an outstanding defensive back for the football team who treats scorers with the same disdain that he does receivers. Behid their relentless play, No. 19 Shabazz is 23-1 and allows only 46.7 points a game.A dynamic scorer who has emerged as the Cougars’ top player, Abreu is equally as effective on the defensive end of the floor. The junior guard is quick, athletic and aggressive. He’s averaging three steals per game, including eight against Salem in the Battle by the Bay. If Cherry Hill East is to make a deep run as the top seed in South Jersey Group 4, Abreu will need to deliver each night. He’s also averaging 16.8 points, 6.1 rebounds and 6.3 assists.Jahmal Dixon is one of the most complete players in N.J. basketball. His talent’s foundation lies on his defense, averaging 3.3 steals against some of the best teams around. In the Somerset County championship, Dixon’s elite perimeter defense was on full display. Blocking a 3-point attempt, Dixon ran the ball down and sprinted to the basket for a transitional score. It was one of several electric plays like that one that guided Gill to their second-straight county crown. Dixon has two eight-steal games, as well as four more with five steals. He’s quick. He’s grounded. And he has a wing span that’s not only made him a better defender, but a stronger finisher on the offensive end, too.No. 7 Paul VI downs Camden to repeat as Camden County champions A 1988 graduate of the University of Maryland, this is my 38th year covering New Jersey high school sports - with a focus on the seven-county South Jersey region. I've been recognized by the NJSIAA and NJPA for...
Boys-Basketball @River @Sub-Group-C @Sub-Group-B @Subscriberexclusive Section:/Highschoolsports
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Knott’s Boysenberry Festival 2026 tasting card and a la carte menus — See the listEverything you can eat at the annual boysenberry food fest kicking off on March 13.
Read more »
Pirates Reveal First Spring Training LineupThe Pittsburgh Pirates begin Grapefruit League play in 2026.
Read more »
Elden Ring's Official 2026 Return Has Gamers TornNicholas Becher, MFA covers gaming at Screen Rant with expert insight, trusted news, and fan-focused analysis.
Read more »
Sinead Gorey Fall 2026 Ready-to-Wear CollectionSinead Gorey Fall 2026 ready-to-wear runway, fashion show & collection photos. Presented at London Fashion Week, February 2026.
Read more »
Lindsey Vonn Shares Graphic X-Ray of Broken Leg After 2026 Olympics InjuryOlympic skier Lindsey Vonn is sharing a new gnarly photo of her broken leg after suffering a devastating crash at the 2026 Winter Olympics
Read more »
2026 Autotrader 400 - Final Leaderboard - February 22, 2026View 2026 Autotrader 400 race, qualifier and practice leaderboards, live streams, bonus cameras, videos and odds information.
Read more »