Peter FifootIt is March and it is time for Madness! The Boys Basketball Group Tournament finals are here and Big State Sports is here to predict the winners.
GROUP 1
GROUP 1 NORTH
3 Newark Technology @ 1 Paterson Charter
PC have a lot of great depth and their success from the 3 point line does help their confidence. They are a very quick team, but they are going to need a lot from Giovanny Figueroa who hit 82 3s this year. However, I do not really trust Paterson Charter to get by this stifling defense of Newark Tech. The experience helps Tech and Malcolm Bragg isa two way excellent defender and scorer and I believe the Terriers get back to the final.
Peter’s Pick- Newark Technology 76-68
‘GROUP 1 SOUTH
3 College Achieve Asbury Park @ 2 Pittman
Pittman has had a great year as Elijah Crispin is approaching 600 points and his team has had a great run. The depth for CAAP is incredible as they are in the top 15 of the state including a prolific upset of Ramapo. Eugene Rink and the inside paint work has really improved for CAAP and this team seems to be on a mission.
Peter’s Pick- College Achieve Asbury Park 81-41
GROUP 2 NORTH
1 Ramsey @ 1 Newark Arts
Anthony Akande is such a leader for this Jaguars team. Newark Arts has averaged 80 points a game and their shooting from long distance has catapulted them to their first sectional title and almost a county title. I have also liked the defense of Zyaire Price. Ramsey has length and Logan Bahn is a great inside scorer but I doubt the Rams ability to get by a turnover creating machine in Newark Arts.
Peter’s Pick Newark Arts 85-70
GROUP 2 SOUTH
2 Camden @ 2 Manasquan
There is not a player as underrated in this state as Griffin Linstra, he has 879 points in his career and is a great defender and is greatly athletic for Manasquan. The Warriors are really adept as well at spreading the floor and can cut inside and play efficiently at every level. Teron Murray is a good long distance shooter for the Panthers, but I don’t believe Camden has the depth and experience to take down the defending champs.
Peter’s Pick- Manasquan 79-73
GROUP 3 NORTH
3 Colonia @ 1 Ramapo
Chris Cervino has a great deep shot and can drive and is tpotent inside and outside shot and the Raiders will miss him and he will be huge in this game. Ramapo are the defending champions for a reason and if they can force Jaeden Jones and the rest of Colonia to uncomfortable outside shots then they will win.
Peter’s Pick- Ramapo 88-78
GROUP 3 SOUTH
7 Freehold Borough @ 1 Mainland Regional
Mainland has had some incredibly tough games lately but passed their test with flying colors. Cohen Cook is a great 3 point shooter and this looks like it could be finally Mainland’s year to win it all and the state final will be the same as football, Mainland and Ramapo.
Peter’s Pick- Mainland Regional 65-63
GROUP 4 NORTH
3 Elizabeth @ 1 Ridgewood
Johnny Johnson had a game for the ages to win the section against East Orange. His assist for the three-pointer was a season saver and he is one of the great facilitators in the state. Despite playing ata neutral site, it will be at Elizabeth playing Elizabeth, so the ground will be a big factor. If the Maroons can shoot well from the three-point line then they will have revenge from 2022 when they lost in the group to Elizabeth. I believe they will.
Peter’s Pick- Ridgewood 67-54
GROUP 4 SOUTH
1 Lenape @ 1 Montgomery
Montgomery has reigned supreme in Somerset County for a while now as the premier public school but now their steamroller run is going to come to a head with their toughest task. Steve Donohue, who is headed to Marshall heads their press and powerful attack, however, experience sometimes is an issue, and I think they will run into that problem against Lenape. Aaron Lassiter has a pure lancing 3 point shot and I believe a hot 3 point shooting night could propel Lenape to the final.
Peter’s Pick- Lenape 76-72
NON PUBLIC A NORTH
2 St. Peter’s Prep @ 1 Don Bosco Prep
Over 1500 points and counting for future NBA and current Bosco star, Dylan Harper has led the Ironmen with his ability to drive and sharp shots. Isiah Brown also has opened up the lane. The depth of the Marauders is definitely a strength but nobody has been able to stop Harper and I don’t think that changes.
Peter’s Pick- Don Bosco Prep 72-67
NON PUBLIC A SOUTH
6 Paul VI @ 2 Union Catholic
Union Catholic has a lot of depth, they are defending champions for a reason. They are graduating a major number of their starters so this can be a coronation. I do think Paul VI is the team of the future, and this is going to be a very close game, but I think experience trumps length and athleticism and it will be Union Catholic moving on.
Peter’s Pick-Union Catholic 63-61 OT
NON PUBLIC B NORTH
2 Montclair Immaculate @ 1 Morris Catholic
Morris Catholic has shaken up Non Public B with their in orthodox play and they aren’t complaining with a win total almost doubled. They have switched to a European style of basketball with a couple of Italian forwards like Mattia Bacchelli and they are humming right now. At the same time you don’t want to mess with a team that can come back from any deficit and never gives up and that’s definitely Montclair Immaculate with their guards, but I still am going to give the edge to the Crusaders.
Peter’s Pick- Morris Catholic 76-68
NON PUBLIC B SOUTH
3 Bishop Eustace @ 1 St. Rose
Saint Rose is another team defending their title, in this year definitely a culmination for Matt Hodge, who is one of the best scorers in the state of New Jersey. St.Rose has so much experience and it will be tough for Bishop Eustace’s youth to compete with that.
Peter’s Pick- St. Rose 61-49
