Sunday, February 26, 2017

By NJS.com Super Computer
Proprietary Software

HASBROUCK HEIGHTS' NIKO REGUS

NORTH 1 GROUP 1
The Seeds: 1. Verona, 2. Cresskill, 3. Hasbrouck Heights, 4. Bogota, 5. Paterson Charter, 6. Becton, 7. Cedar Grove, 8. West Caldwell Tech, 9. Wood-Ridge, 10. Emerson, 11. Midland Park, 12. Boonton, 13. North Warren, 14. Waldwick, 15. Belvidere, 16. Palisades Park

Player to Watch:
Niko Regus, Hasbrouck Heights

Regus, who averages over 21 points per game, will need to be at the top of his game if the Aviators want to win a section that is deeper this season than it has been in years past.

Dark Horse:
Bogota

Anytime legendary head coach Jay Mahoney is on the sideline you can never count the Bucs out in the state tournament. The Bucs, coming off a third place finish in The BIT, have a tough road to get to the final, but are capable of beating or losing to anyone in this section.

Biggest First-Round Upset:
No. 11 Midland Park over No. 6 Becton

No real reason, just a computer’s hunch.

First-Round Winners:
Verona, Wood-Ridge, Bogota, Paterson Charter, Hasbrouck Heights, Midland Park, Emerson, Cresskill

Quarterfinal Winners:
Verona, Paterson Charter, Midland Park, Cresskill

Final:
Verona vs. Cresskill

Champion:
Verona

Verona is the defending section champion and has the section’s best 1-2 punch. Travis Jocelyn is an athletic big while Jack Farrell provides steady play from the point guard spot. That championship experience will be valuable in a 64-58 win over Cresskill.

PASCACK HILLS' JASON SHILL

NORTH 1 GROUP 2
The Seeds: 1. Pascack Hills, 2. Hawthorne, 3. Newton, 4. Westwood, 5. Ramsey, 6. Glen Rock, 7. Kinnelon, 8. Elmwood Park, 9. Jefferson, 10. Vernon, 11. High Point, 12. Pequannock, 13. Mahwah, 14. Walkill Valley, 15. New Milford, 16. Dumont

Player to Watch:
Jason Shill, Pascack Hills

With leading scorer Nick Guillemain’s status for the state tournament still up in the air with an ankle injury, Shill will have to take more of the burden in terms of scoring. The senior guard has been in plenty of big games before though and looks forward to thriving when the lights are the brightest.

Dark Horse:
Ramsey

Christian Tesoriero, Kevin Mullane, and John Carroll can all get hot at a moment’s notice. If all three players are clicking at the same time, the Rams will be a tough out.

Biggest First-Round Upset:
None

First-Round Winners:
Pascack Hills, Elmwood Park, Ramsey, Westwood, Newton, Glen Rock, Kinnelon, Hawthorne

Quarterfinal Winners:
Pascack Hills, Westwood, Newton, Hawthorne

Final:
Pascack Hills vs. Hawthorne

Champion:
Pascack Hills

Hawthorne junior Dallas Hoffmann has emerged as one of North Jersey’s best inside-outside threats. He will present a problem for the smaller Cowboys. But if the Cowboys can control the pace, they will have a decided advantage and take home the title, 58-50.

TEANECK'S JA'QUAYE JAMES

NORTH 1 GROUP 3
The Seeds:
1. Old Tappan, 2. Sparta, 3. River Dell, 4. Teaneck, 5. Wayne Hills, 6. Pascack Valley, 7. Ramapo, 8. Northern Highlands, 9. Tenafly, 10. Morris Hills, 11. Demarest, 12. West Essex, 13. Wayne Valley, 14. Dwight Morrow, 15. Bergenfield, 16. Montville

Player to Watch:
Ja’Quaye James, Teaneck

You could also put fellow backcourt mate Leondre Washington in this spot. They are the two most dangerous players in the section and either can take over a game at any time. James has been through the fire last year in leading the Highwaymen to the Group 3 state title. A year older and a year wiser, anything short of a that would be considered a disappointment.

Dark Horse:
Demarest

It is easy to write the season off after losing the first seven games. However, the Norsemen never stopped grinding and quickly found its groove. Jake Runyon has become a consistent scoring force with Demarest having won 16 out of its past 18 games, which includes a win over the section’s top seed, Old Tappan, and the Bergen Invitational Tournament title this past Saturday.

Biggest First-Round Upset:
No. 14 Dwight Morrow over No. 3 River Dell

Dwight Morrow lost both regular-season meetings (by 2 and 5 points) to River Dell after getting off to slow starts. With nothing to lose and everything to gain if the Maroon Raiders get off to a better start, the third time could be a charm. Watch out for George Garrison IV and Martini Martin, two streaky shooters who can heat up quickly.

First-Round Winners:
Old Tappan, Tenafly, Wayne Hills, Teaneck, Dwight Morrow, Pascack Valley, Ramapo, Sparta

Quarterfinal Winners:
Old Tappan, Teaneck, Pascack Valley, Sparta

Final:
Teaneck vs. Pascack Valley

Champion:
Teaneck

The experienced backcourt of Legend Dominguez and Matt Vasel along with Alex Lin filling it up from beyond the three-point arc will lead the Indians into the section final. Watch out for Adrian Baucom to come up with big plays on both ends of the floor just as he did in last year’s state tournament to help Teaneck repeat as North 1 Group 3 section champs.

HACKENSACK'S ATIBA TAYLOR, JR.

NORTH 1 GROUP 4
The Seeds: 1. Bloomfield, 2. North Bergen, 3. Paterson Kennedy, 4. Randolph, 5. Morristown, 6. Ridgewood, 7. Hackensack, 8. Fair Lawn, 9. Montclair, 10. Passaic County Tech, 11. Bergen Tech, 12. Morris Knolls, 13. Kearny, 14. Memorial, 15. Clifton, 16. West Orange

Player to Watch:
Atiba Taylor, Jr, Hackensack

Taylor can do it all offensively and guard multiple positions. He will need to be at his best for the Comets, who have lost two out of their last three games heading into state tournament play.

Dark Horse:
Hackensack

The Comets are more than just Taylor. BJ Saliba and Bryce Drakeford are second and third scoring options who will not be intimidated by a big moment. Hackensack as perhaps the toughest draw of anyone in this section. But if they can right the ship, look out.

Biggest First-Round Upset:
None

First-Round Winners:
Bloomfield, Fair Lawn, Morristown, Randolph, Paterson Kennedy, Ridgewood, Hackensack, North Bergen

Quarterfinal Winners:
Bloomfield, Morristown, Paterson Kennedy, North Bergen

Final:
Bloomfield vs. Kennedy

Champion:
Kennedy

Jaylen Colon is a scoring machine but he is just one of the reasons the Knights will walk away with the hardware. Jamir Lattimore will be a factor and Joseph Shoulars will provide the muscle inside to navigate Paterson Kennedy through a rugged section.

NORTH 2 GROUP 1
The Seeds:
1. Glen Ridge, 2. Weequahic, 3. Hoboken, 4. People’s Prep, 5. Weehawken, 6. Dayton, 7. University, 8. Newark Collegiate, 9. Arts, 10. Roselle Park, 11. Secaucus, 12. Shabazz, 13. North Arlington, 14. American History, 15. University Charter, 16. North Star Academy

Player to Watch:
Justin Davis, Hoboken

Regardless of what opposing defense is designed to slow him down, Davis always finds his way to get his. Averaging nearly 23 points per game this season, the senior guard-forward can beat you in numerous ways. As he goes, so will the Red Wings.

Dark Horse:
University

Simply put, never count out the two-time defending champ.

Biggest First-Round Upset:
No. 13 North Arlington over No. 4 People’s Prep

The two teams met back in early January with People’s Prep rallying from a 12-point halftime deficit to pull out a 57-56 win. This time the Vikings hold on to advance.

First-Round Winners:
Glen Ridge, Arts, North Arlington, Weehawken, Hoboken, Dayton, University, Weequahic

Quarterfinal Winners:
Glen Ridge, Weehawken, Hoboken, Weequahic

Final:
Glen Ridge vs. Hoboken

Champion:
Hoboken

Davis is the best player in this section but the Red Wings have another top-flight player in Tyshon Hanberry. After a loss on its home court in the section final last year the Red Wings have had their eye on getting back to the final and winning it all. Playing in so many close games this season (13 of their 25 games have been decided by 6 points or less) will only help the Red Wings down the stretch.

RIDGEFIELD PARK'S DAVID FELIZ

NORTH 2 GROUP 2
The Seeds:
1. Mountain Lakes, 2. Hackettstown, 3. West Side, 4. Hanover Park, 5. Newark Central, 6. Harrison, 7. Lodi, 8. Rutherford, 9. Madison, 10. Ridgefield Park, 11. Fort Lee, 12. Morris Tech, 13. Science Park, 14. Parsippany, 15. Leonia, 16. Whippany Park

Player to Watch:
Carlos Pepin, Lodi

Pepin is an athletic player who is tough to cover in transition. The 6’5” junior forward is capable of dominating the paint at any given time. If he can be a consistent force, the Rams will be a tough team to knock out.

Dark Horse:
Newark Central

Newark Central plays a brutal schedule year in and year out to prepare for what hopes to be a deep state tournament run.

Biggest First-Round Upset:
No. 16 Whippany Park over No. 1 Mountain Lakes

Sounds bold but it is not as far fetched as one might think. These teams met in the season-opener with Mountain Lakes escaping with a 67-63 win in overtime. Whippany Park has had a sub-par season but has been in quite a few close games with quality opponents. This time, they get over the hump and pull off the biggest upset of this year’s state tournament

First-Round Winners:
Whippany Park, Madison, Newark Central, Hanover Park, West Side, Harrison, Lodi, Hackettstown

Quarterfinal Winners:
Madison, Newark Central, West Side, Hackettstown

Final:
Newark Central vs. West Side

Champion:
West Side

After losing in the Essex County final on Saturday to crosstown rival Newark East Side the Roughriders will play with a chip on their shoulders throughout the states.

SJR'S CHAUNCEY HAWKINS

NON-PUBLIC A NORTH
The Seeds: 1. Don Bosco, 2. Bergen Catholic, 3. St. Peter’s Prep, 4. St. Joseph’s (Montvale), 5. Delbarton, 6. Pope John, 7. Seton Hall Prep, 8. DePaul, 9. Oratory Prep, 10. Paramus Catholic

Player to Watch:
Chauncey Hawkins, St. Joe’s

Hawkins is as tough and as steady as they come in North Jersey. Whether he scored 10 points or 25, the senior point guard always plays under complete control. The bigger the game, the better Hawkins seems to play. While this section is no picnic, the longer the Green Knights can hang around in any game, the better their chances are with the ball in the hands of Hawkins.

Dark Horse:
Seton Hall Prep

When is the last time that the Pirates were considered a dark horse in this section? We’re talking decades, if ever. Senior Austin Williams has averaged 20 points per game over his last 11. The cupboard is far from bare at SHP and the Pirates could thrive in their rare role of an underdog.

Biggest First-Round Upset:
None

Quarterfinal Winners:
Don Bosco, St. Joe’s, St. Peter’s Prep, Bergen Catholic

Final:
Don Bosco vs. Bergen Catholic

Champion:
Bergen Catholic

Bosco won a thrilling 53-52 victory over its archrival in the final of this year’s Bergen County Jamboree. The Crusaders will certainly want their shot at revenge and they will get it. Only this time they should have a healthy Thomas Binelli, a 6’8” shooter, who will help stretch the floor and lift the Crusaders to a section crown.

HUDSON CATHOLIC'S JAHVON QUINERLY

NON-PUBLIC B NORTH
The Seeds: 1. St. Anthony’s, 2. Hudson Catholic, 3. Dwight-Englewood, 4. Morristown-Beard, 5. Christ the King, 6. Saddle River Day, 7. Queen of Peace, 8. Montclair Immaculate, 9. St. Mary’s (Rutherford), 10. Morris Catholic, 11. Montclair-Kimberley, 12. Eastern Christian, 13. Marist, 14. Newark Academy

Player to Watch:
Jahvon Quinerly, Hudson Catholic

Quinerly has gone from one of New Jersey’s more talented point guards as a sophomore to being one of the state’s best big-game players as a junior. He’s averaged over 25 ppg, 6.5 assists and four rebounds over his last seven games. Already with scholarship offers from traditional powers Arizona and Kansas along with defending national Villanova, Quinerly is looking for the one thing that has eluded him throughout his scholastic career, a section title.

Dark Horse:
Dwight-Englewood

Dwight-Englewood was somewhat of an afterthought coming into the season with a new head coach and a lot of question marks. The Bulldogs have been quite a surprise throughout the season with impressive wins throughout without any bad losses. Point guard Jordan McKoy is a budding star and can lead the Bulldogs to their first section semifinal berth in over two decades.

Biggest First-Round Upset:
None

Quarterfinal Winners:
St. Anthony’s, Morristown-Beard, Dwight-Englewood, Hudson Catholic

Final:
St. Anthony vs. Hudson Catholic

Champion:
Hudson Catholic

If there is a year for the Hawks to get over the hump, this is it. Quinerly and Luther Muhammad are a lethal backcourt. Highly-touted Louis King has finally come into his own and will be the X-factor as the Hawks win a close one, 57-53.