Boys basketball: Everything to know about North Jersey teams ahead of state tournament
Don Bosco, Ridgewood, Ramapo, Ramsey and Paterson Charter are the North Jersey teams to receive No. 1 seeds in their sections in this year’s NSJIAA boys basketball tournament.
Here’s what you need to know about the North Jersey teams in the state tournament, which opens Feb. 21 and concludes March 10. (Records are through Tuesday action.)
BRACKETS: 2024 NJ boys basketball state tournament brackets
North 1, Group 1
Paterson Charter (19-3) is the No. 1 seed and clear favorite. The Lions, reigning NJIC champions, boast a trio that combines to average more than 40 points per game: seniors Ka’Juan Gee and Deangelo Hibbert and junior Figueroa.
Cresskill (13-11) is No. 2 and defending champ after last year knocking off Paterson Charter in the sectional final, 48-44. If they face Paterson Charter again, senior Jack Hayward, junior Omer Tal and the Cougars must slow the pace.
Led by junior Luis Placido, No. 3 New Milford (16-7) is enjoying its best season in years and can top No. 14 Hasbrouck Heights (9-13) for the second time this month. Senior Jeremy Lachman and No. 12 Emerson (10-12) are playing better and will try to hang in there at No. 5 West Caldwell Tech (12-11).
North 2, Group 1
Newark Tech (14-7) is the No. 3 seed and defending champ and has played a strong schedule for a Group 1 program. Juniors Malcolm and Marcus Bragg pace the Terriers.
Top-seeded Hoboken (19-5) looks to take the next step after last year losing in the sectional final to Newark Tech, 52-50. Juniors Lamir Boxley and Nick Petruzelli lead the Redwings.
It could come down to the final minute when No. 8 North Arlington (11-12) hosts No. 9 Ridgefield (9-14). North Arlington rides sophomore Jesse Calfayan and Ridgefield features juniors Jason Marasciulo and Chris Pallata.
North 1, Group 2
Top-seeded Ramsey (17-6) is defending champ and has the experience to repeat. Michael Bernius, Logan Bahn and Max Nierenberg are part of a senior-laden lineup that plays stellar defense and needs to make shots.
No. 2 Glen Rock (17-7) gave Ramsey all it could handle in December in a 41-39 loss and can reach the final. The Panthers, NJIC runners-up to Paterson Charter, features junior Mason Mangione and senior Jack Hattersley.
No. 4 Dumont (13-8) could host No. 5 Pascack Hills (13-8) in the quarterfinals. Freddie Herbst and senior-led Dumont won this matchup in December, 50-45. Seniors Nick Lukmann and David Weidmuller and Pascack Hills have played better the past month.
North 2, Group 2
Top-seeded Newark Arts (19-7) is the choice to win this often-unpredictable section. Junior Shelton Colwell leads the way. No doubt, Najee Graham and senior-led No. 2 Newark Collegiate (19-5) also project to reach the final.
No. 8 Lyndhurst (16-8) hosts defending champ and No. 9 Caldwell (12-10). The Golden Bears feature the program’s all-time scorer, senior Anthony Pizzuti. The survivor projects a quarterfinal at Newark Arts.
No. 6 Rutherford (17-7) hosts No. 11 Ridgefield Park (13-12). Junior Matthew Remias paces Rutherford. Ridgefield Park has stepped up the past two weeks and rides junior Erind Kukaj.
North 1, Group 3
Top-seeded Ramapo (18-7) is defending NJSIAA Group 3 champ and expected to retain this sectional title. The Green Raiders feature three seniors in Peyton Seals, Wyatt Eglinton Manner and Chris Cervino and a committed cast of role players.
This bracket is teeming with talent and No. 2 Northern Highlands and No. 3 Wayne Valley project to square off in the semifinals. Junior Lucas Dipasupil and Northern Highlands (17-6) are much-improved since losing this opening-night matchup to senior Anthony Apicella and Wayne Valley, 67-49.
Fun matchups are everywhere, with No. 4 Demarest (17-5) projected to host No. 5 Teaneck (16-8) in the quarterfinals. These Big North National rivals split two regular-season battles, with junior Zach Schweid and Demarest winning, 72-69, and sophomore Mickell Taylor and Teaneck winning the rematch, 78-64.
North 2, Group 3
Cranford (19-5) is the No. 1 seed after making an impressive one-year turnaround. Senior Nick Amitie drives the Cougars, who last season only won a handful of games.
No. 3 Colonia (17-8) projects as a likely finalist. Colonia beat No. 2 South Plainfield (18-7) in Wednesday’s Greater Middlesex Conference semifinals, 70-37.
No. 7 Cliffside Park (12-11) hosts No. 10 West Morris Central (12-11). Sophomore Jerelz Ortiz and the Red Raiders earned a share of the Big North American title, won a Bergen Jamboree game, and look to add to their resume.
North 1, Group 4
Ridgewood (16-6) is the No. 1 seed thanks to an 14-2 start and needs to pick it back up. The Maroon Raiders feature a stellar 1-2 scoring punch in junior Johnny Jackson and senior Evan O’Reilly and can win with help from the supporting cast.
No. 2 Eastside (17-7) is defending NJSIAA Group 4 titlist and opens against No. 15 Clifton (11-13). Sophomore Justin Bethea is part of a balanced lineup for Eastside, which is 2-1 this season against Clifton, including a 51-40 win in the Passaic County quarterfinals.
No. 5 Kennedy (14-8), No. 6 Hackensack (11-13) and No. 8 Fair Lawn (14-9) seek first-round home wins. Kennedy, with sophomore Micah Pierce, hosts the most improved double-digit seed in North Jersey, No. 12 Passaic Tech (10-14). Kennedy is 2-1 this season against Passaic Tech.
North Non-Public A
Top-seeded Don Bosco (21-3) rates the slightest of edges in this super-heavyweight bracket. Senior All-American Dylan Harper leads the Ironmen, and senior Isaiah Brown, junior Brady Loughlin and 7-foot-1 sophomore Keiner Asprilla must step up as well.
No. 2 St. Peter’s Prep (22-2) is defending champ and senior Nico Pena paces a balanced attack. No. 3 St. Benedict’s (18-5) and No. 5 Hudson Catholic (18-7) are also serious contenders.
No. 6 Bergen Catholic (19-7) came within one shot of winning last year’s sectional title. A young team continues to develop and includes juniors Declan Wucherpfennig and Naiim Parrish and sophomore Julius Avent.
North Non-Public B
Morris Catholic (21-2) is the No. 1 seed and among multiple contenders. Senior Michelangelo Oberti leads a team that has regularly dominated, yet the Crusaders are 0-2 in games decided by single digits.
No. 5 Roselle Catholic (12-9) played a masochistic schedule and is far better than its record implies. Sophomore Ethan Mgbako is among the Lions’ double-digit scorers. No. 2 Montclair Immaculate (18-6) is a contender despite last month’s lopsided loss to Roselle Catholic.
St. Mary (Ruth.) is No. 3 and among five teams with first-round byes. The Gaels (18-6) are a veteran cast that includes senior Luke Gaccione and they will host the winner of No. 6 Timothy Christian/No. 11 Pioneer Academy.
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: NJ boys basketball: Everything to know ahead of the state tournament
