What you need to know for Tuesday's South Jersey high school boys basketball championships
South Jersey Group 4 final
(3) Egg Harbor Twp. (26-5) at (1) Lenape (22-7)
When: Tuesday, 5 p.m.
Coaches: Egg Harbor Twp. – Cameron Bell; Lenape – Matt Wolf
Last sectional title: Egg Harbor Twp. – No titles; Lenape - 2022
Last meeting: Lenape 66, Egg Harbor Twp. 52, South Jersey Group 4 semifinals, March 4, 2022. Tayvon Gaither posted 21 points and 10 rebounds, Aidan Anderson also netted 21 points, Derek Simpson had 12 points and 8 assists and Tye Dorset added 12 points as Lenape advanced to the sectional championship game. Carlos Lopez led the Eagles with 16 points.
How they got here: Lenape – First round: 66-31 over (16) GCIT; Quarterfinals: 58-51 over (8) Williamstown; Semifinals: 56-48 over (4) Eastern
Egg Harbor Twp. – First round: 69-48 over (14) Millville; Quarterfinals: 64-47 over (11) ACIT; Semifinals: 58-40 over (7) Cherry Hill East
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The matchup: Egg Harbor Township entered this season with revenge on its mind. It wanted to avenge last season’s loss to Mainland in the Cape-Atlantic League Tournament, which it did, knocking off the Mustangs en route to its first-ever championship.
Now, the Eagles are looking to get back at Lenape, who they fell to in the sectional semifinals last March.
They’ve won eight straight and 17 of their past 19 games, their only setbacks narrow three-point losses to Cherokee and Eastside.
They’re an athletically-gifted squad led by seniors DJ Germann (averaging 16.7 points, 4 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 2.8 steals) and Jay-Nelly Reyes (13.7 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.2 steals, 2.9 assists).
Holy Spirit transfer Jamil Wilkins has been a big addition as he’s averaged 12.5 points and 4.7 rebounds, while Christian Rando’s return to the squad opened the offense as he leads the team with 48 triples. Keion Elliott rounds out a strong starting five.
Egg Harbor’s strength is its defense – its averages 12.6 steals per game. It’s relentless on-ball defense leads to loads of fastbreak opportunities.
Will Lenape be up to the task?
The Mount Laurel program is a surprise finalist in many eyes as it returned to the title game despite losing its top three scorers from a season ago, including Rutgers freshman Derek Simpson.
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Lenape has won nine of its last 10 contests in part to the return of junior captain Tye Dorset, who missed four-plus games with a knee injury.
Dorset has taken command of the squad this year, averaging a team-best 18.8 points and 5.3 rebounds. He and Tekie Clark are the only two returning players that saw significant minutes a year ago. Clark is a standout defender and will likely matchup with Germann or Reyes.
Medford Tech transfer Myles Primas has taken on a good chunk of the scoring load, averaging 13.3 points, James Wright has come alive the last seven games, averaging 10.6 points, while Matt Liebling and Jake Simkins add key perimeter shooting.
Prediction: Egg Harbor Twp. over Lenape
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South Jersey Group 2 final
(7) Middle Twp. (19-11) at (4) Sterling (21-9)
When: Tuesday, 5:30 p.m.
Coaches: Middle Twp. – LaMarr Greer; Sterling – Justin Barringer
Last sectional title: Middle Twp. – 2011; Sterling – 1999
How they got here: Sterling – First round: 64-44 over (13) Camden Charter; Quarterfinals: 53-46 over (5) Overbrook; Semifinals: 45-41 over (1) Haddonfield
Middle Twp. – First round: 53-46 over (10) Gloucester; Quarterfinals: 76-52 over (15) Lindenwold; Semifinals: 71-44 over (3) Cinnaminson
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The matchup: No one would’ve predicted this final when the brackets were originally released.
But Camden’s removal from the tournament due to a fight in the Camden County final gave everyone hope it could make a run.
Middle Township took advantage of the Camden-less part of the bracket, but the Panthers were a strong seven seed regardless. Eight of the team’s 11 losses were to either St. Augustine, Eastside, Paul VI, Camden Catholic and Egg Harbor Township, who all entered the playoffs in the top 6 of the Mean 15 rankings.
The McNeil brothers have shined this year. Bubba McNeil, a junior, averages a team-high 15.4 points while sophomore Jamir McNeil has shown his diversified skill set, averaging 11.1 points, 5.2 rebounds, 4 assists and 2.2 steals.
Re’Ale Basquine, a transfer from London, has been an invaluable addition inside, averaging 10.5 points and team-best 8.3 boards. Anthony Trombetta is the squad’s top perimeter threat and freshman Chase Moore has flashed his first season.
Sterling looked like it could be a prime upset candidate as it entered the playoffs on a four-game skid and losing six of its previous nine games.
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The Silver Knights rediscovered their groove just in time though.
Caleb Mundell leads the way, averaging a team-high 14.1 points and 8 rebounds. Guard Jaydis McFadden has averaged 13.2 points, which included a career-best 20 in the semifinal upset of Haddonfield.
Walt Garrison, a transfer from St. Augustine, has quickly emerged as a key option after sitting the first half of the campaign. He’s averaging a shade under 10 points on the year, but he’s averaged 13 over his last six games.
Sophomores Julian Johnson and Travis Schmid and freshman BraMeer Long continue to grow on the job as well.
Prediction: Middle Twp. over Sterling
Josh Friedman has produced award-winning South Jersey sports coverage for the Courier Post, The Daily Journal and the Burlington County Times for more than a decade. If you have or know of an interesting story to tell, reach out on Twitter at @JFriedman57 or via email at jfriedman2@gannettnj.com. You can also contact him at 856-486-2431. Help support local journalism with a subscription.
This article originally appeared on Cherry Hill Courier-Post: Preview of South Jersey Group 2, Group 4 boys basketball finals
