Preseason Favorites: Cape-Atlantic League
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High School basketball in the state of New Jersey is just over a week away from starting and players and fans alike are ready to get going. The Cape-Atlantic League is always super competitive and this year there are no…
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Continue ReadingHigh School basketball in the state of New Jersey is just over a week away from starting and players and fans alike are ready to get going. The Cape-Atlantic League is always super competitive and this year there are no clear run away teams to look at. With a lot of top talent and an open race for the top of the conference this is looking like an exciting season. Here are some teams that could be favorites heading into the season in the Cape-Atlantic League.
Atlantic City
For how young last years Atlantic City team was they did not play like they lacked experience. Eight of the fourteen members of the roster were underclassmen, but the team did have three seniors to rely on. Last year Atlantic City finished first in the American Division with a 20-8 record, eventually falling to a stacked Cherokee team in the quarterfinal of the Group 4 sectional tournament. Thankfully the team returns most of their roster, and even though the three seniors who graduated accounted for a large chunk of the offensive firepower of the team Atlantic City looks like they can rely on a few of their younger players. Sanai Garrison-Macon comes into her junior year off the heels of a solid sophomore campaign in which she averaged 9.6 points, she is the player that looks like they will be tasked with much of the heavy lifting on offense. It won’t all come down to her though, as sophomore Quanirah Cherry-Montague can fill the stat sheet, as a freshman she averaged 7.9 points and 8 rebounds per game. The experience of last years playoff run is sure to help this group of players as they look like one of the better teams in the Cape-Atlantic League this year.
Ocean City
Year in and year out Ocean City is one of the toughest teams in the Cape-Atlantic League. This years team will look much different than last years though, as the Red Raiders graduated six seniors, so spots in the rotation are up for grabs heading into the new year. The reason why Ocean City is going to weather the storm of the pandemic as well as a complete new team is the fact they have one of the best coaches in the state of New Jersey in Paul Baruffi. Baruffi runs a slower temp offense than most teams in the conference, constantly making opponents uncomfortable playing outside of their own style. Senior Marlee Brestle and junior Marin Panico already have experience leading the offense as they will both continue to have large roles on this team suddenly infused with youth. The two guards will combine for one of the better backcourts in the state due to their combination of top tier smarts and ability to run Baruffi’s system to perfection. Expect a potential slow start to the season, but for Ocean City to once again be at the top of the conference.
Wildwood Catholic
It always feels like towards the end of every year the one thing you can count on is Wildwood Catholic being at the top of the United Division in the Cape-Atlantic League. After another productive season in 2019-20 Wildwood Catholic returns their entire team, sans the two seniors that graduated. All eyes will be on senior Marianna Papazoglou Marianna Papazoglou 5'11" | SG Wildwood Catholic | 2021 State NJ , a recent University of Pennsylvania commit, to lead another stacked team. As a junior Papazoglou averaged 17.5 points, 8.5 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game, look for those numbers to increase some as she has been handed the keys to this offense. Papazoglou will be partnered with junior Kimmy Casiello, a popular pick by many to be the player who takes a big step forward in their game this year. The team now boasts a nice mixture of youth and veteran leadership, something that will help down the road when it gets later on into the season. Last year the team went 22-5, with how things are setting up, with a star player surrounded by tons of solid role players, they have a good chance at a repeat performance.