South Jersey Group 4 Playoff Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We're five days away from the start of the NJSIAA Girls Basketball playoffs. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Check out my full preview and prediction for the South Jersey, Group 4 bracket below.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Seeds</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>1- Lenape</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>2- Cherokee</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>3- Howell</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>4- Egg Harbor</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>5- Eastern</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>6- Washington Township</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>7- Pennsauken</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>8- Gloucester Tech</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>9- Williamstown</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>10- Cherry Hill East</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>11- Atlantic Tech</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>12- Atlantic City</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>13- Kingsway</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>14- Vineland</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>15- Southern</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>16- Bridgeton</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Favorite</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Lenape (19-4): </strong>Aside from an early season forfeit, Lenape's three other losses are by a combined eight points. The defending Group 4 state champions are the heavy favorite to repeat in South Jersey Group 4 and as the top seed, the road to the title will go through the Indians. Lenape's offensive attack is powered by sophomore guard [player_tooltip player_id='835906' first='El-Anita' last='Joe-Samuel'], who's averaging nearly 17 points per game this winter. Senior 1,300-point scorer [player_tooltip player_id='414232' first='Alexa' last='Henry'] thrives from distance and has knocked down a team-high 36 three-pointers. With that duo, the Indians will be an extreme challenge for anyone else to knock off in this section.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Contenders</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Cherokee (16-8)</strong>: In two games with top-seeded Lenape during the regular season, Cherokee fell by 13 and 22 points, respectively. As the second seed in the bracket, Cherokee figures to be the biggest threat to Lenape's repeat and the Chiefs have a lot of work to make up in order to make that happen. [player_tooltip player_id='559132' first='Brielle' last='Alaba'], a junior, is nearing 1,000 career points for the Chiefs and is 42 away as of February 21. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='583702' first='Olivia' last='Selverian'] is averaging 9.8 points per game and is an efficient free-throw shooter. Expect the Cherokee to be the favorite to have another date with Lenape.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Howell (18-6): </strong>Although not a traditional South Jersey team as a member of the Shore Conference, Howell is in a prime position to compete for a South Jersey title. Five of the Rebels' six losses came at the hands of Manasquan (twice) and St. Rose (three times). Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='865672' first='Kylee' last='Beam'] is averaging 14 points per game, while senior [player_tooltip player_id='583947' first='Kiera' last='McKown'] recently reached 1,000 career points. Defensively, McKown has a team-high 85 blocks, more than everyone else on the team combined. Expect Howell to stay competitive with Cherokee in a possible sectional semifinal matchup.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Underdog</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Egg Harbor (20-6): </strong>This is the second consecutive 20-win season for Egg Harbor. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='525309' first='Averie' last='Harding'] is averaging 13.5 points per contest and [player_tooltip player_id='583463' first='Ava' last='Kraybill'], also a senior, is averaging nearly 10 points with a team-high 79 assists. As the fourth seed in the bracket, the Eagles will host two playoff games before having to hit the road.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Top Five Players</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='414394' first='Alivia' last='Mauz'], Williamstown</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='835906' first='El-Anita' last='Joe-Samuel'], Lenape</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='414232' first='Alexa' last='Henry'], Lenape</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='559132' first='Brielle' last='Alaba'], Cherokee</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='525309' first='Averie' last='Harding'], Egg Harbor</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Projected Final</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Lenape</em></strong> vs. Cherokee</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Note: Predicted winner in bold.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->