State Tournament: North 1 Breakdown
North 1 opens up tournament play tomorrow. It’s going to be intriguing to see how everything unfolds and wants to be crowned as State Champions. These moments are what these boys have played all year for. So let’s take a…
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Continue ReadingNorth 1 opens up tournament play tomorrow. It’s going to be intriguing to see how everything unfolds and wants to be crowned as State Champions. These moments are what these boys have played all year for. So let’s take a dive into some players to watch and I’ll even throw in a prediction. The North 1 Group features 33 teams with Fair Lawn as the top overall seed.
Players to Watch
Matthew Christ (West Milford)
Christ is the focal point of the West Milford attack. He has a live arm and is very deceptive with his swing. He has not played the last two games so it will be intriguing to see if he comes out rusty. I don’t expect him too and he will thrive in this tournament.
Gil Zyndorf (Fair Lawn)
Zyndorf is the catalyst for Fair Lawn. He’s a solid setter and always is making an impact in the match. He has pinpoint accuracy and utilizes his athleticism very well to make him that much more dangerous. He’s one who loves to spread the ball around to keep opponents off-balance.
Peter Shahin (Don Bosco Prep)
Don Bosco will go as far as Shahin can take them. He accounts for basically all of Don Bosco’s assists so if he has an off game, they will struggle. Shahin can set from anywhere on the floor so he always can make a play.
Jacob Pascual (Bergenfield)
Pascual may be a real sleeper for how Bergenfield can be a real dark horse in this group. He’s the anchor of the Bergenfield defense but his calling-card is a lethal serve that’s one of the best in the state. If he can get his serve going and give Bergenfield some easy points, they will be a tough out.
Jake O’Brien (Indian Hills)
Lastly, we have O’Brien who is one of the top libero’s on the season for Indian Hills. O’Brien has a lethal first step that allows him to be all over the court along with very good anticipation. It allows the rest of the squad to play more free as they know O’Brien will make a play.
Prediction
West Milford over Bergenfield
I think this group sets up perfectly for West Milford especially with a recent win over the squad who has only beaten them: Fair Lawn. Bergenfield will make it interesting but I like West Milford’s one-two punch to come out on top.