Words. HShoop

Border Wars: New York .vs. New Jersey

(Photo of Dexter Strickland)

Last summer we hit you guys with our “Border Wars” series, which pits state-versus-state or city-versus-city rivals against each other. With the Class of 2008 a distant memory, it’s time to update the rosters and see who is gonna step up to help their state claim bragging rights — at least until next summer.

The first match up is between New York and New Jersey. For years upon years these two states have been rivals: New Yorkers swear New Jersey is the red-headed stepchild of the tri-state area, while Jersey views NYC as a former Mecca that has lost its luster. This rivalry is always heated, and we must say, things are starting to look up for NJ.

New York:

PG: Chaz Williams, 5-9, 160, Sr., Bishop Ford (Hofstra)

SG: Durand Scott, 6-4, 185, Jr., Rice

SF: Lance Stephenson, 6-6, 215, Sr., Lincoln

PF: Jayvaughn Pinkston, 6-6, 230, Jr., Bishop Loughlin

C: James Padgett, 6-8, 230, Sr., Lincoln

Bench: Roland Brown (C, Jr., Christ the King); O.D. Anosike (PF, Jr., St. Peter’s); Omari Lawrence (G/F, Sr., St. Raymond’s); Sherrod Wright (G/F, Sr., Mt. Vernon); Russ Smith (PG, Sr., Archbishop Molloy).

New Jersey:

PG: Dexter Strickland, 6-3, 175, Sr., St. Patrick’s (North Carolina)

SG: Dominic Cheek, 6-6, 180, Sr., St. Anthony’s

SF: Fuquan Edwin, 6-5, 180, Jr., Paterson Catholic

PF: Tristan Thompson, 6-8, 215, St. Benedict’s (Texas)

C: Greg Echenique, 6-8, 240, Sr., St. Benedict’s (Rutgers)

Bench: Lamar Peterson (SF, Sr., St. Benedict’s, Pitt), Michael Gilchrist (F, So., St. Patrick’s), Tamir Jackson (PG, Sr., St. Benedict’s); Lance Brown (G, Sr., Paterson Catholic); Trevor Clemmings (C/F, Jr., Paterson Catholic).

 

Guards: New Jersey should be able to win this game on the strength of their backcourt alone. Strickland and Cheek are locks to be McD’s All-Americans, while Williams and Scott are virtual unknowns. Scott should hold his own, being that he’s matched up against Cheek and Strickland several times on the AAU circuit, but as a whole, New Jersey’s backcourt dominates New York’s.

Forwards: With arguably the best player in the country in Stephenson, NY has the upper hand. Stephenson would score at will on Edwin and help out on the boards against Jersey’s bigger front line. If the game is up-and-down, Thompson would have a big advantage over Pinkston, who thrives in half court sets where he can bully his opponent. Overall Thompson is the better player, but Pinkston should be able to hold his own enough to give New York the edge at the forward positions.

Center: Echenique is a potential McDonald’s All-American, while Padgett is a virtual unknown. Padgett is the better athlete of the two, but Echenique is too strong and would just put Padgett in the blender in the post. Advantage Jersey.

Bench: New York has the advantage on the bench. With two big time players like Lawrence and Wright, the NY bench should be able to outscore the Jersey bench. Jackson and Smith would cancel each other out as both are offensive-minded guards that can score quickly. Advantage New York.

The Verdict: When it’s all said and done, New Jersey would come out on top in this game. New York has the bench advantage and they have Lance Stephenson, but New Jersey’s starters are just too strong at every position — especially the post positions — to lose this game.

Tags: Border Wars
Posted in Training | | Trackback | Respond
Wednesday, June 11th, 2008

News RSS Feed | Comments RSS Feed