By Christian Mordi - @mordi_thecomeup on Twitter / @thecomeupradio on IG
Team: Westside
Ranking: 20
Record Last season: 25-8, Group 2 Champions
Key players: Quayon Williams-King, senior;Yasim Hooker, senior
Potential emerging stars: Justin Jones, senior
Team analysis: The RoughRiders shook up the high school basketball scene during the 2015-2016 season. Led by all-state guard Isiah Reyes, they upset Camden 85-83 in the Group 2 championship. While many would expect a huge drop off after losing their star player, NJHoopRecruit is here to tell you that they may not be the case.
The RoughRiders are returning four of their top five scorers from last year’s team. Now battle-tested, the Newark based school is ready for another long state tourney run. In regards to their style of play, West Side does a great job of mixing up their defenses. They make teams uncomfortable as much as possible, which often leads to turnovers and easy baskets.
West Side loves to run and can fill it up on the offensive end. Quayon Williams-King was one of the state’s best juniors that flew under the radar last year. In the 2015-2016 season, King posted a solid stat-line of 15 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals per night. Quayon is a jack of all trades that creates havoc on both sides of the floor. In regards to size, 6-9 big Justin Jones protects the rim with the best of them. Williams-King likely partner in crime this year will be Yasim Hooker. The 6-4 wing can shoot and runs the floor with the best of them.
West Side is one of those teams that get better as the season progresses. They get more familiar with their scheme and become a very tough team to beat. Come playoff time, expect West Side to make some noise in the Essex County Tournament and Group 2 tourney. The defending champs are built to make another run at it if things fall into place accordingly.
Stat to know: West Side didn’t make it to the final four in the Essex County tournament, but made up for the shortfall in the counties by winning the group.
Westside was one of two Newark teams (the other being University,) that won their group in the 2015-2016 season.