Group II State Recap

The 2023-2024 Group II season was one of the most entertaining in recent years. The depth of talent throughout the state in this classification made for one of the most competitive discussions going into the post season. We had it all, including a pile of controversy in the run up to the state final.

Top Of The Mountain

Camden High put together a fantastic 30-2 season that was capped with a Group II state title win over Newark Arts(69-50). While everyone assumed this team would still be very good in spite of their graduation losses, they certainly met and exceeded expectations. Kentucky bound Billy Richmond and junior Emmanuel Joe-Samuel were a fantastic combo. They also saw big years from seniors Alijah Curry and Semaj Bethea.

The list of "marquee wins" is a laundry list that includes Hudson Catholic, Paul VI and others.

There was however, a dark cloud cast over the Camden season in the controversial matchup with Manasquan...It is evident now that mistakes were made, which is unfortunate, but in Camden's defense...They took on everyone in front of them and downed Arts to win the title.

Nuts And Bolts...

Manasquan has to be screaming that chant in their heads as they walk through the halls of the building after their last second victory over Camden was overturned in a highly controversial manner. The Warriors finished the season 23-7 and made a run to the state semifinals where they had a confirmed, earned win stolen from them, to put it in laymans terms. There's no other description.

That aside...A lot to be proud of. Manasquan battled through a spell without senior forward Alex Konov, beat Group I state champ College Achieve, earned a statement win at East Orange and made the Shore Conference Final.

Griffin Linstra and Rey Weinseimer will be the key returner as Konov and Jason Larned(Drew U) graduate.

Co-Teams Of The Year

Camden and Manasquan

Coach Of The Year

Connor Healy, Vernon

Group II is filled with a host of talented teams and coaches but Healy had a solid season and got his charges to play to their highest potential at the key stretch run during the Hunderton-Warren-Sussex tournament and in states.

In the HWC tournament, they scored a shocking upset victory over #1 seeded Phillipsburg and then knocked off Hunterdon Central. They avenged a pair of losses to Hackettstown during the tournament and advanced to the North I Group II final before they fell to a talented Ramsey squad.

Group II All State Teams

Player Of The Year: Billy Richmond, Camden

First Team Group II Sensational Seven

Griffin Linstra, Manasquan

Emmanuel Joe Samuel, Camden

Alijah Curry, Camden

Anthony Akande, Newark Arts

Anthony Trombetta, Middle Twp

Shelton Colwell, Newark Arts

Alex Fessel, Vernon

Second Team Group II Sensational Seven

Jamir McNeil, Middle Twp

Teron Murray, Camden

Savod Godwin, Newark Arts

Najee Graham, Newark Collegiate

Sam Narducci, Haddonfield

Semaj Bethea, Camden

Max Nierenberg, Ramsey

Third Team Group II Sensational Seven

Bubba McNeil, Middle Twp

Kevin Freeman, Newark Arts.

Fred Herbst, Dumont

Ben Kipnis, Holmdel

Anthony Pizzuti, Lyndhurst

Nick Rigby, RFH

Dan Yarus, Spotswood