Boys basketball season preview, 2014-15: Group 3 players to watch

Alfonzo Anderson, West Side
One of the most dynamic scorers in the state last season for Newark Vocational, which has combined with West Side. He averaged 23.8 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 4.6 steals per game last year. A dangerous shooter from distance and a legitimate triple-double threat almost every time he takes the court.

Jack Bors, Northern Highlands
One of the best combo guards in Bergen County with a penchant for scoring in bunches — he had a school-record 41 points against Mount Olive last season. Averaged 18 points per game last year and defenses will have to account for him no matter where he is on the court as he's an excellent 3-point shooter.

Keith Braxton, Delsea
A 6-4 wing with the strength and physicality to rack up rebounds and the athleticism to get out in transition and score. He averaged 20 points, 10.6 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 2.7 steals per game as Delsea made it to the Group 3 semifinals.

Dachon Burke, Orange
Burke starred at Bloomfield Tech last season as the Essex County squad made it to the Group 1 final, averaging averaging 18.6 points, 8.9 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 4.8 steals per game. Will team with Keshawn Alexander to make one of the strongest backcourts in the county.

Ahmad Harrison, Newark East Side
The vast majority of the players that helped Newark East Side win last year's Group 3 championship and make it to the Tournament of Champions final have graduated. Harrison, now a senior, will be the leader of a young squad.

Matt Latka, Ramapo
Latka showed serious potential as a sophomore, and will look fufil that promise as a junior. He'll have to step up with the graduation of Matt Grassi, last year's leading scorer.

Trey Lowe, Ewing
Lowe was the star of last year's state tournament, averaging more than 32 points per game in the postseason as Ewing made it to the Group 3 final before falling to Newark East Side. Lowe, now committed to Temple, is as electrifying as scorer as there is in New Jersey and is a legitimate NJ.com Player of the Year candidate.

Zahneer Shuler, Woodbridge
The Greater Middlesex Conference is looking wide open this year with defending champion St. Joseph (Met.) graduating most of its starting lineup, and Shuler could help Woodbridge make some noise in the league. He averaged 15 points per game last year, and is dangerous from beyond the arc.

Leondre Washington II, Teaneck
Washington was one of the best freshman in the state last year, averaging 13 points per game for Teaneck and putting on some very impressive performances in the process. Despite being only 5-7, he has the physicality to get to the rim and draw fouls as well as shoot from deep.

Jihad Wright, Passaic Valley
A Second-Team Passaic County Coaches selection last year as a sophomore after he averaged nine points and seven rebounds per game last year. Will be called on even more this year as Passaic Valley graduated seven players from last season's 17-10 squad.

OTHER NOTABLE GROUP 3 PLAYERS

Jacob Kaplan, Montville

Conor Barron, West Morris

Tyleer Wrenn, Hamilton West

Taj Shomo, Ocean Township

Cameron Tucker, Northern Burlington

Ned Bakic, Garfield

Tony Morales, Ferris

Robert Imbalzano, Gov. Livingston

Drew Wiley, Hopewell Valley

Jeremy Schneider may be reached at jschneider@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @J_Schneider. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

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