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DELAWARE DIVISION

TEAM AT THE TOP: Gill St. Bernards brings back a talented group that starts with junior Denver Anglin. The junior was the teams top play creator a year ago and also one of its best scoring options. Sophomore Mackenzie Mgbako will also step into the spotlight a little more after an incredible rookie year. Junior wing Drew Kania is another player to watch as Gill St. Bernards reloads in 2021.

OTHER TEAMS TO WATCH: Watchung Hills put together an unbelievable season a year ago and made it all the way to the Somerset County final. The Warriors are ready to make another statement in 2021, especially with senior Chad Martini back. Martini was Watchung Hills best post presence a year ago and will be one of the best players back in the state in 2021. Senior guards Trevor Bokach Brian Hopwood will also be impact players for Watchung Hills, which is looking to beat out Gill St. Bernards for the division title. Kam Bright and Elijah Lewis are expected to work their way into the starting lineup for the Warriors.

Hunterdon Central brings back a very experienced lineup that will feature seniors Brian Johansson, Charles Gillikin, Matt Ciszkowski and Eric Molto. Junior Conner Hercek will also have a leading role on this team. Hunterdon Central closed strong last season, winning 11 of their last 12 games. The Red Devils will look to pick back up on that pace in 2021.

Franklin is another squad that is bringing back a lot of talent from last years team. That includes senior Joshua Kuroda-Grauer, who is also a standout baseball player and will play in college at Rutgers. The senior leads a group that also returns seniors Demi Alao and Anthony Milligan. Juniors Isaiah Cotten and Anthony Edmunson also saw big minutes a year ago and should be even better this winter.

Hillsborough lost a lot of production from last years team and will need to rebuild in 2021. Senior Kyle Chedid and junior Camryn Loniewski will be the teams top players back.

Leading scorer Alec Whelan is back for Bridgewater-Raritan along with talented junior Joey Callari. Those two players were the Panthers top scoring threat a year ago and will be the go-to options again in 2021. Bridgewater-Raritan will look to build around that duo.

RARITAN DIVISION

TEAM AT THE TOP: Rutgers Prep found out last week that it will be without star forward Trey Patterson, who decided to graduate and enroll early at Villanova. The Argonauts are also without Otega Oweh this year after he transferred to Blair. Marist commit Noah Harris is back though and will take over as the leader of this team in 2021. The senior will lead a group that will also rely on guards Sebastien Charles and Ryan Pettit. Marist transfer Donovan Long is another player to keep an eye on this year as Rutgers Prep looks to prove once again that its the top team in the conference. The Argonauts won their first Somerset County title since 1983 last winter.

OTHER TEAMS TO WATCH: Immaculata will be led by junior Darren Tuck this winter as the Spartans rebuild and work in new starters in 2021. Isaiah Honis and Devin Pombo also saw time last season and could take a step forward this year.

Ridge will have to replace last years leading scorer Gavin Kreitz, who transferred to Seton Hall Prep. The Somerset County squad does return with experience though with senior Jake Schapiro back in the picture.

Montgomery has things lined up this year with a veteran-heavy lineup back for one last run. Lafayette commit Chris Rubayo is one of the post players back this winter and he will set the tone for the Cougars. Junior guard Ryan Curry played really well last season and will have an even better command of the offense now. Seniors Matt Przekop and Noah Vlacich are also players to watch on this team along with junior Marco Lainez.

Phillipsburg brings back two of its top scorers from a year ago with Colin Domzalski and Josh Borelli returning to the mix. This team picked up some steam late last season when it made a run to the Hunterdon/Warren/Sussex semifinals.

North Hunterdon will have a young team this year that doesnt have much inexperience, especially with Mark Woolhouse transferring to Pennington. Senior guard Aidan Finn will be one of the leaders this winter and will help the team as it rebuilds.

VALLEY DIVISION

TEAM AT THE TOP: Bound Brook brings back a lot of star players this winter and that starts with last years All-Group 1 selection Quadir Harrell. The junior is closing in on 1,000 career points and will be one of Bound Brooks most explosive playmakers in 2021. Senior Davie McLarty is right up there with Harrell when it comes to making plays on the offensive end. Harrell and McLarty are also standouts on defense with their ability to force turnovers. CamRon Summers is another scoring threat and hes also a terror in the paint with his ability to block shots. Jordan Summers and Bryce Cobb have shown a knack for batting away shot attempts as well. Junior Donovan Newihany is another playmaker that teams will have to watch in 2021.

OTHER TEAMS TO WATCH: Somerville lost a lot of its veteran leadership from last winter, but does bring back senior Kyle Rolon and he will take over as a go-to player in 2021. Senior Austin Sasiak and juniors Danny Manning and Matt Lauber are ready to step up into bigger roles this season as Somerville reloads.

Bernards brings back a senior-heavy team that will be led by Andrew Holmes, who is the top returning scorer and this teams top inside presence. Senior Andrew Infusino is also back and will be the team go-to player from beyond the arc. Seniors Elliot Dietrich and James Gurerro also return to the mix for this veteran squad.

North Plainfield will look to take a step forward this fall with senior Drew Evans and sophomore Raheem Williams back in the picture. This squad made improvements late in the season a year ago and will look to build on that in 2021.

Voorhees has a good core back with senior James Memoli and junior Justin Vernieri returning. Vernieri stepped up last year as a sophomore by leading the team in assists and is Voorhees top returning scorer this season.

Warren Hills has some holes to fill this year, but does bring back seniors Eddie Conklin and Brandon Fernando. Sophomore Tommy Flaherty returns and will look to build off his rookie year.

MOUNTAIN DIVISION

TEAM AT THE TOP: Pingry will lean on senior captain Reese Swittenberg this winter as it looks to reload and win another division title. Senior Ethan Mannello is another captain that Pingry will look to for leadership. Junior Liam Royster and senior Nolan Baynes will also be players to watch.

OTHER TEAMS TO WATCH: South Hunterdon has a good group coming back, especially with leading scorer Drew Zalescik returning. The senior leads a team that also brings back veterans Max Cathey-Jordan, Logan Conner and Ryan Hinman. That core will try to challenge for a divisional title.

Manville will look to contend with senior Jason Brennan leading the way as the teams go-to option on offense. Juniors Steve Purcell and Tyhmir Van Kline will take on bigger roles this winter after stepping up a year ago as underclassmen.

Delaware Valley brings back some solid experience from last years team. Senior Sal Mauro is the teams top returning scorer and he will be joined by juniors Craig Baran and Logan Blake. That pair showed promise as sophomores a year ago and should be even better in 2021. Sophomore Justin Kolpan is a young player to watch.

Belvidere comes back with a good chunk of its top scorers from last season, including Corey Banghart, Jaidan Southwell and RJ Auriemma. Senior Tyler Hover is also expected to play a leading role for the team this winter.

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Brandon Gould may be reached at bgould@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter at @BrandonGouldHS.

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Skyland Conference boys basketball teams to watch in 2021 - nj.com