February 25, 2012

Kavon Stewart had a double-double against St. Peter's Prep in the regular season. (Photo: Jason Bernstein)

1. Hudson Catholic vs 2. St. Peter's Prep
Saturday, 7:30 p.m. at Saint Peter's College

1. Hudson Catholic Hawks (22-2)

How They Got Here:
1st Round: Secaucus 86-26
Quarterfinals: Memorial 98-43
Semifinals: Marist 72-47

Projected Starting 5:
PG: Kavon Stewart, Junior
SG: Travis Flagg, Junior
SF: Kyle McLeggan, Junior
PF: Reggie Cameron, Junior
C: Mike Young, Junior

Top Reserves:
G: Nassir Barrino, Freshman
G/F: Grant Ellis, Senior
F: Rakwan Kelly, Junior
G/F: Marc Wilson, Senior

Player to Watch: Reggie Cameron
One of the state's premier scorers, this 6-foot-7 junior has elevated his offense to a higher level in recent weeks. Cameron, who had averaged 20.5 points per game on the season, has averaged 27.2 points over the past five games. A true inside-outside presence, Cameron has had eight-straight double-doubles and 18 for the season.

X-Factor: Rakwan Kelly
A two-year captain, Kelly has been described as "the glue that keeps everything together," by head coach Nick Mariniello. A hip injury has kept him out of the lineup for six of eight games before returning for Tuesday's semifinal win over Marist. Hudson Catholic need a healthy Kelly to provide defense and versatility against its Jersey City rival.

2. St. Peter's Prep Marauders (19-5)

How They Got Here:
1st Round: McNair 69-33
Quarterfinals: Union City 92-66
Semifinals: Bayonne 59-51

Projected Starting 5:
PG: Trevis Wyche, Junior
SG: Austin White, Sophomore
G/F: Sean Ryan, Sophomore
F: Tyrone O'Garro, Senior
C: Vic Jusino, Sophomore

Top Reserves:
C: Jordan Arthur, Junior
G/F: Sean Cummings, Sophomore
G/F: Marquise Watson, Junior

Player to Watch: Tyrone O'Garro
O'Garro is the Marauders' leading scorer, but his impact on the court goes well beyond putting up points. The 6-foot-6, Monmouth-bound senior is also Prep's leading rebounder and is capable of playing any position on the court. O'Garro's versatility was on full display in the semifinals vs Bayonne when he had just six points, but 12 rebounds, five assists and five steals.

X-Factor: Trevis Wyche
St. Peter's Prep has been a different team since Wyche entered the starting lineup after having to sit out the first 30 days due to his transfer from St. Patrick. The Maruders have gone 12-2 since the junior entered the lineup. A physical player at the point, Wyche is fearless attacking the rim, while also capable of dishing off to teammates and hitting outside shots.

Hudson Catholic vs St. Peter's Prep

In the Regular Season: Hudson Catholic 59, St. Peter's Prep 43 (Jan. 19 at St. Peter's Prep)

Mike Young and Kavon Stewart each as the Hawks went on the road to defeat Prep and silence a raucous Prep crowd. Trailing for most of the night, the Marauders cut the deficit down to seven until Stewart had a layup and consecutive assists to spark a 13-4 Hudson Catholic run to end the game.

Key Matchup: Mike Young vs Jordan Arthur/Vic Jusino
Stopping the 6-foot-9, 225-pound Young is no easy task as St. Peter's Prep saw in the regular season. The junior had 16 points and 13 rebounds in the Hawks' 59-43 win, highlighted by four vicious dunks. Arthur, a 6-foot-9 junior, and Jusino, a 6-foot-6 sophomore, will have to do a better job containing Young in today's rematch. Despite some foul trouble, the tandem teamed for 10 rebounds and four blocks in a semifinals win over Bayonne.

Sophomore Austin White averages 13.4 points per game and is Prep's top 3-point shooter. (Photo: Jason Bernstein)