The competition within Section 4 is palpable and every team is riddled with several players that can drain a three at the drop of a dime, players that can reach from one end of the court to the other in the blink of an eye and players who possess the kind of defense that makes sharp shooters want to pass the ball instead.
This year, several metro and central Binghamton-area teams are putting their team chemistry on full display in the games leading up to the playoffs; namely, Binghamton, Vestal, Johnson City, Chenango Forks and Union-Endicott, which have standout players on both their boys and girls basketball teams who are showing out amongst their competition.
Here are some Binghamton-area players who are shining this season and may be worth paying close attention to in the upcoming sectional finals:
Shawn Remplet, Binghamton boys basketball
Remplet is averaging 12.1 points per game and leads the team in rebounds, averaging 9.2 per game. The 6-foot-7 power forward is ranked no. 1 in New York State in blocked shots, averaging 4.7 blocks per game. Sitting at no. 15 in the country, Remplet remains a problem for any opponent, on both ends of the court.
Maggie Warpus, Chenango Forks girls basketball
Division I-bound and a key player in the paint for the Blue Devils, Warpus leads the team in points, averaging 23.3 points per game, and has amassed over 70 steals throughout the season so far.
Allan Eagles, Seton Catholic Central boys basketball
Eagles is an all-around offensive powerhouse, leading the team in points (389), rebounds (181), steals (60) and assists (84). Notably, he is averaging 19.5 points per game this season. The senior guard, who has amassed over 1,000 career points, is one of the team’s key players when it comes to breakaways and second-chance shots.
Aliya Hankey, Johnson City girls basketball
Hankey holds a 60.6% field goal percentage and leads the team in points, averaging 14.7 points per game, as well as 9.1 rebounds per game.
Jah-lon Cook, Binghamton boys basketball
Cook is an all-around player, leading the team with 14.9 points per game and 8 rebounds per game on average. The junior is known to fight for every basket and can be seen as the guy to look out for to handle business in the paint.
Madison Simmon-Hernandez, Union-Endicott girls basketball
Madison Simmons-Hernandez stands out as one of UE’s most active players. The sophomore guard has settled into her second season as a dynamic powerhouse, both offensively and defensively, and can easily change the pace of the game.
Preston Ocker, Maine-Endwell boys basketball
Ocker is one of Maine-Endwell’s most prolific shooters, averaging over 20 points per game, and currently holds the second all-time scoring record for the Spartans. The senior guard has multiple DI offers and will most likely be looking to add to his decorated resume.
Harper Eagan, Maine-Endwell girls basketball
Harper Eagan is another underclassman who has risen to the occasion, so to speak. The freshman forward has had numerous games this season with over 10 points, including a standout game against Union-Endicott in which Eagan finished with 22 points, 11 rebounds and 3 steals.
Jenna Holleran, Vestal girls basketball
Holleran averages 9.4 points per game, 3.5 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 2.3 steals per game so far in the season. The junior guard is quick to react on the court and can create any offensive opportunity from anywhere on the court.
Marco Konrad, Maine-Endwell boys basketball
The junior guard has made waves this season, leading the Spartans with over 23 points per game and over 6 rebounds per game. Konrad is a key player in the team’s dynamic and is creative on the court when it comes to making the hard shots.
Tedessa DiRenzo, Vestal girls basketball
Tedessa DiRenzo averages 16.2 points per game and 3.9 steals per game, standing out as a dominant force on offense with a sharp pull-up jumper. The senior guard, known for her quick breakaways and shooting abilities, was voted Guthrie Athlete of the Week after a 27-point effort that led to the team’s victory over Elmira.
Eli Johnson, Binghamton boys basketball
Johnson is another go-to player in the paint, averaging 14.3 points per game and 5.1 rebounds per game. The 6-foot-1 point guard makes it a point to be everywhere on the court and create unique shot opportunities.
Jordan Ericksen-Hrehor, Chenango Forks girls basketball
Ericksen-Hrehor stands out as a playmaker on the Chenango Forks team, averaging 11.6 points per game, and currently holds the second spot for the highest free-throw percentage on the roster (83.30%).
Brian Dempsey, Seton Catholic Central boys basketball
Dempsey is averaging 16.6 points per game and leads the team in blocks (30), but more notably, has a quick pull-up jumper and is even more proficient from behind the arc. He currently leads the team in made three-pointers (60).
Antonia Monico, Johnson City girls basketball
Monico is the sharp shooter from behind the arc for the Wildcats, as she leads with a 34.1% three-point field goal percentage and averages 12.3 points per game.
Makenzie Lombardini, Johnson City girls basketball
Lombardini averages 9.4 points per game and leads the team in assists per game.
This article originally appeared on Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin: The Binghamton-area players to watch in Section 4 tournament
Reporting by Aniya Sumner, Binghamton Press & Sun Bulletin / Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
