Newark Athletes Among State's 'Top 30 to Watch'

MSGVarsity has named its top 30 “high school athletes to watch” from New Jersey. Making the web site’s cut are two hoops stars, Tyler Ennis of St. Benedict’s Prep and Zaire O’Neil of Shabazz.

Ennis, a point guard for the Gray Bees who is being courted by Louisville, UCLA, Syracuse and Memphis, is described as a “great player but a better facilitator” by Coach Mark Taylor. The Toronto native was the 2011-12 Gatorade New Jersey Boys Basketball Player of the Year. He's ranked 12th on MSGVarsity's list. 

Local product O’Neil, who will be starting her junior year at Shabazz, has helped make the Bulldogs one of the most feared girls basketball programs in the state. Mentored for years by Coach Vanessa Watson, O’Neil has already amassed almost 900 career points in just the first half of her high school career and 8.5 rebounds per game. Ranked 26 on MSG’s Top 30, O’Neil is half of a potent frontcourt duo that also includes De’Aisha Jones.