North Jersey Non-Public A: Every Team’s Most Important Player
The most important player on a team is not always the leading scorer. It could be the point guard who sets their teammates up or the player who leads the team in offensive rebounds. Sometimes it is the spark off…
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Continue ReadingThe most important player on a team is not always the leading scorer. It could be the point guard who sets their teammates up or the player who leads the team in offensive rebounds. Sometimes it is the spark off the bench who dominates on the defensive end. These are the most important players for each team entering the tournament.
Anna Morris Anna Morris 6'3" | C Immaculate Heart | 2020 State NJ (2020) | Immaculate Heart
Morris has been one of the best players in the state this season. She has scored in double-figures in every game and has been a force rebounding the ball. The NJ Gatorade Volleyball Player of the Year is a legitimate multi-sport athlete. Morris is the type of player that can carry a team and she has shown it this season.
Zanai Jones Zanai Jones 5'5" | PG Hudson Catholic | 2021 State NJ (2021) | Hudson Catholic
Jones has filled up the stat sheet in many ways this season. She has one triple-double when she finished with 22 points, 10 assists, and 11 steals against Kearny. She also scored a season-high 40 points in a win over Dickinson when she also had six rebounds, seven assists, and five steals. Jones led Hudson Catholic to the second-seed in the state bracket.
Paige Morton (2020) | Oak Knoll
Morton has been a lethal scorer. She has 12 games over 20 points as a senior. Morton scored her 1,000th point this season which is no surprise given her 463 points. If there is one dark-horse team in this bracket, it is Oak Knoll. They have the star power led by Morton to make some noise.
Maddie Branigan (2023) | St. Dominic
As a freshman, Branigan has turned into a true impact player. She has 10 double-doubles on the season. Branigan is scoring 15 points per game and grabbing just over eight rebounds per contest. Both led St. Dominic this season. Branigan is going to be a big time prospect in the upcoming years.
Aria Myers (2020) | Paramus Catholic
Myers has caught fire as of late. She has scored 10 or more points in 12 straight games and Paramus Catholic is 10-2 in those games. Myers has been a thief on defense as well. She has recorded a steal in every game she has played this season.
Karina Pink (2023) | Dwight-Englewood
Pink is not the leading scorer on Dwight-Englewood but she is the most complete player. Pink can fill a stat sheet up in many ways and that is what makes her game so valuable. Pink can score at a high rate, grab rebounds, and guard the opposing team’s best player.
Ahijionae Cobb (2022) | Pope John
It has been a tough season for Pope John but Cobb has emerged as a star underclassmen. Alana Robinson is leading the team in both scoring and rebounding but the team has needed other players to step up. Cobb has responded to the challenge and has turned into a dynamic player.
Riley Sikorski (2020) | DePaul
Sikorski has been one of the most consistent scorers in the conference this season. She has definitely been the most consistent on DePaul. Sikorski is a senior that showed up every night ready to make her mark on the game. She is a player that can carry her team if she gets hot at the right time.
Allison Bart (2021) | Holy Angels
Bart has scored at least 12 points in two of the last three games for Holy Angels. She has established herself as a scoring and rebounding threat along with the ability to shoot from deep. Bart has been the leader for her squad this season and that will continue next year.
Juliet Howell (2022) | Mount St. Dominic
Howell has scored in double-figures in seven straight games. In a season where Mount St. Dominic needed a bright spot, Howell turned into a big one. She has hit 38 three’s this season along with 48 free throws. Howell is a great talent and one that can turn into something speicla over the course of her career.
Lauren Rusas (2022) | Kent Place
Kent Place comes in as the lowest-seed in the tournament. If they want to win a game or two, they will need Rusas to have a breakout performance. She did two games ago when she scored 35 points in a win over Union. She also finished with six rebounds and five steals. Rusas is a strong offensive player who can also be tough on defense.