Five More Class of 2022 Olympic Conference Players to Watch
High school girls basketball fans in New Jersey are gearing up in anticipation for what is to be an exciting 2019-20 season. Among the conferences to watch this season is the Olympic Conference, arguably the most competitive athletic conference in…
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Continue ReadingHigh school girls basketball fans in New Jersey are gearing up in anticipation for what is to be an exciting 2019-20 season. Among the conferences to watch this season is the Olympic Conference, arguably the most competitive athletic conference in South Jersey.
Previously, we took a look at five standout players to watch in the American division, including Paul VI, the best team in the National division. We continue a closer look at the conference, rounding out the rest of the National division.
Here are five more rising juniors to watch in the Olympic Conference.
Lindsay Bednarek, SG Camden Catholic: Bednarek is a force to be reckoned with on the defensive side of the ball, recording eight steals in a game twice during the season. She is quick on defense and has fantastic court awareness, allowing her to pick off passes and create breakaways. When she’s on the break, expect her to crash the paint and draw contact or dish the ball off to an open teammate.
Vickie Crooker, SG Seneca: Crooker is multi-faceted on the court and is not afraid to shoot from long range. She uses her height as a guard to her advantage, extending up for a block or a steal to create fast break opportunities. Once in control of the basketball, she’s a floor general and dishes off the basketball, going down into the block to position herself for rebounds. Expect her to continue to grow her presence down low and continue to expand her three point attempts.
Sarah Johnson, PF/SF Camden Catholic: Johnson is a shot blocking machine, averaging over a block per game last season for Camden Catholic. You can sense a high level of confidence from watching her down low, standing her ground as the ball approaches her. Johnson is agile on the block and her long wingspan gives her a massive advantage when it comes to blocking and rebounding. And when you need to get the ball into the paint, she’s the person to get it to.
Amaya Burch, SG Timber Creek: Burch was one of Timber Creek’s go-to scorers last season, and will continue to play that role moving forward. She has a pure shot from beyond the arc and is able to drive down the lane with ease, using her tall figure as a guard to back down defenders. When she has the ball, she commands the game, and has great vision to spot open players or swing the ball around to an open teammate in the corner.
Naomi Aristone, G/F Cherry Hill West: Aristone is a multi-sport athlete, excelling on the lacrosse field as well as the basketball court. That game awareness in lacrosse has translated over to basketball, as well as her game speed and agility. She can shoot from the outside, but her game excels in the paint, not only getting easy looks from close to the basket, but drawing contact to get to the free throw line.
Be on the lookout for standout rising seniors and sophomores in the coming weeks.