2022 Greater Middlesex Conference Standouts Finale
The 2020/21, or more like the 2021 New Jersey high school girls basketball season is almost here as the start of the season was pushed back to after the new year. That not only gives teams more time to practice,…
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Continue ReadingThe 2020/21, or more like the 2021 New Jersey high school girls basketball season is almost here as the start of the season was pushed back to after the new year.
That not only gives teams more time to practice, but that also gives Prep Girls Hoops much more of an opportunity to take a closer look at some of the best talent across the state.
This article is the finale in a multi-part series, as PGH gives you the best junior standouts to watch out for come January in the Greater Middlesex Conference.
Kiajah Smith, G New Brunswick: Smith is going to shine on a New Brunswick team that as of now, has a thin roster, but one led by its junior class. She was one of three triple-digit scorers last season, averaging 4.5 PPG and 3.3 RPG. Expect both of those numbers to increase dramatically as the lack of roster depth plays into Smith’s advantage, seeing the court and the ball more. She plays her game inside the perimeter, but she has the potential to develop a lethal three-point shot, so watch out.
Niamarra McFarlane, G New Brunswick: McFarlane is a growing presence on this New Brunswick team, one that will be needing her to break out this season. It will be interesting to see where she and fellow junior Ashley Jaquez will play this season as Jaquez was second on the team in total rebounds and rebounds per game. McFarlane is more of a shooter and possesses great defensive prowess as well, averaging over a steal per game last year. She will be asked much more to make some big shots from the perimeter this season.
Shannon Muldowney, SG Woodbridge: For someone who appeared in seven games on Woodbridge’s varsity team last season, Muldowney was a sparkplug scoring option, averaging 6 PPG. She was one of their most efficient three-point shooters and 40 percent of her made baskets in 2019/20 came from beyond the arc. With five seniors gone, she’s going to be relied upon heavily to be a massive scoring option, definitely filling the role of a spot-up, catch-and-release shooter who will be freeing herself up from on-ball screens.
Francesca Rosario, PG Colonia: Rosario was Colonia’s fourth-highest scorer in 2019/20, averaging 3.5 PPG in 25 games, a number she will improve upon starting in January. She has an interesting place on the team as someone who can pass really well, racking up just over 2.0 APG last season, but is also someone who makes her living driving into the lane. She’s not only a facilitator, but a strong presence with the ball who is tough down low. Not only that, but she nearly averaged 2.0 steals per game last season and was the team’s second-best defender by that metric. She has the potential to double that this season.
Christie Chen, SG J.P. Stevens: If you’re looking for breakout players to watch out for starting January, Chen should be a name to focus on. With no Megan Duffy on the roster anymore, Chen is going to be relied upon significantly as a three-point specialist, considering 75 percent of her scoring came from beyond the arc. Don’t expect that number to be as drastic this season, but Chen should double or possibly triple her total from last year, and could average around two made threes a game.
Continue to follow Prep Girls Hoops for more player previews and profiles as the 2021 New Jersey high school girls basketball season approaches.