Garden State Legends: Girls Class of 2021, Where will they go?
Commitment choices? During a time of unpredictability and unprecedented events, student-athletes are still persistent towards pursuing not just their dreams but also expected goals. With some colleges and universities either canceling their seasons or postponing, the recruitment process for both…
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Continue ReadingCommitment choices?
During a time of unpredictability and unprecedented events, student-athletes are still persistent towards pursuing not just their dreams but also expected goals. With some colleges and universities either canceling their seasons or postponing, the recruitment process for both parties has been more difficult than ever. Now sporting events have not only been effected on the collegiate level or pros, yet it trickled down to student-athletes and players in younger stages of their journey. No season means no game film, no game film means less exposure, less exposure means less opportunity for recognition. Yet still, with the power within sports culture, we find a way! Here is a list of girls basketball players within the garden state who have stayed faithful and trusted the process. Where will they choose to attend? or who will choose them for staying dedicated beyond foreseeable solution?
Mackenzie J Dover: West Orange High School (West Orange, New Jersey)
2021 Point Guard / Shooting Gaurd – 5’7 – GPA 3.40
The Mountaineers point guard during her 2019-2020 performance averaged 12pts, 4.6 rebounds, 5.0 assists, and 2.2 steals. One of her best performances was against Montclair Immaculate, in which she accumulated a double-double, tallying 20 pts 10 rebounds, and a season-high 4 steals. With her sense of creativity and defensive prowess on the court, she has also maintained a 3.40 GPA as a student-athlete. Mackenzie potentially aspires to study different majors & minors between business, sports management, marketing, biological/physical sciences, lastly system science & Theory. Yet ultimately, Mackenzie has her heart set on studying law and continuing her athletic journey growing beyond 8 years and counting. With times of today along with the unpredictability, the 4 stars rated point guard and former Roselle Catholic Christmas tournament MVP will carefully make her decision.
Jordyn Keating: Donovan Catholic High School (Toms River, New Jersey)
2021 Shooting Guard / Small Forward – 5’8- GPA 4.0
The Donovan Catholic High School shooting guard during her 2019-2020 performance averaged 15 pts, 3 rebounds, 2 steals, and made 41 three-pointers which stood second-highest on the roster. Jordyn was not just a long-range shooter, she also showcased her ability to put the ball on the ground and attack the basket on both sides. Being fundamentally sound on the offensive end, her average of 2 steals a game was a representation of defensive pride and effort. While excelling on the court as a student-athlete, she maintained a 4.0 GPA as a member of the National Honor Society during 2019-2020. Jordyn aspires to study different facets of biology, biophysics, anatomical physics, and physiology. She has every intention of pursuing her academic aspirations, yet also looking to become a competitive collegiate athlete. While months continue to pass and the structural dynamics of sports are changing, her commitment will be carefully chosen. With how the game relies on the 3 point shot, Jordyn Keating will surely be on the radar of many competitive establishments.
Haleigh N Schafer: Absegami High School (Egg Harbor City, New Jersey)
2021 Shooting Guard/ Small Forward – 5’8- GPA 3.30
Haleigh N Schafer was the leading performer on the Absegami High School girls basketball team. During her 2019-2020 season, she averaged 18.1 pts, 7.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 4 steals a game. Haleigh showed her ability to also lead the team in 3pt field goals made, totaling up to 45 makes that season. She is not only a talented left-handed shooter but an ambidextrous ball-handler when attacking the basket. When factoring her efforts on the defensive end, she also led the team in accumulating the most steals per game. As a leader on the floor and driven student-athlete, she maintained a 3.30 Gpa as an honor roll varsity scholar. During her 2020 season, Haleigh also recorded 1,000 points, awarded 1st Team all-conference, 2nd team all Area, and a CAL player of the week recipient. Haleigh’s athletic journey and basketball passion started as early as kindergarten, her focus, as well as aspirations to play on the collegiate level are near. With many colleges adapting to a modern way of recruitment, be sure to see Haleigh competing on a high level. Where? only time will tell.
Christina Dalce Christina Dalce 6'2" | SF Rutgers Prep | 2021 State NJ : Rutgers Prepatory School (Edison, New Jersey)
2021 Small Forward / Power Forward – 6’2 – GPA 3.80
Christina Dalce Christina Dalce 6'2" | SF Rutgers Prep | 2021 State NJ was the leading scorer for Rutgers Prepatory girls basketball team, during the 2019-2020 Season. She averaged a total of 14.4 pts, 10.5 Rebounds, 1.4 steals, and team high 2.5 blocks. Her best performance came against Phillipsburg, in which she scored 22pts and grabbed 10 rebounds. During the home game win, she also tallied a season high of 4 steals and tied her second best number of blocks with 5 in the game. As she completes her senior year, Christina prefers to major in business management & marketing. Aside from that , she looks to also acquire higher learning within law, history, accounting, and computer science. She not only will be waiting for many offers, yet she will be waiting for the right opportunity which caters to her athletic and academic goals.
Isabella M. Pellecchia : Rutgers Prepatory School (Edison, New Jersey)
2021 Point Guard /Shooting Guard – 5’9 – GPA 3.45
Isabella was another key contributor for the Rutgers Prepatory girls basketball team, she also was a willing competitor on both ends of the floor. Averaging 12 pts ppg, 3.7 rebounds, 2.3 assist , and team high 3 steals a game, while sharing the guard position. Her best performance was against Phillipsburg high school. Isabella put up 14 pts 6 rebounds, 1 assist , and 1 block. She truly is a team first player which enjoys not only fast paced games, yet physical competition. As a multisport athlete her journey has been quite challenging, especially when getting acclimated in a more diversified environment. She wrote about how leaving a familiar school in order to become the best, changed her from the star athlete to the new kid on the block. This gave her the opportunity to compete and hold nothing back , while teammates and coaches got to learn how deeply passionate she was about being a student athlete. Isabella preferred fields of study are communications, communication studies, cultural studies, English , and education. Though during her senior year , she looks to narrow down the list and focus on two, Finding a college or university that challenges both sides is her main focus. Rutgers Prep is ranked as one of the top schools within the nation, as a point guard sharing the playing time her opportunities are tougher to come by especially within these days of new recruitment. While continuing to excel as a student off the court, she aspires to also compete in big events during the AAU circuit this coming summer.