Top Olympic Conference Guards: American Division
New Jersey high school girls basketball is just around the corner as the 2021 season will commence just after the new year. With excitement and anticipation building, there is already much debate about what players are the best throughout the…
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Continue ReadingNew Jersey high school girls basketball is just around the corner as the 2021 season will commence just after the new year.
With excitement and anticipation building, there is already much debate about what players are the best throughout the state.
Prep Girls Hoops is here to help, previewing some of the best talent that New Jersey has to offer.
PGH will be going position-by-position to give you the top players at each, beginning in the Olympic Conference and the American Division, where the best team in the state, Cherokee, resides.
Katie Fricker, Cherokee: Fricker, a junior, is among the returning leaders in the division in most made three-pointers last season with 31 and her 8.9 PPG was third on a Chiefs team that went 30-1 in 2019-20. Cherokee was as dominant as they come and Fricker was a big part of their success, getting to the line a lot after drawing contact in the lane and being a sharp shooter from beyond the arc. Fricker and senior forward Alexa Therien Alexa Therien 6'1" | SF Cherokee | 2021 State NJ will be running the show this season and with nearly 700 combined points between them last season, expect similar numbers this year and expect double-digit averages from Fricker.
Olivia Johnstone, Lenape: Johnstone, a senior, is Lenape’s highest returning scorer and second-highest scorer last season, not to mention she made the most free throws of anyone on the Indians in 2019-20. She’s got some big voids to fill with the departures of last year’s impact seniors: Regan King, Claire Zhang and Kiana Gosnell, a combined 72 three-pointers lost. Johnstone is Lenape’s player to watch this season and she will be taking some big leaps forward to make up for their combined departures.
Jessica Lee, Washington Township: Lee, a senior, has a similar situation in front of her as Johnstone has at Lenape, as Washington Township’s leading returning scorer and their best three-point option. Lee is a great shooter and has an effortless release which plays well next season as they will need some big scoring help. She has the opportunity to average double-digit points and break out for the Minutemaids come January, so expect her to really take that next step forward and dominate.
Tireya Wyatt, Winslow: Wyatt, a junior, showed out for a 12-16 Winslow team that has an immense amount of talent last season and once the pieces are put together, will be one to watch for this season. She was a big reason why, nearly averaging two made threes a game, over a steal a game and scoring over 10.8 PPG. She was electric for Winslow last season and has incredible playmaking ability. If Wyatt continues on this path of success, averaging over 20.0 PPG game is in the cards.
Maya Edwards, Eastern: Edwards, a junior, has arguably the most unknown, but possibly highest upside of any guard in the American Division. The opportunity ahead of her this season with the graduation of Kelli McGroarty, who averaged just under 14.6 PPG last season, puts Edwards in the spotlight. Her shot dispersion between two-pointers and three-pointers was split down the middle last season, an even 50-50 split, finishing second on the team with 22 made threes. Edwards in her junior season will be a monster for the Vikings.
Continue to follow Prep Girls Hoops for more of the best high school recruiting content anywhere as the 2021 New Jersey high school girls basketball season approaches.