Somerset County’s Top Players

Somerset County has a great mix of top public and private teams. Between Rutgers Prep, Gill St. Bernard’s, Franklin, Ridge, Watchung Hills and others, there is always plenty of talent in the county. Let’s take a look at some of Somerset County’s top players going into the new season. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="134611" first="Christina" last="Dalce"], Rutgers Prep, Sr.</strong> – Dalce, a Villanova commit, had a spectacular junior season for state power Rutgers Prep, averaging 14.4 points per game and 10.5 rebounds per game. She got to the foul line and was dominant inside with her ability to score in the post and attack the glass on both ends. She’s an interior presence, showcased in her seven-block performance against Phillipsburg last season. Dalce totaled 15 double-doubles in her junior season, and she’ll be ready to go for another strong Argonauts squad. <strong>Bella Murray, Watchung Hills, Jr. – </strong>Murray will be a team leader for Watchung Hills after it graduated a number of key players from last season. She totaled 14 double-figure games. She was able to rebound, assist (10 against North Hunterdon), make plays on defense and get to the foul line. Her mid-range game was effective, as she calmly hit many jumpers throughout the season. She was able to drive and finish in traffic, and she was a big part of Watchung Hills’ success a season ago. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="155451" first="Gissell" last="Gamble"], Franklin, So. – </strong>Gamble came on as a freshman and performed very well for a Franklin team that won a sectional title and was on the verge of playing for a state title prior to the pandemic shutting down the season. She had 11 double-figure games, including five in a row in January. Her role should increase substantially following the loss of some key players from last season’s Franklin team. <strong>Delaney Donohoe, Ridge, Sr.</strong> – Donohoe was an inside presence for a Ridge team that made the state sectional final last season. She was capable of a double-double any night, and she finished with six on the season. After losing key players such as Sophie Beneventine, Ava Haiback, [player_tooltip player_id="159441" first="Taylor" last="Smith"] and Lauren Lusardi, Donohoe becomes a major leader on both offense and defense this season. <strong>Andrea Katramados, Montgomery, Sr. – </strong>Katramados was consistent for Montgomery last year as a junior. She opened the season with nine double-figure games, and she finished with 19 on the year. Katramados knocked down shots from the perimeter and she has good form with her shooting. She’s a smart player who can draw charges and she makes a lot of the hustle plays for Montgomery. <strong>Natalie Mathern, Mount St. Mary, Sr.</strong> – Mathern is what you want in a point guard. The Mount St. Mary senior was extremely smart on the court and averaged 10.7 points per game. She knocked down 42 triples on the season, including six against Bernards. She had a 30-point, nine-rebound, five-assist performance against South Hunterdon last season. She could rebound, she got her teammates involved and she was active defensively. <strong>Caileigh Walsh, Gill St. Bernard’s, Sr. – </strong>Walsh, a Northwestern commit, is a double-double machine. Despite seeing double teams and triple teams on occasion, she is an absolute force down low. She averaged 19 points, 11.7 rebounds and 4.6 blocks for Gill St. Bernard’s. She can get you a triple-double with blocks, as seen in last year’s Hunterdon Central game which saw 20 points, 12 rebounds and 11 blocks. <strong>Meghan Pedrani, Somerville, Jr.</strong> – Pedrani had an impactful sophomore year for Somerville. She is a player who can beat you driving to the basket or stepping back and drilling a perimeter shot. She is great on the pick-and-roll, and she knows how to take the ball away on the defensive end. The junior averaged 15.4 points per game and finished with 107 steals, 131 rebounds, 70 assists and 59 3-pointers a season ago. <strong>Other Names: </strong>Kaylie Favours, Rutgers Prep, Sr.; Mia Yanogacio, Rutgers Prep, Sr.; Kyierah Dempsey-Toney, Franklin, Sr.; [player_tooltip player_id="159449" first="Erin" last="McNulty"], Mount St. Mary, Sr.; [player_tooltip player_id="134614" first="Ella" last="Fajardo"], Gill St. Bernard’s, Sr.; Julia Pinckert, Immaculata, Jr.; Olivia Volpe, Pingry, Sr.; Arianna McCleod, Bound Brook, Sr.