Top Cape-Atlantic League Guards – National Division
The 2021 New Jersey high school girls basketball season is upon us as scrimmages are finally taking place on basketball courts across the state. Excitement that had been building for months on end is finally being released amongst players, coaches…
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Continue ReadingThe 2021 New Jersey high school girls basketball season is upon us as scrimmages are finally taking place on basketball courts across the state.
Excitement that had been building for months on end is finally being released amongst players, coaches and fans up-and-down the Garden State.
Prep Girls Hoops has been providing you with the best player profiles and team previews and that continues in this article as PGH takes a closer look at the top guards in the Cape-Atlantic League, specifically the National Division.
Marin Panico, Ocean City: Panico is one of a few returning bright spots for a Red Raiders team that was senior-heavy in the 2019-20 season. She, now a senior herself, is the leading returning scorer for Ocean City, one of two returning players with 100+ points scored last season. She averaged 6.6 PPG and was a solid option from the point. However, with OCHS having lost four key seniors coming into 2021, Panico is going to see a massive stat increase as the team will be much more dependent on her to carry the load this season.
Haleigh Schafer, Absegami: Schafer was one of the best shooting guards in the conference and the state during the 2019-20 season, averaging 18.1 PPG, 7.5 RPG, 3.9 SPG and just under 1.7 made threes a game. Her 45 made threes were among the leaders in the division the Cape-Atlantic and her 105 steals also were amongst the conference leaders. Schafer had her breakout season last season, but now, going into her senior season, will look to make a final statement in her high school career. Expect double-double averages and possibly 4.0+ SPG and over two made threes a game.
Lindsay Holden, Lower Cape May: Holden impressed immensely as a sophomore guard for Lower Cape May, averaging 12.5 PPG for the Lions as well as 2.3 made threes a game. She was one of the most automatic perimeter shooters in the conference, amongst the overall leaders in made threes a game and total made threes during the 2019-20 season. Holden still has two more years in her high school career to continue to develop as a stellar shooter and overall guard, so don’t be surprised if she adds a few more layers to her game this season.
Jezlyn Cross, Cedar Creek: Cross was a reliable and consistent scorer on a Cedar Creek team that disappointed during the 2019-20 season, going 8-18, but had a very balanced scoring attack. She was one of five players to score 100+ points last season, averaging 10.0 PPG along with just under 1.3 SPG and 0.5 made threes a game. Cedar Creek lost a lot of firepower coming into the 2021 season with a large senior class last season, but Cross will help stabilize the ship in her senior campaign, so expect her to do big things, like averaging around 14.0 PPG.
Jackie Cooper, Oakcrest: Cooper has breakout potential this season for Oakcrest and the Falcons will be needing her big time in 2021. She had a solid freshman season in 2019-20, averaging 4.8 PPG, 2.3 RPG and 1.2 SPG on a team that struggled during the season, going 9-17. Having Cooper already contributing in a significant way as a freshman sets the stage for breakout seasons in her sophomore and junior years. Now, as a sophomore, expect Cooper to possibly double her current scoring and rebounding averages and put up over two steals a game. She will be needed more on the outside too, so watch to see her three-point progression.
Keep following Prep Girls Hoops for more player profiles and team previews as the 2021 New Jersey high school girls basketball season kicks into high gear.