Top Shore Conference Forwards – B Central

Basketball has officially returned to the Garden State this week as teams have been allowed to practice since Monday in New Jersey, which has brought a sense of excitement not felt across the state in quite some time. It’s only a matter of time before games begin, actual competition for the first time since March 2020, and Prep Girls Hoops is here to cover it all, and then some, searching for the best talent across the state. PGH continues that in this article, profiling the top forwards in the B Central region of the Shore Conference, one of the most competitive throughout the state. <strong>Emma Bradley, Trinity Hall:</strong> Bradley is someone that is going to be carrying the torch for Trinity Hall last season, coming off the backs of a 17-9 season in 2019-20. The senior will be taking over where graduating senior [player_tooltip player_id="134603" first="Caitlin" last="Wingertzahn"] left off last season in a big way this season. Bradley had an impressive showing in 2019-20, averaging 5.5 PPG, 5.6 RPG and 1.1 BPG. Trinity Hall will be needing her to step up big time: that means averaging close to a double-double, leading the team in rebounding and finishing close to the top in scoring. Also, don’t be surprised if she doubles or even triples her blocks-per-game average. <strong>Ann McGavin, Henry Hudson:</strong> McGavin is the player to watch in 2021 for Henry Hudson, returning as the team’s leading scorer, rebounder and shot-blocker. She averaged 5.9 PPG, 8.6 RPG and 2.5 BPG last season and was one of the best shot-blockers in both the region and the conference. You did not want to try to drive into the lane with McGavin there to get in the way, and she’s going to do much of the same this season. While she will be the go-to scorer for Henry Hudson this season, don’t expect her scoring levels to suddenly drop. She’s going to dominate the glass and find ways to cash in at the rim, really coming into her own as a senior. <strong>Jhamena Range, Mater Dei:</strong> Range has a big senior season ahead of her for Mater Dei, and will be part of a strong, four-woman senior class that is going to set the pace for this team in 2021. She put up strong numbers as a junior coming off the bench, averaging just under 5.0 PPG and 4.0 RPG, but an opening in the starting lineup this season with guard Katherine Zoda graduating last spring, Range will fit in nicely in more of a consistent starting spot. Her 0.5 BPG in 2019-20 is not to be overlooked either, as she combines a knack for scoring with great defensive intensity that will only benefit Mater Dei this season. <strong>Tyasia Cooper, Asbury Park:</strong> Cooper will be needed in a big way to help Asbury Park back to winning ways in 2021 after struggling to stay above .500 during the 2019-20 season, finishing 10-15. She is someone who is relentless with the ball, a player who finds her way to the basket, is physical, but also plays with a sense of finesse and ease that makes her game look effortless on the court. Having put up double-digit scoring averages last season, she has set the pace for herself to be one of the most dangerous scorers in the conference in 2021. <strong>Isabella Bednarz, Keyport:</strong> While Keyport didn’t have the greatest of seasons in 2019-20, Bednarz had a fantastic start to her high school career, leading the team in rebounding and finishing second in scoring. She averaged 4.4 PPG and 6.2 RPG, along with just under 0.3 BPG and will be one of the standouts on the team this season, if not the best player already as a sophomore. Bednarz has a bright future ahead of her and should help Keyport notch a few more wins in 2021. Keep your eyes peeled for more player profiles and team previews as the 2021 New Jersey high school girls basketball season approaches.