5 2023s Ready for Impactful Seasons

<div class="interface-interface-skeleton__editor"> <div class="interface-interface-skeleton__body"> <div class="interface-interface-skeleton__content" tabindex="-1" role="region" aria-label="Editor content"> <div class="edit-post-visual-editor"> <div class="edit-post-visual-editor__content-area"> <div class="is-desktop-preview"> <div class="editor-styles-wrapper block-editor-writing-flow" tabindex="-1" aria-label="Multiple selected blocks"> <div class="is-root-container block-editor-block-list__layout" data-is-drop-zone="true"> <p tabindex="0" role="document" aria-multiline="true" aria-label="Paragraph block" data-block="d796b107-4192-42f9-96d0-67a34e0df8a3" data-type="core/paragraph" data-title="Paragraph" data-empty="false">A high school junior basketball season can be pivotal in the college recruiting process if a player has aspirations of hitting the court on the next level.</p> <p tabindex="0" role="document" aria-multiline="true" aria-label="Paragraph block" data-block="d796b107-4192-42f9-96d0-67a34e0df8a3" data-type="core/paragraph" data-title="Paragraph" data-empty="false">Here are five juniors primed for good to great seasons in 2021-22.</p> <p id="block-d796b107-4192-42f9-96d0-67a34e0df8a3" class="block-editor-rich-text__editable block-editor-block-list__block wp-block is-multi-selected wp-block-paragraph rich-text" tabindex="0" role="document" aria-multiline="true" aria-label="Paragraph block" data-block="d796b107-4192-42f9-96d0-67a34e0df8a3" data-type="core/paragraph" data-title="Paragraph" data-empty="false"><strong>Joniyah</strong> <strong>Bland-Fitzpatrick</strong> -- St. Benedict’s/New Heights NYC</p> <p id="block-53260ec0-1723-4439-bb1d-dbe32008f496" class="block-editor-rich-text__editable block-editor-block-list__block wp-block is-multi-selected wp-block-paragraph rich-text" tabindex="0" role="document" aria-multiline="true" aria-label="Paragraph block" data-block="53260ec0-1723-4439-bb1d-dbe32008f496" data-type="core/paragraph" data-title="Paragraph" data-empty="false">There are very few female New Jersey ballers who have improved the way [player_tooltip player_id="321600" first="Joniyah" last="Bland-Fitzpatrick"] has over the past year.</p> <p id="block-b2a7c314-955b-4e3f-ae45-b47c0aea34b9" class="block-editor-rich-text__editable block-editor-block-list__block wp-block wp-block-paragraph rich-text" tabindex="0" role="document" aria-multiline="true" aria-label="Paragraph block" data-block="b2a7c314-955b-4e3f-ae45-b47c0aea34b9" data-type="core/paragraph" data-title="Paragraph" data-empty="false">She shined on the hardwood in No Boyz Allowed tournament action as well as with AAU New Heights NYC, using her explosive, physical nature to drain a copious number of points.</p> <p id="block-efab799b-45ed-423a-9f44-aa84933bf4bc" class="block-editor-rich-text__editable block-editor-block-list__block wp-block wp-block-paragraph rich-text" tabindex="0" role="document" aria-multiline="true" aria-label="Paragraph block" data-block="efab799b-45ed-423a-9f44-aa84933bf4bc" data-type="core/paragraph" data-title="Paragraph" data-empty="false">Furthermore, Bland-Fitzpatrick possesses impressive athleticism and is a skilled defender, with a high ceiling to boot.</p> <p id="block-602baed2-691b-42c7-91f4-932166975524" class="block-editor-rich-text__editable block-editor-block-list__block wp-block wp-block-paragraph rich-text" tabindex="0" role="document" aria-multiline="true" aria-label="Paragraph block" data-block="602baed2-691b-42c7-91f4-932166975524" data-type="core/paragraph" data-title="Paragraph" data-empty="false">Now at St. Benedict’s, the class of 2023 scored 75 points, grabbed 87 rebounds, and made 22 steals in 15 games with Trenton Catholic Academy last season.</p> <p id="block-4dc492c0-d80e-4c12-ab50-f29e19798b3f" class="block-editor-rich-text__editable block-editor-block-list__block wp-block wp-block-paragraph rich-text" tabindex="0" role="document" aria-multiline="true" aria-label="Paragraph block" data-block="4dc492c0-d80e-4c12-ab50-f29e19798b3f" data-type="core/paragraph" data-title="Paragraph" data-empty="false"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="159079" first="Grace" last="Kowalski"]</strong> -- Montville/NJ Freedom</p> <p id="block-840c4fca-209d-4c3a-906a-fbc2b5f15982" class="block-editor-rich-text__editable block-editor-block-list__block wp-block wp-block-paragraph rich-text" tabindex="0" role="document" aria-multiline="true" aria-label="Paragraph block" data-block="840c4fca-209d-4c3a-906a-fbc2b5f15982" data-type="core/paragraph" data-title="Paragraph" data-empty="false">Kowalski began her high school hoops career by enjoying two solid seasons in which she dropped in 203 points and 163 points as a freshman and sophomore, respectively.</p> <p id="block-cd66706f-06f8-44a6-8438-fb5cfa8ae0c9" class="block-editor-rich-text__editable block-editor-block-list__block wp-block wp-block-paragraph rich-text" tabindex="0" role="document" aria-multiline="true" aria-label="Paragraph block" data-block="cd66706f-06f8-44a6-8438-fb5cfa8ae0c9" data-type="core/paragraph" data-title="Paragraph" data-empty="false">The junior gets to the basket with proficiency, and is an above-average three-point shooter. Plus, the scrappy point guard, with a high hoops’ acumen is a disruptive defender, making 69 steals in her first two season as a Lady Mustang.</p> <p id="block-2aba79aa-0fe7-4c64-8a34-c4c4edad0134" class="block-editor-rich-text__editable block-editor-block-list__block wp-block wp-block-paragraph rich-text" tabindex="0" role="document" aria-multiline="true" aria-label="Paragraph block" data-block="2aba79aa-0fe7-4c64-8a34-c4c4edad0134" data-type="core/paragraph" data-title="Paragraph" data-empty="false">There no reason to believe that Kowalski, who has improved her passing abilities, will not continue her growth and factor in a bigger role for Montville this campaign.</p> <p id="block-0d9e6eaa-7ce4-4bc2-899f-2398f79f600b" class="block-editor-rich-text__editable block-editor-block-list__block wp-block wp-block-paragraph rich-text" tabindex="0" role="document" aria-multiline="true" aria-label="Paragraph block" data-block="0d9e6eaa-7ce4-4bc2-899f-2398f79f600b" data-type="core/paragraph" data-title="Paragraph" data-empty="false">She also slugged four home runs in 55 at-bats for the softball team last year.</p> <p id="block-a84cb87e-a34d-4708-9fe6-5016d82c87e5" class="block-editor-rich-text__editable block-editor-block-list__block wp-block wp-block-paragraph rich-text" tabindex="0" role="document" aria-multiline="true" aria-label="Paragraph block" data-block="a84cb87e-a34d-4708-9fe6-5016d82c87e5" data-type="core/paragraph" data-title="Paragraph" data-empty="false"><strong>Ella Marchesani</strong> -- Saddle Brook</p> <p id="block-6d9bc8fe-c254-4bcb-a30e-b05a1116840a" class="block-editor-rich-text__editable block-editor-block-list__block wp-block wp-block-paragraph rich-text" tabindex="0" role="document" aria-multiline="true" aria-label="Paragraph block" data-block="6d9bc8fe-c254-4bcb-a30e-b05a1116840a" data-type="core/paragraph" data-title="Paragraph" data-empty="false">Marchesani is a steady, reliable shooter, good from behind the arc as well as from the charity stripe.</p> <p id="block-598004ec-f1ab-4263-b0f7-2dcd071d7ab5" class="block-editor-rich-text__editable block-editor-block-list__block wp-block wp-block-paragraph rich-text" tabindex="0" role="document" aria-multiline="true" aria-label="Paragraph block" data-block="598004ec-f1ab-4263-b0f7-2dcd071d7ab5" data-type="core/paragraph" data-title="Paragraph" data-empty="false">The junior dropped in 166 points in 10 contests last season, good for 16.6 points average per game. As a freshman, Marchesani banged home 297 points in 25 tilts, a 11.9 ppg average.</p> <p id="block-06661e62-c38a-46e1-8350-9bd24b76d2ff" class="block-editor-rich-text__editable block-editor-block-list__block wp-block wp-block-paragraph rich-text" tabindex="0" role="document" aria-multiline="true" aria-label="Paragraph block" data-block="06661e62-c38a-46e1-8350-9bd24b76d2ff" data-type="core/paragraph" data-title="Paragraph" data-empty="false">Long and lean, she is on pace to reach the 1000-point milestone that is the mark of distinction for high school hoops.</p> <p id="block-be5801be-95cb-4aa8-9c33-47df197755b4" class="block-editor-rich-text__editable block-editor-block-list__block wp-block wp-block-paragraph rich-text" tabindex="0" role="document" aria-multiline="true" aria-label="Paragraph block" data-block="be5801be-95cb-4aa8-9c33-47df197755b4" data-type="core/paragraph" data-title="Paragraph" data-empty="false"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="155444" first="Brynn" last="McCurry"]</strong> -- Sparta/United NJ 17U squad</p> <p id="block-5fa939e8-03e0-4969-bca4-f00d0d5c3d87" class="block-editor-rich-text__editable block-editor-block-list__block wp-block wp-block-paragraph rich-text" tabindex="0" role="document" aria-multiline="true" aria-label="Paragraph block" data-block="5fa939e8-03e0-4969-bca4-f00d0d5c3d87" data-type="core/paragraph" data-title="Paragraph" data-empty="false">At 6-foot-1, McCurry has the ability to control the paint and score at will. Just look at her numbers last season: 302 points, 138 boards, and 30 rejections in just 15 contests.</p> <p id="block-326c25f7-65f4-4836-8047-0ca077284a35" class="block-editor-rich-text__editable block-editor-block-list__block wp-block wp-block-paragraph rich-text" tabindex="0" role="document" aria-multiline="true" aria-label="Paragraph block" data-block="326c25f7-65f4-4836-8047-0ca077284a35" data-type="core/paragraph" data-title="Paragraph" data-empty="false">More importantly, she is the girl you want shooting the rock with the game on the line; she is a natural born leader.</p> <p id="block-0ea2f0f3-b840-441e-8fb0-fd0d95ae3141" class="block-editor-rich-text__editable block-editor-block-list__block wp-block wp-block-paragraph rich-text" tabindex="0" role="document" aria-multiline="true" aria-label="Paragraph block" data-block="0ea2f0f3-b840-441e-8fb0-fd0d95ae3141" data-type="core/paragraph" data-title="Paragraph" data-empty="false">The three-sport junior athlete, who claimed the varsity team MVP and NJAC 1st Team All-Conference honor last year, is no doubt a force on a gifted Spartan squad.</p> <p id="block-3b97df9f-508e-4aa9-a42c-2cad8689dcf9" class="block-editor-rich-text__editable block-editor-block-list__block wp-block wp-block-paragraph rich-text" tabindex="0" role="document" aria-multiline="true" aria-label="Paragraph block" data-block="3b97df9f-508e-4aa9-a42c-2cad8689dcf9" data-type="core/paragraph" data-title="Paragraph" data-empty="false">As a freshman, the power forward recorded 468 points, collected 286 rebounds, dished out 113 assists, blocked 49 shots, and made 73 thefts in 29 affairs.</p> <p id="block-4fb554ad-2f45-41e2-87ee-a54a5df811e9" class="block-editor-rich-text__editable block-editor-block-list__block wp-block wp-block-paragraph rich-text" tabindex="0" role="document" aria-multiline="true" aria-label="Paragraph block" data-block="4fb554ad-2f45-41e2-87ee-a54a5df811e9" data-type="core/paragraph" data-title="Paragraph" data-empty="false"><strong>Olivia Weiss</strong> -- West Essex/United NJ</p> <p id="block-6ff49610-8583-4be3-9364-ce5658f46206" class="block-editor-rich-text__editable block-editor-block-list__block wp-block wp-block-paragraph rich-text" tabindex="0" role="document" aria-multiline="true" aria-label="Paragraph block" data-block="6ff49610-8583-4be3-9364-ce5658f46206" data-type="core/paragraph" data-title="Paragraph" data-empty="false">After looking at Weiss’ numbers over the past two campaigns (440 points, 235 rebounds, and 64 steals), it is somewhat surprising that she is not more of a name on the New Jersey basketball scene.</p> <p id="block-cb65328e-9dbc-41eb-a011-948691a5e8ea" class="block-editor-rich-text__editable block-editor-block-list__block wp-block wp-block-paragraph rich-text" tabindex="0" role="document" aria-multiline="true" aria-label="Paragraph block" data-block="cb65328e-9dbc-41eb-a011-948691a5e8ea" data-type="core/paragraph" data-title="Paragraph" data-empty="false">But that will change this season. She is just too talented not to garner more hoops attention.</p> <p class="block-editor-rich-text__editable block-editor-block-list__block wp-block wp-block-paragraph rich-text" tabindex="0" role="document" aria-multiline="true" aria-label="Paragraph block" data-block="cb65328e-9dbc-41eb-a011-948691a5e8ea" data-type="core/paragraph" data-title="Paragraph" data-empty="false">The 5-foot-9 guard, who owns a nice shooting touch, is a first Team All-Conference hoopster and getting better every day due to her hard work.</p> <p id="block-a759fb9f-eca5-44bc-92e1-f5c88d8983bc" class="block-editor-rich-text__editable block-editor-block-list__block wp-block wp-block-paragraph rich-text" tabindex="0" role="document" aria-multiline="true" aria-label="Paragraph block" data-block="a759fb9f-eca5-44bc-92e1-f5c88d8983bc" data-type="core/paragraph" data-title="Paragraph" data-empty="false">Additionally, Weiss is a high academic student, with a 4.1 GPA.</p> <p id="block-bd640167-53df-4966-ab1b-0c648b101b04" class="block-editor-rich-text__editable block-editor-block-list__block wp-block wp-block-paragraph rich-text" tabindex="0" role="document" aria-multiline="true" aria-label="Paragraph block" data-block="bd640167-53df-4966-ab1b-0c648b101b04" data-type="core/paragraph" data-title="Paragraph" data-empty="false">-- Jerry Del Priore</p> <p id="block-fafb4d29-bbae-4d4a-9223-d06c7ef5b27a" class="block-editor-rich-text__editable block-editor-block-list__block wp-block wp-block-paragraph rich-text" tabindex="0" role="document" aria-multiline="true" aria-label="Paragraph block" data-block="fafb4d29-bbae-4d4a-9223-d06c7ef5b27a" data-type="core/paragraph" data-title="Paragraph" data-empty="false"></p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div>