PGH NJ 2021-22 Season Preview: Jackson Memorial
In a seasoned shortened by Covid, Jackson Memorial was only able to play 10 of a maximum 15 games in the spring, including just seven games in the regular season. The Jaguars were dominant in those seven games, going 6-1…
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Continue ReadingIn a seasoned shortened by Covid, Jackson Memorial was only able to play 10 of a maximum 15 games in the spring, including just seven games in the regular season.
The Jaguars were dominant in those seven games, going 6-1 before St. John Vianney and Manchester Township came along in March and showed why both were some of the best teams in the state and in the country, beating Jackson Memorial by 15+ points in each game.
Despite those games getting out of hand, the Jaguars stayed in them and played hard, building blocks for this coming season.
Unfortunately, there will be a few more obstacles to overcome this season as a four-person senior class departed in the spring, including last season’s top two scorers: Rachel Capua and Lexi Linton.
Last season’s depth players are going to play a massive role on this team this winter and we’ll see just how team chemistry develops as the season progresses.
Prep Girls Hoops New Jersey continues its season preview series with a look at Jackson Memorial, a team that will need to patch holes quickly to be competitive this season.
Immediately looking at last year’s roster, five names stand out as potential starters for this season.
That begins with seniors Brooke McKown and Amber Williams. McKown was second in rebounding and fourth in scoring, assists and steals while Williams led Jackson Memorial in rebounding and was third in blocks.
McKown and Williams are going to be key on the block rebounding, Williams more than McKown as she’s one of two bigger defensive presences returning this winter.
It looks like McKown will be the starting point guard this season and Williams will be the main option down low, depending on how junior Zoie Maffei is used.
Maffei is the centerpiece of this season’s team, the returning leader in scoring, three-point shooting, assists, blocks and steals. Both Maffei and McKown have great opportunities to average a double-double for the season, but Maffei is an all-around juggernaut on the floor.
She can affect the game in so many ways and will be a crucial piece on the offensive end. Expect her to develop her three-point game more and shoot much more from the perimeter.
Juniors Chloe Messer and Kamile Makselyte round that potential starting lineup, putting up solid numbers off the bench and Messer being a really balanced overall player.
She has a great opportunity to stand out with more playing as 2.7 PPG and RPG last season doesn’t seem like much, but it’s a great jumping off point moving forward.
Right now, the bench situation is up in the air and that could be a major disadvantage if the Jaguars don’t have a deep roster with great bench pieces they can go to.
That’s a significant question mark that needs to be answered this winter, but that starting lineup can play with anyone in the Shore Conference. Players will step up into bigger roles and the Jaguars will be a factor as many expect them to be.