Five Takeaways From The Mecca HS Showcase
In this article:
We’re wrapping up our coverage about The Mecca HS Showcase in the Bronx from last weekend and what a spectacle of basketball it was. With six New Jersey teams competing in it, there were plenty of players and things to…
Access all of Prep Girls Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingWe’re wrapping up our coverage about The Mecca HS Showcase in the Bronx from last weekend and what a spectacle of basketball it was. With six New Jersey teams competing in it, there were plenty of players and things to talk about. Here are five takeaways from Sunday’s action.
1. St. John Vianney looks like an unstoppable force
The Lady Lancers took to the court on Sunday against a very talented team in Blair, with some playmakers on it. However, SJV made it look incredibly easy as they won by 17 points, absolutely dominating the game from start-to-finish. The combination of Madison St. Rose Madison St. Rose 5'10" | PG St. John Vianney | 2022 State #65 Nation NJ and Zoe Brooks Zoe Brooks 5'8" | CG St. John Vianney | 2023 State NJ is a nightmare for teams to have to guard and it’s easily the best one-two punch in the state. No one is stopping this undefeated force right now.
2. Montclair Immaculate held its own against competition from North of the Border
Montclair Immaculate had a tough task in front of itself against a great program in Capital Courts from Canada, but this team held tough and won a close four-point game. The Lions, a top-10 ranked team in the state according to NJ dot com, played like it and had major contributions from three players in the win. There’s something to be said about playing gritty and playing tough and that’s exactly what this team does. Plus, they know how to finish strong.
3. Paul VI, despite losing, is going to come out of Sunday as a stronger team
The Eagles fell to an impressive program in Winston-Salem Christian for only its second loss of the season. However, even in losing, Hannah Hidalgo Hannah Hidalgo 5'7" | PG Paul VI | 2023 State NJ had a fantastic game as she’s had the entire year and different faces stepped up for Paul VI to keep them in the game. We really liked the different looks we saw from Shariah Baynes and Sara McShea, just how they approached the game as a whole. Paul VI will re-group and use this loss as fuel for the rest of the season without a doubt.
4. Life Center is 3-1 in 2022 and they’re just heating up
It was a tough loss for Life Center against a Putnam Science team that has been hovering around .500 this season. Despite the loss, this team has had a great start to this season after a rough 6-9 season last year. The previous game’s upset victory over Paul VI was the encapsulation of this year’s success and this nine-point loss will help humble and teach some lessons for these girls to take and run with the rest of the way.
5. Rutgers Prep is undoubtedly a top-3 team in the state
NJ dot com’s No. 3 ranking of Rutgers Prep right now in the state is an extremely accurate evaluation of this team so far this season as they are just that good. Sitting at 13-1 after a win this week against Phillipsburg, the Argonauts are firing on all cylinders. Mikayla Blakes Mikayla Blakes 5'8" | SG Rutgers Prep | 2024 State NJ and Katie Ledden Katie Ledden 6'0" | SG Rutgers Prep | 2023 State NJ are the backbone of this team that’s currently on an 12-game winning streak. Also, they’ll be hosting St. John Vianney in 10 days in what should be one of the most entertaining games of the season in the state.