Hunterdon/Warren/Sussex Tournament 1st Rd. Fab Freshmen

We are into the quarterfinals of the Hunterdon/Warren/Sussex Tournament and there are some big matchups already to talk about and some big teams who have advanced. Before talking about the quarterfinals, we have to discuss the happenings of the first round. Here are the top freshmen from the first round of the tourney. <strong>Elana Falkenstein - G/F, Delaware Valley</strong> Falkenstein has impressed early on for Delaware Valley and when you watch her offensive skillset, you'll see why. She's a great shooter with plenty of range, someone who isn't afraid to show it off on the floor. Opponents are easily thrown off when she drives into the lane because she can switch hands off the dribble and finish strong on a defender's weaker side. She's learning to capitalize on that more often along with dishing the ball to teammates for a quick flush or open three. <strong>Meredith Dufner - G/F, Warren Hills</strong> Dufner has been inconsistent in her scoring output this season as she figures out what game style works best for her. However, in doing so, she's already ofund a great niche on Warren Hills as someone who can hail in a few points and rebounds a game. We've seen a glimpse of what her ceiling can be, primarily an interior presence with the ability to shoot the three and make things happen on the glass and defensive end. Give Dufner some time to develop more because she's going to be an absolute stud for Warren Hills. <strong>Sophie Hinman - G/F, South Hunterdon</strong> In her last few games, Hinman has put up some great numbers from beyond the arc and has quickly turned into one of the best emerging three-point shooters in the area. That's given her a lot more confidence on the floor in a number of areas, like her rebounding and perimeter defense, both of which she's played incredibly well. She's found a good spot on this South Hunterdon team to really dominate and the more she can be utilized as a catch-and-shoot guard who can drive the lane and pressure opponents, the better she'll be. <strong>Carlie Gubitosi - G, Belvidere</strong> Gubitosi has been consistently performing on the offensive end for Belvidere this entire season, but is either coming off the bench as a sixth man or finding starting opportunities. This program already has the confidence in her to perform and she's done just that and more. We're been impressed with her post presence, which is steadily improving. The biggest thing for her is consistency, so if she can find that, she'll be that much better of a starting force for Belvidere. <strong>Taylor Hough - G/F, Kittatinny</strong> Hough had a career day for Kittatinny in their first-round victory over Belvidere and was just spectacular to watch. That game showed the entire state what this freshman can do, driving the lane, lighting it up from beyond the arc and just dominating in all offensive facets of the game. We can't sing enough of her praises as this versatile playmaker has all the traits of a future superstar in the making. If that's the kind of player that she can be as a freshman, she's going to be that much better down the road for this program. <strong>Christina Sullivan - G/F, Voorhees</strong> Sullivan can fill up the stat sheet well and is someone that we think can be a future double-double machine as she works on her game more. She's already impressed as a freshman with a downhill-like intensity in her offensive game to penetrate the lane to get some favorable scoring opportunities. Her rebounding game is developing just as easily as her scoring, which is incredibly important as her high school career matures. Already, there's a lot to like about Sullivan and it seems like she's just getting started.