The SJIBT Elite Eight Weekend Breakout Players
We got the opportunity to watch dozens of players last week at the quarterfinal weekend of The South Jersey Invitational Basketball Tournament. There were some fantastic performances from players who we’re seeing break out for the first time. Here are…
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Continue ReadingWe got the opportunity to watch dozens of players last week at the quarterfinal weekend of The South Jersey Invitational Basketball Tournament. There were some fantastic performances from players who we’re seeing break out for the first time. Here are some breakout players from the weekend’s action.
Kaylan Deveney (Jr.) – 6-3 PF/SF, Shawnee
Deveney has finally found herself on this Shawnee team and is having a breakout campaign as a junior. We’ve seen steady increases in her production on the floor and in her playing time. The wait has paid off for her as she’s someone who was blessed with height and size, both of which she uses well to get positioning in the lane and body defenders. What’s been a great development for her is her perimeter shooting, something that’s steadily becoming more of a go-to part of her game.
Ava Vodges (So.) – 6-0 PF/C, Wildwood Catholic
Vodges had the first double-double of her high school career in Wildwood Catholic’s showcase game against Delran and had a career day at that. The performance she put on is the kind of ceiling that we can see from her as a player, which is incredibly encouraging. If she’s able to utilize her 6-0 frame to power through on the offensive end and be a stalwart on the defensive end, she’s going to be averaging a double-double come next season.
Cheyenne Jackson (Jr.) – 5-4 PG/SG, Delran
Jackson has found a solid niche for herself this season for Delran as she’s playing more and playing better as a result. With much of the attention put on teammate Riley Ahrens Riley Ahrens 5'10" | SG Delran | 2023 State NJ , it’s given Jackson open lanes to score and more ability to facilitate Ahrens and her teammates when they’re open. If she’s able to draw defenders away from the play while she has the ball, she can spread the floor out and push the tempo. Despite her size, she’s a fantastic rebounder and is very active on the defensive side of the ball and in the lane.
Dacia Mack (So.) – PG, Highland
Mack has become one of the best players in the region at drawing contact and getting to the foul line. She’s knocking down roughly 2.5 foul shots a game, which means she’s getting into the lane early and often to capitalize off defensive mismatches. On top of that, she’s challenging opponents early in the lane so she can light up the scoreboard from the perimeter, where nearly 32 percent of her scoring is coming from this year. That’s turned into a winning combination for her and has been a welcomed addition to this Highland lineup.
Tanaiyah Decker (So.) – G/F, Donovan Catholic
Decker transferred from Central Regional this season and has steadily improved her game from her freshman year, where she was one of the top freshman in the area. Where’ she’s improved as a sophomore has been her overall scoring ability and unselfishness with the ball. We’ve seen an uptick in assists per game as well as more of an ability to finish in the lane, close to the basket. Decker’s midrange game is solid and she’s more than capable of hitting some three-pointers, but her game operates best from mid-range in.
Reese Downey (Fr.) – G/F, Absegami
Downey has been an absolute superstar from the beginning of the season for Absegami and was just dazzling to watch in person. She can knock down shots from the perimeter with ease and mixes up her shot selection well. She’s very active as a passer and a perimeter defender, finding open teammates and swiping passes away. Her ball-handling skills are seldom seen at her level as a freshman because she’s an absolute wizard with the ball in her hands. Downey is going to be an exciting player to watch for her entire high school career if this is the type of player we get to witness as a freshman.