NJSIAA Central Jersey Group 1 Final Preview
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What a wild sectional tournament we’ve seen so far in Group 1 of Central Jersey. Just one of the top four seeds in the tournament survived into the semifinals and in the finals, we have a great matchup between No.…
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Continue ReadingWhat a wild sectional tournament we’ve seen so far in Group 1 of Central Jersey. Just one of the top four seeds in the tournament survived into the semifinals and in the finals, we have a great matchup between No. 5 seeded Shore and No. 3 seeded South Hunterdon, the highest seed left in the bracket entering the semis. With the final taking place on Monday, here are some players to watch on both sides.
Rylee Drahos Rylee Drahos 5'7" | CG Shore | 2023 State NJ (Jr.) – 5-9 G/F, Shore
We’ve mentioned Drahos in a number of recent articles for good reason. If you haven’t seen the tear she’s been on this season, averaging close to 21.0 PPG and recently joining the 1000 point club, you’re missing out. This is one of the best young prospects in Central Jersey who has been an absolute monster on offense and has made some great improvements on the defensive end. She’s the backbone behind this Shore team and will be leading the charge on Monday.
Reese Fiore (Fr.) – PG/SG, Shore
Shore is a relatively young team and Fiore is one of its budding young superstars. She’s been a starter this entire season and has shown that she can shoot from deep, drive and score in the lane or make her trips to the foul line count. Fiore is improving at her rebounding and defensive game, while showing that she’s plenty good enough to run the point for Shore moving forward. With her running the point, Shore is in good hands.
Conley Smolokoff (So.) – SF, Shore
Smolokoff is the woman in the middle for Shore, a reliable forward who’s taken advantage of significant added playing time this season. She had herself quite the semifinal against Point Pleasant Beach, posting an 11-point, 11-rebound double-double along with five steals and a block. Smolokoff is learning a lot on the fly and we’ve seen her grow in maturity throughout the year. That semifinal performance is a taste of what most can see that she will evolve into as a player.
Reghan Bice Reghan Bice 5'8" | SF Hillsborough | 2025 NJ (Fr.) – 5-8 G, South Hunterdon
Bice is the leader of this South Hunterdon team and is having herself quite the postseason as a freshman. She’s had two-straight 22-point performances in the quarters and semis to help carry South Hunterdon to the finals. Bice is a multi-dimensional guard that makes her living inside the perimeter. She can shoot the three, but her game is played as a guard who likes to push the tempo into the lane. Bice likes to get out on the run and that fast style of play has caused nightmares for opponents.
Kadie Fleming (Fr.) – F/G, South Hunterdon
Like Shore, South Hunterdon is a young squad, and the freshmen are the ones making this team click. Fleming is the second-leading scorer, leading rebounder, assists leader and blocks leader for South Hunterdon. She’s been incredibly impressive to watch operate on the defensive end as she gains position well, stands her ground and makes herself look bigger in the lane with her wingspan. Fleming is agile and her vertical allows her to get up for blocks and haul in rebounds.
Tylar Cloyd (Jr.) – G/F, South Hunterdon
Cloyd is one of the more vital veteran presences on this South Hunterdon team, currently second in steals and third in scoring and rebounding so far. The junior has found her stride in what looks to be a main six-person rotation for South Hunterdon, having her best season to date. She looks more comfortable as a scorer and more confident as a perimeter defender. Cloyd opens up the floor well as someone who can shoot from deep. It gives her open lanes to drive to the basket and her teammates get freed up as well for more open looks.