Top NJSIAA Tournament Performers: South Jersey, Group 2
The NJSIAA South Jersey, Group 2 playoffs have reached the semifinals, which will commence on Saturday. The first and second rounds so far have been entertaining, with the top four seeds moving on to the semis. Here are some standout…
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Continue ReadingThe NJSIAA South Jersey, Group 2 playoffs have reached the semifinals, which will commence on Saturday. The first and second rounds so far have been entertaining, with the top four seeds moving on to the semis. Here are some standout performers through the first two rounds of play.
Camryn Dirkes (Sr.) – PG, Mainland
Dirkes has been a mainstay for Mainland the past few seasons and had herself another great game in the quarterfinals against Lacey, scoring 15 points in a 67-40 win. In the first round against Triton, the senior point guard had six steals, showing her defensive prowess. Dirkes is a key cog on this Mainland team and will be much-needed as they face a tough opponent in Absegami in the semis.
Gelasia Nurse (Sr.) – C/PF, Absegami
Nurse’s senior presence has been felt in a big way this postseason, especially in its second round game against Delsea. The forward had six points, seven rebounds and two blocks, her second-straight game of two blocks or more in the Group 2 bracket. The previous game against Westhampton Tech, Nurse had a 10-point, 11-rebound double-double as Absegami won both games by at least 23 points. Nurse and Absegami will take on Mainland in the semis.
Emma Peretti Emma Peretti 5'11" | PF Hammonton | 2023 State NJ (Jr.) – PF/C, Hammonton
Basketball is a family affair for the Peretti family and Emma was the third Peretti family member to join Hammonton’s 1000 point club in mid-February. Her immense level of success carried through this season into the postseason, where in Hammonton’s two games, she averaged 19.5 PPG and 20.5 RPG, including a 23-point, 27-rebound double-double in the first round. She’s a superstar forward with size, strength and great shooting touch and should be as good, if not better next season.
Kristina Turner (So.) – G/F, Burlington Township
Turner was Peretti’s equal for Burlington Township in that first round matchup against Hammonton, scoring a career-high 21 points on four made three-pointers. She scored nearly two-thirds of Burlington Township’s points in the loss, but her three-point shooting was impressive. It’s a great sign for the future that she’s expanding her range and hitting perimeter shots more consistently.
Vickie Crooker (Sr.) – PF/C, Seneca
Crooker’s high school career ended in the first round of the tournament as Seneca bowed out against a tough opponent in Delsea. Despite the abrupt and unfortunate end, Crooker had herself a solid final game, leading Seneca with 10 points. Her skillset as a post player has allowed her to not only gain respect in the paint, but put herself in positions to really dominate on the floor. Her defense and rebounding has been impressive throughout this season as well, an indelible mark she’ll leave on this program.
Aniah Rodgers (So.) – F/C, Pemberton
Rodgers was one of two players in Pemberton’s first round game against Lacey to score 20 or more points, the other being Lacey’s Sarah Zimmerman. The sophomore forward had her best perimeter shooting performance in the first round loss, knocking down four threes on her way to a 20-point night. Unfortunately, it came in a losing effort, but Rodgers has put herself in a great place next season to take control down low on offense and flourish on the glass as a rebounder.