PGH NJ’s 2023 Prospect Watch List Pt. 1

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We've been taking a look at a number of prospects in New Jersey in our newly updated 2023 rankings list. We have over 360 prospects ranked and with so many, we're going to do our best to get all of those players out to you. With that being said, we're heading over to the watch list to talk about a number of players who just missed out on our top 250, but could easily make their way in during the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Rasha <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/rasha-abdeljalil/">Abdeljalil</a> - PF, Harrison </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/rasha-abdeljalil/">Abdeljalil</a> is an up-and-coming forward that had a strong junior season with Harrison, improving tremendously from her first season on varsity as a sophomore. She's still finding her way through, but looks confident getting the ball down low with an intent to score. Additionally, we like how her defense has developed over the past year as she looks to improve as a shot-blocker.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='481608' first='Arianna' last='Acevedo'] - 5-2 PG, Hamilton West</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Acevedo's game is primarily played inside the perimeter, though we've seen her shoot the three. Roughly 25 percent of her scoring comes from beyond the arc, but as a smaller guard, driving into the paint is her strong-suit. Don't discount her defense either as she's fantastic at creating turnovers into fast breaks the other way.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='481524' first='Emma' last='Afflerbach'] - 6-2 PF, Delsea</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We love the taller forwards, players like Afflerbach who are finding their strides toward the end of their high school careers. Her biggest thing is consistency out on the floor and continuing to use her height to her advantage. Afflerbach has slowly been given more playing time and is expected to play a large role this season, so she just needs to build up confidence when she's playing.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='481546' first='Kylie' last='Alkins'] - SF, Audubon</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Alkins nearly averaged double-figures with Audubon last season and found her stride as a volume scorer in the paint. She's also someone who's able to shoot from the outside and there's a possibility she could expand her game there more this season. For now, expect her to draw contact in the lane and be physical toward the basket.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='482334' first='Christina' last='Argenziano'] - C, Demarest</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Defense, defense defense. Argenziano prides herself on her defense and has done a great job in the middle for Demarest thus far. We really like her shot-blocking ability, though we think there's still plenty of room to grow. She's aggressive as a rebounder, but again, there's room to improve. We would really love to see her transition more into a scorer which would add that extra dimension to her game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='481513' first='Ebony' last='Arvelo'] - 5-7 SG, Camden Catholic</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Arvelo has found herself in more of a bench role for Camden Catholic in her three seasons there, but should be expected to play more of a starting role as a senior. She's a good scorer, can rebound well and is someone who's complemented passing into her game just as well. Hopefully with more playing time, she'll be able to blossom more on the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='481600' first='Lyah' last='Baez'] - 5-7 SF, North Bergen</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Baez is a scorer first and has done a great job in her first season on varsity at North Bergen. She's been a great scorer thus far, averaging just under 10.0 PPG as a junior. We like her aggression inside the arc and her physicality in the paint. She's generated plenty of scoring opportunities either from getting to the foul line or getting a close-range shot, something to continue to watch this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->