NJSIAA Central Jersey Group III Forwards to Watch

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2022-23 high school girls basketball season in New Jersey is fast-approaching, meaning it's time for us to bring back season previews across the state. There's so much basketball to watch, so many players to talk about, so let's continue things in this article, talking about some Central Jersey forwards in Group III to keep an eye out on.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='488728' first='Camryn' last='Gardner'] - 6-2 SF/PF, Red Bank Regional (2024)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gardner was as electric as they come last season for Red Bank Regional, one of the most versatile forwards we've seen in the Shore Conference in recent years. The height just adds to her defensive success, but gives her a great advantage as a shooter, able to rise up above others for shots. Those kinds of intangibles cannot be taught, but can be honed in upon, and she's done just that. Look out for a big season from her in her junior year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='404216' first='Caitlin' last='Landgraf'] - Allentown (2023)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the best forwards in the CVC last season, Landgraf returns this season with a hunger for a deep state tournament run. Alongside [player_tooltip player_id='414303' first='Molly' last='McCrea'] in the frontcourt, the two are going to be stalwarts down on the post. With Landgraf being a senior, this is her year to leave everything out there and grow more on the floor. Her improvements from sophomore to junior year were incredible and got her noticed, but that jump from junior to senior year could be even bigger in terms of production.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='321563' first='Jayden' last='Foster'] - C, Neptune (2023)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Foster is an interesting case as she's climbed steadily into the conversation for the best forwards in the Shore Conference. While we think she still has some ways to go before being up for awards consideration, this season provides a great opportunity for her to do so. Two of Neptune's top guards and scorers last season have graduated, leaving Foster as one of the key impact players heading into the fall. We've seen her show off her rebounding skills, her ability to box out well, her agility on the floor, but this senior season is one where we can see how she can take over a game and if she can.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Isabella Bonacci - 5-10 PF, Steinert (2023)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This list doesn't just include the best of the best, but is way to focus on some players who might not be receiving media attention but have the potential for big seasons. Bonacci fits into that category perfectly after another year of growth and production as a junior for Steinert. She's definitely a defense-first forward and it shows watching game film, but that's not a knock to her as she's developed well as a shot-blocker and someone who can command the glass. Where we want to see more development is in her offense. The rebounding is there, the blocking is there, but if that scoring can come along as well, oh boy watch out.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='482805' first='Sidney' last='deVoogd'] - 6-4 C, Iselin Kennedy (2023)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>deVoogd is such an intriguing prospect to watch and might be one of the tallest players in the state, if not the tallest. Almost naturally, that's made her into a fantastic forward and presence in the middle, truly making it a difficult time for opponents to score on her. As a result of her height, she's one who can be relied upon with ease to get buckets down low or haul in key rebounds during important possessions. She's very much a traditional center, one who is going to average close to if not a double-double every year as well as average a few blocks a game. Last season, she averaged a career-high 2.4 blocks a game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->