Must-Watch Games: Morris Catholic v Rutgers Prep

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We're less than a month away from the start of the high school girls basketball season in New Jersey and already, with so many schedules out, we know of a number of great games coming up. So, why not talk about them, the teams and players involved to tell you the full story. The first game we'll focus on?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The highly-anticipated matchup between Morris Catholic and Rutgers Prep on Dec. 17.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Morris Catholic: 25-2 in 2021-22, 12-0 in NJAC</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Morris Catholic is one of the most exciting teams in New Jersey and has easily one of the most stacked rosters in the state coming into this season. With a trio of 2025 prospects sharing the spotlight in [player_tooltip player_id='333309' first='Daniella' last='Matus'], [player_tooltip player_id='333302' first='Mia' last='Pauldo'] and [player_tooltip player_id='333305' first='Mya' last='Pauldo'], those three alone have provided plenty of production, while being some of the best players in the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='483099' first='Natalie' last='Stoupakis'], one of two seniors on the roster, is another productive player, one of the best three-point shooters not just in the state, but on her own team. It's a three-player competition between Stoupakis, Matus and Mia in that regard, with 208 threes combined last season, all three knocking down 60 or more.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Coming in, the Crusaders were already legit and then some, but they added two major players in the offseason as [player_tooltip player_id='325220' first='Bliss' last='Vimbor'] and [player_tooltip player_id='325219' first='Alexis' last='Rosenfeld'] both transferred from Saddle River Day. Rosenfeld, a 6-2 forward and Vimbor, a 5-10 shooting guard, are teammates for AAU powerhouse New Jersey Sparks...and AAU teammates with the Pauldo sisters.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>You're now looking at a roster with six players who could all play at Division 1 schools, including some of the top prospects in the state and the nation.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Rutgers Prep: 29-3 in 2021-22, 12-0 in Skyland</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rutgers Prep is coming off a run to the final of the Tournament of Champions, a state championship team that comes into this season without three impact seniors. Antonia Bates, Leyla Castro and Morgan Ryan have all graduated, meaning players will need to step up.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Luckily for the Argonauts, there's quite a few who can do just that, starting with 2024 standout [player_tooltip player_id='325201' first='Mikayla' last='Blakes'], a well-rounded guard that dominates offensively, shuts down opponents defensively, and will exploit any mismatch or advantage she gets. Alongside Blakes is Rhode Island commit and 6-0 forward [player_tooltip player_id='321576' first='Katie' last='Ledden'], a player that dominates with size and with tenacity on the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The two combined to account for nearly half of Rutgers Prep's scoring, steals and blocks last season. When looking for dominance, you don't need to look far with both of them.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Alongside those two, we'll be seeing the emergence of a few complimentary players from last season, junior guards [player_tooltip player_id='408702' first='Chloe' last='Escanillas'] and [player_tooltip player_id='325188' first='Zahra' last='Alexander']. Escanillas has impressed during AAU ball, a quick-thinking player with a sweet shot and a downhill mentality inside the perimeter to create scoring opportunities inside the lane.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Alexander, the bigger body of the two, has been one of the better shot-blockers for the Argos and equally likes to get inside the lane and get to the foul line when the opportunity presents herself. She's been the more impact player defensively of the two, but both should have fantastic seasons.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>What to expect</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>You've seen the rosters. You've seen the players. Rutgers Prep, a reigning state champion and Morris Catholic, a team that came up just short of that ultimate goal. Keep in mind that the Crusaders had to try to knock off St. John Vianney, an impossible task, but there are college-ready prospects and potential generational talents on both sides.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Our excitement for this game couldn't be higher and even though this is the second game of the season for both teams, we might be watching one of the games of the year unfold.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->