South v Shore Showcase Underrated Prospects to Watch Pt. 2
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Saturday saw the star-studded South v Shore Showcase take place at Rancocas Valley. Eleven games were played between 22 teams and let’s just say there was some fantastic basketball played. Having already talked about players from a number of teams…
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Continue ReadingSaturday saw the star-studded South v Shore Showcase take place at Rancocas Valley. Eleven games were played between 22 teams and let’s just say there was some fantastic basketball played. Having already talked about players from a number of teams yesterday, let’s finish things out in this article.
Kristen Cortese Kristen Cortese SF Lenape | 2023 State NJ – Lenape (2023)
Alongside Kaitlyn King Kaitlyn King 5'9" | PG Lenape | 2023 State NJ and Alexa Henry Alexa Henry 5'6" | CG Lenape | 2025 State NJ , Cortese has continued to build off the success she’s shown over the past few years. Looking at her three-point production, it’s continued from where she left off as a junior, nearly averaging two made three-pointers a game as a senior.
Sophie Smith Sophie Smith 6'2" | PF Red Bank Catholic | 2026 State NJ – Red Bank Catholic (2026)
The sheer amount of production that Red Bank Catholic has had across the board this season has been nothing short of incredible. It’s been balanced, giving players like Smith big time minutes off the jump to make moves and produce in the lane. Some might consider the situation a log-jam, but RBC is using it to their advantage.
Norah Quinn – Cinnaminson (2026)
Quinn has been a strong contributor for a team that started out this season 15-0, the last unbeaten team in South Jersey. Her game has been played in the interior and she’s played it well. It’s been nothing too flashy, but she’s used her size to get baskets and positioning in the middle.
Chloe Messer Chloe Messer 5'8" | PG Jackson Memorial | 2023 State NJ – Jackson Memorial (2023)
Messer joins this list because her production this season, while expected to an extent, was not expected quite like this. Averaging 14.6 PPG through 16 games, Messer is a go-to piece for the Jaguars an a strong all-around presence. A player that can shoot, can drive, can rebound, pass, play defense, do whatever is needed to be successful.
Talia Shumate – Winslow Township (2026)
The freshman influence in these lists is apparent, but what great production overall we’ve seen from the 2026 class, Shumate being part of that. She’s been one of the better options in the middle for Winslow and is doing this as a starter. To be able to step up into such a big role from the jump has been noticed.
Rian Stainton – Brick Township (2023)
Stainton has always been seen as a complementary player during her carer at Brick Township, but it seems like this season, she’s taken more initiative to be a playmaker for the Dragons. While sounding unsubstantial on paper, 4.5 PPG, 3.4 RPG and 2.1 APG has gone a long way, and she’s gotten 3.2 steals per game defensively.
Nina Cardamone – Washington Township (2024)
Positive steps forward are what teams look for and Cardamone has taken a big leap for Washington Township this season offensively. Averaging over six points a game for the Minutemaids, she’s been a reliable piece to get the ball to in order to make a play. Playing with poise and playing loose has been her friend.
Brooke Schmidt – Lacey (2024)
Schmidt was a bench player last season for Lacey, getting playing time and showing some level of production, but nothing too substantial. Playing in a much larger role as a starter this season, the production levels have risen and her aggression on the court has increased. Schmidt has a much better feel of how to attack on the interior this season.
Sarah Wall – Clearview (2023)
Wall has gone from a bench option to a more trustworthy sixth woman/fringe starter for the Pioneers this season. The past six games or so, she’s been active offensively and has been utilized a lot more on the offensive schemes for Clearview. She’s getting more comfortable with the ball as well, which has translated to career-highs.
Ava Coyle – Shore (2026)
The freshman has definitely shown some fantastic signs of her future ceiling for Shore this season, dropping a few 10+ point games. We really like how she’s been able to play defensively and her positioning in the lane on rebounds. The little things she’s doing really well thus far.
Abby Bash Abby Bash 5'10" | SF Woodbury | 2024 State NJ – Woodbury (2024)
Like her sophomore season at Woodbury, Bash has continued to be a great scorer, but it’s her rebounding and defense that have improved tremendously. She’s been much more active on the glass and defensively, she done a better job at locking down defenders and causing some sort of havoc to benefit the Thundering Herd.
Michelle Steele Michelle Steele 5'10" | SG Holmdel | 2025 State NJ – Holmdel (2025)
When her points per game rise, it seems like her rebounds per game follow suit in a near-identical fashion, averaging 5.9 PPG and RPG for the Hornets as a sophomore. Her defense has seen some massive improvement and her overall confidence on the floor has risen considerably.