Group 2 Sectional Championships: Impact Players

With the State Tournament in full swing, we take a moment to look at players who understand the assignment and deliver in the biggest moments, when the lights shine their brightest... and in high school basketball, it doesn't get any bigger and brighter than surviving and advancing in the playoffs! These are players who make major contributions, be it by filling up a stat sheet or intangible attributes crucial to their team's success. Whether it's senior leadership and experience, scrappy defense and diving for loose balls, excellent perimeter play, solid mental toughness or just sheer athleticism, these young ladies can all swing the game in their team's favor and take home the title!   <h2>South Jersey: #1 Middle Township v #2 Cinnaminson</h2>    [player_tooltip player_id='404202' first='Jada' last='Elston'] - Middle Township (2023)   Jada can shoot it from just about anywhere on the court. She thrives on the perimeter, and if she gets going from there early on, it can be a long night for the opposing team. Recently a 1,000-point scorer, she can put on an offensive clinic and pile points on the board in a hurry.   [player_tooltip player_id='583712' first='McKenzie' last='Palek']- Middle Township (2025)   McKenzie brings the toughness, grit and scrappy play. Her relentless defense can create turnovers if her opponent isn't careful guarding the ball. Offensively, McKenzie is a 3-point threat that can catch fire in an instant.   Isabelle Toland - Middle Township (2025)   A 5'10" post player who plays more like 6'10". Her wingspan can make scoring quite difficult for an opponent driving into the lane. She forces the opponent to change up their shot selection and disrupts the rhythm and flow of their offense.   [player_tooltip player_id='404204' first='Brooke' last='Sztenderowicz']- Cinnaminson (2023)   Brooke can hurt you in a multitude of ways, but her ability to knock down consistent 3's takes the cake. She is a 3-point assassin who uses pressure defense as fuel. Recently eclipsing the 1,000-point career milestone, Brooke is savvy in creating play-making and scoring opportunities.   [player_tooltip player_id='414317' first='Ava' last='Sztenderowicz'] - Cinnaminson (2025)   From one Sztenderowicz sister to the next, younger sister Ava feeds off her big sister's energy and makes the most of her time on the court. Ava is quick to the ball and reads the defense quite well. She can jump into the passing lanes and disrupt the play, forcing turnovers and racking up the steals in the process.   [player_tooltip player_id='488805' first='Emma' last='Pfeiffer'] - Cinnaminson (2024)   Best described as an electric spark, Emma gives her team an immediate burst of energy. Whether it's through her scrappy, fundamentally-sound defense or her quickness moving up and down the court, her ability to maintain intensity is impressive.   <h2>Central Jersey: #1 New Providence v #2 Manasquan</h2>   [player_tooltip player_id='321569' first='Meghan' last='Lamanna'] - New Providence (2023)   The senior has seen it all when it comes to defensive schemes being thrown at her. The heart and soul of this Pioneers squad, Meghan displays all the qualities of a senior leader. She makes crucial plays both offensively and defensively which can swing momentum in her team's favor. She finishes through contact nicely, gets to the free throw line and is just about automatic. She can hurt you in a number of ways.   Elizabeth Demareski - New Providence (2024)   To say Elizabeth's role on this team is significant, would be an understatement. Her ability to move well without the ball and execute the play is superior. With the ball in her hands, she sees the court well and does a tremendous job of finding the open player.   [player_tooltip player_id='406935' first='Jasmine' last='Miller'] - New Providence (2024)   Jasmine plays a valuable role in helping her team control the glass. She plays praise-worthy, aggressive defense around the rim, which can force opponents out of the paint.   [player_tooltip player_id='325209' first='Hope' last='Masonius'] - Manasquan (2024)   From Mabrey to Masonius, Manasquan births elite sibling hoopers. [player_tooltip player_id='325209' first='Hope' last='Masonius'] is no exception. She has an elite skill-set, which boasts an automatic jumper, a smooth 3-point stroke, quickness up and down the floor, an imposing interior presence and stifling defense. Her positive attitude acts as a driving force for her team's success.   [player_tooltip player_id='488727' first='Carlie' last='Lapinski'] - Manasquan (2024)   At 6'1", Carlie uses her size to her advantage. She sets tough, effective screens and crashes the boards with authority. She is everywhere on the court and if her defender loses her for even just a second, she will make them pay.   [player_tooltip player_id='482277' first='Rylyn' last='Orlando'] - Manasquan (2023)   A 4-year member of this team, Rylyn has the veteran leadership necessary to push her team through the toughest situations. A fearless leader who is a big shot-maker. Rylyn can beat defenders off the dribble, drive and finish. She is the hardest worker on the floor day in and day out.   <h2>North Jersey, Section 2: #1 Secaucus v #2 Madison</h2>   [player_tooltip player_id='407040' first='Alyssa' last='Craigwell'] - Secaucus (2024)   An electric and flashy guard that shoots the ball at a high clip. Alyssa ignites the fast break and finishes with ease. She's a guard-forward who can play big-guard basketball or position herself nicely on the wing to bury the deep shot.   Mia Cruz - Secaucus (2024)   Mia is superb at off-ball defending. She attacks the passing lane and disrupts offensive spacing and timing. Her active hands make for a lot of steals, and once she has the ball in her hands, she pushes the pace and advances it up-court with fluidity and ease.   [player_tooltip player_id='407041' first='Gianna' last='D'Avanzo'] - Secaucus (2024)   Gianna orchestrates offense with her superb spot-up 3 point shooting. She reads the defense well and can redirect her dribble to create play-making opportunities for herself and for her teammates.   [player_tooltip player_id='414424' first='Charlotte' last='Tuhy'] - Madison (2025)   Versatility is the name of her game. Charlotte plays bully ball underneath the rim and has excellent footwork in the post, but can also step out and hit the 3. She can play 1-5 effectively if her team needs her to.   [player_tooltip player_id='483101' first='Alex' last='Reigle'] - Madison (2023)   A shot-blocker extraordinaire, Alex protects the rim with authority. At 5'11", she can jump into the passing lane and use her length to disrupt the play and force turnovers.   Gwen Eilender - Madison (2023)   This senior's elite lacrosse skills translate to a tough, gritty game on the hardwood. Her quick and scrappy defense can quickly frustrate the opponent. Most importantly, her mental toughness, passion and silent confidence fuel this team. These are things you cannot teach!   <h2>North Jersey, Section 1: #1 Jefferson v #7 Pequannock</h2>   [player_tooltip player_id='483093' first='Amanda' last='Nwankwo'] - Jefferson (2023)   Standing at 6'3", she is an intimidating post presence. She fights for position well & seals off the defender. Her crafty low-post moves and next-level footwork make it hard for an opponent to guard. She is persistent and relentless on both ends of the floor.   [player_tooltip player_id='407001' first='Emily' last='Poulas'] - Jefferson (2024)   Emily has evolved her catch and shoot perimeter game. Her release has gotten quicker, her shot percentage higher and her confidence bolder. She has great speed and can beat the defender down the court with or without the ball.   Katie Kopera - Jefferson (2025)   A multi-sport athlete that has great hand-eye coordination from playing softball and basketball. Her sheer athleticism gives her team an added layer of physicality and strength. Katie plays high quality minutes, with efficient offense and a low turnover rate.   [player_tooltip player_id='325185' first='Chloe' last='Vasquez'] - Pequannock (2024)   Chloe plays with a "pressure is a privilege" mentality. She runs the offense to perfection and teammates feed off of her efficiency and electric energy. If the lanes are shut off, she can simply pull it out to the perimeter and bury the shot. If she catches fire from 3, they will rain in buckets.   Abigail Goll - Pequannock (2024)   Abigail's positive attitude spouts positivity throughout the entire team. She plays a physical style of basketball that can create all types of headaches for her opponent. If given too much space outside the arc, she can be lethal.   [player_tooltip player_id='404227' first='Faith' last='Tucker'] - Pequannock (2023)   Her productivity and leadership will be hard to replace after this season. Her team can rely on her in the biggest moments, whether to make a clutch play or rally the team in a huddle as a mode of motivation. She is a "jack of all trades" and can do a little bit of everything for her team.

With the State Tournament in full swing, we take a moment to look at players who understand the assignment and deliver in the biggest moments, when the lights shine their brightest... and in high school basketball, it doesn't get any bigger and brighter than surviving and advancing in the playoffs! These are players who make major contributions, be it by filling up a stat sheet or intangible attributes crucial to their team's success. Whether it's senior leadership and experience, scrappy defense and diving for loose balls, excellent perimeter play, solid mental toughness or just sheer athleticism, these young ladies can all swing the game in their team's favor and take home the title!