Group 3 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 by 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 Mainland v #2 Ocean City</h2>   [player_tooltip player_id='406943' first='Bella' last='Mazur'] - Mainland (2024)   Bella gives the Mustangs a burst of energy, laser-like focus and a big-time competitive edge. Her elite skill-set allows her to comfortably score it at all three levels. She isn't afraid to do the defensive dirty work and get dinged up fighting for possession and diving for loose balls. She is a warrior on the hardwood.   [player_tooltip player_id='588712' first='Sydney' last='Stokes'] - Mainland (2024)   A do-it-all type of player who gets after it on both ends of the floor. She's had some major rejections under the rim and loves a good chase-down block. The offense flows through Sydney because she can score and dish equally as good.   [player_tooltip player_id='488762' first='Kasey' last='Bretones'] - Mainland (2024)   Using her height and length, Kasey can quickly turn stellar, disciplined defense into fast-paced, efficient offense. Her extended reach allows her to block shots & intercept passes and tally up steals. She has crafty handles in transition and finishes well at the rim.   [player_tooltip player_id='481549' first='Avery' last='Jackson'] - Ocean City (2023)   A sharpshooter from the arc, Avery is Ocean City's leader in 3-pointers made this season. Her discipline and patience on the offense allows her to run efficient plays and create scoring opportunities. She is electric in transition and finishes well through contact.   Tori Vliet - Ocean City (2023)   Tori can play bully-ball under the rim or step out and nail a big 3. Her versatile game allows her to play just about any position on the floor. Her increased production over the years is a testament to her work ethic, dedication and commitment to her game and her team.   Naomi Nnewihe - Ocean City (2025)   Naomi plays an extremely valuable role on this team. She leads the Red Raiders in rebounds this season through aggressive box-outs and not being afraid to crash the glass and attack the ball. She is a fearless post player and isn't afraid to go 1-on-1 against taller defenders in the paint.   <h2>Central Jersey: #1 Ewing v #2 Ocean Township</h2>   [player_tooltip player_id='325195' first='Rhian' last='Stokes'] - Ewing (2024)   Rhian can hurt you in a multitude of ways, and her four triple-doubles this season serves as proof. She is equal parts scorer, rebounder, defender & team player. She can score it from anywhere, has unlimited range and can finish with ease through contact. Her elite handles often draw audible gasps from the crowd.   [player_tooltip player_id='325184' first='Joi' last='Johnson'] - Ewing (2024)   An absolute menace inside, Joi demands the ball and commands the post. Often double and triple-teamed, Joi has adapted her game to be able to take on multiple defenders and finish at the rim. Her game is extremely versatile, as she can also run the floor like a guard. She is a complete player with an all-around elite skill-set.   [player_tooltip player_id='488869' first='Shawnae' last='Biggs'] - Ewing (2024)   On a team filled with multiple D-1 prospects, Shawnae understands her role and executes it to perfection. She plays stifling, scrappy defense that frustrates the opponent and forces turnovers. Possessing excellent court vision, she is one of Ewing's leaders in assists this season.   [player_tooltip player_id='488740' first='Eli' last='Clark'] - Ocean Township (2024)   If you leave Eli open on the perimeter, she can be devastating. Her seven 3's in a game this season is just one shining example of her sharpshooting skills. Her quickness allows her to be effective running the floor in transition.   [player_tooltip player_id='488739' first='Gamila' last='Betton'] - Ocean Township (2024)   Gamila does a nice job of imposing herself under the rim and getting to the charity stripe. She is very good at snatching rebounds distributing to open guards to spark transition offense.   [player_tooltip player_id='333322' first='Kayden' last='Clark'] - Ocean Township (2025)   Kayden has a nice all-around game, which makes for steady 3-point shooting, aggressive drives to the basket, stellar rebounding and excellent court vision for assists. She has quick, active hands on offense and defense.   <h2>North Jersey Section 2: #1 Randolph v #11 Mendham</h2>   [player_tooltip player_id='404236' first='Sydney' last='Jenisch'] - Randolph (2023)   The ultimate scorer, Sydney finds the smallest opening between the defense and creates her own shot. 21 times she has scored in double-figures this season. She can be lethal from the arc whether she has space or not.   Aliyah Lambo - Randolph (2025)   Watching her crash the glass and sky for rebounds, you would think Aliyah was much taller than her 5'8" frame! She is physical and fearless when it comes to protecting the rim against much taller players.   [player_tooltip player_id='525411' first='Kayla' last='Brand'] - Randolph (2025)   Kayla is quick and hard to keep up with. She has a high motor that never seems to quit, which can be frustrating for the opponent. The frustration she causes her opponents translates into costly errors and forced turnovers..   [player_tooltip player_id='489448' first='Lia' last='Manuel'] - Mendham (2024)   She's going to score and she's going to score in buckets! She's nearing the 1,000 point career milestone and has gotten to this point scoring it in a number of ways. A solid mid-range game, a smooth 3-point stroke and aggressive drives to the rim all make for superior scoring abilities.   Alexa Kupka - Mendham (2023)   Alexa has a steady all-around game. She contributes nicely to the scoring column and is equally as impressive defensively. She is a lock-down defender with the stats to back it up. Her season-high 11 steals against Villa Walsh sent a message to anyone who had to go up against her.   Sophia Keoskey - Mendham (2025)   Her confidence in the biggest moments propels this team to victory game after game. She is determined to do whatever she can to help this team win, no matter who the opponent is. That is something invaluable and irreplaceable. Sophia is never fazed and performs well under pressure.   <h2>North Jersey Section 1: #4 Teaneck v #6 Sparta</h2>   [player_tooltip player_id='559047' first='Lexi' last='Carnegie'] - Teaneck (2026)   Leading this team in scoring as a freshman, Lexi is a force of nature with the ball in her hands. Having scored in double-figure in 23 games so far this season, it's safe to say she understands the assignment night in and night out. She plays big-guard basketball and is strong and aggressive going to the rim.   [player_tooltip player_id='325206' first='Demi' last='Simpson'] - Teaneck (2024)   At 11 rebounds per game, Demi knows a thing or two about crashing the glass and attacking the ball. Her solid 6'0" frame and lengthy wingspan crates havoc for the opposing team. You can't go over her and you can't go around. She makes the opponent adjust in real-time and in turn causes confusion and turnovers.   [player_tooltip player_id='482333' first='Ciara' last='Forbes']- Teaneck (2023)   Ciara is the epitome of a lock-down defender. Her stellar play on defense converts steals into transition scoring, as she is lightning fast with the ball in her hands.   [player_tooltip player_id='155447' first='Ally' last='Sweeney'] - Sparta (2023)   Tell Ally how you want the ball scored and she will deliver. She is a dynamic guard that can beat you off the dribble or drown you from the perimeter. Don't just take my word for it; she dropped ten, yes ladies and gentlemen, TEN 3-pointers against Chatham this season. She finishes will in the lane through contact and is just about automatic from the free throw line.   [player_tooltip player_id='482806' first='Mason' last='Munier'] - Sparta (2023)   One of Sparta's stellar seniors, Mason uses her superior athleticism to gain an advantage over opponents. Her softball skills translate well on the hardwood, as she has great hand-eye coordination and superb agility.   Bailey Chapman - Sparta (2023)   A 4-year starter, Bailey has seen just about every type of defense you can throw at her. She is a flashy guard who weaves her way through traffic with acrobatic finishes at the rim. She's never met a defense she couldn't penetrate and expose.

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 by 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!