Group 4 Sectional Championships: Impact Players
In this article:
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…
Access all of Prep Girls Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingWith 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!
South Jersey: #2 Cherokee v #5 Atlantic City
Gabby Recinto Gabby Recinto 5'10" | SF Cherokee | 2023 State NJ – Cherokee (2023)
Gabby’s martial arts background gives her an edge in mental fortitude. She plays physical, aggressive, tenacious basketball and will complete the play by any means necessary. She is fearless and comfortable playing 1-5 on the floor and can score it at a high clip. Her execution sets her game apart from the rest.
Jada Branford Jada Branford 5'8" | C Cherokee | 2024 State NJ – Cherokee (2024)
She’s been labeled an “x-factor” for a reason, and that”s because of her efficiency. Her ability to force turnovers while limiting her own is crucial to her team’s success, especially in close-game situations.
Surina Leszkowicz – Cherokee (2023)
One of this team’s senior leaders, Surina adds another layer of experience to this dynamic Cherokee squad. She is equal parts scorer, rebounder and dime-disher.
Nir Nir Cherry-Montague Nir Nir Cherry-Montague 6'6" | PF Atlantic City | 2023 State NJ – Atlantic City (2023)
With a near 7-foot wingspan, Quanirah is the ultimate rim-protector. Her length and extended reach makes it difficult for the opponent to drive inside or shoot over her. Her sheer athleticism makes her difficult to contain, as she can defend and play multiple positions. Her superior handles and speed allow her to blow past guards up and down the court in transition. Call her a “point-center.”
Zashirah Jackson – Atlantic City (2023)
Z applies relentless defensive pressure. Her increased production year after year is a testament to her incredible work ethic. She refuses to be outworked or out-hustled by the opponent. Her terrific body control allows her to dive and scrap for loose balls while avoiding racking up fouls.
Bridget Roach Bridget Roach 5'8" | PG Atlantic City | 2025 State NJ – Atlantic City (2025)
Bridget does an incredible job of finding the open teammate and delivering the assist with ease. She applies intense defensive pressure and will turn the opponent over, control the possession and rocket an outlet pass up the court in transition.
Central Jersey: #3 Monroe v #5 Jackson Memorial
Katelyn Louro Katelyn Louro CG Monroe | 2023 State NJ – Monroe (2023)
Catch her if you can! Katelyn runs the floor like a gazelle. Her hands are very active on D, and reads the passing lanes well. If she picks your pocket, good luck chasing her down the court in transition. She also does a nice job of initiating and finishing through contact.
Halley Cottrell – Monroe (2024)
A terrific spot-up shooter, Halley leads her team in 3’s made this season. She can knock them down with ease and when one falls, you can expect many soon after. Her red-hot perimeter shooting can propel her team to victory against just about anybody.
Evangelina Francisco Evangelina Francisco CG Monroe | 2025 State NJ – Monroe (2025)
Watching her play, you would think she was a senior veteran on this team with the skill-set and leadership qualities she displays. Never fazed by what the defense throws her way, Evangelina uses her high basketball IQ and stellar footwork to her advantage. Her good passing decisions help capitalize on play-making opportunities and cut down on turnovers.
Kamile Makselyte Kamile Makselyte PF Jackson Memorial | 2023 State NJ – Jackson Memorial (2023)
Kamile is an interior force with awesome court vision to throw outlet passes to a streaking/cutting guard. She makes it difficult for the opponent to get off a comfortable shot in and around the paint.
Zoie Maffei Zoie Maffei 5'11" | SF Jackson Memorial | 2023 State NJ – Jackson Memorial (2023)
A 4-year starter, Zoie brings leadership and experience to this team. She ranks high in efficiency and production, and can lead her team in double-figure scoring and rebounding on any given night. At 6’0″, she is extremely versatile where she can post-up, shoot it from mid-game or hit long-range daggers from 3.
Avery Brooks – Jefferson Memorial (2026)
A freshman that is never afraid of the occasion! She raises her level of play in the biggest moments. Her team has full confidence in her basketball abilities, as she can do a little bit of everything for them.
North Jersey, Section 2: #1 Bayonne v #7 Scotch Plains-Fanwood
McKenzie Neal McKenzie Neal 6'3" | C Bayonne | 2025 State NJ – Bayonne (2025)
At 6’3″, she is the tallest player on her team. An absolute force inside, McKenzie commands the low post. She takes high percentage shots, crashes the boards with authority & prevents easy baskets anywhere inside the paint. A rim-protector in every essence of the term.
Tatyanna Watson Tatyanna Watson 5'5" | PG Bayonne | 2026 State NJ – Bayonne (2026)
Tatyanna is a fantastic perimeter defender. Her fast-paced style of game makes it difficult for the opponent to keep up with. She is active and efficient on both ends of the court and never gives up on the play, whether her team is up by 2 or 22. She treats every possession with the same level of importance.
Christina Centeno Christina Centeno 5'7" | SG Bayonne | 2023 State NJ – Bayonne (2023)
Christina has terrific form and excels at catch-and-shoot 3’s. She is also very good at using effective ball fakes to drive inside and finish over much taller players.
Amanda Baylock Amanda Baylock 5'6" | PG Scotch Plains-Fanwood | 2024 State NJ – Scotch Plains-Fanwood (2024)
The defense can throw 2 and 3 players at Amanda, but she does a phenomenal job of fighting through it and working the defense using superior footwork and body control. She uses screens effectively with high shooting percentage, whether it’s a mid-range jumper or long-range from the perimeter.
Marin Pecarsky – Scotch Plains-Fanwood (2025)
Marin can guard the opposing team’s best player because of her physical and gritty play. If her team needs an immediate defensive stop, they can count on her to execute and swing momentum in their favor. Offensively, she attacks the rim and creates crucial free throw opportunities.
Alicia Murphy – Scotch Plains-Fanwood (2023)
Alicia’s 6’0″ frame forces the opponent to adjust their shot attempt and court position. She crashes the glass and pulls down rebounds with commanding force. Offensively, she is very mobile and doesn’t just linger in the paint waiting for touches. She works the defense and does a tremendous job escaping double teams. Her physicality allows for and-1 opportunities.
North Jersey, Section 1: #1 Union City v #3 Paterson Eastside
Jaida Guerra Jaida Guerra 5'6" | PG Union City | 2025 State NJ – Union City (2025)
Union City’s leader in points and steals this season, Jaida is an absolute force on both ends of the floor; an offensive cannon and a defensive menace! She plays with the mentality that she will not be denied, and that confidence fuels her game night after night.
Alyssa Cueto Alyssa Cueto 5'5" | CG Union City | 2024 State NJ – Union City (2024)
Alyssa can squeeze through the defense to disrupt the play and force a boat-load of turnovers. She is quick in transition and her elite court vision makes for some highlight-worthy assists.
Ava Rivera – Union City (2024)
A spark of energy off the bench, Ava provides her team with valuable minutes. Her dedication to defense and defensive stance/high active hands create deflections and force turnovers.
Nyasia Pauldo Nyasia Pauldo 5'8" | CG Paterson Eastside | 2025 State NJ – Paterson Eastside (2025)
How good on & off the court do you have to be to skip a grade and be re-classed as 2025? That’s exactly what Nyasia did, and her stat-stuffing, elite skills speak for themselves. She is a floor general with sky-high basketball IQ that can dictate the offense and shoot it from anywhere, or turn around and guard the opposing team’s best player and give them fits. Her physical play and strong build aid in her overall game.
Symiaha Brown-Cobb Symiaha Brown-Cobb PG Paterson Eastside | 2023 State NJ – Paterson Eastside (2023)
Symiaha is a defensive beast, plain and simple. Her hands are constantly moving and her eyes are always scanning for the next steal. She makes it difficult for players with the best handles to work their way inside.
Nevaeh Banks Nevaeh Banks SG Paterson Eastside | 2025 State NJ – Paterson Eastside (2025)
Shooting nearly three 3-pointers per game, you cannot afford to give Nevaeh any room on the perimeter, otherwise the 3’s will drop in bunches. She is a lock-down defender with a superior low and stable defensive stance.