5 Players Who Should’ve Been Burger Girl Nominees
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Back in January, twenty-six players were selected from the Garden State as nominees for the McDonald’s All-American Game. Two of those twenty-six, Zoe Brooks Zoe Brooks 5'8" | CG St. John Vianney | 2023 State NJ (St. John Vianney) and…
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Continue ReadingBack in January, twenty-six players were selected from the Garden State as nominees for the McDonald’s All-American Game. Two of those twenty-six, Zoe Brooks Zoe Brooks 5'8" | CG St. John Vianney | 2023 State NJ (St. John Vianney) and Hannah Hidalgo Hannah Hidalgo 5'7" | PG Paul VI | 2023 State NJ (Paul VI), were chosen as “Burger Girls” for the prestigious all-star game. However, there were a few others who I feel were “snubbed,” or wrongfully excluded. The following five players represented some of the best New Jersey had to offer; their stocks rose exponentially, have winning reputations and stuffed the stat-sheets with their production and elite skills. Each of these ladies had statement seasons and were deserving of recognition through a nomination.
If you want to talk about a player who gets it done on both ends, then look no further than Alexis Davis Alexis Davis 6’0″ | SF Woodbury | 2023 State NJ . Statistically, she led her team in just about every category: points (536), rebounds (425), blocks (29). More impressively, in a shortened 21-game season, not only did she lead the state in rebounding, she was also the only player to average 20+ points & 20+ rebounds! In an 86-game career where she amassed 2,145 points & 1,327 rebounds (good for an average of 24.9 pp & 15.4 rpg), Alexis showed why she was consistently one of NJ’s best, from her freshman debut to her stellar senior campaign.
1,660 points in three and a half years is wildly impressive, if you ask me. Every year that went by, Rylee only got better, quicker, stronger and scrappier. She saved the best for last, as her 30-game senior season consisted of 555 points scored, 247 rebounds pulled down, 138 dimes dished & 128 steals. She led her team to a Central Jersey Group 1 Sectional Title, a State Semifinal win & an appearance in the Group 1 Final vs a juggernaut University squad. Career averages of 16.6 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 3.3 apg & 3.2 spg proved why she was always in the conversation as one of NJ’s best all-around players.
Bella had a breakthrough season, plain and simple; career highs in just about every statistical category: 455 points, 100 rebounds, 95 assists & 73 steals. The 5’4″ bullet led her team in points and steals this season, and posted an unforgettable 25-point monster performance against the nation’s #5 (and undefeated) team, St. John Vianney, in the Non-Public A State Final, handing the Lancers their first in-state loss in nearly 4 years. When you talk about a player whose stock rose exponentially their senior year, Isabella Asencio Isabella Asencio 5’4″ | PG Immaculate Heart Academy | 2023 State NJ should be front and center, in bold!
Highlights
Gabby wins… A LOT. How about a career record of 97-10 during her time at Cherokee?! It was in her senior season, however, that Gabby truly broke-through. She had career highs in every statistical category: points (463), rebounds (222), assists (23), blocks (22) & steals (51). She got the job done on both ends of the floor with her efficient shooting and her scrappy, relentless defense. Her senior season was truly stellar: She eclipsed the 1,000-point milestone for her career (1,089 points), won a South Jersey Group 4 Sectional Title, a State Semifinal & booked a spot in the State Final against a powerhouse Bayonne team. One of South Jersey’s best all season long.
Playing for the nation’s 23rd ranked team (Morris Catholic), Natalie faced some of the toughest competition in America this season, as her team played one of the most difficult schedules of any team in the state. Game after game, she produced big-time results! One of her teams’ leaders in points, assists & steals this season, Natalie got it done on both ends, with high-quality buckets and tenacious defense. Averaging just under 10 ppg (9.9) for one of the nation’s best teams playing high-level competition is no small feat. Ultimately, she helped her team to a Non-Public B State Title over perennial power Rutgers Prep and a 27-3 record. Quite simply put, Natalie was a star from beginning to end.