From Deep: Returning 3-Point Snipers in Group 3
In this article:
Caitlin Clark’s limitless range. Steph Curry’s look-away flair. Azzi Fudd’s quick release and consistency. Shooting it from beyond the arc has elevated the game more than ever before. Players at all levels of the sport study the aforementioned players’ 3-point…
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Continue ReadingCaitlin Clark’s limitless range. Steph Curry’s look-away flair. Azzi Fudd’s quick release and consistency. Shooting it from beyond the arc has elevated the game more than ever before. Players at all levels of the sport study the aforementioned players’ 3-point shooting prowess and try to emulate and incorporate it into their own game. The following players have proved they can light it up from beyond the arc with consistency and ultimately bury their opponent. They can quickly catch fire and make 3’s rain in buckets, igniting the crowd and shifting momentum in their team’s favor …and next season, they return for more.
Kristina Turner Kristina Turner SG Burlington Township | 2024 State NJ – Burlington Township (2024)
96 3-pointers in 25 games; 3.8 per game
Give Kristina the ball anywhere behind the arc and she’s going to absolutely drain it! Her spot-up game is automatic and hard to defend due to her quick release. With her ability to make it rain 3’s… better yet, DOWNPOUR 3’s… she is looking to eclipse 200 of them made before her senior year is over (currently at 126). She is the epitome of a sniper from deep.
Celina Bussanich Celina Bussanich 5'5" | PG Pascack Valley | 2025 State NJ – Pascack Valley (2025)
74 3-pointers in 28 games; 2.7 per game
The work Celina puts in behind-the-scenes is evident when she hits the hardwood on game days. Her shooting mechanics and high basketball IQ make for lots of rainbow 3’s. She has great range and no fear of failure when she lets it fly. “Shooters shoot,” as they say, and this applies beautifully to Celina and her tremendous game. Shooting it at a high clip, she will enter her junior year with a real possibility to reach 200 career 3’s (currently at 110) before the season’s end.
Reese Downey Reese Downey 5'7" | PG Absegami | 2025 State NJ – Absegami (2025)
69 3-pointers in 27 games; 2.6 per game
Reese kicked off her sophomore campaign with ferocious firepower. Her hot shooting in the first game of the season against OLMA, known for their stellar defense, accounted for 27 points, including four 3-pointers. She followed up that performance with three in the next game (vs Atlantic Christian), three in the game after that (vs Wildwood), four vs Mainland, etc. When she gets hot, it’s difficult for even the most disciplined defense-driven teams to cool her off.
Julianna Kowaleski Julianna Kowaleski SG Colts Neck | 2024 State NJ – Colts Neck (2024)
65 3-pointers in 26 games; 2.5 per game
Julianna made a statement in the first game of the season, where she dropped seven…yes, SEVEN 3-pointers against Manalapan. She carried that momentum with her all season long and never looked back, making fifty-eight more and frustrating defenders game after game. Her phenomenal shooting ability renders the 3-2 zone defense useless as she buries shot after shot with precision accuracy.
Bella Soto Bella Soto SG Warren Hills | 2024 State NJ – Warren Hills (2024)
56 3-pointers in 28 games; 2 per game
Warren Hills’ offense flows very smoothly through Bella because of her consistency and ability to knock down shots in the biggest moments. She is one of the best 3-point shooters in the Skyland Conference and proved that game after game this season. In a late season game against Hackettstown, Bella went off for a season-high six 3’s and 28 points (also a season high).
Jahaysia Ledesma Jahaysia Ledesma 5'7" | SG Carteret | 2025 State NJ – Carteret (2025)
55 3-pointers in 27 games; 2 per game
Consistency is key, and Jahaysia’s got it… and then some! Her numbers this sophomore season were superb across the board, but it was her 3-point shooting that really caught the attention of many around the state. She more than quintupled her numbers from her freshman year. Her mindset screams I WILL NOT BE DENIED… and quite frankly, she wasn’t. She scorched teams like Middlesex and J.P. Stevens with a season-high five 3’s and showed why she is a threat from anywhere behind the arc.
Rhian Stokes Rhian Stokes 5'8" | PG Ewing | 2024 State NJ – Ewing (2024)
62 3-pointers in 33 games; 1.9 per game
Add “one of the best 3-pointer shooter in the state” to the long list of accolades and achievements Rhian has racked up this season. The triple-double queen can absolutely drill it from deep and decimate the defender. She hit her 100th career 3-pointer in the Central Jersey, Group 3 Sectional Final vs Ocean Township and proved that no matter how stellar the defense, she will not be denied.
Stella Sweeney Stella Sweeney PG South Plainfield | 2025 State NJ – South Plainfield (2025)
52 3-pointers in 27 games; 1.9 per game
Stella the smooth & silent assassin. Teams like Rahway & Sayreville felt every bit of her offensive firepower as she went off for a season-high five 3’s against both teams. Her ability to read the floor and create shots was on full display from beginning to end this past season. Opponents beware, because once Stella starts to sizzle from 3, she can really open the floodgates and wreak havoc.
Julia Hartman Julia Hartman 5'8" | CG Absegami | 2025 NJ – Absegami (2025)
50 3-pointers in 27 games; 1.9 per game
As if one Absegami player wasn’t enough, add Julia into the mix and you have a dynamic duo from beyond the arc! She lit it up from 3 this year, plain and simple. The stellar sophomore began the season sinking three against OLMA, four against Atlantic Christian and two against Wildwood. Her hot shooting continued all season long as she would drain fifty from deep and frustrate many opponents in the process. She sparkled against Millville and Hammonton, where she poured in a season-high six 3’s.
Alexa Cruz – Allentown (2024)
41 3-pointers in 22 games; 1.9 per game
A shortened 22-game season didn’t stop Alexa from shining bright and making the most of every minute on the court. Her forty-one 3’s this season eclipsed that of both her freshman and sophomore campaigns combined! In multiple games, she went off for a season-high three 3’s made and made life difficult for her defender time and time again. Spot-up, catch and shoot, off a screen… it doesn’t matter. Alexa is a certified sniper!