From Deep: Returning 3-Point Snipers in Non-Public A
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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 of the same.
Gianna Chuffo Gianna Chuffo 5'6" | SG St. Thomas Aquinas | 2025 State NJ – St. Thomas Aquinas (2025)
86 3-pointers in 29 games; 3 per game
Although Gianna’s game is so much more than 3-point scoring, her ability to consistently & furiously knock them down from deep never ceases to impress! Her catch-and-shoot game is undeniably one of the best in the state. Gianna drew audible gasps from the crowd all season long with her 3-point shooting prowess, often times letting the fly from a foot or more behind the arc. In a game against a defense-driven Saddle River Day, she knocked down a season-high SEVEN from deep. She heads into her junior year with an impressive 115 made 3’s.
Natalia Valdez Natalia Valdez 5'8" | SG Dwight-Englewood | 2026 NJ – Dwight-Englewood (2026)
68 3-pointers in 24 games; 2.8 per game
Natalia caught the attention of many around the state in her debut season. Yet another member of this stellar 2026 Class, she lit it up all year long. Her consistency and fearlessness from behind the arc helped her team win some close, crucial games against teams like Bogota, Park Ridge and Saddle Brook. When Natalia is on the floor and especially lurking around the arc, the defense needs to be on high-alert!
Dagny Slomack Dagny Slomack 5'5" | SG Newark Academy | 2024 State NJ – Newark Academy (2024)
66 3-pointers in 27 games; 2.4 per game
With every high school season that passes, Dagny continues to elevate her production and stats across the board, 3-point shooting included! Quite simply put, she torched opponents this year. She creates just enough space where she can comfortably let her shot fly… and FLY it did against teams like Pennington, Kent Place and Cedar Grove, where she sank a season-high five from deep.
Samantha Serrano Samantha Serrano SG Holy Angels | 2024 State NJ – Holy Angels (2024)
64 3-pointers in 27 games; 2.4 per game
From her sophomore year to her junior year, Sam increased her 3’s made by fifty-five! That hunger and determination she possessed all season long truly wreaked havoc on her opponents. With her advantageous height, it was difficult for teams to defend her high-arching shots from long-range. In four separate contests, she drilled a season-high five 3-pointers: vs DePaul, Paramus Catholic, Ridgefield Park and Newark Academy. She will be looking to eclipse 100 made 3’s next season.
Bianca Ellis Bianca Ellis 5'4" | PG Paramus Catholic | 2024 State NJ – Paramus Catholic (2024)
67 3-pointers in 28 games; 2.4 per game
When you are hitting nearly double-digit 3’s in a game, you know the term “sniper” applies to you… and that’s exactly what she did just six games into the season against Tenafly. One of the highest 3-point field goals made across the state in a single game, it was an all-out barrage by Bianca. But it didn’t stop there! Against teams like Dumont and Rutherford, she drilled five. Against Demarest? Six! Bianca has permanent residency in 3-point land and is living quite comfortably!
Rachel Castela Rachel Castela 5'9" | SG Mount St. Mary | 2024 State NJ – Mount St. Mary (2024)
65 3-pointers in 27 games; 2.4 per game
The Skyland star went all-out this past season and stuffed stat-sheets time and time again. She eclipsed 100 made 3’s this season with her scorching-hot hands from deep. The tighter the defense closes in on her, the more she thrives, which was evident in a game vs national juggernaut Staten Island Academy out of New York. Rachel executed her game-plan to perfection against the Tigers’ stifling pressure and knocked down a season-high SEVEN 3’s!
Nina Emnace Nina Emnace 5'6" | PG Trinity Hall | 2024 State NJ – Trinity Hall (2024)
64 3-pointers in 28 games; 2.3 per game
Nina never met a 3 she couldn’t bury! She is devastating from just about anywhere on the floor, but especially from behind the arc. The thousand pointer scorer gets hot in a hurry, turning opponent’s early-game optimism into mid-game shambles. Just ask teams like Middletown South (six 3’s), Marlboro (six 3’s) and Freehold Township (season-high seven 3’s). Shooting it at a high clip as she’s done all career long, surpassing 200 made 3’s is certainly within the realm of possibility for the sharpshooter.
Simone Pintinalli Simone Pintinalli 5'5" | PG Notre Dame | 2024 State NJ – Notre Dame (2024)
61 3-pointers in 26 games; 2.3 per game
Simone caught the attention of many in the very first game of her junior year, where she buried EIGHT from deep! She never let up after that, as fifty-three more would follow throughout the course of the season. Her cool, calm and collected demeanor is impressive, as she rarely gets rattled on the court. She has a “shooters shoot” mentality and can ignite at any given moment making it rain 3’s in the gym.
Julia Karpell Julia Karpell SG St. John Vianney | 2024 State NJ – St. John Vianney (2024)
56 3-pointers in 32 games; 1.8 per game
The Fairfield-commit is as good a 3-point shooter as you’ll find around the Garden State. Playing arguably the state’s most difficult schedule year after year, Julia has seen every type of defense imaginable and has never encountered one she couldn’t score on! She’s a silent assassin; drains the 3 and gets back on defense. No showboating, no antics. Some of her impressive showings this season include draining four 3’s against nationally ranked Bishop McNamara (MD), two against juggernaut Newington (CT), three against perennial powerhouse Christ the King (NY) and three against one of NJ’s best defensive teams, Montclair Immaculate. She’ll aim for her 100th made 3 early next season.
Taylor Francis Taylor Francis 5'8" | SG Pingry | 2025 State NJ – Pingry (2025)
45 3-pointers in 27 games; 1.7 per game
A very consistent 3-point shooter, you can count on Taylor to drain them in just about every single game she plays. She does an incredible job of getting to her spot and knocking down the long-range shot, with or without a hand directly in her face. Countless times this past season she pulled up from a foot or more behind the arc and buried the shot. Taylor plays the game with no fear and full ferocity, which has proven a recipe for success.