Weekend Stock Risers: EJ’s Gr8 Eight

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Scranton, PA and Pitman, NJ hosted two of the biggest tournaments on the East coast this weekend. The Black Diamond Championships and NJ Showcase were overflowing with talent from the Tri-State area and beyond. Eight players stood out from the rest and made waves with sensational performances all weekend long. These Jersey girls were deep in their bag…and as we inch closer to the May live period, they look to keep impressing and showing off their full arsenal.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["559085"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Addy was flat-out impressive this weekend. She helped the Shoreshots 2026 squad pick up two huge wins, including a blowout over a wildly talented LI Lightning 16U team. The 6'0u0022 stud showed off her impressive two-way game, knocking down huge shots from just about everywhere and displaying her defensive prowess game after game. She was picking pockets and giving girls headaches all weekend long. Her length and elevation made for huge blocks in the paint and disruption in the passing lanes. She showed why she is one of the best freshmen in the Tri-State area.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["325219"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"Alexis took Scranton by storm and showed why she is one of the best W/F on the East Coast. That hunger and determination led Team Sharp to a 4-0 weekend, including a 77-19 blowout over Fencor-Andre. Lex was truly menacing on both ends. Offensively, she showed off post moves and fantastic footwork, a strong mid-range game and the ability to finish strong at the rim. Her step-through in the paint was both pretty and unstoppable. Defensively, she swatted shots, deflected passes and crashed the glass to pull down rebounds with authority. Against a stacked NY Gauchos Gold team, Lex chipped in 8 points, grabbed 10 boards and had 2 huge rejections. Impressive from start to finish.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["415881"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"For the second time in as many weeks, Gianna has landed herself on my u0022stock risersu0022 report. And also for the second time in as many weeks, she has done so by averaging an astonishing 17 ppg. Her stellar play led Team Sharp to an impressive 4-0 showing this weekend. Her quickness in the open court was unmatched, as defenders struggled to keep up with her electric pace. Her mid-range game was clicking on all cylinders, shooting it at a high clip and showing off her super quick release. Her basketball acumen is a cut above the rest, making smart decisions and using her impeccable instincts to run the show and lead her team to victory game after game.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["414352"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"The newest addition to the NJ Soldiers, Talia wasted no time imposing her game. In an opening day win against I-90 Elite, she went off for 15 points and showed off her stellar mid-range game and aggressive drives to the basket. In a Sunday win against LI Lightning, Talia had another double-figure outing, pouring in 16 points and showing off all the range! Her knockdown shooting was crucial to this team's success, as she delivered clutch shot after clutch shot. Heading into the live period, you can expect more of the same fire and intensity.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["406949"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"It's no surprise that Simone's 3 ball was hitting all weekend long. After all, she was one of the top 3-point shooters in the state this past season at Notre Dame! Her high percentage shooting coupled with her dynamic defense helped her squad go 4-0 at the BDC. Crafty handles and quickness allowed her to weave through traffic and around defenders on her way to the hoop. In the rare instance the defense cut off the lane, she used her superb court vision to dish dimes to her teammates for easy buckets. Her hounding on-ball defense was stifling and forced a number of turnovers and her transition D stopped fast breaks and denied scorers the chance for easy lay-ups. Simone was locked in from start to finish each and every game.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["488679"],"_player_evaluations_5_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"Sarah led a short-handed United squad to a superb showing at the NJ Showcase. Her electric energy and up-tempo play ignited her teammates to play a weekend of fantastic basketball against top teams. She was vocal, determined and tenacious on both ends. With the quickness of a guard and versatility of a wing,  she was able to get to her spots and pull up with confidence. High efficiency and high percentage shooting was her recipe for success! Defensively, she upped the ante and was hard-nosed and locked in. Sarah has superior leadership skills and tremendous upside.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_player":["406937"],"_player_evaluations_6_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"Brenae hit her stride and made a bold statement at the Showcase. For the third consecutive weekend, her Panthers squad went undefeated at 4-0 and solidified themselves as one of the best teams in the Tri-State. Brenae's domination on the court was felt on both ends, with explosive buckets in transition and stifling pressure on defense. Her commanding two-way game left opponent's gassed as they tried to keep up with her quickness, energy and intensity. She used every bit of her 6'1u0022 frame and exquisite footwork to play bully ball in the paint and impose herself under the basket. Whether playing with her back to the basket or facing up and taking the defender off the bounce, Brenae went deep in her bag and proved she can score in a number of ways. Her stock continues to rise astronomically as the weeks go on!","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_7_player":["559078"],"_player_evaluations_7_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_7_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_7_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"When something's working, you stick with it...and that's exactly what Ava did with her 3-point shot. She caught fire this weekend and let it fly deep behind the arc, with a super quick release that defenders couldn't quite seem to stop. She was efficient and effective, playing disciplined basketball and giving 100% every time she stepped on the court. Defensively, she was disruptive, broke apart plays and forced numerous turnovers. She wasn't afraid to scrap for loose balls and get on the floor to fight for possession. Ava's two-way game is blossoming before our very eyes this Spring! In addition to her skills, her passion for the game, determination to succeed and positive attitude are admirable qualities that make her standout from the rest.","_player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":8,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6459a8a1ab084"} /-->