Breakout Stars in New Jersey – Shore Conference
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This article will not break down every division in the Shore Conference, rather just the group of A divisions. However, what this article will do is talk about some players that we think have the potential for breakout success in…
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Continue ReadingThis article will not break down every division in the Shore Conference, rather just the group of A divisions. However, what this article will do is talk about some players that we think have the potential for breakout success in the fall, whether it is continued success or a skyrocketing production and impact.
Aleena Dinker Aleena Dinker 5'6" | CG St. John Vianney | 2025 State NJ – St. John Vianney (2025)
Dinker has the door wide open for her to grab a starting rotation spot for the Lancers next season, thanks to a handful of graduating seniors, but most importantly, her production on the court. As a sophomore, she got significant time off the bench, averaging 3.6 PPG, 1.8 RPG and 2.6 APG in 28 games played, not to mention nearly two steals a game. Dinker is easily one of the best facilitators on the team currently and that alone should warrant more time on the floor and more time to produce.
Leomary Diaz-Merino Leomary Diaz-Merino SG Long Branch | 2025 State NJ – Long Branch (2025)
Diaz-Merino showcased that she could do a bit of everything on the floor despite talking a dip in offensive production from the year previous. However, what she might have lost in scoring, she gained in rebounding, passing and defense, not to mention shooting. A career-high 31 three-pointers made last season, Diaz-Merino will be asked to create more inside the arc while maintaining perimeter success. A great junior season is in the cards.
Brianna Daly – Raritan (2024)
Daly went wild in a small sample size with Raritan, averaging 7.3 PPG, 8.2 RPG and 1.5 BPG in 17 games played. Considering she had played just nine games before last season, it was about time for her to get her due on the floor, and she delivered, but there is much more to see out of the forward. We know that she can rack up double-doubles and play big down low, with an impressive reach, but will be be able to replicate that consistently next season is what we are looking for her to do, which we think she can.
Lia Villa Lia Villa 5'10" | SG Marlboro | 2024 State NJ – Marlboro (2024)
With Marlboro’s top three players all graduating this spring, that leaves the team with Villa as its most productive player heading into next season. What a fantastic opportunity that’s been presented to the rising senior, coming off a career year as a junior with 6.6 PPG, 0.75 BPG, 1.85 SPG and nearly 1.5 made three-pointers a game. Villa’s three-point production jumped significantly, a great sign that she’ll be knocking down perimeter shots next season with some added flair inside the arc.
Ava Giordano Ava Giordano 5'7" | PG Freehold Township | 2025 NJ – Freehold Township (2025)
Giordano, a second team all-division selection last season, has more to prove, going into her junior season. If there are any question marks about her game, considering she did nearly double her scoring averages as a sophomore, its her all-around game, becoming a more well-rounded guard. However, developing more as a specialized shooter might do her well, with her more than doubling her made three-pointers as a sophomore, averaging around 1.2 a game.
Lilly Riggi Lilly Riggi 5'11" | PF Trinity Hall | 2025 State NJ – Trinity Hall (2025)
Riggi presents an interesting case here considering that there is frontcourt competition alongside her for Trinity Hall in Siobhan Stapleton Siobhan Stapleton 6'0" | C Trinity Hall | 2024 State NJ , but that doesn’t mean she will be shut out from the equation. She has an impressive skillset and the size to be a pest around opponents next season. We think that Riggi has what it takes to get all-division or even all-conference consideration depending on how well she does, hopefully 8.0 points and rebounds a game each.
Jordyn Brown – Toms River North (2025)
The division champs from last year, the Mariners are going to be depleted of some big-time talent come next season in the form of three of their four top scorers. Who will fill in the voids left by them is the question, and Brown, a rising junior, has already shown great growth in her first two seasons, so why not her to play a big part next season? With roughly 3.0 PPG, 2.0 RPG & APG, plus nearly 3.0 SPG last season, she’s a budding star waiting to get her shot, and she’s going to get that this fall/winter.
Kaleigh Fitzgibbons Kaleigh Fitzgibbons SF Toms River East | 2024 State NJ – Toms River East (2024)
Opportunities are often found when spots open up ahead, and with a number of seniors graduating this spring, Fitzgibbons has quite the opportunity in front of her. From what we’ve seen, she looks like she would factor in well as the main piece down low, even moreso now that Taylor Maire is gone. Starting minutes as the piece down low could easily result in potential double-double averages for her next season.