CRUNCH TIME QUEENS

It's the fourth quarter with ten seconds to go and the game is tied. Your team has possession with a State Title is on the line. Who's taking the shot? ...Not every player is built for moments like this. Some cave and crumble under pressure, while others thrive and fully embrace the notion that pressure is a privilege. It takes mental strength, a fearless attitude and the ability to create in tense moments. With time ticking off the clock, you want the ball in these hoopers' hands!   [player_tooltip player_id='559031' first='Daniela' last='Maletsky'] | 5'10" SG | Red Bank Catholic   Her ability to create something out of seemingly nothing is both special and something to marvel at. When things tighten up, Daniela doesn't fold! Her growing confidence and ever-evolving skill set makes her lethal with the ball in her hands, whether it's to create for herself or for others. She draws a lot of attention from the defense and pulls defenders way out of their spot and comfort zone to try and contain her, which in turn opens up the floor for others. Additionally, her speed and dynamic play off the bounce makes her ultra-dangerous because of her knack for getting to the rim by any means necessary. Her impressive and clutch guard play earned her an invitation to the Blue Star All-American Camp and helped RBC earn a Finals appearance at Best of Maryland during the scholastic live period in June. From Spooky, to Atlantic City, to Louisville and beyond, Daniela proved herself time and time again.   [player_tooltip player_id='325195' first='Rhian' last='Stokes'] | 5'8" PG | Ewing   The triple-double queen of the Garden State is one who can be fully trusted with the rock in her hands! With nine triple-doubles (and one quadruple-double) and counting, Rhian is undeniably clutch when it comes to nail-bitingly close games or dramatic overtime situations. She remains cool, calmed and collected under pressure and can hurt you in a variety of ways. With shifty shake and bake handles that stun and stagger defenders, elite court vision to find teammates anywhere on the floor and a loaded offensive arsenal, she is the girl for the job every single time! She kept ice in her veins all summer long on the Nike circuit with Philly Rise, delivering clutch performances against some of the best travel teams in America; from Hampton, to Dallas, to Chicago and everywhere in between! The all around juggernaut and recent St. Joe's commit will look to keep her foot on the gas when Ewing begins their quest for back-to-back Group 3 State titles this season!   [player_tooltip player_id='414340' first='Macie' last='McCracken'] | 5'7" CG | Wildwood   The arc assassin herself, Macie sure knows a thing or two about delivering clutch buckets from long range! I mean, she's only hit 168 of them in two seasons, but who's counting! With elevated ball-handling skills, through-the-roof confidence and added muscle/physicality, you now have the new and improved "Macie 2.0" heading into her junior season with the Warriors. She was clutch all summer long with her Soldiers squad, knocking down shot after shot in high pressure moments. And when you possess the range and accuracy she does, no shot is ever a bad shot, whether it's wide open or with a hand squarely in her face. She's a player who embraces the spotlight, puts the team on her back and wills them to victory. With time expiring, expect Coach Cunniff to draw up a play for Macie to work her magic.   [player_tooltip player_id='651518' first='Lauryn' last='Downing'] | 5'5'" PG | St. Thomas Aquinas   Arguably the most clutch player in New Jersey's Class of 2027, Lauryn's skill set is far superior to most of her peers. A shifty guard with tireless energy, she brings electricity and intensity every single time she hits the hardwood! With a rapidly growing two-way game, she's proving ferocious on both sides of the ball. If you need a clutch mid-range shot or a quick sweep to the rim, she's your girl! If you need a steal in crunch time and a bucket converted the other way, again, she's your girl! She was menacing in Orlando, Manheim and Dallas, showing off crafty handles, efficient shot-making and proving that she can be trusted with the ball in her hands in the biggest moments. With her high school hoops debut just around the corner, Lauryn is sure to make a splash for Coach Corrigan and the Trojans.   [player_tooltip player_id='414293' first='Jaida' last='Guerra'] | 5'6" PG | Jose Marti STEM Academy   Anyone who tuned in to FIBA basketball this summer watched Jaida deliver huge performances game after game. In the U16 Americas Championship, she went off for a combined 47 points against Colombia and Mexico, going 9 for 19 from 3 and helping Puerto Rico secure single-digit wins in both contests. That confidence remained high on the aau circuit with her Shoreshots team as she drilled big shots and made crucial decisions in crunch time. Once aau wrapped, it was back to FIBA play in the Centrobasket U17 Championship, where Jaida helped lead Puerto Rico to the title, going 5-0 in the process. In the Final against Mexico, she poured in 18 points on her way to earning a +16 efficiency rating. Riding a wave of momentum, she is sure to dazzle in her senior year with the Soaring Eagles. It's simple: just give her the ball and let her cook!

It's the fourth quarter with ten seconds to go and the game is tied. Your team has possession with a State Title is on the line. Who's taking the shot? ...Not every player is built for moments like this. Some cave and crumble under pressure, while others thrive and fully embrace the notion that pressure is a privilege. It takes mental strength, a fearless attitude and the ability to create in tense moments. With time ticking off the clock, you want the ball in these hoopers' hands!