PGH New Jersey Recruiting Update: 10/31

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The recruiting madness in New Jersey continues, a great sign for the continued progress of talent within the state. We have yet another recruiting update to bring to you with a number of commitments to Division I programs, as well as a few official visits taking place. Here's a look at the latest around the Garden State.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='824094' first='Mayah' last='Alford'] - Trenton Catholic (2024) commits to NJIT</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Alford is the most recent prospect to have made the news cycle in New Jersey, verbally committing to NJIT via Twitter late Tuesday morning.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":799521,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/10/F9x40ePW8AASdwA.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-799521" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The senior certainly shined in her first season with the Iron Mikes, averaging 13.3 points a game in 16 games played. That includes four 20-point performances and 10 double-digit scoring performances overall. She was one of the main focal points for TCA last season, and as a senior, she intends to do the same, up her game that much more as a wing/forward presence.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='325201' first='Mikayla' last='Blakes'] - Rutgers Prep (2024) visits Wisconsin</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We saw in August that the No. 1 prospect in our Class of 2024 rankings, arguably the No. 1 prospect in the state right now had cut her schools down to a top 7. One of those schools, according to BTN Scouting, Blakes just recently visited as the senior toured Wisconsin over the weekend.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":799523,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/10/F9n2WD-aEAAYz2L.jpg?w=819" alt="" class="wp-image-799523" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There really isn't much more we can say about just how good she's been as a player because the stats, the official offers from a number of Power Five conferences, the accolades, they all speak for themselves. She's a top talent in the country and is being sought out by some of the best programs in the country. We can't wait to see where she ends up.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='488672' first='Jennah' last='Johnson'] - Woodbridge (2024) commits to UMass Lowell</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Woodbridge has found an absolute gem in Gill St. Bernard's transfer [player_tooltip player_id='488672' first='Jennah' last='Johnson'], who announced on social media last week her verbal commitment to UMass Lowell.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":799524,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/10/F9sF5BqXAAAoZFD.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-799524" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Her stats took a bit of a dip as a junior, but that shouldn't overshadow the caliber of player that she is and can be on the college level. Johnson is a double-digit scorer, someone who can rack up 3-5 assists a game and someone who's defense has steadily improved over the past two years especially. Let's not forget that the exposure she's gotten playing for New Heights NYC has been immeasurable.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='488684' first='Talia' last='Baptiste'] - Columbia (2024) commits to Fairleigh Dickinson</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Fairleigh Dickinson has been recruiting New Jersey players hard over this recruiting cycle, and the Knights can add another in-state talent to next year's roster in Columbia senior [player_tooltip player_id='488684' first='Talia' last='Baptiste'], who committed last week.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":799528,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/10/F9pUEHxXkAAZxS_.jpg?w=951" alt="" class="wp-image-799528" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Baptiste's junior year was her best one yet by a sizable margin, averaging 14.1 PPG in 17 games played for Columbia. Her production has remained consistent over time, a solid passer and rebounder with a defensive presence that not many other players like her have. That 17-game sample size as a junior seems small, but make no mistakes about her because she's ready to break out that much more this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='414349' first='Bella' last='Curanovic'] - Cranford (2025) visits Columbia</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We conclude this article looking at a junior talent in Cranford guard [player_tooltip player_id='414349' first='Bella' last='Curanovic'], who took a visit to Columbia University last week.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Her height is deceiving because she's an incredibly aggressive and successful interior player with talent to burn, truly. Really encouraged by her offensive skillset, which took a massive leap from her freshman to sophomore year as she averaged 12.1 PPG. Additionally, that aggression on the boards led to more rebounds per game, and it seems like she's really maturing into a big time role when she plays down low.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->