McDonald’s All-American Game New Jersey Nominees Part 1

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>What a year it has been already for girls basketball in New Jersey as within just 10 days of the new year, the McDonald's 2024 All-American Game nominees were announced nationwide. The Garden State has 34 players represented and in this article series, we'll take a closer look at all NJ nominees, all of which were more than deserving to get onto this list.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='325188' first='Zahra' last='Alexander'] - G, Rutgers Prep</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the best all-around defensive players in New Jersey, Alexander has made her mark with how shut-down a defender she's been on the floor. She just might be the best 1-on-1 defender in the state as well, and that level of play has really heightened a Rutgers Prep team to the next level. The offense has always been there, consistent especially over the last two seasons, and she just has a knack for making big plays when asked upon to do so.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='824094' first='Mayah' last='Alford'] - G, Trenton Catholic</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The senior has shown herself to be a great scorer, an ever-evolving scorer at that. Trenton Catholic has been the perfect place for her to grow and develop offensively, and this season has been the climax of that hard work. She's not just an aggressive player offensively, but has that same knack on the boards and defensive end of the floor. She's already got a handful of double-doubles to her name through 10 games played this season, ready for plenty more to come.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='325218' first='Julianna' last='Almeida'] - G, Saddle River Day</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The leader of Saddle River Day's high-powered team, Almeida is showcasing her range much more as a senior than she's ever done before, already averaging 1.2 made threes a game for the Colonial Rebels. Her all-around play style is conducive for immense success, a scorer and facilitator, and lock-down defender when needed. Guards aren't always the best rebounders, but for Almeida, she's out there, attacking the glass to get boards and keep possessions alive or outlet down the court for a fast break.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='325212' first='Eva' last='Andrews'] - G, Paul VI</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If there has been one thing to describe Andrews's game over the past three seasons with the Eagles, it's been anchored by her perimeter shooting, account for 56 percent of her scoring in 59 games played. If and when she gets open, she's going to shoot from distance and she's very efficient in her shot selection and release. An overall leader and mature guard up top, Andrews provides stability and poise, something that's helped her plenty on the court.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='858708' first='Elizabeth' last='Archer'] - G, Blair</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Archer showed signs of consistency from three last season, but from where she was then to where she is now is night and say. Sinking two three-pointers a game, Archer isn't shy about shooting from deep and seems to have added confidence shooting the ball overall. Really solid release and a fluid release at that. She picks her spots well and doesn't try to rush a shot that isn't there. Archer is able to score at all three levels and has done a great job of getting to the foul line.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='488671' first='Brooke' last='Baisley'] - G/F, Gill St. Bernard's</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Baisley has taken the next step over the last two seasons, including this season, at being a multi-dimensional scorer and a relied upon scorer for Gill St. Bernard's. She wants the ball in her hands and she wants to be the one in crunch time making big plays to secure a win or aid in a comeback. We've been impressed very much so with her overall skillset, someone who's unselfish, someone who is aggressive defensively, someone who understands what it means to be well-rounded as a player.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='488637' first='Shariah' last='Baynes'] - G, Paul VI</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Baynes and Andrews are much the same player at Paul VI, both leaders and playmakers in their own right. However, looking more closely at their play styles, Baynes is much more of a facilitator while also sprinkling in some great offense and solid defensive performances. She shines as someone controlling the top of the key who can help dictate an offense, the one calling the shots from up top on the floor. Her defense is definitely something we're going to hone on more, a consistent on/off-ball defender no doubt.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->