North Group 1 and Group 3 – Preview and Players to Watch

In just over 3 months, NJ girls high school basketball has gone from tryouts to lose and go home. We saw 32 games across Group 2 and Group 4 yesterday with 5 upsets including #16-Livingston taking down #1-Paterson Eastside in North 1 Group 4. Today starts the state tournament for Group 1 and Group 3. Here are the players and teams to watch in the North.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">North 1 Group 1</h2>   Contenders #1-Park Ridge comes into States at 19-5 and looking to take home the trophy after finishing as the runner-up in this section last season. It begins and ends with [player_tooltip player_id='414430' first='Allie' last='Shenloogian'] for the Owls. The junior guard is already over 1,500 career points and leads the team in points, rebounds and steals while being 2nd in assists. For the season Allie is averaging 23+ppg, 6+rpg, 4+spg and 2+apg. In their 5 losses she has averaged 14+ppg so the team that can limit her scoring is the team that will have a chance to take down #1. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='326666' first='Abigail' last='McManus'] gives them a spark. Her 4+apg leads the team and she is 2nd on the team with 3+spg. With their 2nd leading scorer averaging just 5+ppg, the focus will be on Allie getting shots whenever she can.   #2-Mountain Lakes has lost their last 2 games enters States with a 16-7 record. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='525419' first='Abby' last='Hawes'] leads the charge for the Lakers. She is averaging 14+ppg for the season. With 7+ppg from junior Kaylin Oey and 5+ppg from freshman [player_tooltip player_id='832357' first='Shea' last='Sutter'], Mountain Lakes looks to get to their first Sectional final since dropping down to Group 1.   #3-Waldwick has won 6 of their last 7 games entering States at 13-11 after a very challenging early season schedule. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='601410' first='Lyla' last='Stokes'] leads the team in points, rebounds, blocks and steals. For the season she is averaging 13+ppg, 6+rpg, 2+bpg and 2+spg. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='583956' first='Hailey' last='Zirpoli'] averages 6+ppg and leads the team with 33 3-pointers on the season. Though they've struggled against #1-Park Ridge and #4-Cresskill this season, the Warriors have enough to get to a sectional final.   #4-Cresskill is 14-11 and has lost 4 of their last 6 games but they have played some very good opponents in that stretch. They will not be intimidated coming into States as they have already pulled off the biggest upset of the year in North Jersey when, as an #18 seed, they took down #2-IHA in the Bergen County Tournament. They also played #1-Park Ridge close in both meeting this year. Senior 1,200-point scorer [player_tooltip player_id='489489' first='Erin' last='Fahy'] leads the Cougars in points, rebounds, blocks and steals. For the season she is averaging 16+ppg and 9+rpg. While Fahy does most of her work on the interior, senior [player_tooltip player_id='489490' first='Julia' last='Hasenstab'] does most of her damage on the perimeter. With 9+ppg she is the 2nd leading scorer and has a team high 57 3-pointers. Senior Sophia Doto is another Cougar that can shoot as she has hit 25 3-pointers on the season.   Sleepers #6-Kittatinny has struggled down the stretch losing 6 of their last 8 game to fall to 12-13 on the season, but they beat #2-Mountain Lakes early in the season and they have 2 players averaging 10+ppg in junior [player_tooltip player_id='879788' first='Taylor' last='Hough'] and senior [player_tooltip player_id='859155' first='Hanna' last='Olsen']. Hough also averages 5+spg. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='859234' first='Olivia' last='Lombardo'] leads the team with 7+rpg and 3+apg.   #10-Wallkill Valley enters States at just 9-17 and having lost 4 of their last 5 games, but when you have a player that can score like senior [player_tooltip player_id='406998' first='Jackie' last='Schels'] anything can happen in tournament play. Jackie has scored 794 points this season and is over 1,800 for her career. She went for 30+ 15 times this season and went over 40 once. She is also over 1,000 rebounds in her career. She leads the Rangers in all categories this season averaging 30+ppg with 78 3-pointers, 13+rpg, 5bpg, 2+apg and 2+spg. She also had 6 triple doubles.   CHAMPIONSHIP PREDICTION #4-Cresskill at #2-Mountain Lakes   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">North 2 Group 1</h2>   Contenders #1-University is 21-3 with all 3 losses coming to Montclair Immaculate who is the #3 team in all of New Jersey. Only 3 of their wins came by less than 10 points. As the defending Group 1 State Champs, they are at the top of the mountain until someone can knock them off. With some dominant players in the rotation, they are ready for another run. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='325169' first='Morgan' last='Marshall'] leads the team in points with 16+ppg. She is also averaging 4+rpg, 3+apg and 3+spg. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='414417' first='Paradise' last='Fisher'] leads the team with 6+apg and 5spg while also averaging 15+ppg and 4+rpg. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='414304' first='Zakiyyah' last='Lindsay'] leads the team with 27 3-pointers and 7+rpg while also averaging 10+ppg, 3+spg and 2apg. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='601329' first='Briana' last='Holt'] is a presence in the middle and averages 8+ppg and 7+rpg. They average 64+ppg as a team so you are going to have to keep pace to knock them off.   #2-Glen Ridge is 17-6 and has challenged themselves all season with a tough out of conference schedule. They are the only team I see that may be able to compete with University in this section. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='583763' first='Riley' last='O'Sullivan'] leads the team with 16+ppg and 12+rpg. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='808905' first='Katie' last='Powers'] leads in assists and steals with 4+apg and 2+spg and also averages 8+ppg and 3+rpg. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='601520' first='Allison' last='Snyder'] leads the team with 4+bpg and also averages 6+ppg, 6+rpg and 2+apg. Junior Marjorie Boyle leads the team with 23 3-pointers. is another Cougar that can shoot as she has hit 25 3-pointers on the season.   Sleepers #5-Newark Lab comes in 16-8 and has a couple of young ladies that can score. Samiyah Polite averages 14+ppg and led the team with 27 3-pointers this season. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='808906' first='Yomaris' last='Blake'] averaged 11+ppg. It will take a team with multiple scorers to make a run in this section.   CHAMPIONSHIP PREDICTION #2-Glen Ridge at #1-University   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">North 1 Group 3</h2>   Contenders #1-Teaneck has dealt with injuries and illness this season but here they are as the #1 seed. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='600896' first='Jillian' last='Carter'] missed time with injury. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='325206' first='Demi' last='Simpson'] missed time with illness and Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='559047' first='Lexi' last='Carnegie'] is out for the year. They beat Old Tappan in 2 out of 3 contests and split 2 games with Saddle River Day coming 3 points shy of taking them down in the Bergen County Championship. Simpson leads with 13+ppg and 12+rpg and also averages 3+bpg. Freshman [player_tooltip player_id='677128' first='Leayana' last='Dorville'] is averaging 11+ppg and 5+rpg. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='488845' first='Erin' last='Frazier'] leads with 3+apg and 3+bpg while also averaging 8+ppg and 9+rpg. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='600896' first='Jillian' last='Carter'] is averaging 9+ppg, 2+rpg and 2+apg. Even without their leader, this team has the depth and experience to repeat as Sectional Champs.   #2-Old Tappan has gone 12-1 since an 8-5 start and their only loss was a 6-point defeat at the hands of #1-Teaneck in the Bergen County Semifinals. The Golden Knights play a very physical defense and are very comfortable winning a low scoring affair as they average 44+ppg. They will run their offense around their TWIN towers. Twin 6-foot sisters [player_tooltip player_id='325207' first='Layla' last='Grace Giordano'] and [player_tooltip player_id='326665' first='Maya' last='Giordano'] do the bulk of the scoring. Layla is a lefty slasher that attacks the rim in the half court and in transition while averaging 15+ppg. Maya works inside and averages 9+ppg and is a force on the offensive glass. Sophomore Mia Derrico averages 6+ppg and sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='789549' first='Sienna' last='Drullinsky'] provides another athletic 6-footer to the mix while averaging 5+ppg. Freshman Alivia Badurina leads the team with 21 3-pointers.   #3-Ramapo is 22-3 and has won 5 straight games. They have a trio of players that can make a difference. When they all produce on the same night, they can play with anyone in this section as seen in their buzzer beater victory at #1-Teaneck early in the season. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='559136' first='Camden' last='Epstein'] leads with 14+ppg and 45 3-pointers while also averaging 2+rpg and 2+apg. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='488847' first='Cayla' last='Menicola'] is the leading rebounder with 7+rpg while averaging 13+ppg with 26 3-pointers and 2+apg. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='564268' first='Toni' last='Pernetti'] leads the team with 2+apg while also averaging 10+ppg with 26 3-pointers and 5+rpg. She has proven to be Ramapo's most well-rounded player as she is also one of the top defenders in North Jersey. Senior Ella Saxton is averaging 5+rpg.   #4-River Dell is 16-7 and has gone 3-2 against teams in this section. Though they finished the season 4-3 after a 12-4 start, their physical style and balanced offensive attack makes them a threat to take down anyone in this section.   #5-Demarest has lost 4 of their last 6 games after a 17-3 start that included an 11-game winning streak. With 91% of their scoring coming from underclassmen, they will be a force in this section next year as well. Junior transfer [player_tooltip player_id='413551' first='Angelina' last='Tirado'] has propelled the offense averaging a team high 19+ppg and 49 3-pointers. She can obviously shoot and has a physical style when attacking the rim. She also averages 5+rpg. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='600897' first='Gabriella' last='Mittelman'] is the floor general for Demarest. She leads the team with 4+apg and 2+spg while averaging 13+ppg with 25 3-pointers and 3+rpg. Freshman [player_tooltip player_id='651513' first='Deana' last='Finkelstein'] leads the team with 7+rpg while averaging 7+ppg and freshman [player_tooltip player_id='835246' first='Ella' last='Peck'] has hit 33 3-pointers while averaging 5+ppg and 3rpg.   Sleepers #9-Pascack Valley finished 5-1 including a win over #5-Demarest after an 11-9 start to the season. With 3 players who can score, they can challenge teams if their offense gets going. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='414399' first='Celina' last='Bussanich'] went over 1,000 career points in the regular season finale and leads the team with 16+ppg and 70 3-pointers. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='525311' first='Ava' last='Burke'] averages 13+ppg and freshman [player_tooltip player_id='677605' first='Raina' last='Gibbs'] averages 9+ppg with 56 3-pointers   #13-Montville entered the season with a new coach and the loss of 3 of their top 4 scorers from last year. After a 4-11 start they finished 6-2 and almost beat #3-Ramapo on the road. If junior [player_tooltip player_id='414425' first='Juliana' last='O'Dowd'] and senior [player_tooltip player_id='489450' first='Jackie' last='Cinella'] can score in bunches together they could make some teams sweat. O'Dowd is averaging 14+ppg with 34 3-pointers, 6+rpg, 2+apg and 2+spg. Cinella is averaging 13+ppg with 49 3-pointers, 4+rpg and 2+spg.   CHAMPIONSHIP PREDICTION #2-Old Tappan at #1-Teaneck   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">North 2 Group 3</h2>   Contenders #1-Chatham has been the class of this section all season. With a 23-3 record they are looking to take down the title after a Sectional Semifinal upset to then #11-Mendham last season. They execute very well on offense and in their man defense and they are impossible to press. Junior Bucknell commit [player_tooltip player_id='333348' first='Ella' last='Kreuzer'] is over 1,100 career points and led the team in scoring, 3-pointers, rebounds and is 2nd in assists. For the season she has averaged 17+ppg, with 46 3-pointers, 4+rpg, 2+apg and 2+spg. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='414422' first='Mia' last='Semioli'] is a floor general and leads the team with 3+apg while averaging 10+ppg with 32 3-pointers and 4+rpg. Junior Arden Alvarez averages 9+ppg with 29 3-pointers and 3+rpg while senior [player_tooltip player_id='489007' first='Addison' last='Barrett'] averages 7+ppg and 4rpg.   #2-Colonia enters States having won 8 of their last 10. With a record of 19-8 they are ready to make a run this postseason. They played #1-Chatham even for 3 quarters in January before losing by 5. Senior UMass commit [player_tooltip player_id='325182' first='Taylor' last='Derkack'] is one of the most dynamic players in NJ. She puts the Patriots on her back every night. She is 9 points away from 2,000 career points and has 1,200 career rebounds. She leads the team in every category averaging 24+ppg with 49 3-pointers, 13+rpg, 4+spg, 3+apg and 3+bpg. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='489010' first='Mya' last='Patino'] averages 9+ppg with 37 3-pointers, 3+rpg and 2+spg.   #3-Mendham went 4-5 down the stretch after a 13-3 start to the season. With a patient offense and a tough zone D they are a tough matchup in tournament play. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='489448' first='Lia' last='Manuel'] plays with energy all over the court. With over 1,300 career points, she leads the team in all major categories with 17+ppg including 33 3-pointers, 4+rpg, 3apg and 2+spg. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='879578' first='Halle' last='Ferrara'] adds scoring punch averaging 12+ppg.   #4-Cranford is 17-7 and has won 8 of their last 10 and narrowly missed a Union County Championship in a 2-point loss to Elizabeth. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='414349' first='Bella' last='Curanovic'] leads in points and rebounds with 15+ppg and 6+rpg. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='871415' first='Lily' last='Costello'] averages 7+ppg and 2+rpg. Senior Sophia DeMarco leads the team with 31 3-pointers while averaging 5+ppg and 3+rpg.   Sleepers #6-Warren Hills finished 17-8. They have 3 double digit scorers. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='488680' first='Jaelyn' last='Morris'] averages 13+ppg with 24 3-pointers. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='879741' first='Meredith' last='Dufner'] averages 11+ppg with 35 3-pointers and senior [player_tooltip player_id='488681' first='Bella' last='Soto'] averages 10+ppg with a team high 49 3-pointers. They average 5+ 3-pointers per game as a team and if they got hot from long range, they could make some teams sweat.   CHAMPIONSHIP PREDICTION #2-Colonia at #1-Chatham

In just over 3 months, NJ girls high school basketball has gone from tryouts to lose and go home. We saw 32 games across Group 2 and Group 4 yesterday with 5 upsets including #16-Livingston taking down #1-Paterson Eastside in North 1 Group 4. Today starts the state tournament for Group 1 and Group 3. Here are the players and teams to watch in the North.