North Group 2 and Group 4 - Preview and Players to Watch

In just over 3 months, NJ girls high school basketball has gone from tryouts to lose and go home. Today starts the state tournament for Group 2 and Group 4. Here are the players and teams to watch in the North.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">North 1 Group 2</h2>   Contenders #1-Jefferson will be the team everyone is chasing. With their only loss in the last 11 games coming at the hands of North 2 Group 3 #1-Chatham, the Falcons have been playing great basketball. They defend with a stifling 2-3 zone and force long possessions. Offensively they have 2 senior leaders doing the bulk of the scoring. On the perimeter [player_tooltip player_id='407001' first='Emily' last='Poulas'] is ready to shoot any time she touches it. Averaging 12ppg with 220 career 3-pointers and 52 this season, she is just 11 points shy of 1,000 for her career and she should reach that milestone in the Round of 16 vs #16-Dumont. [player_tooltip player_id='489443' first='Cassidy' last='Ball'] compliments Emily's shooting with a physical downhill style. She is strong with the ball and finishes inside while controlling the game for Jefferson while averaging 11+ppg. Grace Weihmiller gives Jefferson an inside/outside 3rd scorer. At 7+ppg this senior has 27 3's in 18 games.   #2-Mahwah has put together a 19-7 season under 1st year coach Kerin Roche. With experience in senior [player_tooltip player_id='488846' first='Marissa' last='LaVerghetta'] and youth in sophomores [player_tooltip player_id='559078' first='Ava' last='Comer'] and [player_tooltip player_id='600901' first='Taylor' last='Tremblay'] along with freshman [player_tooltip player_id='677735' first='Harper' last='Cohn'], the Thunderbirds have a strong core of guards leading the way. LaVerghetta is an athlete who plays likes to slash and play up tempo. She leads the team in scoring (11.2ppg), rebounds (4.19rpg), assists (3apg), blocks (1+bpg). She is also a ball hawk on defense leading the team with a staggering 5+spg. Cohn has run the show at PG for Mahwah. A bit undersized that has not stopped her from averaging 10+ppg and leading the team with 36 3-pointers. Tremblay is a tough defender who can create off the bounce and shoot it. Comer can shoot with range and finish out in transition. Tremblay and Comer finished with 24 and 23 3-pointers respectively, so this is a team you have to guard at the 3-point line.   #3-Glen Rock is sitting at 17-6 and all 6 losses were by less than 10 points. With 4 scorers averaging between 7+ppg and 10+ppg the Panthers have a balance offensive attack. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='601348' first='Mia' last='Vergel de Dios'] leads with 10+ppg and is 2nd on the team with 24 3-pointers. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='489453' first='Maggie' last='Harris'] averages 8+ppg with 29 3-pointers. They have size inside with sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='871420' first='Abby' last='Grove'] who averages 7+ppg. The motor of this team is junior Emily McKegney. She goes hard to the basket and defends opposing guards with quickness and toughness. Glen Rock's played a lot of close games this season which should help in tournament time.   #4-Westwood is coming into States having won 8 of their last 10 games. They have 2 experienced scorers in senior [player_tooltip player_id='488848' first='Kate' last='Walsh'] who averages 15+ppg and went over 1,000 career points earlier this season and junior [player_tooltip player_id='583457' first='Erin' last='Gashler'] who averages 11+ppg and a team leading 7+rpg. Freshman [player_tooltip player_id='835225' first='Cameron' last='Roche'] has splashed on the scene this season with 8+ppg and 45 3-pointers including 7 in her last game. She has scored double digits in 5 of her last 6 games and gives the Cardinals another long-range threat for a team that averages 5+ 3-pointers per game. They will need to shoot it well if they meet up with Jefferson in the Sectional Semifinal.   #5-Morris Tech enters States at 19-4. They have 3 ladies that can score led by senior 1,300+ point scorer [player_tooltip player_id='489441' first='Harper' last='Felch'] who is averaging 15+ppg and is also leading the team with 5+apg and 3+spg. Fellow senior [player_tooltip player_id='588673' first='Cortni' last='Vnencak'] is averaging 13+ppg, 3+apg and 3+spg while leading the team with 8+rpg. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='871522' first='Priya' last='Gandhi'] gives the Devils a 3rd scoring option with 10+ppg.   Sleepers #6-Leonia finished 19-6 and has 3 girls who can fill it up with freshman [player_tooltip player_id='835219' first='Dani' last='Daproza'] 16+ppg, sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='601403' first='Angelica' last='Do'] 15+ppg and senior [player_tooltip player_id='489485' first='Teodora' last='Zivkovic'] 10+ppg, but I don't know if their schedule was tough enough to prepare them for the top seeds in this section.   #8-Pequannock has the best player in the section in [player_tooltip player_id='325185' first='Chloe' last='Vasquez']. The Iona commit is over 1,600 career points and is averaging 17+ppg and 7+rpg and if she puts this team on her back, they can make a run.   #10-West Milford has 2 girls that can score and shoot. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='488843' first='Avery' last='Vacca'] averages 11+ppg and has 38 3-pointers. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='600890' first='Sarah' last='Benowitz'] averages 8+ppg and has 46 3-pointers. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='525310' first='Laurel' last='Space'] can play inside and outside. The Highlanders average almost 6 3-pointers per game, so if they get hot at the right time anything is possible.   CHAMPIONSHIP PREDICTION #3-Glen Rock at #1-Jefferson   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">North 2 Group 2</h2>   Contenders #1-Secaucus is coming in with a 19-6 record and having won 9 of their last 10 games. The defending Group 2 runner-up is looking to get over the hump this year behind sensational senior [player_tooltip player_id='407040' first='Alyssa' last='Craigwell'] and floor general [player_tooltip player_id='662072' first='Mia' last='Cruz']. Alyssa is over 1,500 points for her career and has averaged 19+ppg and 9+rpg this season. She has 25 3-pointers but is at her best out in transition and attacking the rim. Mia is a team leader at both ends of the floor. She averages 10+ppg, 3+rpg and 3+apg while dropping 23 3-pointers. Two talented freshmen have made sure the Patriots are contenders in Group 2 once again. [player_tooltip player_id='835465' first='Olivia' last='Buckingham'] is averaging 12+ppg and 3+rpg while leading the team with 56 3-pointers. [player_tooltip player_id='835467' first='Ava' last='D'Addetta'] is averaging 6+ppg and is 2nd on the team with 36 3-pointers. With Craigwell and Cruz playing inside out and a Patriot team that averages 6 3-pointers per game they will be a tough out.   #2-Rutherford is 19-5 having just won the Bergen County Invitational Tournament. They are led by sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='601407' first='Mackenzie' last='Vellis'] and senior [player_tooltip player_id='859736' first='Maya' last='Forte']. Mackenzie is the leading scorer with 12+ppg and 2nd in rebounds with 5+rpg. Maya is 2nd in scoring with 9+ppg and leads in rebounds with 7+rpg. As a team they average 2+ 3-pointers per game so they are not going to rely on deep shooting to beat you. They are in the midst of a 9-game winning streak and playing with lots of confidence at the right time.   #3-Madison comes into States having lost 4 of their last 7 games but having played great competition in those losses which came by a combined 16 points. They are 19-6 overall and junior [player_tooltip player_id='414424' first='Charlotte' last='Tuhy'] has played as well as anyone in North Jersey this season. Already over 1,500 career points she will almost certainly pass 2,000 career points as she also chases 1,000 career rebounds. For the season she is averaging 24+ppg, 12+rpg and 3spg while hitting a team high 52 3-pointers. She has 21 double doubles in 25 games. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='407043' first='Beau' last='Braverman'] is 2nd on the team with 9+ppg and 42 3-pointers. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='879815' first='Gabby' last='Mariani'] leads the team with 5+apg and 3+spg.   #4-Newark Central enters States with a 16-9 record. They are led by all everything senior [player_tooltip player_id='325186' first='Faith' last='Fedd-Robinson']. There may not be a player in New Jersey who fills the stat sheet on a nightly basis like Faith. She is over 1,750 points and 1,200 rebounds for her career and the Monmouth commit is averaging 24+ppg, 15+rpg, 5+bpg, 5+spg and 4+apg which all lead the team. The supporting cast consists of sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='671389' first='Sage' last='Reed'] with 9+ppg, 4+apg, 3+spg and a team leading 27 3-pointers, and senior [player_tooltip player_id='855989' first='Dyshana' last='Austin'] with 9+ppg and 4+rpg.   Sleepers #8-Hanover Park upset Newark Central in the quarterfinals last season and senior [player_tooltip player_id='489446' first='Samantha' last='Cicerone'] has led the team with 17+ppg, 12+rpg and 5+spg.   #9-Caldwell is just 12-12 but has played a difficult schedule and has a dynamic freshman in [player_tooltip player_id='835485' first='Addison' last='Keenan'] who led the team with 13+ppg and 51 3-pointers   CHAMPIONSHIP PREDICTION #3-Madison at #1-Secaucus   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">North 1 Group 4</h2>   Contenders #1-Paterson Eastside comes in with 20-4 record but having lost 2 of their last 6. Losing [player_tooltip player_id='333308' first='Nyasia' last='Pauldo'] and her 17+ppg to an injury in January has hurt but the Ghosts have a roster full of young ladies who have stepped up. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='414398' first='Nevaeh' last='Banks'] leads with 13+ppg and a team high 62 3-pointers and 4+spg. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='600893' first='Alexis' last='Chambers'] leads in rebounds with 7+rpg to go along with 8+ppg. Freshmen [player_tooltip player_id='835250' first='Aubrey' last='Newell'] and [player_tooltip player_id='835251' first='Jianni' last='Dickson'] have stepped up with 7 and 6 double digit scoring games respectively since the Pauldo injury. Senior leader Jhy'Deisha Stewart leads with 4+apg.   #2-Morristown sits at 18-9 but has gone 12-4 since their 6-5 start and have won 3 straight entering States. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='588672' first='Cameron' last='McGinley'] leads a balanced attack in scoring with 11+ppg and a team high 49 3-pointers. Senior Northeastern commit [player_tooltip player_id='489005' first='Maya' last='Summerville'] sits 70 points shy of 1,000 as she enters her final state tournament with the Colonials. She is averaging 10+ppg and leads the team with 9+rpg, 2+bpg and 2+spg. [player_tooltip player_id='489006' first='Anna' last='Rivetti'] is a 3rd senior making the most of her last season at Morristown. She leads the team in assists while averaging 8+ppg and 4+rpg. This senior leadership should help as they look to get to the sectional final this year.   #3-West Orange is battle tested. At 18-9 they have played a very tough schedule. The scoring leaders consist of 2 juniors and a freshman. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='782573' first='Anaya' last='Karriem'] leads in points, rebounds and blocks with 11+ppg, 10+rpg and 2+bpg. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='414431' first='Kyley' last='Gary-Grayson'] is 2nd in scoring with 11+ppg while also leading in assists and 3-point makes. Freshman Ryhan Watt is averaging 8+ppg with 17 3-pointers. The rigors of their regular season schedule should have the Mountaineers battle tested as they enter States.   #5-Union City enters States at 19-8 and all 8 losses are against some of the top teams in NJ. They won this section last season and look to do so again behind their talented scorers in senior [player_tooltip player_id='325193' first='Jaylyn' last='Orefice'] and junior [player_tooltip player_id='414293' first='Jaida' last='Guerra']. Jaylyn has over 1,300 career points and this season she is averaging 16+ppg and 5+rpg. She is also 2nd on the team with 52 3-pointers. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='414293' first='Jaida' last='Guerra'] sits 31 points away from 1,000 for her career. She is averaging 17+ppg and leads the team with 65 3-pointers and 3+spg. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='488873' first='Alyssa' last='Cueto'] leads with 5+apg while junior [player_tooltip player_id='414300' first='Molly' last='Brown'] and freshman [player_tooltip player_id='835254' first='Yasmeen' last='El Hindi'] have 31 and 30 3-pointers respectively. This team is not afraid to shoot it as evidenced by their 7+ made 3-pointers per game. Whoever is going to take this team down has to either run them off the 3-point line or hope they have an off-shooting night.   Sleepers #12-Columbia is just 10-15 on the season. I don't think they have the depth to make a deep run in this section but whenever you have a player like the Cougars do in senior FDU commit [player_tooltip player_id='488684' first='Talia' last='Baptiste'], you have a chance. Talia went over 1,000 in the last regular season game and for the season is averaging 20+ppg, 4+rpg, 4+spg and 3+apg.   CHAMPIONSHIP PREDICTION #5-Union City at #3-West Orange   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">North 2 Group 4</h2>   Contenders #1-Plainfield is 18-6 and has won 8 of their last 9 games. They are led by senior [player_tooltip player_id='488638' first='Ma'Ziyah' last='Richards'] and sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='635514' first='Imani' last='Mullings']. Richards sits 99 points away from 1,000 for her career. This season she is averaging 20+ppg with 52 3-pointers and 6+rpg all of which lead the team. Mullings is averaging 13+ppg with 40 3-pointers. Her 3+apg and 3+spg lead the team. In just 14 games junior [player_tooltip player_id='414341' first='Haszah' last='Ward'] has averaged a double double with 11+ppg and 10+rpg. All 3 of these ladies will have to play well for Plainfield to win a very tough section.   #2-Hillsborough sits at 17-8 and they have the players to put up points. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='583701' first='Francesca' last='Schiro'] averaged 20+ppg with 63 3-pointers. She is over 1,300 points for her career and also led the team with 5+rpg and 3+spg while being tied for the team lead with 3+apg. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='333349' first='Mya' last='Loniewski'] averaged 14+ppg with 19 3-pointers, 4+rpg, 2+spg and tied for the team lead with 3+apg. Freshman [player_tooltip player_id='865904' first='Alexa' last='Gaspar'] has added 26 3-pointers to a team that scores 60 points a game and averages 5+ 3's per game. You better be ready to score to stay with the Raiders.   #3-Bayonne is the defending Group 4 State Champ and they come in at 20-4 ready to defend their title. They have been led this season by inside force [player_tooltip player_id='879026' first='McKenzie' last='Neal']. McKenzie is averaging a team leading 13+ppg and 8+rpg. Also leading the attack are juniors [player_tooltip player_id='333551' first='Janaya' last='Meyers'] and [player_tooltip player_id='414294' first='Giselle' last='Davis']. Janaya is averaging 11+ppg and 6+rpg and Giselle is averaging 10+ppg and 6+rpg. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='414295' first='Ailani' last='Dasher'] and sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='600927' first='Tatyanna' last='Watson'] lead a strong supporting cast for the Bees.   #4-JP Stevens is 20-5 though they have lost 3 of their last 6 entering States. 1,000 point scoring senior [player_tooltip player_id='588676' first='Katherine' last='Bogutskyy'] leads the charge for the Hawks with 17+ppg including 59 3-pointers and 2+spg. She is 2nd on the team with 5+rpg and 3+apg. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='525413' first='Chloe' last='Chan'] leads in rebounds with 5+rpg and also adds 7+ppg. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='489000' first='Trisha' last='Nair'] made 26 3-pointers while leading the team with 3+apg. JP Stevens averages 5+3-pointers per game.   #5-Elizabeth is 16-9 and winners of 4 straight including the Union County Championship game. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='587876' first='Alexandra' last='Koon'] is averaging a team leading 14+ppg along with 11+rpg and 2+bpg. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='583764' first='Alani' last='Gordon'] is averaging 11+ppg, 2+apg and 2+rpg while leading the team with 42 3-pointers. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='587874' first='Dynasty' last='Chandler'] leads the team with 11+rpg, 4+apg and 4spg. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='601280' first='Jah'nae' last='Lembrick'] is averaging 10+ppg with 20 3-pointers, 4+apg, 3+rpg and 3spg. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='414321' first='Ashanti' last='Dewalt'] is averaging 8+ppg with 33 3-pointers, 4rpg and 2spg.   Sleepers #6-Franklin is just 14-13 but has won 8 of their last 11 after a brutally competitive early season schedule. Experience and youth lead this team. Senior St. Peter's commit [player_tooltip player_id='488673' first='Iyanna' last='Cotten'] is averaging a team high 13ppg, 3+apg and 2+spg. Freshman [player_tooltip player_id='651517' first='Aleah' last='Sunkins'] is averaging 11+ppg with a team high 7+rpg and 22+bpg. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='488687' first='Tiffany' last='Pecorella'] leads with 38 3-pointers.   #11-Scotch Plains-Fanwood - Senior [player_tooltip player_id='325204' first='Amanda' last='Baylock'] and her 1,500 career points can put a team on her back. She is averaging 18+ppg for the 14-10 Raiders with 56 3-pointers.   CHAMPIONSHIP PREDICTION #3-Bayonne at #1-Plainfield

In just over 3 months, NJ girls high school basketball has gone from tryouts to lose and go home. Today starts the state tournament for Group 2 and Group 4. Here are the players and teams to watch in the North.