Non-Public State Finals: Stars and Standouts

Photo: Prep Girls Hoops

EJ Arocho March 9, 2024 @ 01:47 PM

Rutgers University was the site for the Non-Public A & B State Chips yesterday which saw Red Bank Catholic defeat Pope John 80-23 to claim the A title and Morris Catholic come from behind and edge out Rutgers Prep 53-49 to claim the B title. The following players shined just as bright as the lights that beamed down on them on center court:   [player_tooltip player_id='559085' first='Addison' last='Nyemchek'] | Red Bank Catholic   Addy's length posed all types of problems for Pope John as she was majorly impactful on both ends of the floor, chipping in 15 points and pulling down 11 boards. She took high percentage shots and did most of her damage from 12-15 feet. With so many scoring threats to choose from, Addy's 6 assists were dished out to several of her teammates who converted baskets for RBC. Her stock continues to trend upwards heading into AAU next month.   [player_tooltip player_id='559043' first='Katie' last='Liggio'] | Red Bank Catholic   Not even the fire department could extinguish Katie if they tried! She was WHITE HOT from behind the arc, knocking down six triples en-route to a game-high 20 points. She truly saved her best for last because those six 3-pointers were not only a season-high, but also a career-high! The sophomore guard scorched Pope John's defense with her quick-release shots and incredible efficiency.   [player_tooltip player_id='333302' first='Mia' last='Pauldo'] | Morris Catholic   Mia didn't let a slow start by Morris Catholic keep them down for long. She did what she does best and WENT TO WORK. She drained shots from deep (3 of them to be exact), pulled up from the middy and sliced her way to the hoop and ultimately, earned multiple trips to the line. Just before the half as time expired, Mia launched an incredible buzzer-beating 3-pointer while drifting away to tie it up and give MC new life. She ignited the offense and scored almost half of MC's total, pouring in 20 points to make it back-to-back state titles for the nationally ranked Crusaders.   [player_tooltip player_id='333305' first='Mya' last='Pauldo'] | Morris Catholic   Mia & Mya work best in tandem and the State Final was no different. The Puma Princess chipped in 16 points, pulled down 7 rebounds and dished out 4 assists, three of them going to her twin sis and partner-in-crime! Mya was ultra-shifty getting to the rack and initiating contact. She got to the charity stripe on three occasions going 5 for 6 to help guide MC past a well-prepared Prep squad.   [player_tooltip player_id='559028' first='GiGi' last='Battle'] | Rutgers Prep   The top-ranked sophomore in the state was TOUGH AS NAILS against the nationally ranked Crusaders. She was relentless on both ends of the floor and posted a 14-point, 13-rebound double-double in a hard-fought contest. She got to the line at a furious pace, going perfect at 8 for 8. No one played with more grit and tenacity than GiGi!   [player_tooltip player_id='325201' first='Mikayla' last='Blakes'] | Rutgers Prep   The senior left it all out there in the final game of her high school career! She recorded a game-high 21 points to go along with 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 blocks and 2 steals. She knocked down three triples, including an impressive buzzer-beater to end the 1st quarter. Like teammate GiGi, she too went perfect from the stripe at 8 for 8. Her two-way game was locked and loaded as she gave it her all and really took it to the #1 ranked Morris Catholic.

Rutgers University was the site for the Non-Public A & B State Chips yesterday which saw Red Bank Catholic defeat Pope John 80-23 to claim the A title and Morris Catholic come from behind and edge out Rutgers Prep 53-49 to claim the B title. The following players shined just as bright as the lights that beamed down on them on center court: