AAU Analysis: Team Elevation 17U

<p>Team Elevation has grown in size and presence, and has quite the 17U team playing on the AAU circuit this spring and summer. Really impressive players, mostly from Central Jersey, combined together for a look into the future. Here's a closer look at the nine-player roster.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='414408' first='Alexis' last='Lease-Springer'] - South Brunswick (2025)</h2>   <p>A steady hand for South Brunswick over each of the last three seasons, there was a bit of regression from Lease-Springer as a junior as senior teammates [player_tooltip player_id='488998' first='Leilani' last='Pinder'] and [player_tooltip player_id='488999' first='Meher' last='Vig'] stepped up into bigger roles. Now, two voids in the starting lineup need to be filled, and who better to take on that challenge than the guard. She's not only got the experience, but has the leadership skills needed to play at the point.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='564269' first='Lillie' last='Alston'] - Ewing (2026)</h2>   <p>Alston is the future of Ewing girls basketball, a team that is going to be looking for returning players to step up following the departures of [player_tooltip player_id='325195' first='Rhian' last='Stokes'], [player_tooltip player_id='325184' first='Joi' last='Johnson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='406940' first='Te'Yala' last='Delfosse']. Outside of them, Alston was the leading scorer on the team and is the returning leading scorer for the Blue Devils. Really expecting big things out of her across the board next season and this AAU season is her time to develop her game that much further.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='488998' first='Leilani' last='Pinder'] - South Brunswick (2024)</h2>   <p>We spoke about Pinder when talking about Lease-Springer, and while it's uncommon to find seniors playing AAU, Pinder is deserving of a spot at the next level. What better place to show that, make a final statement to coaches still looking for players and teams with open roster spots. One of the leading scorers for South Brunswick, Pinder prided herself on passing and defense, two phases of the game she excelled in massively.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='890869' first='Malayah' last='Miller'] - Ewing (2025)</h2>   <p>While Alston will be making things happen at the point, Miller is going to be a name many will be talking about in the frontcourt. Ewing had two of the best forwards in the state over the past four seasons, and while that's quite the tough act to follow, she's certainly shown her worth defensively. We're expecting this summer to be one where she works on her offense more, get that better touch around the rim on high-percentage shots.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Emeli Hernandez - Trenton Catholic (2025)</h2>   <p>This is certainly an interesting Trenton Catholic team going into next season, especially with a large senior class on their way out. That includes four starters/starting-caliber players for the Iron Mikes. With limited playing time as a junior, Hernandez will almost certainly be asked to play extended minutes down low. She'll be sharing those frontcourt duties, but this is her time to cement her status as a rim protector and a beast on the glass.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='525414' first='Evangelina' last='Francisco'] - Monroe (2025)</h2>   <p>Francisco was flat-out one of the best players in the Greater Middlesex Conference as a junior, certainly a top-2 player on her team as well. That's going to turn into the best player for Monroe going into next season as she's the leading returning scorer, assister, perimeter shooter and defender. That's a lot to ask from one player to elevate her play from the high level that is already is, but knowing Francisco's skillset, she's ready for the jump.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Rehoboth Lana - Monroe (2026)</h2>   <p>As much as we talk about the familiar faces of New Jersey high school basketball, we're here to introduce as many new faces as we can. Lana will be a new face as a junior for Monroe, a forward with a high ceiling and high basketball IQ. Seems to know her way around the rim well and is looking to be a force on the post. Moves around well for a big and with time and minutes, she should blossom on the floor.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='929543' first='Zoe' last='Wilcher'] - St. Thomas Aquinas (2026)</h2>   <p>Wilcher had limited playing time as a sophomore on STA, and we're curious to see how her minutes will change as a junior with an entire roster of talent returning. What she brings to the table is experience and depth in the frontcourt. In those limited minutes, she's third on the team in blocks per game and should get plenty of opportunities to be a defensive stalwart.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='488804' first='Zoey' last='Spady'] - Westampton Tech (2024)</h2>   <p>Consistent piece that's produced each of the last three seasons for Westampton Tech. Spady has shown plenty of signs of greatness, that next-level talent that so many college coaches are looking for. With her, it's trying to find that consistency at the next level. Yes, she's certainly performed and shown to be a well-rounded guard, but what we're hoping this AAU season is for her to take that next step forward to being a star.</p>

Team Elevation has grown in size and presence, and has quite the 17U team playing on the AAU circuit this spring and summer. Really impressive players, mostly from Central Jersey, combined together for a look into the future. Here's a closer look at the nine-player roster.