Hidden Gems in Scranton this Weekend

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Black Diamond Championship kicks off this weekend with several teams from the Garden State making the trek over to Scranton, PA to compete. Flooded with elite talent, it may be easy to overlook some players who aren't always at the tip of everyone's tongue. The following 8 hoopers are ones who may be flying under the radar (for now), but are one you want to check out before this weekend is over:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='686429' first='Cassidy' last='Moore'] | NJ Rise Jansen</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Running with the Rise this season after a stint with the Jersey Gemz, Cassidy brings efficient multi-level scoring and infectious energy. She's quick, bouncy and plays an uptempo style of basketball that allows her to control the pace, yet run defenders ragged. With a motor that just won't quit, she is aggressive off the bounce and quick to her spots around the perimeter. Her speed alone is a handle for opponents to slow down, but when you throw in her ability to knockdown shots in quick succession, it becomes an even more arduous task. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Isabella Diaz | NJ Rise Jansen</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>At 6'1" and with excellent mobility, Izzy is a problem on both ends of the floor! She can bang in shots from just about anywhere but is even more of a handful when she gets in the paint. She has great efficiency from 12-15 feet out and is relentless with her back to the basket on the post-up. You can expect fierce rim protection, complete with shot deflections, big rejections and strong rebounding. She's the ultimate competitor with an ever-evolving to-way game that continues to wreak havoc for opponents far and wide.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='414246' first='Emani' last='Resto'] | NJ Vols</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A floor general! She breaks down defenders with her dribble and makes things happen. Whether its dropping dimes or swishing baskets, Emani is the nucleus of the offense as she can effectively run the point but also slide over to the 2 and knock down big shots. She maintains high energy throughout as she unloads her skillset on opponents, from shifty handles at the top of the key, to sharp rim-running and smooth mid-range jumpers, to getting her teammates involved and setting them up for buckets; Emani can do it all!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1263026' first='Tyonnah' last='Barnes'] | NJ Vols</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If you need a reliable 3-point shooter, Tyonnah's your girl! She spots up quickly to the basket and lets it fly with full confidence. She plays the games with a lot of passion and keeps her foot on the gas. She embraces pressure and doesn't shy away from the big moments because when it really comes down to it, she is someone you feel comfortable handling the ball in crunch time.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='601517' first='Ava' last='Coyle'] | NJ Rise Masonius</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After running with the Gemz last season, Ava is ready to embark on a new chapter with the Rise. Two things that really stand out to me is her defense and tenacity. While she is an excellent shooter with deep range beyond the arc, her commitment to playing hard-nosed, blue-collar defense is what elevates her game, making her a formidable two-way threat. She locks down and anticipates well, reading the passing lanes., forcing turnovers and igniting the fast break. Her speed is blistering and makes keeping up with her in transition a tall order. She plays with grit and packs a big game in her 5'3" frame.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='559044' first='Synai' last='Blychanton'] | NJ Rise Masonius</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A fiery and highly skilled two-way guard, Synai has all the tools to be successful on the court! She's aggressive on the dribble drive and her crafty layup package comes equipped with one-hand scoop finishes, floaters, spins and an effective Euro. Her footwork is impressive as she splits defenders and cuts to the hoop. She isn't solely a scorer, however, as she sees the floor well and delivers some really nice dimes to her teammates, proving to be a playmaker on all fronts. Synai is not someone you want to sleep on!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='865672' first='Kylee' last='Beam'] | CJ Hawks 2027</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kylee's competitive nature and ability to compete with just about anyone is something that caught my eye immediately the first time I watched her play. She's big and strong at just under 6'0" and commands the paint with tough put-backs and aggressive rebounding. She has a relentless approach and refuses to be outworked on the court.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='651493' first='Grace' last='Heims'] | CJ Hawk 2027</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Grace provides instant offense and a spark of electric guard play whenever she's on the floor. She is speedy, ultra-focused and dangerous from deep. She's one of those shooters that as soon as one shot falls, the rest follow and follow quickly! When she gets hot from 3, WATCH OUT! Grace does a great job giving it her all on every possession, executing set plays and being a total team player.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->