Jersey Live Day 2 - Views from the North

<p>In just 2 years, Jersey Live has become a premier event. A beautiful facility, well managed games, scores of coaches and talent across all three courts that lived up to the hype. Here are some of the Day 2 notables from the North.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Pascack Valley</span></strong></h2>   <p>[player_tooltip player_id='414399' first='Celina' last='Bussanich'] is an offensive and defensive force. She is a 3-level scorer. She can get to the rim off the dribble, score in the pull up game or step out and hit the 3. She has 181 3-pointers in 3 seasons and is already over 1,000 career points. She is in total control of the offense and is also a willing facilitator. Defensively, she is a disruptive force. With [player_tooltip player_id='525311' first='Ava' last='Burke'] patrolling inside and slashing to the rim they have a player with length, interior toughness and versatility. [player_tooltip player_id='677605' first='Raina' last='Gibbs'] spotting up at the 3-point line can be deadly when Celina gets into her drive and kick game as she drained 57 3-pointers as a freshman. Coach Jeff Jasper's Pascack Valley squad has a 3-headed monster, and they should be on their way to the program's 1st 20+ win season since the 2018-19 season. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Ramapo</span></strong></h2>   <p>Ramapo is coming off a 24-4 and, luckily for them they have their top 2 players back. [player_tooltip player_id='559136' first='Camden' last='Epstein'] returns as their leading scorer and top offensive weapon and ball handler. She displayed a full offensive arsenal on Saturday scoring 48 points in 2 games. She was deadly from 3, scored in the mid-range game and with floaters in the paint. She will be chasing her 1,000th career point this year. The other key returning piece is [player_tooltip player_id='564268' first='Toni' last='Pernetti'] who is Ramapo's most versatile 2-way player and certainly one of the top defenders in NJ. She scored on the offensive glass, in transition and at the 3-point line finishing with double figures in both games at Jersey Live. Defensively, Toni completely eliminated the top player from each of their opponents with phenomenal footwork and anticipation. She guards 1-5, fights through screens and is relentless on the ball. She also led Ramapo in assists last year. Ramapo is traditionally an equal opportunity offense, but, with 1,000-point scorer Cayla Menicola gone, they will go as far as these two can take them this season.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Paramus Catholic</span></strong></h2>   <p>Paramus Catholic will be looking to replace their top 2 players from last season and one player that looks ready to step in to that role is [player_tooltip player_id='835465' first='Olivia' last='Buckingham']. After a spectacular freshman season at Secaucus where she was the 2nd leading scorer and team leader with 64 3-pointers on a team that went to the North 2 Group 2 Sectional Final, she moves to Paramus Catholic. She showed why she will be a player to watch with 13 points in her 1st game against Hillsborough. She scores in a multitude of ways and is committed on the defensive end. She has a strong frame is not afraid to play physical. Yahomie Mazara should provide the inside presence Paramus Catholic needs. She is a strong rebounder, controls the ball and finishes around the rim. As Coach Hodge re-shapes his roster these are two to watch.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Westfield</span></strong></h2>   <p>Westfield started last season 5-13 before going 5-3 down the stretch and those 3 losses came to New Providence, Ramapo and Elizabeth by a combined 19 points. They had a successful weekend at Jersey Live. Westfield brings back 5 of their top 6 scorers from last year and should be in for a strong season. [player_tooltip player_id='871374' first='Sophie' last='Lane'] gives them a versatile long leading scorer who scores in a multitude of ways and had 11 vs Cherokee. She has range out to the 3-point line and finishes well inside and off the offensive glass. [player_tooltip player_id='739542' first='Mairin' last='Fowler'] is their leading returning 3-point shooter and she shoots it with confidence and range. [player_tooltip player_id='601333' first='Megan' last='Logan'] does a little bit of everything. She had 14 points vs Cherokee. She eats up rebounds and is an excellent shot blocker. She led Westfield in rebounds, blocks and assists as a sophomore. Add in [player_tooltip player_id='651497' first='Lucy' last='Burke'] and [player_tooltip player_id='835824' first='Catherine' last='Oliveira'] and this team has a great nucleus for the next 2 years. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">IHA</span></strong></h2>   <p>Losing do it all PG and team leader Selena Ceiszko to graduation is tough, but IHA returns 2nd leading scorer and Lafayette commit, [player_tooltip player_id='333354' first='Sofia' last='Valente']. Sofia is a deadly shooter who hit 65 3-pointers as a junior. She will be chasing 1,000 points this year and is starting to show more versatility in her offensive game finishing with 10 in game 2 against Manasquan. She has a strong frame and can finish through contact and plays very hard on both ends. [player_tooltip player_id='559818' first='Samantha' last='Grella'] had a big game 1 with 15 points against Wildwood Catholic. A lefty, she showed a nice stroke from 3, continued to be a strong rebounder and finished inside. IHA will need her to show more consistency on offense this year. [player_tooltip player_id='333350' first='Gianna' last='Modica'] will likely slide into the PG role. She is a vocal player who had 10 points in game 2. [player_tooltip player_id='959847' first='Nassiah' last='Cole-Haricha'] is a big with length and strength who has improved greatly playing for Exodus 15u EYBL. She can finish inside and is a solid passer from the high post. Addison Valdez gives them another skilled perimeter player with length playing high level AAU.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Pope John</span></strong></h2>   <p>Strangely there was no sign of the Platt sisters. If they are on the move, Pope John will rely on a dynamic backcourt of [player_tooltip player_id='601267' first='Mia' last='Washington'] and [player_tooltip player_id='879590' first='Katie' last='O'Keefe']. O'Keefe is Pope John's starting point guard and is very comfortable running the show. She scored in double figures in both games while handing out plenty of assists. She is a tough rebounder and defensively she is aggressive on the ball. She also did a very good job handling pressure. She is a strong finisher inside and takes good angles to get downhill. Mia is at her best in attack mode getting downhill to the rim with a great jab and go. When she gets in the lane, she knows how to finish going straight the rim or using her go to spin move. She has added range and consistency to her 3-point shot making her even more dangerous to guard and she can fly in transition. Defensively, if Mia is guarding you on the perimeter, you are best served to pass it off. She has great feet, and her length makes it a nightmare for the opposition. Mia's game continues to grow offensively. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Chatham</span></strong></h2>   <p>This team was 1 win away from a Group 3 State Championship last year and they return their 3 top scorers and 4 of their 5 starters. Bucknell commit [player_tooltip player_id='333348' first='Ella' last='Kreuzer'] and backcourt mate [player_tooltip player_id='414422' first='Mia' last='Semioli'] are easily one of the best guard duos in NJ. Ella is deadly from the 3-point line, can get in the lane and is strong driving the baseline. She can impact a game without dominating the ball as she plays lockdown d, is a willing passer and gets up and down in transition. She has a shot to make a run at 2,000 career points. If you don't appreciate [player_tooltip player_id='414422' first='Mia' last='Semioli']'s game, you just don't get basketball. She is smooth, confident and dependable with D1 PG skills. A throwback PG who leads the offense and gets it done without pounding the ball or focusing on her scoring 1st. It's not flashy but it is what every coach wants.... it's efficient and reliable. She handles pressure easily and can score inside and out. She is willing to take on a more dominant scoring role whenever she is asked. She had 17 in Game 1 at Jersey Live in front of a baseline full of coaches. She never tires, controls tempo easily and is a high IQ defender. With her endurance and footwork, she easily contains opposing PGs. [player_tooltip player_id='870863' first='Arden' last='Alvarez'] is another inside out scorer for Chatham. As a team they all shoot it, and Arden is just as good attacking the rim off wing and getting to the rim. The only void is replacing the irreplaceable glue player and worker inside, Addison Barrett. This may be by committee at first, but [player_tooltip player_id='767644' first='Grace' last='Cloud'] might be the player to give them a presence inside and another Cougar that is willing to shoot it.</p>

In just 2 years, Jersey Live has become a premier event. A beautiful facility, well managed games, scores of coaches and talent across all three courts that lived up to the hype. Here are some of the Day 2 notables from the North.