JERSEY LIVE DAY ONE: Head-Turning Performances

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With college coaches packed on the sidelines, teams opened up competition at Jersey Live this afternoon and impressed right out of the gate. I had a front row seat to all the action that some of the top ranked girls in the state go at it with their respective high school teams. With a running clock and incredibly short half-time intermission, endurance, stamina and skill were all tested! The following ballers were the standouts from opening day:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='789185' first='Angelina' last='Rose Pena'] | Bishop Eustace</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>All 6'0" of her was on display today! Her defense was exceptional in Bishop's opener against Ranney and her offense was clicking an hour later against Ewing, She imposed her will in the paint, using every bit of her length to swat shots and make her presence fully felt. Her blocks were delivered with authority and in most instances, her feet never left the ground as she furiously protected the rim. The Blue Devils of Ewing felt all of her offensive ire as she created from the high post, delivered in the low block and popped in short jumpers en-route to 15 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='879618' first='Imani' last='Dennis'] | Bishop Eustace</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Imani tallied 14 points against Ranney and showed off supreme athleticism in the process. Aggressive dribble drives complete with crafty footwork around the rim wowed the crowd. Her step-back 3 was both smooth and devastating. She sped by the primary defender at the perimeter and when the second line of defense shut off the lane down low, she executed sharp kick-outs to the opposite corner for a lurking 3-point shooter. So much fire and intensity to her game!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='651496' first='Ashley' last='Kreiger'] | Ranney</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This girl is flat-out TOUGH! She poured in 18 points in a win against Bishop Eustace and pulled down rebounds at a furious pace! Her aggressive board-snatching was truly impressive as she showed off great instincts and the ability to read the ball well before it hit the rim. With fluid and graceful mobility, she floated up and down the court and got to her spots quickly. She did a great job dashing to the hoop on the fast break and leading with her body on the finish to get the and-1. This is a future P5 player ladies and gentlemen!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='771777' first='Lauren' last='Gentile'] | Hudson Catholic</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Being the vocal leader that she is, Lauren handled the ball very well while calling out plays and executing the half-court set. Her dribble was crucial in helping her escape high pressure defense; tight and controlled handles. She chipped in 13 points on mid-range jumpers and free throws as a result of aggressive rim-running. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='414293' first='Jaida' last='Guerra'] | Union City</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Bryant commit was electric today pouring in 42 points in two outings against Ewing and Notre Dame. She got buckets in all sorts of way, from deep 3's to silky smooth stop-and-pop jumpers and quick-hitting layups in transition. Her motor was absolutely tireless as she maintained high energy from beginning to end. Her prolific scoring wasn't even the most impressive part of her game today, but instead it was her ability to absorb a ton of contact and match the physicality being thrown at her. Jaida's a certified DOGGGG!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='564269' first='Lillie' last='Alston'] | Ewing</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tallying 22 points in games versus Union City and Bishop Eustace, Lillie slashed her way to the hoop confidently and made things happen for her team. Stepping into a more prominent role since the departure of superstars Joi Johnson, Rhian Stokes and Te'Yala Delfosse, she approached today with the mindset of a play-maker and someone ready to go to war for her team! She was a lightning bolt in transition and when she got going, it was off to the races! </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='559132' first='Brielle' last='Alaba'] | Cherokee</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Brielle is truly a mid-range master. Most of her 23 points came on buttery smooth 15-18 foot jumpers. Standing 5'10", her height was advantageous in helping her elevate and get off a good shot over defenders. One of the best rebounding guards I saw all day, she crashed the glass hard and corralled boards with magnet-like hands. Her energy was infectious as she led her team on both sides of the ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Charlotte Aldridge | Downingtown East</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Her length was extremely problematic for opponents today. She was most impressive on the defensive end, swatting shots, grabbing rebounds and disrupting the passing lanes. She was locked in and ultra-focused as she protected the paint and made her presence felt as a paint protector. On offense, she got buckets around the rim and stretched the floor wonderfully, knocking down the long ball and showing off her range.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='559028' first='GiGi' last='Battle'] | Rutgers Prep</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Arguably the toughest, most tenacious two-way player in the building today, GiGi was a force of nature. She's the type of player that is at 100 on every possession, never taking a play off! She poured in 33 points in games against two tough teams from PA, Archbishop Carroll and Bethlehem Catholic. She approaches the game with a scorer's mentality which pays dividends as her points come in a variety of ways. Her aggressive dribble drives got her to the line time and time again as she read and exploited the defense. She dove, scrapped and fought for steals and rebounds to give her team the advantage. What a superstar!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='559046' first='Ava' last='LaMonica'] | Rutgers Prep</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ava's stock continues to rise astronomically! She was excellent as the primary ball-handler and was equal parts scorer and facilitator today, doing both efficiently. Her vision and selflessness was on full display as she delivered dimes to teammates scattered around the floor. The times she took it herself, she did so by stepping into her shot beautifully from the mid-range and getting downhill in full attack-mode. Together with GiGi in the back-court, Rutgers Prep may have one of the best duos in the state heading into next season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='651515' first='Hannah' last='Fraser'] | Rutgers Prep</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hannah was assertive on both sides of the ball today, showing off tough defense against Archbishop Carroll and steady offense against Bethlehem Catholic. Her ability to lock down the paint and use every bit of her 6'2" frame to intimidate and disrupt was definitely a game-changer. She made opponents think twice before entering her space in fear of rejection. She chipped in 10 points in the latter of the two games, proving that she is a versatile force and emerging two-way threat.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='835906' first='El-Anita' last='Joe-Samuel'] | Lenape</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This rising sophomore was INCREDIBLE today and had college coaches fixated on whatever court she was playing on. Scoring 26 points against Gill St. Bernard's, she was devastating off the bounce and punished opponents from deep. Her inside-out game was clicking on all cylinders as she showed why she's one of the top players in her Class. With size to match her skill-set, there wasn't a defender who could successfully contain her today. The Division 1 offers are sure to pour in sooner than later.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='651517' first='Aleah' last='Sunkins'] | Franklin</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Aleah dropped 9 points against Bethlehem Catholic and then followed that up with a 16-point performance against Lenape in a heated battle of the 2027's (with EAJS). Her athleticism shined bright as she dribbled and danced her way to the hoop. At 6'0" tall, she is able to take smaller defenders off the bounce and speed past bigger players down low while getting to the rim. Aleah's a total gym rat with a loaded skill-set who showed today why she's the top player in her Class!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='525473' first='Mia' last='Gestosani'] | Mount St. Mary's</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With 30 points to her name today in games against Westfield and Old Tappan, Mia had it going on! With powerful baseline rips and explosive fast break runs, she was tough to stop once she turned the jets on. She showed off her ability to push the pace and still be in full control with her dribble, finishing equally as efficiently on either side of the glass. She was just as good at the rim as she was from the mid-range and beyond. She gets buckets, plain and simple! Mia was an absolute workhorse who fought hard and earned everything today!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->