HGSL Chip Weekend: The Bunch Who Balled Out

Atlantic City was the site for Championship Weekend in the final live period of the year! From players competing in the final AAU event of their respective careers to others just getting started, the following hoopers really left their mark and showed off what they're capable of.   [player_tooltip player_id='954136' first='Ava' last='Grace Paguirigan'] | [program_tooltip program_id='774068' first='NJ' last='Panthers']   On a team filled with 6'0"+ players, Ava imposed her game and made her presence felt on the glass. She was super aggressive rebounding from the guard spot and made sure to play much bigger than her 5'8" suggests. With a fiery demeanor and competitive edge, she worked for everything out there! Vocal and passionate, she roared after made buckets and put her passion on full display. A threat from 3-point land and a slasher through the lane.   [player_tooltip player_id='414322' first='Molly' last='Frith'] | [program_tooltip program_id='714658' first='South' last='Jersey Titans']   Molly got active on both sides of the ball, giving her team a little boost on offense and defense. Against a Lady Raiders team who applied a ton of pressure, she never looks fazed or rattled by it all. Instead of folding under pressure, she used it as fuel to elevate her game and match that intensity. A fluid mover without possession of the ball, she re-positioned herself around the perimeter to be ready for the catch and shoot. Reliable threat from long range.   [player_tooltip player_id='333319' first='Tessa' last='Carman'] | [program_tooltip program_id='714654' first='NJ' last='Shoreshots']   Her strength was a tough thing for opponents to overcome! Which is nothing new, because anyone who's ever watched Tessa hoop knows that she is a physical and strong positionless player. She had the inside-out game clicking and moved across the floor with effortless mobility. Not afraid to put it on the deck and slash to the basket. She commands the paint and is vocal calling for the ball in the low post, but can also stretch the floor and pop from the perimeter, which she did remarkably well. Tough to contain her versatility as she posed a mismatch.   [player_tooltip player_id='333337' first='Grace' last='Love'] | [program_tooltip program_id='802585' first='Central' last='Jersey Hawks']   Grace was a beast against arguably the top team in HGSL, the Shoreshots 17U squad. She banged in contested 3's and was a huge burst of energy to ignite the offense and get her team in a flow. Strong shooting mechanics; she was nearly automatic letting it fly from the perimeter. Even when she missed shots, she kept a "shooter's shoot" mentality, confident in her shot-making abilities and knowing that eventually, she's going to catch fire. She was impressive fending off multiple defender and creating plays through high-pressure D.   [player_tooltip player_id='559074' first='Riley' last='Wheeler'] | [program_tooltip program_id='802585' first='Central' last='Jersey Hawks']   Her willingness to take and make shots and not pass up opportunities to score made all the difference. She made herself available around the perimeter and did an awesome job losing the primary defender to free herself. Her ball distribution was sharp! When Riley is on the floor, you can be sure everybody eats! She stayed committed to the defensive assignment despite the caliber of player across from her. She was once seemed intimidated by the opponent, no matter how highly touted they were or what big name schools they were committed to/had offers from. She just went out there and hooped!   Emma Anthony | Lady Runnin Rebels   Emma started off her afternoon on Saturday with a corner 3 seconds into the game versus iDream and never looked back. She kept up that intensity and banged in a few more, something she's well-known for and something that has earned her the "sharpshooter" title. Very strong guard who followed her shot beautifully and snagged her own rebound a few times. She is special on the fast break and turns the jets on quickly.   Maura Gilroy | Lady Runnin Rebels   Fierce paint protector! She really caught my attention that way she got after it on defense and proved to be a formidable interior presence. She blocked a few shots from behind and a few more straight-away at the rim, denying those who dared enter her space and challenge her 6'1" frame. As firmly as she stood her ground inside, she showed off excellent mobility getting downhill and to the basket in transition. Very strong on box-outs and tough on the glass.   [player_tooltip player_id='913962' first='Claire' last='Gillespie'] | [program_tooltip program_id='714654' first='NJ' last='Shoreshots']   She played an important role under the basket, securing rebounds for second chance points and acting like her team's security blanket. Magnetic-like hands and a knack for knowing where the ball is going to come off the rim at. Very strong hands and a soft touch laying it in. She was fantastic on cuts to the rim and PNR plays. Her ability to run the floor and space out to create her own shot from the mid-range was crucial this weekend. Very fluid basketball player.   [player_tooltip player_id='559079' first='Kayla' last='Duncan'] | United NJ   With shake and bake handles and clutch shooting, Kayla embraced the moment and willed her team to victory. Extremely fiery competitor who, despite her small frame, never backed down from a challenge regardless of how tall the task. Electric running the floor and finishing with smooth one-handed scoop layups. She torched the basket from deep solidifying herself as a 3-point assassin. Bouncy with infectious energy. She has a motor that just doesn't quit!   [player_tooltip player_id='333320' first='Christina' last='Liggio'] | [program_tooltip program_id='714654' first='NJ' last='Shoreshots']   This girl is an absolute problem! Whether it's offense or defense, she gets the job done and gets it done at a high level. She is so good at hitting big buckets and then getting back on defense right away, putting the clamps on and smothering the opponent with intense ball pressure. Her scoring knows no limitations because she's just as lethal from the mid-range as she is from 3. And don't even get me started on her quickness and layup package! Top tier!! Easily one of the very best two-way players I saw this weekend.   [player_tooltip player_id='414340' first='Macie' last='McCracken'] | NJ Soldiers   The Soldiers upset one of the top teams in HGSL, the Lady Runnin Rebels who feature multiple future D1 players, including P5 lock Grace McDonough. Macie had A LOT to do with that. Her sniper-like tendencies from 3-point land were on full display as she drained four from deep en-route to a 22-point performance. She continues to prove why she's one of the best 3-point shooters in New Jersey and one of the best and most efficient I've seen in a long time. She maintained a high level of energy and though she played hard on both ends of the court, she never once looked gassed. Playing in the final AAU tournament of her career, this was one of those remarkable shooting performances she'll remember for a long time.   [player_tooltip player_id='782582' first='Morgan' last='Kottka'] | United NJ   At just under 6'0", Morgan is a great combination of size, speed and skill. She is an excellent mover who is always looking to make the extra pass, especially when charging ahead on the fast break. Her shot selection comes from a variety of spots, but she really excels at the rim and out behind the arc. I would categorize Morgan as a super solid and reliable 2-level scorer. Her efforts on defense make her a standout as well. She stands her ground and times her blocks well, at times not even having to leave her feet for the rejection. Very well-rounded player who showed all of that and then some in A.C.

Atlantic City was the site for Championship Weekend in the final live period of the year! From players competing in the final AAU event of their respective careers to others just getting started, the following hoopers really left their mark and showed off what they're capable of.