Defending State Champions

The season is fast approaching and there's no better time to preview how the defending state champs in all six classifications will look come December. We'll highlight potential leading scorers and x-factors who may play crucial roles in helping their respective teams defend their title.   Group 1   University   [player_tooltip player_id='414417' first='Paradise' last='Fisher']   If the Phoenix want to claim a fourth consecutive state title, Paradise will be the one to lead them back to Barnabas Health Arena in March! She helped lead a balanced scoring attack this past postseason at 11.5 ppg. Totaling 430 points (14.3 ppg) to go along with 155 steals (5.2 spg) on the season, her production may be even greater with the departure of two standouts from a year ago.   [player_tooltip player_id='873268' first='Ki-Lin' last='Thomas']   Ki is this team's x-factor and has been for quite a while now. She is a do-it-all player who paced the Phoenix with 5.3 ppg and 4.8 rpg through six games last postseason. At 5'10", her size makes a big difference not only on the glass, but also out defending the perimeter; long, outstretched arms force a multitude of turnovers. She only knows one thing and that's how to give maximum effort in every minute played.   [player_tooltip player_id='601329' first='Briana' last='Holt']   Not too many teams across the state have a player as big and as strong as Briana. At 6'3", she downright dominates the interior! She averaged a mighty 13-point, 11-point double-double as a sophomore in the playoffs, capped off by a remarkable 20-point, 24-rebound title game performance against Shore. The length... the enery... the tenacity... good luck stopping her down low!   Group 2   Manasquan   [player_tooltip player_id='333317' first='Olivia' last='Shaughnessy']   The Loyola commit looks to make it two-in-a-row come March (and the third of her career)! With the graduation of four standouts from a season ago (Masonius, Lapinski, Karlson, Collins), expect Liv's role to change and production to increase drastically. She is capable of lighting it up from 3 and wreaking havoc in transition! The super savvy PG averaged a cool 8.3 ppg to help Squan claim the Group 2 title over a pesky Madison squad.   [player_tooltip player_id='976672' first='Shannon' last='Heine']   The Swiss Army knife of this team, Shannon's willingness to do whatever it takes to help her team win is extremely admirable and a crucial part of the Big Blue Warriors' success! She has a sharp, well-rounded game and is just an absolute workhorse of a player! With playoff experience under her belt the past few seasons, expect her to come out swinging in her senior campaign! Her minutes will see a big increase, as will her production across the board. Every team could use an x-factor like Shannon!   Group 3   Mainland   [player_tooltip player_id='873274' first='Ava' last='Sheeran']   The lone returning player from last season's starting lineup, Ava will have big shoes to fill if the Mustangs want to reach Group 3 glory once again. The senior brings toughness and grit and a versatile game at the wing. Already a West Chester commit for lacrosse, she isn't easily intimated by competition or overpowered. She is equal parts scorer and defender, which will be significant as Mainland looks to rebuild and get back to being a championship contender.   [player_tooltip player_id='959178' first='Reilly' last='Nagle']   Reilly got a taste of success as a freshman and is expected to play a much bigger role in her sophomore campaign. In fact, she was the only player not in the starting lineup to play at least 25 games! She proved herself dependable and moving forward, may just be this team's x-factor as they rebuild and. If her all-court performance against Toms River South (South Jersey, Group 3, First Round: 5 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals) was any indication of what she is capable of, the Mustangs will be in good hands!   Group 4   Lenape   [player_tooltip player_id='835906' first='El-Anita' last='Joe-Samuel']   EAJS burst onto the scene as a freshman and took the Garden State by storm, leading Lenape to their first Group 4 state title in eight years! She posted one of the greatest rookie campaigns in school history and went into beast mode during the postseason, averaging 17.5 ppg through the six-game title run and recording multiple double-doubles. With all but one starter returning this season, look for the Indians to make some major noise as they look to repeat in March.   [player_tooltip player_id='871349' first='Ryleigh' last='Nichols']   Ryleigh was fearless in Year 2 and saw an exponential increase in minutes and production across the board from her rookie season. She was ultra reliable off the bench in the postseason, giving the Indians a big spark and averaging just under 5 points per contest. She caught fire from 3-point land all season long and maintained a hot hand as Lenape scorched opponents in March. She will likely work her way into the starting lineup as a steady presence and has all the tools to be a dangerous x-factor yet again.   [player_tooltip player_id='414232' first='Alexa' last='Henry']   Alongside El-Anita, the two played off one another well last season and established instant chemistry for Lenape. The second leading scorer on the team, Alexa was devastating from the mid-range and beyond as the postseason wore on, averaging 11.8 ppg, including just under two 3's per game. Her electricity and knockdown shooting will be the catalyst behind this team's ultimate success, because we all saw how tough she was to contain last season! Expect Alexa 2.0 to show up and turn it up a notch in her final year.   Non-Public A   Red Bank Catholic   [player_tooltip player_id='559085' first='Addison' last='Nyemchek']   I'm fully convinced there isn't anything Addy can't do out there! She's the Caseys' do-it-all fearless leader who last season, as a sophomore, led them to the Non-Pub A title for the first time in seven years! Her torrid shooting and lockdown defense saw playoff averages of 13.0 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 3.8 apg, 1.0 spg and 2.0 bpg. Having such a dynamic (and nationally-ranked) two-way guard gives everyone a sense of security on both ends of the floor. With so much talent on this team, she allows everyone to shine bright in their respective roles while simultaneously shining bright in her own. Get ready for a big Year 3!   [player_tooltip player_id='333319' first='Tessa' last='Carman']   The recent Monmouth commit brings size, versatility and physicality to the Caseys' frontcourt. The sensational stretch 4 did a phenomenal job both commanding the paint and pulling it out to the perimeter during last season's run to the title. She was menacing on the glass, pulling down just under 10 rebounds per game (9.8). She imposed her will down low and was a defensive anchor in rejecting shots around the rim.   [player_tooltip player_id='559040' first='Lola' last='Giordano']   If this summer was any indication of things to come, then I suggest you get ready now because Lola is sure to turn up the heat this winter! When I think of the definition of an "x-factor," I think of someone who provides an instant spark... someone who is reliable and coachable... someone who maximizes their playing time... an asset in every way. Well, Lola checks off all the boxes! She can pass the rock with precision, drain the 3 ball, ignite the fast break with active hands on D and pull down big rebounds from the guard spot. I believe she is one of the most impactful x-factors in all of Non-Public A, actually.   Non-Public B   Morris Catholic   [player_tooltip player_id='333302' first='Mia' last='Pauldo']   A preseason candidate for NJ Player of the Year, Mia has her sights set on bringing home a third consecutive state title come March at Rutgers. The Tennessee commit went on a heater last season, averaging 17.5 ppg to go along with 4.3 rpg, 4.3 apg and 1.8 spg, proving to be an unstoppable force through four postseason games. As good as she's been throughout her career, I think we are about to witness her best season yet. Having her college commitment announcement over and done with, expect to see an even looser Mia take the court and dominate her way through the season.   [player_tooltip player_id='667787' first='Jacqueline' last='Edelman']   One of the best shooting guards in New Jersey regardless of Class, Jax made waves in her debut season at MC. On a star-studded, guard-heavy team, she found her role and carved out her own path in being a major contributor to the Crusaders' ultimate success. She averaged 5.0 ppg in the playoffs and made clutch plays in a 53-49 nailbiter over rival Rutgers Prep in the 'Chip. Year 1 was just testing the waters. Year 2 is about to be an entirely different story! Her length, undeniable skillset and sharp basketball IQ makes her the ultimate x-factor who can give anyone the business.   [player_tooltip player_id='333309' first='Daniella' last='Matus']   After a stint with the Lady Lancers of SJV, Daniella reunites with the Pauldo twins and returns to where it all started! One of the most efficient 3-point shooter in the state, the Crusaders now add yet another high-volume long-range shooter to their already loaded arsenal. With new-found confidence over the summer in her mid-range shot, Daniella now proves to be a dangerous offensive threat from multiple levels. She is absolutely fearless on defense and doesn't hesitate to crash the glass against much bigger and taller post players; lengthy, quick and versatile!

The season is fast approaching and there's no better time to preview how the defending state champs in all six classifications will look come December. We'll highlight potential leading scorers and x-factors who may play crucial roles in helping their respective teams defend their title.