Top Returners in the HCIAL

<p>We have yet another conference/league to discuss in this ongoing preseason series talking about the top returning players across the state. Now, it's time to head over to the Hudson County Interscholastic Athletic League to see who's the best of the best coming back this winter.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='333551' first='Janaya' last='Meyers'] - Bayonne (2025)</h2>   <p>Meyers was as advertised and then some as a junior for Bayonne, matching or besting career-bests for her in seven less games overall. Very efficient with the ball and was able to attack the lane while improving her three-point shooting. That's a trend we're interested to see develop more next season. On top of that, she's remained one of the best passers in the league and improved her all-around defense significantly.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='879026' first='McKenzie' last='Neal'] - Bayonne (2025)</h2>   <p>Neal took a big step forward for the Bees last season, showing incredible growth in the latter half of the schedule. Over her last 13 games, she posted five double-doubles, along with a number of near-misses during that time. For a big, she wasn't afraid to dish the ball off to her teammates, though she's been relied upon more for her work down low. Easily one of the best bigs in this league, and someone who's only getting better.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='414293' first='Jaida' last='Guerra'] - Union City (2025)</h2>   <p>There are a few players that we think are up for player of the year honors in the HCIAL, but Guerra leads the pack heading into the season. The past two seasons have been fantastic, though her junior year was a much better representation of what she can do on the floor. She's been incredible from three, knocking down 74 last season, increased her defensive production and continued to attack the rim with purpose.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='677603' first='Arielle' last='Edwards'] - Hudson Catholic (2027)</h2>   <p>There's a healthy dose of newcomers that have made their impact on this league, perhaps none more than Hudson Catholic sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='677603' first='Arielle' last='Edwards']. Had her fair share of double-doubles as a freshman while proving herself to be perhaps the best shot-blocker in this league, at least among returning players. Swatting nearly four shots a game away is an incredible mark to hit.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='831178' first='Makayla' last='David'] - Kearny (2027)</h2>   <p>David might just stake a claim for herself as the best Class of 2027 prospect in this league after what she was able to do last season. Shooting machine is one way to describe her, but what might be better is a scoring machine. Setting the table with 65+ threes out of the gates, David has been fantastic, though we would love to see her really start to develop her defense and passing as she continues to develop as a player.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='414298' first='Alyssa' last='Stridiron'] - St. Dominic (2025)</h2>   <p>If there's any player on this list that's going to challenge or best Guerra for the best player in the conference this season, it's Stridiron, someone who nearly scored 20 points a game as a junior, a significant increase from her sophomore year production. That also includes a great defensive package as well as consistent shooting, something that really came to be as a junior for her. It's going to be a two-horse race at the top individually.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='414299' first='Janiyah' last='Capers'] - St. Dominic (2025)</h2>   <p>Alongside Stridiron for St. Dominic is Capers, someone who had some major improvements herself as a junior. Better scorer, better passer, better shooter and she's maintained her success in the passing and defensive lanes. Really excited to see where this season goes for her after the offensive production she showcased at a high level. Just a fantastic guard with a high upside and one more season to go crazy in high school.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='600930' first='Emma' last='Conway'] - Hoboken (2026)</h2>   <p>There is some significant talent coming back for Hoboken this season, among those being Conway, the best of the bunch and a top-end forward at that. Coming off a year where she posted near double-double averages once again, she's continued the consistency that's turned her into an elite forward. Our biggest area of emphasis for her moving forward is what she'll be able to do on the defensive side of the ball in the post.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='879826' first='Deandra' last='Gutierrez'] - Hoboken (2025)</h2>   <p>While Conway has things taken care of down low, holding the fort in the paint, Gutierrez has been the go-to guard for this team and one of a few seniors coming into the season for Hoboken. It's her three-point shooting that has put her on the map and when she gets open, she's not one to miss shots. Great shooter in on-ball and off-ball situations. Moves really well around the perimeter and has been great hitting shots in transition.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='662796' first='Javaeh' last='Agosto'] - Snyder (2026)</h2>   <p>Over the last two seasons, Agosto has remained one of the best all-around players in the HCIAL, putting up yet another fantastic performance in her sophomore campaign. What we were really impressed by, outside of her scoring ability, was her passing prowess, dishing out more than five assists a game. That's incredible production, not to mention the amount of fast breaks she started from steals and caused turnovers.</p>

We have yet another conference/league to discuss in this ongoing preseason series talking about the top returning players across the state. Now, it's time to head over to the Hudson County Interscholastic Athletic League to see who's the best of the best coming back this winter.