Serious Talent Headed to The Expo

We are just four days away from The Expo and with forty-two athletes registered at the time of this article being written, some of NJ's (and beyond) top-ranked superstars and rising talents will take the court Saturday morning and go at it in front of media and coaches alike! Yours truly will be in attendance, notepad in hand and head on a swivel ready to scout hoopers from the Class of 2025-2028. Here's a look at just a select few:   2025's   [player_tooltip player_id='782581' first='Mia' last='Soto'] | Pompton Lakes   After a breakout junior season that saw her average just over 12 points per game, the 5'6" point guard is ready to turn it up even more in her final campaign. I'm eager to see her transition game and hot 3-point shooting!   [player_tooltip player_id='686429' first='Cassidy' last='Moore'] | Gill St. Bernard's   Her summer was one that saw her compete at events all around the country with NJ Rise! Her ability to score the ball at multiple levels requires defenders to guard her at all times, otherwise she'll go on a tear!   [player_tooltip player_id='976730' first='Imani' last='McKenzie'] | Teaneck   Don't let her 5'4" size fool you... she can GO! A high burst of energy of isn't afraid to take it right at the down-low defender or crash the glass with bigger, taller opponents. Fearless and confident!   [player_tooltip player_id='414349' first='Bella' last='Curanovic'] | Cranford   Ranked #35 in the state (#6 at her position- SG), Bella is sure to show out on Saturday in Wayne! After a huge junior year with the Cougars (15.3 ppg & 6.3 rpg) and breakout summer with the [program_tooltip program_id='774068' first='NJ' last='Panthers'], it's full steam ahead for the senior who is just 184 points shy of 1,000 for her career.   [player_tooltip player_id='1048735' first='Lottia' last='Barnes'] | Suffern   This super savvy lead guard can create her own shot and also dish it out at a high level! She executes at a high level from the mid-post, whether it's by sinking smooth jumpers or kicking it out to lurking 3-point snipers. I'm excited to see her all-court game against some of NJ's best!   2026's   [player_tooltip player_id='601519' first='Annabel' last='Koss-DeFrank'] | Glen Ridge   The comeback kid is ready to make a statement this weekend! After an injury sidelined her for the 2023-2024 season, she made her return to the court this summer for the second half of AAU with the [program_tooltip program_id='774068' first='NJ' last='Panthers']. She is wickedly versatile offensively with a long 5'11" frame that impacts both ends of the floor.   [player_tooltip player_id='601520' first='Allison' last='Snyder'] | Glen Ridge   At nearly 6'0" tall, this versatile forward/wing is sure to bring her two-way dominance to The Expo! She can score it from multiple levels, rebound with the best of 'em and pose a formidable interior threat on defense.   [player_tooltip player_id='635514' first='Imani' last='Mullings'] | Plainfield   Imani is a terror with the ball in her hands because of her ability to shake & bake opponents on her way to the hoop! She averaged career-bests of 13.2 ppg, 3.5 rpg & 3.8 spg as a junior and after a big summer on the grassroots circuit, something tells me the best is yet to come!   [player_tooltip player_id='601340' first='Sadie' last='Fleming'] | Manville   A menacing post presence, Sadie sure knows a thing or two about playing both sides of the ball! Quick, sharp turnaround buckets down low and fierce rebounding under both baskets! Her teammates know to feed her down low because of her efficiency!   2027's   Malice Blackwell | Dunmore   She does NOT stop working! After a busy summer of hoops with NEPA, elite camps at Penn State, Brown and Bloomsburg, private training sessions with various coaches and invites to She's Elite League and Hoops4MS, Malice is ready to bring her A game to The Expo and show NJ what PA can do! She can score, dish and defend at a high level!   [player_tooltip player_id='651515' first='Hannah' last='Fraser'] | Rutgers Prep   The third ranked PF in her Class, Hannah has proven to be a powerful interior presence. She has tremendous size at 6'2" and superb mobility to get up and down the floor fluidly, ready to put in work on both ends of the court.   [player_tooltip player_id='816416' first='Emily' last='Mattson'] | Union Catholic   Emily is the top combo guard in her Class who's primed for a big showing this weekend! She can shoot the leather off the ball, whether from 3, the mid-range or getting it done around the rim. After a big freshman season, she put in major work competing with [program_tooltip program_id='714664' first='Team' last='Sharp'] at events around the country. She may just be one of the event's standouts when it's all said and done!   [player_tooltip player_id='831437' first='Khalia' last='Lewis'] | OLMA   One of the most ferocious rebounders in the state regardless of Class, Khalia splashed onto the scene last season and put up averages of 14.6 ppg & 16.3 rpg! Those are Angel Reese numbers!! An uber talented forward, I'm really looking forward to watching her go up against some of the best in the state!   [player_tooltip player_id='677601' first='Lola' last='McGonigle'] | Wildwood Catholic   One of the most dangerous 3-point shooters in the state, Lola is ready to wreak havoc from distance up in Wayne! The 6th ranked player in the '27 Class, she brings savvy point play and the ability to not only sink buckets at a rapid rate, but also dish out some crafty, laser-like passes.   [player_tooltip player_id='773989' first='Juliet' last='Johnson'] | Morris Hills   The top-ranked power forward in her Class, Juliet might just throw a block party on Saturday! She stands 6'1" and has excellent timing on her blocked shots, avoiding foul trouble while rejecting opponents at a high clip! Feed her the ball in the post and watch her go to work!   2028's   [player_tooltip player_id='914269' first='Carmela' last='Arana'] | Edison   Quick and energetic! I've had the pleasure of watching Carmela play AAU ball this summer and I'm so excited for everyone to see what I saw! A player who is super confident and really just a silent assassin! Very good 3-point shooter and very locked-in on defense!   [player_tooltip player_id='919624' first='Nawel' last='Lefebvre'] | Morristown   I got my first glimpse at Nawel this summer and was wildly impressed at her advanced skillset! She's a long 6'1" guard who can play and defend multiple positions if needed. She may emerge as one of the standouts from this event.   [player_tooltip player_id='898190' first='Gianna' last='Sano'] | St. John Vianney   Bouncy and crafty with the handles, Gianna isn't afraid to go up against any competition. She can go on a heater in a hurry and has proven to be devastating from the mid-range. When the freshman rankings debut early next year, she may just find herself as one of the top guards in her Class.   [player_tooltip player_id='982734' first='Jiselle' last='Lennon'] | South Plainfield   After putting in work this summer with Team Miller, Jiselle is ready for her high school debut this winter! She does a terrific job squaring herself to the basket and firing off shots, especially from 3-point land where she can be devastating. I love her willingness to compete and stay locked in, no matter the score or situation. She thrives in transition with a motor that just doesn't quit!

We are just four days away from The Expo and with forty-two athletes registered at the time of this article being written, some of NJ's (and beyond) top-ranked superstars and rising talents will take the court Saturday morning and go at it in front of media and coaches alike! Yours truly will be in attendance, notepad in hand and head on a swivel ready to scout hoopers from the Class of 2025-2028. Here's a look at just a select few: