Top Returning Players in the UCC

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>More preseason preview content coming your way as we continue to look at some of the best returning prospects in New Jersey for this season. We head over to the Union County Conference, a conference stacked with talent last year, to see who will be what returning stars will have the biggest impact this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There are plenty of players that we're unfortunately going to be leaving out of this list, but we'll be sure to highlight their efforts throughout the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='635514' first='Imani' last='Mullings'] - Plainfield (2026)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Plainfield is going to be one of the favorites in the conference this season, despite senior guard My'Ziyah Richards graduating in the spring. A new, but familiar face is going to be taking over, that being junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='635514' first='Imani' last='Mullings']. She got to play with Richards and learn from her and her growth in production as a sophomore is really something to watch out for this season. Great passer, fantastic scorer, someone that can shoot lights-out and a great defender too, really the full package as a player.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='414323' first='Mia' last='Firdman'] - Gov. Livingston (2025)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Firdman has shown great consistency over her career, especially the past two seasons with Gov. Livingston. Her game has been carved out as of now, someone that's going to give you 10-12 points per game and some electric shooting from the perimeter. She's worked to increase her production on the interior and going into her senior year, she's going to be asked to take that next step, which we 100 percent think she can and will.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Gabby Ziegenbalg - Union Catholic (2025)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last season was an incredibly disappointing one for Union Catholic, finishing 9-16 as a team despite two all-conference level players on the team. We'll see how this team fares this season with Gabby Ziegenbalg going into her senior year with the program. Very talented guard with one of the best shooting motions we've seen in the state. Highly-effective three-point shooter, hitting nearly 3.5 a game as a junior, far from what we think her ceiling is.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='816416' first='Emily' last='Mattson'] - Union Catholic (2027)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last season, we saw the emergence of [player_tooltip player_id='816416' first='Emily' last='Mattson'], arguably the best freshman in the UCC. She returns with an invaluable year of basketball under her belt to improve upon what she was able to do in year one. Her success seemed to come more at the start of the year as teams figured her out later on. She needs to adjust to defenses as they adjusted to her to continue that level of production and then some as a sophomore.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='414343' first='Amiel' last='Dillard'] - Dayton (2025)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dayton will be an interesting team to follow this season after a decent showing, very much hovering around the .500 mark last season. Some intriguing pieces return, but at the center of this potential new core for the program is senior [player_tooltip player_id='414343' first='Amiel' last='Dillard'], coming off a career year as a junior. Improved offensive player with a three-point shot now that she can consistently go to. Defensive and rebounding success continues to be great for her.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='414345' first='Aaliyah' last='Littles'] - Roselle (2025)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There's no more Zoe Boston at Roselle this season, meaning someone is going to need to step up in a big way to replace what she provided on the floor. [player_tooltip player_id='414345' first='Aaliyah' last='Littles'] seems like exactly the person they would be looking for to do that, a better shooter than Boston was tremendously with a more developed offensive game. At the same time, she's shown to be a fantastic defensive piece, great shot-blocker and a problem for opponents.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='583766' first='Makaila' last='Desire'] - Rahway (2025)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rahway has a strong senior class that is all coming together at the right time to potentially make a run this season. [player_tooltip player_id='583766' first='Makaila' last='Desire'] will be the piece up top for this team that has the potential of a first team all-conference campaign. Able to play anywhere from the 3 to the 5 on the floor. Great defensive player, much-improved offensive prospect, plays physical and isn't afraid to get to the foul line, draw contact. Just a very exciting player to watch overall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='414346' first='Brenna' last='Slattery'] - New Providence (2025)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Despite three impact seniors leaving the program this spring, New Providence remains a competitor with two incredible pieces leading the way this season. Slattery is the big piece down low, the leading scorer for the Pioneers as a junior who showed great potential defensively. She's now the featured frontcourt piece, meaning her defense will need to take some steps forward. We know she's more than capable of making that jump.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='601332' first='Annie' last='Conover'] - New Providence (2026)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As Slattery holds down the fort on the interior, junior [player_tooltip player_id='601332' first='Annie' last='Conover'] will lead the way up top and what a shooter she's become for New Providence over her career. Sneaky great shot-blocker and one of the better perimeter defenders in the conference. Improved perimeter shooting at just nearly two three-pointers a game last season. Passing has increased tremendously, a product of great court vision and selflessness with the ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='414349' first='Bella' last='Curanovic'] - Cranford (2025)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Curanovic has become a jack of all trades for Cranford, one of the best teams in the Watchung division last season. Elite-level scorer with an ability to get inside and haul in rebounds. Improved passer over the years, though some of her biggest strengths seem to come on the defensive side of the basketball. Last season saw her most success as a shot-blocker and play-disrupter. She's getting turnovers, stopping momentum and giving it right back to her team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='414347' first='Jasmin' last='McKay'] - Roselle Catholic (2025)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Roselle Catholic has seen steady growth in overall program success, capped off by a 15-8 campaign last season. It's best player, [player_tooltip player_id='414347' first='Jasmin' last='McKay'], returns to the fray as a senior, ready to set the UCC on fire with all-conference numbers. At her best, McKay is a 20-point scorer and we're very curious to see if she can reach that plateau this season after three-straight years of incredible scoring production.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='583764' first='Alani' last='Gordon'] - Elizabeth (2025)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Elizabeth lost Alexandra Koon last season, it's leading scorer and rebounder, a staple down low for the program, but where the frontcourt might be lighter this season, the backcourt will be loaded. [player_tooltip player_id='583764' first='Alani' last='Gordon'] is part of that, the best three-point shooter on the team and a double-figure scorer for the cherry on top. One of the better perimeter defenders in the conference, she's going to be leading up at the point this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='601280' first='Jah'nae' last='Lembrick'] - Elizabeth (2026)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With a lack of depth down low, [player_tooltip player_id='601280' first='Jah'nae' last='Lembrick'], while she's not listed as a forward, might have to be the person to take over that role for Elizabeth. She showcased quite the ability to play on the defensive side of the basketball, racking up nearly three steals per game. At the same time, Lembrick has evolved into a fantastic passer, nearly recording five assists a game as a sophomore. She'll be an invaluable piece wherever she plays.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='338820' first='Milan' last='Jones'] - Oak Knoll (2025)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's tough to call Jones just a guard because she's shown herself to be a very invaluable, versatile piece on the floor for Oak Knoll. Despite her 5-9 frame, she's getting in the paint for rebounds and blocks. At the same time, she shoots the ball well and will help spread the floor to allow more space to operate and dominate. Very underrated double-double machine with great defensive skills as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->