FRESHMEN ON FIRE (Central Jersey)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We're officially one month into the season and already so many Class of 2028 hoopers across the Garden State have shown tremendous promise and poise! Let's dive in and explore which players are making an immediate impact on their respective teams.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='913917' first='Calista' last='Vowteras'] | Manasquan</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Team Record: 4-1</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Facing tough opponents in Trinity Hall, Ranney and Neumann-Goretti hasn't rattled Calista much to start her high school career. She's averaging a cool 5.2 ppg and scoring the ball inside and out. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='913962' first='Claire' last='Gillespie'] | Holmdel</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Team Record: 3-1</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The freshman has certainly made an immediate impact through the first four games, ranking second on the team in scoring, rebounding, assists and steals. She's contributing 7.0 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 1.8 apg &amp; 2.3 spg.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='913937' first='Emma' last='Burke'] | Ocean Township</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Team Record: 1-5</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Emma is quickly making her case for one of the best freshmen in the ultra competitive Shore conference. She's put this young Spartans team on her back and is leading them in nearly every statistical category across the board. With averages of 14.5 ppg, 7.8 rpg, 1.5 apg &amp; 1.5 spg, Emma is playing terrific basketball through Month 1.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1199229' first='Ariana' last='Wissen'] | Brick Township</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Team Record: 4-3</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On a team with six upperclassmen, Ari is leading the way in points and assists. She's shown tremendous poise and is currently averaging 13.0 ppg, 3.3 rpg &amp; 3.1 apg for the Green Dragons.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='900485' first='Emily' last='Donahue'] | Colts Neck</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Team Record: 4-1</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Emily's sizzling 3-point shooting has helped Colts Neck get off to a hot start! She's averaging 10.0 ppg to go along with 2.2 apg &amp; 2.8 spg. Through five games, she's swished a team-best twelve 3's!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jules Jasina | Colts Neck</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This team's leading scorer and rebounder, Jules is averaging an impressive 15.6 ppg, 4.6 rpg &amp; 2.2 spg. Her all-court game is on full display and she's proven early on that she's one to watch in the Shore.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='913948' first='Kayla' last='Williams'] | Lawrence</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Team Record: 1-5</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This young Cardinals team may be off to a tough start but KJ certainly isn't! She's the leader is points (7.7 ppg), rebounds (11.8 rpg), blocks (1.5 bpg) &amp; steals (3.2 spg) and has proven herself to be a rock solid two-way player.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='914269' first='Carmela' last='Arana'] | Edison</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Team Record: 4-4</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Small but mighty, this 5'4" firecracker has taken the GMC by storm through the first eight games of the season. With tremendous efforts on both sides of the ball, Carmela is putting up averages of 10.1 ppg, 4.3 rpg &amp; 2.6 spg. She's currently leading her team in 3-point baskets at nearly two per game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Hayley Dekok | Hightstown</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Team Record: 4-4</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the CVC's leading scorers, Haley is averaging an impressive 17.1 ppg and knocking down three 3's per contest! On a team loaded with upperclassmen (six seniors and two juniors), Hayley has come out with guns blazing! </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='913918' first='Mackenzie' last='Klatsky'] | Marlboro</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Team Record: 2-3</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kenzie already has a 20-point game under her belt and is averaging a team-best 12.2 ppg. The freshman is scoring the ball in a number of ways, including hot shooting from distance, knocking down fourteen threes in five games. Her production on defense should not go unmentioned either, recording nearly four steals per game! </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='982719' first='Ava' last='Catanho'] | East Brunswick</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Team Record: 2-4</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ava is emerging as one of the best players in her Class. The 5'10" guard has gotten off a torrid start, recording a season-high 25 points against rival South Brunswick and averaging a staggering 16.8 ppg. She seems to be doing everything right, playing confident and efficient basketball. She's torching opponents from 3-point land, averaging three per contest.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->