FRESHMEN ON FIRE (North Jersey)

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.   [player_tooltip player_id='919624' first='Nawel' last='Lefebvre'] | Morristown   Team Record: 6-2   The French phenom has taken the Garden State by storm! Standing 6'1" with a wickedly versatile skillset, she's powered Morristown to six wins in their first eight games, averaging 20.1 ppg 2.8 rpg & 4.1 spg. Already with 167 points to her name, she's putting up some of the highest scoring totals in the state. Highlights include 28 points vs Montville, 29 against Passaic and a season-best 36 against Columbia!   [player_tooltip player_id='1199467' first='Zohar' last='Catran'] | Cresskill   Team Record: 5-3   Zohar has come out swingin' to start off Year 1! She's leading the Cougars in 3-point makes, third in scoring & assists and tied for second in rebounding; fifteen 3's, 11.1 ppg, 4.8 rpg & 1.8 apg. She's exceeded expectations and providing excellent production thus far.   [player_tooltip player_id='1202393' first='Sara' last='Stern'] | Midland Park   Team Record: 4-3   On a team of mostly underclassmen, Sara is shining just a bit brighter than the rest. Only behind junior [player_tooltip player_id='601412' first='Alexis' last='Williamson'] in scoring, she's putting up 11.4 ppg to go along with a team-best 4.9 rpg! One of the best freshmen thus far in the NJIC.   Kylie Whalen | Kinnelon   Team Record: 3-4   Kylie's wasted no time getting acclimated to high school hoops! She's put the entire NJAC on notice, with averages of 16.6 ppg, 5.7 rpg & 2.6 spg, including eighteen 3's, good for almost three per game. She's leading a very young Kinnelon squad in just about every stat!   [player_tooltip player_id='1202378' first='Eryn' last='Guglielmo'] | Parsippany Hills   Team Record: 2-5   Averaging a team-leading 9.9 ppg 4.3 rpg & 2.7 spg, Eryn has shown up & shown out through the first seven games of her career! She recorded a season-high 20 points in a win vs Whippany Park.   [player_tooltip player_id='1201479' first='Kimberly' last='Arias'] | North Bergen   Team Record: 3-3   One of the top freshmen in the HCIAL, Kimberly is making a major impact for the Bruins. She's leading them in points (13.8 ppg), 3's and free throws. She's also making a big difference on the glass, pulling down nearly 4 rebounds per game.   [player_tooltip player_id='1192843' first='Ava' last='Illuzzi'] | Secaucus   Team Record: 5-2   Ava is making a strong case for top freshie in the NJIC. She's leading a young Patriots team in scoring at 17.0 ppg & assists at 6.0 apg. She's played with no fear and has already notched a double-double in the third game of the season against Weehawken (21 points & 10 assists) as well as a season-high 26 points against Cresskill.   [player_tooltip player_id='981852' first='Harmoni' last='Burgess'] | Arts   Team Record: 6-1   The 5'8" guard has made waves in the SEC, putting up team-best averages of 13.3 ppg, 5.4 rpg & 6.1 spg. Her two-way game has been outstanding, making her presence felt on both ends of the ball in a furious manner. She has two double-doubles under her belt already; 17 points & 10 steals vs Newark Collegiate and 18 points & 12 rebounds vs Newark Tech.   Takiywah Otoo | Bard   Team Record: 4-4   Leading her team in steals (5.1 spg) and ranking second in scoring (12.4 ppg), Takiywah has proven she can get the job done on both ends of the court. Bard is off to a 2-0 start in the SEC and looks to be competitive this year.   [player_tooltip player_id='1199649' first='Ava' last='Friere'] | North Arlington   Team Record: 4-3   Standing 5'10", Ava has played the 4 & 5 impressively for NA through their first seven games. She's averaging a double-double at 11.7 ppg & 10.7 rpg and swatting nearly two shots per game!   [player_tooltip player_id='1201447' first='Elena' last='Kearns'] | Caldwell   Team Record: 7-1   Caldwell is off to a hot start and Elena is a big reason why! Second on the team in rebounds (5.4 rpg) & assists (2.8 apg) and third in scoring (8.6 ppg), she's surely not playing like your typical freshman!   [player_tooltip player_id='1199320' first='Jade' last='Bethea'] | Becton   Team Record: 4-4   The 6'0" Forward has played rock solid offense and defense, leading to averages of 11.7 ppg, 4.4 rpg 2.1 apg & 3.3 spg. Jade is currently riding a hot streak of six consecutive games in double-figure scoring.   [player_tooltip player_id='1199641' first='Ariana' last='Sosa'] | Colonia   Team Record: 2-6   A fairly young team with five freshmen on the roster, Ari has taken the bull by the horns, so to speak, and is leading the Patriots in scoring at 12.9 ppg and steals at just over 2 per game. The 5'6" starting guard is playing with so much confidence, almost like a seasoned vet.   [player_tooltip player_id='1197364' first='Caelyn' last='Cook'] | Piscataway   Team Record: 3-3   Piscataway is off to a .500 start and credit Caelyn for contributing to the early season's success. She recorded five consecutive games in double-figure scoring and is averaging 10.0 ppg to go with 3.7 rpg and 2.7 apg. Scoring, rebounding, dishing, defense... she is poised to do it all!   [player_tooltip player_id='1202451' first='Jasiyaa' last='Byron'] | Elizabeth   Team Record: 4-3   Averaging a strong double-double with 11.1 ppg & 10.3 rpg, Jasiyaa is doing big things for the Lady Minutemen. She continues to shine bright game after game and in her most recent game against Cranford, recorded a season-high 18 rebounds in a close 5-point win. Absolutely clutch!   [player_tooltip player_id='1041811' first='Marlee' last='Ceglia'] | North Hunterdon   Team Record: 3-3   Earning All-Tournament Team honors at the Ridge Holiday Classic and averaging 7.5 ppg & 2.2 apg, Marlee's high school hoops career is off to a fantastic start! On a team with five other freshmen, she's emerging as the one to watch for the Lions.

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.