More Than A Highlight Showcase

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It won't be New Year's Eve or 4th of July but there will be plenty of fireworks happening in Elizabeth, NJ this weekend! The second annual MTAH Showcase will take the Dunn Center by storm with a loaded lineup featuring some of the best teams on the East Coast and ultimately, in the country. Let's dive in and take a look at the schedule and some marquee matchups, including players you won't want to miss!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"align":"center","fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-text-align-center has-medium-font-size"><strong>SATURDAY, JANUARY 25, 2025</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:table --> <figure class="wp-block-table"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><tbody><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center"><strong>TIME</strong></td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center"><strong>HOME TEAM</strong></td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center"><strong>AWAY TEAM</strong></td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">9:00 am</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Paterson Eastside</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Thrive Charter</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">10:30 am</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Perkiomen (PA)</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Virginia Academy (VA)</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">12:00 pm</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Gill St. Bernard's</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Dexter Southfield (MA)</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">1:30 pm</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">St. John Vianney</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">St. Frances (MD)</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">3:00 pm</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Immaculate Conception</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">LuHi (NY)</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">4:30 pm</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Albertus Magnus (NY)</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Mt. Carmel (MD)</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">6:00 pm</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">University</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Rutgers Prep</td></tr></tbody></table></figure> <!-- /wp:table --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"align":"center","fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-text-align-center has-medium-font-size"><strong>SUNDAY, JANUARY 26, 2025</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:table --> <figure class="wp-block-table"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><tbody><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center"><strong>TIME</strong></td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center"><strong>HOME TEAM</strong></td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center"><strong>AWAY TEAM</strong></td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">9:00 am</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Virginia Academy (VA)</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Dexter Southfield (MA)</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">10:30 am</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Hudson Catholic</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">St. Mary's (NY)</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">12:00 pm</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Rutgers Prep</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">George School (PA)</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">1:30 pm</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">St. John Vianney</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Morris Catholic</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">3:00 pm</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Franklin</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Red Bank Catholic</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">4:30 pm</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">DePaul </td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Hun</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">6:00 pm</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Teaneck</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">St. Thomas Aquinas</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">7:30 pm</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Elizabeth</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">East Brunswick</td></tr></tbody></table></figure> <!-- /wp:table --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Saturday's MUST-SEE ACTION:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>GSB v Dexter Southfield (MA)</strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Star watch</strong>: UConn bound [player_tooltip player_id='591477' first='Gandy' last='Malou-Mamel'] is the nucleus of this loaded GSB team. The 6'5" big dominates the post and makes working out of the double-team look easy! When she's getting post touches on every possession, this team rarely loses.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>X-factor:</strong> Navy commit [player_tooltip player_id='333351' first='Sidney' last='Quinn'] has a ton of versatility and is dangerous from nearly every position on the court; she can play and defend 1-4 if needed. She's the leading 3-point maker on the team and ranks second in scoring just behind Gandy. At 6'2", she's a tough assignment because of her ability to do damage inside and out.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>St. John Vianney v St. Frances (MD)</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Star watch: </strong>There's plenty of them on this Lady Lancers squad, but I'm paying special attention to 3-point sniper [player_tooltip player_id='559039' first='Madison' last='Kocis']. If she starts to cook from distance, it can be a long night for any opponent. She has began to consistently put in work from the mid-range as well, making her a multi-level scoring threat instead of <em>just</em> a 3-point bomb-dropper.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>X-factor:</strong> Every elite team needs that savvy, super efficient point guard. The engine of the team, if you will. Enter [player_tooltip player_id='333323' first='Aleena' last='Dinker']. A motor that doesn't quit, sharp court vision and the ability to knock down shots if needed. She is a pass-first guard but there's zero hesitation in her game to let one fly. She's also a menace on defense and arguably the Lancer's best perimeter defender, leading the team in steals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Immaculate Conception v LuHi (NY)</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Star watch:</strong> In the absence of [player_tooltip player_id='583758' first='Nila' last='Giraud'], junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='559076' first='Jayah' last='Curtis'] has stepped up in a major way. She's leading them in scoring and burning opponents from 3-point land in the process. An area she's really improved in from a year ago is rebounding, where she's currently averaging 5 boards per game from the guard spot, good for second on the team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>X-factor:</strong> On a team full of defensive DAWGS, [player_tooltip player_id='878997' first='Camille' last='Wiley'] is the leader of the pack! She locks down the perimeter and is usually tasked with defending the opposing team's best player. The LIU commit isn't scared of the moment, no matter the stage nor the opponent.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Rutgers Prep v University</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Star watch</strong>: Slicing and dicing her way to the rim, Rutgers Prep's [player_tooltip player_id='601341' first='Sophia' last='Georgiades'] is downright electric! She truly excels in transition; the quicker the pace, the more she thrives! She also leads her team in 3-point baskets, proving dangerous from deep as well. She's very committed on defense, so expect a lot of turnovers when she's guarding the ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Star watch:</strong> One of the best point guards in the state, [player_tooltip player_id='414417' first='Paradise' last='Fisher'] gives life to this University squad. Flashy with a raw skillset, she gets buckets at will and can easily drop 20+ on any team. And don't sleep on her defense! She gets it done on both sides of the ball, currently averaging 4.2 spg.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>X-factor:</strong> One of the two best freshmen in the state in my opinion, [player_tooltip player_id='981918' first='Hailey' last='Benbow'] brings to the table scoring, rebounding and everything in between! A long 5'10" with a skillset well beyond her years, she's dynamic on the short &amp; mid-range jumper. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>X-factor: </strong>With a solid two-way game, University sophomore Shanaa Manning has really upped her production from a season ago! She currently leads the Phoenix in steals at 4.5 spg while ranking third in points at 8.0 ppg. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Sunday's MUST-SEE ACTION:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Morris Catholic v St. John Vianney</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Star watch:</strong> The obvious superstars of this bunch, Tennessee bound twin duo [player_tooltip player_id='333302' first='Mia' last='Pauldo'] and [player_tooltip player_id='333305' first='Mya' last='Pauldo'], will do their big one, per usual! I'm going to shine the spotlight on 6'3" [player_tooltip player_id='789169' first='Morgan' last='Fulston']. The sophomore Center has imposed her will and put up solid performances against some of the best teams in the nation! A menace on the glass!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>X-factor:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='333309' first='Daniella' last='Matus'] cleared transfer protocols last week and is already lighting it up! She wasted no time wreaking havoc from 3-point land, already knocking down 11 of them in her last three games! Something tells me she'll be even more locked in than usual facing her old team SJV!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Red Bank Catholic v Franklin</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Star watch:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='333319' first='Tessa' last='Carman'], the do-it-all stud player for the Caseys, is one to keep a close eye on in this matchup. She's strong and versatile, efficiently playing both inside and out! Defensively, she's just as versatile, protecting the rim ferociously (team-leading 17 blocks) and also able to cover the perimeter and turn the ball over.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>X-factor:</strong> On a team loaded with talent, sometimes it's hard to see past the usual starting rotation. One to never sleep on is junior [player_tooltip player_id='559031' first='Daniela' last='Maletsky'], who is capable of producing big results on any given night. She's especially reliable in the mid-range, with a bread-and-butter 15-foot J. An absolute work-horse!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>DePaul v Hun</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Star watch:</strong> There's nothing freshman [player_tooltip player_id='981887' first='Giovanna' last='Burress'] can't do out there! She's scoring the ball at a high clip, averaging 19.0 ppg, while also rebounding, passing and playing defense at a high level. At 5'10", she's long and disruptive in the passing lanes to pick off steals. That length is also crucial on offense, making it tough for defenders to block her shot or obstruct her line of sight.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>X-factor:</strong> If [player_tooltip player_id='995787' first='Breya' last='LeTennier'] gets hot early from 3, WATCH OUT! She does a great job working the perimeter and creating space for herself and her teammates. The 5'10" combo guard is equal parts scorer and facilitator. If you're the opponent, seeing Breya lurking around the arc is like entering the danger zone!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Star watch:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='644270' first='Gabby' last='D'Agostino'] is having a career-year, averaging 18.7 ppg and getting the job done at all three levels! She's just as good passing, however, as she is scoring, averaging a team-best 3.9 apg. She has a knack for delivering the sweetest of dimes through the smallest of gaps! An all-around dangerous guard!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>X-factor:</strong> 6'2" [player_tooltip player_id='976709' first='Amira' last='Pinkett'] does a fantastic job playing out of position (PF) when needed and stretching out beyond the arc to knock down big shots. She is just as effective as the beneficiary of the post-entry pass as she is spotting up for 3! She's a multi-faceted threat!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->