NJSIAA State Tournament Preview from the North – Group 3

<h2 class="wp-block-heading">North 1 Group 3 Preview</h2>   This may be the deepest section, not only in the North but, in all of New Jersey. So many contenders that I don't know if there is a sleeper. I think there are 6 teams with a legit shot to win this section. Here they are.   The Favorites #1 – Demarest Demarest is 20-5 and, though they are entering states on a 3-game losing streak, they lost one in the Bergen County Championship and battled through some illness in losses to Madison and Teaneck. Don't be fooled by the losing streak, Demarest has everything they need to win this section. They play very fast. They will get up and down the court quickly and they are not afraid to shoot the 3. Coach Jurevic has done a good job recruiting players to the high school that fit her style. They took 2 out of 3 this season from 2-time defending sectional champ Teaneck and they have played a tough schedule. Their lack of size is the biggest concern for this team as they enter the postseason. Leading the way are PG and floor general, junior, 1,000-point scorer [player_tooltip player_id='600897' first='Gabriella' last='Mittelman'] (13+ppg, 2+apg, 2+spg, 2+rpg), physical inside-out senior senior [player_tooltip player_id='871893' first='Angelina' last='Tirado'] (13+ppg, 4+rpg, 2+spg), sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='651513' first='Deana' last='Finkelstein'] (9+ppg, 5+rpg, 2+apg, 2+spg) who provides this undersized group with some length and defensive toughness and sophomore sharpshooter [player_tooltip player_id='835246' first='Ella' last='Peck'] (7+ppg and team leader in 3-pointers). Senior Chloe Poirot adds toughness and freshman Caitlyn Fontana adds some scoring off the bench. If this team makes shots and dictates tempo, they will be a tough out and the biggest threat to dethroning Teaneck.   #3 – Teaneck You can bet that Teaneck will come after you as they look for the North 1 Group 3 3-peat. They play fast all game and their pressure, especially in the backcourt is relentless. They will press all game long and wear you down until you start turning it over. They will get out and run off those turnovers and get easy baskets. This a deep roster of aggressive players creating no relief from their pressure. The only thing that has slowed Teaneck on occasion is when teams can limit turnovers and pack in a zone D and force Teaneck to win with jump shots as Teaneck averages just a little over two 3-pointers per game. They challenged themselves all season long with a tough schedule. The players to watch are do it all junior guard and 1,000 point scorer [player_tooltip player_id='559047' first='Lexi' last='Carnegie'] (16_ppg, 8+rpg, 4+spg, 2+apg) who is their top defender and offensive weapon and can score in transition, slashing to the hoop or in the pull up game, sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1158019' first='Leayana' last='Dorville'] (11+ppg, 8rpg, 3+spg) who does a little bit of everything and attacks the rim with great length, sophomore transfer and Teaneck's much needed size Aniya Celestin (9+ppg, 8+rpg, 2+bpg), senior Shaely Espinal (5+ppg, 3+rpg, 2+spg), freshman [player_tooltip player_id='1202375' first='Sydney' last='Ayala'] (5+ppg and a team high 21 3-pointers), junior [player_tooltip player_id='600896' first='Jillian' last='Carter'] (5+ppg, 2+rpg, 2+apg) and senior Imani Mckenzie (5+ppg, 2+rpg). You will have to take the crown from this group because they are not ready to give it up.   The Contenders #2 – Morris Knolls No stranger to this tough bracket, Morris Knolls gave Teaneck their closest game of the sectional last year losing by only 6 points after being tied at the half. So, they have the experience, and they have a balanced attack that makes them tough to stop offensively. They only make 2+ 3-pointers per game so that may be something you see opposing defenses try to exploit. Leading this team are senior [player_tooltip player_id='879858' first='Charlee' last='Perna'] (9+ppg, team high 22 3-pointers, 4+spg, 3+rpg), junior Kenzie Comprelli (8+ppg, 2+rpg, 2+apg), senior Vanessa Russo (7+ppg, 6+rpg, 2+spg), senior Denay Jones (6+ppg, 6+rpg, 4+spg, 2+apg), sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1157956' first='Tessa' last='Simone'] (8+ppg, 6+rpg, 2+spg) and junior Lucia Nash (6+ppg, 4+spg, 3+apg, 2+rpg). It's going to take a full defensive effort to stop a team that shares the ball as well as Morris Knolls.   #4 – Ramapo Ramapo comes in at 21-5. Last year they had three double figure scorers. With one lost to graduation they have struggled to replace that, and the burden has fallen on juniors [player_tooltip player_id='559136' first='Camden' last='Epstein'] and [player_tooltip player_id='564268' first='Toni' last='Pernetti'] to score more. Ramapo is 13-1 when they both score in double digits and 8-4 when they don't so it's imperative for this team to get the ball to their scorers early and often. Ramapo's offense struggles when only one scorer gets going and the ball doesn't move. Leading this group are Epstein (15+ppg, 36 3-pointers, 4+rpg, 3+apg) who likes to shoot it from deep or attack off the left dribble, Pernetti (11+ppg, 34 3-pointers, 4+rpg, 2+apg) who can score at the 3-point line or in the post, is great on the offensive glass and is the team's top defender, freshman [player_tooltip player_id='972035' first='Isla' last='Fry'] (5+ppg, 3+rpg), senior Kacie Gmiterek (4+ppg, 28 3-pointers, 2+rpg), junior [player_tooltip player_id='600887' first='Grace' last='Saxton'] (4+ppg, 6+rpg) and senior LeeAnn Downey (3+ppg, 4+rpg, 2+spg). If the ball moves, a 3rd scorer emerges and the entire team commits to defense, this group could make some noise.   #7 – Old Tappan At 17-8, Old Tappan has won 4 in a row and was 1-point away from defeating, eventual champion, Saddle River Day in the Bergen County semifinals. This is a deep team with length, toughness and everyone shows up ready to defend and play physical. Their length and tenacity make them a tough out and their ability to share the ball makes them tougher. They entered the season without a go to scorer, but junior [player_tooltip player_id='789549' first='Sienna' last='Drullinsky'] has emerged as that person. Not overly creative on offense, she gets it done mostly from 15-feet and in and works hard on the glass while being also being their top defender. Their defense allows them to slow down up-tempo teams. One concern is their lack of a true ball handler against some of these pressure defenses as they move along, and I expect them to move to at least the semifinals. The leaders are Drullinsky (12+ppg), freshman inside presence [player_tooltip player_id='981847' first='Alexa' last='Caunedo'] (9+ppg), junior Mia Derrico (8+ppg), sophomore Alivia Badurina (6+ppg and team leader in 3-pointers), junior Nina Caunedo (4+ppg and 2nd on the team in 3-pointers) and junior Sadie Murphy (4+ppg).   #8 – River Dell River Dell comes in at 15-8 and they bring a roster of diverse talent. They have 3 guards who can handle, shoot and attack and they have two athletic bigs with size and athleticism. The issue for River Dell can be their depth as they don't go very far into their bench if at all. If you can make them play up and down, they are very capable but over the course of 32 minutes they might show some signs of fatigue as they did in a Bergen County Quarterfinal loss to Teaneck by 6 after leading by 4 entering the 4th. The leader is senior PG [player_tooltip player_id='414409' first='Morgan' last='Sconza']. She is fearless with the ball, dictates time and can shoot it from deep. With her strength she can also body her way to the rim and finish inside. Alexa DePol and Dalia Interiano provide even more scoring punch and additional ball handling and athleticism on the perimeter. Inside they have the twin towers of Val Visconti and Kasey Ziegler. Ziegler will play more inside out and Visconti will work the post more but this combo makes it tough to score inside and tough to get rebounds against River Dell. Demarest vs River Dell in round two would be very interesting.   NORTH 1 GROUP 3 SECTIONAL FINAL PREDICTION #3-Teaneck over #1-Demarest – Teaneck has to go on the road to defend their title, but their size is the difference in this one and they take home the title and tie the season series with Demarest.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">North 2 Group 3 Preview</h2>   Sorry to say, but when it comes to this section, it begins and ends with Chatham. Everyone else is a sleeper.   The Favorite #1 – Chatham Chatham enters states at 26-2. They are a veteran roster with unfinished business led by the top player in Group 3, Bucknell commit, senior [player_tooltip player_id='333348' first='Ella' last='Kreuzer']. Ella can score at all three levels and her unselfishness is contagious when you watch this team share the ball. She is also an elite defender. Coach Joe Gaba always has his team executing at a high level and playing to a high standard. The biggest worry for this team has to be a night where they just don't shoot it well because they shoot it often, converting 7+ 3-pointers per game. As I said in November, this is still the favorite for the Group 3 State Championship due to their ability to score and defend and also that everyone plays their roles effectively. 1,700-point scorer Kreuzer (16+ppg, team high 70 3-pointers, 3+rpg, 2+apg, 2+apg) is joined by senior 1,200-point scorer and Chatham all-time assist leader [player_tooltip player_id='414422' first='Mia' last='Semioli'] (11+ppg, 33 3-pointers, 4+rpg, 2+apg), senior [player_tooltip player_id='870863' first='Arden' last='Alvarez'] (9+ppg, 46 3-pointers, 4+rpg), senior McKenna Hogan (team high 6+rpg and team high 3+apg) and junior [player_tooltip player_id='767644' first='Grace' last='Cloud'] (4+ppg, 4+rpg). Chatham is a freight train that doesn't have any intention of stopping until they are holding the trophy at Rutgers.   The Sleepers #2 – Somerville Somerville comes in at 21-5 having won 5 straight games. They have moved to North 2 after being in Central Group 3 and they are hoping to make a splash. They are led by junior [player_tooltip player_id='601343' first='Kaylee' last='Lauber'] (15+ppg, 25 3-pointers, 5+rpg, 4apg, 3+spg), senior [player_tooltip player_id='525559' first='Charlotte' last='Taylor'] (11+ppg, team high 37 3-pointers, 4+apg, 3+rpg, 3+spg), junior [player_tooltip player_id='902237' first='Amaya' last='Miller'] (10+ppg, 3+rpg, 2+spg) and sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='959838' first='Lily' last='Taylor'] (6+ppg, 7+rpg) and senior Riley DeSarno (3+ppg, 5+rpg, 2+spg). It's going to take an experienced team to make a run at Chatham and that's what Somerville has.   #3 – Summit At 15-8, Summit is looking to right the ship after losing 3 of their last 5. They are led by a 4-headed monster in sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='835514' first='Charlotte' last='Yarnall'] (15+ppg, 23 3-pointers, 8+rpg, 2+spg), sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1048700' first='Emma' last='Ryan'] (8+ppg, team high 34 3-pointers, 4+rpg), senior Emily Sensenich (8+ppg, 5+rpg, 4+spg, 2+apg) and senior Jaimie Penner (4+ppg, 3+rpg). If their young guns can get hot, they could make it exciting on their side of the bracket.   NORTH 2 GROUP 3 SECTIONAL FINAL PREDICTION #1-Chatham over #2-Somerville – This team is simply on a mission, and it doesn't stop here.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Group 3 North Champion Prediction CHATHAM</h2>