Tri-County Tournament Breakdown- Flight A

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The complete TCC bracket for Flight A was just unveiled, kicking off on Tuesday! I'm here to break down the top contenders, as well as darkhorse teams and x-factors looking to make a big impact!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>FLIGHT A SEEDS</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>(1) Gloucester Catholic vs (8) Timber Creek, (2) Washington Township vs (7) Pennsville, (3) Woodstown vs (6) Clearview, (4) Wildwood v (5) Gloucester Tech</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I don't think there's anyone who will be able to stop Gloucester Catholic and the tear they've been on! With D1 lock [player_tooltip player_id='601413' first='Jahzara' last='Green'] leading the way on offense at 16.8 ppg and freshman Monet High wreaking havoc on defense at 3.0 spg, the Rams are tenacious on both sides of the ball. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='959812' first='Amanda' last='Eggers'] is back from an injury that sidelined her last season and had truly been a difference-maker. But who can legitimately challenge the Rams and possibly cause a shocking upset in Flight A? 4 seed Wildwood has revenge on it's mind, dropping both conference games to GC this season. They should handle Gloucester Tech convincingly in the First Round to set up a QF clash. Maybe third time's the charm? When clicking, the Warriors can bury any team in this field from 3. One of the state's most prolific scorers, [player_tooltip player_id='414340' first='Macie' last='McCracken'] and 3-point sniper [player_tooltip player_id='651514' first='Rebecca' last='Benichou'] have combined for double-digit 3-pointers most of the season. If they get going early, it can get very interesting. For these reasons, Wildwood is my chosen darkhorse this year!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>SPICY FIRST ROUND CLASH</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Woodstown and Clearview could very well make for a popcorn-worthy matchup! High-powered scoring duo [player_tooltip player_id='525557' first='Megan' last='Donelson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='414352' first='Talia' last='Battavio'] are one of the best back courts anywhere in South Jersey, combining for 33.5 ppg, more than half of Woodstown's per game total. These two feed off each other so well! It's hard to contain one, now imagine having to shut them both down? Not easy by any means! Junior Lauren Hengel has stepped up in a big way this season and gives this team a reliable third scoring option. Clearview comes into this tourney as a very dangerous 6 seed, capable of pulling off multiple upsets en-route to the Final. [player_tooltip player_id='852760' first='Brett' last='Foster'] and [player_tooltip player_id='827087' first='Juliette' last='Mirigliani'] are a dynamic duo who have spearheaded the offense all season long. This team continues to fly under the radar, but if they can pull of the upset over Woodstown, their confidence moving forward will be hard to break!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>QUIET NUMBER 2 </em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Washington Township put together a 6-1 record in the Royal Division and thus secures the second overall seed. They should have no issues with Pennsville in the opening round, already having bested them 41-30 back in December, but beating a team two times in the same season is never easy. They've flown mostly under the radar this season, with a well-balanced scoring attack led by [player_tooltip player_id='414233' first='Alaina' last='LaMonica'] at 12.1 ppg. Freshman Kate D'Ottaviano has been excellent in her HS hoops debut, putting up just under 9 points per game, followed by Tessa Reilley at 5.2 ppg, Elena Dabrowski at 5.7 ppg and senior Leah Roe at 5.2 ppg. With a solid starting 5 and strong production off the bench, they have a squad who's ready to do battle! However, they seem to have the toughest path to the Final. Pennsville will want its revenge, so I expect a strong attack from them. The winner of Woodstown and Clearview awaits after that, which could be a toss-up either way, with each of the three teams having a great chance to reach the Chip.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>X-FACTORS</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='671343' first='Samiyah' last='Puckett'] | Timber Creek</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The junior has been so important to TC's success this season! She's been a steady two-way threat, providing consistent offense from the mid-range and 3-point area, while locking down and being assertive on defense. When her number is called, she steps up and comes through for her team. If these ladies want to makes waves against top seed Gloucester Catholic, Samiyah will have to be stellar.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='601414' first='Angela' last='Wilber'] | Wildwood</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If the defense throws a double at [player_tooltip player_id='414340' first='Macie' last='McCracken'] and [player_tooltip player_id='651514' first='Rebecca' last='Benichou']'s shots aren't falling, junior Angie Wilber has all the skill to step up and put points on the board for the Warriors. She's a small, scrappy point guard who can transition into the 2 seamlessly and torch opponents from long range. If she's on and clicking, she can really go off! If I were the defense, I would stick to her like glue because once she sees one drop, three or four more are sure to follow rapidly!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Gina Sheehan | Gloucester Tech</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The senior has made a big impact in her final season of HS hoops. She's saved her best basketball for last, averaging a rock solid 4.4 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 3.3 apg &amp; 2.4 spg. She's the engine that makes this team go and can be relied upon to do a little bit of everything out there.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>SUPERSTARS IN THE FIELD</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='601413' first='Jahzara' last='Green'] | Gloucester Catholic</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Averaging 16.8 ppg for the top overall seed.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='414340' first='Macie' last='McCracken'] | Wildwood</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Averaging 23.4 ppg, 9.3 rpg &amp; 3.8 spg for #4 Wildwood.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='522661' first='Nicholle' last='Green'] | Timber Creek</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Averaging 17.2 ppg, 6.5 rpg &amp; 3.9 spg for the 8 seed.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='414352' first='Talia' last='Battavio'] &amp; [player_tooltip player_id='525557' first='Megan' last='Donelson'] | Woodstown</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Double trouble! Talia is averaging 16.6 ppg and Megan is putting up just a few ticks more at 16.8 ppg.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='414233' first='Alaina' last='LaMonica'] | Washington Township</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Averaging 12.1 ppg for the second-seeded Wash Twp.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->