Taking On A Bigger Role

With the 2025-2026 high school season just a few months away, I'm taking some time to focus on these eight players who showed tremendous strides this summer and look for more advanced roles come the Fall.   [player_tooltip player_id='981911' first='Nola' last='Bright'] (Franklin)   Nola dipped her toes in varsity basketball last season and got a taste of high level competition. After a strong summer with Team Miller, she's ready for an elevated role as a sophomore. Franklin played one of the most difficult schedules in the state and will likely approach this season the same way. Lucky for Nola, she embraces the challenge and thrives when playing elite opponents. Her versatility speaks volumes as does her hustle and team-first mentality. She can score in buckets and battle for boards against post players. Franklin lost 6'3" Precious Wheeler to graduation, so Nola's frame at 6'0" will make an impact on the glass and on defense. She could easily average double-figure scoring.   [player_tooltip player_id='651478' first='Tatum' last='Sharpe'] (St. John Vianney)   On a team loaded with high-level future D1 talent, Tatum fits right in. She's fresh off a breakout summer with United NJ where she was a standout in nearly every event she competed in! The Lady Lancers lose starting point guard Aleena Dinker along with Sofia Russo and Brooklyn Taylor, who combined for approximately 10.0 PPG. In limited minutes (mostly off the bench), Tatum averaged just under 4.0 PPG as a sophomore. Year 3 is sure to see increased production not only in scoring, but in stats across the board. SJV's schedule is not for the weak of heart and Tatum could be the x-factor that propels them to some really big wins this season. Few players in NJ looked as "sharp" as she did from April-July.   [player_tooltip player_id='559825' first='Belle' last='Alvarado'] (St. Rose)   I put Belle up there with some of the grittiest on-ball defenders in the state. It was that hard-nosed defense that got crucial stops and helped the Shoreshots escape some really tough games this summer. The East Stroudsburg commit will look to play loose and help St. Rose navigate a season that will be without Caroline Conforti (grad), Cassidy Kruesi (grad), Lizzy Mitchell (grad) and Westtown transfer [player_tooltip player_id='559070' first='Jada' last='Lynch'], who averaged 41.0 PPG between them. One of two senior leaders alongside [player_tooltip player_id='559817' first='Brooke' last='Missry'], this season could see elevated scoring to match her intense defense. In fact, she might just total more points than she has in the previous three seasons combined.   [player_tooltip player_id='667787' first='Jacqueline' last='Edelman'] (Morris Catholic)   With the departure of the Pauldo Twins, Jax will look to step up to the plate as the primary scorer on this team. Last season, we saw glimpses of greatness, with solid showings against some of the best teams in the state and across the country. She spent this summer honing her craft with Exodus and during the scholastic run in June, she looked very good. She is arguably one of the top shooters in the state regardless of Class. Already with so much experience playing on big stages in the past two years, she'll head into Year 3 ready, willing and able to deliver for a super young Morris Catholic squad.   [player_tooltip player_id='913890' first='Damiya' last='Carter'] (Wildwood Catholic)   Damiya was solid as a freshman, playing well on both sides of the ball to help the Crusaders achieve a 20-win season. Over the summer with BBA, she further developed her skillset and put people on to what she is fully capable of, earning a D1 offer from UMBC along the way. She did something in just about every game that she only did three times in Year 1 at WWC: score in double-figures! This heightened production and confidence has shaped Damiya into a totally different player than the one I saw last winter. She has the potential to be one of the best guards in this '28 Class.   [player_tooltip player_id='913916' first='Tyeera' last='Howard'] (Neptune)   Running with the Gauchos, Ty dazzled and caught the attention of UMBC, earning an offer after the final July live period. As a freshman, she put everyone on to what she can do! In a shortened 15-game season (due to injury), she averaged 14.0 PPG and guided Neptune to big upset wins in the postseason against tough teams. She quickly established herself as one of the best rebounding guards and on-ball defenders in this '28 Class. I'm eager to see the numbers she'll put up playing a full, healthy season. With the departure of high-powered scorers Bre Evans and Christa Ramos, Ty will assume the role of primary scorer and look to further assert herself as a dangerous two-way guard.   [player_tooltip player_id='865920' first='Trinitee' last='McKellar'] (Atlantic Tech)   The first thing that stands out about Trin's game is her intensity. Fully locked in and ready for war! Her sophomore season was a rock solid one alongside leading scorer Alani White, Zion Stewart and Brianna Casiano. With those three having graduated, upped production in the scoring column is expected. A big junior season could set her up to reach 1,000 career points in her senior season (currently at 476). Most recently, she had a great showing in Atlantic City with Mid-Atlantic Heat and her ranking continue to climb. Look for double-digits scoring averages.   [player_tooltip player_id='651499' first='Victoria' last='Liedl'] (Hillsborough)   Victoria is someone who continues to make big improvements with each passing season. Entering Year 3, I'm confident we're all are about to witness a breakout HS season, especially if this summer was any indication! I expect a significant increase in both playing time and production! Hillsborough lost prolific scorer Francesca Schiro to graduation, along with second leading scorer Mya Loniewski and x-factor Reghan Bice. All of the experience she's picked up, especially with Team Elevation, is sure to pay off as the Raiders look to almost rebuild, in a sense. She has shown consistency in scoring and rebounding, with the ability to also play some gritty defense. A starting role isn't out of the realm of possibility as the season progresses, in my opinion.

With the 2025-2026 high school season just a few months away, I'm taking some time to focus on these eight players who showed tremendous strides this summer and look for more advanced roles come the Fall.