10 Players Stepping Into New Leadership Roles

As we inch closer and closer to the commencement of high school basketball, look for these ten hoopers to help lead their teams to big wins and postseason appearances.   [player_tooltip player_id='667787' first='Jacqueline' last='Edelman'] | Morris Catholic   Jax was the 3rd-leading scorer a season ago, only behind Tennessee's Mia Pauldo and Mya Pauldo. Now a junior with the Crusaders, she'll look to lead a fairly young team to familiar territory as they prepare to face some of the best in NJ. Her strengths lie in her versatility, able to score and defend inside and out. I think this season will start and stop with Jax and her performance on both sides of the ball. A lot of remarkable talent on this roster, but this is her team now and she's ready for the moment!   [player_tooltip player_id='982716' first='Violet' last='Azcona'] | Westampton Tech   WT lost six seniors from last season, including Akeelah Lafleur and Mikayla Taylor who made up 54% of the team's total scoring. As just a freshman, Violet showed why she's quickly emerging as one of the craftiest guards in the '28 Class. She was the 3rd-leading scorer and 2nd on the team in made 3's. Now a sophomore, she'll put that fearlessness to the test in what could be a rebuilding year.   [player_tooltip player_id='913916' first='Tyeera' last='Howard'] | Neptune   Ty only played the second half of her freshman season due to injury, but she showed exactly what she can do on BOTH sides of the ball! Seniors Bre Evans and Christa Ramos did most of the heavy lifting for the Scarlet Fliers, but once playoffs rolled around, Ty exhibited leadership qualities and led her team to the CJG3 Sectional Title and an appearance in the Group 3 State Semifinal averaging 18.4 PPG. She heads into Year 2 with playoff experience and a winner's mentality.   [player_tooltip player_id='1199229' first='Ariana' last='Wissen'] | Brick Township   Ari returns as the leading scorer from a season ago. The graduation of Riley and CiCi leaves a void of 35% in scoring, which will see even more opportunity for her to impose her game and really take command of this young team. A leadership role doesn't always mean the most experience/the oldest on the team. Ari has already shown tremendous poise the way she came in guns blazing in Year 1.   [player_tooltip player_id='835254' first='Yasmeen' last='El Hindi'] | Union City   It's a fresh start for the Lady Eagles after having graduated 7 from last year's squad; 83% of the their offense! Now a junior, Yasmeen will now step up from the third scoring option to the first and looked to lead a very young UC squad to success in the HCIAL. A hot 3-point shooter, she'll see even more freedom from the arc to knock down her shot and tally the points for a squad who will desperately need that offensive production.   [player_tooltip player_id='672132' first='Caroline' last='Condon'] | Morristown   A reliable third scoring option a season ago, Caroline now steps into Year 4 as the leader of the fairly young Colonials that features two other seniors. Her all-court game speaks volumes about her passion on both sides of the ball and her commitment to the assignment. To go with being third in scoring, she ranked first in rebounds and assists while rankings second in blocks. She's well-seasoned and ready to the biggest season of her career!   [player_tooltip player_id='1263026' first='Tyonnah' last='Barnes'] | Roselle Catholic   The departure of three seniors leaves a 70% void in the scoring. Enter: [player_tooltip player_id='1263026' first='Tyonnah' last='Barnes']. A reliable starter last year, she now is thrust into a leadership role for the first time in her high school career. This team can learn a lot from her tenacity on both ends of the floor, going equally as hard on offense and defense.   [player_tooltip player_id='601520' first='Allison' last='Snyder'] | Glen Ridge   There's a lot of ground to cover after the Ridgers graduated three seniors who accounted for 58% of the scoring. Allison will be one of two returning players, now seniors, who saw ample playing time and contributed majorly to this team's success. She's always been assertive with her defense, but now will look to lead the rebuild with a strong inside-out offense to balance her two-way game.   [player_tooltip player_id='1320515' first='Jordyn' last='Batts'] | West Orange   Jordyn heads into her senior campaign looking to take the bull by the horns and guide this team back to familiar territory: a deep postseason run. Her experience in the back court will be crucial as the Mountaineers look to navigate a guard-heavy lineup and put their best foot forward. Breakout year loading!   [player_tooltip player_id='559817' first='Brooke' last='Missry'] | St. Rose   The Purple Roses head into the 2025-2026 having lost a lot of firepower; 75% of last year's total scoring, to be exact. It'll be uncharted waters for a young team with only two seniors, one of them [player_tooltip player_id='559817' first='Brooke' last='Missry']. She brings experience and a hot hand to lead a group of girls that have a lot to prove in a gauntlet Shore Conference. Her approach is poised and confident, having both looked and played like a leader for a few years now.

As we inch closer and closer to the commencement of high school basketball, look for these ten hoopers to help lead their teams to big wins and postseason appearances.