Elevated Starting Role (South Jersey)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The following players in South Jersey are poised to see bigger roles this season and make an impact in the starting rotation. Whether it's starters lost to graduation, a successful summer on the AAU trail or a combination of both, look for these hoopers to shiner brighter than ever once the season rolls around:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1314783' first='Laila' last='Fathi'] | Wildwood</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With superstar Macie McCracken out of the picture, the Warriors lose 40% of their scoring and a lot of ball-handling heading into this season. Laila is likely to be a starter from the very first game, kicking off her sophomore campaign on the right foot! Last year, she gave us all a glimpse of exactly what she's capable of, with solid handling and confident shooting. If the Warriors want to be competitive once again in the Tri-County Conference, she will be an integral part of their success.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1048705' first='Hannah' last='O'Neal'] | Middle Township</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With a strong summer behind her, Hannah heads into her sophomore season with a ton of momentum. Her pull-up jumper from the elbow can be a shot that turns into her bread and butter over time. I think the past four months have really helped Hannah find her footing and gain the confidence she needs to be productive and help the Panthers be successful.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1314786' first='Mia' last='Sztenderowicz'] | Cinnaminson</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Like older sister and 1,000 point scorer Ava, she sure knows how to hoop! As a freshman, she settled in nicely and navigated through the season with growing confidence week after week. Performances against Northern Burlington (season-high 11 points), Hightstown (9 points &amp; 6 steals) &amp; Lindenwold (11 points &amp; 7 rebounds) highlighted her game in different aspects, proving she can do a little bit of everything. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1314789' first='Madysen' last='Plescho'] | Barnegat</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>She now goes from "starter" a season ago to "senior leader." The Benagls lost six seniors, three of them starters who accounted for 75% of their scoring! Mady held her own on a team of superstars, giving her team a reliable fourth scoring option and second-best 3-point shooter. In her senior campaign, she'll look for a breakout, bringing increased production to her elevated role.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='959832' first='Harper' last='Benjamin'] | Haddonfield</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With last year's leading scorer [player_tooltip player_id='865698' first='Acadia' last='Walters'] transferring to Bishop Eustace, the Bulldogs will look to fill the hefty 18.6 PPG void. Lucky for them, last year's second-leading score returns for Year 3! She'll be one of the leaders for a team in search for a new identity as they look to have success in the Colonial conference. One of the most devastating 3-point shooters anywhere in South Jersey, Harper is sure to scorch opponents like she did last year: seventy-four 3's in thirty games!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1125293' first='Emma' last='Grimley'] | Absegami </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If there's anyone who can fill the void left behind by Reese Downey, it's Emma! She came in guns blazing as a freshman, knocking down forty-three triples, second only behind Downey. She can flat-out shoot it...and with supreme confidence too! She recorded a season-high 26 points just four games into the season, knocking in six 3's (also a season-high). She also had six other games with at least three 3's, including a strong 11-point performance vs Group 2 power Middle Township.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1314790' first='Kaia' last='Chew'] | Ocean City</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As this team's best 3-point shooter, Kaia enters her senior season with a boat-load of confidence. Last year, she drilled thirty triples in twenty-eight games, marking the best season of her career thus far. The Red Raiders lose leading scorer Naomi Nnewihe, which only allows room for Chew to really light it up! </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='651493' first='Grace' last='Heims'] | St. Rose</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I saw a whole new side to Grace over the summer. A player with added confidence, relentless work ethic and a sweet stroke from 3. The Purple Roses will have a lot of make up for this season, losing five seniors who made up for 40% of their scoring and [Westtown transfer] [player_tooltip player_id='559070' first='Jada' last='Lynch'] who accounted for another 35% all by herself. The 5'4" guard could see a breakout year now with more freedom to operate and really show everyone what she can do.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='651515' first='Hannah' last='Fraser'] | Rutgers Prep</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hannah is one of the most underrated bigs in the state. She has earned her minutes and heads into her junior year ready to assume a more focused role on this team. The Argonauts return everyone from last season and are widely considered early title favorites in Non-Public B. An inside-out, multi-level scoring threat, she could very well serve as this team's x-factor as they look to navigate through one of the state's most difficult schedules. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->