Preseason First Team

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We're anticipating a huge year of hoops on the girls side, with the parity getting better and better every passing season. This past March, PGHNJ unveiled its All-State Teams, expanding to six selections per team because of the extraordinary amount of talent, making it impossible to choose just five. Looking ahead, I've made my picks for what could very well be the six First Team selections come March.</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>The Saint Joe's commit was a Second Team selection last season thanks to a career showing. Her stock climbed to new heights as she led the Lady Rams all the way to the Non-Public B State Final averaging 16.0 PPG along the way. Explosive single-game performances saw her put up a career-high 42 points vs Wildwood, 27 vs Cardinal O'Hara (PA), 24 vs Paul VI, 22 vs Ranney and 21 vs juggernaut Rutgers Prep. In her senior year, she'll look to lead a loaded GC to another State Final and this time take it a step further!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='559039' first='Madison' last='Kocis'] | St. John Vianney</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The evolution I saw from Madison this summer leads me to believe a career year is ahead. I think she's saving her best for last and we're all about to witness a special season. She has upped her scoring production with every passing year, going from 254 points as a freshman to 280 as a sophomore, to 364 in Year 3. The UPenn commit showed glimpses of greatness last year, with big-time performances such as: 19 points vs Grandview Prep (FL), 16 points vs Bayonne, 17 points vs Virginia Academy (VA) and 23 points vs St. Frances (MD). She also notched a career-high 24 points in SJNPA quarters vs Bishop Eustace. One of the senior leaders on this team, she'll look to lead SJV back to familiar territory: a state title.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='559085' first='Addison' last='Nyemchek'] | Red Bank Catholic</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the nation's most elite players, Addy has consistently put up tremendous performances throughout her career. Her junior year was one for the books, joining the 1K Club and leading the Caseys to the SJNPA title game. Through 31 games, she averaged 14.1 PPG and saved her best performances for the best teams on the schedule: 24 points vs Virginia Academy (VA), 18 vs Arrowhead (WI), 21 vs Morris Catholic, 23 vs Vianney and 24 points vs Franklin. There's no denying her impact and the indelible mark she's left on NJ girls basketball. I think she goes from a Second Team selection last season to a First Team selection [and potential MVP candidate].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='651517' first='Aleah' last='Sunkins'] | Franklin</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The top ranked player in the junior class is coming off a sensational Year 2. Her efforts led Franklin to the CJG4 semis, averaging 16.0 along the way and posting ten double-doubles. They return all but one and could make another deep postseason run with Li in full command. She showed out against some of the best team's on their [very difficult schedule: 25 points &amp; 18 rebounds vs Hillsborough, 24 &amp; 15 vs Pingry, 17 points vs Rutgers Prep &amp; 22 points vs RBC.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='559046' first='Ava' last='LaMonica'] | Rutgers Prep</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Fresh off a commitment to Buffalo this summer, Ava heads into her senior year with no pressure... which spells trouble for the rest of the state! Last season was her best to date, posting averages of 13.4 PPG and leading the Argonauts to the SJNPB Final and a 20-7 record. Playing one of the most difficult schedules in the state, she came up big time and time again to solidify her elite status: 17 points vs Montclair Immaculate, 22 vs Hillsborough, 25 vs Mary Louis (NY), 20 vs Franklin and a career-high 26 points vs Glen Ridge. She'll look to lead a very deep team to Non-Public B glory come March.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='981887' first='Giovanna' last='Burress'] | DePaul</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If you thought Year 1 was special, just wait until she steps out for her sophomore campaign. Over the summer, GiGi took her game to new heights, thriving Philly Rise, racking up multiple P4 offers and achieving a national ranking [#15 in the Class of 2028 by ESPN]. She came out guns blazing as a freshman, averaging 20.1 PPG and leading the Spartans to a 19-7 and an appearance in NJNPA semis. There was no defense that could fully contain her the way she went off game after game: 29 points vs Wayne Valley, 30 vs Lakeland, 19 vs Morris Catholic and a season-best 31 points vs Kent Place in the First Round of the playoffs. GiGi has all the goods and is looking to bring the show in Year 2!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->