State Tournament Preview: Group 2 and Group 4

<p>The state tournament is set to begin on Tuesday, February 24. Groups 2 & 4 will be in action on the 1st day of games. Let's take a look at each of these sections in the North.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">North 1 Group 2</span></strong></h2>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Favorite: #1-Glen Rock</h2>   <p>The defending North 1 Group 2 champs are back to defend their crown earning the #1 seed on the heels of a 19-6 regular season and winning the NJIC Tournament. They are led by their seniors. Swarthmore commit and 1,100 point scorer [player_tooltip player_id='601348' first='Mia' last='Vergel De Dios'] leads the team in points, assists and steals, is 2nd in rebounding and blocks and 3rd in 3-pointers. Emory commit [player_tooltip player_id='871420' first='Abby' last='Grove'] leads the team in rebounding and blocks, is 2nd in scoring and 3rd in assists. Senior Anna Heuss leads the team in 3-pointers and is 3rd in steals. Junior Isabella Flaccavento is 2nd on the team in 3-pointers, assists and steals and is 3rd in scoring. Sophomore Madison Wise is 3rd on the team in rebounds. They have size and share the ball extremely well. If they get consistent guard play and can handle pressure they will repeat as champs.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Contenders:</h2>   <p><strong>#2-Westwood</strong></p>   <p>Junior [player_tooltip player_id='835225' first='Cameron' last='Roche'] is the top scorer in this section and already over 1,000 career points. If you let Westwood get going on offense they will be trouble for opponents. Cameron is averaging 21+ppg and leads her team in scoring, 3-pointers, rebounds and steals and is 2nd in assists. Freshman [player_tooltip player_id='1259292' first='Bria' last='Charles'] is 2nd on the team in scoring, 3-pointers and steals and 3rd in rebounds and assists. Senior Jules Batelli leads the team in assists, is 2nd in rebounds and 3rd in scoring, 3-pointers and steals. Their depth is a little limited but their big 3 can make a big impact on this team that went 17-8 this season.</p>   <p><strong>#3-Jefferson</strong></p>   <p>This team's top 6 scorers are seniors. Kailey Strauch leads the team in scoring and 3-pointers. 2nd leading scorer [player_tooltip player_id='1750413' first='Emma' last='Barone'] was recently injured and her status for states is up in the air. Riley Strauch is 3rd on the team in scoring and 2nd in 3-pointers. Emmagrace Bartels is 3rd on the team in 3-pointers. This is an experience roster and, if they are at full health, they can make some noise.</p>   <p><strong>#4-Mahwah</strong></p>   <p>Mahwah is led by 3 seniors and their zone D can give people fits. They have good guard play and some size. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='600900' first='Emma' last='Jordan'] leads the team in scoring, rebounding, blocks and steals and is 2nd in assists. Senior Taylor Trembay leads the team in 3-pointers, is 2nd in scoring and steals and 3rd in rebounds and assists. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='559078' first='Ava' last='Comer'] is 2nd on the team in 3-pointers and 3rd in scoring and steals. Freshman Aliza Cadestin is 2nd on the team in rebounding. Junior Devon Tremblay leads the team in assists.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Sleepers:</h2>   <p><strong>#5-Pascack Valley</strong></p>   <p>PV may not have the firepower to win this section, but they have played some good opponents very close this year and maybe they have one magical run left in then end of Coach Jeff Jasper's legendary career. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='677605' first='Raina' last='Gibbs'] leads the team in scoring and 3-pointers. Sophomore Keira O'Cathain is 2nd in scoring. Junior Emma Costello is 2nd in 3-pointers and 3rd in scoring.</p>   <p><strong>#10-Pascack Hills</strong></p>   <p>Pascack Hills is only 10-15 but have played tight games against 2 of the top 4 seeds in this section. Junior Emily Driver leads the team in scoring and 3-pointers and 3rd in assists. Senior Kate Glass leads the team in steals and is 2nd on the team in scoring, 3-pointers and rebounds. Sophomore Olivia Juliano leads the team in rebounds and is 3rd in scoring. Junior Kaitlyn Wittlinger is 2nd on the team in steals and 3rd on the team in 3-pointers and assists. Junior Alyssa Giordano is 3rd on the team in rebounds and steals.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">N1G2 Sectional Final Prediction</h2>   <p>#1-Glen Rock over #2-Westwood </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><span style="text-decoration: underline">North 2 Group 2</span></h2>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Favorite: #1-Caldwell</h2>   <p>Caldwell is a heavy favorite to not only win this section but to represent the North in the Group 2 State Championship. There are two 1,000 point scorers leading the charge for Caldwell. Junior 1,300 point scorer [player_tooltip player_id='835485' first='Addison' last='Keenan'] leads the team in scoring, 3-pointers, assists and steals and is tied for 2nd in rebounding. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='671407' first='Tea' last='Fiore'] leads the team in rebounds, is 2nd in scoring and 3-pointers and is 3rd in steals and assists. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1201447' first='Elena' last='Kearns'] is 3rd in scoring and 3-pointers. Sophomore Fallon Fiore is 2nd in assists, tied for 2nd in rebounds and 3rd in steals. 20 of their 22 wins came by double digits. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Sleepers:</h2>   <p>Caldwell is that big of a favorite that there are only sleepers here. </p>   <p><strong>#2-Bernards</strong></p>   <p>At 22-4, Bernards comes in trying ready to take their shot at Caldwell. Senior 1,400 point scorer [player_tooltip player_id='601337' first='Aletha' last='Reynolds'] leads the team in every statistical category. Freshman [player_tooltip player_id='1259137' first='Jane' last='Freisen'] is 2nd in scoring and blocks and 3rd in 3-pointers. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='835471' first='Jasmine' last='Kelleher'] is 2nd in 3-pointers and steals and 3rd in scoring, rebounding and assists. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='1736588' first='Brooke' last='Helpinstill'] leads the team in rebounds. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='1754315' first='Maddie' last='Frame'] is 2nd in assists and 3rd in steals. </p>   <p><strong>#3-Madison</strong></p>   <p>Madison is the two-time defending champ and finished 19-6 after the graduation of Charlotte Tuhy. This year's team is led by junior Siena Notaro who leads the team in scoring and 3-pointers, is 2nd in assists and 3rd in steals. Junior Samantha Nielsen leads the team in steals and blocks, is 2nd on the team in scoring and 3rd in 3-pointers, rebounds and assists. Freshman [player_tooltip player_id='1606130' first='Eva' last='Bolstad'] leads the team in rebounds, is 2nd in blocks and 3rd in scoring. Sophomore Cecelia Mariani is 1st in assists and 2nd in 3-pointers and steals. Senior Kate Reigle is 3rd in rebounds and blocks.</p>   <p><strong>#4-Voorhees</strong></p>   <p>At 16-8, Voorhees hopes to get a semifinal shot at Caldwell. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1202434' first='Gabriella' last='LaMarca'] leads the team in scoring, 3-pointers, rebounds, steals and blocks. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='601342' first='Madie' last='Petak'] leads the team in assists and is 2nd in scoring, rebounds, blocks and steals. Junior Emma Hill is 3rd in scoring and rebounding. Senior Alex McComb is 2nd in assists. Senior Kaitlyn Morales is 3rd in assists, steals and blocks. </p>   <p><strong>#5-Rutherford</strong></p>   <p>Rutherford is 18-8 and is another team in this section that has played many teams tough throughout the year. They are led by senior 1,100 point scorer [player_tooltip player_id='601407' first='Mackenzie' last='Vellis'] who leads the team in scoring, rebounding and steals and is 2nd in blocks. Senior Cate Finan leads the team in 3-pointers and is 2nd in scoring. Freshman [player_tooltip player_id='1324319' first='McKenzi' last='Lewis'] is 2nd in 3-pointers, rebounds, assists and steals and 3rd in scoring. Sophomore Maddie Triana is 3rd in assists and steals. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">N2G2 Sectional Final Prediction</h2>   <p>#1-Glen Rock over #2-Bernards </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">North Group 2 Final Prediction</h2>   <p>#1-Caldwell over #1-Glen Rock</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">North 1 Group 4</span></strong></h2>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Favorite: #1-West Orange</h2>   <p>West Orange comes in at 24-3 and on a 13 game winning streak and is a heavy favorite to defend their sectional tile from 2024-25. Junior 1,200 point scorer [player_tooltip player_id='825463' first='Rhyan' last='Watt'] leads the team in scoring, 3-pointers, rebounds and steals and is 2nd in assists. Senior Siena commit [player_tooltip player_id='559042' first='London' last='Caldwell'] leads the team in assists and is 2nd in scoring, 3-pointers, rebounds and steals. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1702402' first='Taraji' last='Muhammad'] is 3rd in scoring, 3-pointers. assists and steals. Senior Lynn Charles is 3rd on the team in rebounds. They are the defending Group 4 North Champs looking to get back to the title game. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Sleepers:</h2>   <p>Nothing but sleepers here when the favorite is someone like West Orange. </p>   <p><strong>#2-Morristown</strong></p>   <p>Morristown is led by one of the top sophomores in New Jersey. [player_tooltip player_id='919624' first='Nawel' last='Ibazatene Lefebvre'] is already over 1,100 career points and leads her team in scoring, rebounding, blocks and steals is 2nd in 3-pointers and 3rd in assists. Junior Shannon Collins is 2nd in scoring, rebounding and steals and leads the team in assists. Senior Emma Blazano leads the team in 3-pointers and is 3rd in scoring. Junior Pryce Cole is 3rd in rebounds and steals. Senior Violet Barron is 2nd in assists. </p>   <p><strong>#3-Ridgewood</strong></p>   <p>Ridgewood is a senior team that plays a slow style on offense and a phyiscal zone defense which forces teams to shoot it well. They are lead by senior Marist commit [player_tooltip player_id='871281' first='Catie' last='Klemm'] who leads the team in scoring and assists, is 2nd in 3-pointers and 3rd in rebounds and steals. Senior Katie Adams is 1st in 3-pointers and assists and 2nd in scoring and steals. Senior Aarini Bhatia is 3rd in scoring and 3-pointers. Senior Lucy Bjerke is 2nd in rebounds and 1st in blocks. Sophomore Delaney McCrone leads the team in rebounds. Senior Kelsey Shafer leads the team in steals and is 3rd in assists. </p>   <p><strong>#6-Fair Lawn</strong></p>   <p>Fair Lawn has one of the top freshman in NJ this year. Freshman [player_tooltip player_id='1623288' first='Stephanie' last='Morano'] leads the team in scoring, 3-pointers and steals and is 2nd in assists. Sophomore Alyssa Patino is 2nd in scoring, 3-pointers and steals and is 3rd in rebounds and assists. Sophomore Maya Showfety is 3rd in scoring and leads the team in rebounds. Sophomore Shahdy Delgado leads in assists, is 2nd in rebounds and steals and 3rd in 3-pointers.</p>   <p><strong>#8-Paterson Eastside</strong></p>   <p>Paterson Eastside had single digit losses to several NJ Top 20 teams. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1199320' first='Jade' last='Bethea'] leads the team in scoring, is 2nd in steals and 3rd in rebounds and assists. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='600893' first='Alexis' last='Chambers'] leads the team in assists and steals and is 2nd in scoring and rebounding. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='835250' first='Aubrey' last='Newell'] is 2nd in 3-pointers and assists and 3rd in scoring and steals. Junior Keyrie Rodriguez leads the team in 3-pointers. Junior Genesis Santana leads the team in rebounds. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">N1G4 Sectional Final Prediction</h2>   <p>#1-West Orange over #3-Ridgewood </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">North 2 Group 4</span></strong></h2>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Favorite: #1-Bayonne</h2>   <p>After losing the sectional final at home to Westfield last year, Bayonne looks to take home the sectional title this year. Freshman [player_tooltip player_id='913943' first='Sophia' last='Feeney'] leads the team in scoring and 3-pointers and is 3rd in rebounds, assists and steals. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='600927' first='Tatyanna' last='Watson'] leads in rebounds and is 2nd in scoring, assists and steals. Sophomore Samara Porch leads the team in assists and steals and is 3rd in scoring ,rebounds and 3-pointers. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='559033' first='Charlize' last='Olmo'] is 2nd in 3-pointers and rebounds. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Contender:</strong></h2>   <p><strong>#2- Westfield</strong></p>   <p>The defending sectional champs are back looking to defend their sectional title. Senior Gettysburg commit and 1,100 point scorer [player_tooltip player_id='871374' first='Sophie' last='Lane'] leads the team in scoring, is 2nd in rebounding and blocks and 3rd in 3-pointers, and steals. Senior Scranton commit [player_tooltip player_id='601333' first='Megan' last='Logan'] leads the team in rebounds, steals and blocks and is 2nd in scoring and assists. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='739542' first='Mairin' last='Fowler'] is 1st in assists and 3-pointers and 3rd in scoring and steals. Senior Darby Hubner is 2nd in 3-pointers and 3rd in assists. Sophomore Kate Cymbor is 2nd in steals and 3rd in rebounds. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Sleeper:</h2>   <p><strong>#4-Plainfield</strong></p>   <p>Plainfield is 13-11 but has played a very tough schedule and is lead by a strong backcourt. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='835821' first='Sarae' last='Croley-Battle'] leads the team in scoring, rebounds, steals and blocks and is 2nd in 3-pointers and assists. Senior 1,200 point scorer and Quinnipiac commit [player_tooltip player_id='635514' first='Imani' last='Mullings'] leads the team in 3-pointers and assists, is 2nd in scoring and steals and 3rd in rebounds. Sophomore Malia Underwood is 2nd in rebounds and 3rd in scoring and 3-pointers. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='835820' first='Mackenzie' last='Anderson Cook'] is 3rd in assists and steals. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">N2G4 Sectional Final Prediction</h2>   <p>#1-Bayonne over #2-Westfield</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">North Group 4 Final Prediction</h2>   <p>#1-Bayonne over #1-West Orange</p>

The state tournament is set to begin on Tuesday, February 24. Groups 2 & 4 will be in action on the 1st day of games. Let's take a look at each of these sections in the North.