State Tournament Preview: North Group 1 and North Group 3

<p>The state tournament is set to begin on Thursday, February 26. 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 1</span></strong></h2>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Favorite: #2-Mountain Lakes</h2>   <p>The defending North 1 Group 1 champs are back to defend their crown as the #2 seed. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='832357' first='Shea' last='Sutter'] leads the team in scoring, rebounding and steals and is 2nd in 3-pointers and assists. Sophomore Siena Bednar leads the team in 3-pointers and blocks, is 2nd in scoring and 3rd in assists and steals. Freshman Annalise Armani is 3rd in scoring and 2nd in rebounds. Junior Thalia Kline is 3rd in 3-pointers. Senior Kristine Squeglia is 2nd in steals and 3rd in rebounds. Sophomore Summer Sutter leads the team in assists. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Contenders:</h2>   <p><strong>#1-Emerson</strong></p>   <p>Emerson is the #1 seed but comes in having won just 2 of their last 5 games. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='871237' first='Gabriella' last='Micucci'] leads the team in scoring, 3-pointers and steals and is 3rd in assists. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1202428' first='Mackenzie' last='Dillon'] has not played a game since 1/31 and could miss states. This is a huge loss for Emerson as she is 2nd in scoring and rebounding and leads the team in blocks. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='1192838' first='Kylie' last='Grompone'] leads the team in rebounds, is 2nd in steals and 3rd in scoring. Sophomore Jillian Canino leads the team in assists and is 2nd on the team in 3-pointers. Junior Demetra Koutsothanasis is 2nd on the team in assists and 3rd in rebounds and steals. Time will tell if the supporting cast can make up for the potential loss of [player_tooltip player_id='1202428' first='Mackenzie' last='Dillon'].</p>   <p><strong>#3-Midland Park</strong></p>   <p>Midland Park comes in at 16-8. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1202393' first='Sara' last='Stern'] leads the team in scoring, rebounding and blocks and is 3rd in steals. Senior 1,100 point scorer Alexis Williamson is 2nd in scoring, 3-pointers, steals and blocks and 3rd in assists. Junior Abigail Kuhnel is leads the team in 3-pointers and is 3rd in scoring, rebounding and blocks. Sophomore Julia Natoli is 3rd on the team in 3-pointers. Senior Valentina Vitetta leads the team in assists. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='835216' first='Riley' last='Clark'] leads the team in steals and is 2nd in assists. </p>   <p><strong>#4-Pequannock</strong></p>   <p>After a 5-3 start to the season, Pequannock has gone 15-2 entering states. Junior Sienna Cassel leads the team in scoring, rebounding and blocks and is 3rd in 3-pointers. Senior Caitlin Zegler is tied for the lead in 3-pointers, 2nd in scoring, rebounds and steals and 3rd in assists. Freshman [player_tooltip player_id='1627905' first='Alaina' last='Damico'] is tied for the lead in 3-pointers, 2nd in assists and 3rd in scoring and steals. Senior Emily Zegler leads the team in assists and steals and is 2nd in rebounds.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Sleepers:</h2>   <p><strong>#6-Cresskill</strong></p>   <p>Cresskill made it to the BIT Championship game and along the way they beat #3-Midland Park and #1-Emerson by a combined 24 points so they are afraid of the teams in this section. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1199467' first='Zohar' last='Catran'] leads the team in scoring, 3-pointers and blocks. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='1134549' first='Aya' last='Catran'] leads the team in steals, is 2nd in scoring and blocks, tied for 2nd in 3-pointers and 3rd in rebounds and assists. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='1134556' first='Charley' last='Quinn'] leads the team in assists, is 2nd in steals, tied for 2nd in 3-pointers and 3rd in scoring. Junior Maya Joshi leads the team in rebound and is 3rd in steals and blocks. </p>   <p><strong>#7-Hasbrouck Heights</strong></p>   <p>Hasbrouck Heights enters states having won 5 of their last 6. Junior 1,300 point scorer [player_tooltip player_id='832358' first='Gina' last='Minichiello'] leads the team in scoring, rebounding, assists, blocks and steals. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='1324858' first='Amaya' last='Veras'] leads the team in 3-pointers, is 2nd in scoring, assists and steals and 3rd in blocks. Sophomore Ashley Shine is 3rd in scoring, rebounds and steals. Sophomore Rayna Lalama is 2nd in rebounds and blocks. Junior Sofia Monchino is 3rd in assists.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">N1G1 Sectional Final Prediction</h2>   <p>#2-Mountain Lakes over #4-Pequannock</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">North 2 Group </span>1</strong></h2>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Favorite: #1-Arts</h2>   <p>Arts comes in at 21-4 in search of their 1st ever sectional title. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='666727' first='Nilah' last='Rivera'] leads the team in scoring, 3-pointers, assists and steals and is 3rd in rebounds. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='981852' first='Harmoni' last='Burgess'] is 2nd in scoring, rebounds and blocks. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='601521' first='Niaja' last='Troutman'] leads in rebounds and is 2nd in scoring and 3rd in assists and steals. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='789184' first='Iyanah' last='Lafontant'] is 2nd in 3-pointers, assists and steals. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='835518' first='Morgan' last='Hair'] is 3rd in 3-pointers. Freshman Jaiyana Conover-Smith leads the team in blocks.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Contenders:</h2>   <p><strong>#2-University</strong></p>   <p>University comes in at 17-9. Transfer [player_tooltip player_id='677603' first='Arielle' last='Edwards'] has provided a boost to the lineup but, due to the timing of her transfer, she is ineligible for states which is a major blow to University as she has averaged a double double and leads the team in blocks in just 7 games. Senior 1,000 point scorer [player_tooltip player_id='601329' first='Briana' last='Holt'] leads the team in scoring and rebounds. She is 2nd in blocks and 3rd in steals. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='601522' first='Carryn' last='Grand Pierre'] is 2nd in scoring, 3-pointers, rebounding, assists and steals and 3rd in blocks. Sophomore Danasia Downer leads in 3-pointers and is 3rd in scoring. Senior Taylor LaRue is 3rd in rebounds. Junior Shanaa Manning leads in assists and steals. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Sleepers:</h2>   <p><strong>#4-Glen Ridge</strong></p>   <p>The defending Group 2 runner-up comes in at 14-12 having challenged themselves with a difficult schedule all year long. They beat #2-University early in the season before falling to them twice later on and they have an experienced roster. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='835255' first='Caitlin' last='Hood'] leads the team in scoring and rebounds and is 3rd in blocks. Senior Annabel Koss-Defrank leads the team in steals, is 2nd in scoring, assists and blocks and 3rd in 3-pointers and rebounds. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='601520' first='Allison' last='Snyder'] leads the team in assists and blocks, is 2nd in rebounds, steals and 3-pointers and 3rd in scoring. Junior Lauren Cifelli leads in 3-pointers and tied for 3rd in assists. Senior Leila Arda is 3rd in steals and tied for 3rd in assists.</p>   <p><strong>#5-Verona</strong></p>   <p>Verona is 17-7 entering states and winners of 7 of the last 9 games. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='1157958' first='Morgan' last='Rossi'] leads the team in scoring and steals, is 2nd in 3-pointers and rebounds and 3rd in assists and blocks. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='871381' first='Jada' last='Bednar'] leads in rebounds and blocks, is 2nd in scoring and assists and 3rd in 3-pointers and steals. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='835496' first='Eliana' last='Marateo'] is 3rd in scoring and rebounding. Senior Taylor McClain leads the team in 3-pointers and assists and is 2nd in blocks and steals. </p>   <p><strong>#6-Secaucus</strong></p>   <p>Secaucus comes in at 17-9. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1192843' first='Ava' last='Illuzzi'] leads the team in scoring and assists, and is 2nd in 3-pointers, assists and steals. Junior Julia Pozo leads in rebounds and steals and is 2nd in scoring. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='835467' first='Ava' last='D'Addetta'] leads in 3-pointers and is 3rd in scoring and assists. Sophomore Londyn Oquendo is 3rd in 3-pointers. Senior Gianna Torrillo is 2nd in assists and 3rd in rebounds and steals.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">N2G1 Sectional Final Prediction</h2>   <p>#1-Arts over #2-University</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">North Group 1 Final Prediction</h2>   <p>#1-Arts over #2-Mountain Lakes</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">North 1 Group 3</span></strong></h2>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Favorite: #2-Demarest</h2>   <p>Fresh off handling #1-Ramapo to win their 1st Bergen County title, Demarest enters states as a #2 seed but a heavy favorite. They are 7-0 this season against teams in this section and have won 20 of their last 21 games. Senior 1,500 point scorer and Smith commit [player_tooltip player_id='600897' first='Gabriella' last='Mittelman'] leads the team in scoring and is 2nd in 3-pointers assists and steals. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='789186' first='Zoe' last='Wasserlauf'] leads in assists and steals, is 2nd in scoring and 3rd in 3-pointers and rebounds. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='959847' first='Nassiah' last='Cole-Haricha'] is 2nd in rebounds and 3rd in scoring. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='835246' first='Ella' last='Peck'] leads the team in 3-pointers. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='651513' first='Deana' last='Finkelstein'] leads in rebounds and is 3rd in assists and steals. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Contenders:</h2>   <p><strong>#1-Ramapo</strong></p>   <p>Ramapo comes in at 22-4 and led by three seniors. They fell to #2-Demarest in the Bergen County title game, but get to play all their games at home in the sectional. Senior 1,500 point scorer and Holy Cross commit [player_tooltip player_id='559136' first='Camden' last='Epstein'] leads the team in scoring and 3-pointers, is 2nd in assists and steals and 3rd in rebounds and blocks. Senior 1,000 point scorer and Washington & Lee commit [player_tooltip player_id='564268' first='Toni' last='Pernetti'] is 2nd in scoring, 3-pointers, rebounds and blocks and 3rd in assists and steals. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='600887' first='Grace' last='Saxton'] leads in rebounds, assists, blocks and steals and is 3rd in scoring. Junior Trinity Horn is 3rd in 3-pointers. </p>   <p><strong>#5-Teaneck</strong></p>   <p>Teaneck comes in at 15-8 having won 5 of their last 6. They have been beaten by #2-Demarest three times, but this team is just two years removed from back to back sectional titles. They have battled injuries this year and have only had junior 11.1ppg scorer and 3rd leading rebounder [player_tooltip player_id='1158019' first='Leayana' last='Dorville'] for 7 games and none since 1/20. She has been in a boot and there is no official word on her availabilty for states. Senior 1,300 point scorer and Monmouth commit [player_tooltip player_id='559047' first='Lexi' last='Carnegie'] leads the team in scoring, rebounds and steals and is 2nd in assists. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='1352567' first='Aniya' last='Celestin'] leads in blocks and is 2nd in scoring and rebounds and 3rd in assists. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1202375' first='Sydney' last='Ayala'] leads in 3-pointers and is 3rd in scoring. Senior Pace commit [player_tooltip player_id='600896' first='Jillian' last='Carter'] leads the team in assists and is 3rd in steals. Freshman Madyson Dorville is 2nd in blocks and sophomore Jordyn Taylor is 2nd in steals. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Sleepers:</h2>   <p><strong>#6-Old Tappan</strong></p>   <p>At 18-6, Old Tappan is a #6 seed nobody wants to face. They have size and play a physical in your face defense. They lost twice to #2-Demarest by a combined 4 points and gave #1-Ramapo all they could handle in the county quarterfinals. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='789549' first='Sienna' last='Drullinsky'] leads the team in scoring and rebounds. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='981847' first='Alexa' last='Caunedo'] is 2nd in scoring and rebounds. Senior Nina Caunedo leads in 3-pointers, followed by junior Alivia Badurina and senior Sadie Murphy.</p>   <p><strong>#9-West Essex</strong></p>   <p>West Essex lost two starters from last year's team that went to the N1G3 semifinals where they lost to #2-Demarest by 5 in OT. They come in at 8-18, but would not be intimidated by a 2nd round matchup at Ramapo as they walked in there as a #5 seed and upset them last year. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1199485' first='Jordan' last='Salisbury'] leads the team in scoring, rebounding, blocks and steals and is 3rd in 3-pointers and assists. Senior Ava Brignola leads in 3-pointers, is 2nd in scoring and 3rd in steals. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='871365' first='Madelyn' last='Schlosser'] is 2nd in rebounds, assists and steals and 3rd in scoring. Junior Lexi Castro is 2nd in 3-pointers. Senior Elyana Ghattas is 3rd in rebounds. Riley Guevara leads the team in assists. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">N1G3 Sectional Final Prediction</h2>   <p>#1-Demarest over #2-Ramapo</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">North 2 Group </span>3</strong></h2>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Favorite: #1-Somerville</h2>   <p>After losing the sectional semifinal as a #2 seed last year, Somerville is looking to take home the title this year. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='601343' first='Kaylee' last='Lauber'] leads the team in scoring, 3-pointers, asissts and steals and is 2nd in rebounds and blocks. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='902237' first='Amaya' last='Miller'] is 2nd in scoring, assists and steals and 3rd in 3-pointers and rebounds. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='959838' first='Lily' last='Taylor'] leads in rebounds and blocks and is 3rd in scoring, assists and steals. Junior Molly Bohen is 2nd in 3-pointers and freshman Morgan Blanchard is 3rd in blocks.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Contenders:</strong></h2>   <p><strong>#2-Colonia</strong></p>   <p>Colonia started off 14-0 before finishing 19-3. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1199641' first='Ariana' last='Sosa'] leads the team in scoring, blocks and steals, is 2nd in 3-pointers and 3rd in rebounds and assists. Freshman Samantha Howell leads in 3-pointers, is 2nd in scoring and steals and tied for 3rdin blocks. Senior Nashaelah Hooker leads in rebounds, is 2nd in steals and blocks and 3rd in scoring. Freshman Ava Andrews is 3rd in 3-pointers. Junior Hailey Conklin is 1st in assists and 2nd in rebounds. Sophomore Ivana Gidado is 2nd in assists and 3rd in steals and tied for 3rd in blocks. </p>   <p><strong>#3-Millburn</strong></p>   <p>Millburn is 17-9 and led by freshman Nola Lewis. Nola leads the team in scoring, 3-pointers, rebounds, steals and blocks and is 3rd in assists. Junior Sydney Tavel is 2nd in scoring and assists. Senior Marley Tuckman is 2nd in steals and 3rd in scoring and 3-pointers. Freshman [player_tooltip player_id='1260413' first='Charlie' last='Berger'] leads in rebounds, is 2nd in rebounds and 3-pointers and 3rd in steals. </p>   <p><strong>#4-Cranford</strong></p>   <p>Cranford is just 12-14 but locked up the #4 seed and has a veteran roster. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='871415' first='Lily' last='Costello'] leads the team in scoring, rebounds and steals and is 2nd in 3-pointers, assists and blocks. Senior Brooke Bentrewicz leads in 3-pointers, is 2nd in scoring and rebounding and 3rd in steals. Senior Courtney Toy leads in assists and blocks, is 2nd in steals and 3rd in scoring, 3-pointers and rebounds. Junior Sienna DeStefano is 3rd in 3-pointers and assists. </p>   <p><strong>#5-Chatham</strong></p>   <p>Chatham should be the favorite since they are the 2-time defending North Group 3 champs but they lost all 5 starters from last year. That said, after a 5-11 start, they have won 9 of their last 10 with the only loss coming at the hands of Morris Catholic. Senior Ithaca commit [player_tooltip player_id='1247712' first='Ava' last='Paone'] leads the team in scoring and 3-pointers and is 2nd in assists and steals. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='986767' first='Lucy' last='Arps'] leads in rebounds, is 2nd in scoring, 3-pointers and 3rd in assists and steals. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='959105' first='Shea' last='Lane'] leads in assists and steals, is 2nd in rebounds and 3rd in scoring. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='651479' first='Noelle' last='Grady'] is 3rd in 3-pointers. Freshman Erin Hogan is 3rd in rebounds. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Sleeper:</h2>   <p><strong>#7-Mendham</strong></p>   <p>Mendham is 10-14 but finds ways to keep big games close and they have a veteran team. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='1108588' first='Lila' last='Schoenfeld'] leads the team in scoring, 3-pointers, assists and steals. Senior Amelia Eichman is 2nd in scoring, 3-pointers, rebounds, assists and steals. Junior Camille Manuel is 3rd in scoring and rebounds. Junior Jasmin Amin is 3rd in 3-pointers, steals and assists. Senior Giselle Scott leads in blocks.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">N2G3 Sectional Final Prediction</h2>   <p>#5-Chatham over #2-Colonia</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">North Group 3 Final Prediction</h2>   <p>#2-Demarest over #5-Chatham</p>

The state tournament is set to begin on Thursday, February 26. 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.