Thursday’s State Tourney Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Let's take a look at six players who put on impressive performances across the state to help their respective teams survive and advance in Group 4 and Non-Public play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='669307' first='Giada' last='Celetti'] | Saddle River Day</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>North Jersey, Non-Public B: Semifinals</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>G recorded the first postseason double-double of her career in a narrow 39-38 win over Hudson Catholic. She chipped in 10 points and pulled down 14 rebounds to lift the Rebels in a scrappy, high stakes contest. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1259150' first='Naima' last='Solivan'] | Gill St. Bernard's</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>North Jersey, Non-Public B: Semifinals</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Naima tied a season high 14 points, including a career-high four 3's, in her second-ever playoff game vs Villa Walsh. She was part of a balanced attack that ultimately led to a dominant 78-37 win and helped book a spot in the North NPB sectional final.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='601401' first='Natalia' last='Valdez'] | Rutgers Prep</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>South Jersey, Non-Public B: Semifinals</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A career high six 3's en-route to a career playoff high 20 points powered the Argos past Stuart Day 79-46. Hot shooting and tremendous poise under pressure by the senior led RP to their sixth straight sectional final.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1798172' first='Sadie' last='Salmon'] | Pingry</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>North Jersey, Non-Public A: Semifinals</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sadie's career day helped 6th seeded Pingry pull off a big upset over the 2nd seed, Immaculate Heart. She notched her first career double-double, tallying 11 points and 12 rebounds in a game that came down to the wire. Every point and every board was crucial!</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>Addy exploded for a career-high 37 points an overall monster game in a blowout 68-31 win over a very talent St. Thomas Aquinas team. She as everywhere all at once, covering ground on offense and defense, tallying 14 points, 6 assists, 2 blocks and 3 steals. When she's in a zone like that, she's practically unguardable. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='559037' first='Taylor' last='Sofilkanich'] | Rutgers Prep</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Taylor recorded the second postseason double-double of her career, tallying a game-high 19 points and 13 rebounds (tied a career-high) to avenge last year's semifinal loss to Paul VI, 63-54. She continues to be the anchor inside as the Lady Lancers chase their first sectional title since 2023. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->