Unexpected Postseason Non-Public Breakout Performances

EJ Arocho March 8, 2026 @ 03:06 PM

These six players played a crucial role in helping their respective teams win games in the NJSIAA playoffs. When so many people expect only the stars to shine the brightest, these ladies proved they belong!   [player_tooltip player_id='676823' first='Anastasia' last='Bonfante'] | Morris Catholic   North Jersey, Non-Public A: Semifinals   Stasia has played solid all season long for the Crusaders, going up against some of the biggest and baddest teams in the Tri-State area. She hadn't scored in double-digits since February 12th vs Demarest, but that all changed in a win-or-go-home game vs DePaul. The stakes were high, but the opportunity was enormous, and the 5'4" guard surely showed out. She dazzled in transition and buried two triples en-route to 12 points. One of the smallest players on the floor, she pulled down a note-worthy 5 boards and also dished out 4 assists. All of these were career playoff highs in the 13-point win.   [player_tooltip player_id='1798172' first='Sadie' last='Salmon'] | Pingry   North Jersey, Non-Public A: Quarterfinals & Semifinals   Big performances in back-to-back games put Sadie as the focus of opponents' scouting report going forward. Career playoff highs of 8 points, 7 rebounds and 11 steals in an upset win over 3rd seed Pope John were outdone by 11 points and 12 rebounds in the semis vs 2nd seed Immaculate Heart. The 5'5' guard was impressive against top tier competition, playing confident and much bigger than her size to outwork defenders and help keep Pingry rolling.   [player_tooltip player_id='669307' first='Giada' last='Celetti'] | Saddle River Day   North Jersey, Non-Public B: Semifinals   Giada had never scored in double-figures in the playoffs. Well, that changed on Thursday in a 1-point win over Hudson Catholic. Every single basket scored was crucial, as the senior center tallied 10 points and a playoff high 14 rebounds. She controlled the glass and remained aggressive throughout, recording the big double-double that couldn't have come at a better time!   [player_tooltip player_id='1591705' first='Alaysia' last='Jeune'] | Paul VI   South Jersey, Non-Public A: Quarterfinals   Playing in her first ever playoff game, surely nobody expected the freshman to go off for 14 points, despite being uber talented! Lay put nerves aside and played confident basketball, drilling two 3's and running the floor with poise. She also tallied 2 rebounds, 1 assist and 2 steals in the big win vs Camden Catholic.   Abria Hason | Bishop Eustace   South Jersey, Non-Public A: First Round   A career playoff high of 12 points to go with 3 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 steal came at a crucial time in a single-digit win over St. Rose. She put her best foot forward and maintained high energy and even higher confidence. She did a great job overcoming pressure from a very scrappy Purple Roses squad.   [player_tooltip player_id='1355087' first='Juniper' last='King'] | Wildwood Catholic   South Jersey, Non-Public B: Quarterfinals   Juniper came through clutch in Catholic's narrow victory over a very hard-nosed Ranney bunch. A game high 10 rebounds and 2 blocks, combined with 9 points, 2 assists and 2 steals lifted the Crusaders in survive-and-advance play. Her inside-out versatility on offense was a total game-changer.

These six players played a crucial role in helping their respective teams win games in the NJSIAA playoffs. When so many people expect only the stars to shine the brightest, these ladies proved they belong!