Jersey Live - Thursday's North Jersey Game MVPs

<p>The baselines were packed with college coaches and the play on the court was top notch. These North Jersey players took home game MVP honors in Thursday's games.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='972291' first='Angelyn' last='Almonte'] - DePaul - Class of 2029</h2>   <p>Depaul HS fell to St. John's College DC, but Angelyn led her squad. Her full bag is always on display. Whether it's a step back 3, head fake and drive into a mid-range pull up or attacking the rim and banging opponents to get to her spots and finish, defenses never have an answer for her offensive arsenal. This rising sophomore already is already visiting Power 4 schools and will continue to expand her game the rest of the summer with Philly Rise EYBL. As a freshman on the 20-5 DePaul team that won the Passaic County Tournament, Angelyn led the team in 3-pointers and was 2nd in scoring. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='651497' first='Lucy' last='Burke'] - Mount St. Mary's - Class of 2027</h2>   <p>Lucy and her Mount St. Mary's HS team fell short against Columbia HS. She showed her shooting range and is always willing to get inside and mix it up on the glass. Her length and anticipation on D allows her to contest and block shots and also get steals and deflections. As a junior at Mount St. Mary's, she lead the team in 3-pointers, steals and blocks and was 2nd in scoring and rebounding. She is getting ready for her senior season by playing on the [program_tooltip program_id='774068' first='NJ' last='Panthers'] Blue team this summer.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='913943' first='Sophia' last='Feeney'] - Bayonne - Class of 2029</h2>   <p>After a stellar freshman season at Bayonne HS, Sophia continued to lead the team in a close loss to Colts Neck HS. She has a quick release and deep range on 3-pointers. She attacks the rim in transition and actively pursues steals on the defensive end while taking calculated chances. As a freshman on a 25-5 Bayonne team that won the Hudson County Tournament and advanced to the North 2 Group 4 Finals, Sophia led the team in scoring, 3-pointers and blocks and was 3rd in assists and steals. She is playing for Exodus EYBL this summer.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='789169' first='Morgan' last='Fulston'] - Morris Catholic - Class of 2027</h2>   <p>In a dominant win over Thrive Charter HS, Morgan was the catalyst in the middle. At 6'2", she is the interior anchor of the Morris Catholic HS defense. She blocks shots at a high point without fouling and when she doesn't get the block she certainly intimidates shots in the paint. She does a good job cleaning the glass and getting a quick outlet pass before she goes rim running. She is a good finisher around the rim. As a junior, on a 25-6 Morris Catholic team that won the Morris County Tournament and advanced to the Non-Public A Finals, Morgan led the team in rebounds and blocks. She is playing for [program_tooltip program_id='714664' first='Team' last='Sharp'] this summer.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='1873090' first='Erin' last='Hogan'] - Chatham - Class of 2029</h2>   <p>Chatham HS has a new coach and lost their leading scorer, Ava Paone, to graduation. They were also playing without their 2nd and 3rd leading scorers from last season at Jersey Live. In close losses to St. Thomas Aquinas HS and East Brunswick HS, Erin stepped up. She is a physical on the ball defender who can also block shots around the rim. She is aggressive going for steals as part of the Chatham pressure. She cuts hard to the rim and also has some ability to step out and shoot with a lefty stroke. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='1873014' first='Malaysia' last='Isaac'] - Roselle Catholic - Class of 2030</h2>   <p>Malaysia proved she is ready to splash on the high school scene in a convincing Roselle Catholic HS win over Glen Rock HS. She is a versatile guard who can play on or off the ball. She does an excellent job attacking the defense and getting to the rim. Keeps her dribble when she needs to and gives it up while staying active off the ball when necessary. As her jumper continues to develop she will be even more dangerous. She is a hard working defender and will be able to add value at both ends of the court as she continues to build her skills with Lady Choz on the 3SSB circuit this summer.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='865288' first='Leah' last='Kearney'] - St. Thomas Aquinas - Class of 2027</h2>   <p>Leah led the charge for St. Thomas Aquinas HS in a win over Mainland Regional HS. She has great length and bounce. She is an intimidating shot blocker in the paint. She shows a high release point in the post and her mid-range game. She attacks rebounds and quickly gets them back on the glass for easy buckets. Leah is going to accomplish the rare feat of 1,000 career points and 1,000 career rebounds in her senior season. As a junior she led 24-7 St. Thomas Aquinas in rebounds and blocks and was 2nd in scoring. She is playing for [program_tooltip program_id='714664' first='Team' last='Sharp'] in the Lady P32 New Balance circuit this summer.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Cynthia Kovacs - Hackettstown - Class of 2028</h2>   <p>Cynthia earned game MVP honors in two close losses to Princeton Day HS and Verona HS. She is a confident quick release 3-point shooter who moves along the arc well to find open spots. She does a great job getting out ahead in transition for easy layups. She also displays good feet and the ability to stay in front of the ball on defense. As a sophomore for 18-8 Hackettstown HS, she led the team in 3-pointers, was 2nd in scoring and 3rd in steals. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='831440' first='Taylor' last='Lawrence'] - Middlesex - Class of 2027</h2>   <p>In a close loss to Our Lady of Mercy HS, Taylor was the player to watch for Middlesex HS. She is a relentless rebounder on both ends. She sprints from end to end on every possession. Taylor attacks the rim with a purpose and can finish at the rim on dribble drives or on rebound putbacks. She can step out and shoot it but is at her best getting downhill. As a junior, she led Middlesex in rebounds and steals and was 2nd in scoring.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='1248915' first='Kendall' last='Maynard'] - Middlesex - Class of 2028</h2>   <p>Kendall led Middlesex to a win over Howell HS. She is a confident 3-point shooter who likes to get to open spots in the corners for spot up 3s. She is adept at finding openings along the arc to get her shots off. She rebounds aggressively and does an excellent job getting defections and steals as part of the Middlesex pressure and also does a good job contesting and blocking shots. As a sophomore she was 2nd on the team in 3-pointers and blocks and 3rd in rebounds and assists. She is playing this summer for Team Miller HGSL.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='1199501' first='Gia' last='McArdle'] - Mount St. Dominic - Class of 2028</h2>   <p>Gia was the MVP for Mount St. Dominic HS in a win over Ewing HS and a loss to Sanford DE HS. Gia is a smooth shooting lefty guard. She works the defense to get open along the arc and will score in bunches if she is left open. She plays fast with the ball and likes to push tempo and she is a strong defender and rebounder who can also disrupt games defensively. After two years at Mount St. Dominic she has accumulated 839 points and, as a sophomore, she led the team in scoring, 3-pointers and steals, was 2nd in rebounds and 3rd in assists. She is playing this summer for NJ Pirates.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='1198649' first='Maya' last='Morrison'] - DePaul - Class of 2028</h2>   <p>Maya led the way for DePaul HS in a close loss to South Bronx Prep NY HS. She is a versatile lefty wing who does an excellent job taking the ball into the paint and uses great patience and footwork to find opportunities to finish at the rim. She is at her best attacking off the bounce and getting in the paint but does show the ability to step out and shoot from deep on occasion. Defensively, her presence rebounding and blocking shots is a difference for the DePaul interior defense. As a sophomore on the 20-5 DePaul team that won the Passaic County Tournament, Maya led the team in rebounds and was 3rd in scoring and assists. She is spending her summer playing for the Gauchos on the 3SSB circuit.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='1116141' first='London' last='Reese'] - Roselle Catholic - Class of 2028</h2>   <p>London led the way for Roselle Catholic HS in a loss to Spring-Ford PA HS. She is a quick guard who is at her best attacking the rim. She gets downhill with good angles and finishes at the glass. When she gets defenders on their heels or sees them play under screens she is capable of shooting the deep ball, but is at her best in attack mode. She has quick hands as an on the ball defender and gets in passing lanes off the ball. As a sophomore, she led Roselle Catholic in points, assists, blocks and steals and was 3rd in rebounds. She is playing this summer for the Gauchos on the 3SSB circuit.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='1157958' first='Morgan' last='Rossi'] - Verona - Class of 2027</h2>   <p>Morgan took home three MVPs for her Verona HS team on Thursday in a successful day against Hackettstown HS, Hillsborough HS and Our Lady of Mercy HS. Morgan is a long fast athlete with good defensive anticipation. She easily turns steals into layups with her timing and speed. She is opportunistic both on and off the ball as a defender. She is also not afraid to get on the floor after loose balls. Offensively, she is able to get a lot of points in transition by attacking the glass. She is capable of spotting up and knocking down the deep ball. As a junior, she led Verona in points, and steals, was tied for the lead in 3-pointers, was tied for 2nd in rebounds and 3rd in assists and blocks. She will be chasing 1,000 career points as a senior.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='1825977' first='Teagan' last='Rowley'] - Bayonne - Class of 2029</h2>   <p>Teagan is a newcomer to Bayonne HS this season and was the game MVP in a win over Thrive Charter. She is a dominant presence in the paint for Bayonne. She is always physical in the paint. At 6'3" she effectively utilizes her length to change the game in the paint for her team's defense. She has good hands and is comfortable playing with her back to the basket displaying good footwork. She is tough to keep off the offensive glass and is not afraid to mix it up inside. She is playing for the NJ Aces on the Puma circuit.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='1848449' first='Trinity' last='Sullivan'] - St. Thomas Aquinas - Class of 2028</h2>   <p>Trinity earned player of the game honors for St. Thomas Aquinas HS in a win over Chatham. Trinity is a long and physical presence and those skills were on display. She drives the ball hard and finishes through contact. She attacks the ball as it comes off the glass. She works hard to get into good rebounding position. As her jumper continues to develop she can be more of an inside out presence. She appeared in 23 games for St. Thomas Aquinas as a sophomore and will look to make an impact as a junior with almost 56% of the team's points from last year lost to graduation. She is playing this summer for Team Jersey Elite NXTPro on the Puma circuit.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='1259198' first='Amahli' last='Vialva'] - Morris Catholic - Class of 2029</h2>   <p>Amahli was the game MVP in a close contested win over Colts Neck. She is an attacking wing who can change direction and get to the rim. She plays and does a good job playing through contact on the drive. She is a capable of getting defenders on their heels and stepping back back into the long ball as well. She is an aggressive defender who can pressure the ball. Appeared in 29 games as a freshman for a 25-6 Morris Catholic team that won the Morris County Tournament and advanced to the Non-Public A Finals. She was tied for 2nd on the team in blocks and 5th in rebounds in her first year. With last year's top three scorers gone, Amahli should make a big impact this season after a summer with Exouds on the EYBL circuit.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='825463' first='Rhyan' last='Watt'] - West Orange - Class of 2027</h2>   <p>It's no surprise that Rhyan was the MVP in both games for West Orange HS. She showed all her skills in losses against Lansdale Catholic PA HS and Xaverian NY HS. Rhyan is a long ball sniper. She is deadly spotting up off the ball. With the ball in her hands, she is comfortable making good decisions in the pick and roll game. She forces defenders to guard her on the perimeter and uses that leverage to get to the rim and finish. Rhyan will be chasing the 2,000 career point mark in her senior season. She also does a great job creating turnovers on the defensive end. Last season, West Orange was 28-4 and won the Essex County Tournament and a North 1 Group 4 Sectional championship. As a junior, she led the team in points, 3-pointers, rebounds and steals and was 2nd in assists. She is playing for [program_tooltip program_id='714664' first='Team' last='Sharp'] in the Lady P32 new Balance circuit this summer.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Brianna Wise - Glen Rock - Class of 2030</h2>   <p>Brianna is a newcomer to a Glen Rock HS team that is coming off back to back sectional titles, but lost the bulk of it's production to graduation. Gone are 62% of their points, 58% of their 3-pointers and 61% of their rebounds. She was the game MVP in both games Glen Rock played at Jersey Live, losses to Atlantic City and Roselle Catholic. Brianna provides a versatile scorer who can help them on the glass as well. She will be given every chance to step into a prominent role this season for Glen Rock.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='1157917' first='JoJo' last='Yarde'] - Columbia - Class of 2027</h2>   <p>JoJo was the team MVP for Columbia HS in a win over Mount St. Mary's HS and a loss to Princeton Day HS. She is a long wing who excels at getting steals on the defensive end and getting out in transition to finish at the other end. She is always in the mix and, when she is not scoring, she is in the paint grabbing rebounds and getting put backs. Her 3-point totals have increased every season and defensively her length allows to block or disrupt a high percentage of shots. As a junior she led Columbia in scoring, rebounds, blocks and steals and was 2nd in assists. She is playing for [program_tooltip program_id='714664' first='Team' last='Sharp'] in the Lady P32 new Balance circuit this summer.</p>

The baselines were packed with college coaches and the play on the court was top notch. These North Jersey players took home game MVP honors in Thursday's games.