Defending Champs’ Dynamic Duos

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Take a look at these 1-2 punch duos looking to bring the heat for their respective defending state champion teams:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Arts (Group 1)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='981852' first='Harmoni' last='Burgess'] &amp; [player_tooltip player_id='789184' first='Iyanah' last='Lafontant']</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A perfect balance of offense &amp; defense in the back court, these two have had successful summers and are even more confident &amp; dangerous than they were a year ago. Iyanah's spent the past few months locking people up and converting cookies into offense. Whether it's been with the [program_tooltip program_id='774068' first='NJ' last='Panthers'] on the AAU circuit or hooping at Dyckman in NYC, she's looked ultra-focused. Harmoni's time with BBA has seen her pick up offers from Indiana State, Siena &amp; Wagner. Her two-way combo guard play speaks volumes to her steadfast commitment on both sides of the ball. She doesn't take plays off, ever!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Manasquan (Group 2)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='913917' first='Calista' last='Vowteras'] &amp; Rosa LaTesta</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Two players who bring grit and were major players in Squan's title run in March! Calista's biggest AAU season to date saw her collect P24 16U Second Team honors after a phenomenal run with United NJ in places like Louisville, Hamilton &amp; Atlantic City. If her showing at Jersey Live was a sign of things to come, then the Warriors in good hands once December rolls around. Her teammate Rose put forth the best AAU season of her career as well, showing off inside-out play on both offense and defense that proved crucial for United NJ 17U S40. She took a very physical approach and didn't back down or shy away from competition. And with the type of schedule Manasquan plays, this is an important trait!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Moorestown (Group 3)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Tess Murphy &amp; Elyse Anstey</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tess &amp; Elyse may have skipped out on AAU this summer but stayed in tip-top shape with lacrosse. Two of the Top 3 leading scorers from a season ago, they bring lights-out shooting at the guard and small forward positions. Tess is dangerous on the drive and defending the perimeter, putting a body on the opponent and forcing a ton of turnovers. Elyse, a 5'9" W/SF, makes it rain from 3 and does a nice job battling on the glass.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Lenape (Group 4)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='835906' first='El-Anita' last='Joe-Samuel'] &amp; [player_tooltip player_id='1254372' first='Shelby' last='Croly']</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With El-Anita at the helm, Lenape is in a good position looking to defend their Group 4 title. She had one of the most dominant summers of any player in the state, racking up offers from schools like USF, Wake Forest &amp; Seton Hall, crushing the competition at NYvsNY and obtaining her very first ESPN national ranking, debuting at #84 in the Class of 2027. She might just be the most physical and versatile player in New Jersey! Shelby, a recent Bentley commit, steps into an elevated role. Her run with United NJ was eye-opening, as was her run with Lenape at Jersey Live. A lethal 3-point shooter, she's the perfect complimentary piece to Anita this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Red Bank Catholic (Non-Public A)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='1235187' first='Sumaiyah' last='Lashley'] &amp; [player_tooltip player_id='761993' first='Abby' last='Sturm']</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Su's run with Philly Rise 15U showed plenty of growth in her game. Through fifteen games at EYBL Sessions I-III, she averaged 6.7 PPG &amp; 4.7 RPG to help her team go 11-4. A strong all-court player, she steps into a major role with the Caseys and will be one of their main contributors. Abby has spent the last three seasons learning from an incredible bunch that featured multiple high level D1 prospects. Abby's last go-around with the Shoreshots saw her skillset look more advanced than ever, working the offense inside &amp; out and being a stout rim protector. Her defense was the best at Jersey Live, giving us all a preview of things to come in December with RBC.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Gloucester Catholic (Non-Public B)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='1831950' first='Monet' last='High'] &amp; [player_tooltip player_id='959812' first='Amanda' last='Eggers']</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With Monet running the point and Amanda making herself available around the perimeter, these two will surely have the offense clicking for the Rams. They are interchangeable at the 1 &amp; 2, both possessing sharp court vision &amp; capable of knocking down the 3 ball at a high clip. One of the scrappiest back courts in the state will look to run it back in what should be an incredibly competitive NPB bracket. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->