NJSIAA State Tournament Preview from the North – Group 2

<h2 class="wp-block-heading">North 1 Group 2 Preview</h2>   This section is certainly Glen Rock's to lose but it won't be easy. There are several talented teams in this section. Let's take a look.   The Favorite #1 – Glen Rock Behind a balanced attack, Glen Rock is 22-4 and primed to take home this section. They have guards, wings and a legit big and they share the ball extremely well. This leads to a balanced attack led by junior [player_tooltip player_id='601348' first='Mia' last='Vergel De Dios'] (10+ppg, 5+rpg and 4+apg). Mia can play inside and out and is an excellent distributor. The size comes from junior [player_tooltip player_id='871420' first='Abby' last='Grove'] (9+ppg, 8+rpg) who's strength and length in the post makes it difficult for opponents on both ends. Senior Emily McKegney (9+ppg, 4+rpg, 4+spg, 3+apg) brings some swagger and is Glen Rock's defensive stopper. Sophomore Ana Landreau (6+ppg, 3+rpg), sophomore Isabella Flaccavento (5+ppg, 2+rpg, 2+apg) and junior Anna Heuss (4+ppg, team high 28 3-pointers, 2+rpg) round out a group that knows how to play together. Time will tell if anyone can take down #1 in this section as they look to avenge a loss to Jefferson in last year's sectional final.   The Contenders #2 – Jefferson Jefferson had close losses to Pope John, Demarest and Morris Knolls so they will be ready to battle in this section. Led by upper classmen they have experience, and they know how to get the ball to their scorers. Leading this team is their Fab 4. Senion Kiley Shatzel (10+ppg, 15 points in sectional final victory over Glen Rock last season), junior Emma Barone (10ppg, 23 3-pointers), junior Kiley Strauch (8+ppg, team high 45 3-pointers), senior Madison Manco (6+ppg). They lost their two leading scorers from last year's sectional championship team, but they have the pieces in place to hold onto the crown for another year.   #3 – Mahwah Mahwah enters states on a 6-game winning streak. They upset River Della and had close battles with Demarest, Ramapo and Old Tappan. 2nd year coach Kerin Roche is all energy on the sidelines and that translates to the floor where her team is not easily outworked. They are led by a smooth sophomore PG [player_tooltip player_id='677735' first='Harper' last='Cohn'] (14+ppg, team high 50 3-pointers, 4+rpg, 2apg, 2+spg) who is capable from deep, pull-up and at the rim. The supporting cast all plays their roles extremely well and is made up of Junior [player_tooltip player_id='600900' first='Emma' last='Jordan'] (6+ppg, 6+rpg) provides size and works hard on the glass, junior [player_tooltip player_id='600901' first='Taylor' last='Tremblay'] (6+ppg, 2+rpg, 2+apg, 2+spg) provides shooting and defense, senior Savannah Ekwe (4+ppg, 4+rpg) joins Emma to make Mahwah's twin towers, junior [player_tooltip player_id='559078' first='Ava' last='Comer'] (4+ppg, 2+rpg) and senior Bella Moffitt (4+ppg, 2+rpg). They are battle tested and not afraid to fight. They can make this interesting.   #4 – West Milford This is another veteran team with shooting and size. They are 18-4 but the 4 losses were in their 4 toughest games. They are led by a quartet of scorers. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='525310' first='Laurel' last='Space'] (11ppg, 7+rpg, 3+apg, 2+spg) is a scorer who works the boards very well for her size, junior [player_tooltip player_id='600890' first='Sarah' last='Benowitz'] (8+ppg, team high 47 3-pointers), senior [player_tooltip player_id='583459' first='Adison' last='Arciniega'] (8+ppg, 5+rpg, 3+apg), senior Amanda O'Brien (6+ppg, 9+rpg). This is a team with experience but may be short on ball handlers to win this section.   The Sleepers #6 – Pascack Valley This team beat Old Tappan and battled Demarest, River Dell and Teaneck. They also fell to Waldwick early in the season. They have a 3-headed monster that makes them a threat to make noise as they moved back down to Group 2 this season. Senior leadership comes from All-County 1,300 point scorer [player_tooltip player_id='414399' first='Celina' last='Bussanich'] (15+ppg, 2nd on team with 75 3-pointers, 4+rpg, 3+apg, 2+spg) and [player_tooltip player_id='525311' first='Ava' last='Burke'] (8+ppg, 27 3-pointers, 7+rpg, 3+apg, 2spg). Celina is a true PG who can score, facilitate and control tempo. Ava is a long wing that can work inside out and clean up the boards. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='677605' first='Raina' last='Gibbs'] (12+ppg, team high 76 3-pointers) had a strong season as a spot up shooter and freshman Keira O'Cathain (5+ppg, 5+rpg) add to the senior production giving them youth and experience. If they all show up, this team can make waves   #9 – Westwood Westwood enters the states on a 3-game winning streak. At 15-10 overall, they are 9-4 since [player_tooltip player_id='835225' first='Cameron' last='Roche'] returned from injury including wins over Caldwell and Ramsey and close games against Mahwah and River Dell. They have talent and scoring and are coming together at the right time. Leaders here are senior [player_tooltip player_id='583457' first='Erin' last='Gashler'] (13+ppg, 5+rpg), sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='835225' first='Cameron' last='Roche'] (12+ppg, 17 3-pointers in 13 games, 4+rpg, 2apg), Julianna Batelli (6+ppg, 5+rpg), junior [player_tooltip player_id='600899' first='Ashlyn' last='Geipel'] (4+ppg, 3+rpg, 3+apg), senior Greta Gashler (4+ppg, 3+rpg). This group lost to eventual winner Jefferson in the sectional semifinals and will look to take down #1 Glen Rock in round two this year.   #10 - Ramsey It's been an up and down year for Ramsey, but the highs were an early season win over Mahwah and beating West Essex this past weekend. So, when they put it all together, they are capable. They just haven't done it consistently this season. This group has several pieces who contribute, and none is bigger than junior [player_tooltip player_id='825539' first='Charlotte' last='Auty'] (12ppg, team high 33 3-pointers, 8+rpg). Also leading the charge for the Rams are junior defensive stopper Jules Pensari (6+ppg, 5+rpg), senior [player_tooltip player_id='879722' first='Hannah' last='McGurr'] (6+ppg, 24 3-pointers, 2+apg), sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='862769' first='Emily' last='Swierk'] (7+ppg) and junior Kylie Bahn (4+ppg, 5rpg)   #12 - Leonia This team has an extremely talented backcourt. I don't know if that is enough to get them to where they want to go, but they play fast and make games interesting, and teams will not be excited to play them. Sophomore 1,000-point scorer [player_tooltip player_id='835219' first='Dani' last='Daproza'] (22+ppg, team high 43 3-pointers, 6+spg, 4+rpg, 2+apg) and junior 1,200-point scorer [player_tooltip player_id='601403' first='Angelica' last='Do'] (19+ppg, 9+rpg, 7+spg, 3+apg) are dynamic together and if you don't protect the ball, they will make you pay. They like to get steals and get out in transition, so you have to be able to handle pressure to beat this team. Rounding out this group are junior Emriqca Jario (3+ppg, 11+rpg) and junior [player_tooltip player_id='1194608' first='Celeste' last='Garzon'] (4+ppg, 5+rpg, 3+spg).   NORTH 1 GROUP 2 SECTIONAL FINAL PREDICTION #1-Glen Rock over #3-Mahwah – Glen Rock gets to the top at home in a tightly contested battle.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">North 2 Group 2 Preview</h2>   Some interesting teams in this section looking to takedown defending champ Madison.   The Favorites #1 – Caldwell Caldwell enters states at 23-3 and, despite a recent stumble against North 1 Group 2 #9 seed, Westwood, they seem ready to roll. They average almost 60ppg and they don't have a senior on the roster. The leaders of this youth movement are Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='835485' first='Addison' last='Keenan'] (18+ppg, team high 64 3-pointers, 4+spg, 3+rpg, 3+apg), junior [player_tooltip player_id='671407' first='Tea' last='Fiore'] (15+ppg, 5+rpg, 4+apg, 3+spg), freshman [player_tooltip player_id='1201447' first='Elena' last='Kearns'] (6+ppg, 4+rpg, 2+apg, 2+spg), freshman Grace Hodgson (5+ppg, 3+rpg), freshman Fallon Fiore (3+ppg, 3+rpg, 2+apg, 2+spg) and freshman Aaliyah Rodriguez (3+ppg, 4+rpg). Nothing more dangerous in the postseason than a young team that believes in themselves, Watch out!   #2-Madison The defending Group 2 North champs are looking for another trip to Rutgers. At 20-5 with a recent win over North 1 Group 3 #1 seed Demarest, they are ready to roll. They are led by senior American commit and Top 30 all-time scorer in NJ girls' basketball [player_tooltip player_id='414424' first='Charlotte' last='Tuhy'] (25+ppg, team high 76 3-pointers, 9rpg, 4+spg, 2+apg). She has a physical frame and can score from anywhere on the court. The supporting cast here is experienced and ready to contribute. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='879822' first='Devon' last='Johnson'] (9+ppg, 6+rpg), senior [player_tooltip player_id='879815' first='Gabby' last='Mariani'] (5+ppg, 6+apg, 5+rpg, 3+spg) and sophomore Siena Notaro (4+ppg). They know what it takes to get back to Rutgers. Question is will they pull it off? The Contender #4 - Bernards At 21-5 Bernards enters states on a 6-game winning streak. Junior 1,000-point scorer [player_tooltip player_id='601337' first='Aletha' last='Reynolds'] (16+ppg, team high 66 3-pointers, 9+rpg, 2+apg) is the engine that makes it all go. When she is going well the capable supporting cast feeds off of her. That supporting cast is made up of sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='835471' first='Jasmine' last='Kelleher'] (7+ppg, 33 3-pointers, 7rpg, 2+spg), senior Alexa Paterno (6+ppg, 3+rpg), senior Morgan Infusino (5+ppg, 3+rpg) and sophomore Maddie Frame (5+ppg, 4+rpg).   The Sleepers #5 – Voorhees At 17-7, Voorhees has challenged themselves this season to prepare for states. Here we are and they are led by senior [player_tooltip player_id='880026' first='Christina' last='Sullivan'] (13+ppg, 4+rpg, 2+apg), junior [player_tooltip player_id='601342' first='Madie' last='Petak'] (13+ppg, 5+rpg, 3+apg, 2+spg), senior Ali Leibensperger (8+ppg, team high 41 3-pointers, 3+apg, 2+rpg), freshman [player_tooltip player_id='1202434' first='Gabriella' last='LaMarca'] (6+ppg, 4+rpg, 2+spg, 2+apg). The pieces are here if they get hot for them to make some noise after moving from the Central to the North 2.   #6 - Science Park This 18-6 team has two big-time scorers, and they can shoot. That's a good recipe come playoff time. The bulk of the scoring comes from a couple of seniors. 1,300-point scorer [player_tooltip player_id='414419' first='Jada' last='Rodgers'] (15+ppg, 4+spg, 2+apg) and 1,000 point scorer [player_tooltip player_id='583761' first='Daziya' last='Hudson'] (14+ppg, team high 42 3-pointers, 2+rpg, 2+apg and 2+spg) are the leaders here and with supporting cast of freshman Jordan Browne (7+ppg, 3+spg, 2+rpg), I'Naia Logan (6+ppg, 4+rpg), senior Cherifa Agoro (8+rpg) and sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='835487' first='Bintou' last='Sacko'] (4+rpg). If two 1,000-point scorers get going, there's no telling where they can take this team.   #7 – Snyder Snyder enters at 19-4, and their 4 losses are to Hudson Catholic, Union City and Bayonne (twice). They have played tough teams and have won 8 of their last 9. They are led by a quartet of scorers made up of sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='959821' first='Jadasia' last='Davis'] (13+ppg, 13+rpg, junior [player_tooltip player_id='662796' first='Javaeh' last='Agosto'] (12+ppg, team high 35 3-pointers, 6+apg, 3+spg, 2+rpg and 33 points away from 1,000), sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='651519' first='Taleiyah' last='Smith'] (13+ppg, 5+apg, 4+spg, 3+rpg) and senior Jada Peterson (6+ppg, 5+rpg)   #8 - Becton Sitting at 18-9 and fresh off a Bergen County Invitational Championship over Northern Highlands, Becton is entering the states on a high note. A little youth is mixed into the experience roster this season and hopefully that is the magic formula they are looking for. Leading the charge is recent Drew commit, senior 1,900-point scorer [player_tooltip player_id='414429' first='Katie' last='Reiner'] (19+ppg, team high 74 3-pointers, 6+rpg, 2apg), freshman [player_tooltip player_id='1199320' first='Jade' last='Bethea'] (11+ppg, 5+rpg, 3+spg), senior [player_tooltip player_id='879648' first='Chrissy' last='Akiki'] (7ppg, 40 3-pointers, 3+spg, 2+rpg, 2+spg), junior Shania Healy (4+ppg, 4+rpg, 2+spg) and senior [player_tooltip player_id='880036' first='Analise' last='Feliz'] (3+ppg, 13+rpg, 3+spg).   NORTH 2 GROUP 2 SECTIONAL FINAL PREDICTION #2-Madison over #1-Caldwell – Experience wins out over youth this year.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Group 2 North Champion Prediction GLEN ROCK</h2>