Sophomore Spotlight: Under the Radar PG’s

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the world of girls' basketball, where the spotlight often falls on the most hyped prospects, a group of emerging talents is poised to take center stage. They command the back court and have been diligently refining their skills and pushing their limits. With the 2023-2024 season fast approaching, these newly minted sophomores are now on the cusp of stepping into bigger roles within their teams.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='559029' first='Ava' last='Fajardo'] | 5'4" | Blair</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of New Jersey's "greatest gainers" of the summer, Ava's game exploded and her stock rose exponentially! She ran the show with her travel squad Exodus NYC and then went off to compete with the Gilas Pilipinas squad (Philippines National Team) where she lead them to Gold against Iran in the FIBA U16 Women's Asian Championships (Div. B). Ava led her team in points per game (16.2) and assists (5.4) and also averaged 6.4 rebounds per game. As efficient as she is scoring the ball, she is also a dynamic facilitator (pass-first point guard) with elite court vision. This winter with the Bucs, she has the opportunity to eclipse 300 points, 100 rebounds and 100 assists for her young career.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='666727' first='Nilah' last='Rivera'] | 5'5'" | Montclair Immaculate</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nilah had the Nike circuit lit this summer! Playing with Exodus NYC, she showed everyone that she can score and distribute the rock with high efficiency. She can spin and ball-fake her way to the rim or penetrate the defense and kick out to a lurking perimeter threat. Her court vision and overall sharp basketball acumen puts her team in a position to win every game they compete in. Transferring from Saddle River Day to Montclair Immaculate, Nilah will be primed to put her skills on full display, as Coach Kreie is well-known for playing arguably the most difficult schedule in the state. 200 points, rebounds and assists are all within reach before her sophomore campaign is over.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='601418' first='Za'Mylah' last='Seda-Owens'] | 5'7" | Penns Grove</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the most prolific scorers in the '26 Class last season, Z took the Tri-County Conference by storm with her supreme scoring and superb dime-dishing abilities. Fearless off the bounce, she attacks the defense and snakes her way to the rim. She has high efficiency from 12-15 feet and can step out behind the arc and knock them down in rapid succession. This season with the Red Devils, she has a chance to eclipse 600 points, 300 rebounds,100 assists and 100 steals and prove herself as one of the most dynamic all-around hoopers in her Class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='669301' first='Kimora' last='Truitt'] | 5'2" | Pennsauken</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In a rebuilding year for the Lady Indians, Kimora had quite the debut and truly made a splash onto the high school basketball scene. Averaging near double-figures in points per game (9.1), she was highly impactful and scored the ball in a number of ways; slicing and dicing to the rim, pull-up jumpers and deep 3-point buckets. This summer with her DAPA squad, she did more of the same. She got better with every game she played and had her stock soaring deep into July. An underrated passer, she showed the ability to find teammates around the floor and thread the needle wonderfully. This sophomore year, her knack for scoring may see the 400-point mark crossed by March.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='600927' first='Tatyanna' last='Watson'] | 5'5'" | Bayonne</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>She dances and dazzles with the ball in her hands and provides high quality minutes...she can score it, facilitate and give a spark that wills her team to victory time and time again... Players like Tatyanna are special and tough to contain because they are flat-out fearless and seem to do everything well on both ends. This summer with the NJ Raptors, I had a front row seat to watch her two-way game emerge right before my very eyes. A magician with the handles, she creates ample space to take it herself or break down the defense and create for others. Quick and electric, she excels in setting up and executing the half-court offense. 300 points, 100 rebounds, 60 assists and 100 steals are all within striking distance this season with Bayonne. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->