2026 JERSEY LIVE SPOTLIGHT TEAM; RED BANK CATHOLIC
Throughout the next weeks leading up to Jersey Live. I will preview teams and players each day. Today we have three teams that have rosters filled with talented players. All the players I have personally seen play on video, at NBS or during the high school season. I will not evaluate or speak about kids I have not seen play. So understand some very good players could be missed or left out of the report.
There are few things I wish to clear up before we start.
**A D1 LOCK means the player has D1 offers on the table or has recieved serious interest or I personal inside information about a kids recruiting status
** D1 POTENTIAL means a player has shown D1 talent and not caught the eye of Coaches yet. This player has some work left to do
** A FUTURE COLLEGE PLAYER means a player will play in college at some level even if it’s not D1
** WHEN YOU SEE THE GYM RAT LOGO understand these players add additional value to your program. GYM RATS can play a level above their natural ability. Now with that being said, it DOES NOT MEAN A PLAYER IS NOT A HARD WORK WHEN THE GYM RAT LOGO DOES NOT APPEAR. Many of these players train hard and it could be out of my sight. But understand a GYM RATS reputations tends to travel. Hard workers tend to bounce from gym to gym, trainer to trainer. I strongly urge coaches as always, recruit Gym Rats, they always get better at the next level and you never have to beg them to give effort or do more.
SPOTLIGHT TEAM
COACH– JOE MONTANO
POTENTIAL D1 PLAYERS ( 8)
DIVISION 1 LOCKS (6)
FUTURE COLLEGE PLAYERS (9)
GYM RATS (7)
This RBC team is filled with true heavyweights. They do not have the size or depth as they have had in pass years. But make no mistake the talent level on this team is deep and down right scary. They have the 3 possible ALL STATE AND PLAYER OF THE YEAR CANDIDATES. This team has a exceptional BASKETBALL HIGH IQ and this roster is filled with real GYM RATS. They all are unselfish and most importantly most have improved and taken their games to a new level.
“27 ABBY STURM-6’1” FORWARD– She has played behind 6 current D1 players in the past three years. Rather than transfer and start at other programs. She stayed and it is now paying off. The future D1 power forward IS ONLY 16 YEARS OLD. Coaches if she was a 2029 she be ARGUABLY ONE OF THE BEST POST PLAYERS IN THE STATE. Right now she has a case as the best post in the Shore Conference. She has still not hit her growth spurt. Her father is 6’8” and a former D1 star at Monmouth university. Do not be surprised if she showed up on your campus at 6’3” a year from now. While her foot speed may be a question, but have you ever seen anyone beat down the floor. No is the answer, that’s because she’s had to play against multiple D1 players at her position everyday for 3 years. She is a legit rebounder with a college body and size. She an evolving scorer, remember she has not been asked to play that role. It’s taught her to do the dirty work. She is a physical defender in the post who has an full understanding how to defend ball skills. She knows everything from hedging, deep drop, double or ICE. The learning curve in the area will be minimum. She sets monster screens and can pop to the three or roll. She is an excellent passer and relishes hand-offs due to her ball handling skills and size . SHE IS A MID MAJOR LOCK and the rare post player that is a GYM RAT.. meaning she will get better every year! This is a player that could BLOW UP IN A BIG WAY AT THE NEXT LEVEL
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28 ARI WISSEN-5’5”- COMBO/POINT GUARD– She led the Shore Conference in scoring as a sophomore last season. She was named the FRESHMAN OF YEAR. She scored over 500 points, had 125 rebounds and 70 assists last year. The numbers are staggering. She is without debate, THE BIGGEST GYM RAT in the State. Her shooting range is a legit 30+ feet. She shoots off screens, catches or in transition. She was doubled, faced guarded and game planned all last season. Those days are over with the powerhouse players she is now surrounded by by. Her assist totals will jump dramatically now that she is playing with elite rim finishers. She will now be in a year row weight and player development program. They thought is scary what could be coming. She is an elite ball handler that can split time between the point and shoot guard. Some may question her size. But notice the lower body and when have you seen her get posted. She plays way bigger than her size. Coaches this is a star and a player MID MAJOR AND PATRIOT SCHOOLS better pray for her services. She will be more dominant in the coming two years.
’28 CASEY ZAMMIT- 5’9”- COMBO- She is a former FIRST TEAM ALL FRESHMAN FIRST TEAM MEMBER. To say she is athletic is an understatement. She is quick and has cat like reflexes. Her ability to get in the lane and create opportunities against rotating defenses is a gift. She has shooting range to 25ft. You can slide her to the point and get ZERO drop off in her production. She is growing as a defender and attending RBC will only help her become a better defender. She has next level stopper potential. Her talents are truly highlighted in transition because she is so creative and aggressive, she has no problem playing bully ball. Zammit is a next level rebounding guard in traffic. She had over 350 points last season and over 100 rebounds. But the number, everyone is sleeping on is the 84 free throws. That is a massive number especially for a sophomore in the era of three’s . She is a serious self made GYM RAT. She is a MID MAJOR D1 LOCK will be an impact freshman at the next level.
’29 SUMAIYAH LASHLEY-5’11”- SWING– She was the only freshman in the state who saw real minutes on a real contender last season. She spent last season practicing against 5 D1 senior guards everyday. Her matchup in practice everyday? ADDY NYEMCHEK. She just went through a master class with Future Hall of Fame Coach Joe Montano. She has a body called out of granite. She is a next level athlete. The speed, the handle, quickness and physicality is off the charts. Now throw in, she is insanely skilled. Her handle is next level, her shooting is rapidly making her unguardable. Because her first step is so explosive and dynamic. She creates so many issues for opposing coaches because of her elite as in special passing skills, her offensive rebounding skills are painful on opponents. She is a defensive rebounding machine . That can rip the ball off the glass and start the break as a playmaker or scorer. Coaches this is a player that has lived in the gym 5-6 hours a day since 4th grade. She LOVES THE WEIGHT ROOM AND CONDITIONING. We are talking the ULTIMATE GYM RAT. She trains everyday without exception with her trainers on the court and off the court. . But her real strength and super power is her leadership skills.You never worry about burn out. Plays multiple instruments., raises money for children and various causes. Coaches she just 14 doing all this. It just so happens she will be one of the 3 best players in the state before she is done that confuses people. This is a future P4 ROCK STAR…. FACT!
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‘30 SOFIA RUDE- 6’1” – GUARD/SWING- This is an entirely different being. First start with this, she is the complete package and a future McDONALD ALL AMERICAN because of the work ethic. She has a passion and love for game I cannot put into words. She is a GYM RAT OF GYM RATS. You cannot keep her out of the gym. Her improvement is curve is the biggest I have seen for a great player in a decade. She has elite positional size, a WNBA body and is as skilled up as any player in the country at this age could possibly be. Her shooting range is 28ft and she mixes in a dirty pull up game. But what separates her from every single player in the state regardless of age. Her ability to post up guards or bigger players with her magical footwork. Now throw in the IQ and the fact the her mother was a former P4 player and you got some serious cooking on. She is insanely unselfish with excellent court vision and passing skills. She has swag but not a ego. She relates to her peers and understands basketball does not come with privilege. Meaning you can coach her hard and hold her accountable. She will instantly become one of the best players in the state. She works in the weight room and is coached hard by her trainers everyday, this is a recipe for REAL SUCCESS AND DEVELOPMENT. She will not skip days. This is a future NATIONAL PLAYER OF THE YEAR TYPE, if she stays the course.
‘29 NATALIE WHITEHEAD- 5’5″- COMBO- She was RBC’s leading scorer on the JV team last season. This is a deadly shooter and excellent rim attacker. She is instant offense for teams needing a scoring punch. She has a reliable handle and will work on the defensive end to create turnovers and run outs. This is a player that lives in the gym, it why I believe she is going to have a big sophomore year. She also is quietly positioning herself to catch the eyes of college coaches at JERSEY LIVE. SHE IS NOT A RUNNER THAT CHASES HYPE OR STATUS. If you sign her that is where she will stay. She is loyal and a GYM RAT. Her immaturity at times has slowed her progress at times but this spring she made a major jump forward. Her body has gotten stronger and she has seen improvement in her overall skills sets Her shooting range is 30 ft MEANING parking lot good and her mid range game is the REAL DEAL. This is a player the could have a breakout weekend at Jersey Live
“29 DANIELLA BARAZOTTI – 5’5”- COMBO– She was tracking at one time as the class goat. But what everyone is missing, is what she is doing this spring. She has turned the corner and is showing that she is ready to make a major move and that just may come at Jersey Live. She does not look the part. But once you see her ability to shoot the ball and score, your entire perspective will change. She is a outstanding passer and wonderful ball handler. Pay real attention to her ability to use ball screens and making winning decisions. This will be those who pick on her quickness but notice she is always in correct position and her active hands create problems for guards. She has settled on AAU program and this will help in her development long term. She has played against elite competition to this point in her young career. She understand how to play and her IQ will go a long way in her growth. This is a player remember would have played major mins on most good high schools. The year at RBC as a freshman, will pay off this season.
’29 AVERY GOLDFEDER- 5’6″- COMBO/POINT GUARD– She is the ultimate teammate, this is a PROGRAM KID from top to bottom. She is coachable in every sense of the word. She is a hard worker and once in the gym is relentless, “HARD WORKER” will give you 100% and a full buck. This is a player that will do the “WINNING SHIT”. She will make the extra pass, run down 50/50 balls, help on defense, talk to teammates and play with a passion regardless of what you ask her to do. This is a player that is drama free once she gets in the gym. She is a excellent shooter to 23ft and understands how to use screens. She is another high IQ player WITH VERSATILITY and a real competitive edge. She has had a nice spring with her new United AAU team. This is a player that coaches will need to give time to hit her growth spell. She is mature beyond her years. The upside is excellent and filled with potential.
JULIA STEPHAN 6’0″- FORWARD– Clearly this was a major decision by this young lady to attend RBC. The adjustment will take some time. But being surrounded by Alpha Females and GYM RATS could elevate her game. She is tall and lanky. She is an excellent three point shooter who loves the corners. Strength is a issue but she will be on a pre season, in season and post season weight program at RBC. This will serve her well. Coaches this is a young lady who got to play lots of minutes at BRICK. She had multiple double figures scoring games and rebounding games. This is a player with lots of potential and lots of upside
’30 RILEY ZAMMIT- 5’8″- COMBO- Coaches welcome to the player that just may steal this entire event. She might be the most competitive player on this roster. She is beyond confident without being cocky. Coaches this is a player that plays with fire, energy and has a motor that reminds you of the energizer bunny. She is lighting quick hands and feet and is taylor built for pressing and defensive minded teams. Her shooting range is 25 feet and her ability to pass the ball is special. The team leaders and older impact players will embrace her. The real question is where do you play her? I say where ever you like you. She can run the point or play either wing spot. She is growing it seems daily, as she closing in on 5’9″. This is a future big strong guard, if you have seen her since 4th grade to now. The growth has been spectacular. A typical day you ask? Soccer for 2 hours, then after school shooting for a hour and then training for a hour… that’s not including weight room and conditioning, I think you ret the picture about this GYM RAT. If not for Sofia Rude, we might be looking at the Freshman of Year depending on her minutes this season.
NBS AND OTHER CAMP DATES..
