2026 JERSEY LIVE SPOTLIGHT TEAM…ST. JOHN VIANNEY
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 itβs 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
COACHβ DAWN KARPELL
POTENTIAL D1 PLAYERS (6 )
DIVISION 1 LOCKS (4)
FUTURE COLLEGE PLAYERS (9)
GYM RATS (3)
ST JOHN VIANNEY has been so good over the years that many talented players have been asked to role players early in their career. These are players who would be the best player on most teams across the state in many cases. SJV are players in one of the most competitive environments daily in the county and play the most difficult competition. Hence why SJV players go to college, start, become All Freshman, Player of the Year’s and most importantly win chips. This team while does not have the hype of other teams n the past will most liekly once again start the year #1 in the toughest conference in America and #1 in the state.
’27 TATUM SHARPE- 6’0″- SWING- This is queen of versatility in New Jersey. She can guard all 5 positions at an elite level. Do no be afraid to match her up with true post players. She is physical and will fight for position against bigger players. She is a true stopper of elite next level scoring guards. She has defended the best of the very best players STRAIGHT UP. She will be a magical defensive rebounder from the wing position at the next level. Very few are better at crashing the offensive glass. Her ability to rebound and start the break is next level and that’s because her decision making is a coaches dream. While the high school stats don’t jump off the page. Remember who she has played with the last 3 years. It’s a who’s who’s of high school basketball. But make no mistake her ability to score will shine in college. That’s because she is a deadly corner shooter and moves without the ball better than many college seniors…fact, not talk. If you play a pressing uptempo style, her impact on a game is immeasurable. Her ability to create tips and deflections are in a class of its own. Then throw in all the length, speed, quickness, size and she is murder in traps. This is a real teammate, a drama free and highly coachable player. I BELIEVE SHE IS A-10 TYPE GOOD AND A FUTURE STARTER AT THAT LEVEL.
’27 LIZZY LYONS- 6’0″- SWING– Was once tracking as the class GOAT and has recently has stepped up her game. According to those in her inner circle, she has improved dramatically her strength and quickness. She is showing real signs of being everything that many predicated. This is a drama free kid that all her coaches and teammates respect. She is a hard worker and very coachable. She has the ability to step away from the basket and shoot the three with real precision, her shot selection is next level. She is highly effective posting up smaller wings. She is a dynamic cutter without the ball and excellent passer. While not a creative ball handler, she is solid as a rock. This is a player that is packed with real potential could shine brightly at the next level. Her best days are ahead of her because she is still growing physically. She is highly skilled and blessed with tons of D1 skills sets. She has played against and with the best. She is a typical battle tested SJV player. Lyons could be a real steal as she is emerging.She has all the tools of a future D1 player.
’27 ANTONIA JACKSON-5β10- TRUE COMBO– Right now she is as good as it gets. She has a college ready body right now. She is next level strong and skilled up. This is a college coaches dream package. She has turned herself into a deep also automatic shooter from 25ft. Her handle is dirty and rock solid. Her ability to to get to the rim is special because of a full upgrade in her gane. She plays off two feet, has the floater game and the pull up game. You must match her up with forwards because she is simply too big and strong for guards. Play her at the point for the Wing it doesnβt matter. She smothers little guards and can match up with big wings. Her foot speed is taken for granted because of all the dynamic other natural talents. She had 33 points vs the EYBL NJ GEMZ this spring. Maybe the best performance to take by any player in the state.. Miss Jackson is a HIGH MAJOR PLUS NIL TYPE
’27 GIANNA SANO- 5β8β -WING– If you are a high level MID AND MAJOR and have not offered you have made your first mistake. If you are a PATRIOT team program understand she starts as a freshman for every program and IVYβs are in play as well. You must understand this is a very special talent. High Majors will marvel at her talents and it ashame they don’t get to see the work ethic away from games. It is off the charts in every way. She is the type that can turn a home teams gym against them, with her flare and dynamic style. Her ability to breakdown defenders is a clinic. Combine this with her athleticism and leaping ability and you have pure magic. Her passing skills are that of a seasoned guard. She makes them all look easy and never makes a mistake. Each pass is crisp and on target. FORGET guarding her in transition. She treats ball pressure like an evening snack. Her shooting range is all of 25 ft and more. She is currently making the U16 EYBL her personal playground. This is a GYM RAT THOUGH AND THOUGH. She loves the game with a rare passion. Coaches pay real attention to this…Her parents are winning parents, they will elevate you programs perception to your media and administration. . This is a MUST OFFER NOW RECRUIT.
’28 GABRIELLA CASTELLANOS- 5β6β- COMBO– I got my first look at her in a shooting session. Here is what I can tell you, she is the most interesting player on the SJV roster. She is athletic, quick, skilled, personable and very intelligent. Her ball handling looks like a non issue as did her work ethic. She is clearly a player I need to and hope to see more of in the future. She could be a real surprise at JERSEY LIVE. She is a very confident player. I HAVE A VERY GOOD FEELING ABOUT THIS YOUNG LADY!!
’27 AVERY BARTH – 5β5β- POINT/COMBO– She has stepped up her game in a big way. This is an emerging player. She is a classic GYM RAT and has a real competitive nature. Her ball handling skills are solid and gets the job done without fanfare. Her ability to push the ball wither either hand with pace makes her dangerous in transition. She has no problem turning into a scorer. She shoots the deep three, shoots behind screens and is masterful in pick and roll. She is under the radar not because of a lack of talent but rather because she played behind 6 D1 guards at SJV. Her improvement curve has been big and consistent year to year. THIS HAPPENS TO GYM RATS. She is a hard nosed, ball hawk type on defense. There is no question she could have a coming out party at Jersey Liveβ¦ High academic D3βs and D2βs she is must see and D1βs would be wise to peek in because of the sudden rise.
’27 BRYNN UTTER– 5β8β- WING– She is an interesting prospect because she is a committed D1 softball player, one of the best in the state. But she is also a very talented athletic basketball player. She is an aggressive offensive player and outstanding finisher at the rim. She plays with all out energy on defense. She is a classic physical player. She is not afraid to use her body. She has an excellent handle and is a willing passer. She is a true teammate and a program kid. This is a player you must do a deep dive with. The possibilities are endless because of the raw talent and competitive nature. THIS HAS REAL WALK ON POSSIBILITIES WRITTEN ALL OF IT, IF LEHIGH IS PAYING ATTENTION.
’27 ADDISON BOGAN- 5β6β- COMBO– It seems she has been around forever. She is a program kid. Sheβll work hard and be a true teammate. She is an excellent shooter and reliable ball handler. D3 schools should give her a hard look. She has been in one of the most competitive environments in the country and yet stuck around vs running to easy, points and fake hype.
’29 BROOKE SOFILKANICH- 6β0β FORWARD– Coaches get ready now because she is coming and she is coming in a big way. She has excellent size and outstanding hands and is insanely agile and mobile. She is very physical and ultra aggressive. She sets wonderful screens and has the ability to seal and roll. She has shown real shooting ability on the Jr EYBL tour this spring. She is knocking down three’s with excellent form and with no hesitation, she is very confident. She is a reliable passer and plays extremely well hard in both ends of the floor. What is going unnoticed is her versatility. This is a player that will play in the post and YES ON THE WING AT THE NEXT LEVEL. Her quickness is much underrated, much like her older sister Ashley’s was at this age. She moves her feet well and runs the court with passion. She is developing in a big way and all signs point to her being another high level D1 player in the family. Her older sisters attend MICHIGAN AND DUKE.
’30 CECE “CC” VALENTE- 5β4″- POINT GUARD– She is lighting quick with fast hands and an aggressive nature. She has the potential to be an elite defender. She is an excellent shooter whose range and accuracy should improve over the years. Her ball handling skills are excellent as she is strong with the ball and can go either way left or right equally well. LEAVE HER OPEN BEHIND THE LINE AND SHE WILL MAKE YOU PAY. She is a big time passer right now and more importantly will take care of the ball against pressure. She is built strong and powerful despite her size. She plays way bigger than her listed height. She will enter the Shore as a Top 5 incoming freshman. She has an excellent attitude and is coachable. Her older sister SOFIA, is a sophomore at LAFAYETTE UNIVERSITY. There no reason to believe she is not a future D1 player. A skilled up player with big future.
NBS AND OTHER CAMP DATES….
