As we count down to the final 4 weeks before the start of the season. One thing is clear, some kids have stepped up their games. I’m not talking about those kids relying on hype and relationships with bloggers. Often folks just say the best players or hyped players are the most improved players. Nothing can be further from the truth that’s because kids works habits change and often I other cases kids just stop developing. Today, I’m talking about the kids who have gotten the job done. You know the kids that didn’t sit around in August. But those kids who got on a mission.
So I will tell you the players who have stepped up there games most and more importantly what they added. I’m not talking about the kids who just naturally got stronger due to age and strength training. Those are a given, I’m talking about the kids who added another layer to there games and moved it to performances. I’m talking about kids who are the TRUTH. As usual there is no wealth sharing here. It’s a disservice to those kids putting the work in and it is reflected on tape and in games. DAM THE EXCUSES!
Distractions play a major role in ruining a players development. It could come in the form of tutors. Family obligations, recruiting, weight training. Many kids do not watch film. Many do not do targeting training. They just sweat or as some greats like to say “ANYONE CAN ME SWEATY AND TIRED. BUT CAN THEY MAKE ME BETTER”. The road blocks are everywhere. In 4 weeks some kids will still be relying on their reputations, as other players close the gap!
“AUGUST THOUGH NOVEMBER are dog days. This is where you’re never an underdog if you have potential and a true non forgiving work ethic. This is when an emerging player can step up and steal the spotlight when the bright lights come on… that’s because top rated players often are not paying attention and feeling sexy about themselves”
THE 10 PLAYERS WHO MADE THE BIGGEST JUMP… ( potential is not factored in)
MADISON ST. KOCIS- JR- SJV– She was once thought of as only a stand still three point shooter. These days she is without question the best post up guard in all of New Jersey. She has added a deadly hook at the rim and now is in the conversation as one of the best defenders in the Shore. She is now 6ft tall, physically strong and powerful. Right now she is the clubhouse leader for PLAYER OF THE YEAR in the Shore Conference and please do not argue with me. Her jump has been massive, staggering and eye popping all at once.
ASHLEY KREIGER- SOPHOMORE- RANNEY
The 6’3” forward was the FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR last season. She relied on her size, quickness and athletic ability. But that is old news. Because now she is the best forward these eyes has seen in all his years covering the Shore. That’s because she has added it all to her game. First start with the best foot work by a forward in Shore Conference history and there is no debate her folks. Next she added the deadly mid range jumper. But more importantly she added all the counters. You take one thing away and she goes to another thing. But we are not done. She has become a true Point Forward in transition. Not some tall girl pretending to be a guard. No she has all the guards skills. Now what should worry everyone not wearing a RANNEY uniform is this, she has become explosive at the rim. It’s like a time bomb going off. She will be 1st TEAM ALL SHORE and that is just about a given. Her growth has been staggering.
CHRISTINA LIGGIO- SR- RBC
NAVY has a mega star and winner on the way. She has been known for big shots in big moments in big games. She is a former FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR. She was known for getting to the rim and making hard nosed type plays. She was a blue collar type. These days this blue collar guard has added one of the most electric pull games in the state. Now add that with the additional 10 feet she has added to her jumper. She must be found at 28ft which has made her pull up game even more effective. But she is not done. She added a serious game in the post with spins and foot work from the gods She has gone next level. RBC Is dead in the water without her. She has been locked in since April. She is a POY TOP 3 candidate right now.
GRACE FEENEY- JR- TRINITY HALL
Last year she relied on run outs from Nina Emnace and kick outs for three’s. She was a below offensive rebounder and many questioned her physicality. Those are things of days gone past. Because right now Grace FEENEY can make a case as one of the 6 best players in the Shore. Not based on hype but rather development, performance and the video don’t lie. She is right now the most under recruited player in the Shore due to a lack of exposure. But make no mistake, this might be the best shooter in the Shore these days. Her shooting percentage in the fall league from three is in the high 50% range. This is stunning when you consider at 6ft she has added a nasty game off the bounce. Her new found ability to get to the rim with power and force is must see basketball. Nobody as in all the top players in the Shore ( all included) has been able to handle her. She also has turned herself into a shot blocker who has mastered the run down( see the RBC game). But what really has added a twist to her game is her new found passing and rebounding skills. Now coaches “she is a first class no drama kid” and that is a fact. This young lady right now has a case for MOST IMPROVED PLAYER AND FIRST TEAM ALL SHORE. In the meantime it’s only a matter of time before she becomes one of the most recruited players in the Shore Conference 2026 class
KYLEE BEAM- SOPHOMORE- HOWELL
She was FIRST TEAM ALL FRESHMAN a year ago. She appeared out of nowhere. She was a defense juggernaut and a next level rebounder. But that is old news these days. Now she much more than those things. She has picked up a true post game at the rim. That’s because she has learned how to put the ball on the deck and create moments for her self. She has added a pump fake that is deadly and new ability to spin off “ELITE POST” players. She will now walk to the free throw line a massive amount of time. But what’s really going to shocked about is that she can now step away from the rim. She has stepped into the belly of the beast and now trains against the best players in New Jersey. That has added another layer to her game. She has been a force in the Fall Summer league. She is now a Division One lock player and the 2nd best player in the 2027 class a remarkable ascension in such a short period of time.
MACKENZIE TEEVAN- SR- HOLMDEL
She was named the MOST IMPROVED PLAYER in the Shore Conference a year ago. It led to D1 offers from P5 to Ivy schools. The 6’4” Forward walked away from NIL money to attend HOLY CROSS. You may think her high school environment would stunt her growth moving to another level. But she hired a “PERSONAL” strength coach vs team and group lifting. It added a physical upgrade in her game and frame. She also added a variety of post moves to her game to give her three point shooting another layer. Her sky hook is rapidly becoming a problem for all. But the biggest thing of all is the upgrade in her competitive nature. She has become more intense and it has lead to some monster evening in the fall league. Like multiple scoring games in the 30’s. She has emerged as one of the best players in the Shore. While she is late to the game. Her development seems to grow nightly because she has the ability to move training to games. This is no drill master!
BROOKE MISSRY- JR- ST. ROSE
Last year she got extended minutes playing the role as secondary or 3rd scorer. She was in lots of ways a talented clue player. But these days, she is the most complete player on the St. Rose roster. She is one of the best clutch shooters in the state. If St. Rose needs one shot to win a game. You can bet they want her taking it. But the up grades start from everywhere. First the body is in immaculate shape, she is sturdy and strong. This makes her a coaches dream defender. That’s because her IQ is among the best in NJ. Next she has always been an excellent shooter. But now she has moved to “GREAT” shooter status because of the additional range and insanely high percentage. She is maybe the 2nd best post feeder in the Shore Conference this side of Manasquan’s SHANNON HINIE. Now she has added a serious game at the rim. Not in transition but in the half court. That’s because she now reads 2nd level defenders like a cheap Novel. Why the rebounding upgrade? Simple, she can play harder and longer than just about anyone. She will be in the ALL SHORE CONVERSATION. Her total game has been upgraded. St. Rose is in trouble without her. Meanwhile her development makes her a prime time recruiting target. Once coaches see the improved version of her, those D1 offers she holds right now will look pale on comparison .
TAYLOR SOFILKANICH- JR- SJV
She barely played as freshman. Then last year the 6’4” Forward relied on her size, mobility, length, quickness and toughness to get by. She was raw in the post and often off balance. Well watch a few games from her summer AAU season. Then watch her fort summer games. Then it will be clear, hype has nothing to do what many are saying, “she is one of the best in the country”. That because she added a deadly 18 foot jumper. She added a real post game not based on size alone. She now has the “real” turnover jumper. The quick move off the bounce in the post. She has LEARNED HOW TO SEAL and hold defenders. She knows when to spin for lobs. She has become very crafty. around the basket. She was very physical at times last year. But notice she knows how to use her physicality now. She was a poor screen setter a year ago. Right now she is may be the best in the business. She is that rare young talent, that didn’t sit still. She has grown by leaps and bounds and the proof is in the video. My guess is that she is First Team All Shore if her preparation continues. She is way ahead of her older sister Taylor who is already one of the 2 best players in the Patriot league. This is the 2nd consecutive year, she has made a big jump. Always a good sign with young stars!
TATUM SHARPE- SOPHOMORE- SJV
If you’re wondering why I believe SJV is the #1 team in the Shore right. Now you know why, this is the 3rd player to make this list. Sharpe barely played a season ago. That’s because she was 2 inches smaller and 10 pounds lighter. Last year she was a suspect three point shooter. These days you must find her at all times. She is now a serious factor on the offensive glass. She may be SJV’s most effective guard at getting to the rim and walking to the foul line. Her mid range game has been a deadly as her game is in transition. She is a deer running the floor. How big has her jump been? There is a chance she could find herself in the starting lineup. That’s because she is a defensive nightmare now. The added size, strength and length allows her to switch just about any position. But it’s in SJV’s press where she may do the most damage. She is going to run a lot of players into charges, back tips and turnovers. Now she has not done much competitive stuff this fall outside her SJV pickup games. But I do not believe that will matter. Because the jump she has already made has been mind blowing … it’s the reason she is now getting DIVISION IN OFFERS. She will be in the THE MOST IMPROVED PLAYER conversation.
OLIVIA SHAUGHNESSY- SR- MANASQUAN
Loyola University has no idea what they stepped into. That because they have no idea of the massive upgrade in her three point shooting. Reading of ball screens and pick and roll game. She has gone from a pass first to a legit scoring point than can conduct your offense. The defensive upgrade in pressuring the ball was a conscience decision. But what is the real upgrade.when is the last time you’ve seen her turnover it over? She doesn’t and more importantly gets your shooters involved with basic no frills stuff. She has totally remolded her entire game by adding the winning shit that doesn’t appear in no newspaper. Things like leadership, toughness all the while instilling confidence in her teammates. She has led what has been the biggest surprise team in the fall. FIRST TEAM ALL SHORE is without question in her sights!
KATIE LIGGIO- JR- RBC
Know to most as the best shooting range in the state. Last year she was explosive at times. Now she is insanely consistent from deep range. If she shoots it, BOOK IT. But if you think she is just a shooter these day you clearly living in a cave. She has the most dangerous shot fake, ball fake , jab game in the state for any elite shooter in recent years. The upgrade in the ability to score in the lane is stunning because she has all the moves. The fade away, the step though, the fly bye. The spin game and the bully ball game. But it’s her defense that has really went next level. In the past she was a liability today she is an asset. The upgrade in defense will mean even more minutes. She could be RBC’s leading scorer this season on a roster of shooters. She has had a wonderful fall.
