IT’S STARTING TO BECOME CLEAR

We are now in the meat of the recruiting season. It’s also a time for me to talk about the things I have noticed around the Shore area. Now let me start by saying this, I see most of the most talented kids in the Shore in most cases long before they enter high school. I also see some of the best players outside the Shore at NBS. So I have good idea of how players are developing and also those who are growing as expected. It part of the journey that all kids go though. So today I will cover a little bit of what I have noticed this spring.

Now this is a fact....There is a number of talented unsigned seniors left. Many of them have no plans to sign before July. But many seniors have played a game of cat and mouse and now find themselves without offers. The 2027 class, I can tell you with certainty are picking up fake and soft offers. In most cases I believe they just don’t know it. The best non senior players in the state without question are the younger players in the 2028 and 2029 classes. I have the real reason behind this, it starts with the attitude of the younger players. They are gym rats and more importantly have a strong competitive nature. Last year, many under estimated the 2028 class. But they have proved every one wrong. This group is playing at a high level in competitive environments, where they are shinning and improving. The 2028 and 2029 classes are loaded and I believe we could see a large number of D1 players. It all comes down to these young players putting real value into training outside there comfort zone. Something the Shore community and counties across the state lost during the Covid years.

I have seen some real interesting changes in the Shore regarding teams. Like first of all TRINITY HALL has so much talent it’s really looks like they’re ready to challenge the RBC’s and SJV’s of the world. But now remember Trinity has never been the hunted like they will be this up coming season. They have an excellent incoming freshman class and lots of batted tested veterans. But does that mean they can beat the favorites? Now, what will make them the favorite to knock off the favorites, is the improvement of the team as individuals.This is not a team of gym rats and they need to be exactly that to make that last step forward. I have watched GRACE FEENEY become a TOP 5-7 player in the Shore. What more can you say about D1guard Whitney Hobson, she has improved her ball handling, shooting, playing making and is a true leader. While Ella Kryal may be the early clubhouse leader for Freshman of the year. Kathleen McCarthy a little known freshman may be the player that helps Trinity get over the top. These are the reasons why right now I believe TRINITY is a clear favorite to start the season in the Top 5 in the state.

SJV is once again loaded and I believe are better that last year on paper. But there are real health concerns. Taylor Solfilkanick, Antonia Jackson and Gianna Sano are all currently out with injuries. But Madison Kocis who signed with Penn should be locked in, now that her recruitment is over and done. She was FIRST TEAM ALL SHORE last year and may be gearing up for a POY run. Stella Lockhart is once again flashing a dominant game. She is a full blown star. I think sophomores Tatum Sharpe and Lissy Lyons have a chance to play major minutes, if they focus and get in the gym consistently. They know the ropes and now will get real opportunities. But the sleeper on this team is Avery Barth, with the two star sophomore guards out. She will get a real opportunity at JERSEY LIVE. She just may send a message. Right now I think SJV is the team to beat. But you certainly can dismiss RBC. Their entire rotation with the exception of one player will all have signed at D1 schools by the start of next season.

What should excite RBC fans is Scarlett LeVake, she has been outstanding this spring. Her entire game has stepped up in a major way and the D1 offers are pouring in. She’ll give RBC another weapon in the frontline, starting or coming off the bench.

There are two interesting teams. RBR has four starters back. The problem is they don’t have a coach. This is not good for a crew that struggles getting in the gym to begin with. But a new voice just may be what they need to get over the hump and make a commitment. There is enough talent to surprise anyone on any night. Middletown South, is a true sleeper. They have a ton of talent and size. If the right coach can come in and put together a pre season and summer program and convince the players to train out of season, this team could take off.

Brick because of the talented babies they have, should take another step forward. Ari Wissen one day will be a Top 5 player. She was Freshman of the year last season. But the player to keep your eye on is KENDALL FREDRICKSEN. Her growth this spring has been eye popping. The future D1 Guard is emerging into a real effective combo guard, proving she is more than a shooter. She has looked very much at ease playing the point.

There is no question who is the up and coming team. COLTS NECK, has a team that has a chance to be very special. EMILY DONAHUE is flat out the best true point point I have seen in years. Her passing ability and ability to run a team is SOPHIA SABINO, 2.0. I believe JULIANNA “JULES” JASINA is not only going to be a D1 player. But one day one of the best players in recent COLTS NECK history. Avery Wallace is another multi talented weapon. But picking up transfer ALLISON MCANDREW was a huge. She clearly will be a All Shore player one day. She has been arguably one of the best players in the 2028 class in the state this spring. Now this if crew is willing to challenge themselves the way the RBC and SJV kids do. They will be one heck of a story. But they must get in the gym vs killers, if they hope to take that next step.

There are number of players who have stepped up big time this spring. I love this because I will get to watch it up close and personal at JERSEY LIVE. The college coaches in many cases catch on much later than I do. I can assure you few college coaches know who ISLA FRY is for example. The ‘28 guard is a game changer in many ways for some schools. Kids like Grace Cloud are going to be a pleasant surprise. Erin Reid according to sources is playing lights out and has received D1 offers. Wait till P5 and high majors see HAILEY BENBOW. I believe this young lady will one day be one of the best in the country

This spring saw two RBC players who signed go public. Tessa Liggio to Bucknell and Katie Liggio to URI . But truthfully they will have all 7 seniors committed before July most likely. Madison KOCIS is off to UPENN and Taylor Solfilkanick to Duke. But Stella Lockhart is still in the board. Trinity Hall’s Grace FEENEY is still in the board as well. There are about 7 more D1 commitments on the way in the SHORE alone. Jada Lynch and Brooke Missry of St.Rose are on the board still. So coaches still have their hopes up.

Finally I will do a full blog about the 2025 spring session. It was a session that had 29 D1 players and that number might be higher. I am always impressed when kids put their reputations on the line at NBS. I think this years summer camp is going to be special. I also know many kids still duck the competition at NBS, I really don’t understand this but the ego is a very dangerous thing, once kids get established. NBS kids always tear it up in the summer, it’s says a lot about a kids work ethic. Coaches you be wise to check the track records of NBS kids at the next level. They get it done-it’s the just the way it is folks…I will have my full NBS wrap up later this week.