Today’s SPOTLIGHT TEAM IS THE 2020 CENTRAL JERSEY HAWKS/LIGHTING (Westrol). Long considered one of best run AAU organizations due to its drama free atmosphere, created by the people and parents who are part of the Hawks/Lighting. No stealing players, no players switching teams. While I may not call them gym rats….THIS GROUP HAS HARD WORKING LADIES, WHO ALL GET ALONE VERY WELL This team is made up of high character kids. It is a team of program type kids, who truly get it. You will see a roster of kids who have been with the program for YEARS…Un-heard of in the world of AAU basketball. This team is made up of all 2020’s. They also have some of best unknown players in the area on there roster. We are talking about players, whose names should be in the conversation for best young players in the 2020 class. This is a team that gives College Coaches, a real chance to steal a player better than their level. The CJ Hawks usually play up in age group unless in bigger tournaments. All the players average any where from 10-12 pts a game. They are an unselfish group, with as Coach Randy Westol says

“Have off the charts work ethic, they keep working hard and getting better and better each week. They do lot of skills in practice and you can tell the difference as the year moves on”

THE SPRING TRACK RECORD TO DATE
• Travel to the Deep South Tournament Raleigh, NC in April and went 3-1, team got written up by Bret McCormick
• Went 3-1 in the Hawks Tournament in May only lost coming to the Team Miller 2020 team in a close game, beat the top LI Lightning Gold team in 3 OT’s
• Will be playing in the Shoreshots tournament next weekend.

Before I start I would like to clear up a little terminology. When I say a player is a lock Division one player that means a player has a offer on the table or I believe will have multiple D1 offers at some point…key word being multiple. MY TRACK RECORD IN THIS AREA SPEAKS FOR ITSELF…

When I call a player a GYM RAT, that player is constantly in the gym outside there team practices and comfort zone, seeks outside competition and there work ethic is bigger than there ability. These players train against high level competition. I never call a player a Gym Rat, unless I have seen them against older elite competition and PREFORM at a high level while doing so. They are in the gym at every turn and seem to always be around. These players will be better in college than high school and can play a level HIGHER than there recruitment. I believe you build programs with gym rats…they have a added value recruiters do not get to see. Gym Rats are tough to find as all coaches know. There are hard workers and then their are GYM RATS…Learn the difference.

2018 LIVE PERIOD SCHDEULE

JULY 5th-8tht…Run for the Roses, Louisville Ky

JULY 9th-12th.. Nike Tourney of Champions, Chicago, IL

JULY 22nd-25th…US NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP, WASHINGTON DC

JULY 29TH- HOOP GROUP ACADEMIC ELITE

THE COACH…

RANDY WESTROL

He has been a staple of New Jersey basketball on the high school and AAU level. He has been the driving force behind the insanely well run Central Jersey Hawks organization. The Elizabeth native has been a school administrator for years and recently retired. He runs which can only be called the classiest AAU program possibly in the state. He is loyal to his kids and parents. There is no a doubt where he stands. His players train, play and more importantly develop. I won’t attempt to name the list of players who have gone on to college at every possible level, who have a connection to Randy Westrol. He son was a college ALL AMERICAN and currently plays professionally in Europe. He instills a work ethic, enforces the importance of education and preaches accountability into all his players. Things rarely seen in any AAU program these days. Randy Westrol is a throwback of years gone by. Nobody is bigger than the program and doing things right is the #1 priority , giving kids kids have a wonderful positive AAU experience..

TALENT BREAKDOWN

CURRENT DIVISION ONE LOCK PLAYERS–(0)

Projected D1 players- (3)

Special note– this team has( 3) DIVISION 1 fence sitters

GYM RATS– (0)

CURRENT POSSIBLE POWER 5 PLAYERS-( 0)

THE CENTRAL JERSEY HAWKS PLAYER PROFILES
2020 AAU GIRLS BASKETBALL

CARSON FONTANA- 5’6″ – POINT GUARD– Holmdel HS

She has all the tools needed to be an excellent player at the next level. She started this pass season for Holmdel High School. She is a lefty and plays with pure fire. Her ability to get by opponents is eye opening as is her work ethic. What is really impressive, is that she has made herself a major threat from the three point line. She is the rare young guard that defends without fouling and understands help defense. Her vision is just what you want in a point guard. HIGHLY COMPETITIVE NATURE. This next statement will surprise many people. I believe she is a possible D1 player in time. I have seen in the gym against the best babies and she takes no back seat. Excellent two way player that has been with Hawks for 6 years. High character and loyal kid…PROGRAM PLAYER IN A BIG WAY….

NEYMAR MIDDLETON-5’6″- COMBO GUARD– Pemberton HS
Starting guard at Pemberton HS has been a major impact for this team. Highly skilled and excellent IQ. She has played a ton of minutes for such a young player at the high school level. Very quick defensively and a positive offense player, who swings to both guard positions. She opened her high school season with a 17 point, 7 assists and 7 rebound game. She blew up against Willingboro with a show stopping 26 point preformance. She average 10.3 as a sophomore last season. Gets to the basket and can shoots the three. No question a very dedicated player who travels to Holmdel during the week for practice. A player that Shore folks will hear more of this summer

LEAH NOLAN-SHOOTING –5’8″- HOLMDEL HS
I saw her last season and flat loved her offensive confidence. Started at Holmdel this past season as a sophomore. She had some very big moments and scored in every game, she appeared in. She had 10 games with double digit scoring. Including 17 points vs. then Top 10 RFH, she buried 5 three’s. Leah is not just a shooter but a PURE SHOOTER with that all important range. While not flashy, she is a solid ball handler. Another player who has been with the team 6 years… once again another high character type kid.

BRIANNA SLIWINSKI – 6’0″- WING– EAST BRUNSWICK HS

My Sophomore Highlights!!!https://t.co/5HtaF5rlxj

— Brianna Sliwinski (@brisliwinski_) March 8, 2018

She once attended NBS and I saw her play last season for her high school team( college coaches check your check sheet). She is long, athletic and offensively aggressive. Her size allows her to get on the offensive boards. She can push the ball in transition and become a player maker or scorer as she is a willing passed. Her ability to post smaller guards and shoot the three make her a nightmares matchup. If she played in the Shore Conference, I believe she would have a D1 offer on the table. Her ability to defend guards and forwards make her versatility another positive. She handles the ball and is ultra aggressive at getting to the rim..D1 coaches I am throwing you a major bone. She suffers from lack of hype and visibility. She more than held her own at NBS against elite competition. Two year starter at East Brunswick, one of the best teams in Middlesex County.. another player that has been in the program for six years once again high character.

KRISTINA JOHNSON-COMBO GUARD– TOMS RIVER NORTH HS
Started for the #10 in the state. Has been a Hawk for three years running. She like her older sister Amanda(Catholic U) is a classic true teammate. She is a coach on the floor. This is a versatile player in every sense of the word. She can guard just about every position on defense and move to just about every position on offense. She has played in big games, so playing against elite competition is no factor. Her ability to move without the ball is special for such a young player. But it’s her passing and unselfishness that jumps off the page. Her ability to knock down three or score at the rim, makes her a coaches dream. This is a young lady that is going to surprise coaches everywhere at every level. One word. WINNER… her future Level of play is anyone’s guest, I just know this, she makes any program at the next level better….MAJOR SLEEPER with serious leadership skills.

MADDIE HELLERICH- 5’9″-FORWARD– SPOTSWOOD HS

I have seen her play a number of times. She has some much potential it’s scary. Starter at Spotswood HS and helped them to an excellent season in Middlesex County. Another rare AAU player, who has been with Hawks for six years. Willing to do the dirty work, plays wherever she is asked…another rarity in kids today. Can play inside or out. Her ability to turn opponents over is a gift. This past season at Spotswood, she averaged 3. 8 steals a game. Including a season high of ten. She is a big time athlete who average just under 10 points a game…throw in the 6 rebounds and you have a jock of all trades. These numbers cannot be ignored . She is a Talented player who is not afraid to compete…..can play anywhere on the floor with versatility supreme.

KATHY SANCHEZ- 5’10” -SWING – MARLBORO HS

https://twitter.com/CoachTinyGreen/status/1005904683897155584?s=20
If for no other reason, Kathy Sanchez is worth the trip to watch the CJ HAWKS. I saw her for the first time last season for Marlboro high school. I then saw her at NBS and the Hoop Group once or twice in the spring and then the young lady disappeared. Coaches I have been asking about her ever since. She made that much on an impression on me…not easy to do. There is zero doubt in my mind, this is a future D1 player, if she continues on the path of hard work. She checks every box for the next level of play. Athletic, explosive, quick with strength and length. To say this young lady has a upside is a insult to the word. Her upside is off the charts. First she is that rare young player that finishes at the rim in traffic. Next her pace of play is already next level. She not only gets out and runs the floor, she has next level activity. She is not just quick to the ball but her timing is special. There is not doubt this is a special talent. Another player who simply is suffering from lack of name recognition. My guess is all this will change this summer.

MARIA TEDESCO –5’7″ – GUARD- St. JOHN VIANNEY HS
Played varsity at St. John Vianney and part of the Hawks the last two years.
Very aggressive hard-nose player, very good rebounder, takes ball to basket very well. Has developed a nice jumper and is an improving ball handler. She has seen the very best competition in practice at SJV and has been in the most competitive basketball environment in the state. She no question will be trying to crave out her spot this summer. Talented player worth watching.