Today’s SPOTLIGHT TEAM is the u17 HGSL SHORESHOTS (Sabino) Team. This team is stacked with talent from Top to bottom. There are are a blend of size, quickness, speed, elite shooters and Ball handlers. In a but shell, this is the perfectly build AAU team. Coaches will follow this teams every move. They will draw in coaches like honey to the bees. This roster is basically a team made up of all with D1 players. Tracey Sabino is one of the best coaches in the AAU. She has seen it and done it all over the years. Like most of her teams expect nothing but high level competition and maximum exposure for her team. This crew will be in full demand and have the full attention of college coaches the moment they hit the floor.
THE TRACK RECORD
Last year they were the #1 seed in the HGSL before being upset in the HGSL tournament. Every player on last years team has moved in to D1 basketball. Nina Emance and Julianna Almeida both D1 commits return for their final year. The players who make up this years team are a mix of players who started out in the program and have worked their way up the ladder, combined with a few new faces. Every player on this years roster comes from a winning high school background and has won numerous post season awards. The players on this team have made a reputation as gym rats and kids who have developed over the years. This team is one of the best u17 teams you will see this spring and summer. TRACEY SABINO is the biggest power broker in AAU these days in New Jersey..
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 eventually have multiple D1 offers at some point…key word being “multiple” MY TRACK RECORD IN THIS AREA SPEAKS FOR ITSELF
Fence sitters are players without a D1 offer that can land on either the D1 side or the D2/D3 side of the fence based on their summer performance.
When I call a player a GYM RAT, that player is constantly in the gym, outside their team practices and comfort zone. The player seeks competition outside their AAU environment and their work ethic is bigger than their ability. GYM RATS don’t train alone, they train with killers. These players train against high level competition. I never call a player a Gym Rat, unless I have personally seem them against older elite competition and PERFORM at a high level while doing so. They are not just in the gym at every turn and seem to always be around. BUT THEY CONSTANTLY DO MORE AND ALWAYS EXTRA. These players will be better in college than in high school and can play a level HIGHER than their recruitment. I believe you build programs with gym rats…they have an added value recruiters do not get to see. Gym Rats are tough to find as all coaches know. But remember just because a player is not a gym rat. IT DOES NOT MEAN THEY ARE NOT HARD WORKERS. There are hard workers and then there are GYM RATS…Learn the difference.
LIVE PERIOD SCHEDULE
THE COACH
TRACEY SABINO
There is no question who is the Queen of NJ AAU girls basketball. Tracey Sabino has built the Roman Empire known as the New Jersey ShoreShots. She is the architect of the most powerful organization in the state. The Shoreshots organization has 13 teams and loaded with talent, top to bottom. The teams in Tracey Sabino’s organization are showcased at every level. They play in competitive events and are always followed by hundreds of college coaches. The Shoreshots organization, has delivered more scholarship players to the college level than all other AAU programs combined. Tracey Sabino has had players from her HGSL program and her select teams go on to play at all levels, of college. Her players have moved on to every level from Power 5 schools to Division 3 and some of the highest ranked academic schools in the nation. Her daughters all were part of the Shoreshots organization and played in college. Sam Sabino( St. Francis of PA), Sydney Sabino ( Lafayette College) both played D1 basketball. Her youngest daughter is currently a Sophomore at D1 Fordham and Shae Sabino is at D3 powerhouse Ithaca College. Tracey Sabino has coach at every level of basketball. She has coached at the Division one level, the highest level of high school when she won a state title and was part of a Top 5 team in the state. Her AAU program is now the gold standard of grassroots basketball. She prides herself on teams and entire organizations player development. She believes coaching matters and the proof being her staff has no match as it is filled with state championship winning high school coaches and former D1 coaches. Her teams social media presence has no match and her there website is 2nd to none. Tracey Sabino seems to always be one step ahead of all others. No AAU coach currently has more juice with college coaches. Tracey Sabino this year has done it again as her HGSL Team is loaded with with D1 talent top to bottom. She is a talented coach and more importantly at master at motiving her players. Tracey Sabino has a track record unlike no other and has a reputation for delivers on her promise… rare in todays AAU basketball world.
THE TALENT BREAKDOWN
CURRENT DIVISION ONE LOCK PLAYERS (7)
Possible D1 players (7)
Special note- this team has (2) DIVISION 1 fence sitters
GYM RATS(5)
CURRENT POWER FIVE PLAYERS (0)
WEBSITE– https://shoreshotsgirls.com/
https://twitter.com/ShoreshotsGirls/status/1642158549760372736?s=20
https://twitter.com/eliclark2024/status/1631659848868716545?s=20
ELI CLARK- Ocean Twp. High School- 5’9”- Point Guard
She was named the Hoop Group MOST IMPROVED PLAYER. She was named to the ALL SHORE TEAM. There is a reason for all this, she just may be the best point guard in the 2024 class in New Jersey. She certainly is the best in the Shore Conference. Eli Clark is the ultimate gym rat and team leader. She is that old school point guard who leads verbally and by performance. Her ball handling skills are off the charts. Her ability to read defenders coming off ball screens is 2nd to none. But it’s her ability to come off screens or sit behind screens and shoot. Nobody in recent years has run pick and roll better or more effective. Eli Clark’s decision making is masterful. Nobody ready second level defenders like ELI CLARK… nobody! She is a deadly shooters best friend as she is elite at finding open shooter… real next level stuff. She has outplayed just about every big name guard, she has faced in the state of New Jersey at some point. She is a future high a mid major plus D1 starter. She is a dog on defense and built sturdy and strong. My guess is she just may be one of the most in demand guards in all of New Jersey. The IQ and competitive nature are next level. She is a 4.0 honor student and eats sleeps and dreams the game. She is a dream recruit.
Here are my highlights from States this season (playoff stats per game: 19.3 pts, 4 stl, 5 ast). We lost the semi-final to a tough Manasquan team who's ranked 10th in the State. @coachschoiceusa @ScoutReport_CCS @Hudl https://t.co/Zxo9phUTys #hudl
— Allison Cannon (@Allison3Cannon) February 27, 2023
ALLISON CANNON- Holmdel High School- 5’10- Combo
Coaches buckle up as this is the most explosive guard maybe in the entire Shore Conference. She is physical, aggressive and plays with an edge. She is lighting fact and quick. Her ability to stop on the dime and change directions is a gift. Her ability to get to the rim and finish is rare stuff. She can to spots others can only dream about. Her jumper is insanely underrated. Notice the smooth stoke and form. Her ball handling skills are rock solid but her passing skills in the lane are dream like. She is a big time defender who gets over screens and is one of the best rebounding guards you may see. This is a future mid major rock star… and that’s a fact!
https://twitter.com/JSZ_Sports/status/1638285849925132291?s=20
NINA EMANCE- Trinity Hall High School- 5’8”- Combo
She is a leading Player of The Year Candidate in the Shore next year. She is the youngest player to be named DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR. She is a former FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR. She was named 1st TEAM ALL SHORE this year. If she wins POY next season. She will become the first player to win FOY, POY and DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR…. She has given HARVARD A non binding Verbal Commitment.
https://twitter.com/jalmeida2024/status/1558651368579145728?s=20
JULIANNA ALMEIDA- Saddle River Day High School- 5’9” – Combo
The fact the she is young enough to be a sophomore is nuts along. “The Gift” is the ultimate warrior and two way player. She can punish small guards with her post up ability or take then outside with her new found deadly jumper( hard work). She is a blend of speed and power. She is a defensive juggernaut. They are no words to describe her competitive nature. She has given NAVY a non binding verbal commitment.
https://twitter.com/JSZ_Sports/status/1637931278623465473?s=20
MEGAN SIAS- Toms River North High School- 6’2+_ Swing
She was named 1st Team ALL SHORE by a number of outlets. That’s because at her size and length she presents a major problem for all. Megan Sias’s shooting range is to 25 feet. Her ability to put the ball on the deck or post up makes her a nightmare matchup. Her ball handling skills allow her to rip the ball off the rim and lead the fast break. Where she is an elite passer and decision maker. She is one of the most versatile players in the state. Her underrated quickness shiftiness and athleticism catches opponents off guard. She is an elite offensive rebounder. She can guard wings, swings and big forwards, are you getting the picture. Her passing skills are already next level. She is a former 1st Team All Freshman Member. This is maybe the best player in recent TRN history. She is an Ivy and Patriot School type student. But A-10 and high majors would be wise to check in. She is a mix of the new better version of St. Rose great Loving Marcicano and poor women’s Justine Pissott. The future high major D1 player brings lots of goodies to the table.
Check out some of my highlights from the HGSL Championship @ Spooky Nook! @Hudl https://t.co/zSB7nh7cht @ShoreshotsGirls @2024_Shoreshots @TinyGreenNBS @bobdubina @PGHNewJersey
— Tanaiyah Decker (@TanaiyahD) July 13, 2022
TANAIYAH DECKER- St. Rose High School- 5’6”- Combo
She is simply Electric and next level off the bounce. She wrecks havoc in the lane with her passing and scoring ability. Her Unorthodox jumper is deadly if not a thing of beauty. She is masterful guarding the ball and in the open floor straight up unguardable. She is fast, quick thinking and why she is wonderful at feeding the post and hitting cutters. Her ability to get into ball screens at any point or spot on the floor is a gift. She is an underrated rebounder. She lost most of her junior season transferring to St. Rose. But she picked up valuable competition and coaching in exchange by playing for none other than master teacher and coach Mary Beth Chambers. She is smart, coachable and another future lock D1 player on this insane roster.
GAMILA BETTON- Ocean Twp. High School- 6’0” Forward
There is no doubt she is big, athletic and strong. She is cat like quick with quick jumping ability. She has length and wonderful natural lateral movement. Once she catches the ball on the block due to her magical hands. It’s a wrap and two points. She is the rare back to the basket post scorer. She demands a double team regardless of the level of competition. She is a big time rebounder. She runs the fun like a deer. She is a true blocker and is a lane stopper on defense. Now the fact of the matter is she is a D1 talent. Now the real question is what level. This spring she has been totally locked in and that’s bad news for Low Major D1 schools who were hoping to steal a player.
These are some of my highlights from our @HolmdelHSGBB games the last month. Looking forward to the SCT. @CoachVenturelli @RYGBasketball @TinyGreenNBS @NJLadiesHoops https://t.co/INVHDlronr
— Mackenzie Teevan (@MackenzieTeevan) February 7, 2023
MACKENZIE TEEVAN- Holmdel High School- 6’4”+- FORWARD
There is no question in my mind, she is on of the two players in the entire state of New Jersey with the most upside. She is over 6’4” and is long and so athletic. She can run, catch and has a real natural feel for the game. She has excellent eye hand coordination. She is a high percentage shooter to 25 feet despite her size. She clearly is the perfect Stretch four because of the mobility and quickness for such a tall player. She is a way above average ball handler and passer for her size. Now the good news, this is here first year playing highly competitive AAU. So there certainly will be a major learning curve. But she is committed to practicing 6 days a week for 4 hours. Meaning her development is going to0 be scary. Her size and hands alone make her a D1 player. But if she gets stronger and continues on the current path. I have a prediction. She I will be a first Team All Ivy or Patriot School player. Now my advice to savvy Mid Majors recruiters, get in the mix now and hope the strength develops after you get her commitment, NOT BEFORE!
My highlights from this past season!! year 3 pic.twitter.com/L8g3Nvj1p2
— jaylyn orefice (@JaylynOrefice) March 23, 2023
JAYLYN OREFICE- Union City High School- 5’9″- Wing
The resume speaks for itself.
Jaylyn Orefice
– 1st team all-county
– 3rd team all-Group IV
– Over 900 points, will surpass 1000 early next season
– team leading rebounder
– 2nd leading scorer and assist
– Back to Back HCIAL and Group IV, North 1 Champ
The 5’9″ hard nosed tough and athletic guard is a deadly shooter not scared to play bully ball. She can guard undersized big’s and is an excellent rebounding guard. She can finish in traffic at the rim. Now the bad news, coaches will have to wait until April to see her. She is out due to shoulder surgery but is expected to be back right after the April live period and will be ready to go in May