THE 2023 AAU SPRING RECAP☄️

The spring AAU basketball season is officially over. Soon the high school summer basketball season will gain the attention of the incoming freshman and returning players. The pressure of AAU is on the back burner for now. Now is the time most players and yes high school and college coaches take stock of the last few months. So today I give you a recap of the spring.

The biggest STOCK RISERS IN THE SHORE CONFERENCE this spring were clearly Trinity Hall’s guard Nina Emnace and RBC’s Casey Prior. Both are members of the HGSL U17 Shoreshots. The two were simply sensational this spring. Both have seen there recruiting stock simply blow up.

1. Nina Emnace ’24- Shoreshots/Trinity Hall
2. Casey Prior ’23- Shoreshots/ RBC
3. Hope Masonious’24- Philly Rise/ Manasquan
4. Tessa Liggio ’26- Shoreshots/RBC
5. Katie Collins ’24- Gemz/ SJV

I’m a big believer in recruiting shooters. I really believe if you don’t have shooters you can’t win chips. i also believe college coaches know the value of shooters.

1. Casey Prior ’23- RBC- nobody has been in her world
2. Katie Liggio ’26 RBC- there is a reason the high majors are on her
3. Julia Karpell ’24- SJV- shot selection and elite timing
4. Julia Cosentino’24- RFH- has been a machine

Now of course there are players who have improved this spring. It doesn’t always show up immediately in the recruiting process, it will tho👌 I feel these kids have a chance to really become household names if they build on there spring performances this summer

1. Allison Cannon ’24 – Holmdel- she has shocked everyone with her growth
2. DANIELLA MALETSKI ’26 -RBC- her approach has been different than every other baby
3. Julia Cosentino ’23- RFH- has learned to play point. Shot selection and defense has been upgraded
4. CARLE LAPINSKI ’24-Manasquan- She had a productive spring and clearly has improved
   

There are so many talented babies to talk about. But none has been more surprising than Grace Feeney. The Trinity bound ’26 has seem to come from nowhere. She has gone from a virtual unknown to a real ALL FRESHMAN CANDIDATE this spring.

1. Whitney Hopson- Trinity Hall
2. Ava Frith- Manasquan
3. Erin Reid- RFH
4. Charlotte Bradley- SJV

The one thing we all can agree on is SJV and RBC are going to be the most talented teams. But that gap appears to have been closed a bit. TRINITY HALL has a army of talented freshman on the way. Nina Emnace is clearly a Top 5 player in the conference now. Siobhan Stapleton looks like a big summer of improvement is on the way. Trinity has a Top 20 look at this point. St. Rose picking up Jada Lynch is a big upgrade. She instantly gives St. Rose star power. With the St Rose freshman class from last year now battle tested, cracking Rosie healthy and Maggie Cavanaugh playing so well. St Rose may be a Top 8 in the state come next season. Manasquan with Katie Collins moving into prime time and Hope Masonious now becoming the face of Manasquan. The warriors will have a mix of young experienced talent and some talented role players moving into staring roles. Olivia Shaughnessy will no question give Manasquan a true point guard for the first time since Stella Clarke, 6 years ago. But CARLIE LAPINSKI gives Manasquan another much needed seasoned post presence.

1. SJV
2. RBC
3. ST. ROSE
4. MANASQUAN
5. TRINITY HALL

The Spring often can serve as a measuring stick as what is to come.

1. Casey Prior- RBC/Shoreshots
2. Zoe Brooks- SJV/Philly Rise
3. Nina Emance- Trinity Hall/ Shoreshots
4. Katie Collins- Manasquan/ GEMZ

The spring certainly is when kids can make a reputation. The best trait a player can have is a work ethic. Its not hard to see who the true gym rats are these days. GYM RATS don’t just go to the gym. They go to the gym and work with purpose.

1. ELI CLARK- ‘24- the GOAT of GYM RATS
2. KAYDEN CLARK ’25- like her sister
3. CASSIDY KRUESI- ’25- all day everyday
4. NINA EMNACE ’24- magical work ethic

Picking the right AAU TEAM for kids is so important. These teams played in the right events, showcased there players strengths, played “REAL” competition and gained exposure. This is what good AAU programs are all about…

1. NJ SHORESHOTS HGSL U16 (Dubina)- wins over EYBL TEAMS
2. NJ GEMZ EYBL U17 (Coyle)- have made Blakes a national name
3. NJ RISE 2026 (Green)- Best 2026 group?
4. NJ SHORESHOTS HGSL U17 ( Sabino)- D1 scholarships everywhere

1. Megan Sias returned to the court. The future high major looked better each time she hit the floor.
2. Alexandra Loucopoulos of the Gemz u16 select has looked like she has a D1 game. She could be a big story come July
3. The CJ HAWKS-Fort played real as in very real competition this fall. It says so much about what that group is doing
4. JINEEN AYYASH  of Ocean has caught the eye of coaches and its not as big of a surprise as you may think.
5. Its Shocking to me that 6’2” Mikayla Hubbard of the Gemz EYBL U17 is still on the board…
6. Look for future D1 Jose Munson of RBR to cause a few recruiting wars by summers end. She was sensational all spring

The spring rewarded the players who got in the gym. Those who took short cuts and made excuses paid a price. But now everyone gets a chance to regroup and put it all together before the July Live recruiting period begins. The spring can be very valuable to kids. That’s if they learn from the spring; what worked and what did not. THE 2023 SPRING IS A WRAP… now its time to look forward.