Check out which Shore girls basketball teams have best chances to win in the state tournament

It's the last leg of the winter season for girls basketball - the NJSIAA state tournament.

Teams from the Shore have a range of possibilities - an upset win here or there, a deep playoff run and some will be contending for state group championships. Here's a look at the area's tournament teams and their key players:

More: St. John Vianney takes girls basketball Shore title in lowest-scoring final in tourney history

First round schedule

(Games involving Shore Conference teams are bolded)

Central, Group 1 (begins Thursday)

(16) Somerset Tech at (1) Middlesex

(9) Keansburg at (8) South Hunterdon

Sophomore Gabriella Flanzbaum has averaged 11.4 points through 19 games and has been a big part of the Titans making the postseason at an 11-10 record. Lindsay Rivera has also proven to be a big help leading the team in rebounds with over five double-doubles on the season.

(12) Henry Hudson at (5) Manville

Senior guard Makenzie Denzler leads in scoring with 8 points a game. Senior forward Taylor Shearer leads Henry Hudson in rebounding averaging 7.9 boards through 20 games.

(13) South Amboy at (4) Point Pleasant Beach

With wins over Keansburg and Donovan Catholic, Point Pleasant Beach is well deserving of a fourth seed. Junior Erin Frauenheim leads the team in scoring averaging 11.6 points through 24 games.

(14) Florence at (3) Shore

Key wins over Central Regional and Monmouth have the 13-8 Blue Devils as one of the top teams in their group. Juniors Reese Fiore and Kimi Sayson have shown to be a solid back court. Senior forward Conley Smolokoff averaged 10.8 points through 20 games.

(11) Perth Amboy Magnet at (6) Highland Park

(10) Keyport at (7) New Egypt

Wins over Henry Hudson and Keansburg make the 10-12 Red Raiders a threat to most teams in their group. Sophomore Skylar Breen averaged 11.2 points through 22 games. Gia Aceta leads the team in rebounding averaging nine boards.

(15) Woodbridge Magnet at (2) Dunellen

Central, Group 2 (begins Wednesday)

(16) Point Pleasant Boro at (1) New Providence

Point Pleasant Boro has grabbed wins over Neptune, Toms River East, South, and North throughout the season. Juniors Vanessa Haas and Emily Marinelli each averaged 9.5 points through 22 games. In most groups they would be listed higher, but they're ranked last because of their tough counterparts.

(9) South River at (8) Delaware Valley

(12) Bound Brook at (5) Wall

The 17-6 Crimson Knights has had a great season behind their two seniors Shayne Eldridge and Emily Tvrdik who are each 1,000-point scorers. Aileen Carr and Marisa Amitie are solid role players that have proven to be a big help on the defensive end. If they get hot from deep, Wall can make a deep run.

(13) Roselle at (4) Voorhees

(14) Johnson at (3) Rumson-Fair Haven

The Bulldogs have challenged themselves with their schedule this season and it could show off here. They made it to the SCT quarterfinals where Catholic University commit Raquel Guidetti scored her 1,000th career point against Red Bank Catholic. With Erin Reid and Sylvie Notine on the roster, the 15-8 Rumson squad could run the tables.

(11) Holmdel at (6) Spotswood

The Hornets may have a 13-9 record, but they've faced a tough schedule all season. With NJIT commit Allison Cannon, who scored her 1,000th career points last month and junior Mackenzie Teevan emerging as one of the top bigs on the Shore, it would be ill-advised to sleep on this team.

(10) Bordentown at (7) Metuchen

(15) Monmouth at (2) Manasquan

The Warriors have not only had a challenging schedule, but have risen to the occasion with a 19-4 record. They've had some hiccups with losses to Red Bank Regional and St. Rose earlier in the season, but have bounced back. Penn commit Katie Collins and Bucknell commit Hope Masonius are elite defenders. Manasquan should be one of the favorites to win the tournament.

South, Group 2 (begins Wednesday)

(16) Medford Tech at (1) Cinnaminson

(9) West Deptford at (8) Sterling

(12) Lindenwold at (5) Haddon Township

(13) Gloucester at (4) Haddonfield

(14) Overbrook at (3) Manchester Township

The Hawks are 16-7 on the season and have had impressive wins over Howell and Monmouth. NC State commit Devyn Quigley is averaging 32.6 points a game with five 40+ point performances this season. Manchester deserves all the respect in their group and have the potential to end up on top.

(11) Collingswood at (6) Lower Cape May

(10) Cedar Creek at (7) Haddon Heights

(15) Pennsauken Tech at (2) Middle Township

Central, Group 3 (begins Thursday)

(16) Allentown at (1) Ewing

(9) Hopewell Valley at (8) Colts Neck

Senior Julianna Kowaleski averaged 11.1 points through 21 games for the Cougars. Their record is 10-11 with wins over Shore Regional and Central Regional. They've also been battle tested, facing teams like Red Bank Catholic, Trinity Hall, St. John Vianney and Red Bank Regional.

(12) Carteret at (5) Robbinsville

(13) Freehold Borough at (4) Red Bank Regional

After giving St. John Vianney a run for their money in the SCT quarterfinal, the Bucs have high expectations. Their best shooter Zoey Gulley, their front court in Caroline Polloway and Camryn Gardner make it hard for any team to defend. RBR already has wins over Wall, Manchester, and Manasquan in the regular season. Freehold Boro is the clear underdog in the first round.

(14) South Plainfield at (3) Somerville

(11) Middletown North at (6) Neptune

Neptune has the talent to make a deep run with St. Rose transfer Christa Ramos, Bre Evans, and Lana Ellington. The 14-11 Scarlet Fliers use their full court press and high volume of three-pointers to typically win over opponents. If Neptune gets hot then they can go far. Middletown North's sophomore Danielle Gonzalez is their leading scorer.

(10 Brick Memorial at (7) Steinert

The 13-10 Mustangs have gone on win streaks multiple times throughout the season. Sophomore Liana Lapena leads the team in scoring averaging 8.3 points a game. Senior Kayla Herzer is their leading rebounder. The Mustangs would have to pull together some upsets to make a run.

(15) Brick Township at (2) Ocean Township

Ocean Township is already having one of the best seasons they've had in their program. Head coach Michael Lazur puts nearly all of his trust in his starting five. Le Moyne commit Eli and her sister Kayden Clark are a lethal back court duo. As of now, the championship is squaring up to be between the Spartans and Ewing. The 6-15 Dragons will need a major upset to get out of the first round.

South, Group 3 (begins Thursday)

(16) Toms River South at (1) Mainland

The 6-14 Indians have freshman Linsey Cribbin and senior Meaghan Weatherstone as their top players.

(9) Hammonton at (8) Timber Creek

(12) Delsea at (5) Westampton Tech

(13) Lacey at (4) Cherry Hill West

The Lions have a 10-13 record and have beaten Central Regional and Donovan Catholic. Reece Paget leads the team in scoring averaging 9.6 points a game.

(14) Ocean City at (3) Clearview

(11) Barnegat at (6) Absegami

Barnegat has a 10-11 record and have beaten Lacey and Monmouth. Emma Thornton leads the team averaging just over 19 points a game.

(10) Pemberton at (7) Highland

(15) Seneca at (2) Moorestown

Central, Group 4 (begins Wednesday)

(16) Marlboro at (1) Hightstown

Marlboro has a 4-17 record and senior Lia Villa averages 11.5 points a game and leads the team in scoring.

(9) Montgomery at (8) Old Bridge

(12) Freehold Township at (5) East Brunswick

The Patriots beat Shore and have a 10-11 record, junior Gaby Parker leads the team in scoring.

(13) West Windsor-Plainsboro North at (4) Jackson Memorial

The Jaguars started off the season hot with a 4-0 streak and now have a 16-5 record. Freshman Cali Brown leads the team in scoring with 11.2 points a game. Jackson Mem. has the potential to make a deep run if they get hot from deep.

(14) Long Branch at (3) Monroe

The Green Wave have a 7-15 record and Leomary Diaz-Merino is their leading scorer on the team averaging over 17 points a game.

(11) Northern Burlington at (6) South Brunswick

(10) Middletown South at (7) Princeton

The Eagles struggled against the better teams on their schedule, they stand at a 10-11 record. Junior Caitlin White leads the team in scoring averaging 8 points a game.

(15) West Windsor-Plainsboro South at (2) Howell

The Rebels have had an impressive regular season as they've beaten Red Bank Regional, Monmouth, and Southern. Howell has their leading players in junior Kiera McKown and freshman Kylee Beam. Beating Hightstown will be a tall task, but surely possible.

South, Group 4 (begins Wednesday)

(16) Kingsway at (1) Williamstown

(9) Toms River East at (8) Atlantic Tech

Toms River East has a 14-9 record and has beaten Shore during the regular season. TRE play behind seniors Sydney Murphy and Yana Shupak who both have been their key players.

(12) Gloucester Tech at (5) Washington Township

(13) Cherry Hill East at (4) Egg Harbor

(14) Toms River North at (3) Cherokee

Toms River North holds an 11-11 record and made it to the Coaches Cup finals. Senior Megan Sias is averaging 17.8 points a game and leads the team.

(11) Pennsauken at (6) Shawnee

(10) Eastern at (7) Southern

The 18-5 Rams have had an impressive season behind junior Casey Collins who averaged just over 15 points a game. Senior Skylar Soltis and junior Samantha Russell have also been a big part of their success this season. They struggled against the better teams this regular season, but don't count them out completely.

(15) Atlantic City at (2) Lenape

South Non-Public A (begins Friday)

(1) Red Bank Catholic, bye

Red Bank Catholic are clear favorites to win the whole thing as they're one of, if not the best team in the state. Sophomore Addy Nyemchek is a future McDonald's All-American who can score at will in the post. The Caseys have faced some of the best teams in the country and showed that they belong.

(9) Mount St. Mary at (8) Notre Dame

(12) Donovan Catholic at (5) Pingry

Sophomore Angela Forese and freshman Sarah Franks are the leading scorers. They have a record of 9-15 with wins over Keansburg and Central Regional.

(13) Camden Catholic at (4) St. John Vianney

The Lancers may be young, but they have the size and talent to compete with the best teams in the state. Taylor Sofilkanich and Stella Lockhart make up their front court and know how to finish around the rim. They have shooters in Julia Karpell, and ball handlers in Daniella Matus. The 18-7 Lancers are an all-around team, it's only their inexperience that can haunt them.

(14) Princeton Day at (3) St. Thomas Aquinas

(11) Union Catholic at (6) Our Lady of Mercy

(10) Immaculata at (7) Paul VI

(2) Trinity Hall, bye

The 17-6 Monarchs are having an historical season in their young program and have the potential to win it all. Harvard commit Nina Emnace averages just over 17 point a game. Sophomores Grace Feeney and Teagan Drennan are each sharpshooters. Trinity Hall may struggle to beat Red Bank Catholic, but are one of the top teams in the state when hot from deep.

South Non-Public B (begins Friday)

(1) Rutgers Prep, bye

(9) Timothy Christian at (8) Bishop Eustace

(12) Moorestown Friends at (5) Trenton Catholic

(13) Calvary Christian at (4) Gloucester Catholic

(14) St. Joseph Academy at (3) St. Rose

Sophomore Jada Lynch showed this season that she's gearing up to be a household name before she graduates. The 16-5 Purple Roses have dead-eye shooter Cassidy Kruesi and senior Tanaiyah Decker coming off the bench. Rutgers Prep would be tough to beat even with St. Rose's talent, but don't count anything out with their star player and supporting cast.

(11) Koinonia at (6) Holy Spirit

(10) Holy Cross at (7) Ranney

With wins over Colts Neck, Neptune, and Holmdel the Panthers have upset potential in this tournament. They've faced tough competition like Manasquan, Blair, St. Rose, the Shore Conference champs St. John Vianney and more. They'll need some more stellar play from junior Haley Poser if they want a deep run.

(2) Wildwood Catholic, bye

Schedule

PUBLIC - GROUPS 2 & 4

Round 1: Feb. 21

Round 2: Feb. 26

Round 3: Feb. 28

Sectional finals: March 1

State semifinals: March 5

State finals: March 9 at Rutgers

PUBLIC - GROUPS 1 & 3

Round 1: Feb. 22

Round 2: Feb. 27

Round 3: Feb. 29

Sectional finals: March 2

State semifinals: March 6

State finals: March 10 at Rutgers

NON-PUBLIC - GROUPS A & B

Round 1: Feb. 23

Round 2: Feb. 26

Round 3: Feb. 29

Sectional finals: March 4

State finals: March 8 at Rutgers

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Shore NJ girls basketball state touranment preview