Who are the Shore girls basketball Breakout Players of the Year? Scouts gave us 28 candidates
There’s a new wave of talented girl hoopers on the Shore this season waiting to make an impact.
A whole lot can happen over a summer: growth spurts, change in position, transfers and everything else in between. The Asbury Park Press Preseason All-Shore teams are out but the next question is: who’s under the radar and can be in the mix for postseason personal honors and team championships?
More: Girls basketball Preseason All-Shore teams for 2023-24
Basketball trainer Tiny Green has worked with some of the top New Jersey talent over the years. He was asked to name athletes who’ve put the work in this summer and are ready to take that next leap.
“All of those girls at some point are very capable of being the feature player on their team at any point,” said Green. “All of these kids are very capable of taking over games at some point.”
He also mentioned that the freshmen class may not have too many players on his radar as of yet.
“The '27 class only has one player I believe in that class who is going to have an impact in any kind of consequence and that’s Taylor Sharp from SJV,” said Green. And she’s really not going to play a lot. We probably haven’t had a class that weak in 20 years.”
More: Shore girls high school basketball preseason scrimmage schedule
Here's what Green had to say about some of this season's rising stars:
Seniors
Jineen Ayyash, Ocean Township
Stats last two seasons: 27 games played, 210 points, 39 assists, 33 steals
“She has all the ability to be an All-Shore player when she is fully healthy. Everybody forgets that she’s been their leading scorer."
Allison Cannon, Holmdel
Stats last three years: 70 GP, 689 points, 219 rebounds, 197 assists, 193 steals
“Might be the most improved player at the Shore and she’s going to be fighting for a first team All-Shore selection. She’s already committed to NJIT.”
Tanaiyah Decker, St. Rose
2022-23 stats: 17 GP, 104 points, 55 rebounds, 38 assists
“She had to sit out last year for the first half of the season so we never got to see her at her best. She should have a monster season.”
Juniors
Haley Poser, Ranney
Stats last two seasons: 47 GP, 650 points, 47 rebounds, 26 assists
“A future Division I player (and) is sensational. She can do everything. She had a great year last year and carried that team and got little, if any, credit.”
Kayden Clark, Ocean Township
Stats past two seasons: 54 GP, 445 points, 159 rebounds, 88 assists
“By far the best two-way player in the 2025 class.”
Olivia Shaugnessy, Manasquan
Stats last two seasons: 53 GP, 220 points, 46 assists, 88 rebounds, 44 steals
“(She) is going to go from role player to a primetime player for Manasquan. She may be the reason they win a SCT or not, she might be their key player.”
Sophomores
Lola Giordano, Red Bank Catholic
2022-23 stats: 28 GP, 117 points, 43 steals, 54 rebounds, 53 assists
“Big surprise this year because she’s worked incredibly hard. Terrific player, can play on both sides of the ball. Had a wonderful summer.”
Kristen Connors, Red Bank Regional
2022-23 stats: 20 GP, 27 points, 14 rebounds
“Another surprise is going to be Kristen Connors who played very little last year for RBR, but is going to get a lot of time this year.”
Synai Blychanton, Red Bank Regional
"She’s a transfer from Red Bank Catholic and now she’s at Red Bank Regional. She’s going to play a huge role for RBR this year.”
More rising stars mentioned by other followers of girls basketball at the Shore:
Camryn Gardner, Red Bank Regional
Season stats past two seasons: 36 GP, 375 points, 304 rebounds, 83 blocks
A 6-foot-2 senior that's been a four-year starter with a lot of playing experience. She has the height, footwork, and can be a big inside presence on both sides of the court.
Raquel Guidetti, Rumson-Fair Haven
2022-23 season stats: 27 GP, 309 points, 77 rebounds, 51 assists, 40 steals
Plays with high intensity and physicality that is tough for one opposing player to matchup with. A slasher, that moves with power and has the skills to match it.
Ella Mason, Rumson-Fair Haven
Career stats: 56 GP, 183 points, 127 rebounds, 60 assists
Point guard that scores in bunches and a natural athlete. An in-game sense that makes her competitive at all times, and knows how to make plays.
Emily Tvrdik, Wall
Career stats: 66 GP, 863 points, 146 steals, 321 rebounds, 152 assists
A 5-foot-10 senior guard that's not afraid to make a big play for her team. She's under 150 points away from hitting the 1,000 point mark.
Mackenzie Teevan, Holmdel
Career stats: 50 GP, 291 points, 262 rebounds, 41 blocks
A 6-foot-4 junior that had a breakout summer and took her game to the next level. A good finisher around the rim with enough length to be impactful in the paint.
Grace Feeney, Trinity Hall
2022-23 season stats: 25 GP, 112 points, 82 rebounds
A sophomore that's 5-foot-10 with a strong frame and a nose for the basket. She's calm under pressure and can be an immediate impact player.
Stella Lockhart, St. John Vianney
2022-23 season stats (Gill St. Bernard's): 17 GP, 106 points, 64 rebounds, 27 assists
A sophomore transfer from Gill St. Bernard's and is considered one of the best in the state to some. A 6-foot forward that's explosive with her power. She won the MVP of the EYBL National Championship with her AAU team.
Even more breakout candidates:
Cassidy Brown, Middletown South, Sr. (51 GP, 328 points, 91 rebounds, 72 steals)
Leomary Diaz-Merino, Long Branch, Jr. (career stats: 41 GP, 350 points, 180 rebounds)
Reese Fiore, Shore, Jr. (career stats: 62 GP, 606 points, 208 rebounds, 118 steals)
Carlie Lapinski, Manasquan, Sr. (career stats: 52 GP, 382 points, 123 rebounds)
Katie Liggio, Red Bank Catholic, So. (last year stats: 29 GP, 203 points)
Tessa Liggio, Red Bank Catholic, So. (last years stats: 29 GP, 139 points, 70 rebounds)
Josie Munson, Red Bank Regional, Sr. (past two season stats: 40 GP, 654 points, 266 rebounds)
Sylvie Notine, Rumson-Fair Haven, Jr. (career stats: 56 GP, 367 points, 239 rebounds, 98 assists)
Sayuri Penaranda, Freehold Borough, Jr. (career stats: 45 GP, 431 points, 337 rebounds)
Kimi Sayson, Long Branch, Jr. (career stats: 42 GP, 469 points, 155 rebounds, 118 assists)
Yana Shupak, Toms River East, Sr. (career stats: 52 GP, 440 points, 157 rebounds, 108 assists)
Siobhan Stapleton, Trinity Hall, Sr. (career stats: 65 GP, 430 points, 531 rebounds, 162 assists)
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Jersey Shore girls basketball: Breakout players of the year for 2024
