Who are the Shore girls basketball 'Glue Players?' Vote for best of 15 unsung clutch players
Every successful team needs the glue pulling everything together.
Basketball glue pieces are players who do anything needed for their team. Sometimes they may be called for defensive purposes only, hustle plays, second chance points, scoring points, vocal leadership, all the above or more. They may not always be considered the top option on the team, but without them, the team's win/loss record might look significantly different.
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This list is comprised of those pieces on high schools on the Shore girls basketball teams that have been playing stellar this season. Their efforts may not always show up on the stat line, but they aren't forgotten.
Who's your favorite Shore high school glue player? Vote in our poll at the bottom of the story.
Gamila Betton, Ocean Twp., Senior
She's the "linchpin" of the team according to Ocean head coach Michael Lazur for how the Adelphi University commit brings everyone together. She leads the team in rebounds, second in blocks, and third in steals.
Synai Blychanton, Red Bank Regional, Sophomore
A true point guard that can go games without scoring much yet still makes a major impact. Stat wise, she's averaging 8.5 points, 4.1 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and just over one steal a game. The numbers may not pop out, but she does whatever is needed as the floor general and perimeter defender.
Tessa Carman, Red Bank Catholic, Junior
Even with the Caseys loaded roster filled with young talent, it's clear that Carman has one of the biggest impacts on both sides of the floor. Aside from leading the team in blocks with just over one a game, she's also their leading rebounder with 6.6 a game. She's tough, she can play bully-ball inside, or shoot it from deep, and she can defend nearly every position.
Tanaiyah Decker, St. Rose, Senior
The five-foot-seven senior would be a starter on most teams on the Shore, instead she's embraced her role to come off the bench and has been making a huge impact. Decker is the spark for the Purple Roses as she's a driver, a good defender, and can shoot as she made 30 three-pointers throughout the season. Whether it's a double-double (14 points, 13 rebounds) against Neptune or a 21-point-performance against Rumson, she's a hooper.
Jocelyn Jackson, Neptune, Senior
May not have the stats to her name, but as the lone senior on the team she's been one of the Scarlet Fliers' main leaders. And with a roster that lacks size, Jackson has been an inside presence for them.
Madison Kocis, St. John Vianney, Sophomore
If there were a Sixth Player of the Year award she'd be in the race for how she accepted her role coming off the bench midseason for the Lancers. "Earlier in the year we had her in the starting lineup but we moved her there because she gives us awesome firepower off the bench, both sides of the ball, and she can shoot it too," said SJV head coach Dawn Karpell.
Hope Masonius, Manasquan, Senior
Despite being a Div. I bound player, the Bucknell commit still doesn't get enough recognition for what she does for the Warriors. As a guard she's leading the team in points, rebounds, assists, made three-pointers, and is tied for steals. She brings the ball up the floor, jumps in passing lanes, and has a clutch gene.
Ella Mason, Rumson-Fair Haven, Senior
The five-foot-six senior isn't the leading scorer on the team, but she makes her presence known on the floor. Head coach Dave Callahan expressed in December that "she (does) anything we ask of her." Mason can still score though, she dropped 21 points in the first game of the season against Union City, with a double-double (16 points, 10 rebounds) against Shore.
Kiera McKown, Howell, Junior
A big piece for Howell's success this season as their leading scorer, rebounder, and shot blocker. McKown has averaged 12.4 points, 10.3 boards, 3.2 blocks, and 1.7 steals as a big.
Riley Nausedas, Brick Twp., Junior
Although the Dragons season ended in the first round of the playoffs to Ocean Twp, Nausedas' junior campaign didn't go unnoticed. The only player on the team to average double digits (13.4 ppg) and still manage to bring her team to the playoffs. Had five games where she scored 20 or more points, and she's the vocal leader on the team.
Madeline Nolan, Manchester Twp., Freshman
The second leading scorer behind NC State commit Devyn Quigley. Nolan's 9.6 points and 2.9 steals a game has shown to be an added boost alongside the Hawks' superstar.
Lilly Riggi, Trinity Hall, Junior
Riggi defended a lot of girls taller than her and still holding her own. She's a stat sheet stuffer that knows how to make the winning play. Whether it's a key rebound, a getting her team second chances, or scoring in the paint, she's been a big part of Trinity Hall's success.
Mackenzie Teevan, Holmdel, Junior
Aside from having a breakout season, the six-foot-three big is leading the team in blocks and rebounds to go along with seven double-doubles as a junior. She's already getting Division I looks for her play on defense for the Hornets. If it wasn't for NJIT commit Allison Cannon on the team, Teevan would be the top dog, but this season, she's doing a great job at doing whatever it takes to win.
Emma Thornton, Barnegat, Junior
Her season may have come to an end from an early playoff exit, but her all-around numbers have been astounding. She averaged 19.5 points, 15 rebounds, 1.2 blocks, and 2.4 steals a game while leading the team in all those categories.
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Sophie Tonino, Freehold Twp, Junior
The five-foot-6 junior has been making a consistent effort on the glass all season to go along with scoring. She finished with 23 points in a win over Lacey, and had a double-double against Southern (14 points, 10 rebounds).
Vote for the Shore girls basketball Glue Player of the Year below - voting ends March 10 at 10 p.m.:
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Shore NJ girls basketball glue players - vote for top unsung clutch player
