State Tournament Starts Today

Here are some previews:

APP Preview - Click Me or Read Abridged Below!

CENTRAL JERSEY GROUP III
The favorite: Middletown South
The contenders: Neptune, Freehold, Hopewell Valley
The scenario: This section, quite literally, may turn into a mini-Shore Conference Tournament if Middletown North takes out Hopewell Valley in a semifinal. In any case, the road to a sectional crown goes through Middletown South. Neptune poses an issue for the Eagles in the top half, but we like the Eagles there. In the bottom half, we’re thinking Freehold emerges out of an eight-team group that really could go a bunch of different ways. The Colonials have been building towards this for several years now. Middletown South and Freehold split two meetings, but South won in the SCT round of 16 when it was completely healthy.
The pick: Middletown South over Freehold

Star Ledger Preview - Click Me or Read Abridged Below!

GROUP 3
TOP SEEDS
North 1- Northern Highlands
North 2- Gov. Livingston
Central- Middletown South
South- Ocean City
TEAM TO BEAT
With towering forwards Jackie Reyneke and Melissa Heath, winning on the boards never seems to be a problem for Northern Highlands. Both players are also able to take their game away from the basket and Jessica Dowicz is another versatile forward off the bench. Madison Dunbar gives this team another element as she can hit the 3 and drive to the basket.
Others to watch: Ramapo, Central Reg., High Point, Teaneck, Old Tappan, Gov. Livingston, West Morris, Iselin Kennedy, Middletown South, Hopewell Valley, Freehold Borough, Neptune, Middletown North, Ocean City, Camden Wilson; Seneca.
PLAYER TO WATCH
There’s not much 6-4 Princeton-bound forward Jackie Reyneke of Northern Highlands can’t do. She dominates the glass where she’s hauled in 13.8 rebounds per game and has finished with 15 or more rebounds in 11 games. Reyneke matches her toughness on the defensive end with a finesse on the offensive side that’s allowed her to score 15.5 points per game.
Others to watch: Madison Dunbar, Northern Highlands; JK McAvoy and Caitlyn Hickey, Ramapo; Stephanie Karcz and Jackie Dluhi, Middletown South; Ivy Harrington and Iyonna Crenshaw, Neptune; Kayla Gibbs, Teaneck, Julia Duggan, Ocean City; Camerin Spahn and Kim Dana, Freehold Borough; Melissa Ericco, Old Tappan; Michelle Garay, Pascack Valley; Chanelle Perry, Camden Wilson; Mallory George, Gov. Livingston; Jessica McCoy, Cranford; Caroline Barberi, Somerville; Nikki Scott, Warren Hills; Grace Montgomery, Nutley; Brittany Washington, Iselin Kennedy; Taylor Stanley, Woodbridge; Erica Snow, Seneca; Brittany Martin, Timber Creek; Emily Lavin, Middletown North; Kara Hageman, Hopewell Valley; Racheal Krauss, Colts Neck; Brittany Stone, Paramus; Grace Conroy, Chatham; Brielle Kelly, West Morris; Sarah Wells, Mount Olive; Kaity O’Reilly, Montville; Kristen Swerzenski, Jefferson; Rachel Iozzia, Central Reg; Deja Bullock, Triton; Kayleen Melvin, River Dell; Darby Smith and Kirsty Gartner, High Point.