Cape-Atlantic League 2021 Season Recap Pt. 2
It was an exciting and truly jam-packed season of basketball in New Jersey as the 2021 high school girls basketball season has wrapped up across the Garden State. We witnessed the best of the best take the court this season,…
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Continue ReadingIt was an exciting and truly jam-packed season of basketball in New Jersey as the 2021 high school girls basketball season has wrapped up across the Garden State.
We witnessed the best of the best take the court this season, especially in the Cape-Atlantic League, which featured some of the best talent anywhere.
Prep Girls Hoops has been taking a closer look across New Jersey, recapping every conference up and down the state.
The CAL is put under a microscope in a continuation of a 2021 league recap, looking at the best players in the North Division.
Haleigh Schafer – G, Absegami
Schafer had a fantastic senior sendoff for Absegami, averaging 16.3 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 3.9 APG and 2.9 SPG this season. She was nothing short of a scoring machine and an all-around force on the court, exactly what Absegami needed as it went 10-1 this season, the best record in the North Division. Schafer was equally as good of a scorer as she was a defender, and hard-nosed defender at that. Also, her perimeter shooting is something that will be greatly missed at Absegami as she averaged 1.3 made threes a game. Impressive numbers for an impressive player.
Lauren Baxter – G, Egg Harbor Township
Baxter was a key part of this season’s EHT team and their unquestionable team leader, averaging 9.8 PPG and 4.0 SPG this season. She was the team’s leading scorer and an important senior presence on the team. Baxter was a balanced player on both ends of the floor, not only a good scorer, but an excellent, shut-down defender. Averaging four steals a game is an impressive feat to say the least, and opponents had a difficult time navigating through the lane with her there in their way.
Nay Nay Clark – G, Oakcrest
Clark was one of the best, if not the best player in the CAL this season, averaging 19.5 PPG, 3.4 RPG and 3.5 SPG. She was an offensive scoring machine, scoring literally at will, and nearly accounted for half of Oakcrest’s offense. Her senior season was one to be amazed at as she found most any way to get points on the board, both driving in the lane, hitting a mid-range jumper from the elbow or stepping beyond the arc and draining a three-pointer. Clark was also a formidable defender and created a lot of turnovers for fast break opportunities on the other end of the floor. She was truly a special watch in 2020.
Grace Speer – G, Atlantic Tech
Speer is going to be on the watch lists of many come next season after her 2021 season where she broke out as a junior for Atlantic Tech. The guard averaged 16.3 PPG and 1.7 made threes a game for the Red Hawks, who struggled on the season, finishing 4-10. Despite the losing record, Speer and fellow junior Cee’anai Jackson were bright spots for Atlantic Tech moving forward as there are building blocks for the 2021-22 campaign. Speer was very much a volume shooter, but an effective one who looked good shooting from the perimeter and will be expected to shoot more in volume next season.
Jezlyn Cross – G, Cedar Creek
Cross had a standout senior season to end her high school career, averaging 12.3 PPG for Cedar Creek. She was extremely impressive as a ball-handler, weaving through traffic in the lane, but also shooting the jumper very well. Cross was the perfect combination of finesse, speed and aggression on the offensive end, while being a nimble defender on the other side of the court. Cross and Abby Gunnels are the two seniors departing the program, but there is strong talent coming through for the 2021-22 season as Ashley Nicolichia and Corinne Morgan will take over the reigns for Cedar Creek.
Stay with Prep Girls Hoops for more season recaps in New Jersey from the 2021 high school girls basketball season.