IMAGE PROFILE: KATIE HILL (JERSEY SHORE ELITE)

Name: Katie Hill

Team: Jersey Shore Elite

Position: Combo - Guard

Class: 2021

State: NJ

Event: Spring Kick Off

Profile: Point guard with a scorers mentality, loves to attack the rim and beat her opponent of the dribble. Creates space, Takes defenders off the dribble, Good court vision, Attacks when time is right, Ball handler, Crafty.... 

Image Profile: Sophia Sabino

Name: Sophia Sabino

Team: Shoreshots

Position: Combo - Guard

Class: 2021

State: NJ

Event: Spring Kick Off

Profile: Combo who's stock is rising as we speak,  executes in half court offense, but at times she likes to pick it up in play uptempo. Skilled, Assertive, Ball handler, High IQ...........  

DIARY OF A FEMALE BALLER: BRYNN FARRELL (METUCHEN, NJ) ENTRY #6

BRYNN & TEAMMATES

Hello Basketball People, This is Brynn checking In with my Diary for week 6.

Monday: Today I found out that me and my friend Ben have been made parents of triplets for our health project. Our babies are coming Thursday and we are going to have to figure out how much it will cost to raise them. This should be a fun and interesting project. I went to the Tournament of Champions with Emma to watch Franklin and the twins play against Manasquan. I was an amazing game, I have never yelled that loud or much at a game. Kennady hit the winning shot at the buzzer again. I couldn’t believe it, but I knew it was going in as soon as it left her hands. I am so happy Franklin.

GTHING'S BASKETBALL ONE ON ONE CONVERSATION WITH LIFE CENTER ACADEMY (NJ) JUNIOR FORWARD IMANI LEWIS.

Q. Imani, how would you grade your performance this year for 2016-17 season? 

 A. I would grade my performance as an 8/10. I have to play with more consistency and with more
intelligence. I have to get my basketball iq higher meaning I need to know when to pass, shoot,
and attack the basket. Overall I feel like I have had a great season and I am looking forward to
having an even better season next year.

Q. Since playing in the first gthing All Star Classic 3 years ago, we see that your stock has rising, 
why is that?

A. My stock has risen because of my hard work and dedication. People kept telling me I can be
great, I can be something special, and once I started to see it for myself things started to change. I
started training with a purpose and reason. I just was not training to stay in shape, I was training
for the game of basketball now. My hard work and dedication is what has gotten my stock to rise.

Q. How has the change been for you at Life Center, since spending your first year at Trenton 
Catholic?

A. It has been a drastic change. Life Center is way smaller than Trenton Catholic so I had to adjust
to the student body change. Also there was a huge basketball change for me. Life Center played a
national schedule, while at Trenton Catholic I just played local teams. I would say the level of
competition is harder at Life Center than Trenton Catholic. It did not really take much for me to
adjust to the competition because I always had this killer instinct in me, that no matter where I go
who I face, I am going to always give my all and compete.

Q. So, tell me the difference between being coached by your uncle Khaliq Lewis- El in your days 
at TC and being coached by Hilton Clarke at the Life Center.

A. The difference is my uncle Khaliq realized the leadership in me when I did not realize I had it in
myself. So he always pushed me to go hard and he always wanted to bring the best out of me. He
just wanted the best for me and he demanded a lot more from me because he knew as a
freshman, I could be a big asset to the team. He also coached me hard because that was just the
type of person he was and I appreciate every moment of it. Being coached by Hilton Clarke is a
little different than being coach my Khaliq. Hilton is a little more laid back than coach Khaliq,
but he still demands a lot from me. He knows what I can do, and if I am not doing it, he will hold
me accountable, just like coach Khaliq would. Hilton pushes me and just wants the best for me.
The only difference I see in the coaching is that Coach Khaliq was intense and into the game,
while Hilton is into the game, but he is more of a laid back type of coach.

Q. What do you think about being rank #25 by ESPN and being ranked #38 by Prospect Nation?

A. I just think that people have different opinions about the way I play. They view me as a different
person on the court. There is nothing wrong with that, it just shows me that people have different​
opinions about the way I play. Both rankings are good, so I am not really concerned about them.
The only thing I am worried about doing is bringing both of those rankings up.

Q. Now that your nationally ranked, what do you think you need to do to stay there, and what 
parts of your game would you like to work on to benefit you?

A.To stay ranked I need to work in the gym every single day. Days off lead to off days. While I am
not working, I have to remember that those other rank players are always working. To stay
ranked, I just have to stay in the gym an continue to work on my craft. To benefit me, I need to
work on my right hand and learning to attack the basket on the right side. I need to work on my
perimeter defense, I am slowly transitioning from playing post defense to perimeter defense. I
am also trying to work on being a consistent shooter, not only from the mid range, but also from
the 3 point line.

Q. What song gets you pumped before a game?

A. Meek Mill Dreams and Nightmares is the song that gets me pumped before a game.

Q. Favorite food to eat before a game and after a game?

A. My favorite food to eat before a game is chicken alfredo and after the game my favorite food is

boneless buffalo wings.

GTHING BASKETBALL TOP 20 HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS BASKETBALL TEAM RANKINGS IN NEW JERSEY.

1. Franklin

2. Manasquan

3. Rutgers Prep

4. Red Bank Catholic

5. St. Rose

6. St. Johns Vianney

7. Patrick School

8. Rumson - Fair Haven

9. Newark Tech

10. Immaculate Conception Lodi

11. Queen Of Peace

12. Ocean City

13. Cherokee 

14. Sayreville

15. Ewing

16. Saddle River Day

17. Bound Brook

18. Gloucester Catholic

19. University

20. Pascack Valley

DIARY OF A FEMALE BALLER: BRYNN FARRELL (METUCHEN, NJ) ENTRY #5

BRYNN FARRELL & KERRI FARRELL

Hello Basketball World, I'm checking in for my 5th week.

Monday: All anyone could talk about in school today was the big snow that is coming. We think we will get at least one maybe two days off. Since I knew our team practice was going to be cancelled for Tuesday, I went to go train with Coach Foderingham after school. We must have been training for at least two and a half hours. We did a ton of ball handling drills and a lot of deep three shooting. After training I went over to my friend Maddie’s house and hung out with a bunch of friends. I can’t wait for the snow day tomorrow.

DIARY OF A FEMALE BALLER: BRYNN FARRELL (METUCHEN, NJ) ENRTY #4

BRYNN, TEAMMATES & COACH KEV

Monday: I had a biology test today. I don’t think I did very well and I didn’t finish so I will have to finish it up tomorrow. Now that basketball is over, I am going to start working out with our school trainer after school. She is going to put together workouts to help me with conditioning and strength. Today, I just went to shoot after school until the softball team kicked me out. I had a lot of homework tonight, so I ate dinner, did my work, and went to bed.

DIARY OF A FEMALE BALLER: BRYNN FARRELL (METUCHEN, NJ) ENTRY #3

BRYNN & METUCHEN TEAMMATES

Monday: My group presented our social studies project today to our class.  We had to make a board game about the history of India and also bring in Indian food.  After school, we had practice to get ready for our first state game. We worked on fast break plays and defensive slides. After practice the team got together for a pasta party at our senior’s house and we are all going to wear tie-dye tomorrow for the game. I am nervous but excited about tomorrow’s game. I think we should do well.

Tuesday: Today was our first state game.  We won, but I had a horrible game. I am happy for my sister who had a great game, and our team played well, but I just couldn’t find my rhythm. I hurt my finger and couldn’t stop the bleeding so I was distracted. I know I was making poor shot decisions and couldn’t make a layup. It was the most frustrating game I’ve played so far this season. 

Wednesday: I woke up this morning still upset about the game yesterday. I wasn’t feeling great, so I went in late.  As the day went on, I snapped out of it and am looking forward to tomorrow’s game. We had a good practice and I feel more confident about tomorrow’s game.  After practice, I went to see my teammate’s second round state game. Even though they were the lower seed, they were winning the whole game, but couldn’t hold on at the end and lost.  It was a fun game though because I got to see a lot of my teammates and we are all excited to start the spring season.

Thursday: Today was our second round of the states.  I went in early with my teammate Tina to shoot before school.  We practiced for about an hour and then got breakfast. The game was really good, I was finishing my shots, making my free throws and getting everyone involved.  I was one of the better games we played this season as a team and we are so excited to be heading into the semifinals.  After the game, we got some dinner and then I had to finish up my homework. 

Friday:  I had to bring in donuts for my health class today.  Each week someone is assigned food to bring and this was my week.  I was supposed to have a quiz today in health but it was moved to Monday was is good because I really didn’t study much for it yet.  We had a good practice after school and everyone is really excited for tomorrow’s game, although we know Shore is a team that better than their record and seeding. We play them a lot in state playoff’s and know how tough they are to beat. After practice I went to the Franklin semi-final state game to watch my teammates.  Franklin’s whole team played great and they got the win. I think they have a very good chance to win the whole bracket.

Saturday: I couldn’t sleep last night I was so excited and nervous about today’s game. I went to train with Coach Foderingham for about an hour before I had to get to the high school gym. We just worked on shooting and foul shots. My team went to the gym about two hours before the game to do our walk through, but Shore was already at the gym so we couldn’t do our normal routine. My sister also lost her sneakers which wasn’t good and had to wear an old pair of mine for the game. The game was low scoring and a defensive battle for the first half. We were down 5 at the half and came out totally flat in the third. At one point, we were down 17 but then started our comeback. We got the game to within 7 and then I fouled out with five minutes left to go in the fourth. I was upset that I couldn’t finish the game and help my team try to get the win, but I feel played as hard as I could. It was hard to see our two seniors play their last game. After the game, we went out to lunch and then I went to spend the night at my friend Jillians. 

Sunday: Today I did absolutely nothing.  No training, no basketball, just a relaxing day on the couch. I didn’t feel well and am covered with black and blues from the game. I am sort of sad that the season is over but I am really looking forward to playing with my AAU team again. I think our first practice is going ​to be on Thursday and I can’t wait. I am also going to try to go to the Franklin and Bound Brook finals this week to watch my teammates hopefully win their games. Going to bed early tonight.

GTHING'S ONE ON ONE CONVERSATION WITH LIFE CENTER ACADEMY (NJ) SOPHOMORE GABBIE SMALLS.

Q. Gabbie, tell Gthing how your experience has been since attending Life Center Academy (NJ).

A. My experience of the Life Center has been great I have enjoyed the new feeling at a Christian school, they provide so much knowledge and is more challenges in the classrooms that it makes you work harder to perfect your skill level of intelligent.

Q. What would you say about the level of competition you have played against since coming from a smaller School.

A. I say that it's more higher and competitive than before I was at Pemberton, the competition level is more tense and aggressive than playing the smaller schools.

Q. Being someone who has attend a smaller school and little recognition, what advice would you give to someone who wants to play on a bigger high School stage.

A. My advice would be when you play against higher schools at a different level you have to play intensity basketball it's a new type of scene and a whole new game for me, I play to show out and put my heart and energy out on the court, so I inspire others to play hard just as I play without being afraid of new type of competition don't change how you play for the like of others if you play your game, going beyond your limits.

Q. How have you adapted to your new teammates and coaches.

A. It took me a while to get used to the new team and coaches, but getting to know them well and see how they play and what type of intensity they put on the court my game has gotten better since being at Life Center.

Q. Have you gotten any looks from Division 1 programs, if so name two for Gthing.

A. I have gotten a lot of college looks from my freshman year to now I will say West Virginia, Wakeforest and Northwestern.

Q. What would your goal be before you graduate Life Center Academy.

A. My goal is to study on becoming a Doctor or Veterinarian and focus on my education and keep my grades up.