The first few weeks of girls basketball action featured standout performances all over the court for teams across New Jersey, including in the North Jersey Interscholastic Conference.
Each week, NJ Advance Media will select five Players of the Week in every conference, highlighting the best individual efforts in that area.
These first selections are made from games played between Friday, Dec. 17, and Thursday, Jan. 6. The decisions are ours to make, but feel free to send any nominations to the email address listed below. Here are the Players of the Week in the NJIC for Jan. 7
Mia Lewis, Lodi Immaculate, So.
Just a sophomore, Lewis has made a leap in her production to begin the season. She is averaging 23.2 points per game and has scored in double figures in all of Lodi Immaculate’s four games. Lewis has scored at least 20 points in three games and had a career-high 29 in a win over North Arlington.
Ella Madden, Park Ridge, Sr.
Madden continues to be productive for Park Ridge, averaging 17.8 points, 12.8 rebounds and 3.6 steals per game. Madden has notched a double-double in each of Park Ridge’s five games this season and has helped the team begin the season with a 4-1 record.
Ella Marchesani, Saddle Brook, Jr.
Marchesani is averaging 23.2 points per game this season and has scored in double figures in all of Saddle Brook’s games this season. The junior has scored at least 20 points in four games and scored a season-high 33 points in a 49-37 win over Lodi.
Harmony Marquez, Rutherford, Sr.
Marquez opened the season by scoring 31 points in a win over Lodi and has been solid since then. The senior is averaging 19.8 points and 7.6 rebounds per game. Marquez has scored in double figures in all five games and has a streak of three consecutive double-doubles for Rutherford.
Paulina Paris, Saddle River Day, Sr.
One of the top players in the state, Paris is a big reason why Saddle River Day is the No. 2 team in the state. Paris opened the season with a 28-point effort in a win over Westfield and has not looked back since. The North Carolina signee scored 20 points in a win over then-No. 5 Red Bank Catholic and helped Saddle River Day win its bracket of the Tampa Bay Christmas Invitational. She is averaging 24.3 points per game.
You can reach Luis Torres at ltorres@njadvancemedia.com and you can follow him on Twitter @ByLuisTorres.
