Making the transition from middle school basketball to high school hoops can be a challenging one for an incoming freshman. You know, new faces, new teammates, and harder classes.
But these young lady ballers have the makings of good ones while, and after, playing their summer AAU seasons, and going into their respective high school basketball campaigns.
Do yourself a favor and get familiar with these five names before the rest of the New Jersey high school basketball scene does. You will want to be in the know, trust me on this one.
Mia and Mya Pauldo — NJ Sparks/Morris Catholic High School
When the talk of impactful 2025 New Jersey basketball players arise, two hoopsters in particular are always mentioned together: Mia and Mya Puldo.
That’s because they are twins, and are lighting up courts everywhere, especially for the AAU 16U NJ Sparks squad this summer.
Many high school hoop insiders considered Mia and Mya, who are headed to Morris Catholic High School in the fall, to be among the best young backcourts in the nation.
And for good reasons: both are quick, deceptive of the dribble, have great shots, and can get to the rim and finish with proficiency with little to no problems.
Christa Ramos — AAU Exodus NYC/St. Rose HS
Christa Ramos is an emerging guard, and will be heading to New Jersey girl’s basketball factory at St. Rose, coached by legend Mary Beth Chambers, in the fall.
Sure, she will have to work hard to earn her playing time, but hard work is Ramos’ middle name. the 14-year-old’s hoops preparation includes three hours of working out/combo training three times a week and two nights a week of highly-competitive basketball-related activities when not playing in a game.
Ramos is a good shooter, handles the ball well, and is very coachable. She even received the opportunity to play for the Nicaraguan 17-U team this past spring. The five-foot-four dynamo drained a game-high-tying 16 points in the Nicaragua U-17 Girl’s squad’s 59-49 win over Leonas in the first game of the Luisa A. Espinoza Basketball Tournament in Managua, Nicaragua.
She followed that up with a 13-point, nine-assist performance versus Universidad Americana in Managua (UAM), another ten-point victory in the second game of the first round of contests in the event.
Moreover, Ramos is excellent student, and a good citizen, participating in charitable events that help raise funds for the less fortunate.
Caroline Polloway — Red Bank Regional/NJ Belles Shaughnessy
Polloway is a 6-foot-2 forward, so the size is there to play that position well in high school at Red Bank Regional.
But she also possesses quickness, a high level of athleticism, is a hard worker, and displays nice ball-handling skills for a big. Let’s not forget she can pass the rock with precision, and as a left-handed player, she will create mismatches down low in the post.
Daniella Matus — Morris Catholic/Philly Rise EYBL 15U
The 5-foot-9 Matus is somewhat of an under-the-radar point guard/shooting guard going into her freshman year as a Lady Crusader. But she is doing her thing this summer, draining threes, passes the ball well, and just playing smart overall hoops.
Therefore, by the time the summer is all said and done, high school basketball fans will be familiar with the name Daniella Matus.
— Jerry Del Priore
(Photo): Chris Ramos.
Brooklyn Sports World/NY NJ Sports World 