Ella Pestano, 2030 Forward, New Jersey Aces 2030
Sunday’s 8th Grade Lavender Division action at Girls East Circuit Session 2 closed out a strong weekend with another intense day of competition.
Here are some of the top storylines and Superlatives from Sunday’s action in King of Prussia, PA:
T.J. Sparks 2030 Shows Moxie in Gutsy Win Against Norf Side Buccs
T.J. Sparks’ 2030 group showed grit and resolve in a fiercely contested match against the North Side Buccs, imposing their will from the opening tip. In a game defined by physical play and tough defense, Sparks leaned heavily on Brianna Hose Gomez, who delivered all the scoring the team needed, attacking from all areas of the court with confidence and poise.
Her leadership set the tone. The rest of the Sparks followed her lead, staying locked in defensively and keeping their foot on the gas despite the grind of a low-scoring affair. By controlling tempo and making the most of key moments, T.J. Sparks slowly pulled away, closing out a disciplined 30–12 victory in a game that was tougher than the final score suggests.
Dominance shows up in the form of the Jersey Aces
The Jersey Aces wasted no time establishing their superiority against the North Side Buccs, turning the matchup into a one-sided affair from the opening tip. Anchored by their powerful interior duo of Ella Pestano and Kylie Hibbert, the Aces controlled the paint on both ends of the floor, dominating the Buccs with physicality and discipline.
Jersey’s structured, no-nonsense style of play was impossible to disrupt, as they raced out to a commanding 34–2 lead by halftime. With the outcome firmly in hand, the Aces eased off offensively in the second half, scoring just nine points, but their defensive intensity never wavered. They continued to suffocate the Buccs, allowing only two points after the break.
When the final horn sounded, the scoreboard told the full story: a decisive 42–4 victory that highlighted the Aces’ depth, discipline, and complete control from start to finish.
CT Focus 2030 Pulls Out A Victory
In what may have been the best game of the day, the CT Focus girls edged out the PW Bulldogs in a closely fought battle that felt like a playoff showdown. From the opening tip, both teams traded blows, matching intensity and execution on every possession.
The difference came down to CT Focus’s lethal inside-outside combination, led by the steady play of Lailah Johnson and the shot-making of Brooklyn Farrell. When the Bulldogs packed the paint, Farrell made them pay from the perimeter. When they stretched the defense, #14 went to work inside, finishing strong and managing the pace.
PW fought until the final horn, but CT Focus’s balance and calmness in the biggest moments proved to be just enough. In a game defined by toughness and timely execution, CT Focus delivered when it mattered most, walking away with a statement win.
Sunday’s Superlatives
Best performance and Most Dominant – Lailah Johnson, 2030 Center, CT Focus
Johnson has been nothing short of a workhorse this weekend, and every opponent she’s faced has struggled to slow her down. She does a little bit of everything for her CT Focus squad, impacting the game in every phase. Whether it’s scoring when her team needs a bucket, crashing the glass on both ends, or making the right play to set up a teammate, her presence is felt on every possession. Even with opposing teams clearly centering their defensive strategies on stopping her, Johnson continued to assert herself and remain dominant, proving just how valuable and versatile she is on the court.
2030 Frontcourt Duo – Ella Pestano and Kylie Hibbert, Jersey Aces
Pestano and Hibbert put on a commanding performance that clearly showed why their Jersey Aces squad will be a tough out every time they step onto the court. The frontcourt duo controlled the game from the opening tip, rebounding relentlessly on both ends and consistently turning those extra possessions into points. Their physicality and timing on the glass made it difficult for opponents to generate second chances, while their scoring presence inside kept constant pressure on the defense.
Beyond the box score, Pestano and Hibbert served as the backbone of the Aces on the defensive end. Together, they anchored the paint, communicated well, deterred shots at the rim, forcing opponents into tough shots and rushed decisions. Their ability to protect the rim, rebound, and then run the floor set the tone for the entire team.
Ms. Versatility – Brianna Hose Gomes, 2030 Forward, T.J. Sparks
Hose Gomez has quickly established herself as one of the most versatile forwards in the 2030 class, and her impact on the game is impossible to ignore. A true matchup problem, she comfortably plays both inside and out, forcing defenses to constantly adjust and often putting them in difficult positions. Her ability to score on the block with strength and touch, then step away from the basket to handle the ball and create, keeps opponents off balance possession after possession.
