Morgan Miller, NJ.com Top Performer of the Week!

http://www.nj.com/hssports/blog/girlsbasketball/index.ssf/2012/02/high_school_top_performer_-_week_6_morgan_miller_girls_basketball_cranford.html

MORGAN MILLER, CRANFORD

Senior guard, 5-10

 

Saed Hindash/The Star-LedgerMorgan Miller of Cranford is The Star-Ledger's top performer for girls basketball this week.

JUST THE STATS: The versatile guard has been a key factor in Cranford's success this winter. Miller is averaging 15.6 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 3.9 steals and 1.1 blocks per game for a Cranford team that is 17-3 and currently riding a season-high eight-game winning streak. On Feb. 3, Miller had a career-high 25 points as Cranford dealt Gov. Livingston (18-1) its first loss of the season, 49-44. Cranford earned the second seed for the upcoming Union County Tournament and will be seeking its first title since 2006. Miller has also been adept at the 3-point line, connecting 50 times from behind the arc.

COACH'S COMMENT: "Morgan is every coach's dream. She has been a leader on and off the floor and is very good at controlling the tempo and showing poise in close games." -- Cranford head coach Jackie Dyer.

ON BEATING GOV. LIVINGSTON: "I think we've improved a lot since the first game (42-38 loss on Jan. 19). One of the biggest differences was our ability to rebound, which we did better."

ON CRANFORD'S SUCCESS: "Everyone on this team is a threat and works well together. Everyone has stepped up."

ON 3-POINT PROCLIVITY: "I've definitely been working on it, in the driveway, in the gym. I'm definitely more relaxed and confident in that shot."

ON EXPERIENCE: "A lot of us have played in big state tournament games and it definitely helps us." Cranford has reached the North Jersey, Section 2, Group 3 final each of the last three seasons, winning the title in 2010.

GOALS FOR THIS SEASON: "Everyone has it the back of their minds that they want to do well in the counties and the states but we really do just take it one game at a time."

FAVORITE OPPONENT: "Probably Gov. Livingston. It has turned into a good rivalry."

FAVORITE GAME: "Last year against Chatham in the states. It was a great game and we won in overtime (53-49) and got to the sectional final again."

FAVORITE CLASS: Math. "I've always loved it since I was little. I like figuring out problems."

FAVORITE FOOD: Buffalo wings.

FAVORITE TEAMS: Boston Celtics, Yankees and Giants. "My favorite players are Rajon Rondo, LeBron James and Dwane Wade."

FAVORITE TV SHOW: "Anything with a competition – from 'Top Chef' to 'Jeopardy.' "

FAVORITE MOVIE: "Mean Girls." "I can quote it almost word for word."

FAVORITE BOOK: "The Great Gatsby," by F. Scott Fitzgerald.

FAVORITE MUSIC: "I like The Beatles. My favorite song is 'Hey Jude.' "

GAMEDAY RITUALS: "I like to take a nap if I can before to be well rested and I'll usually drink a Diet Coke."

UNIFORM NUMBER: 3. "I wanted No. 6 when I was younger on my travel team but somebody else had it. I took No. 3 and have had it ever since."

SUPERPOWER: "Super strength or invisibility."

FOUR FOR DINNER: "Bill Russell and my grandparents, who have passed away."