PGH NJ’s Top Five 2025 Centers

Prep Girls Hoops Staff

October 20, 2022 @ 11:24 PM

We're well into the thick of things with our recent 2025 rankings update in New Jersey for PGH NJ. The rankings list has been expanded once again as we have roughly 200 or so prospects now included from the 2025 class. Within that, here are the top five centers as ranked by us.   No. 1: [player_tooltip player_id='414305' first='Molly' last='Sholders'] - 6-1 Gateway (No. 12 overall)   Sholders impressed greatly as a freshman, nearly posting double-double averages for Gateway in 28 games played. The most impressive part of her game was her defense, specifically her shot-blocking abilities. Naturally, a 6-1 forward is one who should be able to block shots easier, but Sholders takes it to another level. She's aggressive on defense and isn't afraid to get in front of anyone before a shot. That fearless attitude has contributed to many turnovers for opponents and many positive possessions for the Gators.   No. 2: [player_tooltip player_id='414250' first='Emma' last='Thornton'] - 5-10 Barnegat (No. 17 overall)   Thornton posted double-double averages for Barnegat last season, averaging 12.5 PPG and 10.6 RPG. While her scoring and rebounding numbers were fantastic, a big reason why she's so high up on the list, she's not as much of a shot-blocker, but more of a guard-like defender. That's a big reason for her averaging two steals a game as a freshman. She's got the frame to be a more dominant defender in the post, so hopefully, we'll see more of that in Year 2.   No. 3: [player_tooltip player_id='414418' first='Esther' last='Osei-Poku'] - North Star Academy (No. 39 overall)   Playing in just 16 games as a freshman, Osei-Poku made an instant impact in a shorter schedule for North Star Academy, averaging 12.3 rebounds a game and 3.5 blocks a game. This is a player we're going to be tracking more as the season rolls along because she's got top-20 and even top-10 potential in her based on what she did in Year 1 alone. The one area of concern we have is her offense and how consistent she can be on the offensive side of the ball. If her offense can reach the level that her defense is at right now, Osei-Poku is going to be a top forward not just in New Jersey, but nationwide.   No. 4: [player_tooltip player_id='333332' first='Caroline' last='Polloway'] - Red Bank Regional (No. 58 overall)   Polloway put up impressive numbers as a freshman on a team on the rise in Red Bank Regional. The frontcourt duo of her and [player_tooltip player_id='488728' first='Camryn' last='Gardner'] is going to be one of the most feared in the state and Polloway might just be the better of the two, defensively. Averaging two blocks a game as a freshman is not an easy task, but she did it with relative ease. Let's not forget solid numbers from scoring and rebounding, a player who is agile and versatile, but one who isn't afraid to be physical and make opponents uncomfortable on the post.   No. 5: [player_tooltip player_id='414249' first='Lindsay' last='Rivera'] - Keansburg (No. 84 overall)   There aren't many true centers on our list with the growth in more versatile forwards, those stretch-4s and stretch-5s who often times will play like a guard. However, in players like Rivera, you see the importance of more traditional post players, especially those who can rebound as well as she can. That comes with great court awareness and a feel for the lane, not to mention boxing out opponents well. Rivera excelled defensively, but the offense didn't necessarily follow. That's something to watch out this season, how much she really worked on her offensive game to complement her already stellar defensive skills.

We're well into the thick of things with our recent 2025 rankings update in New Jersey for PGH NJ. The rankings list has been expanded once again as we have roughly 200 or so prospects now included from the 2025 class. Within that, here are the top five centers as ranked by us.