Preseason All-Skyland Conference Watch List
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As the high school season continues to approach in New Jersey, it’s time for us to talk about some of the players who could be up for postseason awards come the spring. That means plenty of players to discuss in…
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Continue ReadingAs the high school season continues to approach in New Jersey, it’s time for us to talk about some of the players who could be up for postseason awards come the spring. That means plenty of players to discuss in this article, so let’s get right to it, starting out with a preseason All-Skyland Conference Watch List.
If we missed anyone, please let us know so we can do a Part 2 to this list and include a number of new names.
Iyanna Cotten Iyanna Cotten 5'8" | CG Franklin | 2024 State NJ – 5-6 CG, Franklin (2024)
Cotten is a sharp-shooter and will fill the void left by Christina Midgette well this season. Such a loss in production for Franklin means players are going to need to step up to make up that point gap, and who better to ask than one of the better scorers and shooters in the conference already.
Brooke Baisley Brooke Baisley 5'10" | SF Gill St. Bernard's | 2024 State NJ – 5-10 SG/SF, Gill St. Bernard’s (2024)
Part of a dynamic backcourt for GSB, Baisley had a fantastic sophomore year, doing things in the paint that players can only dream of doing. Also, why not add in lockdown defender and rim protector to that resume as well. One of the more well-rounded prospects in the Skyland, Baisley is must-watch basketball.
Morgan Groff Morgan Groff 5'8" | SG Watchung Hills | 2023 State NJ – SG, Watchung Hills (2023)
There’s really two big players to choose from when looking at Watchung Hills, Groff being one of them. While not to discount what Julia Puglisi Julia Puglisi 5'6" | PG Watchung Hills | 2023 State NJ has done, Groff has done the same at a higher level while also being one of the best defenders and rebounders on the team. She’s a stat-sheet filler and gets the job done with the ball in her hands, a leader among her teammates for sure.
Amy Rachilla Amy Rachilla SG Hillsborough | 2023 State NJ – SG, Hillsborough (2023)
One of the Player of the Year candidates for the Skyland, Rachilla had a phenomenal season last year for Hillsborough and went off as a scorer. Averaging 15.4 points a game as a junior as well as knocking down 45 threes makes her a near-unstoppable force and the driving force for Hillsborough in this coming season.
Brenae Jones Brenae Jones 6'1" | C Montclair Immaculate | 2024 State NJ – 6-0 C, Bound Brook (2024)
What a fantastic year Jones had as a sophomore, averaging a double-double and recording over three blocks a game for Bound Brook. Those are video game numbers, but she was doing it on a consistent basis, setting the table for what should be an even more dominant junior year.
Reghan Bice Reghan Bice 5'8" | SF Hillsborough | 2025 NJ – 5-8 PG/SG, South Hunterdon (2025)
A rising star for South Hunterdon, Bice wasted no time getting herself on the map last season, her freshman season. An incredible scorer in the paint and someone who’s made the most of her time on the floor on the defensive side of things too, Bice is a darkhorse Player of the Year candidate as well.
Mikayla Blakes Mikayla Blakes 5'8" | SG Rutgers Prep | 2024 State NJ – 6-0 CG, Rutgers Prep (2024)
What more needs to be said about Blakes that hasn’t been said. She’s a dominant force quite nearly any way you look at it, one of the most all-around players in her class and in the state, a ferocious scorer, someone who can take over the game just about at any time, an insanely good defender. It’s actually incredible that she’s just a junior right now.
Katie Ledden Katie Ledden 6'0" | SG Rutgers Prep | 2023 State NJ – 6-0 SG, Rutgers Prep (2023)
It’s unfair to the rest of the conference that alongside Blakes is Ledden, a Division 1 commit in her own right and a fantastic playmakers for the Argos. That height does wonders down on the block and helps her out that much more in her midrange and outside shooting game. Friendly competition between her and Blakes will go quite a long way toward making each other better players.
Giovanna Drajin Giovanna Drajin 5'10" | SF Immaculata | 2024 State NJ – 5-10 SF/PF, Immaculata (2024)
Drajin is a versatile forward, someone who has a great shooting game to go along with a strong post presence. She’s quick with the ball, a quick thinker and decision-maker overall. A fantastic shot-blocker and rebounder, Drajin is making her shots count and she’s not afraid to take them either.
Rachel Castela Rachel Castela 5'9" | SG Mount St. Mary | 2024 State NJ – SG, Mount St. Mary’s (2024)
Look no further when trying to search for the best shooters in the conference because Castela almost surely has that title locked up. Knocking down an incredible 73 three-pointers last season, Castela averaged 12.8 points a game and could not be stopped from the perimeter. What more can you ask for from a lights-out shooter.
Jaelyn Morris Jaelyn Morris SG Warren Hills | 2024 State NJ – SG, Warren Hills (2024)
A bit of an underrated choice here, Morris will be seeing many more scoring chances come her way this season after guard Maddie Morgan Maddie Morgan PG Cresskill | 2024 NJ graduated in the spring. How else can teams make up that point loss then by having other players step up and produce. Morris has already shown leadership skills and the ability to score, so she’ll be that much more prepared for the winter.