New Jersey’s Non-Public Contenders: South/Central Jersey

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The NJSIAA does things a bit weird when it comes to splitting up non-public teams in the state, separating them once playoff time comes to South Jersey and North Jersey. Keep in mind that some teams that we'll be discussing are Central Jersey teams, but as the countdown to the season starts, we would be remiss if we didn't talk about contenders for the South Jersey non-public crown. Here are some our top favorites.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Paul VI</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Eagles aren't quite the loaded roster we saw from last season, headlined by now Notre Dame freshman guard Hannah Hidalgo, but make no mistake about Paul VI. This team is loaded with talent and future Division I prospects. Headlining the bunch are guards [player_tooltip player_id='325212' first='Eva' last='Andrews'] and [player_tooltip player_id='488637' first='Shariah' last='Baynes'], two college commits with bright futures and consistent production. The frontcourt duo of [player_tooltip player_id='662563' first='Brooke' last='Barnes'] and [player_tooltip player_id='414234' first='Azanah' last='Campbell'] will be a big key for them without Mikayla Young down low. They'll be carrying the freight at the forward position, and then sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='601275' first='Rachel' last='Thatcher'] rounds out that probable starting five, an impressive guard talent last season. You can never count out the Eagles, even in the Olympic Conference.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Bishop Eustace</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Very much a dark horse team to be talking about among non-public teams, but the Class of 2025 core coming through the ranks for the Crusaders seem to be getting better every year. Giavanna Rodgers headlines the bunch at guard as her and [player_tooltip player_id='827097' first='Isabella' last='Serrano'] provide an exceptional shooting tandem. [player_tooltip player_id='976706' first='Alaina' last='Staab'] provides the protection down low, recording more than 3.2 blocks last season, and from there, Eustace will rely on their role players from last season to step up, players like Frankie Sorino, Aislynn Higgins and Hayley Noonan. We might be a bit early on the Crusaders train, but we're excited to see what they can do this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Gloucester Catholic</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Young talent is often the key to success, and the Rams have that and then some returning for this season, [player_tooltip player_id='601413' first='Jahzara' last='Green'] was a pleasant surprise as a freshman, one of the best players in the Class of 2026, flat out. Up top is [player_tooltip player_id='890871' first='Katherine' last='Lange'], coming off a productive sophomore season that saw her hit 48 threes in 26 games, and the third member of the trio is senior [player_tooltip player_id='488772' first='Julianna' last='DiFebbo'], a hybrid guard/forward who is the second leading returning scorer to the lineup this year and third leading scorer overall last season. If those three produce, the Rams will be able to piece and play with incoming freshmen and other bench pieces, but their path to success is wide open.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">St. John Vianney</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Lancers have been the most dominant team in New Jersey over the past few years, and they should compete for titles again this season. Zoe Brooks is out, but [player_tooltip player_id='333309' first='Daniella' last='Matus'] is in, a junior guard with an incredible skillset already set for the next level. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='559039' first='Madison' last='Kocis'] was a top freshman talent last year and expects to be an all-conference level player this season. [player_tooltip player_id='325217' first='Julia' last='Karpell'] is a straight shooter, one of the best shooting guards we've witnessed in the Class of 2024. Ashley Sofilkanich might have left, but her younger sister, Taylor, will undoubtedly be the starting center this season. She'll have help down low from incoming sophomore transfer [player_tooltip player_id='559135' first='Stella' last='Lockhart']. The weapons are endless, the talent is fantastic, and their ceiling is high.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Rutgers Prep</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If St. John Vianney is the standard, Rutgers Prep is incredibly close behind. [player_tooltip player_id='325201' first='Mikayla' last='Blakes'], PGH NJ's newest No. 1 prospect in the 2024 class, headlines a group that has two top-ranked prospects in her and sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='559028' first='GiGi' last='Battle'], not to mention new transfer [player_tooltip player_id='414407' first='Leah' last='Crosby'], a highly-touted 2025 prospect. The list of talent continues with seniors [player_tooltip player_id='325188' first='Zahra' last='Alexander'] and [player_tooltip player_id='408702' first='Chloe' last='Escanillas'], a pair of guards ready to make a poignant statement in their final years at Prep. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='559046' first='Ava' last='LaMonica'] might be one of the best sixth women in the state too. It's the Argos' time and they have the talent to do it.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Red Bank Catholic</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last year, we wondered just how could Red Bank Catholic balance a roster of 13 incredible players, and they did it with precision and ease. Three seniors have graduated and 10 return, with the majority of those players expected to play at the next level. Addy Nyemchek is easily one of the best Class of 2026 prospects in the state, sophomores Tessa and Katie Liggo made waves in their freshman seasons, and sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='559084' first='Sophie' last='Smith'] is likely the top forward for the Caseys this season. That's four sophomores who could start or play significant minutes this season. We didn't even mention two other 2026 prospects, [player_tooltip player_id='559040' first='Lola' last='Giordano'] and [player_tooltip player_id='559031' first='Daniela' last='Maletsky'], who will factor in plenty. The two veteran presences at the top are juniors [player_tooltip player_id='333319' first='Tessa' last='Carman'] and [player_tooltip player_id='333320' first='Christina' last='Liggio'], two incredibly talented players who help make up one of the deepest rosters in the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->