New Jersey’s Non-Public Contenders: South/Central Jersey
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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…
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Continue ReadingThe 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.
Paul VI
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 Eva Andrews Eva Andrews 5'10" | CG Paul VI | 2024 State NJ and Shariah Baynes Shariah Baynes 5'6" | SG Paul VI | 2024 State NJ , two college commits with bright futures and consistent production. The frontcourt duo of Brooke Barnes Brooke Barnes 5'10" | SF Paul VI | 2024 State NJ and Azanah Campbell Azanah Campbell 5'9" | SF Paul VI | 2025 State NJ 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 Rachel Thatcher Rachel Thatcher 5'8" | SG Paul VI | 2026 State NJ rounds out that probable starting five, an impressive guard talent last season. You can never count out the Eagles, even in the Olympic Conference.
Bishop Eustace
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 Isabella Serrano provide an exceptional shooting tandem. Alaina 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.
Gloucester Catholic
Young talent is often the key to success, and the Rams have that and then some returning for this season, Jahzara Green Jahzara Green 6'1" | PF Gloucester Catholic | 2026 State NJ was a pleasant surprise as a freshman, one of the best players in the Class of 2026, flat out. Up top is Katherine Lange Katherine Lange 5'11" | SG Gloucester Catholic | 2025 NJ , coming off a productive sophomore season that saw her hit 48 threes in 26 games, and the third member of the trio is senior Julianna DiFebbo Julianna DiFebbo SF West Deptford | 2024 State NJ , 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.
St. John Vianney
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 Daniella Matus Daniella Matus 5'10" | CG St. John Vianney | 2025 State NJ is in, a junior guard with an incredible skillset already set for the next level. Sophomore Madison Kocis Madison Kocis 5'11" | PG St. John Vianney | 2026 State NJ was a top freshman talent last year and expects to be an all-conference level player this season. Julia Karpell Julia Karpell SG St. John Vianney | 2024 State NJ 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 Stella Lockhart Stella Lockhart 6'1" | CG St. John Vianney | 2026 State NJ . The weapons are endless, the talent is fantastic, and their ceiling is high.
Rutgers Prep
If St. John Vianney is the standard, Rutgers Prep is incredibly close behind. Mikayla Blakes Mikayla Blakes 5'8" | SG Rutgers Prep | 2024 State NJ , PGH NJ’s newest No. 1 prospect in the 2024 class, headlines a group that has two top-ranked prospects in her and sophomore GiGi Battle GiGi Battle 6'0" | CG Rutgers Prep | 2026 State NJ , not to mention new transfer Leah Crosby Leah Crosby 6'1" | SF Rutgers Prep | 2025 State NJ , a highly-touted 2025 prospect. The list of talent continues with seniors Zahra Alexander Zahra Alexander 5'9" | PG Rutgers Prep | 2024 State NJ and Chloe Escanillas Chloe Escanillas 5'10" | CG Rutgers Prep | 2024 State NJ , a pair of guards ready to make a poignant statement in their final years at Prep. Sophomore Ava LaMonica Ava LaMonica 5'9" | PG Rutgers Prep | 2026 State NJ 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.
Red Bank Catholic
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 Sophie Smith Sophie Smith 6'2" | PF Red Bank Catholic | 2026 State NJ 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, Lola Giordano Lola Giordano 5'8" | PG Red Bank Catholic | 2026 State NJ and Daniela Maletsky Daniela Maletsky 5'10" | SG Red Bank Catholic | 2026 State NJ , who will factor in plenty. The two veteran presences at the top are juniors Tessa Carman Tessa Carman 5'11" | PF Red Bank Catholic | 2025 State NJ and Christina Liggio Christina Liggio 5'8" | PG Red Bank Catholic | 2025 State NJ , two incredibly talented players who help make up one of the deepest rosters in the state.