North Jersey Top 26 in the Class of 2026 – #11-15

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Open gyms and fall leagues are in full swing. Before you know it, another exciting season of NJ Girls High School hoops will be upon us. I have been on the road all spring/summer watching high level AAU. Between last season in high school and AAU there is not a girl in my top 26 that I have not seen in person at least twice. I view “North Jersey” as north of the Raritan River. If you play for a high school in that area, you were considered for my Top 26 in the Class of 2026.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["559076"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"u003cstrongu003e#11 u003c/strongu003e- Defense is what jumps out at you when you watch Jayah play. She has great length and with her athleticism she can wreak havoc on opposing offenses. She plays from end line to end line and did a great job pressuring the ball for [program_tooltip program_id='714664' first='Team' last='Sharp'] this summer. Her length is extremely disruptive and allows her to get steals, blocks and deflections. Offensively she is at her best in attack mode, but she is comfortable shooting the 3 and will attack the glass from the perimeter for offensive rebounds and put backs. Montclair Immaculate lost 3 of their top 5 scorers from last year to graduation, but with super sophs like Jayah, and transfers [player_tooltip player_id='666727' first='Nilah' last='Rivera'] and [player_tooltip player_id='601402' first='Lena' last='Most'], ready to step in they are hoping to make another run to the North Jersey Non-Public B Championship game.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["559080"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"u003cstrongu003e#12 u003c/strongu003e- Jordan can absolutely disrupt a game in the middle defensively. She has excellent length and good timing as a shot blocker with the ability to contest without fouling. She led St. Thomas Aquinas HS in blocks as a freshman. She uses her length to get steals and deflections on the perimeter. Offensively she has a quick first step and gets downhill hard while finishing with both hands around the rim.  She has good footwork in the post and her jumper is developing. Her offensive improvement with the United EAST team should carry over into her sophomore season. With the graduation of Nia Clemons and Jessica Cooper along with the transfer of [player_tooltip player_id='414407' first='Leah' last='Crosby'], this young St. Thomas Aquinas team should provide Jordan with plenty of opportunities to contribute.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["635514"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"u003cstrongu003e#13 u003c/strongu003e- Imani impressed every time I watched her with [program_tooltip program_id='774068' first='NJ' last='Panthers'] this summer. She is patient with the ball but in control and with a very good handle and great strength for a PG she easily works her way to the rim and can finish through contact with regularity. She makes good decisions in the lane and led Plainfield HS in assists with 3+ apg as a freshman. Her 3-point consistency has improved, and she will be a more multi-faceted scoring option in her sophomore year. Defensively, she is aggressive and gets her hands on a lot of balls. She led Plainfield HS in steals as well. With 4 of their top 5 scorers returning Plainfield should be much improved this year.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["666727"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"u003cstrongu003e#14 u003c/strongu003e- Nilah is a tempo guard. At her best when she is pushing tempo, forcing the defense back on their heels and either attacking the rim or dropping dimes to teammates for open looks. She has a tight handle and though undersized she can finish inside with and absorb contact.  She is not afraid to shoot the 3 and the more confidence she gets from deep the more dangerous she will be offensively. Playing for Exodus NYC she is part of a talented EYBL squad that plays fast. After leading the Bergen County Champs at Saddle River Day in assists as a freshman she will be moving to the high-octane attack of Montclair Immaculate along with good friend and fellow backcourt mate [player_tooltip player_id='601402' first='Lena' last='Most'] who is transferring from Dwight Englewood. She has very good feet defensively and works hard on the ball to make things difficult for opposing offenses.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["601266"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"u003cstrongu003e#15 u003c/strongu003e- A true slasher, Kennedy brings a lot of energy and the ability to score in bunches. She plays offense in attack mode. She was the 4th leading scorer at Pope John HS as a freshman and took that confidence out on the AAU circuit this summer playing for Rise as One. Along with teammate [player_tooltip player_id='325223' first='Madison' last='Miller'] they formed the 1-2 punch offensively for Rise as One. Kennedy and Madison were part of the Pope John exodus to Morris Catholic where they will team up with [player_tooltip player_id='333302' first='Mia' last='Pauldo'], [player_tooltip player_id='333305' first='Mya' last='Pauldo'] and [player_tooltip player_id='325219' first='Alexis' last='Rosenfeld']. With Natalie Stoupakis graduated and 2nd leading scorer [player_tooltip player_id='333309' first='Daniella' last='Matus'] transferring to St. John Vianney, Kennedy will be asked to make up some of the 700+ points that departed. If she can become a consistent deep threat, she will have opportunities off drive and kick from the Pauldo twins. Until that happens, she will attack in transition and slash to the rim off the ball when defenses double the twins. She can also turn defense into offense as she averaged 2+spg as a freshman and will use her defense to help Morris Catholic defend their Non-Public B State Championship.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-651effeacbe60"} /-->