North Jersey Top 26 in the Class of 2026 – #16-20

<!-- 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":["559818"],"_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#16u003c/strongu003e - Sam has a smooth lefty stroke and can get into her shot quickly with excellent range beyond the 3-point line. She has a confident handle and good vision with the ball finding open teammates easily in the half court. High IQ player with the ability to capitalize offensively inside and out against mismatches. She played at a high level while playing up for the NJ Raptors this summer and is ready to move into a primary role for Immaculate Heart Academy in her sophomore year after the graduation of Isabella Asencio, Ava Naszimento and Julia Schutz. Sam attacks the offensive boards hard and can finish inside. She is a hard-working defender and willingly throws her body around inside to protect the glass. A very versatile player that will make a big impact this winter.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["601332"],"_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#17u003c/strongu003e - As a freshman at New Providence HS, Annie was the 4th leading scorer for the Group 2 State Champions. Playing alongside super senior and 1400+ point scorer Meghan Lamanna, Annie was forced to play off the ball more where she was able to develop into a reliable 3-point shooter. Her strength and athleticism are on display when she gets downhill to the rim using strength and leverage to finish inside. Her physical play helped her average 3+ rpg and allowed her to play tough on the ball defense from end to end. With over 600 points from last season out the door with the graduating seniors, Annie's offensive contributions should take a major leap in her sophomore year as the Pioneers look to repeat as Group 2 State Champs.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["601280"],"_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#18u003c/strongu003e - Jah'nae plays with a non-stop motor. She defends in your face all over the court and averaged 4 spg as a freshman at Elizabeth HS. Whether on the ball pressure or getting in passing lanes off the ball she is a disruptive force on the defensive end. Jah'nae turns those turnovers into transition opportunities for the Minutemen. She is lightning quick on the break and gets to the rim with speed and control. Leading her team in scoring at 10.7 ppg, Elizabeth HS went 23-3 in Group 4 last year. She does have 3-point range but is at her best pushing tempo and forcing opponents to play at her pace which she does very well. With their top 5 scorers returning this season, Jah'nae will be leading a team that will be looking for a sectional championship.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["600927"],"_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#19 u003c/strongu003e- As a key contributor for the 30-3 Group 4 State Champion Bayonne Bees, Tatyanna made plays wherever she was needed. Her development was on full display this summer playing up for the NJ Raptors. She sticks out as a defender. There are not enough multiple effort defenders out there but, Tatyanna is one of them as you rarely see her take a possession off on the defensive end. When her mark gives up the ball, she is waiting in passing lanes for the ball to come back her way and when it does, she is off in transition. This is where Tatyanna's best offensive skills are shown off in my opinion. She can push tempo, attack the paint and finish inside with confidence. With 6 of their top 7 scorers returning this season, Tatyanna and the Bees will be thinking about a repeat, and they will be fun to watch again.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["600896"],"_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#20 u003c/strongu003e- Jillian was part of Teaneck's dynamic freshman duo alongside [player_tooltip player_id='559047' first='Lexi' last='Carnegie'] and the two young starters helped lead Teaneck HS to a Group 3 Sectional Championship in their 1st season. This was a team that was carried by their starting 5 and this young lady showed she belonged averaging 8+ppg. With her 3-point shot developing she works best as part of their transition offense and looking to attack the rim in the halfcourt. She has a strong frame to help her play through contact inside. She helped key a pressure defense by contributing 44 steals in 26 games and works tirelessly on both ends. Losing senior leader Ciara Forbes to graduation will provide Jillian with plenty of opportunities to fill up the stat sheet even more as a sophomore. With Carnegie, [player_tooltip player_id='488845' first='Erin' last='Frazier'] and [player_tooltip player_id='325206' first='Demi' last='Simpson'] also returning Teaneck will not give up their sectional crown without a fight.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-651db184540fe"} /-->