Updated PGH New Jersey Class of 2026 Top Five Point Guards
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We have yet to talk about the updated Class of 2026 rankings, so why not start now as we go position by position, talking about the top five prospects ranked by Prep Girls Hoops New Jersey. We begin this talking…
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Continue ReadingWe have yet to talk about the updated Class of 2026 rankings, so why not start now as we go position by position, talking about the top five prospects ranked by Prep Girls Hoops New Jersey. We begin this talking about the top five sophomore point guards in the Garden State.
No. 1: Madison Kocis Madison Kocis 5'11" | PG St. John Vianney | 2026 State NJ – St. John Vianney (No. 3 overall)
Kocis is a deserving top three prospect in the Class of 2026 and makes for a fantastic 1-2 punch with Daniella Matus Daniella Matus 5'10" | CG St. John Vianney | 2025 State NJ coming into this season. She’s got a year of experience under her belt, filled with playing against tough opponents in high-leverage situations and recorded the third-highest scoring average on the team as a freshman, returning this season as SJV’s leading scorer, outside of Matus. She’s shown herself to be a great shooter, great defensive player and an unsung leader on one of the state’s best teams.
No. 2: Ava LaMonica Ava LaMonica 5'9" | PG Rutgers Prep | 2026 State NJ – Rutgers Prep (No. 8 overall)
Rutgers Prep has a fantastic future ahead of it with two fantastic Class of 2026 players leading the way in GiGi Battle GiGi Battle 6'0" | CG Rutgers Prep | 2026 State NJ and LaMonica. There’s a reason the two are both ranked inside PGH New Jersey’s top 10, but LaMonica in particular shows incredible promise as a physical guards that makes plays happen inside the paint. We’re curious to see how she develops her shooting game outside of that excellent offensive game inside the arc, but what we know for sure is that she’s a future all-conference selection to be.
No. 3: Brielle Alaba Brielle Alaba 5'9" | PG Cherokee | 2026 State NJ – Cherokee (No. 9 overall)
Like the programs mentioned above, Cherokee seems to be a basketball factory in Marlton, having produced a number of college prospects in recent years. Someone new has to take the reigns of the program for the Chiefs, and Alaba is exactly the person to join in the lineage. She fit in well in her first season at Cherokee, blending well with teammate Olivia Selverian Olivia Selverian 5'7" | SG Cherokee | 2025 State NJ . We saw great defensive triumphs from Alaba as well as stellar passing, two themes which will undoubtedly continue this season.
No. 4: Tessa Liggio Tessa Liggio 5'7" | PG Red Bank Catholic | 2026 State NJ – Red Bank Catholic (No. 13 overall)
If there is a hole to fill within Red Bank Catholic, someone tell us. The Caseys are arguably the most talented, but most balanced and deep program in the state, and last season’s freshman class is sure to step up into bigger roles this season. Liggio is at the top of that list, an incredibly talented guard with great intangibles, a high basketball IQ and fantastic feel for the game wherever she is. She returns to the court for her sophomore season as the leading passer and a leading defensive player and three-point shooter for RBC.
No. 5: Ava Fajardo Ava Fajardo 5'4" | PG Blair | 2026 State NJ – Blair (No. 14 overall)
Blair Academy found who we think is a top-tier talent and a future college standout in Ava Fajardo Ava Fajardo 5'4" | PG Blair | 2026 State NJ , transferring from Gill St. Bernard’s after her freshman year. Fajardo’s likeness has gone international, already representing the Philippines in international play, and she’s playing there for a reason. Fantastic scorer, fantastic shooter, great passer, excellent footwork, Fajardo is the full package. We like her defensive skillset, a strong on-ball, one-on-one defender, and that ability to facilitate to teammates, it jumps off the page.