Class of 2026: MEET THE TOP 5
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PGHNJ has just updated it’s rankings and with so much movement and shifting comes a NEW-LOOK TOP 5! This season of high schools hoops was one of the most exciting to date, especially with the parity at an all-time high.…
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Continue ReadingPGHNJ has just updated it’s rankings and with so much movement and shifting comes a NEW-LOOK TOP 5! This season of high schools hoops was one of the most exciting to date, especially with the parity at an all-time high. Non-Public programs make up the entire Top 5 as they’ve produced some undeniable top-tier talent in this sophomore class!
GiGi Battle GiGi Battle 6'0" | CG Rutgers Prep | 2026 State NJ | Rutgers Prep | CG
State Rank #1 | Position Rank #1
The ultra-aggressive and highly competitive GiGi Battle GiGi Battle 6'0" | CG Rutgers Prep | 2026 State NJ was excellent for the Arognauts and upped her production in every single statistical category across the board from a season ago. She recorded three double-doubles, two 20+ points games and averaged 11.7 ppg, 6.9 rpg, 1.6 apg & 2.0 spg, doing so against some of the nation’s top teams. She posted a 12-point, 10-rebound double-double against national power Thomas Dale (VA), 10 points & 7 rebounds against nationally ranked Grace Christian (NC) & 17 points against arguably one of the greatest high school teams ever assembled in LuHi (NY). She led her team in rebounds while ranking second in scoring, steals and blocks. In a Non-Public B State Final loss to top-ranked Morris Catholic, GiGi showed off her tenacious two-way game en-route to 14 points and a game-high 13 rebounds.
Addison Nyemchek Addison Nyemchek 6'1" | CG Red Bank Catholic | 2026 State NJ | Red Bank Catholic | CG
State Rank #2 | Position Rank #2
Red Bank Catholic played a gauntlet of a schedule this season and Addy wasted no time asserting her dominance and showing who’s boss! In the season opener at Shore Games, she put up 17 points and 10 rebounds against national powerhouse Dr. Phillips (FL). She went on to score in double-digits in all thirty-one contests, including four 20+ point games. She doubled her production from a season ago in just about every stat and posted season averages of 15.0 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 3.7 apg, 1.2 bpg & 2.9 spg. She shined bright in games against stacked national powerhouses: 12 points & 8 rebounds against Scranton Prep (PA), 15 points, 6 rebounds, 4 steals against Westtown (PA) and 14 points, 6 rebounds, 4 steals against LuHi (NY). In the Non-Public A State Championship, Addy posted a big 15-point, 11-rebound double-double (to go along with 6 assists & 3 steals) to help RBC power past Pope John 80-23.
Jada Lynch Jada Lynch 5'11" | SG St. Rose | 2026 State NJ | St. Rose | SG
State Rank #3 | Position Rank #1
Jada’s ability to take over and dominate on both ends of the court is truly incredible! Jada led the Purple Roses in every category en-route to a 19-win season and an appearance in the South Jersey, Non-Public B Sectional Finals. With six 20+ points games, a season-high 30 points (vs St. John Vianney), five double-doubles and averages of 15.2 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 3.1 apg & 2.3 spg, Jada proved she can do it all and do it at a high level! In four state tournament games played, Jada averaged 20 ppg, 8.8 rpg, 2.8 apg & 3.3 spg, truly saving the best for last! She kept her foot on the gas all season long and proved to be a force of nature.
Addy Platt Addy Platt 5'11" | SG Pope John | 2026 State NJ | Pope John | SG
State Rank #4 | Position Rank #2
The way Addy fills up a stat sheet is wildly impressive! The jill-of-all-trades put her dynamic game on full display this season and led Pope John all the way to the Non-Public A State Final at Rutgers University. She posted six games in double-figure scoring to go along with five 20+ point games. Her all-court prowess delivered season averages of 14.4 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 4.0 apg, 3.2 bpg & 2.9 spg as she led her team to a championship at the Mount St. Dominic Holiday Festival, a Hunterdon/Warren/Sussex Tournament title, a North Jersey sectional title and a 25-5 overall record. Whew! Talk about an ultra-successful season in the books!
Stella Lockhart Stella Lockhart 6'1" | CG St. John Vianney | 2026 State NJ | St. John Vianney | CG
State Rank #5 | Position Rank #3
The Lady Lancers are well-known for playing a powerhouse schedule year after year, and this season was no different! Stella’s first season at SJV was surely an impressive one: four double-doubles, eighteen games in double-digit scoring (including a stretch of seven consecutive) and averages of 10.4 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 1.8 apg & 1.6 spg. Some of her best production came against state & national powers such as Dr. Phillips (FL) (11 point, 8 rebounds, 4 assists), Cardinal Mooney (FL) (10 points, 10 rebounds, 3 steals), St. Vincent Pallotti (MD) (19 points, 11 rebounds), Morris Catholic (NJ) (16 points, 9 rebounds) & Red Bank Catholic (NJ) (16 points, 8 rebounds, 3 steals). Stella’s size, coupled with her overall elite skill-set and workhorse mentality makes her not only one of the best sophomore guards in this state, but also on the East Coast and quite frankly, the entire nation.