Skyland Conference Underrated Standouts

<p>We're a few weeks into the start of the 2024-25 high school girls basketball season in New Jersey, which brings with it added excitement to see who will do what on the floor. We head over to the Skyland Conference for a closer look at who is making some early dividends, some must-watch players overall.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='601401' first='Natalia' last='Valdez'] - Rutgers Prep (2026)</h2>   <p>With more playing time comes bigger opportunities and that's exactly what's coming to [player_tooltip player_id='601401' first='Natalia' last='Valdez'] in the early part of this season. Rutgers Prep is off to a hot start, and so is she, averaging 7.6 PPG, 2.4 RPG and a steal and made three-pointer a game. She's producing at a clip not seen in her career and being a legitimate starter on one of the best teams in the state.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='835471' first='Jasmine' last='Kelleher'] - Bernards (2027)</h2>   <p>Very impressive freshman season from the guard that's transitioning into an even better sophomore campaign. We're seeing just about the opposite of a sophomore slump from her as she's averaging 8.4 PPG and 6.2 RPG through five games. That includes two near double-doubles, but she's got plenty of those in her future knowing the aggressive player she consistently is.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Ti'asjah Ferguson - Bound Brook (2026)</h2>   <p>A big theme in this article is players who previously didn't have an impact, but have evolved into impact players for their respective teams. Ferguson fits the billing and then some, having tripled her offensive output from her sophomore year already. She's scoring in double-figures right now, leading her team not just in scoring, but in defense as well with more than four steals a game.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='651500' first='Isabella' last='Ruh'] - Hillsborough (2027)</h2>   <p>Ruh got a taste of what the high school game is like last season, putting up strong numbers as a freshman. What we've seen out of her this season is increased attention toward her offense while improving other facets of her game, like passing and blocking. Really efficient shot-blocker who is getting more looks down low. She commands the floor and commands the middle like an upperclassman.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='1134561' first='Zoe' last='Gallic'] - Watchung Hills (2026)</h2>   <p>Watchung Hills needed to find some players to step up into bigger roles and one of those players has been [player_tooltip player_id='1134561' first='Zoe' last='Gallic'], an impressive guard with a much higher upside now that she's getting consistent playing time. Well-balanced prospect that is putting up double-doubles much like that of a forward. She might be 5-6, but she's playing like a six-footer. Sixteen points a game on averages isn't bad either.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='880026' first='Christina' last='Sullivan'] - Voorhees (2025)</h2>   <p>Sullivan has been consistently one of the top offensive players for Voorhees in recent years, but it seems that she's taken her game up a level as a senior. Currently in the midst of her highest scoring averages yet, plus a significant uptick in passing success, she's solidified herself as a go-to piece on this team. An effective scorer, patient player and veteran presence.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='601338' first='Maggie' last='Simpson'] - Delaware Valley (2026)</h2>   <p>It feels like the same old, same old for Simpson, until you see that she's pushing a double-double every game with one to her name and two near double-doubles already. She's taking what she gets offensively and produces. Defensively, she's commanding the boards like no one else, getting great positioning and boxing out opponents. Overall, impressive start to what will be a big breakout season for her.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='1157925' first='Shealy' last='Piro'] - North Hunterdon (2027)</h2>   <p>It might be Piro's first season on varsity for North Hunterdon, but it's looked like anything but as she's playing like a seasoned veteran out of the gates. Strong offensive presence with high upside there and equally dominant rebounding ability. This program is a young program, so players like Piro were destined to step up, but that doesn't discount how good she's been so quickly.</p>

We're a few weeks into the start of the 2024-25 high school girls basketball season in New Jersey, which brings with it added excitement to see who will do what on the floor. We head over to the Skyland Conference for a closer look at who is making some early dividends, some must-watch players overall.