Class of 2026 Rankings: Top 10 Shake-Up and New Number 1

PGHNJ has just released its mid-season rankings and with so much movement comes a NEW-LOOK TOP 10 and brand new #1 in the junior class! The match-ups have been spicy and the competition has not failed to impress! The following ten hoopers represent seven schools, all part of either Non-Public A or Non-Public B state classifications. Let's dive in for a further look:   [player_tooltip player_id='559070' first='Jada' last='Lynch'] | St. Rose   State Rank: #1 | Position Rank: #1   Previous State Rank: #2   Jada's junior year has seen her get off to a torrid start! Averaging just over 20 points per game, she led the Purple Roses to big victories over some of New Jersey's best teams in Rutgers and Red Bank Catholic. And if there was any doubt just how elite she is, she silenced all the critics with a 40-point outburst vs then nationally ranked RBC! She's fighting through double and triple teams night after night and someone still managing to find ways to score at a high level, shooting 3 balls at a high clip, sinking butter middys and showing off a crafty layup package. She manipulates the defense better than anyone in the '26 Class, is arguably the strongest guard in the state and has a supremely sharp basketball acumen!   [player_tooltip player_id='559085' first='Addison' last='Nyemchek'] | Red Bank Catholic   State Rank: #2 | Position Rank: #1   Previous State Rank: #1   Playing against some of the nation's best teams this season, Addy has done an incredible job not only leading her team in scoring, but also rebounds, blocks and steals; averaging 14.0 ppg, 8.4 rpg, 1.2 bpg & 2.1 spg. She's really a do-it-all FORCE who is a guard on paper, but does a terrific job playing 1-3 and rebounding furiously like a 4 & 5! This versatile skillset poses a matchup nightmare for defenders far and wide! She kicked off her junior year with three consecutive double-doubles in wins against powerhouse teams St. Joseph by-the-Sea (NY), Virginia Academy (VA) and South Shore (NY). In a close loss vs national power Arrowhead (WI), she showed off the ability to score it inside and out, draining three triples and finessing her way to the rim en-route to a team-high 18 points. It's proven to be an arduous task to try and slow Addy down altogether!   [player_tooltip player_id='559135' first='Stella' last='Lockhart'] | St. John Vianney   State Rank: #3 | Position Rank: #1   Previous State Rank: #3   Stella holds strong at #3 thanks to some tremendous performances vs top teams. She's scored in double-figures in seven of the first ten games of the season, averaging 13.0 ppg and leading the well-balanced 8-2 Lady Lancers in scoring. Her physicality has proven to be too much to handle, easily working out of the double and scoring at a high clip. She thrives under pressure and against defensive-minded powerhouse teams in Cardinal O'Hara (PA) and Paul VI (NJ), she broke through en-route to 19 points and 16 points, respectively (both game-highs). She dominates from the wing and also plays big-guard basketball, using her versatility to dominate at multiple positions. In addition to high-powered offense, Stella is making an impact on defense as well, pulling down 7.0 rpg and snagging 1.3 spg.   [player_tooltip player_id='559037' first='Taylor' last='Sofilkanich'] | St. John Vianney   State Rank: #4 | Position Rank: #1   Previous State Rank: #4   SJV's 1-2 punch sits at #3 and #4 respectively, having the best Forwards in the state's '26 Class. At 6'5", Taylor brings unmatched size to the table and an ever-evolving two-way game. Being the tallest on the court in most games, she is the focal point of every opponent's scouting report... and amazingly, she's managed to average a near double-double at 11.3 ppg & 8.6 rpg. When the defense collapses on her in the post, she does a tremendous job muscling up to the basket and earning trips to the stripe. She recorded double-doubles against three top-tier opponents: 20 points, 10 rebounds vs Virginia Academy (VA), 10 points, 10 rebounds vs St. Rose & 10 points, 11 rebounds vs Montclair Immaculate. Her wall-like defense has been rock solid, swatting away nearly two shots per game.   [player_tooltip player_id='559046' first='Ava' last='LaMonica'] | Rutgers Prep   State Rank: #5 | Position Rank: #1   Previous State Rank: #5   Ava is leading this new-look seniorless Rutgers Prep squad that's off to a tremendous 8-2 start! She's upped her production in nearly every category from this time a season ago and is averaging a team-best 13.3 ppg to go with 5.7 rpg, 2.8 apg & 2.6 spg. She controlled the point with calm and collection, recording big games in RP's extremely difficult schedule. She went on a stretch in December where she scored in double-figures in four consecutive games, including a 17-point, 10-rebound double-double against Archbishop Molloy (NY). One of the best lead guards in NJ regardless of Class!   [player_tooltip player_id='559039' first='Madison' last='Kocis'] | St. John Vianney   State Rank: #6 | Position Rank: #2   Previous State Rank: #6   On a roster loaded with star talent, Madison continues to shine and quite possibly brighter than ever before! She's often labeled as just a 3-point shooter but for someone so talented in so many other ways, I think it's an unfair statement. She's been COOKING so far this season, averaging 11.7 ppg through SJV's first ten games and scoring the ball in a number of ways. Yes, her 3-ball has been clicking, as expected, but it's her middy that's proven dangerous! Whether she's comfortably stepping into a 15-footer or sinking one in, unbalanced, off one leg, Madison is putting in work from the mid-range! She's also making an impact on the glass, using every bit of her 6'0" length to pull down nearly 4 boards per game from the guard spot. You'll be hard pressed to find a hooper in the Garden State with more poise and composure!   [player_tooltip player_id='601267' first='Mia' last='Washington'] | Pope John   State Rank: #7 | Position Rank: #2   Previous Rank: #9   Mia is putting together quite the junior season for herself and moves up two spots in this rankings update. Already with 159 points in 9 games (good for 17.7 ppg), she's blitzed through opponents, scoring three 20-point games in the process. She controls the tempo and dictates the pace, forcing opponents to play at her speed instead of the other way around. When she isn't scoring or dishing dimes, she's putting in work on the glass and on defense, making every bit of her 5'11" size felt in a big way! In addition to scoring, she's also leading the Lady Lions in rebounds (4.8 rpg) and steals (1.3 spg).   [player_tooltip player_id='559820' first='Addy' last='Platt'] | Gill St. Bernard's   State Rank: #8 | Position Rank: #2   Previous Rank: #8   Addy's first season with GSB has gotten off to a fantastic start! Playing on a team loaded with D1 & D2 talent, she's produced in a big way, ranking third on the team in points (8.4 ppg) and assists (3.2 apg) while leading the way in steals (1.9 spg). Her two-way game has delivered against powerhouse opponents in Albertus Magnus (NY), Virginia Academy (VA) and St. John Vianney. One of my favorite things about her game is how smooth she looks out there! She never looks rattled or fazed and plays with a sense of calm no matter how intense the defense or high-pressure the moment!   [player_tooltip player_id='601413' first='Jahzara' last='Green'] | Gloucester Catholic   State Rank: #9 | Position Rank: #2   Previous Rank: #10   Z moves up a spot thanks to a strong start to Year 3. In six games so far, she's averaging a team-best 16.2 ppg, leading the Rams to a 5-1 start. Her dominance in the post has been tough to handle, using her 6'1" frame and undeniable strength around the rim, both scoring and rebounding. Fluid movement has allowed her to get from one end of the court to the other, at times leading the fast break all by herself; a one-woman show! She's been the picture of efficiency for GC!   [player_tooltip player_id='601341' first='Sophia' last='Georgiades'] | Rutgers Prep   State Rank: #10 | Position Rank: #3   Previous Rank: #12   Sophia has the type of game that can see her GO OFF on any given night! The Ridge transfer has been rock solid in her first season with the Argonauts, averaging 10.7 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 2.2 apg & 2.4 spg and moving up two ranking spots into the Top 10. She's usually the quickest, most electric player on the floor with a transition game that leaves most in the dust! She absolutely thrives in a fast-paced environment and pushes the tempo whenever she sees fit, weaving through the defense and slicing her way to the basket. Her 3-point shooting looks better than ever before, already knocking down fourteen 3's (for reference, she made 30 in her sophomore season)! The Boston U commit continues to improve and add to her game playing on a RP squad that ducks no smoke and sees top competition night after night!

PGHNJ has just released its mid-season rankings and with so much movement comes a NEW-LOOK TOP 10 and brand new #1 in the junior class! The match-ups have been spicy and the competition has not failed to impress! The following ten hoopers represent seven schools, all part of either Non-Public A or Non-Public B state classifications. Let's dive in for a further look: