Class of 2028 Rankings: The Restructured Top Ten

PGHNJ has just released its rankings update for the rising junior class. This new-look Top 10 is bursting with talent, representing both public and private schools. Let's dive in for a further look:   [player_tooltip player_id='981887' first='Giovanna' last='Burress'] | DePaul   New Rank: #1 | Previous Rank: #3   Gigi continued to prove herself as her sophomore season rolled on at DePaul. Her ability to break defenders down and skate to the basket made for quick and easy buckets. Though she's a proven 3-level scorer, her sharp court vision is one of the most underrated aspects of her game and an area that saw major improvements from freshman to sophomore year. She established herself as one of the craftiest and most complete two-way guards in the state, regardless of class. She averaged 18.6 PPG, 6.0 RPG, 3.1 APG & 3.9 SPG through 22 games.   [player_tooltip player_id='981918' first='Hailey' last='Benbow'] | Rutgers Prep   New Rank: #2 | Previous Rank: #1   Elite skillset aside, Hailey's poise is the one thing that stands out the most. Cool, calm and collected under pressure, she handled top tier [and nationally ranked] opponents averaging 13.1 PPG, 6.6 RPG, 2.3 APG & 2.2 SPG. The sophomore led her squad in points, rebounds, assists and steals en-route to a 25-win season. With arguably the most efficient mid-range of any player in the state, she made it look easy when she got clicking.   [player_tooltip player_id='919624' first='Nawel' last='Ibazatene Lefebvre'] | Morristown   New Rank: #3 | Previous Rank: #2   Nawel was a one-woman show, at times. She led the Colonials in nearly every statistical category and fought off double and triple teams to still tally furious double-doubles. Eleven of them, precisely. Averages of 22.8 PPG, 8.1 RPG, 1.8 APG, 1.5 BPG & 4.1 SPG makes her versatile game one of the most feared in New Jersey. The lefty scored and defended inside and out at a high level, helping her team to 22 wins and a sectional finals appearance.   [player_tooltip player_id='1132611' first='Edore' last='Pela'] | Camden Catholic   New Rank: #4 | Previous Rank: #7   Edore was the engine that made the Irish go all season long. She ran the point confidently and effectively, leading the way in points, assists and steals en-route to 14.3 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 2.9 APG & 2.3 SPG. Dynamic defense to offense conversion and a hot and from 3 kept Camden Catholic on the winning-side of things (above .500 record) as they navigated through a tough schedule. She did a great job being crafty and throwing in some flash and pizzazz, yet remaining efficient and executing as the lead guard.   [player_tooltip player_id='862966' first='Grace' last='Darling'] | Saddle River Day   New Rank: #5 | Previous Rank: #6   She's one of the best in crunch time, able to make winning plays on both sides of the ball. With time winding down, through immense pressure and on the biggest stage, Grace delivered results to help her team win games. Her size at six feet and ability to switch between the guard and forward positions delivered a crushing blow to even the most confident of defenses. Her 3-point shot saw the biggest improvement from freshman to sophomore year, going from a reliable shot to a lethal one. She averaged 15.8 PPG, 6.2 RPG, 2.9 APG, 1.8 BPG & 2.7 SPG through 29 games.   [player_tooltip player_id='982719' first='Ava' last='Catanho'] | East Brunswick   New Rank: #6 | Previous Rank: #4   Ava was the leader of East Brunswick's three-headed monster this season, averaging 18.7 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 2.4 APG & 1.4 SPG. High powered offense, including a scorching 3 ball, helped her team to a 23-win season. She maneuvered through constant double-teams and evaded pressure swiftly, getting to her spots and sinking buckets at a high clip. Very effective size and speed combo at the 2.   [player_tooltip player_id='1199229' first='Ariana' last='Wissen'] | Brick Township   New Rank: #7 | Previous Rank: #8   Ari saw every defensive scheme imaginable as teams tried to contain her 3-point barrage this season. Few worked, as she sank triples at a clip of nearly three per game and averaged 19.8 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 2.6 APG & 1.7 SPG. Formidable two-way guard play allowed her to blitz on the break and mix-up her offense. She was, however, one of the few players who could take a transition 3 and not make me wince. She was THAT spot-on! I noticed improvements in her quickness and decision-making as her sophomore season progressed.   [player_tooltip player_id='982746' first='Hayley' last='DeKok'] | Hightstown   New Rank: #8 | Previous Rank: #5   What makes Hayley's game so dangerous is that she doesn't need a lot of space or time to cook from 3. One of the most fluid 3-point shooters anywhere in the state, she went on a heater from December to February where she tallied ninety-one triples, a clip of nearly four per game! She showed vast improvements on defense and added physicality rebounding from the guard spot. Sophomore season averages of 17.4 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 1.8 APG & 2.0 SPG saw her lead the Rams on both offense and defense.   [player_tooltip player_id='914269' first='Carmela' last='Arana'] | Stuart Day   New Rank: #9 | Previous Rank: #10   Almost no other player in this class thrives in transition like Carmela does! Once she turns the jets on, there's no stopping her from making a beeline to the basket. At times, she was a one-woman show, heckling the ball on defense to force turnovers and taking it to the basket all by herself for speedy 2-point conversions. And while she's known for her scoring prowess, she doesn't allow her vision to take a backseat or be overlooked. She's equal parts scorer and facilitator, dishing out some wicked dimes to get her teammates in on the action. Everybody eats when Carmela is running the point! The scrappy 5'5" guard averaged 17.0 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 3.3 APG & 3.4 SPG through 25 games.   [player_tooltip player_id='1047167' first='Jordyn' last='Patrick'] | Paul VI   New Rank: #10 | Previous Rank: #16   Jordyn came alive more and more as the season rolled on. She faced elite competition on a consistent basis at Paul VI (something she hadn't fully experienced in her freshman campaign at North Plainfield) and allowed her big game to do the talking! The 5'10" guard/forward took a forward approach, with confident 3-level scoring and stout inside-out defense. She brought intensity and physicality to every matchup en-route to season averages of 12.0 PPG, 6.7 RPG & 1.9 SPG through 27 games.

PGHNJ has just released its rankings update for the rising junior class. This new-look Top 10 is bursting with talent, representing both public and private schools. Let's dive in for a further look: