Check out the Shore's top 45 sophomore, freshman girls basketball recruits with rankings

The underclassmen got next when it comes to girls high school basketball.

The seniors and juniors have led the way in terms of showing how it's done. So much so that we've already made a ranking of the top upperclassmen on the Shore.

More: Keep this list: Ranking the top 70 high school seniors in Shore Conference girls basketball

More: Ranking the top 70 high school juniors in Shore Conference girls basketball

Now it's time for the young hoopers to get their praise.

Some already have built a nice resume for themselves this season with their high school teams. There are others who still have more time to climb the ladder as being the top player on this list by the time their high school career is done. Nonetheless, here's a list of the top 20 sophomores and five freshmen ranked, plus other notable players to lookout for. Season stats are updated up to Jan. 16.

CLASS OF 2026 SOPHOMORES, RANKED

1. Addy Nyemchek, Red Bank Catholic

The six-foot combo guard has averaged 14.9 points a game for the Casey's through 12 games. She's been the leading scorer for RBC as they have the toughest schedule on the Shore. She can dribble, score in the post and in transition.

2. Jada Lynch, St. Rose

A 5-foot-11 guard with a good handle and also an elite defender for St. Rose. She averaged 14 points and 2.6 steals through 13 games. She's been the focal point on opposing team's defense.

3. Stella Lockhart, St. John Vianney

She's 6-foot-1 and knows how to use her size to score over defenders. She leads SJV with 12.3 points a game through 13 games. She also had three double-double games throughout the season among tough competition.

4. Katie Liggio, Red Bank Catholic

A sharpshooter from deep that's been a consistent scoring source for the Caseys, averaging 1.6 made three's in the first 12 games. She's also been a solid on-ball defender as a guard.

5. Madison Kocis, St. John Vianney

Six-foot guard who's team co-leader in assists wtih 2.25 and is also averaging 1.6 steals and 9.6 points through 12 games. She makes a big impact on both sides of the floor.

6. Synai Blychanton, Red Bank Regional

The Bucs' floor general has shown to be their best passer and ball handler. A highlight this season was when she finished with 16 points and six assists against Wall to win the WOBM Christmas Classic.

7. Taylor Sofilkanich, St. John Vianney

The 6-foot-4 big won MVP honors at the Shore Games showcase. She's averaged 9.7 points and just over two blocks a game through 12 games. The more post moves she adds to her game, the more of a household name she'll be.

8. Tessa Liggio, Red Bank Catholic

Averaging 5.5 points and three assists through the first 12 games for the Caseys. She's one of their top defenders on the ball with 1.6 steals. She can also knock down the deep ball and score in transition around the basket.

9. Lola Giordano, Red Bank Catholic

A 5-foot-8 guard who can defend multiple positions and do it all on both sides of the floor. She's shown to hold her own against some of the toughest competition. A highlight so far this season is 10 points, six rebounds and six assists performance against Ocean Township.

10. Gracey Feeney, Trinity Hall

One of their best deep range shooters and second on the team in scoring with eight points a game through 12 games. She also averages 3.2 rebounds. She has coach Matt McCarthy's green light to create and shoot.

11. Jordyn Hollawell, Manasquan

A consistent role player for one of the best teams on the Shore. She's averaged 4.4 points and one steal through the first 13 games.

12. Zoey Gulley, Red Bank Regional

She's the Bucs' best shooter who's averaged 2.3 made three's through ten games. She scored 12 points in a win over Manchester Township back in December.

13. Maya Houston, Holmdel

Averaging just under four rebounds through 11 games with the Hornets this season. The forward is tenacious on the boards and can run the floor well.

14. Sophie Smith, Red Bank Catholic

A 6-foot-1 forward that's a stat-sheet-stuffer for the Casey's. A highlight this season was an 11-point game against Colts Neck. She's averaging 4.8 points and one block through 12 games.

15. Julianna Old, Jackson Memorial

A rebounding machine that already has had three double-doubles in their first ten games of the season. She's averaging 8.2 points, 10.8 boards, and 1.1 steals. At this pace, she'll finish the season as one of the best defenders on the Shore.

16. Ava Coyle, Shore

Averaging 9.3 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 2.8 steals through11 games. A season-high was against Hightstown when she scored 17 points, grabbed seven rebounds and five steals.

17. Isabella Finer, Jackson Memorial

A big reason for the Jaguars being 7-3 is due to her willingness to do all the little things. Through the first 10 games she's averaged 7.2 points, 6.9 rebounds, 1.5 blocks and 2.4 steals. She does it all.

18. Avery Brooks, Jackson Memorial

Averaging 7.4 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks through 10 games. She scored a season-high 15 points in a win over Lacey to open the season.

19. Liana Lapena, Brick Memorial

A consistent scorer for the Mustangs that's only going to have her numbers go up the more the season continues. Five out of 10 games she's scored double digits with a season-high 16 points against Toms River north.

20. Majiah Quarles, Neptune

A 5-foot-1 guard who has been a solid cotributor to Neptune's season success thus far. She finished with a season-high 16 points and 6 rebounds in a win over Manalapan.

Sophmore watch list (alphabetical order)

Caroline Bariscillo, Ocean Township

Skylar Breen, Keyport

Madalynn Dougherty, Brick Township

Ava Giordano, Freehold Township

Danielle Gonzalez, Middletown North

Emma Kriegstein, Matawan

Maggie Leach, Brick Memorial

Daniela Maletsky, RBC

Precious Mitchell, Manchester Regional

Julianna Old, Jackson Memorial

Erin Reid, Rumson-Fair Haven

Cara Sarluca, Toms River North

Ava Schmidt, Lacey

Madison Sciarrino, Freehold Township

Brooke Shea, Raritan

Sophie Tonino, Freehold Township

CLASS OF 2027 FRESHMEN, RANKED

1. Lana Ellington, Neptune

A consistent scorer for the Fliers alongside her two junior teammates Bre Evans and Christa Ramos. Through 14 games she's averaged 10.5 points, 2.6 steals, 2.4 rebounds and has been a big part of their 10-4 record this season.

2. Cali Brown, Jackson Memorial

Already the leading scorer for the Jaguars as a freshman, and her team is on a decent start to the season. She averaged 12 points and 1.1 steals in 10 games.

3. Linsey Cribbin, Toms River South

Leading scorer for the Indians averaging 12.1 points, three rebounds and steals through nine games. She scored a season-high 17 points in a win over Brick Township.

4. Madeline Nolan, Manchester Township

Has been a solid help next to their star and NC State commit Devyn Quigley. Nolan scored a season-high 17 points in a win over Southern and is second in scoring on the team with 8 points a game through 11 games.

5. AnnaClaire Staudt, Brick Township

A big with a natural knack for grabbing rebounds as she's averaged 10.1 through 10 games. She also averages 1.7 blocks and finished with five rejections against Jackson Memorial.

Freshmen watch list (alphabetical order)

Olivia Batchelor, Freehold Borough

Jacenia Fruman, Neptune

Ashley Kreiger, Ranney

Avery Wyatt, Freehold Borough

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Shore NJ girls basketball sophomore, freshmen top recruits