Final ranking of Top 50 Shore girls basketball players for the 2023-24 season

kevin perrington-turner, asbury park press

Mon, Mar 18, 2024, 5:19 AM·10 min read

There's no secret the Shore has hoopers, and this season for high school girls basketball proved just that.

More: Final top 30 Shore girls basketball team rankings of 2023-24 season

Talent is plentiful and there's a crew of players heading to Division I colleges next season. So why not make a list ranking the top 50 hoopers at the Shore? Things considered when making this list: stats, season accomplishments, skillset, winning games and value to their team.

Devyn Quigley adds to her scoring total at the foul line. Manchester Girls Basketball advances in state tournament play against Overbrook as Devyn Quigley surpassed the all-time scoring record on the Shore. against

1. Devyn Quigley, NC State, Senior

The NC State commit finished her senior campaign averaging 32 points per game. She carried the Hawks on the offensive and defensive side of the floor. Her ability to jump passes and strip weak ball handlers is what made her a solid defender of most positions. Offensively, her game is smooth as she hit jumpers from behind the arc, mid range pull up, spot up, and got to the basket at will. Rarely would you ever see her get stripped by a defender, and she was able find teammates on the break with dime passing. There's a reason she's our girls basketball player of the year. Quigley is undoubtable one of the best hoopers the Shore has had.

St. Rose’s Jada Lynch drives to basket in first half action. St. Rose Girls Basketball vs Manasquan SCT Quarterfinal game in Middletown, NJ on February, 10 2024

2. Jada Lynch, St. Rose, Sophomore

The sophomore's game just appeared to progress as the season went on, to the point where she's now considered by some the best at the Shore. She's a 5-foot-11 combo guard who knows how to use her body to score inside, but has the handles and shotmaking ability to score on all three levels. She led the Purple Roses in points with 15.1 ppg and assists with three a game. As a defender, she led her team in boards, blocks and steals. She began to get her team rolling before running into Vanderbilt commit Mikayla Blakes on Rutgers Prep, Lynch still scored 17 that game. That should let you know Lynch's trajectory is on the upswing. Lynch led the team in nearly every category while playing a little of every position.

RBC Addy Nyemchek derives to the basket. Red Bank Catholic Girls dominate Pope John 80-23 in NJSIAA Non Public A final at Piscataway, NJ on March 8, 2024.

3. Addy Nyemchek, Red Bank Catholic, Sophomore

Nyemchek might have the highest ceiling on this list as far as potential. A six-foot combo guard who has scored against not only the top players at the Shore, but some of the nation's best. She led the Caseys in scoring with her guard handles and shooting, but still has post moves in her bag. She averaged 15 points and 6.5 rebounds this season and played consistent despite having one of the toughest schedule on the Shore. When it's all said and done, don't be surprised to see her as a McDonald's All-American.

Trinity Hall Nina Emnace drives to the basket. Trinity Hall Girls Basketball edges out Rumson-Fair Haven in Ocean Township on January 30, 2023.

4. Nina Emnace, Trinity Hall, Senior

The Harvard commit wore a lot of hats for the Monarchs as the main scorer, top on-ball defender, and leader. Emnace's anticipation on defense allowed her to rack up steals in the passing lane with ease. And nearly every match she played the entire game and still managed to score down the stretch. Her team went where she did, and she led them to their deepest SCT run in program history. Her step backs and crossovers allowed her to create space against defenders. She also was a good passer that tried to get her teammates involved any chance she got. There's a reason she's a Divsion I-bound player.

Squan’s Hope Masonius goes up with a shot. Manasquan Girls Basketball defeats Madison 47-26 in NJSIAA Group 2 Final in Piscataway, NJ on March 9, 2024.

5. Hope Masonius, Manasquan, Senior

Her entire stat line may not be eye-popping, but her entire body of work throughout the season certifies her as a top five player. Masonius has been clutch in big moments in multiple games this season. Whether it was her 18-point performance in the state championship win, or her big time buckets in the SCT tournament, she was the go-to player. Perhaps the best defender among the top five players with her ability to stay in front of ball handlers, jump passing lanes, and not afraid to dive for the ball. On offense, she's an attacker that finishes around the rim for and-1's and can shoot it too.

SJV’s Stella Lockhart (center) and RBC’s Daniella Maletsky and Christina Liggio fight for the ball. St John Vianney vs Red Bank Catholic in NJSIAA state tournament semifinal.
Red Bank, NJ
Thursday, February 29, 2024 — SJV’s Stella Lockhart (center) and RBC’s Daniella Maletsky and Christina Liggio fight for the ball. St John Vianney vs Red Bank Catholic in NJSIAA state tournament semifinal. Red Bank, NJ Thursday, February 29, 2024

6. Stella Lockhart, St. John Vianney, Sophomore

Lockhart did a lot of good things for the Lancers this season. She was their leading scorer, their defender on the perimeter and inside, plus she never shied away from contact. The sophomore was a nightmare problem for most teams because she was too quick and craft for opposing bigs, and played bully ball against guards. Perhaps one of the toughest players on this list as she played through tough injuries and still managed to win. Now as a sophomore she won her first SCT title and will probably have more trophies under her belt by the end of her high school career.

Holmdel’s #3 Allison Cannon drives to the hoop. Marlboro vs Holmdel girls basketball at St. Mary’s.
Middletown, NJ
Friday, December 15, 2023 — Holmdel’s #3 Allison Cannon drives to the hoop. Marlboro vs Holmdel girls basketball at St. Mary’s. Middletown, NJ Friday, December 15, 2023

7. Allison Cannon, Holmdel, Senior

The NJIT commit was the backbone of the Hornets defense and offense all season. The five-foot-10 guard led her team in points, assists, and steals with her ability to jump passes as a defender and finish around the rim. She also hit the 1,000-point mark this season and had a season-high 26 points against Neptune back in December.

Squan’s Katie Collins works to shoot over arms of Madison’s Beau Braverman. Manasquan Girls Basketball defeats Madison 47-26 in NJSIAA Group 2 Final in Piscataway, NJ on March 9, 2024.

8. Katie Collins, Manasquan, Senior

The Warriors interior defense all season was lockdown thanks to the Penn commit's presence. Whether it was blocking, altering shots, or getting steals, Collins proved to be one of the best defenders on the Shore. On offense, she was a nightmare matchup for most opposing teams because she could score with her back to the basket, and also shoot the deep ball. She averaged 11.8 points through 31 games this season. Whether it was their SCT finals run, or a state championship, Collins remained to make an impact on the game in more than one ways. She had four double-doubles on the season and a season-high 20 points against Bolles (Fla.) in December.

Ocean’s Eli Clark takes a shot off a fast break as Brick’s Ayanna Candelaria tries to block her. Ocean Township High School Girls Basketball dominates Brick High School in NJSIAA Central Jersey Group 3 first round game in Ocean Twp. on February 22,, 2024.

9. Eli Clark, Ocean Township, Senior

The Le Moyne commit finished her senior year with a solid season playing next to her younger sister Kayden that made up the Spartans back court. She became the ninth player in school history to reach 1,000 career points in a win over Henry Hudson in February. Eli steered the ship at point guard as she led the team in assists. All season she was able to see the floor well and deliver dimes to her teammates like Kayden and Gamila Betton.

RBC Tessa Carman pulls down a rebound. Red Bank Catholic Girls dominate Pope John 80-23 in NJSIAA Non Public A final at Piscataway, NJ on March 8, 2024.

10. Tessa Carman, Red Bank Catholic, Junior

As a forward, Carman is the tough centerpiece in the paint that has gotten her teams second chance points. She leads the team in rebounds and is second in blocks for RBC. She's an unselfish player that still manages to affect the game multiple ways, such as her 15 rebounds against Pop John to win a state championship. She had a season-high 19 points against Albertus Magnus (N.Y.) in February.

SJV Julia Karpell drives through traffic to shoot. St. John Vianney Girls basketball fefeats Red Bank Catholic 58-52 in Shore Conference Final in West Long Branch on February 19, 2023

11. Julia Karpell, St. John Vianney, Senior

The head leader of the Lancers played big in their championship run of the SCT. The Fairfield commit hit some big shots for SJV and finished with 14 against Manasquan in the SCT final. She scored 12 points against Wall and St. Rose. She finished second in three-pointers made and shot 77% from the free throw line.

Wall Shayne Eldridge drive to the basket. Red Bank Regional Girls Basketball defeats Wall 54-51 in WOBM Christmas Classic Cervino Final on December 30, 2023 in Toms River NJ.

12. Shayne Eldridge, Wall, Senior

The senior finished her senior year as a 1,000-point career scorer, reaching that mark in a win over Pinelands back in January. The Caldwell University commit led the team in points, steals and made three-pointers. She was one half of a quality backcourt with Emily Tvrdik and made teams pay with jumping passes, shooting, and finishing around the rim. Eldridge scored a season-high 33 points in a win over Hightstown in January.

Howell Kiera McKown goes up with a shot. Howell Girls Basketball defeats Middletown South to advance in NJSIAA play on February 21, 2023 in Howell NJ.

13. Kiera McKown, Howell, Junior

Season stats: 11.9 ppg, 10.5 rpg, 3.3 bpg, 1.8 spg through 27 games. If averaging a double-double on the season wasn't impressive enough, the junior led the Rebels to their first section title in program history. Her best season-high in scoring was in wins over Colts Neck and Marlboro with 24 points. She's proven this season to emerge herself as one of the better bigs on the Shore. Her ability to move her feet fast and block shots is what made her a big threat on defense.

Ranney's Haley Poser wrestles for the ball. Ranney vs. Mater Dei Prep girls basketball.
Middletown, NJ
Thursday, January 13, 2022 — Ranney's Haley Poser wrestles for the ball. Ranney vs. Mater Dei Prep girls basketball. Middletown, NJ Thursday, January 13, 2022

14. Haley Poser, Ranney, Junior

From the start until the end of the season the junior has been a consistent scorer for her team as their leading scorer. The five-foot-eight guard scored a season-high 37 points against Point Pleasant Boro in January. She's also a sharpshooter, she hit 61 three-pointers and became a 1,000-point career scorer in a game against Lower Cape May this season.

Rumson Raquel Guidetti tries to keep hold of ball as Pt. Bro Emily Marinelli tries to steal it. Rumson-Fair Haven Girls basketball vs Point Pleasant Borough in 2023 WOBM Christmas Tournament opening round in Toms
River on December 26, 2023. — Rumson Raquel Guidetti tries to keep hold of ball as Pt. Bro Emily Marinelli tries to steal it. Rumson-Fair Haven Girls basketball vs Point Pleasant Borough in 2023 WOBM Christmas Tournament opening round in Toms River on December 26, 2023.

15. Raquel Guidetti, Rumson-Fair Haven, Senior

The Catholic University commit was the leading scorer for the Bulldogs as a combo guard. She scored her 1,000th point in the final seconds against Red Bank Catholic in the SCT quarterfinals. Guidetti made a lot of baskets in transition running the floor, she also finished second the team in made three-pointers.

Ocean’s Kayden Clark goes up with a shot as Brick’s AnnaClaire Stuart tries to block her. Ocean Township High School Girls Basketball dominates Brick High School in NJSIAA Central Jersey Group 3 first round game in Ocean Twp. on February 22,, 2024.

16. Kayden Clark, Ocean Township, Junior

The five-foot-eight guard finished her junior campaign with enough impressive performances to grant her a spot on the third team. Playing alongside her sister, Kayden was the leading scorer on the team, plus she led the team in blocks and steals. She often found herself going the other way for an easy layup after jumping a pass from the opposing team.

17. Mackenzie Teevan, Holmdel, Junior

The six-foot-three junior made a big leap this season in becoming a more efficient scorer for the Hornets. So much so that Teevan had eight double-double games and only one game where she failed to score double digits. She's showed consistency as a big in the paint as she led the team in boards and blocks. She's also added a long range shot to her game this season with 21 made three-pointers this season. With Cannon gone next year to NJIT, it's going to be Teavan's team next season.

Shore Reese Fiore shoots a three pointer. Shore Regional Girls Basketball vs University for NJSIAA Group 1 Title inToms River, NJ on March 10, 2024.

18. Reese Fiore, Shore, Junior

The junior guard had a memorable season filled with accomplishments. She won her third-straight section title and scored her 1,000th career point in a 39-point playoff game over Highland Park, which was her season-high. Fiore had six double-double games and led her team to run to the state finals before falling to University. She averaged 16.4 points and 6.9 rebounds through 27 games. Fiore scored the most in transition and cutting to the basket. She led the Blue Devils in points and rebounds this season.

RBC Christina Liggio turns to the basket to shoot. Red Bank Catholic Girls dominate Pope John 80-23 in NJSIAA Non Public A final at Piscataway, NJ on March 8, 2024.

19. Christina Liggio, Red Bank Catholic, Junior

The five-foot-eight guard was a big help for the Caseys in their run to a state championship. Liggio was one of the other big pieces for RBC as she hit three-pointers, got steals, and rebounded for team.

20. Emma Thornton, Barnegat, Junior

Thornton had staggering numbers of 19 points and 15 rebounds a game for the Bengals. She cleaned up the glass every game while also remaining consistent throughout the level of competition.