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Ranking the Top 30 girls basketball teams in the Shore Conference

kevin perrington-turner, asbury park press
·4 min read

It's the top of 2024, and now that there's been a good amount of girls high school basketball games played, it's time for a revised Shore Conference Top 30 team ranking list.

With some invitationals, showcases, and conference games in the books, enough time has gone by to give a fair assessment of each squad up to this point. Red Bank Catholic from the preseason rankings was the last of the unbeatens but the Caseys fell to 6-1 Saturday when defeated by Westtown (Pa.) in the Baruch College Jordan Brand Event in New York City. Manasquan also lost for the first time Saturday.

After RBC is when things get interesting in where teams line up in the Top 30.

Marquee wins are noted and win streaks don't go unnoticed. Here's the top of the year list of the best teams in the Shore Conference.

More: How Red Bank Regional girls basketball won holiday tournament without a star player

Manasquan Rylyn Orlando shoots as RBC Addy Nyemchek looks to block her. Red Bank Catholic Girls Basketball vs Manasquan in Shore Conference Semifinal game in Toms River NJ on February 15, 2023.
Manasquan Rylyn Orlando shoots as RBC Addy Nyemchek looks to block her. Red Bank Catholic Girls Basketball vs Manasquan in Shore Conference Semifinal game in Toms River NJ on February 15, 2023.

1. Red Bank Catholic 6-1 (Previous rank: 1)

Even with their tough schedule, the Caseys are a spiffy 6-1. Their leading scorer Addy Nyemchek is averaging just above 14 points a game. All their wins have been by double digits.

Manasquan Katie Collins goes up with shot as RBC Daniela Maletsky and Addy Nyeemchek closely cover her. Red Bank Catholic Girls Basketball vs Manasquan in Shore Conference Semifinal game in Toms River NJ on February 15, 2023.
Manasquan Katie Collins goes up with shot as RBC Daniela Maletsky and Addy Nyeemchek closely cover her. Red Bank Catholic Girls Basketball vs Manasquan in Shore Conference Semifinal game in Toms River NJ on February 15, 2023.

2. Manasquan 7-1 (Previous rank: 3)

Before suffering its first loss at the Tampa Bay Invitational, Manasquan’s smothering defense has held the first seven opponents to under 50 points. Penn commit Katie Collins and Bucknell commit Hope Masonius are the team's scoring and rebounding machines.

3. St. John Vianney 5-1 (Previous rank: 2)

SJV jumped out to a hot start with blowing out every team before suffering an early loss at the Tampa Bay Invitational. Sophomore Stella Lockhart is leading the team averaging 12 points a game.

St. Rose Jada Lynch and Red Bank Addy Nyemchek battle for loose ball. Red Bank Catholic Girls Basketball edges out St. Rose on February 2, 2023 in Belmar, NJ.
St. Rose Jada Lynch and Red Bank Addy Nyemchek battle for loose ball. Red Bank Catholic Girls Basketball edges out St. Rose on February 2, 2023 in Belmar, NJ.

4. St. Rose 5-2 (Previous rank: 4)

Although they’ve been on the wrong side of the win column twice this season, St. Rose is still undefeated locally. Sophomore Jada Lynch leads the team with 15.1 ppg. and 7.1 rpg.

Ocean Kayden Clark closely guards Freehold Gaby Parker. Ocean Twp. Girls Basketball defeats Freehold Township in Blue Devil Holiday Invitational in West Long Branch on December 28, 2023.
Ocean Kayden Clark closely guards Freehold Gaby Parker. Ocean Twp. Girls Basketball defeats Freehold Township in Blue Devil Holiday Invitational in West Long Branch on December 28, 2023.

5. Ocean Township 4-1 (Previous rank: 6)

The Clark sisters in Eli and Kayden have been a lethal duo for the teams they’ve faced this season, making up 64% of the team's total points.

6. Trinity Hall 4-3 (Previous rank: 5)

Trinity Hall Nina Emnace drive against Rumson Ella Mason and shoots. Trinity Hall Girls Basketball edges out Rumson-Fair Haven in Ocean Township on January 30, 2023.
Trinity Hall Nina Emnace drive against Rumson Ella Mason and shoots. Trinity Hall Girls Basketball edges out Rumson-Fair Haven in Ocean Township on January 30, 2023.

Harvard commit Nina Emnace is averaging 14.4 points a game, leading a team full of young players. Key wins over Rumson-Fair Haven and Red Bank Regional puts them ahead.

7. Holmdel 4-2 (Previous rank: 8)

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

After a loss to Manasquan and a loss to St. Thomas Aquinas at their Holiday Showcase, the Hornets dropped down two spots. NJIT commit Allison Cannon is averaging 16.8 points; Mackenzie Teevan has emerged as a solid big.

Red Bank’s Synai Blychanton drives into basket for a shot. Red Bank Regional Girls Basketball defeats Wall 54-51 in WOBM Christmas Classic Cervino Final on December 30, 2023 in Toms River NJ.
Red Bank’s Synai Blychanton drives into basket for a shot. Red Bank Regional Girls Basketball defeats Wall 54-51 in WOBM Christmas Classic Cervino Final on December 30, 2023 in Toms River NJ.

8. Red Bank Regional 4-2 (Previous rank: 11)

Sophomore Synai Blychanton and junior Caroline Palloway have shown to be a good supporting cast around senior Camryn Gardner. After key wins against Wall and Manchester at the WOB Christmas Classic, they deserve a spot in the top 10.

St. Rose’s Christa Ramos drives past Manasquan’s Mary Elizabeth Donnelly. Manasquan at St. Rose basketball. Belmar, NJTuesday, January 18, 2022
St. Rose’s Christa Ramos drives past Manasquan’s Mary Elizabeth Donnelly. Manasquan at St. Rose basketball. Belmar, NJTuesday, January 18, 2022

9. Neptune 5-3 (Previous rank: 17)

St. Rose transfer and junior Christa Ramos has played a big part in the turnaround for Neptune as she’s averaging 18.1 points. A narrow loss to Holmdel prevents the Scarlet Fliers from going higher on this list.

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.
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.

10. Wall 5-1 (Previous rank: 9)

With a double-digit win over Rumson-Fair Haven and a WOBM Classic championship appearance, the Crimson Knights deserve to remain in the top 10. Senior Shayne Eldridge is averaging 18.5 as a sharpshooter.

11. Rumson-Fair Haven 5-2 (Previous ranking: 7)

12. Manchester 4-3 (Previous ranking: 19)

13. Howell 3-1 (Previous ranking: 13)

14. Toms River East 4-3 (Previous ranking: 14)

15. Shore Regional 3-3 (Previous ranking: 15)

16. Freehold Township 5-1 (Previous ranking: 25)

17. Jackson Memorial 4-1 (Previous ranking: 17)

18. Ranney 3-3 (Previous ranking: 12)

19. Toms River South 5-2 (Previous ranking: 28)

20. Lacey 4-4 (Previous ranking: 31)

21. Barnegat 3-2 (Previous ranking: 20)

22. Middletown South 3-4 (Previous ranking: 22)

23. Southern 4-2 (Previous ranking: 23)

24. Central Regional 3-4 (Previous ranking: 30)

25. Colts Neck 2-3 (Previous ranking: 16)

26. Middletown North 2-5 (Previous ranking: 26)

27. Keyport 2-3 (Previous ranking: 29)

28. Donovan Catholic 4-3 (Previous ranking: not ranked)

29. Brick Memorial 4-3 (Previous ranking: not ranked) 

30. Toms River North 1-6 (Previous ranking: 10) 

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: NJ girls basketball Top 30 team rankings