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

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

The Shore Conference girls high school basketball juniors are young and hungry. Some are the young leaders of their teams, others are doing valuable work as role players and still others are holding their own against the best teams in the nation at showcase events. From guards such as Christa Ramos from Neptune to the likes of Barnegat forward Emma Thornton, who's averaging a double-double - the Class of 2025 is getting done.

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

Here's a ranking of the top 20 juniors on the Shore - then we have more solid players on the Watch List that follows.

Red Bank Christina Liggio works in towards the basket. Rumson-Fair Haven Girls Basketball vs Red Bank Catholic in Red Bank, NJ on February 1, 2022.
Red Bank Christina Liggio works in towards the basket. Rumson-Fair Haven Girls Basketball vs Red Bank Catholic in Red Bank, NJ on February 1, 2022.

1. Christina Liggio, Red Bank Catholic

Averaging nine points and three assists against some of the best teams in the state and country. She’s not only been a facilitator and best on-ball defender, but she’s been a knock down shooter from lang range for the Casey’s. She’s 5-foot-8, but she’s only kept rising to the occasion against tough opponents.

Ocean Kayden Clark goes up with a shot. Ocean Twp. Girls Basketball defeats Freehold Township in Blue Devil Holiday Invitational in West Long Branch on December 28, 2023.
Ocean Kayden Clark goes up with a shot. Ocean Twp. Girls Basketball defeats Freehold Township in Blue Devil Holiday Invitational in West Long Branch on December 28, 2023.

2. Kayden Clark, Ocean Township

The leading scorer for the Spartans, Clark was an MVP at the Boardwalk Showcase and won her second Blue Devils Holiday tournament over the Christmas break. She’s averaging 13.4 points and 2.8 steals a game through the first 10 games.

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

3. Christa Ramos, Neptune

The St. Rose transfer has had a breakout season averaging 18.4 points and 8.2 rebounds through 12 games. She had a triple-double against Central back in December and two other double-doubles.

RBC Tessa Carman looks for someone inside to pass it to during first half action. Red Bank Catholic Girls Basketball vs Manasquan in Shore Conference Semifinal game in Toms River NJ on February 15, 2023.
RBC Tessa Carman looks for someone inside to pass it to during first half action. Red Bank Catholic Girls Basketball vs Manasquan in Shore Conference Semifinal game in Toms River NJ on February 15, 2023.

4. Tessa Carman, Red Bank Catholic

A 5-foot-11 forward that’s averaging 6.8 in both points and rebounds through nine games. She’s had to guard multiple possessions against some of the best teams in the state. She can shoot the three-pointer and score inside.

5. Casey Collins, Southern

She’s averaging 14.5 points and 2.6 rebounds a game and dropped 27 points in their season-opener against Allentown. She played a big role in their fast 4-0 start to the season.

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

6. Haley Poser, Ranney

Poser has averaged 18.5 points and 3.3 rebounds through the first eight games of the season. She had a double-double against St. Thomas Aquinas in December and scored 21 points against Holmdel in January.

7. Emma Thornton, Barnegat

As if averaging a double-double wasn’t enough with 19.4 points, 14.4 rebounds, she also leads in blocking with just over one block in seven games. She also averages 3.1 steals a game and dropped 27 points and 19 rebounds in a win over Raritan.

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.
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.

8. Kiera McKown, Howell

Leading the Rebels in multiple categories averaging 11 points, 9.5 rebounds, and three blocks through the first nine games. So far she’s had five double-doubles this season.

Red Bank Caroline Polloway drives to basket as Rumson Julia Corsentino moves to block her. Rumson-Fair Haven Girls Basketball defeats Red Bank Regional in Rumson, NJ on January 23, 2023.
Red Bank Caroline Polloway drives to basket as Rumson Julia Corsentino moves to block her. Rumson-Fair Haven Girls Basketball defeats Red Bank Regional in Rumson, NJ on January 23, 2023.

9. Caroline Polloway, Red Bank Regional

She won the MVP at the WOBM Christmas Classic after a championship win over Wall where she finished with 19 points and 13 rebounds. She’s averaging two blocks and had three double-doubles this season through seven games.

10. Mackenzie Teevan, Holmdel

She splashed on the scene this year averaging 13.6 points and 8.4 rebounds as a big for the Hornets. She keeps the ball high with a 6-foot-4 frame, and finishes around the rim. She’s also knocked down eight three-pointers through nine games too.

11. Reese Fiore, Shore

Has scored double digits in all six games this season and had three double-doubles. She’s averaging 17.4 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 2.8 steals a game.

Rumson Sylvie Notine drives to the backet. Rumson-Fair Haven Girls basketball vs Point Pleasant Borough in 2023 WOBM Christmas Tournament opening round in Toms River on December 26, 2023.
Rumson Sylvie Notine drives to the backet. Rumson-Fair Haven Girls basketball vs Point Pleasant Borough in 2023 WOBM Christmas Tournament opening round in Toms River on December 26, 2023.

12. Sylvie Notine, Rumson-Fair Haven

She’s averaging 8.1 points and 3.4 rebounds through the first 10 games for the Bulldogs. She scored a season-high 14 points in a win over Manalapan.

13. Reece Paget, Lacey

She’s been crashing boards with intensity through the first nine games of the season. She’s averaging 10.8 rebounds a game and dropped 17 points against Donovan Catholic.

SJV's Daniella Matus goes for a layup against Blair Academy Jan. 7, 2024
SJV's Daniella Matus goes for a layup against Blair Academy Jan. 7, 2024

14. Daniella Matus, St. John Vianney

Averaging 8.5 points and two steals a game against some of the best programs in the nation. She dropped 26 points in a win over Life Center back in December.

St. Rose's Cassidy Kruesi. Manasquan at St. Rose basketball. Belmar, NJ Tuesday, January 18, 2022
St. Rose's Cassidy Kruesi. Manasquan at St. Rose basketball. Belmar, NJ Tuesday, January 18, 2022

15. Cassidy Kruesi, St. Rose

Has put out a consistent performance for St. Rose, averaging 7.3 points and a steal through the first ten games. She dropped 14 points in a win over Union City.

16. Bre Evans, Neptune

Evans Ramos has been a lethal 1-2 duo for Neptune. She’s averaging 11.1 points, 4.8 steals, 4.8 rebounds and three assists. She scored a season-high 22 points against Central Regional in December.

17. Gaby Parker, Freehold Township

Averaging 13.1 points and 3.1 steals through eight games. She scored a season-high 19 points in a win over Middletown North in December.

St. Rose’s #23 Tanaiyah Decker defends as Manasquan’s Olivia Shaughnessy looks to pass. Manasquan at St. Rose basketball Belmar, NJ Friday, January 20, 2023
St. Rose’s #23 Tanaiyah Decker defends as Manasquan’s Olivia Shaughnessy looks to pass. Manasquan at St. Rose basketball Belmar, NJ Friday, January 20, 2023

18. Olivia Shaughnessy, Manasquan

Top five on the team in scoring and has played solid on-ball defense all season. She scored a season-high 18 points against Ocean Township last month.

19. Kimi Sayson, Shore

Long Branch transfer that scored a season-high 16 points in the season opener against Toms River East. She’s averaging 9.2 points through the first eight games.

20. Marisa Amitie’, Wall

The forward scored a season-high 20 points in a win over Point Pleasant Boro. She also finished with a double-double (14 points, 11 rebounds) in a win over Ranney.

Karleigh Aber, Middletown North

Jade Andrews, Manchester Township

Mary Bozicev, Toms River North

Zaira Carballo, Matawan

Emily Cavanaugh, Ranney

Kassidy Colangelo, Toms River South

Caroline Conforti, St. Rose

Grace Crowley, Toms River East

Adrianna Cruz, Toms River East

Leomary Diaz-Merino, Long Branch

Katie Dichter, Colts Neck

Aleena Dinker, St. John Vianney

Shea Donnelly, Manasquan

Riley Fitzapatrick, Barnegat

Marissa Flores, Lacey

Erin Frauenheim, Point Pleasant Beach

Ava Giordano, Freehold Township

Vanessa Haas, Point Pleasant Boro

Laila Hagan, Manalapan

Amaya Harris, Monmouth

Carly Hemstetter, Toms River South

Katherine Henn, Point Pleasant Boro

Hannah Kelly, Donavan Catholic

Vita Kelyman, Central

Lily Krajic, Donavon Catholic

Madeline Krohn, Toms River South

Maggie Leach, Brick Memorial

Grace Love, Manasquan

Amanda MacGregor, Middletown South

Mackenzie Maloney, Howell

Emily McCarthy, Middletown North

Raquelle McMullin, Red Bank Catholic

Ashley Moore, Freehold Township

Riley Nausedas, Brick Township

Jasmin Okuszka, Shore

Ella Oster, Middletown North

Reece Paget, Lacey

Angela Peduto, Raritan

Sayuri Penaranda, Freehold Borough

Erynn Richey, Wall

Lilly Riggi, Trinity Hall

Lindsay Rivera, Keansburg

Samantha Russell, Southern

Michelle Steele, Holmdel

Ashley Smith, Howell

Elizabeth Tardy, Middletown South

Brooklyn Taylor, St. John Vianney

Sophie Tonino, Freehold Township

Caitlin Whyte, Middletown South

Jayden Yerves, Middletown North

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Shore NJ girls basketball juniors rankings: Class of 2025