Skyland Conference Honors Top Girls Basketball Talent

Gill St. Bernard's star Addy Platt named Player of the Year, Franklin's Jimmy Kreie takes Coach of the Year

Mar. 30, 2026 at 11:04am

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The 2025-26 New Jersey high school girls basketball season in the Skyland Conference saw standout individual and team performances. Gill St. Bernard's Addy Platt was named the conference's Player of the Year after leading her team to the North, Non-Public B sectional title, while Franklin's Jimmy Kreie was recognized as the Coach of the Year for guiding the Warriors to the Central Jersey, Group 4 championship and the Somerset County Tournament final.

Why it matters

The Skyland Conference is one of the most competitive girls basketball leagues in New Jersey, producing top talent that often goes on to play at the collegiate and professional levels. These annual postseason awards highlight the exceptional players and coaches who stood out in a challenging season.

The details

Platt, a senior at Gill St. Bernard's, was a dominant two-way player, averaging 19.8 points, 7.2 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 4.1 steals and 2.2 blocks per game. She helped lead her team to a 22-6 record and a berth in the Somerset County Tournament semifinals despite significant roster turnover from graduation. Kreie, in his first year as Franklin's head coach, turned the Warriors into a ranked team in the state after they went 11-16 the previous season. Franklin reached the Somerset County Tournament final and won the Central Jersey, Group 4 title under Kreie's guidance.

  • The 2025-26 New Jersey high school girls basketball season took place during the winter of 2025-26.
  • Gill St. Bernard's and Franklin both competed in the Skyland Conference during the 2025-26 season.

The players

Addy Platt

A senior at Gill St. Bernard's who was named the Skyland Conference Player of the Year after averaging a double-double and leading her team to the North, Non-Public B sectional title.

Jimmy Kreie

The head coach of the Franklin girls basketball team, who was named the Skyland Conference Coach of the Year after guiding the Warriors to the Somerset County Tournament final and the Central Jersey, Group 4 championship in his first season.

Ava LaMonica

A standout player for Rutgers Prep, the Skyland Conference Team of the Year, who nearly willed her team to the sectional title when her teammate Hailey Benbow was limited due to injury.

Hailey Benbow

A key contributor for Rutgers Prep, the Skyland Conference Team of the Year, who averaged 13.1 points, 6.6 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 2.2 steals per game.

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What they’re saying

“Addy Platt was a force on both ends of the court as she averaged 19.8 points, 7.2 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 4.1 steals and 2.2 blocks per game for a Gill St. Bernard's team that won the North, Non-Public B sectional title despite being hit hard by graduation.”

— Chris Nalwasky, Author

“Kreie challenged his team with many competitive games against ranked foes, and it proved to pay off down the line.”

— Chris Nalwasky, Author

What’s next

The Skyland Conference will continue to be a hotbed for top girls basketball talent in New Jersey, with many of these standout players likely to receive further recognition and opportunities at the collegiate level.

The takeaway

The Skyland Conference showcased exceptional individual and team performances this past season, with Gill St. Bernard's Addy Platt and Franklin's Jimmy Kreie earning the top individual honors. These awards highlight the depth of talent and coaching expertise within the conference, which remains one of the premier girls basketball leagues in the state.