1-22-21 Issue 2021 Shore Sports Network Basketball Preview

Cover Designed by Steve Meyer

2

New Faces in New Places................................... P a g e

5

SSN Boys Top Ten.................................................... P a g e

8

SSN Players To watch........................................... P a g e 10 2021 Returning Boys All-Shore

&

&

Girls

All-Division Players............. P a g e 12-13

Monmouth County Teams

page

A s b u r y P a r k ................................................................ 14 C h r i s t i a n B r o t h e r s A c a d e m y ............................ 14 C o l t s N e c k .................................................................... 16 F r e e h o l d B o r o ............................................................ 16 F r e e h o l d T o w n s h i p .................................................. 17 H e n r y H u d s o n .............................................................. 17 H o l m d e l .......................................................................... 18 H o w e l l ............................................................................ 19 K e a n s b u r g ..................................................................... 20 K e y p o r t .......................................................................... 20 L o n g B r a n c h ................................................................. 21 M a n a l a p a n .................................................................... 22 M a n a s q u a n .................................................................... 24 M a r l b o r o ....................................................................... 26 M a t a w a n ........................................................................ 28 M a t e r D e i P r e p .......................................................... 28 M i d d l e t o w n N o r t h .................................................. 30 M i d d l e t o w n S o u t h ................................................... 30 M o n m o u t h R e g i o n a l ................................................. 32 N e p t u n e .......................................................................... 32 O c e a n T o w n s h i p ........................................................ 33 Feature Story..................................Pages

34-37

R a n n e y S c h o o l ........................................................... 38 R a r i t a n .......................................................................... 40 R e d B a n k ........................................................................ 41 R e d B a n k C a t h o l i c .................................................. 42 R u m s o n - F a i r H a v e n .................................................. 44 S t . J o h n V i a n n e y ...................................................... 46 S t . R o s e ......................................................................... 48 S h o r e R e g i o n a l .......................................................... 48 T r i n i t y H a l ................................................................. 50 W a l l ................................................................................. 50 Ocean County Teams

page

B a r n e g a t ....................................................................... 52 B r i c k T o w n s h i p ......................................................... 52 B r i c k M e m o r i a l ......................................................... 54 C e n t r a l R e g i o n a l ..................................................... 54 D o n o v a n C a t h o l i c .................................................... 55 J a c k s o n L i b e r t y ....................................................... 56 J a c k s o n M e m o r i a l .................................................... 56 L a c e y ............................................................................... 58 L a k e w o o d ...................................................................... 58 M a n c h e s t e r .................................................................. 60 P i n e l a n d s ...................................................................... 60 P o i n t B e a c h ................................................................. 62 P o i n t B o r o .................................................................... 62 S o u t h e r n R e g i o n a l .................................................. 64 T o m s R i v e r E a s t ........................................................ 64 T o m s R i v e r N o r t h ..................................................... 66 T o m s R i v e r S o u t h ..................................................... 66 Disclaimer: Projected lineups listed in the 2021 Shore Sports Network Preview are not necessarily directly from coaches. Some are, while others are projections from Shore Sports Network staff. In either case, the projected lineup is fluid and could change leading up to the start of the season and beyond.

Check back for periodic updates to every team's projected starting lineup on shoresportsnetwork.com.

SHORE SPORTS NETWORK

ADVERTISING INFORMATION

Contact: Steven Meyer 732-233-4460

steve.meyer@shoresportsnetwork.com 3

Dear Shore Conference Basketball Fans Well here we go…the start of another sports season surrounded by COVID-19 and the many complications that come with it. The pandemic has resulted in a delayed start, reduced schedule, limited travel, no divisions and no Shore Conference and NJSIAA Tournaments. As of right now spectators will not be allowed into the gym to watch games and that includes parents. Coaches, players, administrators and other participants have all been impacted greatly and we start the 2021 season with in many cases more questions than answers.

Of course maybe the most difficult challenge will be keeping teams healthy. The fall season was a challenge but now moving indoors poses even greater risk and it’s fair to wonder how many teams will get through a maximum 15-game season. Like with the fall the greatest accomplishment might not be in wins and losses but simply playing all the games on your schedule.

Our Shore Sports Network team headed up by Matt Manley has put in countless hours to prepare and present this basketball preview. Matt took care of all the boys content and I did my best to provide girls information as well…after all the Shore Conference is a hotbed of girls basketball in the state. Of course we could not have done this without Steve Meyer who put it all together and special thanks to our team of photographers….Paula Lopez, Rich O’Donnell and Ray Richardson.

I would also be remiss if I did not thank the advertisers whose ads you will see on the forthcoming pages. Without them we could not present this FREE preview and I encourage all of you to support them when possible. Special thanks to the Jersey Mike’s family for their tremendous support of the Shore Sports Network since our inception. Peter Cancro grew up in Point Pleasant Beach and has never forgotten his roots and for that I am extremely grateful.

Let’s be smart and stay healthy and safe.

Happy Hoops Season!

Kevin Williams, Director Shore Sports Network

NO WOBM CLASSIC BUT SCHOLARSHIPS AWARDED

By Kevin Williams - Shore Sports Network Director

W

hen I announced a couple of months ago there would not be a WOBM Christmas Classic this holiday season due to the pandemic my thoughts quickly turned to a part of the tournament that has little to do with basketball.

Since starting in 1984 we have awarded scholarships to participants based on their performance in the classroom and not on the court but with no tournament the scholarship program seemed in jeopardy for several reasons.

However thanks to the generosity of Community Medical Center we were able to award $500 scholarships to eight young men and women who participated in the 2019 WOBM Classic and are now college freshman. Five of them were able to receive their awards during an outdoor ceremony at the hospital in Toms River while three had already returned to school. Community Medical Center CEO Patrick Ahearn congratulated the students and praised them for the success they have achieved during these challenging times. Ahearn said despite the tournament being cancelled this year there was never a doubt they would continue to support the scholarship program which highlights success in academics.Jack Sheridan Middletown South/University of Delaware The a ward recipients along with their high school and college are:

4

Megan Freehan

Point Boro/Caldwell University

Jason Golub

Freehold To wnship/Virgina Wesley an University

Olivia Parlow

Donovan Ca tholic/Stevens Institute

Neithan Ramos

Donovan Ca tholic/Temple University

Megan White

Wall/Clemson University

Jack Sheridan

Middleto wn South/University of Dela ware

Sarah Kufka

TR South/Drexel University

Mike Van Sprang

TR North/University of Dela ware

Nick Famularo Asbury Park

A

fter completing his first season as Asbury Park’s head football coach in the fall, Famularo takes over as the Blue Bishops’ third head basketball coach in three years and fifth in the last seven seasons.

Maurice Hart stepped in last season in place off predecessor Larry Marshall and Famularo will lead the team this season.

Randy Holmes

Brian Kelly

Don Connor

Henry Hudson

K

elly enters his first head coaching position looking to turn around a Henry Hudson program that posted a 2-23 record in 2019-20. Prior to landing the job in Atlantic Highlands, Kelly was an assistant at both Rahway and Lawrenceville following a collegiate playing career at both Delaware and the College of New Jersey.

Jackson Memorial

fter 13 seasons leading his alma mater, Holmes left this past November to take over the Jackson Memorial program. Holmes led Lakewood to a Shore Conference Tournament championship as a player in 1991 and as its head coach, he guided the Piners to NJSIAA sectional championships in 2010 and 2013 and the Shore Conference Tournament championship in 2013 – the program’s first since Holmes won it as a player 22 years earlier. Lakewood won at least a share of a Shore Conference division title in 11 of Holmes’s 13 seasons, including 10 in a row from 2009 to 2018, and won 20 games in his final season in 2019-20.

A Lakewood

M

iddletown North went outside the state to bring in Spies, who last coached at the high school level as the head coach at John Dewey High School in Brooklyn for five seasons. Spies also served as an assistant at York College for two seasons and takes over for longtime Middletown North coach Mike Iasparro, who led the Lions to an NJSIAA Group IV championship in 2012.

A Connor – an unmistakable name in Jackson and

fter a stint as an assistant coach in the program,

Ocean County – moves up to the head coaching position in place of predecessor Mike Antenucci, who is now an assistant at Jackson Memorial. Jackson Liberty won its first ever Shore Conference division championship in 2018-19 before dropping to 3-22 last season.

Jonathan Jones Darnell Tyler

Lakewood

T

ones – a Monmouth Regional alum – previously coached the Lakewood girls basketball team and will be replacing a Lakewood legend in Randy Holmes after Holmes left for Jackson Memorial following a 20win season with the Piners in 2019-20.

Kevin Spies Middletown North

Jackson Liberty

Long Branch

A Manhattan College, Tyler has since been a fixture in the fter a standout playing career at Long Branch and

Long Branch basketball community and now takes over as the head varsity coach for the Green Wave. Tyler was a dominant center on Long Branch’s back-to-back NJSIAA Group championship teams in 1997 and 1998 before heading to Manhattan. He has also previously been an assistant coach in the program and stayed connected with Long Branch basketball through the recreation program in recent years.

Tyler takes over a Green Wave team coming off a 1-21 season – the worst season on record for the program.

Jimmy Cranwell Middletown South

W fill

hile Middletown North went outside the state to its head-coaching vacancy, Middletown South stayed within its program. Cranwell – a RumsonFair Haven grad and player at McDaniel College – was the junior varsity coach and a valuable assistant coach for predecessor Jim Anderson during Middletown South’s return to glory of the past three seasons, culminating in a 26-win 2019-20 campaign.

Ryan Pringle Ocean

O with Pringle moving up from his assistant position

cean stayed in-house to hire its new head coach,

to take over for previous head coach and current boys soccer head coach, John Terlecsky. Pringle takes over a program that lost most of its starting production from 2019-20.

Ed Goodman Point Beach

I Goodman

n replacing former Point Beach coach Nick Catania, is taking over a program that, in Catania’s 16 seasons, reached unprecedented heights.

Point Beach won three NJSIAA Central Jersey Group I championships, an overall Group I championship in 2013 and a Shore Conference Tournament title in 2014.

Goodman previously served as an assistant to coach Jim Dempsey at Toms River East until the 2018-19 season.

Vinnie Arminio Toms River South

A moves over to Toms River South to try and turn

former standout guard at Toms River East, Arminio

around an Indians program that has endured five straight losing seasons. The last time Toms River South had a winning record, it went 18-9 in 2014-15 under first-year head coach Curt DeFillippo – Arminio’s predecessor.

5

6

2020 Shore Conference Basketball Standings CLASS A NORTH Team Middletown South Marlboro CBA Manalapan Freehold Twp. Howell Freehold Boro Long Branch

CLASS B NORTH Overall Record 26-3 23-7 15-13 15-10 11-16 10-15 6-21 1-21

Division Record 14-0 11-3 9-5 8-6 6-8 5-9 3-11 0-14

Overall Record 31-1 23-5 17-11 17-10 13-12 12-12 4-18 9-16

Division Record 14-0 12-2 9-5 7-7 6-8 5-9 2-12 1-13

Overall Record 24-5 16-10 15-12 9-16 8-15 5-21 8-15 2-18

Division Record 14-0 11-3 10-4 6-8 6-8 4-10 3-11 2-12

CLASS A CENTRAL Team Manasquan Holmdel Rumson-Fair Haven Red Bank Catholic St. Rose Raritan Monmouth Shore

Overall Record 24-7 14-13 18-10 16-14 14-11 10-17 5-18 5-17

Division Record 14-0 10-4 8-6 8-6 6-8 5-9 3-11 2-12

Overall Record 17-10 17-11 14-14 13-10 8-12 3-16 2-23

Division Record 12-0 10-2 8-4 6-6 3-9 3-9 0-12

Overall Record 20-8 15-11 20-7 13-12 14-11 8-17 5-18 3-22

Division Record 12-2 10-4 9-5 9-5 8-6 5-9 2-12 1-13

CLASS B CENTRAL

CLASS A SOUTH Team Toms River North Southern Toms River East Jackson Memorial Central Toms River South Brick Memorial Brick

Team Wall Matawan St. John Vianney Neptune Ocean Red Bank Middletown North Colts Neck

Team Ranney Mater Dei Prep Point Beach Keyport Keansburg Asbury Park Henry Hudson

CLASS B SOUTH Team Lakewood Point Boro Barnegat Donovan Catholic Manchester Lacey Pinelands Jackson Liberty

7

2021 Shore Conference High School Basketball The Season has Arrived.

The Shore Sports Network Preseason Top 10 is an annual tradition that marks a starting point of the season that attempts to track where that season might go. The uneasy reality of the 2021 boys basketball season in N.J. is that, at any time, the season could unravel and the latest Top 10 could become less a prediction or assessment of what has happened and more of a window into what could have been.

If the 47 teams in the Shore Conference are fortunate to make it to the March 6 final date having played something close to a full season, then the five-week stretch from Jan. 26 to the first Saturday in March will tell the full story about the Shore Conference in 2021.

Includes last year’s final record and SSN Ranking Manasquan

(31-1, 14-0) Final Rank: 1 For the first time in 57 years, Manasquan enters a season as the defending Shore Conference Tournament champion and the Warriors won their championship in dominant fashion. They also captured a second straight NJSIAA Central Jersey Group II championship to cap a 31-1 season, which ended when Manasquan withdrew from the NJSIAA Tournament just hours before the Warriors were to play Camden – the No. 1 team in the state. Manasquan returns with the same goal this year, with 2020 Player of the Year Ben Roy, Jack Collins, Connor Walsh and Casey Mulligan all back to the lead the way toward what they hope will be a second straight No. 1 finish.

Rumson-Fair

Red Bank Catholic

(17-10, 7-7) Final Rank: 6 The Caseys had a strange 2019-20 season, but it was a good one. They endured a midseason rough patch before getting on track just in time to beat CBA and make a subsequent run to the Shore Conference Tournament semifinals for the first time since 1994. The most encouraging part of the lateseason surge was how integral the current Caseys juniors became as sophomores, setting them up for a big 2021.

Throw in talented freshmen Evan Meeks and Gio Panzini, and there is potential for a special run at Red Bank Catholic.

(17-11, 9-5) Final Rank: Not ranked With a lot of questions to answer heading into the 2019-20 season, Rumson made it to 17 wins by the end of the season and set themselves up for a promising couple of years. That run should start in 2020, with the Bulldogs looking at a schedule that could be conducive to making a run as long as they can make a statement against pod rival Red Bank Catholic. The junior duo of Geoff Schroeder and Scott Gymesi likely hold the key to Rumson’s hopes over the next two seasons.

Wall

Mater

(24-7, 14-0) Final Rank: 7 Ranney

(17-10, 12-0) Final Rank: 9 With only one regular back from the 2019 Tournament of Champions winner, Ranney endured some ups and downs in 2020 and ultimately finished with a solid campaign: 17 wins, a third straight outright Class B Central championship and a trip to the Shore Conference Tournament quarterfinals – all with a team that had no seniors on the roster. Ranney returns with its nucleus intact and then some, led by Elijah Perkins, Kyle Rhoden, Ryan Zan and Gill St. Bernard transfer Isaac Hester.

Marlboro

(23-7, 11-3) Final Rank: 5 Just seconds away from the first NJSIAA sectional title in program history, heartbreak struck Marlboro when South Brunswick beat the Mustangs at the buzzer in the Central Jersey Group IV championship game. With just one senior in its seven-man rotation, Marlboro walked off their home floor that night with every intention of getting back in 2021 and while there won’t be a state tournament to win this winter, there will be an experienced Marlboro team pursuing a championship. Juniors Jack Seidler, Jon Spatola, Jay Ratner and Zack Molod are all back as a core that could make program history over the next two years.

Christian Brothers Academy

(15-13, 9-5) Final Rank: 8 Even though there was not a lot of senior influence on last year’s team, CBA did not return everyone from the 2019-20 squad. That won’t stop the Colts from going after the top spot in the Shore Conference this year with a roster that still boasts proven senior talent. Colin Farrell, Mike White and 6foot-8 Dane Moran make up CBA’s senior trio that will try to lead the Colts to a big season – the rare season in which the Colts have the firepower to win at a high level while also flying under the radar at No. 4.

8

The season already got off to a rocky start for Wall in that it will not get off to a start at all – at least not as scheduled. Wall will miss its first two games of the season due to a school shutdown related to COVID-19, pushing two meetings vs. Ocean to later in the season, assuming the two teams can make them up. Once Wall finally does get on the court, the Crimson Knights will tackle a loaded schedule with its core that boasts championship pedigree. Pat Lacey is a returning AllShore guard and Colin Ackerman, Logan Peters and Tom Palluzzi have all been major contributors on Wall’s last two Central Jersey Group III championship teams.

Freehold

Haven

Dei

Prep

(17-11, 10-2) Final Rank: 10 After it appeared as though Mater Dei might fade back into the crowd following three straight trips to the Shore Conference Tournament finals – including two wins – the Seraphs returned to life last year by upsetting No. 2 seed Middletown South to reach the Shore Conference Tournament quarterfinals and won two more road games in the NJSIAA South Jersey Non-Public B Playoffs. Even through three key seniors graduated from the 2020 starting lineup, Mater Dei brings back a frontcourt duo of Andreas Von Fricke and Anthony Tancredi while adding 1,300-point scorer David Shkoniy from New Dorp on Staten Island. The schedule only gives Mater Dei so many chances to impress, but the Seraphs have a roster that gives them a chance to do so.

Township

(11-16, 6-8) Final Rank: Not ranked An 11-16 season in 2019-20 might suggest Freehold Township is a good distance away from reaching any sort of championship status, but the Patriots have been here before. After winning 11 games in 2017-18, Freehold Township won its first ever NJSIAA sectional championship in 2019 with a senior-loaded team that also had a few key contributors from its sophomores. Those sophomores are now seniors and Zach Orrico, Joe Lardaro and Jayce Schapiro will try to replicate that season as best they can.

Next

Five

Holmdel

– With four new starters, Holmdel has some questions to answer but will have senior All-Shore forward Alex Baker back to ease the transition.

Manchester

– With a loaded junior class, Manchester is in position to take over as the top team in Ocean County

St. John Vianney

– The Lancers are younger than last year, but junior Nate Williams leads a talented group that has a chance to go far over the next two years.

Jackson

Neptune

(16-14, 8-6) Final Rank: Not ranked Although it finished only two games over .500 at 16-14, Neptune got back to its roots last year by playing for a Central Jersey Group III championship for the first time since winning the 2012 Central Group III title. As they have done frequently in recent years, the Scarlet Fliers rounded into form in time for the state tournament, but this year will have to be different. Neptune plays in the Shore’s toughest pod, which includes Manasquan, Ranney, Wall, St. Rose and Ocean, with the Scarlet Fliers opening vs. Ranney. With Sam Fagan finally 100 percent after a 2018 leg injury and a young nucleus forming around him, the Scarlet Fliers will head into the season with a shot to do damage, but will have to start strong.

Memorial – With sophomores Samir Padilla and Respect Tyleek following coach Randy Holmes from Lakewood to Jackson Memorial, the Jaguars have the young talent to become a force in Ocean County sooner rather than later.

Southern

– With three solid seniors back and a pair of transfers added to the mix, Southern has the lineup that can finally challenge Toms River North in what should be a balanced, competitive pod.

9

T talent at the Shore heading into the 2021 season and

here is an abundance of individual boys basketball

that is not an unusual trend for any given year.

What makes this season’s collection of talent so unique is how young some of the Shore’s top players are. seven returning Shore Sports Network All-Shore players are heading into their junior year on the court and looking at the rest of the conference’s top returning talent, the junior class has a significant presence.

Below is an attempt to list the 50 top players in the Shore, with the players’ track record being the starting point but also taking into account skill and potential for an even bigger season in 2021. You won’t find any freshmen in the top 50, although there are a number who will definitely make their case over the course of this season.

Ben

Roy

6-2, JR., GUARD, MANASQUAN Roy is the reigning Shore Sports Network Player of the Year after averaging 18.1 points as a sophomore for the No. 1 team at the Shore. If he averages 18 again this year, Roy should hit the 1,000-point mark by the seventh game of Manasquan’s season and if not for an abbreviated 2021 schedule, he would have a great chance to become the ninth player in conference history to score 2,000 career points. Roy has drawn widespread interest from Division I programs and holds a list of offers that includes Nebraska, Penn and Monmouth, among others. n ELIJAH PERKINS, 6-3, JR., GUARD, RANNEY

n SAM FAGAN, 6-0, SR., GUARD, NEPTUNE

n GEOFF SCHROEDER, 6-0, JR., GUARD, RFH

n JACK SEIDLER, 6-5, JR., FORWARD, MARLBORO

n ALEX BAKER, 6-5, SR., FORWARD, HOLMDEL

n MIKE WHITE, 6-3, SR., GUARD, CBA

n PAT LACEY, 6-2, SR., GUARD, WALL

n COLIN FARRELL, 6-1, SR., GUARD, CBA

n KYLE RHODEN, 6-10, SR., FORWARD, RANNEY

n David Shkolniy 6-3, Sr., Guard, Mater Dei Prep

n Jiasion Carpenter, 6-6, Sr., Forward, Freehold Boro

n Scott Gymesi, 6-5, Jr., Forward, Rumson-Fair Haven

n Luke Albrecht, 6-1, Sr., Guard, Middletown South

n Zach Orrico, 5-10, Sr., Guard, Freehold Township

n Cyril Arvanitis, 6-2, Jr., Guard, Red Bank Catholic

n Colin Ackerman, 6-0, Jr., Guard, Wall

n Casey Mulligan, 5-10, Sr., Guard, Manasquan

n Andre Wells, 5-10, Sr., Guard, Matawan

n Isaac Hester, 6-0, So., Guard, Ranney

n Respect Tyleek, 6-3, So., Guard, Jackson Memorial

n Jaxon Baker, 6-0, Sr., Guard, Barnegat

n Nate Williams, 6-4, Jr., Guard, St. John Vianney

n Carson Howard, 6-6, So., Forward, Lacey

n Chris Venturoso, 6-2, So., Guard/Forward, Lacey

n Jack Collins, 6-5, Sr., Forward, Manasquan

n Justin Soranno, 6-6, Jr., Forward, Central

n Tommy Giannone, 6-6, Jr., Forward, Middletown North

n Savon Myers, 6-4, Jr., Guard, Manchester

n Wyatt Haselbauer, 6-7, Jr., Forward, Manchester

n Charles Anyichie, 6-8, Jr., Center, Ranney

n Connor Walsh, 6-5, Sr., Forward, Manasquan

n I-Meer Johnson, 6-3, Sr., Forward, Central

n Amari Ayala-Petty, 6-1, Jr., Guard, Donovan Catholic

n Alex Bauman, 6-4, Jr., Guard, Red Bank Catholic

n Matt Kenny, 6-0, Jr., Guard, Middletown North

n Dane Moran, 6-8, Sr., Center, CBA

n Ryan Zan, 6-7, Jr., Forward, Ranney

n Joe Lardaro, 6-5, Sr., Forward, Freehold Township

n Keith Adame, 6-1, So., Guard, Jackson Memorial

n Jayce Schapiro, 5-10, Sr., Guard, Freehold Township

n Samir Padilla, 5-10, So., Guard, Jackson Memorial

n Ryan Neely, 6-1, Sr., Guard, Freehold Boro

n Jon Spatola, 5-8, Sr., Guard, Marlboro

n Jay Silva, 6-5, Sr., Forward, Southern

n Patrick Murray, 6-3, Jr., Guard, Red Bank

n Andreas Von Fricke, 6-7, Sr., Forward, Mater Dei Prep

n A.J. Po, 6-3, Sr., Forward, Monmouth

n D.J. Thomson, 6-3, Jr., Forward, Keyport

n C.J. Ruoff, 6-3, Jr., Guard/Forward, Red Bank Catholic

others to

watch

Impact Freshmen

to

watch

n Dylan Seay, 6-5, Forward, St. John Vianney

n Miles Chevalier, 6-3 Guard/Forward, Central

n Ben Kipnis, 6-1, Guard, Holmdel

n Zach Meeks, 6-5 Forward, Red Bank Catholic

n Alex George, 6-2, Guard, Shore

n Drew Buck, 6-2, Guard, Ranney

n James Vallillo, 6-0 Guard, Holmdel

n Gio Panzini, 6-4, Guard/Forward, Red Bank Catholic

n Dylan Frauenheim, 5-9, Guard, Manasquan

SHORE SPORTS NETWORK

ADVERTISING INFORMATION

Contact: Steven Meyer 732-233-4460 10

steve.meyer@shoresportsnetwork.com

he Shore Sports Network will once again provide FREE streaming broadcasts of Boys & Girls games this winter through the support of Jersey Mike’s Subs.

T

Matt Harmon and Kevin Williams will broadcast games throughout the season which will be streamed live on shoresportsnetwork.com and through the SSN mobile app.

Due to restrictions the schedule will be one that might change throughout the season and for the latest information please visit shoresportsnetwork.com.

J e r s e y M i k e ’s r e t u r n s a s t h e t i t l e s p o n s o r o f o u r g a m e b r o a d c a s t s a n d w i l l a l s o s p o n s o r t h e p o p u l a r Te a m o f t h e We e k p r o g r a m i n w h i c h e a c h w e e k a b o y ’s t e a m i s h o n o r e d for their achievements and receives a “game ball” and $250 i n J e r s e y M i k e ’s g i f t c e r t i f i c a t e s .

Home

Time

Date

Game

Visitor

Jan-29

Girls

Rumson

vs

Red Bank

TBD

Feb-1

Girls

TR East

vs

Donovan Catholic

TBD

Feb-2

Boys

Ranney

vs

Manasquan

TBD

Feb-8

Boys

Freehold Twp

vs

Marlboro

TBD

Feb-11

Boys

TR East

vs

TR South

TBD

Feb-16

Boys

Wall

vs

Manasquan

TBD

Feb-17

Girls

Jackson Mem

vs

Manchester

TBD

Feb-22

Girls

Neptune

vs

Manasquan

TBD

Feb-23

Boys

TR North

vs

Donovan Catholic

TBD

Mar 1- Mar-6

Postseason Play

All games streamed live at shoresportsnetwork.com and on the FREE Shore Sports Network App

11

Returning Boys All-Shore and All-Division Players in 2021

J

anuary 11 marked the first day of the NJSIAA basketball calendar, with teams in N.J. now cleared to practice in preparation for the 2021 season, which is scheduled to tip off on Jan. 26.

The Shore Conference graduated some quality talent from 2019-20, with five of the six Shore Sports Network Boys Basketball All-Shore First Team members and 13 of the 18 members across the three teams moving on after graduation.

There remains, however, a group of returning players - particularly from the Class of 2022, that is primed to pick up the mantle. Of the seven returning players that earned an All-Shore honor only three of them are seniors and of the 46 returning SSN All-Division selections, just 21 are entering their final high-school season.

Whatever happens during what promises to be an unpredictable eight weeks, the Shore Conference boys basketball scene is in good hands going forward.

Returning 2019-20 Shore Sports Network All-Shore Boys Basketball Players.

First Team

ELIJAH PERKINS, JR., 6-3, RANNEY Along with Roy, Perkins is the other Shore Conference guard drawing considerable Division I interest, with Georgetown and Nebraska among the notables on his list. Perkins put up 15.3 points and 3.5 assists during his sophomore campaign at Ranney.

BEN ROY, JR., 6-0, MANASQUAN Not only did Roy crack the All-Shore First Team as a sophomore; he topped everyone in the running by earning Shore Sports Network Player of the Year honors in leading Manasquan to a No. 1 ranking at the Shore. Roy averaged 18.1 points and 2.5 assists for the season and highlighted his sophomore campaign by dropping 31 points in the Shore Conference Tournament championship game against Toms River North. Roy is up to nine Division I scholarship offers, a list that includes Nebraska, Penn and Monmouth.

Third Team

JACK SEIDLER, JR., 6-5, MARLBORO Second Team

Seidler just picked up his first Division I offer, which came from Drake University. The 6-5 wing nearly put up a double-double average as a sophomore, posting 18.6 points and 8.4 rebounds per game.

ALEX BAKER, SR., 6-4, HOLMDEL While playing on a senior-heavy Holmdel team that finished No. 2 at the Shore, Baker was the standout, scoring 12.9 points per game while grabbing 10.8 boards. Baker is one of two returning Shore Conference players to have averaged a double-double last season.

PAT LACEY, SR., 6-3, WALL Lacey was a postseason star for a Wall team that won its second straight Central Jersey Group III championship, with the 6-3 guard averaging 19 points in five NJSIAA Tournament games and 13.1 per game for the season.

Photo by : Paula

Lopez www.palimages.com

SSN All-Division Players First Team

Second Team

ALEX BAKER, SR., HOLMDEL (A CENTRAL) JAXON BAKER, SR., BARNEGAT (B SOUTH) SAM FAGAN, SR., NEPTUNE (B NORTH) PAT LACEY, SR., WALL (B NORTH) ELIJAH PERKINS, JR., RANNEY (B CENTRAL) BEN ROY, JR., MANASQUAN (A CENTRAL) GEOFF SCHROEDER, JR., RUMSON-FAIR HAVEN (A CENTRAL) JACK SEIDLER, JR., MARLBORO (A NORTH) JAY SILVA, SR., SOUTHERN (A SOUTH) D.J. THOMSON, JR., KEYPORT (B CENTRAL) RYAN ZAN, JR., RANNEY (B CENTRAL)

COLIN ACKERMAN, JR., WALL (B NORTH) LUKE ALBRECHT, SR., MIDDLETOWN SOUTH (A NORTH) CHARLES ANYICHIE, JR., RANNEY (B CENTRAL) JIASION CARPENTER, SR., FREEHOLD BORO (A NORTH) BRIAN DAY, JR., RANNEY (B CENTRAL) COLIN FARRELL, SR., CBA (A NORTH) ALEKSY FRIEDMAN, SR., MARLBORO (A NORTH) CARSON HOWARD, SO., LACEY (B SOUTH) DAVON JACKSON, SR., KEANSBURG (B CENTRAL) I-MEER JOHNSON, SR., CENTRAL (A SOUTH) SAVON MYERS, JR., MANCHESTER (B SOUTH) AMARI PETTY, JR., DONOVAN CATHOLIC (B SOUTH)

12

RESPECT TYLEEK, LAKEWOOD (B SOUTH; TRANSFERRED TO JACKSON MEM.) CHRIS VENTUROSO, SO., POINT BEACH (B CENTRAL; TRANSFERRED TO LACEY) MIKE WHITE, SR., CBA (A NORTH) NATE WILLIAMS, JR., ST. JOHN VIANNEY (B NORTH) ANDREAS VON FRICKE, JR., MATER DEI PREP (B CENTRAL) Third Team

ALEX BAUMAN, JR., RED BANK CATHOLIC (A CENTRAL) JACK COLLINS, SR., MANASQUAN (A CENTRAL) NICK FERROGINE, SR., RED BANK (B NORTH) WYATT HASELBAUER, JR., MANCHESTER (B SOUTH) LUKE INFURNA, SR., SOUTHERN (A SOUTH)

MATT KENNY, JR., MIDDLETOWN NORTH (B NORTH) BRANDON KLATSKY, JR., RANNEY (B CENTRAL) JOE LARDARO, SR., FREEHOLD TWP. (A NORTH) MATT LEE, JR., POINT BORO (B SOUTH) ANTHONY LONGO, JR., KEYPORT (B CENTRAL) DANE MORAN, SR., CBA (A NORTH) ZACH ORRICO, SR., FREEHOLD TWP. (A NORTH) SAMIR PADILLA, SO., LAKEWOOD (B SOUTH) JAYCE SCHAPIRO, SR., FREEHOLD TWP. (A NORTH) JUSTIN SORANNO, SR., CENTRAL (A SOUTH) JON SPATOLA, JR., MARLBORO (A NORTH) ANTHONY TANCREDI, JR., MATER DEI PREP (B CENTRAL) NICK TROCCOLI, SR., RANNEY (B CENTRAL)

Returning girls All-Shore and All-Division Players in 2021 While Brynn Farrell (St. Rose), Kristina Donza (Jackson Memorial) and Anyssa Fields (Long Branch) have graduated, three of the six Shore Sports Network Girls Basketball All-Shore First-Team members are back for what will be an abbreviated 2021 season. Those three along with six others who earned All-Shore honors form the nucleus of what is a deep pool of talent in the highly competitive Shore Conference.

Returning 2019-20 Shore Sports Network All-Shore Girls Basketball Players.

First Team

DESTINY ADAMS, MANCHESTER, SR. 6’3 F

MADISON ST. ROSE, ST. JOHN VIANNEY, JR. 5’9 G

KATIE HILL, ST. JOHN VIANNEY, SR. 5’11 G

The reigning SSN Player of the Year is a four-year starter who has been the cornerstone of an incredible run for the Hawks, who finished 4th in the state last season. Adams averaged 18 points and nearly 12 rebounds a game while compiling 19 double-doubles saving maybe her best performance in the SJ Group 2 finals when she had 21 points and 23 boards in a win over Middle Township.

After coming off the bench as a freshman she emerged as a scintillating sophomore who could do just about everything for a championship team. Averaging just over 18 points per game she also contributed 5.4 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 4.2 steals per game as the Lancers claimed the Class N North, Shore Conference Tournament and South Jersey Non-Public A titles. St. Rose, a Princeton University commit, was at her best in the finals of the SCT when she scored a career-high 36 points in a victory over defending champion Manchester.

A four-year starter she is one of the most versatile players in the shore and somewhat modest stats (11.2pts, 4.2rebs, 2.4asts, 2.5stals) simply don’t tell the story. Hill is a very smart player who can be used in multiple spots and has the ability to guard players in the paint or on the perimeter. She is a player the Lancers count on and usually comes through in grand fashion. Committed to the University of Richmond towards the end of last season.

Adams has committed to the University of North Carolina.

Second Team

JESSICA RIEPE, MARLBORO, SR. 5’11 F. COMMITTED TO HOLY FAMILY Third

IN ADDITION TO THOSE ALL-SHORE SELECTIONS THE FOLLOWING RETURNING PLAYERS EARNED FIRST OR SECOND TEAM ALL-DIVISON HONORS LAST SEASON:

Team

ABBY ANTOGNOLI, ST. ROSE, SR. 5’7 G COMMITTED TO LAFAYETTE RACHEL CAPUA, JACKSON MEM, SR. 5’8 G COMMITTED TO EAST STROUDSBURG JUSTINE PISSOTT, RBC, JR. 6’2 G COMMITTED TO TENNESSEE CHLOE TETER, RED BANK. SR. 5’9 G COMMITTED TO NYU

SAMMY JAY & DANNI SCHLESSINGER, MARLBORO

CAITLYN DECKER, RED BANK REGIONAL

HANNAH ORLOFF & TANYA ELSBREE, FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP

GIANNA AIELLO, MATAWAN

CAITLYN GRESKO & GRACE LEARY, HOWELL

AMAYA EVANS, NEPTUNE

SOPHIA SABINO, ALLY CARMAN & LUCY ALBERICI, RBC

CASSIDY BURNS, ALLISON HOUSE & JADA CLAYTON, PT BEACH

GEORGIA HEINE, MANASQUAN

TYASIA COOPER, ASBURY PARK

MADISON LAROSA, SHORE

HAVEN DORA, TRINITY HALL

KELLE ANWANDER, TR SOUTH

MAURA CARNEY, JACKSON LIBERTY

SYDNEY HOWELL, TR NORTH

JORDYN KEATING & KYA JOSEPH, DONOVAN CATHOLIC

ALEXIS VOORHEES, BRICK MEMORIAL

LISA SHAVER, POINT BORO

BROOKE HOLLAWELL, MANASQUAN, JR. 5’7 G 15 girls TEAMS

to

watch in 2021

n St. John Vianney

n St. Rose

n Neptune

n Donovan Catholic

n Holmdel

n Red Bank Catholic

n Manchester

n Red Bank

n Toms River North

n Jackson Liberty

n Manasquan

n Rumson-Fair Haven

n Marlboro

n Jackson Memorial

n Trinity Hall

13

Jan. 26 Matt Manley

By: Senior Staff Writer

or the third straight season and fifth time in the last seven years, Asbury Park has a new head boys basketball coach. After making his head coaching debut leading the Blue Bishops football team in the fall, Nick Famularo will now coach the varsity basketball squad, which will feature a number of players who suited up for him on the gridiron.

F

Head

Coach:

Nick Famularo, 1st season 2019-2020

Record:

Senior Najier Massie is Asbury Park’s top returning guard and overall player with his three prior years of varsity experience. Senior Makai Brown-Jones did not contribute last year but has been an impact varsity performer in the past and will provide a big lift to the starting lineup.

Juniors Lydell Brown and Kervin Herring will be key on the defensive end and the glass, while sophomore Jaisun Brown – Asbury Park’s talented young quarterback – brings a lot of size and athleticism to the starting five.

3-16

(3-9, tied fifth in Class B Central) 2020 Postseason Performance:

Did not reach postseason Projected

Lineup

Najier Massie Mikai Brown-Jones Jai’Sun Brown Lydell Brown Kervin Herring

Sr. Sr. So. Jr. Jr.

RS – Returning Starter.

5-10 6-1 6-5 5-11 5-11

Guard (RS) Guard Center (R) Forward (R) Forward (R)

Asbury Park’s bench is young as well, with two juniors in Salvador Berardesco and Tajier Burrus and a trio of sophomores to provide backup to the starting five. With some senior leadership on the floor in Massie and Brown-Jones and enough

R – Returning Varsity Player

athleticism to bother the other Group I teams in their pod, the Blue Bishops have designs on putting last year’s three-win showing far away in the rearview mirror.

Key Losses

Eryck Brown, 5-10, Guard Off the Bench

Davon Foster, So., 5-10, Guard (R) Shaborn Goodman, So., 5-10, Guard (R) Salvador Berardesco, Jr., 6-4, Forward (R) Javon King, So., 6-2, Forward (R) Tajier Burrus, Jr., 6-0, Forward Player to WatcH

Mikai Brown-Jones A standout athlete – Brown-Jones is an All-Shore wide receiver on the football field – and one of the two seniors leading the way for Asbury Park, Brown-Jones has shown he can score in varsity game and he will have to do that, plus a little bit of everything else as one of the leaders on this year’s Blue Bishops team.

Big Shoes to Fill

Na’Jier Massie Massie is as dependable as any player on Asbury Park’s team, which is why Famularo will turn to him to bring energy and direction to the game. Eryck Brown was a top scorer over the past two seasons and while Brown-Jones will cover some of those losses, Massie is now the elder statesman and the player who will set the tone for Asbury Park.

Impact Newcomers

Jai’Sun Brown Brown is a gifted all-around athlete, which he has exhibited since grabbing the starting quarterback job at Asbury Park as a freshman in 2019. He has grown to 6-foot-5, which makes Brown-Jones a real weapon against this schedule this season.

X-Factor

Strong Start Speaking of the schedule, the construction of Asbury Park’s slate lends itself to a good start if the Blue Bishops can hit the ground running under

Top

Key Returners

Head

Coach:

2019-2020 Record:

David Johnson

12-14

(6-8 in Class B Central)

Jasmine Carter Ava Wilson Shyasia Parker Tyasia Cooper

Jr. Jr. Sr. So.

Amequa Legagneur Jaionie Murray Esther Paul

So. Jr. Jr.

Matt Manley

By: Senior Staff Writer

Head

Coach:

Geoff Billet, 14th season 2019-2020

Record:

15-13

(9-5, third in Class A North) 2020 Postseason Performance:

Did not participate in Shore Conference Tournament; reached NJSIAA South Jersey NonPublic A quarterfinal (lost to Camden Catholic) Projected Lineup

Colin Farrell Pat Lautato Mike White John Straley Dane Moran RS – Returning Starter.

Sr. Jr. Sr. Sr. Sr

6-1 6-1 6-3 6-1 6-8

Guard (RS) Guard (R) Guard (RS) Guard (R) Center (RS)

R – Returning Varsity Player

rom the overhead view, the 2019-20 season was one of the more disappointing campaigns by a CBA basketball team considering the Colts’ high standards: they lost 13 out of 28 games, dropped the Founder’s Cup rivalry game vs. Red Bank Catholic for the first time, finished third in the

F 14

Class A North division and were forced to withdraw from the Shore Conference Tournament because they played one too many games ahead of the cutoff. Both because of and despite all that, CBA’s players are dying for another bite at the apple this season, with plenty of talented players coming back to correct the shortcomings.

CBA effectively played just two seniors last year and none of its regular starters were seniors, meaning that whatever hardship the team endured, it was at least partially the product of a young team growing up together. Ryan Mabrey has been a noteworthy name at CBA since he started as a freshman and his transfer to Indiana power La Lumiere does take away some of CBA’s potential, but the Colts played for a good part of last year without the 6-foot-4 point guard due to

injury. They also have to replace versatile 6-4 wing Ryan Cremen, who has opted not to play this season.

While the number of losses from the starting lineup is greater than the Colts anticipated, the return of three starters – Colin Farrell, Mike White and 6-8 center Dane Moran – give CBA plenty of experience upon which to lean.

Farrell and White are all-division guards and Moran has size that no team in CBA’s pod (Marlboro, Freehold Township, Freehold Boro, Middletown South and Manalapan) can match.

The Colts also have some younger and less experienced

SR. COLIN FARRELL

Keansburg

4 p.m.

Jan. 28 at Keansburg

4 p.m.

Feb. 1 vs. Henry Hudson

4 p.m.

Feb. 3 at Henry Hudson

4 p.m.

vs.

Feb. 9 at Point Beach

5:30 p.m.

Feb. 11 vs. Point Beach

4 p.m.

Feb. 15 vs. Keyport

4 p.m.

Feb. 17 at Keyport

4 p.m.

Feb. 23 at Ocean

5:30 p.m.

Feb. 25 vs. Ocean

4 p.m.

Famularo. Keansburg and Henry Hudson were with Asbury Park in the bottom three spots in the Class B Central standings in 2019-20, so if Asbury Park can go 3-1 again in those four games, it might build up some momentum for the Blue Bishops to ride as the schedule ramps up. They also eased their schedule by switching two games with Mater Dei Prep at the end of the season and inserted two against an Ocean team that will be working in new players this year.

Newcomers

Maranda Espana Olguin So. Amaya Hodge So. Kim Felix Sr.

Jan. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. feb.

Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb.

29 2 4 6 8 10 13 16 18 22 24

vs. vs. at at vs. at at at vs. at vs.

Ishea Elbey So. Hill Tasia

Marlboro Freehold Boro Freehold Boro Ranney Middletown South Middletown South Marlboro Freehold Twp. Freehold Twp. Manalapan Manalapan

Fr.

PPD, TBA

6:45 p.m.

5 p.m.

1 p.m.

6:45 p.m.

6:30 p.m 11 a.m..

5:30 p.m.

6:45 p.m.

3:45 p.m.

6:45 p.m.

players that should fill out the rotation and bolster the depth in 2021. Junior Pat Lautato also missed significant time in 2019-20 and is ready to jump into the starting five. Senior guard John Staley has the early edge in the competition for the open starting spot and will be a key rotation piece in whichever role he earns. Sophomore Will Bradley, meanwhile, got a taste of the varsity game as a freshman – rare for first-year players at the Academy – and should provide a jolt to the team as a sophomore. Another sophomore, Joe Brown, will be in the mix for that fifth spot in the lineup and important minutes. After turning in a spirited effort in last year’s NJSIAA Tournament, CBA is a seniorladen squad ready for a bounceback year as one of the contenders to finish in the Shore’s top spot.

Continued

>

Key Losses

Impact Newcomers

Ryan Mabrey, Jr., 6-4, Guard

Will Bradley and Joe White With Cremen and Mabrey gone prior to their graduation years, CBA has two unexpected holes to fill in the starting lineup that it wasn’t thinking about filling a year ago. With Lautato, the Colts have a simple answer to one of those openings but replacing Cremen – a well-rounded player on both ends – on relatively short notice will be the tough one. Straley is the senior who is ready to go, while Bradley and White both provide some upside as sophomores who will take the torch for the for the program in the years to come.

(transferred to La Lumiere, Ind.)

Ryan Cremen, Sr., 6-4, Forward (opted out) Charlie Ruoff, 6-3, Forward Off the Bench

Will Bradley, So., 6-2, Forward (R) Joe White, So., 6-3, Forward Dillon Kneucker, Sr., 6-4, Center

X-Factor

Jake Buckelew, Sr., 6-5, Center

The Senior Difference With no senior starters last season, CBA had the talent but none of the senior urgency that often fuels great teams. This year, Farrell, White and Moran are seniors and when the best three players on the team are seniors, there is bound to be a different tone than when the entire starting lineup is made up of juniors and sophomores. If CBA is playing for a championship in the final days of the season, it will be the seniors that get them there.

James Durney, Jr., 5-8, Guard Owen Pegler, Jr., 6-1, Guard/Forward Player to WatcH

Colin Farrell CBA had three players in 2019-20 who could effectively run the point in Farrell, White and Mabrey and Farrell was the most reliable, as well as the best scorer of the trio over the season’s 28 games. He led the Colts with 14.5 points per game to go with three assists and 1.4 steals per night. Playing the point with Mabrey sidelined last year gave Farrell a good sense of what his role will be this season, which should benefit both him and his team.

Big Shoes to Fill

Pat Lautato Coach Geoff Billet was not afraid to throw Lautato into the fire last year, which he did when Lautato started the second game of the season against Hudson Catholic before sustaining an injury that cost him a chunk of his sophomore season. Now a junior, Lautato will be a key piece for the Colts – another shooter at the guard spot for which opposing teams will need to account.

SR. DANE MORAN

Photo by:

SR. MIKE WHITE

15

Jan. Jan. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb.

Matt Manley

By: Senior Staff Writer

year’s Cougars squad was especially young, with just two regular contributors graduating from the five-win team – one of whom was leading scorer Aiden Horan.

Head

Coach:

Lou Piccola, 22nd season 2019-2020

Record:

5-17

(2-12, eighth in Class B North) 2020 Postseason Performance:

Did not reach postseason Projected Lineup

Richard Lee Will Surdez Steve Ciccarone Ronak Sandeep Tommy Fallon

Sr. So. Sr. Jr. Jr.

5-9 6-3 6-1 6-4 6-2

Guard (RS) Guard (RS) Guard (RS) Forward (R) Forward (R)

RS – Returning Starter.

R – Returning Varsity Player

Despite losing a top scorer, Colts Neck has every reason to expect a turnaround season thanks to a more experienced roster that has plenty of athleticism and physical toughness.

Four regular contributors are back from 2019-20, led by returning starters Richard Lee, Steve Ciccarone and Will Surdez. Lee and Ciccarone are well-rounded guards, with Lee running the point and Ciccarone playing on the wing, while Surdez is a sophomore coming off a freshman season in which he became one of Colts Neck’s most dependable players.

Juniors Tommy Fallon and Ronak Sandeep will provide the frontcourt presence for Colts Neck, with Fallon coming off a stellar fall as the quarterback on Colts Neck’s 6-1 football team. The bench should provide a mix of skill and athleticism, with 6-foot-3 Delano Marcelus adding some more muscle down low and a wave of guards led by returning senior Matt Piperno that will back up Lee, Surdez and Ciccarone. After a 2020 to forget, Colts Neck is positioned to make 2021 far more memorable.

Vivan Gandhi, Jr., 5-11, Guard (R) Cade Chrebet, Jr., 5-9, Guard/Forward (R) John Runfolo, Jr., 5-10, Guard Anthony Esposito, Jr., 5-8, Guard (R) Will Surdez Surdez turned in a memorable freshman season, which included a buzzer-beating tip-in to beat Middletown North in one of the Cougars’ two divisional wins. Now a sophomore, Surdez will be even more relied-upon for scoring, but should have help around the floor thanks to an athletic roster and an offensive system that always spreads the wealth.

Player to WatcH:

Tommy Fallon Fallon provided some production in spurts last season and will be asked to take on a bigger role as a junior now that he will be a regular starter. With some good scoring and play-making ability on the perimeter with Lee and Surdez, Fallon and Sandeep will just need to finish around the basket and earn some second chances on the glass when it comes to the offensive side. Defensively, Fallon will be reliable guarding multiple positions and that side of the ball should be an overall strength for the Cougars.

Big Shoes to Fill:

Key Losses

ust three years removed from reaching an NJSIAA sectional championship game for the fourth time in eight seasons, Colts Neck is trying to shake out the cobwebs of back-to-back losing seasons – unfamiliar territory for one of the Shore’s most consistently strong public programs since the school opened at the turn of the millennium. Last

J

Head

Coach:

Off the Bench

Matteo Piperno, Sr., 5-11, Guard (R) Delano Marcelus, Sr., 6-2, Forward (R)

2019-2020 Record:

Bryan Parks, 1st season

: John Runfolo Runfolo will be a key bench piece this season along with fellow junior guards Gandhi and Chrebet – the son of former New York Jets wide receiver Wayne Chrebet.

Runfolo is another two-sport athlete who played a big role on the Cougars football team and will bring some more

Impact Newcomer

Aidan Horan, 6-0, Guard Ryan Thaler, 6-2, Forward

16-10

(7-7 in Class B North)

27 29 2 4 8 10 11 16 18 22 24 26

Head

Coach:

Ben DiBiase, 11th season 2019-2020

Record:

6-21

Top

Jessica Thesing

Sr. (6.9ppg, 3.4apg)

Madison Hunt

Jr.

Ashley Cataneo

Sr.

Kiera Jacobs Megan Smith Kaitlyn Torres Julianna Gibson

(3-11, seventh in Class A North) 2020 Postseason Performance:

Did not reach Shore Conference Tournament; lost in NJSIAA Central Jersey Group III first round (Somerville) Projected Lineup

Ryan Neel Mario Rivera Mike Sikaras Jiasion Carpenter Tyler Ochojski

Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Jr.

6-1 5-10 6-0 6-6 6-2

Guard (RS) Guard (RS) Guard (RS) Forward (RS) Forward (R

RS – Returning Starter.

R – Returning Varsity Player

On top of bringing back four senior starters in Ryan Neely, Jiasion Carpenter, Mike Sikaras and Mario Rivera, Freehold Boro will have a healthy Tyler Ochojski – a 6-foot-2 junior forward who will round out the lineup and provide some more size and strength inside with the 6-6 Carpenter. Neely is playing his fourth varsity season and is coming off a season in which he averaged 9.3 points and 3.4 assists, while Rivera and Sikaras bring well-rounded games to the back court.

A talented young bench could also help the Colonials, with sophomore returnee Joe Caleo and classmates Mike Bisaha and Chris Lang – as well as

Key Losses

Bekim Krkuti, 6-4, Forward Allen Rahanoff, 5-7, Guard Off the Bench

Joe Caleo, So., 5-10, Guard (R) Christian DiGiso, Fr., 5-11, Guard Mike Bisaha, So., 5-7, Guard Chris Lang, So., 6-1, Forward Jiasion Carpenter At 6-6 with a versatile skill set, Carpenter is an emerging star in the Shore Conference with some highlights already on his resume. His performance vs. Freehold Township (21 points, 14 rebounds, six steals and three blocks) propelled the Colonials to the upset last year

Player to WatcH:

Head

Coach:

Jennifer Brzucki, 16th season Career Record: 152-150 16

2019-2020 Record:

(0-12 in Class A North)

3-18

Jr. Jr. Sr.

Tyler Ochojski Bekim Krkuti was a reliable scoring source last season and stepped up when Ochojski got injured early last season. Strangely enough, after Krikuti did a solid job filling in for Ochojski, it is now Ochojski who jumps back into the lineup to help pick up the production left behind by Krkuti. One of the Shore’s top tight ends and pass-rushers on the football field, Ochojski is a difference-maker on the court with his athleticism and with a healthy six weeks, he should be primed for a big season as the junior in an otherwise senior-packed lineup. : Mike Bisaha and Chris Lang Joe Caleo showed promise as a freshman last season and Freehold Boro will put its developmental chops to the test by calling on Bisaha and Lang to join him as sophomore depth pieces. With Marlboro, CBA and

Impact Newcomers

Top

at vs. at vs.

Taryn Jacobs Izzy Marcinkiewicz Katie Finnegan Sarah Moran Lauren Zeltser

Sr. Sr. Sr. Jr.

Big Shoes to Fill:

Abigail Cowles Sr. Michelle Hon Sr. Christina DelQuaglio Sr.

at vs.

Newcomers

and was the headline game in a junior season that saw Carpenter average 12.9 points, 9.3 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game. Heading into his senior season, Carperter is drawing interest from multiple NJAC programs, according to coach Ben DiBiase.

Key Returners

Maddy Bideaux Amy Potochar Gianna Praet

at

Winning breeds winning While last year’s basketball season was not up to Colts Neck’s usual standards, a number of other Cougars athletic programs have enjoyed newfound success and a number of athletes from those teams are on the varsity hoops roster.

Ciccarone and Gandhi were on Colts Neck’s first sectional championship soccer team in 20 years this past fall, while Fallon, Surdez, Marcelus, Runfolo and Chrebet all played for the rejuvenated football program in the fall as well. Piccola and his team are now hoping that winning culture carries over to the basketball court, where Colts Neck should benefit from more game experience that carries over from last year.

Matt Manley

T

vs.

5:30 p.m.

5:30 p.m.

7 p.m.

5:30 p.m.

5:30 p.m.

6:45 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

5:30 p.m.

3:45 p.m.

5:30 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

5:30 p.m.

X-Factor:

Key Returners

freshman Christian DiGiso – leading the youthful wave. Navigating the treacherous waters of a pod that includes Christian Brothers Academy, Marlboro, Freehold Township, Manalapan and Middletown South puts the Colonials back in a bind as far as the schedule is concerned, but this is the most equipped they have been to handle the A-North-style schedule in some time.

at vs.

Holmdel Holmdel St. John Vianney St. John Vianney Matawan Matawan Jackson Liberty Raritan Raritan, Middletown North Middletown North Freehold Boro

defense and slashing ability to the back court when he is out there.

By: Senior Staff Writer

he initial Shore Conference realignment set for 2020-21 moved Freehold Boro out of the topheavy Class A North division and into a division in which the Colonials could have made some noise.

With the shortened season, however, they move back into a pod with a few old rivals and will test themselves against some of the Shore’s best teams.

The Colonials look like a team ready for the challenge too, with four starters back from a team that, despite losing 21 games, competed with a number of quality teams and even scored a big win over rival Freehold Township.

at vs.

Newcomers

Alexandra Ranaudo Jr. Breanna Cies Fr. Jaci Cascone Jr.

Jan. Jan. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb.

27 vs.

29 vs.

2 at 4 vs.

6 at 8 vs.

10 at 16 vs.

18 at 22 vs.

24 at 26 at

Middletown South Middletown South CBA CBA Point Boro Manalapan Manalapan Marlboro Marlboro Freehold Twp. Freehold Twp. Colts Neck

Jr. Jr. So. So. So.

6:30 p.m.

5 p.m.

6:45 p.m.

5 p.m.

1 p.m.

5 p.m.

3:45 p.m.

5 p.m.

4 p.m.

5 p.m.

5:30 p.m.

5:30 p.m.

Freehold Township all set to employ deep, talented rosters, any team hoping to compete with them will have to have options off the bench and the sophomore trio plus DiGiso will be tasked with backing up the senior-laden starting lineup.

X-Factor:

Experience Even with 37 combined losses over the past two seasons, Freehold Boro scored a big win in each one – Middletown South in 2019 and Freehold Township last year – as it attempted to lay the groundwork for a breakout 2021. With those big games to draw upon, the Colonials are now going through the grind in trying to make those types of wins a more regular occurrence while playing against a schedule that won’t be any more forgiving. Running with similarly veteran teams in CBA, Marlboro and Freehold Township will be difficult, but the Colonials might be well-situated to beat everyone else while still having a chance to knock off one of the favorites.

Jan. Jan. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb.

Matt Manley

By: Senior Staff Writer

ast year’s 11-16 season was a disappointment for a Freehold Township team coming off a 2019 NJSIAA Central Jersey Group IV championship, but it could turn out to be a positive if it follows a developing pattern. After reaching the Central Jersey Group IV title game in 2017, the Patriots went 11-13 with an inexperienced team in 2017-18 before coming back the next year loaded with seniors that led them to the program’s first ever sectional title. Those seniors then graduated and another 11-win, losing season followed There is no sectional championship to win this year, but Freehold Township could be the dark horse to finish atop a very difficult six-team pod (CBA, Marlboro, Middletown South, Manalapan and Freehold Boro) thanks to a senior-loaded roster that goes very, very deep. The Patriots return an entire starting lineup from last year, although they used a number of different lineups over the course of last season and are likely to do the same during the early part of 2021.

L

Head

Coach:

Brian Golub, 26th season 2019-2020

11-16

Record:

(6-8, fifth in Class A North) 2020 Postseason Performance:

Lost in Shore Conference Tournament first round (St. Rose); lost in NJSIAA Central Jersey Group IV first round (North Brunswick) Projected

Lineup

Zach Orrico Jayce Schapiro Anthony Barthel Jayden Holmes-Cotter Joe Lardaro

Sr. Sr. Sr. So. Sr.

5-8 5-10 6-2 6-5 6-5

Guard (RS) Guard (RS) Guard (RS) F/C (RS) Forward (R)

RS – Returning Starter.

R – Returning Varsity Player

to provide a spark off the bench.

Last season ended with the Patriots losing nine of their last 10 games, but a senior-heavy team is likely change that narrative in a hurry. Competing with Marlboro and CBA for the top spot in the pod and positioning themselves for the championship pod to close the season will be ambitious goals, but they are the kind of goals coach Brian Golub and Freehold Township embrace when the program boasts this much talent and experience.

Key Losses

: None

Freehold Township’s sub-six-foot back court might not jump out on the layup line with their lack of size but they both players set the tone for the Patriots on both ends of the floor. Schapiro was Freehold Township’s leading scorer at 11.8 points per game last season while Orrico averaged eight points and five assists as a junior after starting as a sophomore on the title team. There is plenty of depth to spell the two senior guards and to mix up the lineup around them, but the Patriots will likely go as they go.

Big Shoes to Fill

Off the Bench

Bobby O’Brien, Jr., 6-2, Guard (R) Matt Cardone, Sr., 5-8, Guard (R) Bryan Potter, Sr., 6-3, Forward (R) Lorenzo Chirichella, Sr., 6-1, Forward (R) Shane O’Malley, Sr., 6-0, Guard (R) Jake Stern, Sr., 6-0, Guard Josh Ibarreta, Jr., 5-9, Guard Christian Mojares, Jr., 5-10, Guard Malachi Harris, So., Guard Tommy Lucas, Sr., Guard Ryan Keegan, Jr., Guard

Seniors Zach Orrico, Jayce Schapiro and Joe Lardaro played in the Patriots’ regular rotation during the championship season of 2018-19 and will lead the senior core this year. Anthony Barthel got major minutes at the end of last year while Matt Cardone, Lorenzo Chirichella and Bryan Potter all look to build on their junior-year contributions. The two non-seniors who could take a big step forward are 6-foot-5 sophomore Jayden Holmes-Cotter and junior guard Bobby O’Brien, with Holmes-Cotter pushing his way into the starting P l a y e r s t o W a t c H lineup as a freshman last year and O’Brien again ready Jayce Schapiro and Zach Orrico

The Senior Class With only one senior graduating from last year’s team, there aren’t any major holes to fill from last year’s team. For this group of seniors, however, they will be trying to follow up a 2019 class that left a lasting legacy by delivering the program its first ever sectional title two years ago but authoring a similar ending to their careers. On top of that, while Golub is not committing to anything beyond this season, he has admitted to being on a year-toyear plan when it comes to retiring. A memorable season could provide either a fitting sendoff or motivation to return for Freehold Township’s accomplished 26-year head coach.

Head

Coach:

Mike Stoia, 8th season Career Record: 95-89

2019-2020 Record:

17-10

(7-5 in Class A North)

Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr.

(14.8ppg, 11.4rpg) (8ppg, 5.8rpg) (10.8ppg, 4.4rpg) (4.7ppg, 3.6rpg) (5.9ppg)

Top

Jr. Jr. So. So. Fr.

Matt Manley

By: Senior Staff Writer

oming off a 2-23 record in 2019-20, it takes a long, hard look to find the silver linings for the Henry Hudson program, but they are there. On the down side, the Admirals graduated their top three scorers from last year as well, which means there is an element of mystery surrounding where Henry Hudson will get its offense. They are also playing in a small-school pod that, while not overwhelming, features Keyport and Keansburg teams poised to improve and Mater Dei Prep and Point Pleasant Beach programs that have been at least a level above the rest of the field.

C

Head

Coach:

Brian Kelly, 1st season 2019-2020

Record:

2-23

(0-12, seventh in Class B Central) 2020 Postseason Performance:

Did not reach postseason Projected

Jax Ross Trevor Hendrickson James Crowley Mike Kalaka Dimitrius Harvey

Lineup

So. Sr. Sr. Jr. Jr.

RS – Returning Starter.

Head

5-10 6-1 6-5 6-4 6-4

Guard (R) Guard (RS) F/c (RS) F/c (R) Forward (R)

R – Returning Varsity Player

Coach:

Ryan Patrick, 3rd season

Fortunately for the Admirals program, a promising group of experienced varsity players remains and new coach Brian Kelly will be tasked with helping them make progress over the next several years. For the returning senior starters – guard Trevor Hendrickson and forward James Crowley – this year means a lot too and the two seasoned veterans will try to lead their young teammates to more success within the Shore this year.

Juniors Mike Kalaka and Dimitrius Harvey both made an impact as sophomores last year and will be full-time starters in 2021, while sophomore Jax Ross saw time as a freshman and could be one of the

Career Record:

21-33

breakout guards to watch within the Shore’s smallschool pod. Junior Quinn Casey is set to help off the bench and Brandon Hendrickson will contribute as a freshman. The schedule should give Henry Hudson both a chance to pick up some wins while also stepping up its level of play as the Admirals aim to navigate closer to the front of the Class B Central fleet.

Key Losses

Grady Hendrickson, 6-0, Guard Mike Mohr, 6-1, Forward Sean Haupt, Guard Aiden Casey, 6-0, Guard

seniors in the starting lineup so he will try to run a steady ship upon which the younger players can thrive.

James Crowley Henry Hudson lost its top scorers from a year ago, including physical forward Mike Mohr, but Crowley is a key cog within the group of experienced returnees. He is also the senior member of a front court that features enough size that can give the Admirals an advantage in a number of their 2021 games. Crowley is a likely candidate to lead the team in scoring and rebounding but more than that, the senior leadership on a team that is still young and working under a new head coach is just as valuable.

Big Shoes to Fill:

: Brandon Hendrickson Quinn Casey, Jr., 6-0, Guard Yet another Hendrickson joins Henry Hudson this year, with Brandon Hendrickson, Fr., 6-1, Guard Brandon joining the Admirals bench as a freshman to provide his team with some depth and shooting in his first Player to WatcH: year. Henry Hudson played a good number of players last Trevor Hendrickson Trevor was the younger Henderson brother last season, year but Kelly might like less balance in the minutes playing a supporting backcourt role alongside older distribution if it means the Admirals keep more games brother Grady. Trevor Hendrickson is the top returning closer for longer. In either case, Brandon Hendrickson scorer on the Admirals and will lead the effort on the should see meaningful minutes and establish himself in perimeter on both ends of the floor. He is also one of two year one.

Off the Bench

2019-2020 Record:

(8-6 in Class B Central)

13-14

vs. at at at vs. vs. vs. at at vs.

Manalapan Manalapan Middletown South Middletown South Barnegat Marlboro Marlboro Howell CBA CBA Freehold Boro Freehold boro

5:30 p.m.

3:45 p.m.

5:30 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

11 a.m.

4 p.m.

5:30 p.m.

11:30 a.m.

5:30 p.m.

6:45 p.m.

5 p.m.

5:30 p.m.

Jayden Holmes-Cotter The Patriots have plenty of athletes to swap in and out and play in different positions on the floor, but Holmes-Cotter is both a more defined player and potentially unique weapon. At a sturdy 6-5 with good scoring touch, Holmes-Cotter was a top scoring option by the end of last season and is also a candidate to post some double-doubles over the course of the season. If he can settle in defensively and keep producing on offense, he could prove to be one of the Shore’s better big men before he hits his junior season.

Newcomers

Alex Magliozo Alyse Withstandley Julia Wallace Gianna Patti Faith Kopec

at

X-Factor:

: Newcomers?

Jason Golub was the lone senior in last year’s rotation and the Patriots are bringing back 11

Maddie Garze Sr. Courtney Campbell Sr. Emily Haberstroh Sr.

vs.

players from that mix plus a number of additional players who suited up on the varsity team.

Sophomore Malachi Harris and juniors Ryan Keegan, Christian Mojares and Josh Ibaretta could find themselves in bigger roles this year, but for the most part, the Patriots are likely to run out a lineup and rotation that closely resembles the 2019-20 version.

If the extra year of experience does not provide a sufficient boost to the wins and losses, however, Golub has enough options to mix things up.

Impact Newcomer

Key Returners

Hannah Orloff Kaylie Elsbree Tanya Elsbree Lindsay Lloyd Emily Tran

27 29 2 4 6 8 10 13 16 18 22 24

Jan. Jan. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb.

26 vs. Mater Dei Prep 28 at Mater Dei Prep 1 at Asbury Park 3 vs. Asbury Park 9 at Keyport 11 vs. Keyport 13 vs. Manville 17 vs. Keansburg 19 at Keansburg 23 vs. Point Beach 25 at Point Beach 26 vs. Monmouth

5:30 p.m.

5:30 p.m.

5:30 p.m.

5:30 p.m.

5:30 p.m.

5:30 p.m.

11:30 p.m.

5:30 p.m.

3:45 p.m.

5:30 p.m.

5:30 p.m.

5:30 p.m.

Impact Newcomer

X-Factor:

The front court Henry Hudson has three projected starters 6-4 or taller and in a de facto Class B Central field, that gives the Admirals an advantage to exploit – at least among the public-school teams. Crowley is the most established of the trio, but Mike Kalaka and Demitrius Harvey both came on strong during their sophomore seasons and each have the capacity to be Henry Hudson’s top inside option.

Key Returners

Top

Ann M c Gavin Lili Mednis Lauren M c Cahon Ellie Hendrickson

Shannon Forbess Jordan Lombardi Emily Rogers Mackenzie Denzler Taylor Shearer

Sr. (6ppg, 8.6rpg) Sr. (4.4ppg) sr. (3ppg, 3rpg) So.

Newcomers

Sr. Jr. So. Fr. Fr. 17

Matt Manley

By: Senior Staff Writer

Head

Projected starter Nick Spada returns with a small dose of varsity experience from last year, while fellow senior Antony Pesce will provide some shooting when on the floor and classmate Connor Hinds brings plenty of defense a n d overall

Coach:

Sean Devaney, 15th season 2 0 1 9 - 2 0 2 0 R e c o r d : 23-5 (12-2, second in Class A Central) 2020 Postseason Performance:

Reached Shore Conference Tournament semifinals (lost to Manasquan); reached NJSIAA Central Jersey Group II final (lost to Manasquan) Projected Lineup

Nick Spada James Vallillo Alex Baker Ryan Bradley Kyle Polivka

Sr. Fr. Sr. Sr. Sr.

RS – Returning Starter.

5-9 6-0 6-5 6-5 6-3

Guard (R) Guard F/C (RS) Forward (R) Forward (R)

quickness to the lineup off the bench. Forward Kyle Polivka is another senior ready to make an impact and he will do his work closer to the basket with Baker. A trio of freshmen will be the wild card for Holmdel’s season, with James Vallillo looking to start on opening night and Ben Kipnis poised for big minutes off the bench.

Key Losses

Doug Chan, 6-1, Guard Derek Chan, 6-1, Guard Jack Giamanco, 5-10, Guard Eric Hinds, 5-11, Guard Pete Cannizzo, 6-0, Guard/Forward John Curreri, 6-2, Forward

Alex Baker Holmdel’s memorable 2019-20 season was the ultimate team effort but if there was a standout, it was Baker. A Second Team SSN All-Shore selection as a junior, Baker was one of eight Shore Conference players to average a double-double last season (12.9 points, 10.8 rebounds) and he is one of just two returning for the 2021 season.

With Holmdel graduating every guard who played meaningful minutes, Baker will be even more of a focal point this season.

On top of bringing back its top player, Holmdel will not have to face Manasquan this season and if that matchup does eventually happen, it will either be because the teams needed to add a game due to a COVID-related cancelation or because both made it to the end-of-season championship pod tournament. Last year, Manasquan handed Holmdel four of its five losses on the season – two of them in Class A Central divisional play, one in the Shore Conference Tournament semifinal and the final blow in the Central Jersey Group II final.

Baker ’s retur n and a new pod that does not include traditional A Central rivals Manasquan and Rumson-Fair Haven will make Holmdel’s transition to 2021 a little easier, but replacing four starters and six regular senior contributors from the No. 2 team in the final 2020 Shore Sports Network Top 10 will not be so easy. The only other player back with big-game experience from 2020 is 6-5 wing Ryan Bradley, who has the athleticism to defend any position and be a menace on the glass and going to the basket. He is not, however, a prototypical highschool guard and Holmdel coach Sean Devaney will be looking for a few of those to team up with the long, athletic Baker-Bradley duo.

Career Record:

18

172-141

at vs. at vs. vs. at vs. at vs. at

Colts Neck Colts Neck Middletown North Middletown North St. John Vianney St. John Vianney Red Bank Catholic Matawan Matawan Red Bank Raritan Raritan

5:30 p.m.

5:30 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

5:30 p.m.

7 p.m.

5:30 p.m.

5:30 p.m.

6:45 p.m.

5:30 p.m.

1 p.m.

5:30 p.m.

3:45 p.m.

X-Factor:

Big Shoes to Fill

Nick Spada and Kyle Polivka The graduates from last year’s Holmdel squad were almost exclusively guards, but Holmdel did lose a versatile wing in Pete Cannizzo who could play on the interior when the Hornets needed it.

In that sense, Polivka will be a key addition to the starting lineup and will try to bring some of the allaround toughness and versatility R that Cannizzo so often did.

S . RYAN B

Guard play When a team graduates five of its first six players in the rotation, it leaves a void regardless of what kind of players they were. Fortunately for Holmdel, its one 2020 All-Shore selection is also its lone returnee and Bradley is a 6-5 athlete who made an impact in the 2020 rotation as well. With plenty of size and athleticism from those two, the Hornets just need the new backcourt rotation to hold its own early and develop into a competent unit over the course of the season. If the seniors can be solid and the freshmen learn quickly, Holmdel should again be in the championship mix in the last week of the season.

RADLEY

Ultimately, however, Holmdel will need their guards – all of whom will be playing major varsity minutes for the first time – to acclimate quickly around Baker. Spada is the one guard who at least got a helping of varsity time and he will help set the tone for the inexperienced group by getting the Hornets into their offense and leading on the defensive end.

Photos by:

SR. ALEX BAKER

Key Returners

Coach:

at

James Vallillo Devaney is optimistic the three freshmen who are slated to play with the varsity squad this season are all ready to contribute and Vallillo is a legitimate candidate to start on opening night. The sixfoot guard has the athleticism and allaround game to make the biggest freshman impact at Holmdel since Kyle Cardaci was a go-to scorer as a freshman for the Hornets in 201415 and one of the Shore’s top scorers by his sophomore year.

Player to WatcH

H

vs.

Impact Newcomer

Anthony Pesce, Sr., 6-0, Guard Ben Kipnis, Fr., 6-1, G/f Connor Hinds, Sr., 6-0, Guard Saverio Bodnar, Jr., 5-9, Guard Nick Seeloch, Fr., 5-9, Guard

R – Returning Varsity Player

Darren Ault, 3rd season

26 29 2 4 8 10 12 16 18 20 22 24

Off the Bench

olmdel enters the 2021 season with two headlines that are decidedly encouraging: Alex Baker is back and Manasquan is nowhere to be found on the schedule. The 6-foot-5 Baker was an SSN Second-Team All-Shore selection as a junior and was a standout on a team that didn’t seek to ride any one player to victor y, but always seemed to turn to Baker in a big game.

Head

Jan. Jan. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb.

2019-2020 Record:

(7-7 in Class A Central)

16-12

Ryann Taylor Olivia Palmer Lindsay Cannon Abbey Ferguson Mackenzi Greene

Sr. Sr. Sr. Jr. Jr

Top

(10ppg, 4 rpg) (6ppg, 4rpg) (4rpg, 4rpg) (9ppg, 7rpg) (7.2ppg)

Newcomers

Emma Quirk Katie O’Brien Molly Julian Erica Stolker Katherine Martini

Sr. Jr. Sr. So. Jr.

Alexandra Loucopoulos Mia Giamanco Allison Cannon

So. Jr. Fr.

Nicole Worobel

Jr.

Matt Manley

By: Senior Staff Writer

Head

division that featured five teams that were ranked in the SSN Top 10 at one point during the season, Howell picked up five divisional wins and locked down 10 for the season with a roster that had some good senior leadership, but also a lot of underclass production.

Coach:

Patrick Ramsay, 8 season 2 0 1 9 - 2 0 2 0 R e c o r d : 10-15 th

(5-9, sixth in Class A North) 2020 Postseason Performance:

Did not qualify for Shore Conference Tournament; lost in NJSIAA Central Jersey Group IV first round (Middletown South)

Center Jake George is another returning starter and one of two seniors in the rotation, along with guard and baseball standout Chris Ellison. Sophomore Damien Padilla – a transfer from Georgia – played varsity basketball as a freshman and will inject some length and athleticism into the rotation, while also adding to the upside of the Rebels over the next two years. With a move into a pod the is home to five programs from Ocean County, Howell could claw its way to the a first-place finish and favorable postseason draw.

Projected Lineup

5-7 6-3 6-0 6-0, 6-3

There won’t be as much senior presence on this year’s Howell team as there was last year, but the Rebels have a collection of juniors that made a significant impact as sophomores. Joe Dupuis and Abdull Al-Shrouf were two of the team’s most reliable scorers on what was a balanced offensive squad and the two guards will team up with classmate and point guard Dylan McVeigh to form a capable, well-rounded backcourt trio. Junior guard Nick Gallo joins that group as well, making Howell a guard-heavy attack again this season.

Dylan McVeigh Joe Dupuis Abdull Al-Shrouf Nick Gallo Jake George

Jr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Sr.

Guard (RS) Guard (RS) Guard (RS) Guard (R) center (R)

RS – Returning Starter.

R – Returning Varsity Player

Key Losses

I

Chris Ellison, Sr., 6-0, Guard/Forward (R) Zach Emery, Jr., 6-0, Guard Marc Tango, Jr., 6-0, Guard Chris Jannarone, Jr., 6-1, Guard/Forward Damien Padilla, So., 6-4, Forward (Transfer from Kempsville, Va.)

Connor Carr, Sr., 6-2, Forward (R)

Abdull Al-Shrouf Shrouf was a reliable supporting scorer at just over seven points per game and he also contributed in a number of other areas. He grabbed four rebounds per game, led the team with three assists per game and is also the best returning foul shooter at 76 percent on the 2019-20 campaign. A successful season at Howell would likely mean a number of players averaging around 10 points and nobody more than 12 or 13, but Al-Shrouf is a candidate to fill up the stat sheet and impact the game in a lot of ways.

Jake George and Nick Gallo George and Gallo jump into starting spots this season in place of Cooper Vogel and Matt Sgroi – the top two scorers by total points on last year’s Rebels team.

Matt Sgroi, 5-9, Guard Chris Acampora, 6-0, Guard Tommy Talbot, 5-10, Guar

Key Returners

Head

Coach:

Joe Santopietro, 6 season Career Record: 62-57 th

2019-2020 Record:

(5-7 in Class A North)

14-13

Grace Leary Caitlin Gresko Mackenzie Bruno Cassandra Conte Kerry DeStefano

26 28 1 3 6 9 11 13 15 17 23 25

vs. vs. at vs. vs. at vs. at at vs. vs. at

Lakewood Lakewood Brick Brick Marlboro Brick Memorial Brick Memorial Freehold Twp. Central Central Jackson Memorial Jackson Memorial

3:45 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

3:45 p.m.

10 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

3:45 p.m.

11:30 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

3:45 p.m.

3:45 p.m.

5:30 p.m.

Player to WatcH

Big Shoes to Fill

Cooper Vogel, 6-2, Forward t is fair to classify Howell’s 2019-20 season as a rebuilding year given how many unproven varsity players were in the lineup and after taking a step bank for a panoramic view, it was a success. Playing in a Class A North

Off the Bench

Jan. Jan. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb.

Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Jr.

Top

(12.6ppg, 3.1rpg) (12.5ppg, 4.3rpg) (8ppg, 4.9rpg) (3.7ppg)

Newcomers

Julia Whesper So. Bri Vacacela

Jr.

Lily Marion

Jr.

Howell won’t need George and Gallo to pick up the lost scoring production – Al-Shrouf, Dupuis and McVeigh will likely lead that effort – but each can find a role within the lineup, particularly with George giving Howell some needed size and strength on the interior..

Impact Newcomer

Damien Padilla Padilla got some varsity experience in Georgia before coming north to play for the Rebels as a promising 6-4 forward. With Howell deep at guard and heavy on juniors, Padilla is a good fit for the roster – he adds size and scoring on the inside and he can grow with the junior nucleus as they steamroll toward a promising next couple of seasons.p.

X-Factor

The new schedule Howell moves from a Class A North division in 201920 that had three teams finish in the SSN Top 10 and two in the top five to a pod with a group of teams that are, like Howell, looking to transition from rebuilding to contending. Plenty of teams in traditionally tough divisions like Class A North have wondered how much damage they could do in more forgiving ones and Howell will get its chance to find out this year.

19

Matt Manley

By: Senior Staff Writer

year after inching up to eight wins, Keansburg comes back with a starting five that boasts playing experience and is built around a returning guard who was one of the Class B Central division’s best offensive players. Behind 5-foot-8 senior Davon Jackson, the Titans will try to go toe-to-toe with a pod that includes fellow Shore Conference Group I rivals Keyport, Point Pleasant Beach, Asbury Park and Henry Hudson, as well as an accomplished non-public program in Mater Dei Prep.

A

Head

Coach:

James McCarthy, 13th season 2019-2020

Record:

8-12

(3-9, tied fifth in Class B Central) 2020 Postseason Performance:

Did not reach postseason Projected

Lineup

Davon Jackson Patrick Beltran Brendan Fanzbaum Devin Acker Hassan Champion

Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr.

RS – Returning Starter.

5-8 5-7 5-9 6-3 6-2

Guard (RS) Guard (RS) Guard (R) Forward (RS) Forward (R)

R – Returning Varsity Player

With Jackson the primary scorer and facilitator on offense, Keansburg coach James McCarthy will look to put the pieces in place around him to make the Titans a complete enough team to improve on their three divisional wins from a year ago. The most encouraging part of the supporting cast is it is made up of almost all seniors, so there will be an experienced, mature element about the team.

Patrick Beltran and Brendan Fanzbaum will share the back court with Jackson after regularly contributing last year – Beltran as a starter.

Keansburg also has a trio of seniors to play on the inside, led by returning 6-3 starter Devin Acker.

Hassan Champion will complement Acker in the starting front court at 6-2 and 6-1 senior Avante Perez is set to provide energy off the bench.

Keansburg’s underclass contribution will come from junior Andrew Valle and sophomore Michael Alonzo – two guards who will be ready to spell the starting trio of Jackson, Beltran and Fanzbaum when needed. The more Keansburg can count on its seniors – particularly Jackson – the better its prospects in 2021.

Key Losses

Nasir Williams, 5-9, Guard Anthony Strydio, 5-10, Guard Dwan Davis, Guard

Central guard will be surrounded by senior role players this season and with more experienced players to do the little things and finish around the basket, Jackson will have the ability to spark the offense with the ball in his hands.

Big Shoes to Fill

Patrick Beltran Keansburg’s three impact losses to graduation were all guards, so the onus falls on Beltran and Fanzbaum to pick up the slack. With Beltran returning as a starter, the football standout will be tasked with continuing to complement Jackson in the back court while also finding opportunities to score.

Impact Newcomers

Off the Bench

Avante Perez, Sr., 6-1, Forward Andrew Valle, Jr., 5-10, Guard Michael Alonzo, So., Guard Player to WatcH

Davon Jackson Jackson upped his scoring average from 12.1 as a sophomore to an even 14 per game as a junior and might be primed for another scoring spike as a senior. The All-B-

Andrew Valle and Michael Alonzo While trying to make the most of roster that has six capable seniors, McCarthy will also be looking to work in some new blood. Valle and Alonzo will be insurance for the starting backcourt trio and in a five-week, 15team game sprint played during a pandemic, it is highly likely that the younger players will get a chance to step in and show what they can do at some point.

Key Returners

Head

Coach:

Jonathan Book, 7th season

2019-2020 Record:

Mackenzie Smith Aerianna Godwin Scarlet Oliva Kiara Castera

6-16

(2-12 in Class B Central)

Sr. Sr. So. So.

Top

Matt Manley

By: Senior Staff Writer

n climbing to 13-10 and with a .500 winning percentage in the Shore Conference Class B Central standings, Keyport carved out a definitive spot in the pecking order within the small-school division of the Shore Conference. The Red Raiders could not get past Point Beach, got wacked by nonpublic powers Ranney and Mater Dei Prep, but handled the bottom of the division (Asbury Park, Henry Hudson and Keansburg). This year, the Red Raiders bring back the vast majority of their key cogs and will be looking to make the leap to the next level.

Junior D.J. Thomson leads a starting lineup that is likely to feature two other juniors – part of top six that also features three seniors. Forwards Troy Alvarez and Damon Jones and guard Jake Mitchell are the three senior leaders on the team and will be a driving force in making sure Keyport is making the most out of this year’s opportunity behind its talented junior trio of Thomson, Anthony Longo and George Mitchell. Thomson is a wing with the ability to score from anywhere on the floor, Longo is a third-year starter at point guard and Mitchell is coming off a strong sophomore season as an athletic forward who allows Thomson to play away from the basket more.

This season will be the first of two big shots Keyport takes at authoring a memorable season and that there is no Group I Tournament is a

I

Head

Coach:

Phil Recco 16th season 2019-2020

Record:

13-10

(6-6, fourth in Class B Central) 2020 Postseason Performance:

Lost in Shore Conference Tournament first round (Wall); reached NJSIAA Central Jersey Group I quarterfinals (lost to Middlesex) Projected

Anthony Longo D.J. Thomson Troy Alvarez George Mitchell Damon Jones

Lineup

Jr. Jr. Sr. Jr. Sr.

RS – Returning Starter.

5-8 6-4 6-0 6-5 6-2

Guard (RS) Guard (RS) Forward (RS) Forward (RS) Forward (RS)

R – Returning Varsity Player

disappointment for a team that could have made noise in 2021 postseason. Hopefully for everyone involved, there is a 2022 state tournament and in the meantime, Keyport will attempt to show that it can compete with Mater Dei Prep in at least one of the games and finish the season strong in crossover pod play during the one-week postseason to end the year.

Key Losses

Chris Johnson, 5-8, Guard Off the Bench

Jake Mitchell, Sr., 5-8, Guard (R) Trevor Ahmed, Jr., Guard, 5-10 Max Judson, So., Forward, 6-2 Terek Mimes, So., Forward, 6-0 Ean Hospital, Sr., Guard, 5-8 Zyaire Treadwell, Jr., Guard, 5-7 Kymir Britt, So., 5-7, Guard

Hudson, Thomson is the unofficial favorite to win the Shore Conference scoring title again in 2021.

Big Shoes to Fill:

Damon Jones and Jake Mitchell Keyport’s lone loss from last year’s rotation was guard Chris Johnson, who produced 10 points and four boards per game. Coach Phil Recco has a couple different options in replacing Johnson in the starting lineup, which could be a bigger player in Jones or a true guard in Mitchell who more resembles Johnson as a player. Regardless of which player starts, Keyport will need both players to significantly contribute as role players who come back with biggame experience.

Impact Newcomer

P l a y e r t o W a t c H : D.J. Thomson Thomson has been a scoring machine from the time he first took the court as a freshman two years ago and as a sophomore, he finished third at the Shore with 21.6 points per game. That number is also the best of any player returning in the Shore Conference and with eight games against Point Beach, Keansburg, Asbury Park and Henry

:

Trevor Ahmed If all goes according to plan, the starting five and sixth man will get almost all the minutes for Keyport this season but it is also important for the health of the program – especially if the Red Raiders want to take their big swing in the state tournament next season – that some of the varsity newcomers step up and make an impact when possible. Ahmed is a junior who can jump in as another option off the bench, with sophomores Max Judson and Terek Mimes also looking at a chance to contribute.

Key Returners

Head

Coach:

Deboney Braithwaite, 10th season 20

Career Record:

97-109

2019-2020 Record:

3-16

(1-13 in Class B Central)

Brittney Mallon Shannon O’Donnell Bella Bednarz Jezzle Avinion

Sr. Sr. So. Jr.

26 28 1 3 9 11 16 17 19 22 23 25

vs. vs. at vs. at vs. at at vs. at vs. at

Asbury Park Asbury Park Point Beach Point Beach Mater Dei Prep Mater Dei Prep Koinonia Henry Hudson Henry Hudson Manville Keyport Keyport

4 p.m.

4 p.m.

5:15 p.m.

3:45 p.m.

5:15 p.m.

3:45 p.m.

5:30 p.m.

5:30 p.m.

3:45 p.m.

7 p.m.

3:45 p.m.

5:30 p.m.

X-Factor

Supporting Offense With good size and athleticism around Jackson, Keansburg should be able to defend, rebound and run the offense at the level necessary to have an improved season. The key for the Titans will be finding the secondary scoring to assist Jackson – whether it is Beltran and Fanzbaum out on the perimeter or Acker and Champion working the paint.

Newcomers

Abigail Boccio Nevaeh Tucker

(6.1ppg, 3.7rpg) (3.7ppg, 4.6rpg) (4.5ppg) (4.1ppg)

Jan. Jan. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb.

Sr. Fr.

Jan. Jan. Feb. feb.

Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb.

28 30 1 4 3 9 11 15 17 22 23 25

vs. at vs. at at vs. at at vs. vs. at vs.

5:30 p.m.

1:30 p.m.

5:30 p.m.

5:30 p.m.

5:30 p.m.

5:30 p.m.

5:30 p.m.

5:30 p.m.

5:30 p.m.

6 p.m.

5:15 p.m.

5:30 p.m.

X-Factor:

Health Health is a given x-factor for a basketball season played during a pandemic, and in most other seasons played under normal circumstances for that matter. For Keyport, though, the Titans would be hard-pressed to have the kind of season they would like to without keeping their top six players healthy. It could actually be a blessing in disguise to get deeper rotation players work in preparation for an even bigger 2022 but as far as this year’s team goes, the Red Raiders want to ride their starters.

Top

(3.1ppg, 2.2rpg) (3ppg, 3rpg) (3.7ppg, 5.3rpg) (2.2ppg, 2.2rpg)

Ocean Roselle Park Mater Dei Prep Point Beach Mater Dei Prep Henry Hudson Henry Hudson Asbury Park Asbury Park Koinonia Academy Keansburg Keansburg

Newcomers

Carinna Carlisle Mackenzie McGrogan Lily Velba

Jr. Jr. So.

Matt Manley

By: Senior Staff Writer

Head

its past. Darnell Tyler was a standout center on Long Branch’s back-to-back state championship seasons in 1997 (Group II) and 1998 (Group III) and he takes over the program with the intention of building toward another successful run by starting with spark this winter.

Coach:

Darnell Tyler, 1st season 2019-2020

Record:

Tyler inherits a team with some experience back from a year ago, including 2020 leading scorer and six-foot guard Josiah Evans. Evans will pair with senior forward Mason Alexander as an experienced returning duo to the starting lineup, with Alexander providing some versatility with his size and athleticism. Senior Morgan Priester and junior Christian Rodriguez will step into bigger backcourt roles this season and senior Ba-Sean Fraser – a standout wide receiver on the gridiron – brings an element of toughness and explosiveness to the lineup as a first-year starter. It won’t happen overnight but there are a number of seniors on the team who want to go out on a high note and put 2020 behind them.

1-21

(0-14, eighth in Class A North) 2020 Postseason Performance:

Did not reach postseason Projected Lineup

Christian Rodriguez Jr.

5-7 Guard (R)

Josiah Evans

Sr.

6-0 Guard (RS)

Morgan Preister

Sr.

5-10 Guard (R)

Ba-Sean Fraser

Sr.

5-10 Forward

Lucas Telles De Sa, 6-1, Forward

Mason Alexander

Sr.

6-2 Forward (RS)

Tamir Reed, 5-10, Guard

RS – Returning Starter.

Key Losses

R – Returning Varsity Player

L

To get back to playing like the Long Branch of year’s past, the Green Wave is turning to a notable figure from

Josiah Evans Evans started last season strong and will try to maintain that throughout 2021 as the go-to scoring option for the Green Wave. Playing with three returning players in the starting lineup, plus getting some new blood in to help should give Evans a chance to lead a team motivated to bounce back.

Big Shoes to Fill

Mason Alexander After a productive junior season, Alexander will be one of two returning Long Branch starters along with Evans. While he is not replacing anybody in the lineup, it is essential for Alexander to be a dependable presence in the front court for a Long Branch team that does not have a whole lot of size, but does have some athleticism with Alexander and Fraser in the lineup.

Impact Newcomer

Ba-Sean Fraser Just like he did on the football field, Fraser will be a replacement for All-Shore wide receiver Jayon Farrar, who transferred to Donovan Catholic. Tyler will call on Fraser to be a more physical player than the slasher Farrar, but Fraser is a multi-talented athlete who can help in a number of different ways.

Ivan Navarro, 5-9, Guard Jarell Sherin, 6-0, Guard Qwalee Showers, 6-2, Forward

ast year is likely to go down as the worst year in the storied history of the Long Branch program. The Green Wave won just one game all season and lost its last 20 games after starting 1-1, ending up with the Shore’s worst record at 1-21. There are some starters to replace and also some key contributors back but regardless of what the talent level is to open the season, Long Branch is out to redeem itself in any way possible.

Player to WatcH

Jayon Farrar, Sr., 5-10, Guard (transferred to Donovan Catholic)

Jan. Jan. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb.

27 29 2 4 8 10 12 16 18 20 22 24

vs. at vs. at vs. at vs. at vs. vs. at vs.

Red Bank Catholic Red Bank Catholic Rumson-Fair Haven Rumson-Fair Haven Red Bank Red Bank, Matawan Shore Shore Jackson Liberty Monmouth Monmouth

5:15 p.m.

6:45 p.m.

5:15 p.m.

7 p.m.

5:15 p.m.

5:30 p.m.

5:15 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

5:15 p.m.

11:30 p.m.

5:30 p.m.

5:15 p.m.

X-Factor:

Survive the first half To clarify, that’s not the first half of games, but rather the first half of the season. Long Branch has the hardest possible start to the season for a team in its pod, with its first six games coming against Red Bank Catholic, Rumson-Fair Haven and Red Bank – likely the three favorites to finish at the top of a pod that also includes Monmouth Regional and Shore Regional. It is quite possible Long Branch starts 0-6 and if that happens, it will be important for the Green Wave players to remain upbeat heading into a second-half schedule that will give them better opportunities to win.

Off the Bench

Mehki Priester, Sr., 5-10, Forward Marwan Dismuke, Sr., 5-7, Guard Bruce Gooding, So., 6-0, Forward Sekou Kemou, So., 5-10, Forward Jyshon Presley, Jr., 6-1, Forward

Key Returners

Head

Jada Rogers Sophia Hepburn

Coach:

Shannon Coyle, 9th season

2019-2020 Record:

(8-4 in Class A North) Career Record:

81-108

17-6

Top

Sr. Jr.

SR. JADA ROGERS

Newcomers

Leilano Andrews

Fr.

JR. SOPHIA HEPBURN

SR. WR BA-SEAN FRASER

Photo by:

The Link News & Walter J. O’Neill, Jr

Long Branch Continued page 28

21

Jan. Jan. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb.

Matt Manley

By: Senior Staff Writer

Head

Coach:

Rick Garretson, 27th season 2019-2020

Record:

15-10

(8-6, fourth in Class A North) 2020 Postseason Performance:

Reached Shore Conference Tournament round of 16 (lost to Marlboro); reached NJSIAA Central Jersey Group IV quarterfinals (lost to Middletown South) Projected Lineup

Chris Frontera Tanner Szatkowski Gabe Blackwell Anthony Mezzina Jake Feinerman RS – Returning Starter.

Sr. Sr. Jr. Sr. Sr.

6-1 5-11 6-5 6-2 6-2

Guard (RS) Guard Forward (R) Forward (R) Forward

R – Returning Varsity Player

Township and Freehold Boro – all while trying to trying to put together a new core following the graduation of five players who started in 2020.

Senior guard Chris Fontera is the lone returning starter from 2020 and after serving as the team’s best spot-up shooter, his role on the team will either have to expand or he will need a playmaking guard to play alongside him. Senior Tanner Szatkowski will have a chance to be that guard by moving into the starting lineup for the first time. James Bruno and Michael Bimonte are two other junior guards to watch for the rotation.

Manalapan will sport a big, physical group in the front court, led by 6-foot-5 junior Gabe Blackwell. On a seniorheavy team, Blackwell provided a lift off the bench and showed he is talented enough to be a focal point as a junior.

Senior Anthony Mezzina is moving into the starting five this season and classmate Jake Feinerman is also making that jump. Junior Dante Baron is an impressive athlete who is playing his first varsity basketball season and will be a factor off the bench. Coach Rick Garretson will have some experimenting to do with so many new pieces, but the Braves have a roster that should offer some answers to their questions.

Key Losses

Ryan Knorr, 5-10, Guard Blake Henis, 6-6, Center

ast year’s outgoing senior glass made a long climb back to the top-half of the Class A North standings, getting to the No. 4 spot in a rugged division behind only top-10 teams Middletown South, Marlboro and Christian Brothers Academy. While the divisions are not the same during this COVID-altered season, Manalapan will again have to go up against those three teams, plus quality teams from Freehold

L

Head

Coach:

Lanie Andrews, 2nd season

22

Jason Junquet, 5-10, Guard Ryan Szatkowski, 6-4, Forward Dan Kamen, 6-1, Forward Off the Bench

James Bruno, Jr., 6-0, Guard

2019-2020 Record:

(2-10 in Class A North)

7-16

Michael Bimonte, Jr., 6-1, Guard (R) Dante Barone, Jr., 6-3, Forward A.J. Mancusi, Sr., 6-0, Guard Will Servetah, Sr., 6-3, Forward Anthony Conforth, Jr., 5-10, Guard Michael Heckel, Jr., 6-2, Guard John Teixeira, Sr., 6-2, Forward Nick Arthurs, Jr., 6-0, Guard Player to WatcH

Gabe Blackwell Although he was just the second or third player off the bench last year, Blackwell flashed his potential as a standout forward in the de factor Class A North pod-slash-division. His two best offensive games last year came against Marlboro, which finished No. 5 in the Shore Sports Network Top 10. How Blackwell fares as a featured player remains to be seen, but his good games against a good team are an encouraging sign as he emerges within the program.

Big Shoes to Fill

Chris Frontera Frontera is the most established returning player on Manalapan and for that reason, he’ll have the biggest role to play on this year’s team. A spot-up shooter last year, Frontera averaged 6.6 points per game with 47 threes and seven of his nine games with nine points or more came over the final 12 games of the season.

There will be more focus given to Frontera this season, both from his own team and from opponents, and if Frontera can handle that role as a senior scorer and leader, Manalapan should again be competitive.

Key Returners

Top

Courtney Butash, Jr. Carlyn Deaver, Jr.

Ava Radesovich Jordyn Lazer Sophia Venezia

27 29 2 4 5 8 10 16 18 22 24 26

at

vs. at vs. at at vs. vs. at vs. at at

Freehold Twp. Freehold Twp. Marlboro Marlboro Neptune Freehold Boro Freehold Boro Middletown South Middletown South CBA CBA Matawan

Impact Newcomer

Dante Barone When it comes to Manalapan, you know there are going to be football players making an impact (Anthony Firkser, anyone?).

While Barone is not Firkser, he is talented defensive end and tight end for the Braves on the gridiron and will try to bring some of that toughness to the basketball court. Manalapan has some depth in the front court and Barone has already showed he can be a big part of it.

X-Factor

Point guard Ryan Knorr was one of the best players in the Shore Conference last season, not only finishing second in the Shore Conference in scoring at 21.6 points but also seventh in assists at 4.8. That’s a lot of production and while the Braves won’t be able to plug in one player to provide it, they will need to be able to get into their offense and create scoring opportunities for Blackwell and Frontera.

Newcomers

So. Sr. So.

5:30 p.m.

3:45 p.m.

4 p.m.

3:45 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

5 p.m.

3:45 p.m.

3:45 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

3:45 p.m.

6:45 p.m.

6:45 p.m.

Satiera Caze Dara Grinberg Natalie Van

Sr. So. Sr.

23

Jan. Jan. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb.

Matt Manley

By: Senior Staff Writer

Head

he is just scratching the surface and could be primed to become an unstoppable scorer now that he is the leading man on the offensive end. A 2,000-point career might have been a possibility were it not for a shortened 2021 season, but he still has a chance to rewrite the Manasquan record books.

Coach:

Andrew Bilodeau, 13th season 2 0 1 9 - 2 0 2 0 R e c o r d : 31-1

work l a s t year while stepping up as a scorer when needed.

(14-0, first in Class A Central) 2020 Postseason Performance:

Won Shore Conference Tournament championship and NJSIAA Central Jersey Group II championship Coaches Projected Lineup

Ben Roy Casey Mulligan Jack Collins Connor Walsh Andrew Solomon

Jr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr.

RS – Returning Starter.

6-2 5-10 6-5 6-5 6-6

Guard (RS) Guard (RS) G/f (RS) Forward (Rs) Forward (R)

R – Returning Varsity Player

ast year’s Manasquan team made a strong case as the best in school history and might have earned a spot in the conversation with the best public-school teams in the history of the Shore Conference if given a chance to finish the season. The Warriors were preparing to play an NJSIAA Group II semifinal showdown against Camden – the No. 1 team in the state to end the season – when the Manasquan Board of Education announced that its boys basketball team would be withdrawing from the tournament due to concerns over COVID-19.

L

The disappointing end right before the biggest game in the history of the program does not take away from what Manasquan did accomplish last year, which was to set a standard for the program and public-school programs throughout the state. The Warriors won their first Shore Conference Tournament in 63 years by dominating the championship game against Toms River North – a common thread in most of Manasquan’s games vs. Shore Conference teams, with the exception of two tight wins over Holmdel, which Manasquan defeated four times during the season. The last of those four victories came in the NJSIAA Central Group II championship game, giving Manasquan its second straight sectional title.

While the expectations are as high as they can be for Manasquan during this shortened season, the Warriors will have some roster questions to answer after last year’s historic run. The team’s two biggest players – 6foot-7 All-Shore forward Alex Galvan and 6-8 center Tim McEneny – moved on and took a significant advantage in skilled size with them. Kieran Flanagan is also a major loss in the back court, although Manasquan has the returning talent to reload at the guard position. Reining Player of the Year Ben Roy is primed for a huge junior season while senior Casey Mulligan handled the dirty

The key to Manasquan’s season could very well be how well 6-5 seniors Jack Collins and Connor Walsh perform after stepping up as juniors last year – mostly off the bench but with plenty of starts as well. Both are versatile athletes and Collins can stretch the floor as a shooter as well. Those four returnees – Roy, Mulligan, Walsh and Collins – will drive Manasquan and if the Warriors can get strong interior play from Andrew Solomon and Matt Solomon, the rest of the Shore will again struggle to keep up with the defending champs.

27 29 2 4 8 10 16 18 19 22 24 27

vs. at vs. at at vs. vs. at vs. at vs. at

St. Rose St. Rose Ranney Ranney Ocean Ocean Wall Wall Patrick School Neptune Neptune Bergen Catholic

6:30 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

5:15 p.m.

5:45 p.m.

5:30 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

6 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

2 p.m.

Roy is up to nine Division I scholarship offers, a list that includes Nebraska, Penn and Monmouth.

Big Shoes to Fill

Connor Walsh In many ways, Walsh already proved he could hold his own last year, when Manasquan needed him to raise his game while Alex Galvan was out for two separate injury stints. This year, Walsh will be Manasquan’s top interior player – one who can also guard wing players and step out on the perimeter on the offensive end as well.

JR. BEN ROY

SR. JACK COLLINS

Impact Newcomer

Matt Solomon Manasquan should have plenty of perimeter scoring and defense with its four standout athletes returning to the starting five, but Manasquan coach Andrew Bilodeau will be on the lookout for someone to seize that fifth spot. Solomon will jump into the conversation as a junior and first-year contributor at the varsity level. The blueprint for the younger Solomon could be Walsh, who made his varsity debut as a junior last season and proved to be a huge addition to the roster.

Key Losses

Alex Galvan, 6-7, Forward Kieran Flanagan, 6-1, Guard Tim McEneny, 6-8, Forward/Center Off the Bench

Matt Solomon, Jr., 6-5, Forward Dan Liggett, Sr., 5-11, Guard Joe Petrulla, Sr., 5-11. Guard Liam Haag, Jr., 6-1, Forward Pat Woodford, Jr., 5-10, Guard Ryan Frauenheim, Fr., 5-9, Guard Shayne Leddy, Sr., 6-1, Forward Ben Ryder, Sr., 5-11, Guard Dave Frost, Sr., 6-2, Forward Cole Kozlowski, Jr., 6-2, Forward

X-Factor

Frontcourt play Once again, Manasquan’s guard play is going to be as good as any team at the Shore and most other places, but the questions surrounding the Warriors are in the paint. Walsh has experiencing battling down low and if the Solomons can work the glass, make opposing big men work and finish around the rim, that will be more than holding up their end. Size won’t be a problem, but the players who have the size (beyond Collins and Walsh) simply haven’t proven themselves yet.

Player to WatcH

Ben Roy Roy averaged 18.1 points and 2.5 assists for his sophomore season and highlighted his Playerof-the-Year campaign by dropping 31 points in the Shore Conference Tournament championship game against Toms River R ASEY North. The scary part is

S . C

MULLIGAN

Dorothy Loffredo Jr. (7.5ppg, 5.6prg) Head

Coach:

Lisa Kukoda, 9th season Career Record: 212-47 2019-2020 Record:

(9-5 in Class A Central) CJ 2 Champions 24

21-11

Key Returners

Maci Black Allison Waters Mary Donnelly Georgia Heine Brooke Hollawell

Sr. Sr. Jr. Jr. Jr.

(3.1ppg) (4.2ppg) (10.7ppg, 7.8ppg) (9.1ppg, 6.2rpg) (13.3ppg, 3.2rpg)

Rylyn Orlando Quinn McCarthy Kolby McGowan Mollie Bodnar Top

So. Jr. Jr. So.

Photos by:

Newcomers

Hope Masonius McKenna Karlson

Fr. Fr.

Katie Collins Fr.

JR. MARY DONNELLY

25

Matt Manley

By: Senior Staff Writer

school programs.

ith three starters and five rotation regulars back from a team that lost the NJSIAA Central Jersey Group IV championship game at the buzzer, Marlboro will be as motivated as any team from the Shore Conference to make the most of the 2021 season.

Graduating leading scorer and SSN First Team All-Shore selection Alex Ratner will be a hurdle to clear, but the supporting cast around Ratner last year rose to the occasion a year ago and even had a number of players take on the lead role from time to time.

W

Head

Coach:

Mike Nausedas, 9th season 2019-2020

Record:

23-7

(11-3, second in Class A North) 2020 Postseason Performance:

Reached Shore Conference Tournament quarterfinals (lost to Toms River North); Reached Central Jersey Group IV final (lost to South Brunswick)) Projected

Lineup

Jon Spatola

Jr. 5-6 Guard (RS)

Zack Molod

Jr. 5-11 Guard (R)

Nick Malucelli

Sr. 6-4 Forward (R)

Jack Seidler

Jr. 6-5 Forward (RS)

Jay Ratner

Jr. 6-3 Forward (RS)

RS – Returning Starter.

R – Returning Varsity Player

The starting lineup will be packed with experience and ninth-year coach Mike Nausedas entered the start of practice already with a pretty good idea about his starting lineup.

There will also be some depth on hand for the Mustangs coach, who has regularly dealt with short benches and injuries in recent years – even as Marlboro has risen toward the top tier of R ACK Shore Conference public

J .J

26

With Ratner gone, versatile junior wing Jack Seidler jumps into the go-to role, with classmate Jon Spatola returning to the starting backcourt. Junior Jay Ratner came on strong at the end of 2020 and Zack Molod and Nick Malucelli both played key roles off the bench for most of their seasons. Aleksy Friedman would have been another returning starter after starting all year for Marlboro last year, but Nausedas said the senior has opted not to play for personal reasons.

S EIDLER

Nausedas also expects the lower levels to provide some players he can trust with important minutes, which would be a big boost to a team that loves to speed up the pace of the game with its full-court pressure. With more depth this season to go with an accomplished starting five, the Mustangs will be a favorite in their pod (CBA, Freehold Township, Freehold Boro, Middletown South and Manalapan) and can make a case as a legitimate candidate for the top spot in the conference.

Jan. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. feb.

Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb.

29 2 4 6 8 10 13 16 18 22 24

@ vs.

@ @ vs.

@ vs.

@ vs.

@ vs.

CBA Manalapan Manalapan Howell Freehold Twp. Freehold Twp. CBA Freehold Boro Freehold Boro Middletown South Middletown South

6:45pm 4pm 3:45pm 10Am 4pm 5:30pm 4pm 5pm 4pm.

5:30pm 4pm

Key Losses

Alex Ratner, 6-0, Guard Aleksy Friedman, Sr., 6-2, Guard. (opted out) Off the Bench

Joey Paladino, Sr., 5-9, Guard (R) Vincent Spatola, Jr., 5-11, Guard (R) ole Evans, Jr., 5-10, Guard (transfer from SJV) Sohan Eleti, So., 5-11, Guard Jack Levine, So., 6-4, Forward Luke Peterson, Jr., 6-5, Forward Ryan Mendes, So., 6-0, Guard/Forward Alexander Schwartz, So., 5-9, Guard Continued

>

Player to WatcH

Jack Seidler After a breakout sophomore season that saw him nab a spot on the SSN All-Shore Third Team and a strong showing in the fall, Seidler picked up his first Division I offer – from Drake University. The 6foot-5 Seidler posted big numbers as a sophomore on the Mustangs, scoring 18.7 points to go with 8.4 rebounds to go with an all-around skillset on both ends of the floor. Seidler’s size makes him more of an inside force in the high school game, but he has three-point range and the ball-handling ability to make him a perimeter force as well.

Big

Shoes

to

Fill

Jon Spatola Spatola took a big step forward as a sophomore last season and the Mustangs will ask him to take another one this year. With Ratner and Friedman gone, Spatola is likely to have the ball in his hands far more often and while he doesn’t necessarily have to become a shoot-first player with all the talent around him, more possessions are likely to end with the relentless guard letting it fly from multiple spots on the floor.

Impact

Newcomer

Vincent Spatola While Marlboro doesn’t necessarily need a whole lot of production b e y o n d t h e re t u r n i n g re g u l a r s t o t h e r o t a t i o n , i t wo u l d b e a welcome contribution – especially with the news Friedman won’t be with them this year. The other Spatola from the Class of 2022

brings some more speed and toughness to the backcourt and his emergence will help spell t h e s t a r t i n g b a ck c o u r t d u o w h i l e a l s o giving Marlboro the option of g o i n g s m a l l w i t h t h re e o r four guards.

X-Factor

Nick Malucelli M a l u c e l l i wa s a unique weapon for Marlboro last season, s h ow i n g off shotb l o ck i n g a n d re b o u n d i n g a b i l i t y t h a t wa s a p e r f e c t complement to Marlboro’s upt e m p o, g u a rd - h e av y l o o k f o r m o s t o f t h e g a m e. J u s t w h e n M a l u c e l l i wa s s t a r t i n g t o s e t t l e i n t o h i s r o l e, a n a n k l e i n j u r y knocked him out for stretch run of the season. The athletic 6-4 s e n i o r i s b a ck t h i s ye a r a n d s h o u l d a g a i n p r ov i d e s o m e h e l p o n t h e i n t e r i o r, a l o n g with Jay Ratner and Seidler.

Photo by:

J R . J ON S PATOLA Key Returners

Head

Coach:

Brad Hagensen, 8th season Career Record: 161-64

2019-2020 Record:

22-6

(12-0 in Class A North)*Division champs

Sammy Jay Jess Riepe Laura Morehead

Sr. Sr. Sr.

Dani Schlesinger Jr. Samantha Slofkiss Jr. Isabella D’Amato So.

Erica DiSimone Amanda Castro Emilia O’Hare

So. So. So.

27

Matt Manley

By: Senior Staff Writer

ith its first-round loss to Burlington Township in the NJSIAA Central Jersey Group II Tournament last season, Matawan bid farewell to a talented senior class that had been through a lot together and hoped to finish its time in high school with a more decorated resume. The Huskies suffered a devastating loss in 2018 when promising 6-foot-3 point guard Darrell Rogers went into cardiac arrest and collapsed during an AAU practice – an ordeal that nearly ended his life and did end his highschool basketball career after a promising sophomore season. Matawan had some memorable moments in the ensuing two years, but could never quite recover from losing their point guard – even though Rogers provided plenty of moral support in his last two years.

L Head

Coach:

John Giraldo, 6th season 2019-2020

14-13

Record:

(10-4, second in Class B North) 2020 Postseason Performance:

Reached Shore Conference Tournament round of 16 (lost to Toms River North); lost in NJSIAA Central Jersey Group III first round (Burlington Twp.) Projected

Lineup

Andre Wells Colin Haluska Gio Gallo Mike Siehienczuk Ian Richardson

Sr. So. Sr. Sr. Sr.

6-0 6-2 5-11 6-3 6-2

Guard (RS) Guard (R) Guard (R) Center Forward (R)

RS – Returning Starter.

R – Returning Varsity Player

Coincidentally, point guard is the only position at which Matawan is set now that the Class of 2020 has moved on. Andre Wells worked his way into the starting lineup as a junior and will be surrounded by a completely new cast as he tries to both evolve his game and bring along a slew of inexperienced players. Sophomore Colin Haluska and senior Ian Richardson retur n with the most experience, albeit not much of it for either player. Haluska got some run as a freshman and will be an off-ball scorer next

to Wells, while Richardson was a depth player in the front court as a junior and will start this season.

Seniors Gio Gallo and 6-foot-3 Mike Siehienczuk move into this year’s starting lineup as well, giving Matawan four seniors with Haluska in the projected first five for opening night. Senior James McLaughlin will also be a key guard off the bench along with classmate Bobby Wietecha. The Matawan youth movement will consist of several bench options for coach John Giraldo, with Kyle Haliburton representing the junior class and Khalil Herbert, Aaron Kalish and Nik Winzer joining Haluska as varsity sophomores. It is going to take some time to make it all fit, but Wells running the point with some tough seniors and talented underclassmen all give Matawan some potential in 2021.

Coach:

Lauren Bowler

2019-2020 Record:

6-19

at vs. at vs. at vs. at vs. at vs. at vs.

Middletown North Middletown North Raritan Raritan Colts Neck Colts Neck Long Branch Holmdel Holmdel St. John Vianney St. John Vianney Manalapan

6:30 p.m.

6:45 p.m.

3:45 p.m.

6:45 p.m.

5:30 p.m.

6:45 p.m.

5:15 p.m.

6:45 p.m.

5:30 p.m.

6:45 p.m.

7 p.m.

6:45 p.m.

Off the Bench

James McLaughlin, Sr., 5-10, Guard Khalil Herbert, So., 5-11, Guard Nik Winzer, So., 6-4, Center

John Buekers, 6-6, Center

Kyle Haliburton, Jr., 6-0, Forward

Ethan Okello, 6-2, Guard

Bobby Wietecha, Sr., 5-11, Forward

Niles Haliburton, 6-4, Guard Zaire Williams, 6-2, Forward Elijah McKenzie, 6-5, Center Carlos Zeno, 5-10, Guard

Gianna Aiello Skylar Paris Jada Allen

(2-12 in Class B North)

27 29 2 4 8 10 12 16 18 22 24 26

Aaron Kalish, So., 5-9, Guard Key Losses

Key Returners

Head

Jan. Jan. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb.

Sr. (10ppg, 11rpg) Sr. (10ppg) Jr. (7.4ppg, 4.8rpg)

Player to WatcH

Andre Wells Wells was part of Matawan’s balanced scoring attack last year and with just about every other regular contributor from 2019-20 gone, the six-foot guard will be the lead offensive player for the Huskies. At his best, Wells is an all-around point guard with the ability to get teammates involved so the best-case scenario might not involve Wells increasing his scoring average significantly, rather passing to open teammates who are knocking down shots.

Continued

Matt Manley

By: Senior Staff Writer

During its run as a Shore Conference powerhouse under Ben Gamble from 2015 to 2018, Mater Dei relied nearly exclusively on players who transferred into the program sometime between their sophomore and senior seasons. In the second season after Gamble left – and first under current coach Rich Buckheit – the Seraphs were led by a senior trio of guards who started in the lower levels of the program during Gamble’s second year, worked their way up, and starred for a team that reached the Shore Conference Tournament quarterfinals and finished No. 10 in the final 2019-20 Shore Sports Network Top 10.

L Head

Coach:

Rich Buckheit, 2nd season 2 0 1 9 - 2 0 2 0 R e c o r d : 17-11 (10-2, second in Class B Central) 2020 Postseason Performance:

Reached Shore Conference Tournament quarterfinals (lost to Red Bank Catholic); reached NJSIAA South Jersey Non-Public B semifinals (lost to Wildwood Catholic) Projected

Kyree Drake Derek Ragona

Lineup

Jr. 5-7 Guard (R) Jr. 6-2 Guard

(Transfer from Moore Catholic, N.Y.)

David Shkolniy

Sr. 6-3, G/F

(Transfer from New Dorp, N.Y.)

Anthony Tancredi Jr. 6-6 Center (RS) Andreas Von Fricke Sr. 6-7 Forward (RS) RS – Returning Starter.

28

R – Returning Varsity Player

With the graduation of those seniors – Pete Gorman, Tahaj Parland and Sean Turner – Mater Dei will be looking to show it can reload and unlike last year, the Seraphs will again be leaning on players who have transferred into the program over the past two years. It started last season with current 6-foot-7 senior Andreas Von Fricke, who will again team up with 6-6 junior center Anthony

Tancredi in the Mater Dei front court. Like Von Fricke, Mater Dei will get its talent influx this season from Staten Island, where head coach and athletic director Rich Buckheit got his coaching start. Senior David Shkolniy is a proven scorer and shooter who will jump right into the starting lineup, while junior guards Derek Ragona and Gerard Novella also made the move to N.J. with New York high school sports currently dormant.

The Seraphs also have some returning talent in the back court, with junior Kyree Drake and seniors Daryen Cabrera and Lauwensky Astral all getting minutes off the bench a year ago. Drake will take over the starting point guard duties, while Cabrera and Astral will give

S R . A NDREAS V ON F RICKE

Jan. Jan. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb.

26 28 1 3 9 11 13 15 17 21 22 24

at vs. at vs. vs. at at vs. at at at vs.

Henry Hudson Henry Hudson Keyport Keyport Keansburg Keansburg Don Bosco Prep Point Beach Point Beach Trenton Catholic Ranney Ranney

>

5:30 p.m.

5:30 p.m.

5:30 p.m.

5:30 p.m.

5:30 p.m.

3:45 p.m.

4 p.m.

5:30 p.m.

5:30 p.m.

2 p.m.

5:45 p.m.

6 p.m.

the Seraphs two more options at guard. With a strong finish to last season still fresh in the minds of players like Von Fricke, Tancredi and Drake and impact transfers again in the fold, Mater Dei’s expectation is once again to compete with the Shore’s best by the end of the season.

Key Losses

Pete Gorman, 6-0, Guard Tahaj Parland, 5-9, Guard Sean Turner, 6-1, Guard Phil Urban, Sr., 6-6, Guard/Forward (transferred to Pennington School) Continued

>

Big Shoes to Fill

Ian Richardson While Matawan has plenty to replace, the toughest role to replicate will be the one played by center John Beukers, who was a standout rebounder, defender and passer for his position, not to mention a finisher around the basket. Siehienczuk moves into that lineup spot, but Richardson will have to do some heavy lifting as the returning player in the front court in order to take the pressure off his less experienced classmate.

Impact Newcomer

Mike Siehienczuk The center position has been an important one for Matawan in recent years and Siehienczuk is going to get his chance to keep that going as the projected starter at the position to open the season. The 6-3 senior will have a capable point guard to get him the ball, some shooters around the floor and a tough senior battling with him in the post, so the conditions are ripe for a good showing.

X-Factor

The sophomore class Wells will be the team’s leader and standout but the key to Matawan’s season will likely by its sophomore group – specifically how quickly they develop during a short season.

Haluska is going to be ready to make an impact from the jump, but Herbert and Kalish could also jump in for some minutes at guard as well. With Siehienczuk getting the starting nod, 6-4 center Nik Winzer will be the backup but will be pushing his senior teammate throughout the year as the likely starter-inwaiting.

S R . A NDRE W ELLS

Off the Bench

Big Shoes to Fill

Kyree Drake Losing a diverse, productive back court on top of the transfer by Urban leaves Mater Dei without a lot of returning production on the perimeter. Drake – as well as Astrel and Cabrera – flashed plenty of ability in a bench role last year and will be ready to take an

Gerard Novello, Jr., 6-0, Guard (Transfer from Monsignor Farrell, N.Y.)

Lauwensky Astrel, Sr., 6-1, Guard (R) Daryen Cabrera, Sr., 5-11, Guard (R) Alex Brown, Jr., 6-3, Guard/Forward (R) Rakim Cooper, Sr., 6-4, Forward Player to WatcH

Andreas Von Fricke It took Von Fricke a month to join the Seraphs on the court after transferring in as a junior and once part of the rotation, the 6-7 senior made an impact. On a team that featured a lot of perimeter scoring, Von Fricke played a key role in working the glass, defending the post and scoring in the paint. After putting up 6.6 points and 7.4 rebounds as a junior, he is ready for a bigger, more wide-ranging role in his second year at Mater Dei.

expanded role in 2021. For Mater Dei to remain a contender for one of the spots in the

J R . A NTHONY T ANCREDI

championship pod in March, the Seraphs’ guard play will have to get back somewhere close to the level it was last year and the returning backcourt players will have to play a part.

Seraphs dominated every opponent in Class B Central divisional play other than Ranney last season and Ranney is the only B Central team not to be placed in Mater Dei’s pod. The Seraphs were able to switch out two games vs. Asbury Park to play Ranney twice, so those two games vs. the Panthers and two other nonconference games at Trenton Catholic and Don Bosco represent Mater Dei’s chance to make its case as one of the Shore’s eight best teams.

Impact Newcomer

David Shkolniy Shkoniy arrives at Mater Dei already with 1,300-plus career points while playing on Staten Island and might have made a run at 2,000 given a normal schedule. Two thousand points or not, Shkolniy brings standout shooting ability to the lineup – which Mater Dei lost with the graduation of Gorman. If Shkolniy can acclimate himself quickly, he can be one of the Shore’s top scorers and also boost Mater Dei back into contention for a coveted spot in the Shore’s top eight.

Photo by:

X-Factor

Outside the pod While most teams in the Shore Conference will stress the importance of performing against opponents from inside their own pod, Mater Dei will be the opposite. The

Key Returners

Head

Coach:

Mike Pinero, 2nd season

2019-2020

Record:

(12-2 in Class B Central)

14-13

Jaylynn Graham Madison Lopez Jhamena Range Lara Grtizek Bridget Sullivan

Sr. Jr. Sr. Sr. Sr.

Top

(3.7ppg) (5.1ppg, 3.3rpg) (5.1ppg, 5rpg) (3.4ppg)

Jenna Dacquel Olivia Leonard Jill Corcoran Tori Kirk

Jr. Jr. Sr. Sr.

Newcomers

Le’Ana Brown, Sr. Stephanie Mildner Fr. (missed last season with injury) (missed last season with injury)

29

Jan. Jan. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb.

Matt Manley

By: Senior Staff Writer

five-win season is not anything for a proud Middletown North program to boast about, but it was not a throwaway season. The Lions had a young roster that saw just one regular contributor – wing Matt Spencer – graduate, which gives new head coach Kevin Spies an experienced, hungry group to work with in his first season at the helm. With a good mix of seniors and talented juniors, there is a chance for Spies to win with this group in his first two seasons.

A Head

Coach:

Kevin Spies, 1 season st

2019-2020

Record:

5-18

(3-11, Seventh in Class B North) 2020 Postseason Performance:

Did not reach postseason Coaches Projected Lineup

Vinny Pennino

Sr. 5-11 Guard (R)

Brendan Kelly

Sr. 5-11 Guard (R)

Matt Kenny

Jr. 6-0 Guard (RS)

Tommy Giannone

Jr. 6-6 Forward (RS)

Alex Bogues

Sr. 6-4 Forward (RS)

RS – Returning Starter.

R – Returning Varsity Player

Guard Matt Kenny and forward Tommy Giannone lead the junior class and were the team’s top two scorers in 2019-20. Kenny is joined in the back court by seniors Vinny Pennino and Brendan Kelly, who will try to pick up the slack left behind by senior Quentin Soler. After playing big minutes each of the past two seasons, Soler was ticketed to start again at point guard this year, but an injury during football season knocked him out for the 2021 basketball scehdule. Kenny and Giannone are locks for the lineup and the two best producers on the team and Pennino and Kelly should complement them with some shooting and defense.

Alex Bogues is a physical forward who is looking to

reprise his role as a rebounder and inside scorer. Off the bench, the Lions have three juniors who could elevate to starters roles at some point. Lucas Cerbo is a tough guard, Brian Haddow is another guard with some scoring potential and Zach Searight is a 6-5 forward who adds some size to go with Bogues. With plenty of depth and some versatility, Middletown North has the makings of a team that could make a big jump this year, especially in a pod (Holmdel, St. John Vianney, Colts Neck, Raritan and Matawan) that gives them a nice mix of opportunity and winnable games.

Key

Losses

Player

Matt Spencer, 6-2, Forward

at vs. at at at vs. vs. at at vs. vs.

to

Matawan Matawan Holmdel Holmdel Rumson-Fair Haven Raritan Raritan St. John Vianney St. John Vianney Colts Neck Colts Neck Middletown South

6:30 p.m.

6:45 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

5:30 p.m.

1 p.m.

3:45 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

7 p.m.

5:30 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

1 p.m.

WatcH

A starter since his freshman season, Kenny is coming off a sophomore season in which he averaged 15.4 points per game – the fifth-highest scoring average in the Shore Conference among players back for the 2021 season. The 5-10 guard can score in a variety of ways, but his shooting ability is what sets him apart and what opponents will key in on. With Soler out of the season, Kenny could also have the ball in his hands more this season as a playmaker.

(Injured, out for season) the

vs.

Matt Kenny

Quentin Soler, Sr., 5-9, Guard

Off

27 29 2 4 6 8 10 16 18 22 24 27

Bench

Lucas Cerbo, Jr., 5-10, Guard (R) Zach Searight, Jr., 6-5, Forward (R) Brian Haddow, Jr., 5-10, Guard (R) Malik Solimon, Sr., 6-0, Guard

Continued

Jan. Jan. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb.

Matt Manley

By: Senior Staff Writer

be looking to pick up the slack while helping the rest of his new starting mates up to speed.

Junior Tommy Schork picked up some minutes off the bench last year and could serve either a starting or bench role this season, while seniors Tom Brown, Joe Stanzione and Julius Forte angle for starting spots in the front court and on the wings.

ast year’s 26-win Middletown South team made a strong case as the program’s best unit since 1979, even if the season ended without the Eagles capturing a tournament championship of any kind. They still won the Class A North division title with a perfect divisional record – a major accomplishment in a field that included four other teams that spent time in the Shore Sports Network Top 10. The exits in the Shore Conference Tournament vs. Mater Dei Prep and the NJSIAA Central Jersey Group IV semifinals vs. South Brunswick were bitter pills to swallow for the senior-heavy team and a head coach in his final year, but when the only losses are those two plus a December loss to Manasquan, that’s a strong season.

L Head

Coach:

Jimmy Cranwell, 1st season 2019-2020

Record:

26-3

(14-0, first in Class A North) 2020 Postseason Performance:

Reached Shore Conference Tournament Round of 16 (lost to Mater Dei Prep); reached NJSIAA Central Jersey Group IV semifinals (lost to South Brunswick) Coaches Projected Lineup

Luke Albrecht

Sr. 6-1

G (RS)

James Mayerhofer

Jr. 6-2

G

Joe Stanzione

Sr. 6-2

Forward

Tom Brown

Sr. 6-4

G/F

Julius Forte

Sr. 6-3

G/F

RS – Returning Starter.

R – Returning Varsity Player

Jimmy Cranwell takes over head coaching duties after assisting outgoing coach Jim Anderson and he has a good grasp of the talent on hand after coaching the junior varsity team. Point guard Luke Albrecht is the lone holdover from Middletown South’s dynamic six-man rotation from a year ago and he will

The bitter end to an otherwise-dominant 2019-20 season should not linger given the number of new players in the lineup but that also means starting something new after setting the bar so high last year.

Albrecht should help ease the transition, some more size and athleticism will be key against a tough schedule and a group of juniors is ready to make the jump up.

Dealing with the likes of Christian Brothers Academy, Marlboro and Freehold Township will be much harder than it was last year but this Eagles group is not lowering its standards in 2021

Career Record:

Coach:

Tom Brennan, 25 season th

30

425-193

vs. at at vs. at vs. vs. at vs. vs. at at

Freehold Boro Freehold Boro Freehold Twp. Freehold Twp. CBA CBA Rumson-Fair Haven Manalapan Manalapan Marlboro Marlboro Middletown North

6:30 p.m.

5 p.m.

5:30 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

6:45 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

1 p.m.

3:45 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

4 p.m.

1 p.m.

Key Losses

James Anderson, 6-1, Guard Jack Sheridan, 5-11, Guard Mike Dabas, 6-1, Forward Bobby Pirie, 6-4, Center Richie Boyko, 6-1, Guard Off the Bench

Tommy Schork, Jr., 6-3, Guard/Forward (R) Rob Powell, Jr., 6-0, Guard Tom Manning, Jr., 6-2, Forward Dylan Csik, So., 5-10, Guard

S R . L UKE A LBRECHT

Continued

Key Returners

Head

27 29 2 4 8 10 13 16 18 22 24 27

>

2019-2020 Record:

(8-4 in Class A North)

15-11

Beth Rankin Bella Orlando Renee Wells Lara Brennan

Jr. Jr. Jr. Jr.

Top

(5ppg, 3apg) (6ppg, 4rpg) 7ppg, 4rpg) (5ppg, 3apg)

Newcomers

Grace Meehan Cassidy Brown Amanda Paterno Lauren Winant

Sr. (5ppg) Fr. So. Jr.

>

X-Factor

Big Shoes to Fill

Impact

Vinny Pennino Middletown North was already planning on finding a replacement for Spencer in the starting lineup and Soler’s injury has now doubled the number of open starting spots. Pennino would likely have started even if Soler were healthy, so now the senior sharp-shooter will have a greater role to play, especially if Kenny is going to have the ball in his hands more as a facilitator.

Brendan Kelly Kelly has elevated to the brink of an opening-night starting job after playing sparingly as a junior. With Middletown North looking to run out established starters in Kenny, Giannone and Bogues, plus a knockdown shooter in Pennino, Kelley is going to be the wild card in that starting group as the third guard.

Head

Career Record:

Coach:

Justin McGhee, 4 season th

Player to WatcH

Luke Albrecht On any given night during the 2019-20 season, a different starter could be the star for Middletown South and there were even nights sixth man Richie Boyko was the standout.

Albrecht certainly had his nights on the Middletown South marquee and wound up averaging 10.7 points and 5.3 assists – the No. 3 per-game assist total in the entire Shore Conference.

Without all the scorers around him this year, that assist number could drop a bit but he is also likely to have the ball in his hands more, which could mean bigger numbers.

Ultimately, Albrecht and Cranwell would like to get to a point in which the other players are finishing and Albrecht can run the point like he did last year.

Newcomer

37-43

2019-2020 Record:

8-18

(6-7 in Class B North)

Big Shoes to Fill

The Senior Starters As many as four seniors could be in this year’s Middletown South starting lineup, with Albrect a given and Stanzione, Brown and Forte entering camp as front-runners. With the exception of Albrecht, this group waited behind last year’s talented senior group while preparing for their chance in 2021 and as long as the season stays on track, they will have their chance. Against a loaded pod, those four seniors will definitely be tested.

A new voice Mike Iasparro led Middletown North back to prominence during his 13 seasons as head coach, which included a Central Jersey Group IV championship back in 2012 and a No. 1 ranking in the Shore Conference during the middle of the 2010-11 season while current New England Patriots linebacker Shilique Calhoun was still on the team. In that regard, Middletown North did not really need to seek an

upgrade, but with any coaching change comes a new voice that can sometimes strike a chord. Spies brings energy to the gym and if he can hit the right notes with a young team that has some potential, it could make a big difference.

Key Returners

Top Newcomers

Victoria Palladino Sr. (11ppg, 4apg, 3rpg) Sophie Memon Sr. (8ppg, 7rpg) Ronni Brucato Jr. (7ppg, 4rpg)

Ellie Kacen APatricia Walsh Alexa Fernandez Christina Dowd

Impact Newcomer

James Mayerhofer This six-week season will be a big one for Middletown South’s juniors, who are likely to get a serious chance to make an impact given all the open starting spots.

As opening night approaches, Mayerhofer is the most likely of the group of juniors to start on opening night.

The 6-2 guard can play off of Albrecht and gives the Eagles an additional perimeter scorer to mix in with a group of long, physical seniors.

Sr. Jr. Jr. Jr.

Brittney Lenino Jr. Charlotte Memon So. Madison Marcotte Fr.

X-Factor

Style One element to keep an eye on is what kind of style the Eagles play this season. Last year’s team had six players who could all shoot, drive, rebound and guard multiple positions on defense, which made for an up-tempo style that was pretty to watch when it was clicking. They scored 90-plus points five times, including a 100-point game against Central Group IV finalist Marlboro.

This year’s team has some size, length and athleticism but the shooting is not likely to be what it was last year and it’s also not likely that Middletown South can put five guys on the floor who can all break down defenders off the dribble. The quicker the Eagles can discover their new image, the more dangerous they will be.

31

Matt Manley

By: Senior Staff Writer

Head

final weeks of the season, including in a big upset of Red Bank Catholic – the No. 6 team in the final SSN 2020 Top 10.

The Falcons hope for some carry-over from the end of 2020 to make up for the short time to prepare for what will be a much more abbreviated 2021 than coach Jeff Sfraga and Co. hoped for. The senior trio of A.J. Po, Kiran Desai and Brian Yadlon had the Falcons optimistic they could become a factor in the NJSIAA Tournament in March and without a state tournament to play in, they will try to do damage in a pod that includes Red Bank Catholic, Red Bank, RumsonFair Haven, Long Branch and Shore Regional. Desai and Po both averaged double-figures in scoring last season and Yadlon is a versatile player who can rebound and step out and shoot.

Junior Aidan Denton is also back in the starting lineup and gives the Falcons another shooter to space the floor on offense. Classmate and 6-foot-4 forward Kevin Telesford adds some size to the front court, with 6-3 Mater Dei transfer Nelson Harris-Thomas coming off the bench. Senior Jake Marcincak brings starting experience off the bench and classmate Miles Lida also has varsity seasoning. The three Wiggins brothers – Keontae, Tahj and Gerald – make almost half the bench, giving Monmouth lots of depth on top of an experienced starting lineup for 2021.

Coach:

Jeff Sfraga, 4th season 2019-2020

Record:

4-18

(2-12, seventh in Class A Central) 2020 Postseason Performance:

Did not reach postseason Coaches Projected Lineup

Kiran Desai Aiden Denton Kevin Telesford A.J. Po Brian Yadlon

Sr. Jr. Jr. Sr. Sr.

RS – Returning Starter.

6-2 6-2 6-4 6-3 6-1

Guard (RS) Guard (RS) Forward (R) Forward (RS) Forward (RS)

R – Returning Varsity Player

lthough Monmouth had a young roster in 2019-20 with virtually no major impact coming from its senior class, the Falcons did have some experience on board after several of its top players were productive as sophomores.

That’s what made last year’s 4-18 finish somewhat disappointing and it might have been a more discouraging result if it weren’t for a strong finish to the season.

Monmouth’s junior-heavy group started to find itself in the

A

Key Losses

None Off the Bench

Myles Lida, Sr., 5-8, Guard (R) Keontae Wiggins, Sr., 6-2, Forward Tahj Wiggins, So., 6-3, Forward Gerald Wiggins Jr., Guard Danny Waddleton, Sr., 5-10, Guard Player to WatcH:

A.J. Po Po has averaged double-figure scoring in each of the past two seasons, including 13 points a year ago to go with five rebounds per game. Po has a solid all-around game that allows him to score on the inside, as well as take defenders out to the perimeter – a combination that makes him a candidate to finish among the Shore’s scoring leaders in 2021.

Big Shoes to Fill:

Kevin Telesford After coming off the bench for his sophomore season, Telesford is ready for a shot to start – or at least to play something resembling starter minutes over the course of the year. Monmouth did not graduate any major production from last year, but Telesford has made his case to slot into the starting lineup, with senior Jake Marcincak playing off the bench to lengthen the rotation and provide a jolt on both sides. : Nelson Harris-Thomas Harris-Thomas headed over to Monmouth from Mater Dei Prep and will immediately factor into Sfraga’s plans for

Impact Newcomer

Nelson Harris-Thomas, Jr., 6-3, Forward (transfer from Mater Dei Prep)

Jake Marcincak, Sr., 5-10, Guard (RS)

Key Returners

Head

Coach:

2019-2020 Record:

Laura Forbes, 4th season

(0-14 in Class A Central)

2-18

Sydney Po Ava Yeagle Alyson Amadruto Kamlyn Bevacqua

Jr. Jr. So. So.

Anyia Jones Naomi Burrell Brittney Liss Lilah Megenheimer

Sr. Sr. Sr. So.

Head

Coach:

Joe Fagan, 7th season 2019-2020

Record:

16-14

(8-6, tied third in Class B North) 2020 Postseason Performance:

Lost in Shore Conference Tournament first round (St. John Vianney); reached NJSIAA Central Jersey Group III final (lost to Wall) Coaches Projected Lineup

Sam Fagan

Sr. 6-0 G (RS)

Andre Harris

Sr. 6-0 G (R)

Daniel Charles

So. 6-1

Everett Cheavers

Sr. 6-3 C (RS)

Oneil Campbell

Jr. 6-4 F (RS)

RS – Returning Starter.

32

G (RS)

R – Returning Varsity Player

position is in the post, where junior Malik Fields and senior Everett Cheavers are back. Cheavers is the more defensively-

inclined of the o n e - t w o frontcourt punch, while Fields has flashed double-double potential in his first two high school seasons.

Neptune has a lot of athleticism and shooting to replace, but with Fagan healthy,

vs. at vs. at at at vs. at vs. vs. at at

Shore Shore Red Bank Red Bank Ocean Red Bank Catholic Red Bank Catholic Rumson-Fair Haven Rumson-Fair Haven Long Branch Long Branch Henry Hudson

6:30 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

11:30 p.m.

6:45 p.m.

6:45 p.m.

7 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

5:15 p.m.

5:30 p.m.

the rotation. Even if he doesn’t start – which is still a possibility – Harris-Thomas is an ideal complement off the bench to give Monmouth a little more size in the frontcourt or to spell Telesford.

X-Factor:

Senior Leadership Cultivating a senior core like the one Monmouth has is huge for a program that is not a perennial winner but takes its shot every so often. Sfraga and this senior group have put the work in to bring the Falcons back to respectability after some very lean years prior to their arrival and now Monmouth has the talent and the experience to make some noise. The thrill of beating Red Bank Catholic last year paid off a lot of the hard lessons learned in those 18 losses and with that extra boost of confidence, the core of Po, Desai and Yadlon are fired up to put Monmouth back on the winning side of the standings.

Yesmine Gomez Olivia Hartman Crystal Velez Olivia Gades

Jan. Jan. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb.

Matt Manley

C

27 29 2 4 6 8 10 16 18 22 24 26

Top Newcomers

(5.5ppg, 4.4rpg) (3.4ppg, 3.5rpg) (3.5ppg) (2.3ppg, 2.3rpg)

By: Senior Staff Writer

hampionships are always the standard for Neptune basketball and for the first time since 2012, the Scarlet Fliers played for a postseason championship by making it to a title game. After heartbreaks in each of the prior two NJSIAA Tournaments, Neptune broke through by reaching the Central Jersey Group III Tournament and pushed top-seeded Wall to overtime before falling to the rival Crimson Knights.

After getting back to the brink of winning a title, Neptune returns with big aspirations while preparing to play in a loaded Shore Conference pod that includes Manasquan, Ranney, Wall, St. Rose and Ocean.

For the fourth straight season, Sam Fagan opens the year as Neptune’s starting point guard and as long as Neptune can get on the court, Fagan is poised for his best season yet after spending the last two years trying to fully heal from a gruesome leg injury. Fellow senior Andre Harris came on strong at the end of last year and will provide some shooting and scoring prowess in the back court. Both 6-foot4 junior Oneil Campbell and sophomore Daniel Charles jumped into the starting lineup late in the season after spending most of the year on the jayvee level and will play major roles on both ends of the floor. Michael Daniels will be another young wing option for coach Joe Fagan, who is not afraid to test his depth during a season.

Other than at point guard, Neptune’s most battle-tested

Jan. Jan. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb.

27 29 2 4 5 8 10 16 18 22 24 26

at vs. at vs. vs. vs. at vs. at vs. at vs.

Jr. So. Fr. Fr.

Kate Hicks Mia Troese Julia Biasi Ashley Rescino Aracely Velez

Ranney Ranney Wall Wall Manalapan St. Rose St. Rose Ocean Ocean Manasquan Manasquan Marlboro

Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr.

5:45 p.m.

5 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

5:30 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

some experience in the front court and potential on the wings, the Scarlet Fliers still have a high ceiling – even against a grueling schedule.

Key Losses

Sadiq Armstead, 6-1, Guard Makai Suit, 6-1, Guard Sean Young, 5-11, Guard Sahmad Armstead, 6-1, Guard Jett Tinik, 6-0, Forward Azmere Wilson, 5-8, Guard

S R . S AM F AGAN

Continued

>

Matt Manley

By: Senior Staff Writer

Jack Savare Peters and Shaw got more total playing time last year due to some injury issues for Savare, but the 6-3 senior enters 2021 healthy and ready to put it together. Savare will be a solid contributor on both ends of the floor and can score from several spots on the floor. Ocean has a number of potential leading scorers and if it is not Savare, he will still do a little bit of everything – perhaps a lot of everything.

have a new-look group with a few holdovers from 2020 and plenty of questions as well. Corey Miller opted to transfer to the Pennington School instead of playing his junior year at Ocean, taking 15 points per game out of a would-be returning lineup.

Head

Coach:

Ryan Pringle, 1st season 2019-2020

Record:

14-11

(6-8, fifth in Class B North) 2020 Postseason Performance:

Reached Shore Conference Tournament round of 16 (lost to Holmdel); lost in NJSIAA Centra Jersey Group III first round (Allentown) Coaches Projected Lineup

Aidan Tisony Matt Shaw Evan Peters Jamal Cetoute Jack Savare RS – Returning Starter.

Jr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr.

5-10 6-0 6-1 6-0 6-3

Guard Guard (R) Guard (RS) Guard Forward (R)

R – Returning Varsity Player

n a 2019-20 season that began with high expectations, Ocean could never quite get its entire talented, balanced roster on the court at once at 100 percent. Top scorer Jack Miller, Sam Meeks, Cole Kelly and Jack Savare all missed multiple games over the course of the season, which had an accumulating effect in sinking Ocean’s chances to make a push for a division championship and a deep postseason run. Despite that, the Spartans still managed to win a road Shore Conference Tournament game at Rumson-Fair Haven and push Holmdel to the final minutes in the next round.

I

After missing out what could have been a bigger season, Ocean is embarking on a rebuilding year with a new coach and doing it in the Shore Conference’s toughest pod. Former assistant Ryan Pringle takes over as the head man and he will

Head

Coach:

Michael Lazur, 7th season

Career

Malik Fields, Jr., 6-5, Forward (RS) Michael Daniels, So., 6-3, Guard/Forward Mateo Andrews, So., 6-1, Guard Bryson Bird, Sr., 5-5, Guard Nasir Collins, Sr., 5-11, Guard Jahmil Miranda, Jr., 5-11, Guard Daniel Moran, Jr., 6-0, Guard

Miller’s transfer will put some additional onus on returning starter Evan Peters and returnees Jack Savare and Matt Shaw, all of whom were role players last year and have a chance to show more this year against a challenging schedule. Peters and Shaw are guards and strong shooters, while Savare has the potential to fill up the stat sheet. Junior Aidan Tisony and senior Jamal Cetoute join the starting five and the Spartans will call on a deep bench to find both the help to get through a brutal 2021 slate of games, as well as some potential for 2022.

Key Losses

Jack Miller, 5-10, Guard Corey Miller, So., 6-1, Guard (transferred to Pennington) Sam Meeks, 6-1, Forward Cole Kelly, 6-5, Center I’Shyne Woodard, 5-10, Guard

Big Shoes to

Evan Peters Jack and Corey Miller were a lethal sibling d u o , combining for 29 points per game last season, even with Jack working through some injury issues. With both now gone, Ocean will need scoring from a lot of different places, including from Peters – a sharpshooter from Fill:

Off the Bench

Mike DiDario, Sr., 6-2, Guard/Forward Reif Birzin, Sr., 6-0, Guard Rusty Todd, Sr., 6-3, Forward Ethan Lowther, Sr., 5-10, Guard Cord Birzin, Jr., 6-2, Forward Justin McMahon, Jr., 6-3, Guard Brandon Loughlin, So., 6-5, Forward Ethan Brawer, Jr., 5-8, Guard Shane Garrett, So., 6-1, Forward Devon Simms, Fr., 6-5, Forward

S R . J ACK S AVARE

Record:

42-109

Off the Bench

Player to WatcH:

2019-2020 Record:

4-22

(1-13 in Class B North)

Player to WatcH

Sam Fagan The last two years have been a mental and physical challenge for Fagan, but he was much happier dealing with those challenges while on the court last season.

The Monmouth University commit missed nearly all of his sophomore year because of a compound leg fracture and made it back for his junior season. Fagan was still working through his recovery while leading the Scarlet Fliers to a 16-win season and an NJSIAA Central Jersey Group III championship game appearance. The four-year starting point guard averaged 11.6 points and 3.8 assists for the year and went off for a 40-point performance in a road playoff win over Somerville.

Head

Coach:

John Brown, 15th season Career Record: 312-85

2019-2020 Record:

(10-4 in Class B North)

18-10

6:30 p.m.

5:30 p.m.

5:30 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

11:30 a.m.

5:30 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

1 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

5:30 p.m.

5:30 p.m.

4 p.m.

the outside on last year’s team. : Aidan Tisony Tisony is a quick guard and standout on the soccer pitch, so he will pump some speed and energy into the Ocean lineup. With a pair of shooters in Peters and Shaw, plus a longer wing like Savare floating around, there are some potential finishers if Tisony can catch on a point guard with a threat to score on his own as well.

Impact Newcomer

X-Factor:

The non-pod schedule Ocean went from playing in a Class B North division that, even with a clear-cut No. 1 team in Wall, featured close games throughout the standings every night.

Ocean even beat Wall two years ago during the Crimson Knights’ first of two straight division-title runs. Now, the Spartans find themselves among some of the Shore’s giants. On top of Wall and Neptune, the Spartans got stuck with Manasquan and Ranney – the last two Shore Conference Tournament champions – as well as St. Rose. The two Wall games to open the season have been postponed due to a spread of COVID19 cases and Ocean managed to switch out of two games with Ranney in exchange for two with Asbury Park, but the schedule is still awfully tough for a team with so many unknowns going into opening night.

Key Returners

Top Newcomers

Lauren Turnbull Sr. Lila Trench Sr. (6ppg, 6rpg) Bella Chebookjuan Jr.

Krista Pustrom Delaney Moskowitz Abby Desmarais Emilie Peters

Sr. Sr. So. So.

Eli Clark Sofia Chebookjian

Fr. Fr.

Big Shoes to Fill

Impact Newcomer

Andre Harris Neptune lost a lot guards with athleticism and shooting ability and what do you know? Those are two attributes Harris possesses. The junior shot his way into a bigger role at the varsity level by the end of the season and came up with Neptune’s biggest play of its playoff run when his putback in the final seconds beat Burlington Township in sectional semifinal round. If Harris brings it every night on defense and keeps finding ways to score inside the three-point arc, Neptune will have a hard backcourt duo to stop.

Michael Daniels Daniels was in line to play as a freshman at the varsity level but a leg injury derailed those plans. Instead, he is back at 100 percent for his sophomore season, when he will start the year as one of Neptune’s first players off the bench. Daniels is part of a sophomore trio that also includes Daniel Charles and Mateo Andrews, all of whom are poised to be differencemakers on a Neptune team with lofty expectations amid a grueling schedule.

Key Returners

Ahjanae Young Amaya Evans Laila Kendle Alena Totten Marchella Tino Victoria Aragon

Jan. 26 vs. Raritan Jan. 28 at Keypor Feb. 2 vs. St. Rose Feb. 4 at St. Rose Feb. 6 vs. Monmouth Feb. 8 vs. Manasquan Feb. 10 at Manasquan Feb. 13 at Shore Feb. 16 at Neptune Feb. 18 vs. Neptune Feb. 23 vs. Asbury Park Feb. 25 at Asbury Park

Jr. Jr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr.

(11.2ppg, 4.2repg) (14.1ppg) Top Newcomers (5.6rpg) Jayden Foster, So. (4.1rpg) Kayla Patrick, So. Meg Silva, So.

X-Factor

The big guys Cheavers and Fields are experienced varsity players and will try to raise their level as the Scarlet Fliers look to replace six key contributors from a year ago.

There is little question both will help Neptune this season, but can they and their team thrive when they are playing together? There is no reason that can’t work and if it does, Neptune will have a big, physical front court to complement Fagan, Harris and the young, athletic wings on the perimeter.

33

community and not within the teams themselves.

he hardest thing Manasquan boys basketball coach Andrew Bilodeau ever had to do in his nearly-two decades as coach came on a day in which his team was set to play the best opponent the Warriors would have to play all season long, but it had nothing to do with actually beating the No. 1 team in the state.

M ANASQUAN ’ S Ben Roy

Hours before Manasquan was to play Camden in a highlyanticipated showdown in the NJSIAA Group II semifinal in Toms River, Bilodeau got word from the Manasquan Board of Education that the board was not going to allow the team to participate in the game and would be withdrawing from the entire tournament. With the seriousness of the COVID-19 pandemic just starting to come into focus – the NJSIAA had already announced no fans would be allowed at any of Thursday’s state tournament games – the Manasquan BOE decided the safest course of action was to not play at all.

It was at that point Bilodeau had to address his team. Manasquan’s best season ever would end not with a championship win or a hard-fought loss, but with a forfeit.

M ANASQUAN HC Andrew Bilodeau 34

F REEHOLD T WP .

HC Brian Golub

It was that day, March 12, 2020, that high school sports in New Jersey dramatically changed and has not since gone back to anything resembling normal. The entire 2020 spring scholastic season was canceled, the fall season started a month later than usual and with additional health and safety protocols, and even with all of the safety measures in place, teams and athletic programs around the state routinely had to periodically shut down – sometimes just because of confirmed COVID cases in the school

Now that the scheduled Jan. 26 opening night of the basketball season is within sight, we are back to where it all started in March of 2020. The players and coaches of N.J. are finishing up preparations for a season unlike any ever played in the state and around the country. The schedule is shorter, the travel is condensed and the goals are narrower with fewer championships on the line.

“I think the state and the Shore Conference have done a great job making the best of a worst-case scenario,” Bilodeau said. “I know with the Shore Conference, a lot of the coaches have been involved in some of the decisions we have made as far as scheduling and postseason and things like that, so they have given us an opportunity to give the kids a meaningful season under some less-than-ideal circumstances.

“We’re optimistic that things are going to go well. It’s going to be a lot different, but I think it’s going to be great.

Our kids are really, really excited about playing this year.”

With the NJSIAA announcing the 2021 basketball season will run from Jan. 26 to March 6 and will not commence with a state tournament, local counties and conferences were left to create the best season they could for their member teams. In that spirit, the Shore Conference athletic directors and coaches got together and devised a five-plus-week season that will give teams up to 15 games and crown a Shore Conference champion at the end of the season.

In order to get there as safely and thoroughly as possible, the season will look much different than in year’s past. Here are some key points to know about the unprecedented 2021 high school basketball season in N.J.

No fans

R ANNEY ’ S Elijah Perkins

By order of Governor Phil Murphy, no fans will be permitted into any high school basketball games in 2021.

The current limit on indoor gatherings is 10 people and the governor has granted a special exception for indoor sports provided that every person in attendance is considered part of the game: players, coaches, scorekeepers, officials, site directors, security, etc.

Assuming Murphy does not relax that directive between now and March 6, the policy will lead to some major changes in the way games are played and presented to everyone not allowed into the gym.

The first major change is that athletic departments are quickly trying to

MA

configure streaming services that parents, family, friends, classmates, college coaches and media can watch in order to follow along with the season without being able to physically attend games. A number of programs have already been implementing streams of their sporting events but the prohibition of fans has forced every athletic program to get up to speed with streaming technology so the families of the players are not totally shut out of the season.

The other impact is in scouting – both by college coaches and opposing high school coaches. More and more, college coaches are using film to determine which prospects to target and ultimately offer scholarships to, but for most coaches, an inperson visit at a game – whether high school or AAU – is an important step before committing to an offer.

High school coaches, meanwhile, are trying to come up with new ways to scout their opponents. While gaining a competitive edge by learning opponents’ tendencies is important, reviewing a scouting report and installing a game plan is a major part of the learning experience for a player, particularly the ones who plan to play at the college level.

Instead of travelling to games when the schedule permits like they do in normal years, many coaches are planning a film exchange program with the teams on their schedule, with an agreed-upon Shore Conference coaches’ policy of sharing the film of the previous two games with your upcoming opponent’s head coach. Beyond that, coaches will continue to use their connections and networking to get additional film, which has always been the case but is now even more important.

have a harder time assessing each team as it makes its case for postseason positioning?

Will it actually help them because they will have more games available to watch through streaming? The questions have yet to be answered but they will be by the end of February.

More static rosters Because of safety protocols, coaches will not be able to play borderline varsity players in junior varsity games on the same day they dress for varsity games. In some cases, it is even stricter than that.

Marlboro coach Mike Nausedas said he is finalizing his varsity roster and leaving it unchanged for the entire season, with no possibility for the sub-varsity players to move up this season.

“The thing that worries me is almost every year, we get hit with injuries,” Nausedas said. “We have had years where we lose two or three starters and I’m down to five guys who can handle a varsity game and there have been years where we might have that sophomore or freshman we can call up and give us some minutes. Now, we have to pick out guys and that’s it.

Fortunately, this is the deepest group I have had so I think we should handle that a little better, but it’s still not ideal.”

At the Ranney School, coach Tahj Holden said he gave one of his players the option of practicing with the varsity with limited game minutes or playing big minutes on the junior varsity team. Two years ago, Holden gave his current star, Elijah Perkins, jayvee minutes when he suspected he would be used sparingly on a given night at the varsity level. That option won’t be available to Holden, who has a deep roster and a lot of quality players to keep happy.

Another scouting impact that may go unnoticed until the end of February is with respect to the Shore Conference postseason. A seeding committee is set to determine the configuration of the postseason – to be played from March 1 until March 6 – and in most years, the coaches who are on the seeding committee make it a point to watch teams from around the Shore Conference play in order to better inform their opinions on seeding.

“That could be a factor but I think you just hope you have coaches on the committee are putting as much thought in as they can, however they can do it,” Shore Conference president and Pinelands athletic director Will Sunderman said. “Sometimes you get coaches who have gone and watched almost every team in the tournament and sometimes there are coaches who didn’t really go out and play anybody or see anybody. I think it’s just going to be about taking the information RLBORO S that’s available – whether that’s just communicating with other coaches or watching film of teams or whatever – and making the most of it.”

’

Freehold Township coach Brian Golub is in a similar position to Holden in that he has 16 players he wants to give a legitimate chance to play on varsity. Golub is ultimately opting to carry all 16 -10 of whom are seniors – with the varsity team and he said he wants to make a concerted effort to play as many of them as possible.

Jon Spatola

With a much more limited ability to see teams play in person, will coaches

“We have a lot of talent, so the two biggest challenges are going to be figuring out how it all fits and just keeping everybody happy,” Holden said. “The nice thing is I can tell guys to go all-out and empty the proverbial tank while they are on the floor because we can take them out. And if they aren’t playing as hard as we want them to play, we take them out and play somebody who is going to play hard. It’s a good problem to have, we just need all of the guys to buy in and it seems like everybody is on board so far.”

R ANNEY HC Tahj Holden

“I think the most important thing we should be doing

See

CBA’ S Mike White

challenges page 36 35

chaLLENGES

from page 35

as coaches and educators is giving the kids as much of a season as we can,” Golub said. “I have been doing this for 26 years as a head coach, I think winning is hugely important, but I’m not sure wins and losses should be the focus this year. Above all else, I want to give the kids the most positive experience possible while also being safe. If we get to the end of the year and the kids are happy with their experience, I’ll consider this year a big success.”

Last year, Neptune coach Joe Fagan inserted two underclassmen – current junior Oneil Cruz and sophomore Daniel Charles – into his postseason starting lineup who spent most of the season playing on the jayvee team.

Current Senior Andre Harris also spent most of his junior season on the jayvee team, then came up to the varsity team and made the Scarlet Fliers’ biggest shot of the season – a last-second putback to beat Burlington Township and send Neptune to the NJSIAA Central Group III final.

Pod A

Pod B

Pod C

Pod D

Donovan Catholic Lacey Southern Toms River East Toms River North Toms River South

Brick Brick Memorial Central Howell Jackson Memorial Lakewood

Barnegat Jackson Liberty Manchester Pinelands Point Boro

Asbury Park Henry Hudson Keansburg Keyport Mater Dei Prep Point Beach

Pod E

Pod F

Pod G

Pod H

CBA/Trinity Hall(G) Freehold Boro Freehold Twp. Manalapan Marlboro Middletown South

Colts Neck Holmdel Matawan Middletown North Raritan St. John Vianney

Long Branch Monmouth Red Bank Red Bank Catholic Rumson Shore

Manasquan Neptune Ocean Ranney St. Rose Wall

“Our guys rely a lot on the summer to get better and for a lot of our guys, the opportunity to get in the gym and get stronger just wasn’t there,” Fagan said. “Once you get to the season, you can work on teaching them the game and how you want to play and maybe give some of the younger guys jayvee minutes, but those options just aren’t going to be as readily available this year.

We’re making the most of it, everybody is in the same boat for the most part, so we’re just adjusting as best we can.”

sophomore or the senior who is never going to play…sorry.

You hate to do that to a senior but you’re trying to put the best team out there. Whatever you choose, it’s a bad choice.”

Opt-outs Just as some NBA, NFL and Major League Baseball players chose to opt out of their professional seasons during the pandemic, there are some noteworthy players who have already chosen not to play. In some cases, coaches can’t confirm whether the reasons are directly related to the coronavirus, but the conditions under which the season will be played create additional stress for the kids who are playing the games and affected by the expectations to follow closely protocol.

There is also the scenario in which a coach might start an underclassman with a sub-varsity team while keeping a senior on varsity who might not play much but has put the time in and embraces that role as a vocal bench guy who only plays in blowouts. In some cases, coaches may opt the best course of action for the program is to give the talented underclassman a chance to compete with the varsity team and cut one of those seniors.

“What do you do?,” one Shore Conference head coach asked. “We have had years where a sophomore is talented enough to play on the varsity but we feel like he could use the minutes and the reps on jayvee. Now, if I have to keep the teams separate and I can’t split the minutes (between varsity and jayvee), I might want to keep the sophomore in case he can help me later in the year.

“And if I have to choose between the

The most noteworthy player to opt out this year to date is Marlboro senior Aleksy Friedman, who was a starter and a significant stat-sheetstuffer for the Mustangs during their 23-7 season.

Friedman would have been one of four starts returning for Marlboro this year and opted out for personal reasons, according to Nausedas.

Christian Brothers Academy was also slated to return four starters, but senior forward Ryan Cremen elected not to play his final year. Unlike Friedman, who is one of the few seniors on Marlboro’s junior-heavy team, CBA has a senior-led roster and Cremen would have been a part of that core.

Toms River North graduated four starters and one of its top projected returning players – junior forward Lamir Mitchell, decided not to play this season. As a sophomore, Mitchell was the second player off the bench for a Mariners

RBC’ S Alex Bauman 36

team that reached the Shore Conference Tournament final in 2020.

2021 New Pod alignment

Toms River East also lost impact starters to graduation and was set to return one in senior Mark Roma. An ankle injury was likely to delay Roma’s start to the season to begin with, according to coach Tom DeRiggi, and he ultimately decided not to play basketball this season.

“It’s obviously a personal choice for the kid and for the family, so I respect that,” Toms River North coach Rory Caswell said. “I don’t blame the family for putting safety first and being extra cautious. You just hope the kids are okay mentally and emotionally, whether they are playing or not playing.”

New Shore Conference Alignment

In an effort to play a 15-game schedule that is more local and maintains an element of divisional play typical of normal season – all while giving teams a chance to schedule their own games and create a competitive postseason tournament – the Shore Conference expanded from seven divisions to eight pods for the 2021 season.

The 2020-21 season was initially supposed to expand the Shore Conference from six divisions to seven and with a tighter window to schedule games, the solution was seven pods of six teams and one with five. With two games vs. each division opponent, every Shore Conference team is scheduled for eight or 10 divisional games. The new pods look as shown in the chart.

From a competitive perspective, the realignment has a number of ramifications. The most obvious for 2021 on the boys side is moving Ranney out of the field of teams from the traditional Class B Central division, which make up Pod D. The Panthers have become a perennial Shore Conference Tournament championship contender under Holden and pulling them out of a group of teams that the Panthers dominated for the last three seasons and adding them to a pod that includes defending SCT champion Manasquan, two-time defending NJSIAA Central Group II champion Wall and tradition-rich Neptune gives Ranney a schedule far more representative of its performance over the past five years.

The flip side is by adding Ranney to what amounts to a Shore Conference basketball equivalent of the “Group of Death,” it means several of the pods only have a few high-level opponents to offer their best team. Mater Dei Prep would have had a chance to play Ranney twice under the old alignment, but this one calls for the Seraphs to play 10 games against teams they beat by double-figures in every game they played against them during the 2019-20 season. Fortunately for Mater Dei, it was able to remedy the situation by dropping two games vs. Asbury Park and adding two vs. Ranney at the end of the regular-season schedule.

M ANCHESTER ’ S destiny Adams

In order to allow for three games to be played during postseason play in the final week of the season, teams were encouraged to schedule no more than 12 games through Saturday, Feb. 27. That gives each team a chance to schedule two game outside of their pods, with the teams in Pod C able to schedule four games outside the pod.

No Touching!

Normally, the referees are the ones tasked with limiting contact on the court but one of the stranger quirks to this year will be the referees keeping themselves from avoiding contact.

One of the safety protocols for the officials this season is that they are not supposed to touch the ball after the tip-off and that wrinkle to the game was one multiple coaches immediately brought up when asked what they are most curious to see about this season.

“I think a lot of us want to see how the game is officiated with some of the protocols the officials are taking,” Bilodeau said. “It’s going to be strange. If the referee is not allowed to touch the ball, you could get some interesting scenarios. I don’t know, I’m curious to see how they handle that.”

Back-to-Back Scheduling Another caveat to the schedule is that both division games against a given opponent will be scheduled in the same week in order to limit the frequency of exposure over the course of a full schedule. That won’t change a team’s resume when it is time to evaluate its postseason standing and the game-planning and strategic element is something teams will adjust to, but the schedule could have a major impact on teams depending on when certain key matchups are scheduled.

If a team has a key injury, it could face a given division opponent twice without that player, while in the past, that player might have recovered in time to play the same opponent in the second turn through the division. In that scenario, first place in the pod could be determined by when teams are scheduled to play one another.

There is also the elephant that is in every single room of the

house that is the 2021 season: COVID. If a team has to shut down for two weeks – which is the most common length for a district to go to a remote-learning-only schedule in the event of a spread – that will likely affect between four and six games and not all of them will be able to be made up. By scheduling teams to play one another twice in one week, it creates the danger of the matchup being wiped out altogether if a COVID case forces an extended shutdown.

committee members could be attempting to seed teams they have not watched. That might not necessarily be a bad thing if you prefer tournaments to be seeded strictly by the participating teams’ resumes, which will have to be even more of an emphasis this season.

Unbalanced divisions are not unusual in the Shore Conference, but in most years, a team that is “punished” by the committee for playing a schedule that is considered to be weaker would only suffer the fate of a lower seed. Whatever that team thinks of its positioning in the bracket, it still gets a chance to play in the tournament.

The Postseason The NJSIAA announced it would not host a state tournament this season and that postseason tournaments would be left in the hands of local conferences and counties. While a number of localities are bypassing conference and county tournaments to just play a 15-game regular season, the Shore Conference elected to reserve the final week of the 2021 season – starting Monday, March 1 and ending Saturday, March 6 – for a modified postseason that will, if completed, effectively crown a 2021 Shore Conference champion.

With only eighth teams getting to play for a championship, it is basically inevitable that a team that finishes in first place in its pod will not be seeded to play in the championship bracket and it is highly likely that will happen to more than one first-place team. How will coaches on the committee balance winning the pod vs. performing well against top competition, even if it results in a second-or-third-place finish?

Much like the conference did in forming four-team pods to play out the final two weeks of the football season, it will separate the Shore’s 47

SJV’ S Katie Hill

teams into eight new pods for the last week of the season. A seeding committee resembling the ones that normally seed the Shore Conference Tournament will convene on Friday, Feb. 26 to rank the teams in the conference, one-through-47, in order to break them up into five eight-team pods and one more containing the bottom seven teams in the rankings.

Each eight-team pod will play a week-long tournament that includes a consolation bracket, giving each participating team a chance to play three games in the final week of the season. The eight teams seeded at the top of the conference will participate in the championship pod, with the overall winner being crowned the de facto Shore Conference champion for 2021.

This is where the no-fans rule and the divisional realignments could impact competition. With coaches being unable to scout in person and the easy availability of streams far from a certainty,

There could also be instances in which coaches who find their team on the border between the top pod and the second pod and that coach does not necessarily want to participate in the championship pod. He or she might instead prefer to play in a lower pod with teams that are more on their level and that his or her team could actually win.

“You could have a situation where a coach would rather play in a lower pod because they don’t like the matchup,” Sundermann said. “Maybe they don’t want to face a Manasquan or a Ranney on the boys side or a St. John Vianney or Manchester on the girls side.”

One boys coach acknowledged that he would prefer his team be slotted in a pod it could win rather than be seeded eighth in the championship pod, especially if his team were to be matched up with an opponent that already handled them during the regular season.

“I would rather be put with a bunch of teams that are on our level that we can compete with and try to end the year on a high note,” the coach said. “I don’t want to end the year with three losses. If it’s between a consolation (pod) or getting swept in the championship bracket, I’d rather get bumped down.”

There are still some finer details to be addressed over the next month or so but the framework to crown a champion in 2021 is in place.

Photo by:

B AREGAT ’ S Jaxon Baker F REEHOLD B ORO ’ S Jiasion Carpenter

FOR INFORMATION

ON HI-RES COLOR PRINTS OF ANY

PAGES & IMAGES IN ANY OF OUR PUBLICATIONS CONTACT: Steven Meyer 732-233-4460

steve.meyer@townsquaremedia.com 37

Jan. Jan. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb.

Matt Manley

By: Senior Staff Writer

Head

Coach:

Tahj Holden, 6th season 2019-2020

Record:

17-10

(12-0, first in Class B Central) 2020 Postseason Performance:

Reached Shore Conference Tournament quarterfinals (lost to Manasquan); Lost in South Jersey Non-Public B first round (St. Joseph Hammonton) Projected

Isaac Hester

Lineup

So. 6-0 Guard

(Transfer from Gill St. Bernard)

Elijah Perkins

Jr. 6-3 Guard (RS)

Brandon Klatsky

Jr. 6-2 Guard (RS)

Kyle Rhoden

Sr. 6-10 Forward (RS)

Ryan Zan

Jr. 6-7 Forward (RS)

RS – Returning Starter.

R – Returning Varsity Player

Junior guard Elijah Perkins leads the returning roster, with multi-talented 6-foot-10 senior Kyle Rhoden providing some major upside after missing most of last year due to both the transfer rule and a foot injury. Juniors Ryan Zan and Charles Anyichie are both back to provide size and athleticism, while Brandon Klatsky, Nick Troccoli and Brian Day all started at times last year. Zack Davis and T.J. Braswell each played important minutes off the bench and will reprise those roles, while impact sophomore transfer Isaac Hester and freshman Drew Buck round out a 12-man roster that coach Tahj Holden expects to use. With a returning roster like that plus the addition of Hester, Ranney is built to handle a lot of obstacles, of which there could be many in this particular season.

ith most of its 2019 Tournament-of-Championswinning team graduating the prior spring, Ranney was a young team that used a lot of players in 2019-20. That made last year challenging for the young Panthers, but it also means they will be older and even deeper this season – both because of the players they brought back and because of the ones they will be adding to the mix. Even with so much returning experience, with just one senior in the starting lineup and three in the returning rotation, Ranney will still be a young team in 2021.

W

Coach:

Katelyn Linney, 3rd season

38

2019-2020 Record:

(3-11 in Class B Central)

Off the Bench

Charles Anyichie, Jr., 6-8, Center (RS) Nick Troccoli, Sr., 5-11 , Guard (RS) Brian Day, Sr., 5-11, Guard (RS) Zack Davis, So., 6-7, Forward (R) T.J. Brasswell, Jr., 6-3 , Forward (R)

vs. at at vs. vs. at vs. at vs. vs. at at

Neptune 5:45 p.m.

Neptune 5 p.m.

Manasquan 5:15 p.m.

Manasquan 5:45 p.m.

CBA 1 p.m.

Wall 5:30 p.m.

Wall 5:45 p.m.

St. Rose 5:15 p.m.

St. Rose 5:45 p.m.

Mater Dei Prep 5:45 p.m.

Mater Dei Prep 6 p.m.

Red Bank Catholic 5:30 p.m.

Drew Buck, Fr., 6-2, Guard Sahil Patla, Jr., 6-0 , Guard

Impact Newcomer

:

Isaac Hester Player to WatcH

Elijah Perkins After playing some huge minutes off the bench as a freshman on a Tournament of Champions titlewinning team, Perkins stepped into a leading role as a sophomore last season. He averaged 15.2 points, 3.4 assists and 1.8 steals while earning Second-Team AllShore honors from Shore Sports Network and leading Ranney to a third straight outright division title in Class B Central. At 6-3 and one of the best athletes in the state, Perkins has drawn plenty of college interest, with Georgetown and Nebraska among the seven programs to have offered him a scholarship to date.

High-profile transfers have become the norm at Ranney since Bryan Antoine and Scottie Lewis showed up as freshmen in the fall of 2015. Five years ago, it was Amadu Sarnor. Four years ago Savior Akuwovo. Phillip Wheeler joined the team for the Tournament of Champions run of 2019. Last year, Kyle Rhoden jumped on board.

This year, Hester is the headliner from outside the program after impressing as a freshman at Gill St. Bernard a year ago. After averaging nine points and 3.4 assists for the Somerset County power, the speedy 6-0 guard will complement Perkins in the starting backcourt. Hester will take some pressure off of Perkins as a ball-handler while also offering Ranney ability as a spot-up shooter. Hester picked up his first Division I offer back in November, which came from Stony Brook.

Big Shoes to Fill

S R K YLE R HODEN

4-12

X-Factor

Shooting/Depth With so many experienced players with varying skillsets, Ranney will have plenty of options for a starting lineup.

The one listed above prioritizes getting the team’s top athletes on the floor, but it might need an extra shooter. Klatsky, Troccoli and Braswell all showed they could knock down the three-ball last season, with Klatsky, in particular, featuring one of the Shore’s best long-range strokes (44 threes as a sophomore). With all that versatility and depth, coach Tahj Holden has the enviable task of making his team’s talented pieces fit over the course of 32 minutes per night.

J R B RANDON K LATSKY Key

Head

None

Kyle Rhoden With no players graduating from last year’s team, there are no imaginary shoes to fill for Ranney this season.

Instead, Rhoden stands out as a player who has spent three years trying to find himself at three different schools: Rutgers Prep as a freshman, Central Regional as a sophomore and Ranney last year. Rhoden has already brought a lot to the table as a high-school player (10.6 points, 10.5 rebounds, 1.2 blocks in 10 games last year), but has the tools to do even more in his final year and with a chance to do it over a full season, albeit a condensed full season.

The question for the Panthers is how much of a jump forward will they take after a season in which they showed flashes of being a force but also showed their youth at times? They looked at least a year away from being a Shore Conference favorite again when Manasquan handled them in the Shore Conference Tournament quarterfinals and will again have to go through the Warriors now that the two teams are in the same pod and will face off twice in early February.

With that being said, Ranney will have more onethrough-12 talent than any team in the conference this season and a 12-game schedule that will give the Panthers a chance to showcase it. Now away from the Class B Central division that the Panthers have dominated for the last three years, they will play big-name Shore teams like Wall, Neptune, Christian Brothers Academy, Mater Dei Prep and Red Bank Catholic, in addition to two games vs. Manasquan.

Key Losses

27 29 2 4 6 8 10 16 18 22 24 26

Returners

Brooke Schmelz

Sr.

CJ Moore

Sr.

Bella Santulli

So.

Top

Newcomers

Raquel Guidetti, Fr. Ella Inacio, Fr. Carlie Lapinski, Fr. Carissa Frederick, Fr.

Morgan Lapinski, Jr. Sarah Hughes, So.

39

Matt Manley

By: Senior Staff Writer

Head

forge ahead in this shortened 2021 season.

Guard Justin Rivera and 6-foot-5 center Jason Trotta are the returning junior starters after productive sophomore seasons. Rivera will run the point and Trotta will man the paint while coach Denis Caruano mixes and matches to find the right combinations around the two returnees. Most of the options around Rivera and Trotta will be sophomores, with six-foot senior John Bachmann and 6-3 junior Tyzaya Smith the lone nonsophomores in the projected rotation along with the two returning junior starters.

Raritan’s sophomore class has the Rockets primed to make some significant gains over the next two-tothree seasons and they are hoping to start this winter.

Lucas LaVilla came on strong over the course of his freshman season and sophomore Billy Tigar is quickly establishing himself as a multi-sport standout at Raritan. Jack Coleman brings some size and length to the equation after getting some important minutes as a freshman and Matt Agar battled while playing both on the perimeter and the inside last year. Add in Jack O’Lear y and Michael Dillard and the 2023 class will have a major say in Raritan’s upcoming season and seasons to come.

Coach:

Denis Caruano, 16th season 2 0 1 9 - 2 0 2 0 R e c o r d : 12-12 (5-9, sixth in Class A Central) 2020 Postseason Performance:

Reached Shore Conference Tournament round of 16 (lost to Ranney); lost in NJSIAA Central Jersey Group II first round (Roselle) Projected Lineup

Justin Rivera Lucas LaVilla John Bachmann Jason Trotta Matt Agar

Jr. So. Sr. Jr. So.

RS – Returning Starter.

5-11 6-0 6-0 6-5 6-1

Guard (RS) Guard (R) Guard (R) Center (RS) Forward (R)

R – Returning Varsity Player

espite returning only two starters from last season, Raritan will have a good deal of game experience, albeit in the form of a lot of underclassmen. Last year’s mix of seniors, sophomores and freshmen got to .500 for the season, held their own in a deep Class A Central division and went up against Ranney in the Shore Conference Tournament. That kind of varsity initiation should have Raritan prepared to

A

Head

Coach:

Anthony Vona, 2 season nd

40

Key Losses

Jaylen Smith, 6-2, Forward Luke Davies, 5-10, Guard Liam Callahan, 6-2, Forward Connor Smith, 5-8, Guard

2019-2020 Record:

10-15

15 (3-11 in Class A Central)

Off the Bench

Tyzaya Smith, Jr., 6-3, Forward (R) Jack Coleman, So., 6-3, Forward (R) Billy Tigar, So., 6-0, Guard (R) Jack O’Leary, So., 6-1, Guard (R) Michael Diller, So., 5-10, Guard Justin Rivera Rivera was second on Raritan’s balanced scoring attack with 10 points per game as a sophomore in 2019-20 and will be the primary offensive weapon for the Rockets this season – even if the offense remains balanced. Rivera will be asked to get the Rockets into their offense as a point guard but his proven shooting and scoring ability is likely to lead to him being a point guard who also looks to score, especially on a young team.

Player to WatcH:

Jack Coleman Jaylen Smith was one of the Shore’s top athletes a year ago and paced the Rockets with 11 points, nine rebounds and two blocks per game. Raritan won’t have a quick fix to replace that kind of player but Coleman is a sophomore with good size, length, athletic ability and some good moments from his freshman year upon which to build. He will be one of the first players off the bench to open the season and with Raritan ready to use its depth, he will play important minutes.

Big Shoes to Fill:

Key Returners

Top Newcomers

Sarah O’Leary Megan Casey Joei Tarrazi Carmela Petrignani

Montana Gogan

Sr. (4ppg) Jr. (7ppg, 7rpg) Jr. (6.3ppg) So.

(Transfer from Keansburg)

Sr.

Allison Dillon So. Moira McCarron Fr.

Jan. Jan. Jan. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb.

26 27 29 2 4 8 10 16 18 22 24 26

vs. vs. at vs. at vs. at at vs. vs. at at

Ocean St. John Vianney St. John Vianney Matawan Matawan Middletown North Middletown North Colts Neck Colts Neck Holmdel Holmdel Pinelands

6:30 p.m.

3:45 p.m.

7 p.m.

3:45 p.m.

6:45 p.m.

3:45 p.m.

6:45 p.m.

5:30 p.m.

3:45 p.m.

5:30 p.m.

3:45 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

: John Bachmann Bachmann played sparingly as a junior and returns to what will be an expanded role on the court. Beyond what he can bring to the team as a guard with a chance to play important minutes, he will be the lone senior in the rotation and that senior leadership and urgency will be valuable to a team that boasts so many sophomores.

Impact Newcomer

X-Factor:

Youth Over the next three years, Raritan is going to go as far as its Class of 2023 can carry the team. Rivera and Trotta will be key figures in each of the next two seasons but with so much of the roster made up of current sophomores, the Rockets are going to be leaning on their young core right from the start this season and all the way through the late winter of 2023.

Brianna Daly Anna Shea

Fr. Fr.

Matt Manley

By: Senior Staff Writer

: Donovan Bradley One element Red Bank is missing is height, with Murray at guard the tallest projected starter at 6-3. That makes the 6-3 Bradley a key piece for Red Bank, with the junior providing some rebounding and interior defense off the bench to support Ferrogine and Laughlin.

Impact Newcomer

Off the Bench

Head

Owen Laughlin, Sr., 6-1, Forward (RS) Donovan Bradley, Jr., 6-3, Forward Jackson Hyman, So., 6-0, Guard Tommy Keegan, Jr., 6-0, Guard Brian Tobin, Jr., 6-0, Guard Nick Valentino, So., 6-0, Guard Michael Wood, Sr., 6-0, Guard

Coach:

Scott Martin, 20th season 2019-2020

Record:

10-17

(5-9, sixth in Class B North) 2020 Postseason Performance:

Patrick Murray After getting some starts as a freshman and averaging nine points and four rebounds per game as a sophomore, Murray is poised for a big season as a 6-foot-3 swingman who can score in a variety of ways. Red Bank has been a team that always spreads the wealth when it comes to scoring and Murray is not likely to lap his teammates when it comes to scoring, but this should be his year to emerge as the featured offensive weapon for Red Bank.

Coaches Projected Lineup

Guard Guard Guard Guard Guard

Enoch Hutchinson Patrick Murray Bodhi Martin Nick Ferrogine Matt Keegan

Sr. Jr. Sr. Sr. Sr.

(R) (RS) (R) (RS) (R)

RS – Returning Starter.

R – Returning Varsity Player

Key Losses

Matt Weidman, 6-0, Guard Drew Valentino, 6-2, Guard

Team Toughness Without a lot of height and with some scoring and rebounding to replace, Red Bank will have to find other ways to win the battle in the paint. Having Ferrogine and Laughlin certainly helps, with the two seniors bringing a football mentality to the court. Ferrogine is a guard who can both score and rebound (10.8 points and four rebounds per game last year) while Laughlin will scrap with opposing forwards and hassle some bigger guards when called upon. If those two set the physical and mental tone for Red Bank, the Bucs will be an unpleasant opponent.

Player to WatcH:

Did not reach Shore Conference Tournament; lost in NJSIAA Central Jersey Group III first round (Nottingham) 6-1 6-3 6-0 5-11 6-1

X-Factor:

n the last several years, Red Bank has carved out a reputation as a dangerous double-digit seed in the NJSIAA Tournament – a good-news-bad-news proposition. The good news is the Bucs have been a tough out in the state tournament. The bad news is they have had to play on the road as an underdog because some inconsistent play in the regular season.

I

Enoch Hutchinson The under-the-radar offensive threat for Red Bank is Hutchinson, a 6-1 guard with slashing and shooting ability who provided a scoring jolt off the bench on a number of occasions as a junior. With Weidman’s shooting gone from last season, the Bucs will be looking for other sources of perimeter scoring and if Hutchinson can level up, Red Bank should have its shooter and scoring complement to Murray and Ferrogine.

Big Shoes to Fill:

The additional bad news this season is Red Bank – like every other team in the state – won’t have a chance to play in the state tournament, so the Bucs will have to get

Key Returners

Head

Coach:

John Truhan, 4th season (21st overall) Career Record:

382-166

2019-2020 Record:

21-7

21-7 (11-2 in Class B North) *Public School champions

Chloe Teter Amelia Medola Caitlyn Decker Emma Moriarty Mia Strand

Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr.

(13.3ppg, 4.4rpg) (10.2ppg, 61 3’s) (9.5ppg, 6.6apg) (4.1ppg, 5.1rpg) (4.9ppg)

Top

Newcomers

Ceci Conti Ellie Lynch Camryn Gardner Paige Kelly Catherine McCallion Kelsey Peduto Shani Lynch

Sr. So. Fr. So. Jr. So. So.

Jan. Jan. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb.

27 29 2 4 6 8 10 16 18 20 22 24

vs. at vs. at vs. at vs. vs. at vs. at vs.

Rumson-Fair Haven Rumson-Fair Haven Monmouth Monmouth Wall Long Branch Long Branch Red Bank Catholic Red Bank Catholic Holmdel Shore Shore

6:30 p.m.

7 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

1 p.m.

5:15 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

1 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

into playoff mode earlier this season. On the bright side, the Bucs have the roster to build on last year’s near-upset of Nottingham in the Central Jersey III opening round and will have an opportunity to prove themselves in a Shore Conference pod that includes two local rivals and perennial SSN Top 10 teams in Red Bank Catholic and Rumson-Fair Haven.

Red Bank lost a pair of key players in top scorers Drew Valentino and Matt Weidman, but bring back a host of players who got key minutes in 2019-20 and are good enough to take a step forward. Junior Patrick Murray is the most likely candidate to pick up the mantle as the team’s top scorer in his third season as a varsity regular. Seniors Nick Ferrogine and Owen Laughlin are football standouts who are also returning starters on the hardwood and will bring an element of senior toughness to the fold. Enoch Hutchinson showed his scoring ability off the bench last year and Bodhi Martin, Matt Keegan and Donovan Bradley are in line for bigger roles this year as well.

With some toughness around the lineup and two emerging scoring guards in Murray and Hutchinson, Red Bank enters the season with a chance to open a lot of eyes, particularly in pod home-and-homes vs. local rivals Red Bank Catholic and Rumson-Fair Haven.

41

Matt Manley

By: Senior Staff Writer

as a defensive stopper. Those three juniors and Croke are back as starters this season and will set the tone for the rest of the squad, which features a mix of two-sport athletes and promising freshmen.

A Head

Coach:

Tyler Schmelz 5 season th

2019-2020

Record:

17-10

10 (7-7, fourth in Class A Central) 2020 Postseason Performance:

Reached Shore Conference Tournament semifinals (lost to Toms River North); lost in South Jersey Non-Public A first round (Notre Dame) Projected

Lineup

Alex Bauman

Jr.

6-4 Guard (RS)

Cyril Arvanitis

Jr.

6-2 Guard (RS)

C.J. Ruoff

Jr.

6-3 G/F (RS)

Max Croke

Sr.

6-3 G/F (RS)

Zach Meeks

Fr.

6-5 Forward (RS)

RS – Returning Starter.

R – Returning Varsity Player

s ever y team in N.J. prepares for a shortened season, Red Bank Catholic is coming off a 201920 that was like playing two seasons in one. The Caseys started the year built around football standouts Charlie Gordinier and Kevin Bauman, lost Bauman when he left the team for several games, lost Gordinier to a season-ending hand injur y, got Bauman back and rode the current Notre Dame freshman and an upstart sophomore class to memorable finish. RBC bottomed out with a loss to four-win Monmouth Regional but responded by beating Christian Brothers and reaching the Shore Conference Tournament semifinals for the first time in 26 years.

The tur moil in the middle of last year hardened the current group of juniors to the rigors of leading a team, which they helped do as sophomores during RBC’s SCT run. Alex Bauman, Cyril Ar vanitis and C.J. Ruoff all played big roles in RBC’s finish to the season and senior Max Croke stepped into Gordinier ’s starting spot and made a name for himself

J R . A LEX B AUMAN

42

Zach Meeks is a 6-foot-5 freshman poised to start from day one at RBC and 64 classmate Gio Panzini – whose older brother, Shane, is a senior at RBC, a Virginia baseball commit and a potential high MLB Draft pick – will also make a major impact in his first season with the Caseys. Seniors Sebastian Arrango and Zack Linkletter join Croke as the elder statesmen of the team, while junior Connor Wanagiel and sophomores Rob Stolfa and Nick Cosimano add some depth and athleticism.

Jan. Jan. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb.

27 29 2 4 8 10 12 16 18 22 24 26

at vs. vs. at vs. at at at vs. at vs. vs.

Long Branch Long Branch Shore Shore Monmouth Monmouth Holmdel Red Bank Red Bank Rumson-Fair Haven Rumson-Fair Haven Ranney

5:30 p.m.

6:45 p.m.

6:45 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

6:45p.m.

6:45 p.m.

5:30 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

6:45 p.m.

7 p.m.

6:45 p.m.

5:30 p.m.

Despite some shifting of opponents in the Shore Conference pod realignment, Red Bank Catholic will maintain rivalries with Rumson-Fair Haven, Red Bank and Holmdel, with one out-of-pod game against Holmdel and two apiece against Rumson and Red Bank. Throw in a showdown with Ranney on the last Friday of the regular season and this year ’s schedule will give RBC a chance to show what it can do – a high-level lineup of tests for a program loaded with junior and freshman talent.

Key Losses

Charlie Gordinier, 6-5, Guard/Forward Kevin Bauman, 6-6, Forward/Center Kevin Degnan, 6-0, Guard Continued

>

Big Shoes to Fill:

Sebastian Arrango, Sr., 5-9, Guard (R) Rob Stolfa, So., 5-9, Guard (R) Gioanacchio Panzini, Fr., 6-4, Guard/Forward Zach Linkletter, Sr., 6-3, Forward (R) Connor Wanagiel, Jr., 6-1, Guard (R) Nick Cosimano, So., 6-3, Forward (R)

Cyril Arvanitis and C.J. Ruoff In reality, Arvanitis and Ruoff were already put to the test last season when the Caseys were missing Bauman and Gordinier at different points, with both then-sophomores stepping up in a big way. Now, they enter the season as established scorers and all-around contributors who will draw more attention from opponents from the outset.

With the heightened expectations for them and for the team, Arvanitis and Ruoff will try to show they have another gear.

Player to WatcH:

Alex Bauman Like his brother Kevin was over the past several seasons, Alex Bauman is one of the Shore’s best all-around athletes thanks to his combination of strength and agility. Unlike Kevin, Alex is more of a perimeter player on the basketball court and will find himself playing some point forward this season for a team that doesn’t have an obvious point guard. Bauman averaged 8.7 points, five rebounds and 1.5 blocks as a sophomore while establishing himself as a lockdown defender.

: Zach Meeks This year’s freshman class at RBC is a promising one and not only will two of the rookies make an impact from the outset, but one of them will likely even start on opening night at Long Branch. Meeks is 6-5 with enough polish to play in the post or on the perimeter. As with most freshman, how Meeks handles the physical and mental adjustment to regularly playing against players three years his senior – especially on the inside – will determine just how good he is in year one.

Impact Newcomer

ff the Bench

J R . C.J. R UDFF

X-Factor:

Playmaking RBC has a mix of size, athleticism and shooting with its team of shooting guards, wings and power forwards.

One early question for the roster could be whether or not the Caseys have a true point guard and how they might function without one. Bauman has a lot of attributes befitting of a high-school three or four, but on offense, his passing ability could put the ball in his hands as a creator – either at the top of the key or in the high post. Arvanitis and Ruoff are also capable at putting the ball on the floor and could enhance their abilities as distributors.

S R . S OPHIA S ABINO Top

Head

Coach:

Joe Montano, 31st season Career Record: 658-176 2019-2020 Record:

(12-2 in Class A Central) *Co-Champions

22-6

Key Returners

Newcomers

Lucy Alberici

Sr.

Sophia Sabino

Sr. (7.7ppg)

(Transfer from Raritan)

Antonia Panayides

Sr. (5.5ppg)

Emma Carman

So.

Justine Pissott

Jr. (12.4ppg, 67 3’s)

Casey Prior

So.

Aly Carman

Jr. (13.8ppg)

Molly Kelly

So.

Cassie Cavanagh

Sr.

Photo by:

J R . A LY C ARMAN

43

Matt Manley

By: Senior Staff Writer

or a team that has built a reputation as one of the Shore’s top public-school programs since Chris Champeau took over 12 seasons ago, Rumson had a relatively non-descript season by its standards.

Considering how young the Bulldogs were and what they were replacing from 2019, a 17-win season that saw a number of new faces emerge as building blocks for the next two seasons was an overall win for Champeau’s team.

The one known commodity heading into last year who is also back in the fold in 2021 is junior guard Geoff Schroeder. The six-foot Schroeder was the third-leading scorer on the team as a freshman and the top scorer last year while playing with some inexperienced v a r s i t y players. He h a s

F

Head

Coach:

Chris Champeau, 12th season 2019-2020

Record:

17-11

(9-5, third in Class A Central) 2020 Postseason Performance:

Lost in Shore Conference Tournament first round (Ocean); reached Central Jersey Group II quarterfinals (lost to Manasquan) Coaches Projected Lineup

Geoff Schroeder

Jr.

6-0 Guard (RS)

Jackson Patton

Sr.

5-11 Guard (R)

Robbie Sypeck

Sr.

6-1 Guard (R)

Ryan Patterson

Sr.

6-1 Guard

Scott Gyimesi

Jr.

6-4 Forward (RS)

RS – Returning Starter.

R – Returning Varsity Player

J R . G EOFF S CHROEDER

developed a solid rapport with classmate Scott Gymesi, a 6-5 power forward who grew into Rumson’s best inside threat in his first varsity season last year The rest of the starting five will be a senior trio, although one of the spots could go down to the wire between two seniors. Senior Jackson Patton is a lock for the first five after proving himself as a contributor last season and Robbie Sypeck also has a hold on one of the spots coming off his varsity debut last year. The fifth will go to either Ryan Patterson or Jake Hermann – two seniors with good size at the guard position.

Champeau went deep into his bench early in the 2019-20 season before settling on a more conventional rotation down the stretch and the expanded rotation could be a feature again in 2021 thanks to a well-rounded group of juniors – many of whom are standouts in another sport – and sophomore Luke Mikolycheck. All those juniors should make Rumson a dangerous team over the next two seasons and will mean a heated rivalry with pod-mate Red Bank Catholic, which the Bulldogs are scheduled to face in the final week of the 2021 regular season.

Jan. Jan. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb.

27 29 2 4 6 8 10 13 16 18 22 24

at

vs. at vs. vs. at vs. at vs. at vs. at

Red Bank Red Bank Long Branch Long Branch Middletown North Shore Shore Middletown South Monmouth Monmouth Red Bank Catholic, Red Bank Catholic

6:30 p.m.

7 p.m.

5:15 p.m.

7 p.m.

1 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

7 p.m.

1 p.m.

7 p.m.

6:45 p.m.

7 p.m.

6:45 p.m.

Key Losses

Jack Carroll, 6-4, Forward Drew Frankel, 6-3, Guard Shane Shovelin, 6-1, Guard John Baker, 6-5, Forward/Center Hunter Reid, 6-0, Guard Off

the

Bench

Jake Hermann, Sr, 6-2, Guard Nacho Bryson, Jr., 6-3, Guard Cal Famula, Jr., 6-2, Guard Trent Sloan, Jr., 6-3, Forward Charlie Jones, Jr. 6-5, Forward Aidan Moriarty, Jr., 6-2, Forward Matt Rigby, Jr., 6-2, Forward Luke Mikolycheck, So., 6-2, Guard Boo Schaud, Jr., 5-10, Guard Owen Sullivan, Jr, 5-10, Guard Continued

44

>

Player

to

WatcH

Geoff Schroeder A standout in both football (as a running back) and basketball, Schroeder has been producing from the moment he stepped on a varsity court as a freshman. He scored 33 points in a showcase game vs. Middletown North in his first year, then hit the 30-point mark again during a sophomore campaign that saw him average 17.1 points, 2.1 assists and 1.8 steals.

Big Shoes to Fill

Jackson Patton Jack Carroll is the most significant statistical loss for Rumson after he put up 14.4 points per game as a senior, but Drew Frankel and his prowess as both a defender, distributor and leader might be even tougher to replicate. Patton will have to handle a lot of that responsibility, potentially slotting in as the third scorer next to Schoeder and Gymisi while also taking some pressure off Schroeder by digging in on defense and handling the ball.

Impact

common choice for the always-up-tempo Bulldogs – but having Moriarty as an option to pair with Gymesi to give Rumson a more physical lineup makes the 6-2 junior a valuable weapon.

X-Factor

Take care of business, finish strong The way the schedule breaks down, the last week of the season vs. Red Bank Catholic will be what decides whether this talented version of the Bulldogs gets to play for a nominal Shore Conference championship in the top postseason pod during the first week of March. In order for it to matter, though, Rumson will have to get through a potential road block in Red Bank (to open the season) first but the rest of the schedule does not have another opponent that is likely to push for one of those championship pod spots. That will be good news if Rumson handles its business and wins all of those games, but the chance to make a lasting statement to the postseason seeding committee will be against RBC to close out the season.

Newcomer

Aidan Moriarty Another member of Rumson’s hard-hitting football team, Moriarty will bring a physicality to the lineup that not many other players on the Bulldogs or any other team will. Champeau is leaning toward a four-guard starting lineup – a

Top

Head

Coach:

Dave Callahan, 5th season Career Record: 79-36 2019-2020 Record:

21-9

(10-4 in Class A Central) *Public School champions

Newcomers

Charley Rosen

Jr.

Grace Collucci

Jr.

Key Returners

Kaila Scarpa

Jr.

Cortland McBarron Sr. (10ppg, 4rpg)

Dylan Cahill

So.

Julia Corsentino

So. (10ppg, 68 3’s)

Amanda Gettings So.

Grace Munt

Sr.

(missed last season with an injury)

Megan Reid

So.

Chase Boyle

Sr.

(missed last season with an injury)

Janey Sypeck

So.

S R . C ORTLAND M C B ARRON S O . J ULIA C ORSENTINO Photo by:

45

Matt Manley

By: Senior Staff Writer

A Head

Coach:

Ryan Finch, 5th season 2019-2020

Record:

18-10

(8-6, tied third in Class B North) 2020 Postseason Performance:

Reached Shore Conference Tournament round of 16 (lost to Manasquan); reached NJSIAA South Jersey Non-Public A quarterfinals (lost to Paul VI) Coaches Projected Lineup

Nate Williams

Jr.

6-4

Guard (RS)

Kyle Verriest

So.

6-0

Guard (RS)

Antonio Rosato

So.

5-10 Guard

Connor Howard

So.

6-3

Guard

6-5

Forward

(Transfer from Pine Ridge, Pa.)

Dylan Seay RS – Returning Starter.

Fr.

R – Returning Varsity Player

t e a m t h a t l o s e s f i v e ke y s e n i o r contributors is not always fired up f o r t h e f o l l ow i n g s e a s o n b u t S t .

John Vianney retur ns for 2021 with a y o u n g c o re t h a t h a s n o d e s i g n s o n easing off the gas pedal following an 18-win 2019-20 season. The Lancers will not be a p a r t i c u l a r l y ex p e r i e n c e d t e a m b u t t h e y w i l l b e ov e r f l ow i n g with athleticism in the b a ck c o u r t a n d w i t h e n o u g h s i z e a n d v e r s a t i l i t y t o m a ke a difference around the floor.

Junior Nate Williams is the lone returning starter for St. John Vianney and at 6-foot-4 with guard skills and f r o n t - c o u r t s i z e a t t h e h i g h - s ch o o l level, he gives the Lancers an alla r o u n d t h re a t a r o u n d w h i ch t o b u i l d t h e i r s t a r t i n g l i n e u p. K y l e Ve r r i e s t a n d A n t o n i o R o s a t o a re b o t h s o p h o m o re guards and football standouts who will be major factors on the defensive end and can find some points on the other end as well. Rosato missed last b a s ke t b a l l s e a s o n d u e t o i n j u r y w h i l e Ve r r i e s t m a d e a n i m p a c t a s a freshman off the bench.

J R . N ATE W ILLIAMS

46

The rest of the lineup will be newcomers, but many of them have the b a s ke t b a l l ex p e r i e n c e to jump right into the rotation. Sophomore Connor Howard and senior Ross Thomas a re t ra n s f e r s w h o will make an immediate impact, while 6-5 freshman Dylan Seay is in line to start and be one of the Shore’s top players in his class from the first day of his first year. Although a y o u n g g r o u p, W i l l i a m s gives the Lancers an AllS h o re - c a l i b e r t a l e n t t o a n ch o r t h e r o s t e r a n d t h e young group around him makes St. John Vianney an up-and-coming team with a ch a n c e t o d o d a m a g e t h i s season.

Jan. Jan. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb.

27 29 2 4 5 8 10 13 16 18 22 24

at vs. vs. at at vs. at vs. at vs. at vs.

Raritan Raritan Colts Neck Colts Neck Trenton Catholic Holmdel Holmdel Point Beach Middletown North Middletown North Matawan Matawan

3:45 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

5:30 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

7 p.m.

5:30 p.m.

1 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

7 p.m.

6:45 p.m.

7 p.m.

Key Losses

Alex Leiba, 6-9, Center Brian Stuart, 6-3, Guard/Forward Jahmal Garraway, 5-11, Guard Kevin Greene, 5-10, Guard Ryan DiPede, 6-0, Guard Off the Bench

Ross Thomas, Sr., 6-3, Forward (Transfer from Ocean) Omar Calderon, Jr., 6-3, Guard Julian Young, Sr., 6-2, Forward Justin Coto, Sr., 5-9, Guard Liam Thomas, Jr., 6-2, Forward Continued

>

Player to WatcH

Impact Newcomers

Nate Williams As a sophomore on an 18-win team, Williams put up solid all-around numbers (9.7 points, 3.4 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.9 steals) but he and the rest of the Lancers are hoping for a big jump as an all-around player during an abbreviated junior season. Williams has the size, skill and athleticism to impact the game in a lot of ways and with a lot of young players on the roster, St. John Vianney will need its star that has done a little bit of everything to do a little bit more of everything.

Dylan Seay and Connor Howard In Seay and Howard, St. John Vianney has two incoming underclassmen who offer enough size and skill to make a major impact right away while also helping to lay the foundation for a very promising future – particularly in 2022. The 6-5 Seay can help on the inside and outside with his broad skillset and Howard has a similar profile within the context of this year’s team.

Howard played in the Pittsburgh area last year and his family moved back to N.J. for this school year, according to Lancers coach Ryan Finch.

l i ke T h o m a s w i l l i n g t o go inside will be a big plus either in the starting lineup or off the bench.

Big Shoes to Fill X-Factor

Kyle Verriest Verriest goes from a bench-energy guy to a likely starter and while his role won’t necessarily change too much, the Lancers will need his defensive prowess and all-around athleticism to be even more impactful. St. John Vianney lost a standout rim-protector in Alex Leiba, two good offensive guards in Brian Stuart and Jahmal Garraway and a defensive stopper in Ryan DiPede and Verriest will have to help make up for all of it by scoring as a guard and doing his part in keeping opposing guards out of the paint.

Head

Coach:

Dawn Karpell, 15 season Career Record: 428-104 th

2019-2020 Record:

28-1

(14-0 in Class B North) *Division, Shore Conference & SJ Non-Public A champions

Ross Thomas Thomas spent his first three high school seasons at Ocean and is looking to make his first varsity i m p a c t t h i s s e a s o n n ow t h a t h e e n t e r s t h e season healthy. At 6-3, Thomas can provide Vianney with some inside play to complement a team that has a lot of players with guard skillsets. Size should not be too much of a problem across the board for Vianney but having a player

JR. MADISON ST. ROSE

Key Returners

Katie Hill

Sr. 11.3ppg, 4.3rpg)

Emma Bruen

Sr. (4.3ppg)

Megan Cahalan

Jr. (6.5ppg, 3.8rpg)

Ashley O’Connor

Jr. (5.4ppg, 2.3rpg)

Madison St. Rose,

Jr. (18.3ppg, 5.4rpg, 3.4apg)

SR. KATIE HILL Top

Newcomers

Julia Karpell

Photos by:

Fr.

47

Matt Manley

By: Senior Staff Writer

or so many years, St. Rose bulldozed the thenunderwhelming Class B Central divisional schedule, but in recent years, the Purple Roses have played in divisions that were home to powerhouse teams: Ranney, Mater Dei Prep and Point Pleasant Beach in Class B Central and then Manasquan, Rumson-Fair Haven, Red Bank Catholic and Holmdel once they moved into Class A Central. This year is St. Rose’s toughest draw yet, with the last two Shore Conference Tournament champions – Manasquan and Ranney – leading the field and established Top 10 teams Wall and Neptune in the next tier of the newly-formed pod.

F Head

Coach:

Frank Carmody, 3rd season 2 0 1 9 - 2 0 2 0 R e c o r d : 13-12 (6-8, fifth in Class A Central) 2020 Postseason Performance:

Reached Shore Conference Tournament round of 16 (lost to Wall); Lost in NJSIAA South Jersey Non-Public B first round (Immaculata) Coaches Projected Lineup

Morgan Fahy Nick D i Natale Frank D i Natale Luke Farrell Tom Turnbach

Sr. Jr. Sr. Jr. Sr.

RS – Returning Starter.

5-10 6-1 6-2 6-5 6-4

Guard (RS) Guard (R) G/F (R) F/C (R) Forward

R – Returning Varsity Player

The talent St. Rose had to face last year as part of a deep Class A Central field sometimes overshadowed the talent the Purple Roses had on their own roster, led by all-around 6-foot-4 wing John Beattie and crafty point guard Kevin Tombs. Losing those two players is a big hit to the roster, but the Purple Roses will have some backcourt options and plenty of size to send out against some of the Shore’s toughest opponents. Seniors Morgan

Fahy and Frank DiNatale saw regular minutes last season, with DiNatale one of the better shooters on the team and Fahy capable of stepping in at point guard.

St. Rose will call on its big men to rise to the occasion, with 6-4 Tom Turnbach already having proved himself as a capable scorer and rebounder as a junior. Junior Luke Farrell and senior Trevor Donnelly are both 6-5 frontcourt players who will help St. Rose counter Manasquan and Ranney’s big lineups, but coach Frank Carmody will still have to see how well the two fit on the floor together in other situations. In smaller lineups, juniors Nick DiNatale and Colin Westhoven could provide a lift, as can seniors Shane Killeen and Nick Xanthacos. The schedule is brutal, but the roster has some versatility and the Purple Roses should be nothing if not battle-tested.

Key Losses

John Beattie, 6-4, Guard Kevin Tombs, 6-2, Guard Fredrik Bang-Andreasen, 6-4, Guard/Forward

Erik Mazur, 4th season 2019-2020

Record:

9-16

(1-13, eighth in Class A Central) 2020 Postseason Performance:

Did not reach postseason Projected Lineup

Tyler Tilton John Smith Liam Gajewski Alex George Chris Kessler RS – Returning Starter.

Sr. Sr. So. Fr. Sr.

6-3 6-1 6-1 6-2 6-4

Guard (RS) Guard (RS) Guard (R) Guard G/F (RS)

R – Returning Varsity Player

A

rough-and-rugged Class A Central schedule overwhelmed a young Shore squad last season, but the Blue Devils cleaned up their overall record with a solid 8-3 mark outside the division. This year, the Blue Devils shake free of

Head

48

Manasquan and Holmdel – the two best A Central teams – and will play a schedule that will give them a better chance to win some games inside the pod.

It also helps that Shore should be a better, more experienced team that its was a year ago.

The Blue Devils return three perimeter scorers as seniors: Chris Kessler, Tyler Tilton and John Smith.

Kessler and Tilton were the top two scorers from a year ago and both offer a good deal of size at their positions at 6-foot-4 and 6-3, respectively. Smith, meanwhile, is a three-point marksman who, like Tilton, can also distribute the ball. The other returning player in the mix for a starting spot is sophomore Liam Gajewski, who got some minutes off the bench as a freshman.

Freshman Alex George and sophomore Brett Sweeney are also vying for a spot in the starting five, with George impressing coach Erik Mazur and his staff early as a rookie who can instantly make an impact on a senior-led team that hopes to be markedly improved. Sweeney is making his varsity debut as well, with four other varsity newcomers rounding out the projected rotation – including 6-4 junior Aidan O’Brien and senior Brendan Bauer. The Blue Devils still have some considerable catching up to do to teams like Rumson-Fair Haven and Red Bank Catholic but with a proven senior core leading them and some promising youth, they could close that gap considerably.

Coach:

William Wishart, 5th season Career Record: 48-65

at at at at vs. at vs. vs. at vs. at

Manasquan Manasquan Barnegat Ocean Ocean Neptune Neptune Ranney Ranney Wall Wall

6:30 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

5:30 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

5:15 p.m.

5:45 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

Off the Bench

Trevor Donnelly, Sr., 6-5, Forward Colin Westhoven, Jr., 6-1, Guard Nick Xanthacos, Sr., 6-2, Guard Shane Killeen, Sr., 6-2, Guard/Forward Mick Breen, Sr., 6-3, Forward Declan Hogan, Sr., 6-2, Guard Lucas Hope, Sr., 5-10, Guard

Jan. Jan. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb.

Matt Manley

Coach:

27 29 1 2 4 8 10 16 18 22 24

Continued

By: Senior Staff Writer

Head

Jan. Jan. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb.

2019-2020 Record:

(3-11 in Class A Central)

15-12

Key Losses

Ryan Paglia, 6-4, Center Sam Martucci, 6-2, Forward Off the Bench

Brett Sweeney, So., 6-2, Guard Aidan O’Brien, Jr., 6-4, Forward Brendan Bauer, Sr., 6-1, Forward Donovan Hughes, So., 5-10, Guard Ben Levy, So., 5-8, Guard Player to WatcH:

Chris Kessler At 6-4, Kessler has the ability to score at multiple levels of the offense and move around on defense, all of which will be important for a Blue Devils team without a lot of conventional frontcourt play but some decent size among its guards.

Big Shoes to Fill:

Liam Gajewski The senior trio of Kessler, Tilton and Smith will be the engine that drives the Blue Devils, but the up-and-coming group of sophomores will be integral as well. Gajewski is the sophomore with the most experience, getting some minutes at the varsity level as a freshman and returning this year ready to take on a starting role. Shore’s losses in the starting lineup are two forwards and without a whole lot of size to replace them, the Blue Devils will just need more guards to pick up the slack.

27 29 1 4 6 8 10 13 16 18 22 24

at vs. at vs. at vs. vs. at vs. at

Monmouth Monmouth Red Bank Catholic, Red Bank Catholic Brick Memorial Rumson-Fair Haven Rumson-Fair Haven Ocean Long Branch Long Branch Red Bank Red Bank

6:30 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

6:45 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

1 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

7 p.m.

1 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

5:15 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

: Alex George Mazur has not been hesitant to start freshmen when they are ready and George has made a strong case during the preseason. George has the skill to operate at guard and enough size to go inside and get some hard-earned points for a team that would like to see some of its guys steal some points in the paint where possible.

Impact Newcomer

X-Factor:

The Paint Speaking of points in the paint, a concern for Shore when going up against physical teams like Rumson-Fair Haven, Red Bank Catholic and Red Bank will be keeping opponents off the offensive glass and defending the post. Shore has enough length to bother perimeter players and if defending the paint proves difficult, they will have to pick up the pressure with Tilton and Kessler.

Key Returners

Top Newcomers

Rylee Drahos Madison LaRosa Cassie DeSantis,

Sam Carew Megan Gammon Jackie Miller Angelina Russo Julia Iannuzzelli

So. (11.2ppg, 5.8rpg Sr. (14.1ppg) Sr. (2.6rpg)

at vs.

>

Sr. Kayla O’Scanlon Sr. Kayla O’Scanlon Sr. Jenna Sempkowski Sr. Jr.

Jr. Jr. Sr.

Tim Kelly, Jr., 6-5, Forward Jack Lang, Jr., 6-2, Forward Chris Tallarico, Jr., 6-0, Guard/Forward

Impact Newcomer

Player to WatcH

Tom Turnbach Turnbach was St. Rose’s muscle on the inside last year, leading the team in rebounding while finishing second in scoring behind Beattie at 9.2 per game. With some ball-handling and scoring missing on the perimeter from last year, the Purple Roses can help themselves out by pounding the ball inside to Turnbach, who should pair well with St. Rose’s two 6-6 centers, Luke Farrell and Trevor Donnelly Big Shoes to Fill

Morgan Fahy and Frank DiNatale With Beattie and Tombs out of the picture, St. Rose is looking for a backcourt duo that can hold their own and provide at least some of the production left behind by the two all-division players. Fahy is ready to run the point and DiNatale will look to expand his game after providing the Purple Roses with some knock-down shooting a year ago. Nick DiNatale will also help with some of those duties in an expanded role as a junior.

Trevor Donnelly Donnelly got into a handful of games as a junior and could prove to be a bigger factor this season on a St. Rose team that has some size to throw at teams. With some big front lines on the schedule – namely Manasquan and Ranney – having two 6-6 players in Farrell and Donnelly should prove valuable.

X-Factor

Point guard Tombs was one of the Shore’s more under-theradar point-guard standouts last season and finding a player to get St. Rose into its offense and create like Tombs did will be a challenge.

On the positive side, St. Rose operates within a system that can produce scoring without a dominant ball-handler and that could be an option if players like Fahy and Nick DiNatale are best when looking for their shot

HC M A R Y B E T H C H A M B E R S Head

Coach:

Mary Beth Chambers, 3rd season Career Record: 50-11 2019-2020 Record:

(12-2 in Class A Central) *Co-Champions

22-8

Top

Key Returners

Newcomers

Abby Antognoli

Sr. (10.8ppg, 4.4rpg, 3.6apg)

Abby Dyhr

Sr.

Maureen Stapleton

Sr. (3.9ppg, 5.1rpg)

Avery Morgan

Sr.

Layla Laws

Sr.

Darby Sherman

Jr.

Niaiysa Ervin

Sr.

Tori Crovo

Jr.

Margaret Cavanaugh So.

&

SR. ABBY ANTOGNOLI SR. MAUREEN STAPLETON Photos by:

Rosie Scognamiglio So.

49

Matt Manley

By: Senior Staff Writer

Top

Head

Coach:

Mike McCarthy, 3rd season Career Record:

35-18 17-9

2019-2020 Record:

(14-0 in Class B Central) *Division champions

Key Returners

Haven Dora Emma Bradely Cameryn Keane Cecilia Peters

Jr. Sr. Jr. Sr.

(10ppg, 7apg) (8ppg, 9rpg) (6ppg) (3ppg, 3rpg)

Newcomers

Sydney Commesso Jill DeSeo Ella Doherty Lucy Goddard Paige Jaenicke Nina Emnace Hayla Dora Siobhan Stapleton

So. So. So. So. So. Fr. Fr. Fr.

Photo by:

Tom Smith

Matt Manley

By: Senior Staff Writer

Lacey as a senior and Ackerman heading into his junior season. Lacey was the team’s second-leading scorer last year and was second in assists behind on Ackerman, who averaged 8.7 points, 3.2 rebounds, three assists and 1.6 steals as a sophomore.

S

Head

Coach:

Bob Klatt, 3rd season 2019-2020

Record:

24-7

(14-0, first in Class B North) 2020 Postseason Performance:

Reached Shore Conference Tournament quarterfinals (lost to Holmdel); Won NJSIAA Central Jersey Group III championship (Lost to Timber Creek in Group II semifinal) Coaches Projected Lineup

Colin Ackerman

Jr.

6-0 Guard (RS)

Pat Lacey

Sr.

6-2 Guard (RS)

Chris Mitchell

Jr.

6-0 Guard

Tom Palluzzi

Sr.

6-2 G/F (R)

Logan Peters

Sr.

6-1 forward (RS)

RS – Returning Starter.

R – Returning Varsity Player

ince Bob Klatt took over as head coach two seasons ago, Wall is 2for-2 on Class B North division championships as well as in NJSIAA Central Jersey Group III titles – elevating the Crimson Knights toward the upper echelon of public basketball programs in the Shore Conference. There will be neither division champions nor a state tournament in 2021, so Wall can’t add to those totals this year and on top of that, it will have to navigate the most loaded pod in the Shore Conference for this season (Manasquan, Ranney, Neptune, St. Rose and Ocean).

Although the schedule is stacked, Wall has no reason to shy away from the challenge with what the Crimson Knights return. Four players from the team’s top six in the 2019-20 rotation are back, including three starters in Pat Lacey, Colin Ackerman and Logan Peters. In Lacey and Ackerman, Wall has one of the most skilled all-around backcourts in the conference –

Seniors Logan Peters and Tom Palluzzi are two tough returnees with s t a r t i n g experience who can play on the perimeter and down low. Peters put up 6.9 points per game with team-highs in rebounding (6.4) and steals (1.7) while serving as Wall’s top inside player. The question on this year’s team will be beyond those top four and junior Chris Mitchell hopes to be at least one answer for the Crimson Knights as the projected fifth starter.

S R . P AT L ACEY

50

www.tspsportsimages.com

SR. EMMA BRADLEY

Wall will get a late start to its season because of a COVID-related move to

Jan. Jan. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb.

27 29 2 4 6 8 10 13 16 18 22 24

at vs. vs. at at vs. at vs. at vs. at vs.

Ocean Ocean Neptune Neptune Red Bank Ranney Ranney Point Boro Manasquan Manasquan St. Rose St. Rose

PPD, TBA PPD, TBA 6:30 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

1 p.m.

5:30 p.m.

5:45 p.m.

1 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

remote-only learning and corresponding school closure for two weeks, beginning on Jan. 13 and ending Jan. 27. Klatt confirmed that none of his players were part of the spread that closed the school, so once athletic activity can resume, Wall should be ready to pick back up. Still, it is an early challenge for a team that will have to now open up vs. Neptune on Feb. 2 with only a handful of practice days to get ready – a challenge that more than one team from the Shore is likely to face this season.

Key Losses

Quinn Calabrese, 6-3, Guard Michael Caputo, 6-2, Forward Nick De La Cruz, 6-0, Guard Ian Ackerman, 6-1, Forward Continued

>

Off the Bench

Tom Palluzzi A significant contributor in each of the past two seasons, Palluzzi has some starting experience on his resume, so it won’t be a stretch to ask him to take on one of the two open spots in the first five. Where Wall might need the senior to step up is in a) filling in for Caputo as an all-around contributor on both ends while b) helping to pick up some of the scoring left behind by Calabrese. With a good shooting form and the ability to play bigger than his height, Palluzzi should be up for the challenge.

Big Shoes to Fill:

Ryan Molloy, Jr., 6-0, Guard Trent Carr, Sr., 5-11, Guard Dylan Jaspan, Sr., 5-10, Guard Jake Walsh, Sr., 6-2, Forward P l a y e r t o W a t c H : pat Lacey Lacey entered his junior year as a second option to then-senior Quinn Calabrese and while Calabrese remained a focal point through the end of the 2019-20 season, Lacey was the Crimson Knights’ steadiest offensive player during their second straight run to the Group III semifinal round. He averaged 13.1 points and 2.1 assists for the duration of his SSN All-Shore Third Team season and during the state tournament, Lacey averaged an even 19 points in five games to lead Wall during that stretch.

: Chris Mitchell With two dynamic guards and two hard-nosed, versatile frontcourt players coming back to the lineup this year, Wall needs a fifth player to jump into the starting lineup and find a way to contribute. Mitchell brings a multitude of attributes to the table, with a good work-rate on defense and some scoring ability to add to the Ackerman-Lacey back court.

Impact Newcomer

X-Factor:

The Next Wave Some teams have to rebuild all at once while others bring back a deep group of experienced players. The rest are somewhere in between and Wall is among that group, albeit with a very strong returning quartet that has accomplished more than most groups do over a two-year stretch. That means expectations that remain high for 2021 and for Wall to run with Manasquan and Ranney during the regular season and finish strong during the week of postseason play, the Crimson Knights will need their next wave of varsity players to jump in and complement the group that includes Lacey, Ackerman, Peters and Palluzzi.

Photos by:

Top

Head

Key Returners

Coach:

Colleen Wisher, 11 season Career Record: 118-143 th

2019-2020 Record:

(14-0 in Class B North)

J R . C OLIN A CKERMAN

8-19

Izzy Casais Alexis Nerenberg Lauren Lacey Paris Thorp Marielle Bersalona Anna Richel

Sr. Sr. Jr. Jr. So. So.

(2.9ppg) (4.5ppg) (3.5ppg, 4.1rpg) (3.9ppg, 3.1rpg)

Newcomers

Alieen Carr, Fr. Shayne Eldridge, Fr. Ashley Philhower, Fr. Emily Tvrdik, Fr.

51

Matt Manley

By: Senior Staff Writer

n the seven years since head coach Mike Puorro took over, Barnegat has made major strides as a program, winning 18 or more games in three of the past four seasons and 20 or more in two of the last three. The Bengals showed they could successfully rebuild by graduating an accomplished senior group that won 22 games in 2017-18 and getting back to 20 wins just two years later. One thing the Bengals have not done in that time is win a division championship – something they won’t technically be able to do this season as there are no official Shore Conference divisions for 2021.

I

Head

Coach:

Mike Puorro, 7th season 2019-2020

Record:

20-7

(9-5, tied third in Class B South) 2020 Postseason Performance:

Lost in Shore Conference Tournament first round (Matawan); lost in South Jersey Group II first round (Pleasantville) Projected

Lineup

Tyler Quinn Jaxon Baker Laurence Davis Logan Armstrong Jared Krey

Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr.

RS – Returning Starter.

6-1 6-0 6-1 6-2 6-2

Guard (RS) Guard (RS) Guard (R) Guard (R) Forward (RS)

R – Returning Varsity Player

What Barnegat can do is finish first in the Shore’s lone fiveteam pod, which includes a talented Manchester team, perennially-tough Point Pleasant Boro and rebuilding squads Jackson Liberty and Pinelands. To get to the top of the heap, Barnegat will rely on an athletic-but-small overall roster that will be running out speedy, guard-heavy lineups throughout the season. Senior Jaxon Baker leads the group after pacing the Bengals in scoring as a junior in 2019-20, with classmates Tyler Quinn and Jared Krey are also back after playing significant rotation roles last year with a stretch of starts for each as well.

Three players are up for the other two starting spots. Laurence Davis, who missed the last two seasons while recovering from not one, but two torn ACL injuries, would add even more speed and athleticism to the starting five. Logan Armstrong and Andrew Vernieri are two more seniors vying for a spot, with Armstrong bringing a bit more size at 6-foot-2 and Vernieri offering Puorro

the option of a true four-guard look. It is a senior-heavy first-six with some underclass talent waiting in the wings, so this year could be a chance for Barnegat to strike before reloading again for 2022.

Key Losses

Isaiah Gerena Brendan Revello Nick Revello Ty’zon Jackson

6-5 5-10 6-0 6-0

Off the Bench

Andrew Vernieri John Hudak Shikeith Gordon Gabe Terry

Sr. Jr. So. So.

6-0 5-10 5-11 6-3

Forward Guard Guard G/F Guard Guard Guard Forward

Jaxon Baker Baker had a strong showing as a sophomore, but his junior year campaign was his real breakout. He emerged as the top scorer on the Bengals with 14.3 points per game and added dimensions to his scoring after mostly roaming the three-point arc as a sophomore.

Barnegat will need to find some creative ways to get the other four starters involved in the scoring but Puorro at least has the luxury of a go-to option as a centerpiece.

Player to WatcH:

Tyler Quinn Quinn got better and better as last season carried on and by the end of his junior season, he was logging important minutes while earning 15 starts. Now that Quinn is an established varsity player, Barnegat

Big Shoes to Fill:

Key Returners

Head

Coach:

Tammy Nicolini, 8th season

Career Record:

75-100

2019-2020 Record:

Cara McCoy Ashley Pringle Isabela Guiro

8-17

(4-10 in Class B South)

Soph. (8ppg, 6rpg) Sr. (5ppg, 2rpg) Jr. (4rpg)

L

Head

Coach:

Mike Gawronski, 9th season 2 0 1 9 - 2 0 2 0 R e c o r d : 2-18 (2-12, eighth in Class A South) 2020 Postseason Performance:

Did not reach postseason Projected

Lineup

Ty Williams Alex Jenjoski Giuseppi Johnson

Sr. 6-0 Guard (RS) Sr. 5-10 Guard (R) Jr. 6-0 Guard

(Transfer from Point Boro)

Ryan Duffy Steven Novak

Sr. 6-1 Forward (RS) Sr. 6-3 Forward (R)

RS – Returning Starter.

R – Returning Varsity Player

Four seniors project to get the starting nod on opening night, led by senior point guard Ty Williams. Ryan Duffy and Steven Novak are back in the front court as seniors, while classmate Alex Jenjoski joins Williams in the backcourt. Seniors and 6foot-2 forwards James Rea and Alex Lawes are also back after playing on the 2019-20 varsity squad and should see key minutes off the bench, if not in the starting five.

Of course, with Brick looking to move the program forward, there will be plenty of non-seniors vying for big minutes. Junior Giuseppi Johnson transferred from Point Boro and will add to Brick’s back court, while fellow junior and 6-4 forward Jack Dougard offers a bigger starting option as a wing or a post player. Robert Giovine is another junior who should give the Dragons some guard minutes while sophomores Nick Verdesco and Waj Rahimi look to break into the rotation during another rebuilding season at Brick, albeit one that should go better than it did last year.

Key Losses

Anthony Maniscalco Brandon Bautista Joaquin Ragland

6-1 Guard 5-10 Guard 6-0 Guard

Off the Bench

Jack Dougard James Rea Alex Lawes Nick Verdesco Robert Giovine Waj Rahimi Logan Kreud

Jr. 6-4 Sr. 6-2 Sr. 6-2 So. 5-9 Jr. 5-11 So. 6-0 Jr. 6-1

Guard (R) Forward (R) Forward (R) Guard (R) Guard (R) Guard (R) Guard

Ty Williams Williams finished third on Brick in per-game scoring last season and should be a reliable scorer again as a senior. The Green Dragons are looking for Williams to continue to develop as a point guard, as well as one of the leaders of the program. Brick is still not at the level of talent it had two seasons ago, but Williams gives the Dragons a chance to be improved while a number of the juniors and sophomores ascend to bigger roles.

Player to WatcH:

Alex Jenjoski Brick lost three steady contributors at the guard positions last year, particularly with top scorers Anthony Maniscalco and

Big Shoes to Fill:

26 28 29 1 6 9 11 16 18 19 23 25

at vs. at vs. vs. vs. at at vs. at vs. at

Head

Coach:

Kevin Stockhoff, 6th season 52

Savannah Eichert Jr. (3ppg) Rian Stainton So. (3ppg) 2019-2020 Record:

(2-12 in Class A South)

6-19

Top Newcomers

Nicole Kuhl

So.

Tyler Olivia Melanie Rodas Sophia Smith Brianna Harvey Emily Stumbers

Sr. Sr. So. Jr. Jr.

6:30 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

11 A.m.

6:30 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

5:15 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

I m p a c t N e w c o m e r : Gabe Terry Terry and fellow sophomore Shikeith Gordon are the key cogs in Barnegat’s future and both can be of service to the Bengals this season in their varsity debuts. Terry, in particular, will be an important piece because of his size at 6-3 and Barnegat’s lack of frontcourt depth. Those factors will likely lead to Terry getting plenty of early looks on the floor.

X-Factor:

Laurence Davis Barnegat leaned heavily on the 6-5 Gerena in 2020, but this year, the Bengals will essentially be featuring an all-guard lineup at all times.

Krey and Terry will play the forward spot when they are in the game but even both of them have more guard qualities and tendencies that would likely be more pronounced on a team with more traditional size. In this particular pod, Barnegat will try to cause matchup problems and dictate tempo and with success doing that, small ball could work wonders

26 28 29 1 3 5 9 11 16 18 23 25

vs. at vs. vs. at at at vs. vs. at at vs.

Central Central Barnegat Howell Howell Toms River South Jackson Memorial Jackson Memorial Brick Memorial Brick Memorial Lakewood Lakewood

6:30 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

3:45 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

Brandon Bautista. That leaves a lot of points to pick up and Jenjoski will be asked to step in and take some of the pressure off of Williams in the back court while Duffy and Novak handle more of the frontcourt duties.

: Giuseppi Johnson Johnson joins the Green Dragons after starting his career at Point Boro and will carve out a role in the Brick back court in some capacity. He should eventually emerge playing off of Williams in the back court and – along with classmate Jack Dougard – could even develop into a go-to option over the next two seasons.

Impact Newcomer

X-Factor:

Key Returners

Pinelands Pinelands Brick St. Rose Freehold Twp. Manchester Manchester Point Boro Point Boro Toms River East Jackson Liberty Jackson Liberty

will need him to take another step forward this year as the Bengals look to replace two productive guards in Brendan and Nick Revello, as well as an often-dominant big man in Gerena. On a small team with no one over 6-3, Quinn will have to do the work of a forward from time-to-time as well.

Jan. Jan. Jan. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb.

Matt Manley

By: Senior Staff Writer

ast year, for the first time since coach Mike Gawronski took over the program, Brick did not improve on its record from the prior season, following up a 13-win season in 2018-19 with a big drop-off at 2-18. That is an understandable descent considering how much senior leadership and scoring Brick had to replace and with a few experienced players coming back and some capable newcomers in the fold, the Green Dragons should get back to their old habit of building upon the previous season.

Jan. Jan. Jan. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb.

Energy and Athleticism There is a big gap for Brick to close between itself and the rest of the pod, which includes Brick Memorial, Central, Howell, Jackson Memorial and Lakewood. Brick Memorial graduated some impact offense and Lakewood is in a state of transition, so the Green Dragons could draw closer to the middle of the pod as long as they maintain their reputation as a hard-nosed team that plays with energy.

53

Matt Manley

By: Senior Staff Writer

hile returning very little experience from 2019, last year’s Brick Memorial squad still boasted a scoring attack led by a pair of seniors, which makes this year’s team deep on playing experience but without an established go-to scorer. In his first three years as head coach, Mike Pelkey developed a balanced offense of players who share the ball and this year’s team should operate with the same dynamic.

W

Head

Coach:

Mike Pelkey, 4th season 2019-2020

Record:

8-15

(3-11, seventh in Class A South 2020 Postseason Performance:

Did not reach postseason Projected

Lineup

Jake Dombrowski

Sr.

5-8 Guard (RS)

Blake Zammit

Sr.

5-10 Guard (RS)

Luke Braaten

Jr.

6-6 Center (R)

T.J. McArthur

Sr.

6-0 Forward (RS)

Hayden Guzenski

Sr.

6-0 Forward (R)

RS – Returning Starter.

R – Returning Varsity Player

Seniors T.J. McArthur and Jake Dombrowski are the top two returnees after each averaged right around eight points per game – two of four Brick Memorial players last year to average between 7.7 and 11.4 points.

Dombrowski will run the point again this year after putting up 7.7 points and 2.4 assists as a junior while shooting 30 percent from beyond the three-point line. McArthur will play on the wing and adds some versatility while senior Blake Zammit fills out the back court after starting as a junior.

The two players moving into the starting five for the Mustangs are Hayden Guzenski and 6-foot-6 center Luke Braaten. Like McArthur, Guzenski isn’t as tall as the average highschool forward but he will also battle inside

and be aided by the fact that the Mustangs do have size in the middle with Braaten. Jason Ellerbrock is a senior off the bench with some varsity experience under his belt, while Josh Michigan, Blake Starrett and Dorian Alston are three sophomores who each played sparingly as freshmen and could prove to be x-factors for a Brick Memorial squad that might be a sleeper in its pod with Brick, Central Regional, Howell, Jackson Memorial and Lakewood.

Key Losses

Brandon Thomas Jeremy Campbell

6-2 Guard 6-4 Center

Off the Bench

Jason Ellerbrock Josh Michigan Brian Starrett Dorian Alston

Jr. So. So. So.

6-0 6-0 6-0 6-2

Guard Guard Guard Forward

Player to WatcH

T.J. McArthur It’s splitting hairs between Dombrowski and McArthur when it comes to naming Brick Memorial’s top returning player, but McArthur could be the most

important because of his ability (8.1 points, 3.9 rebounds, two assists as a junior) as well as his position on the team. Without a lot of size beyond Braaten, Brick Memorial will need McArthur to play a lot of the time, so his willingness to do different jobs makes him an essential player.

Big Shoes to Fill

Blake Zammit With four regular scoring contributors on last year’s team and two of them back this year, the Mustangs will be looking for some scoring sources early on in the season to help out McArthur and Dombrowski.

After playing in 11 games last year, Zammit is back primed for a bigger role in 2021 as a supplementary scorer and perimeter defender.

Career Record:

Coach:

83-100

2019-2020 Record:

9-17

(3-11 in Class A South)

Tom Lecorchick, 8th season

Alexis Voorhees, Sr. Ella Moore, Jr. Kaitlyn Barry, Jr.

S Head

Coach:

Mike Clemente Jr, 6 season th

2019-2020

Record:

8-15

(6-8, tied fourth in Class A South) 2020 Postseason Performance:

Did not reach postseason Projected Lineup

John Truhan Marvin Goodwine Jr. Justin Soranno Jeremy Bruner I-Meer Johnson RS – Returning Starter.

So. Sr. Jr. Sr. Sr.

5-10 5-10 6-6 6-6 6-3

Guard (R) Guard (RS) forwRD (RS) forwRD (RS) forwRD (RS)

R – Returning Varsity Player

While Clemente will have some options at his disposal when it comes to which configuration to use in the starting lineup, it is most likely going to be a starting five that includes three seniors. Forward IMeer Johnson is one of the Shore’s best athletes and all-around players after putting up 11.1 points, 7.2 rebounds and 2.3 steals per game as a junior. Guard Marvin Goodwine Jr. has been a regular contributor since he was a freshman and classmate Kwesi Bekoe is another guard high up in the rotation.

Senior forward Jeremy Bruner gives Clemente a chance to play an imposing lineup, with Brunner one of two 6-foot-6 options in the rotation.

The other 6-6 big man is junior Justin Soranno,

Key Losses

Eugene Brown Cody Blocker

6-4 Forward 6-3 Guard

Off the Bench

Miles Chevalier Kwesi Bekoe Anthony Musso Gianni Smith Shane Sajewicz, Grant Tillet

Fr. Sr. Jr. Jr. jr.

Jr.

6-3 5-10 6-3 5-11 6-1 6-3

G/F Guard Forward Guard (R) Guard Guard

Player to WatcH:

Justin Soranno After an impressive debut as a freshman, Soranno had a quieter season than many expected but he still put up 12.2 points per game. The 6-6 post man has a polished offensive game and he should benefit from playing with a more experienced supporting cast, as well as benefit from another year of development.

Big Shoes to Fill:

Jeremy Bruner Eugene Brown was one of Central’s most productive players and filling his spot in the starting lineup will be the biggest challenge during the early part of the season. At 6-6 and with some starting experienced during a stretch of last season, Bruner brings a lot of attributes to the court that should help the Golden Eagles pick up some of the rebounding and interior scoring and defense that Brown provided. : Miles Chevalier Clemente cited Chevalier’s poise as a freshman, which will put him in the year-long running for a spot in the starting lineup. At the very least, he should find his way onto the court for key minutes and with the Golden Eagles boasting some strong juniors and a promising sophomore point guard, a talented

Impact Newcomer

Key Returners

Head

Coach:

Doug Shaw, 2nd season 54

2019-2020 Record:

(8-6 in Class A South)

15-12

Jadelynn Smith Julia Altieri Martine Chevalier

Sr. Sr. Jr.

vs. at vs. vs. at at vs. at at vs.

Jackson Memorial Jackson Memorial Lakewood Lakewood Shore Howell Howell Brick Brick Toms River South Central Central

5:30 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

1 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

3:45 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

1 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

Top

Kayla Kryzkowski Ang Ruscitti Nahmeera Johnson

Jr. Sr. Jr.

Newcomers

Lindsay Tighe, Jr. Haley Tighe, So. Madaline MacArthur, Fr. Madaline Rendon, Fr.

Matt Manley who is another double-double threat and a proven, polished post scorer through his first two years of high school basketball. Central’s other likely starter outside of the senior class is sophomore John Truhan, who is pushing to take over at point guard for the next three years. Freshman wing Miles Chevalier will also be a factor in the rotation, potentially as a starter, and junior Anthony Musso is back in the mix after enduring an injury-marred sophomore season. It all adds up to a deep collection of talent and in a relatively-even pod, it might be enough to get the Golden Eagles an elusive firstplace finish.

at vs.

X-Factor

Top

Melanie Hiotis, Jr. Summer Castiglione, Jr. Ava Rendon, Jr.

By: Senior Staff Writer

ince a breakthrough, 22-win season in Mike Clemente Jr.’s second year as head coach, Central has had some teams that entered the year with high expectations but has not yet been able to get back to the brink of a division title. The shortcomings of the Golden Eagles have been understandable given how young its core has been since then and now that the starting lineup is beginning to feature more upperclassmen, this could be the year Central makes a move to the top of its field – in this case, a six-team pod with Jackson Memorial, Howell, Lakewood, Brick and Brick Memorial.

26 28 1 3 6 9 11 16 8 20 23 25

Luke Braaten With game-changing size and the skill to step out, Impact Newcomer make shots and pass, Braaten is a player with a Dorian Alston chance to break out during the abbreviated 2021 Brick Memorial’s sophomore trio could make an season. There are some teams with more size impact beginning this year and Alston will be across the board and some more physical players especially intriguing because he is big enough to than Braaten, but none will tower over the 6-6 give the Mustangs some needed frontcourt depth. Mustangs junior. Central is the only other team in Alston is skilled enough to make plays from the the six-team pod with a player listed as tall as perimeter but with plenty of guards on the roster, Braaten at 6-6.

Alston could carve out a role down low coming off the bench, perhaps even as a starter in due time.

Key Returners

Head

Jan. Jan. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb.

Jan. Jan. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb.

26 28 1 3 5 9 11 15 17 19 23 25

at vs. at vs. vs. at vs. vs. at vs. vs. at

Brick 6:30 p.m.

Brick 6:30 p.m.

Jackson Memorial 5:30 p.m.

Jackson Memorial 6:30 p.m.

Donovan Catholic 6:30 p.m.

Lakewood 6:30 p.m.

Lakewood 6:30 p.m.

Howell 6:30 p.m.

Howell 3:45 p.m.

Toms River North 6:30 p.m.

Brick Memorial 6:30 p.m.

Brick Memorial 6:30 p.m.

freshman is a big addition when it comes to the program’s potential beyond this year.

X-Factor:

John Truhan Speaking of that sophomore point guard, Truhan could very well be the key to Central’s season.

Although only a sophomore, Truhan already got important minutes as a freshman and is in line to take over at point guard during his sophomore year.

With plenty of skill and athleticism in the front court, Central could use a jolt from its back court and a solid, steady season from Truhan would be a great starting point.

Newcomers

Tanaiyah Decker Riley Coltenbeck Payton Koenig

Jan. Jan. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb.

Matt Manley

By: Senior Staff Writer

t is ssomewhat counterintuitive that Donovan Catholic could move out of a Class B South division with smaller-sized schools like Lakewood, Barnegat and Point Pleasant Boro and into a pod with larger schools (Southern, Lacey and all three Toms River public schools) and improve its chances to finish first place. That could very well be the reality, however, and it is both because the Griffins are starting to develop the necessary experience to get to the finish line in first place and also because they might be facing their new pod-mates at the right time.

I

Head

Coach:

Mike Kearney, 23rd season 2 0 1 9 - 2 0 2 0 R e c o r d : 13-12 (9-5, tied third in Class B South) 2020 Postseason Performance:

Lost in Shore Conference Tournament first round (Ranney); lost in NJSIAA South Jersey Non-Public A first round (St. John Vianney) Projected

Lineup

Alex Melon Amari Ayala-Petty Trevor Pruitt Dylan Oroscz Sean Farrell

Jr. Jr. Sr. Jr. Sr.

RS – Returning Starter.

R – Returning Varsity Player

Head

6-0 6-1 6-2 6-6 6-1

Guard (RS) Guard (RS) G/F (R) Forward (R) Forward (R)

Coach:

Glenn Jansen, 4th season (8th overall) Career Record: 128-62 2 0 1 9 - 2 0 2 0 R e c o r d : 18-9 (12-2 in Class B South) Key

Returners

Jordyn Keating Olivia Conroy Alexandra Gelosi Isabella Kenmure Alexandra Bitetti Mackenzie Kopf Top

Sr. (13.6ppg) Jr. (9ppg, 5.5rpg) Sr. Sr. Sr. Jr.

Newcomers

Kya Joseph Gabriella Ross Shelby Barksdale Kaya Foy Marli Main Payton Meara Emma Conroy

Jr. So. Jr. Sr. So. So. So.

(Transfer from Barnegat) (Transfer from Manchester) (Transfer from Mater Dei Prep) (Transfer from Barnegat)

Both of those hypotheses will be put to the test starting on Jan. 26, when Donovan Catholic will run out a team that has a mix of established and new players. Four of Donovan Catholic’s five projected opening-night starters have starting experience, led by junior guard and 2020 leading scorer Amari Ayala-Petty.

Classmate Alex Melon also returns to the backcourt with starting experience as a sophomore and senior Trevor Pruitt – who transferred to Donovan Catholic before his junior year and had to sit 30 days – will be the wing after getting some starts as a junior and averaging 6.3 points.

Jr. 5-10 Guard

Christian McElroy

5-11 Guard

Off the Bench

Will Duddy Mike Clarke Connor Farrell Brian Farrell Peter Farlekas Joe Ruggerio

Sr. Sr. Jr. Jr. So. Sr.

5-9 6-0 6-2 6-0 6-3 6-3

Guard Guard Forward Guard g/f Forward

at vs. at at vs. at

Impact Newcomer

Guard Forward Guard

(transferred to Jackson Liberty)

at vs.

6:30 p.m.

6 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

6:45 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

Peter Farlekas Farlekas checks a lot of boxes when it comes to a player coming off the bench. He has the size, as well as a skillset, suited to play multiple positions, he is a sophomore who should embrace a varsity role and he is a young player who could develop into a key figure on the team over the next two seasons. With some potential contributors transferring or opting not to play, Donovan Catholic be looking for reliable bench contributors and future starts and a sophomore like Farlekas could deliver both of those things.

X-Factor

(transferred to Southern)

Dallas Weisse

at vs.

Toms River South Toms River South Toms River East Toms River East Central Southern Southern Lacey Lacey Manchester Toms River North Toms River North

Dylan Oroscz The Griffins have four key figures to replace from last year’s roster: two shooting guards in Weisse and Anthony, a point guard in Ramos and a forward in Weeden. Ayala-Petty, Melon and Pruitt should be able to handle the guard play and the return of Sean Farrell will provide a boost, so that makes Orosz as the key to the lineup. At 6-6, he has the size to protect the rim and clear the boards – as Weeden did during his two years as a starter – and if Oroscz is especially good at that, any scoring is a bonus.

Key Losses

5-9 6-3 Jr. 6-2

at vs.

Big Shoes to Fill

Donovan Catholic has plenty of production to replace as well, especially with juniors Jaden Anthony and Dallas Weisse transferring. Senior Sean Farrell will help bolster the lineup after missing his junior year due to injury and starting as a sophomore. Dylan Oroscz provides good size to the guardheavy lineup at 6-foot-6 and he will have to handle most of the frontcourt minutes without a lot of size behind him on the bench. Sophomore Peter Farlekas is a prospect to watch at the varsity level this season and juniors Connor and Brian Farrell will help out as well, but the bulk of Donovan’s production is likely to come from a well-rounded starting five that, if healthy, could carry the Griffins to a first-place finish in well-balanced pod.

Neithan Ramos Matt Weeden, Jaden Anthony

26 28 1 3 5 9 11 15 17 19 23 25

Player to WatcH

Amari Ayala-Petty Donovan Catholic did not have a player average double-figure scoring in 2019-20 but Ayala-Petty was its top scorer and most likely player to go off for a 20-point night. The Griffins may be a little more top-heavy this season, which would mean more minutes for Ayala-Petty and, in all likelihood, more scoring.

Without a lot of proven scoring alongside him in the lineup, the junior will both to help lead the way and help get the rest of the team involved.

Depth and Health Injuries contributed to a slow start to 2019-20 season and as is so often the case for teams that start the season with injuries, Donovan Catholic was never able to shake totally free of the bug. It stalled the chemistry-building effort for a team with new pieces to work in and trying to keep up with Lakewood and the other B South contenders turned out to be a chore. With better health to start the season, Donovan Catholic is actually in a better position to be ready for opening night vs. Toms River South – provided, of course, the Griffins can remain healthy in what is still a hazardous environment.

Photo by:

J R . A MARI A YALA -P ETTY

55

Matt Manley

By: Senior Staff Writer

oming off winning the first division championship in program history, Jackson Liberty knew it was in for a much more challenging year in 2019-20 and that turned out to be the case. With all-time leading scorer Daniel Sofield graduating in 2019, the Lions had to overhaul their identity and never quite found it during a three-win campaign. “Identity” is a word first-year head coach Don Connor evoked when running through his team’s goals for the year and with the roster coming back, the Lions have a chance to establish one, particularly on the defensive end.

C

Head

Coach:

Don Connor, 1st season 2019-2020

Record:

3-22

(1-13, eighth in Class B South) 2020 Postseason Performance:

Did not reach postseason Projected

Lineup

Jayden Ramirez

Sr

5-9 Guard (R)

Dahkario Pritchett

Jr.

6-0 Guard (R)

Ryan Fatovic

Sr.

5-10 Guard (R)

Dubem Emunuga

Sr.

6-1 Forward (RS)

Phanique Dupree

Jr.

6-5 F/c (RS)

RS – Returning Starter.

Head

R – Returning Varsity Player

Coach:

Alaina Hearon, 2nd season

While it remains to be seen whether Jackson Liberty can score enough to keep up with the top teams on its schedule, the Lions have some athleticism and length that should translate on the defensive end. Junior Phanique Dupree – a 6-foot5 shot-blocker who turned back 1.8 per game as a sophomore in 2019-20 – is at the center of that defense and he has enough rim-protection prowess for Jackson Liberty to be aggressive and rely on Dupree to clean up. Dubem Emunuga and Dahkario Pritchett are two more promising athletes who played big minutes last year and seniors Jayden Ramirez and Ryan Fatovic round out the openingnight starting five.

2019-2020 Record:

14-14

(7-7 in Class B South)

Jackson Liberty will get a boost to its lineup when junior Dalla Weisse becomes eligible on Feb. 8 after he transferred from Donovan Catholic.

Weisse will provide some shooting while lengthening the rotation, which also includes senior returnees Jake Hickman and Tyler Cunningham. The Lions also have some junior and freshman talent on the bench that should beef up their roster in 2022, when Dupree and Weisse will be seniors and the Lions will be looking to make a big move up the standings off of what they hope will be a productive and enjoyable 2021.

Key Losses

Manny Clay Tim Gjonballa Jimmy Celentano Carl Barth

5-8 6-7 6-1 6-0

Guard F/c Forward Forward

Off the Bench

Dallas Weisse

Jr. 6-0 Guard

(Transfer from Donovan Catholic)

Jake Hickman Tyler Cunningham Connor Gallagher Justin Bailey

Sr. Sr. Jr. Jr.

6-0 5-10 6-0 6-0

Forward (R) Guard (R) Forward Forward

Lucas Latvys Fr. 5-11 Guard Charlie Callahan Fr. 5-10 Guard Player to WatcH

Phanique Dupree Dupree is already a defensive building block for the Lions heading into his junior year and on top of anchoring the Jackson Liberty defense, he hopes to add to his offensive game in 2021. His shot-blocking and rebounding will make the Lions competitive vs. the rest of the pod when it comes to the paint, especially if the scoring starts to come for Dupree this season.

Dahkario Pritchett Pritchett showed potential as a sophomore on the varsity squad last season and after spelling lead guard Manny Clay and playing alongside him some, Pritchett will try to replace the 2020 graduate. Jackson Liberty will also need Pritchett to help out with the scoring responsibilities until Weisse is eligible and even after he is, it certainly couldn’t hurt to have multiple perimeter threats on offense.

Impact Newcomer

Dallas Weisse Weisse saw his fair share of time playing for Donovan

Key Returners

Top

Maura Carney Ashleigh Tavaska Ariana Broughton

Chelsea Lavezzo

Sr. (15.4ppg) Sr. So

Newcomers

Fr.

Matt Manley

S Head

Coach:

Randy Holmes, 1st season 2 0 1 9 - 2 0 2 0 R e c o r d : 9-16 (6-8, tied fourth in Class A South) 2020 Postseason Performance:

Did not reach Shore Conference Tournament; lost in NJSIAA Central Jersey Group IV first round (South Brunswick) Projected Lineup

Keith Adame Samir Padilla

So. 6-1 Guard (RS) So. 5-10 Guard

(Transfer from Lakewood)

Sean Slusak Charlie Meglio Steve Bado RS – Returning Starter.

Head

Sr. 6-3 Forward (RS) So. 6-4 Forward Jr. 6-4 Forward (R) R – Returning Varsity Player

Coach:

Rachel Goodale, 20th season Career Record: 326-183 56

Holmes is not likely to completely transform the program this season, but as much as a coach can without so much as playing a scrimmage, he has made a difference. The Jaguars have a deep team full of promising sophomores, two of whom followed Holmes from Lakewood. Samir Padilla and Respect Tyleek were all-division players at Lakewood as freshmen and once eligible, the duo will be part of an exciting back court that also includes returning sophomore Keith Adame.

Sean Slusak could well be the lone senior in the starting lineup once the two Lakewood transfers are cleared and last year, the 6-foot-3 senior emerged as one of the highlights of the Jaguars’ season as the third leading scorer. Seniors Ryan Rankin and Bobby Bamman are both in the running to start while Padilla and Tyleek sit and either would be a factor off the bench. Caden Brooks, Wally Doman and Christian Ibe

2019-2020 Record:

23-4

(14-0 in Class A South) *Division champions

are three more seniors to contribute off the bench, while junior Steve Bado and sophomore Charlie Meglio are in line to start in the front court – each at 6-4. There are a lot of moving parts for Holmes to settle but the enthusiasm is an early sign Jackson Memorial could be reemerging as an Ocean County power.

Key Losses

Matt Mahala Ryan Mahala Nick Colon Bill Petrina

6-2 5-10 5-9 5-11

Guard Guard Guard Guard

Off the Bench

Respect Tyleek

So. 6-3 Guard

(Transfer from Lakewood)

Ryan Rankin Bobby Bamman Caden Brooks Christian Ibe Wally Doman Robby Paneque Joe Antenucci Lance Adame Dominic Grandilli George Hanakis

Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Jr. So. Sr. Sr. Sr.

6-2 6-2 6-4 6-1 5-9 6-1 6-1 5-8 6-1 5-6

Forward Forward Forward (R) Forward Forward Forward Guard Guard Forward Guard

26 28 1 3 5 11 13 15 17 20 23 25

vs. at at vs. at vs. at vs. at vs. at vs.

Manchester Manchester Point Boro Point Boro Jackson Memorial Colts Neck Toms River East Pinelands Pinelands Long Branch Barnegat Barnegat

6:30 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

11:30 p.m.

Noon 6:30 p.m.

11:45 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

Big Shoes to Fill

By: Senior Staff Writer

ix years ago, Jackson Memorial had a successful head coach who turned the program around, then left his position to take the head job at one of the Shore Conference’s most storied programs. This past fall, karma paid Jackson Memorial back: a championship-winning coach at a tradition-rich Shore Conference program decided to leave his job to coach Jackson Memorial. Randy Holmes left his alma mater Lakewood to take over the Jaguars program, six years after current Neptune head coach Joe Fagan left Jackson to accept one of the Shore’s most prestigious coaching jobs.

Jan. Jan. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb.

Player to WatcH

Keith Adame Despite only being a freshman, Adame showed he could do everything at the varsity level. He was a steady scorer, led the team in assists and also rebounded very well for a guard, giving the Jaguars one of the better building blocks from the Class of 2023 around the Shore. Now that Jackson Memorial has two more of those 2023 backcourt standouts and a coach who has won NJSIAA sectional and Shore Conference championship, Adame and Jackson Memorial could be ready to blow up.

Big Shoes to Fill

Sean Slusak Slusak doesn’t have too much to prove as far as being a solid varsity starter, which he was and then some last season. Where Slusak will be valuable is as a senior on a team that has enough of them, but none who has led with his play as much as Slusak has. As the best returning senior on the team, Slusak will have to set the tone for Jaguars in order for them to be a breakout team in Holmes’s first year.

Impact Newcomer

Samir Padilla The earliest Tyleek will be cleared to play will be the middle of the schedule and once he is back on the floor, he will again be one of the Shore’s most dynamic underclassmen.

Padilla, meanwhile, could potentially be eligible earlier, according to Holmes, who said he is still awaiting direction from the state via his athletic department about how to

Key Returners

Top

Rachel Capua Sr. (19ppg, 62 3’s) Zoie Maffei So.

Alexis Linton

Catholic last season, including a number of starts as a sophomore for the Griffins. He averaged 4.3 points in 22 games for a team that had only one player average double-figure scoring per game and that was at 12 points per night. Weisse showed he can hit the threepoint shot, hitting seven more threes than two-point shots and hitting on 35 percent of his attempts.

X-Factor

Defensive Identity If finding an identity is the key to Jackson Liberty taking the next step, then it appears that this roster is best-suited to embrace its potential on the defensive end. The Lions have a standout shot-blocker in Dupree and some athleticism on the perimeter to complement him, which seems like a recipe for a team that can create turnovers for easy baskets and frustrate opposing teams when they get in the paint. If they can establish that, the Lions have some offensive help on the way, particularly if Dupree is poised for a breakout on that end of the floor..

Jan. Jan. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb.

26 28 1 3 5 9 11 15 17 18 23 25

vs. at vs. at vs. vs. at at vs. vs. at vs.

Brick Memorial Brick Memorial Central Central Jackson Liberty Brick Brick Lakewood Manchester Lakewood Howell Howell

handle his 5-10 guard.

X-Factor

The new era Jackson has athletes, Holmes has turned teams full of athletes into winners and the current athletes in the program have designs on winning. That has this group excited for the season and that enthusiasm will be important for a team that still has a lot of work to do and not a lot of time to get it done to become Ocean County’s top team by the end of February.

There is the new style, new system, young players contributing and transfers waiting to become eligible – a lot of moving parts that could move faster if the players are fully bought-in to the new era at Jackson Memorial.

Newcomers

Sr.

(Transfer from Rancocas Valley, 892 career pts.)

Brooke McKown

Jr.

5:30 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

5:30 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

5:30 p.m.

5:30 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

1 p.m.

5:30 p.m.

5:30 p.m.

3:45 p.m.

5:30 p.m.

Chloe Messer Amber Williams Kamille Makselyte

So. Jr. So.

57

Matt Manley

By: Senior Staff Writer

t first glance, Lacey’s 2019-20 season was not particularly noteworthy – the Lions shook off a slow start to get to 810 and within reach of a Shore Conference Tournament spot, then lost their last seven to close out the year. A closer glance at last year’s roster, however, reveals a team that could be on the cusp of a big season, especially when factoring in a key transfer.

A

Head

Coach:

Sean McAndrew, 4th season 2 0 1 9 - 2 0 2 0 R e c o r d : 8-17 (5-9, sixth in Class B South) 2020 Postseason Performance:

Did not reach Shore Conference Tournament; lost in NJSIAA South Jersey Group III first round (Cherry Hill West) Projected

Lineup

Troy Buxton Chris Venturoso

So. So.

6-2 Guard (RS) 6-2 Guard

So. Sr. Sr.

6-6 Center (RS) 6-2 Forward (rs) 6-1 Forward

(Transfer from Point Beach)

Carson Howard Jacob Bowles Patrick Zuccarelli RS – Returning Starter.

R – Returning Varsity Player

Center Carson Howard and guard Troy Buxton made significant impacts as freshmen in 2019-20 – Howard in the paint at 6-foot-6 and Buxton as a rookie point guard who led the team with 2.4 assists per game. The sophomore duo becomes a trio this season with the transfer of Chris Veturoso, who was the second-leading scorer and rebounder for Point Pleasant Beach as a freshman. Guard Dylan Hall is a fourth sophomore who could see rotational minutes, giving the Lions a very solid core that will be in place for the next three seasons.

Senior Jacob Bowles is the returning senior starter and he offers versatility as a wing who can shoot and rebound. Patrick Zuccarelli also provides some frontcourt

ability as a senior, while classmates Owen Tracey and Matt Dolan and juniors Nick Zarycki and Dylan O’Rourke will also be options for coach Sean McAndrew. With Donovan Catholic and four traditional Class A South schools – Southern and Toms Rivers East, North and South – in its pod, Lacey has some difficult competition, but also has the talent to beat any of them while making a push for the pod’s top spot.

Key Losses

Jordan Cohen Donovan Bacchetta Kalvin Kuhn Jason Nemcik

6-4 5-9 6-1 6-4

Forward Guard Forward Center

5-10 6-0 6-0 5-10 5-9

Guard Guard Guard Guard Guard

Off the Bench

Owen Tracey Nick Zarycki Matt Dolan Dylan O’Rourke Dylan Hall

Sr. Jr. Sr. Jr. So.

Head

Coach:

Jessica Venturelli, 2nd season

2019-2020 Record:

(7-7 in Class B South)

10-15

Carson Howard Not only was Howard a big freshman at 6-6, but he is also athletic and skilled, which means he is likely to be a major problem for the rest of Ocean County over the next three seasons.

Coming off a freshman campaign in which he averaged 12.3 points, 8.8 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game, Howard will be one of the best big men in his team’s six-team pod and a headline player on a Lacey squad that is packed with sophomore talent.

Patrick Zuccarelli Although the young talent makes Lacey a team to watch, the Lions still have a quality graduate to replace in well-rounded forward Jordan Cohen, who led Lacey in scoring while finishing second on the team in rebounding in 2019-20. Howard, Venturoso, Buxton and Bowles will be enough to cover most of that lost production and perhaps even add a little more, but it will be important for Lacey to find the right fifth payer to fit with those four.

Zuccarelli is a good defender with some length and athleticism to mesh well with the big four when he is on the floor.

Chris Venturoso Over the last decade or so, players transferring into Point Beach was much more of a trend than players leaving to go play elsewhere. Venturoso is taking that road less travelled and joining an up-and-coming Lions

Sr. So. So. Sr.

Matt Manley

By: Senior Staff Writer

fter perhaps its worst season ever in 201819, Lakewood boys basketball roared back in 2020. The Piners won 20 games, won the Class B South championship for the 11th time in 12 seasons and were the No. 10 seed in the Shore Conference Tournament. Ryan Savoy was an SSN Second-Team All-Shore selection and the Piners appeared to be set up with a pair of impressive freshmen in Respect Tyleek and Samir Padilla. One year later, coach Randy Holmes and the two now-sophomores are gone and Lakewood finds itself in somewhat dire straits.

A

Head

Coach:

Jonathan Jones, 1st season 2 0 1 9 - 2 0 2 0 R e c o r d : 20-8

(12-2, first in Class B South)

2020 Postseason Performance:

Reached Shore Conference Tournament round of 16 (lost to Red Bank Catholic); reached NJSIAA Central Jersey Group III quarterfinals (lost to Burlington Twp.) Projected Lineup

Matthew Vargas Alex Scretching Solomon Brown Zahmir Anderson Zachary Kencik RS – Returning Starter.

Jr. Sr. So. Fr. Fr.

5-11 6-3 6-2 5-11 5-11

Guard Forward Forward Guard Guard

R – Returning Varsity Player

It is not to say the players on hand won’t help steady the ship. Alex Scretching will have his chance to start in his senior year for a prestigious program, as will Matt Vargas in his junior year.

Sophomore Solomon Brown is another frontcourt player to go with Scretching, while freshmen Zahmir Anderson and Zachary Kencik will have a chance to make a contribution. Unfortunately for the Piners, the program is not deep this season and Scretching and Vargas will have to quickly rise to the occasion.

While Lakewood was enjoying another successful season last year, the signs were there that the Piners could run into trouble: they had

11 players on the varsity team and there were nights Holmes was down to eight. Holmes – a former Lakewood star as a player and decorated coach – interviewed for different coaching jobs multiple times toward the end of his Lakewood coaching tenure and even resigned briefly in 2016 before changing his mind. This year, new coach Jonathan Jones, his staff, and all of Lakewood is hoping this year is a productive learning experience and leads to more years like 2019-20. Either way, it will mark the beginning of a new era at Lakewood.

Key Losses

Ryan Savoy 6-5, Guard/Forward Samir Padilla, So., 6-0, Guard (Transferred to Jackson Memorial)

Respect Tyleek, So., 6-2, Guard (Transferred to Jackson Memorial)

T.J. Paturzo, 5-9, Guard Sean Antoine, 6-1, Guard Omari Barksdale, 5-9, Guard Ty’mir Bergstrom, 6-4, Forward De’Andre Harris, 5-10, Guard

Key

Head

Coach:

Caleb Correa, 1st season

58

2019-2020 Record:

(0-14 in Class B South)

0-21

Returners

Alana Bergstrom Yanet Gasga Iyuanna Tims

Sr. Jr. Sr.

26 28 1 3 5 9 11 15 17 23 25

vs. at vs. at at vs. at at vs. at vs.

Toms River East Toms River East Southern Southern Pinelands Toms River North Toms River North Donovan Catholic Donovan Catholic Toms River South Toms River South

6:30 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

5:30 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

Big Shoes to Fill

Impact Newcomer

Key Returners

Cayli Biele Riley Giordano Madison MacGillivray M c Kayla Mooney

Player to WatcH

Jan. Jan. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb.

Player to WatcH

Matthew Vargas With no starters or regular contributors back, Vargas and his teammates will be learning on the job with the hope of finding the right mix so that Lakewood can reclaim its status as the premier Class B South program as soon as possible.

Big Shoes to Fill

Jonathan Jones Randy Holmes is one of the largest figures in Lakewood basketball history, having won a Shore Conference Tournament championship as a player and a coach, as well as leading the Piners to 10 straight division championships and two NJSIAA sectional championships – all after the program had slowed down some in the early 2000’s. Now Jones will take over following a 20-win season while trying to keep the program afloat after it lost its coach and all its experienced players.

Impact Newcomer

Everyone Lakewood will boast an entirely new squad this year, so everyone is a newcomer and everyone

Top

Newcomers

Jezelle Ortis

Sr.

sophomore core after he averaged 13.5 points and 5.5 rebounds in his first high school season while playing for a 14-win Garnet Gulls team. With good size and strength, Veturoso can slot in anywhere from the two to the four in the lineup, which gives McAndrew plenty of flexibility.

X-Factor

Leadership As promising as Lacey’s sophomore group is, those players are still early enough in their careers that they are still developing as complete high school players. Part of that development is becoming leaders who are locked in on winning and while that becomes their mentality, players like Bowles will have to set the tone at practice and early in the season for a team that is going to pump up its expectations over the course of the next couple of seasons.

Jan. 26

at

Howell

3:45 p.m.

Jan. 28

vs.

Howell

6:30 p.m.

Feb. 1

at

Brick Memorial

6:30 p.m.

Feb. 3

vs.

Brick Memorial

6:30 p.m.

Feb. 9

vs.

Central

6:30 p.m.

Feb. 11

at

Central

6:30 p.m.

Feb. 15

vs.

Jackson Memorial

1 p.m.

Feb. 18

at

Jackson Memorial

5:30 p.m.

Feb. 23

vs.

Brick

6:30 p.m.

Feb. 25

at

Brick

6:30 p.m.

is important for the Piners to remain competitive. Vargas and Scretching have been in the program and have earned the chance to lead the team, while there are also freshmen in the mix to set the course for the future.

X-Factor

Embracing the challenge With so little experience back from 2020, this season is going to be a learning process – one that will take place during a pandemic. Winning won’t come as easy and teams will try to beat Lakewood after years of taking a beating from Lakewood. The new Piners players will try to embrace more of an underdog role and begin the process of reshaping the program.

59

Jan. Jan. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb.

Matt Manley

By: Senior Staff Writer

ast season came with some highs and lows for Manchester – not unexpected for a team so reliant on its talented group of sophomores who took their lumps as freshmen at the varsity level. Now heading into their third year together, Manchester’s Class of 2022 players have an opportunity to elevate the program to the top of a wide-open Ocean County over the next two seasons. With Toms River North losing a lot of talent and Lakewood undergoing a program overhaul, there is a bit of a power vacuum at the top of Ocean County and no team has a roster better suited to claim the mantle than Manchester does.

L

Head

Coach:

Ryan Ramsay, 16 season th

2019-2020

Record:

14-11

(8-6, fifth in Class B South) 2020 Postseason Performance:

Lost in Shore Conference Tournament first round (Red Bank Catholic); reached South Jersey Group II quarterfinal (lost to Camden) Projected

Lineup

D’Maari Brown

Jr. 5-9 Guard (RS)

Savon Myers

Jr. 6-4 Guard (RS)

Wyatt Haselbauer

Jr. 6-7 Forward (RS)

Josh Glenn

Sr. 6-2 Guard (RS)

Jordan Dupont

Jr. 5-11 Guard (RS)

RS – Returning Starter.

R – Returning Varsity Player

The backcourt duo of Savon Myers and D’Maari Brown, plus 6foot-7 forward Wyatt Haselbauer, make up the junior trio that has started since the three were freshmen. Brown and Myers are both capable of running the point, with Myers offering up plenty of versatility at 6-4. Haselbauer, meanwhile, is one of only two returning players at the Shore to have averaged a double-double last season. Senior Josh Glenn and junior Jordan Dupont also come back with starting experience, with Dupont picking up the slack while Glenn missed last season due to injury.

Manchester’s starting lineup should have some help behind them this season, with seniors Gavin Clark and Sean Snead providing some size and versatility off the bench. Brandon Sogness and Evan Weiner have also made a bid to play important minutes and with both of those guys due back in 2021-22, Manchester has a good mix of young talent and senior influence to take a big step toward the top of Ocean County and, in turn, a spot in the championship pod to close out the season.

26 28 1 3 5 9 11 17 19 22 23 25

at vs. vs. at at at vs. at vs. vs. vs. at

Jackson Liberty Jackson Liberty Pinelands Pinelands Toms River North Barnegat Barnegat Jackson Memorial Donovan Catholic Southern Point Boro Point Boro

6:30 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

5:15 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

Key Losses

Josh Hayes Tyler Brockmeyer Nick Chiapissi

5-11 Guard 6-2 Forward 5-10 Guard

Off the Bench

Gavin Clark Sean Snead Brandon Sogness Evan Weiner Justin Merz Nick Uberti Allen Mitchell Javon Dupont Jameer Watts

J R . S AVON M YERS

Sr. Sr. Jr. So. r.

Sr. Sr. Jr. Fr.

6-4 6-3 5-9 6-5 6-2 5-10 6-1 5-11 6-1

Guard/Forward (R) Guard/Forward (R) Guard Forward Forward Guard Guard/Forward Guard Guard Continued

Matt Manley

By: Senior Staff Writer

fter going a combined 32-18 during the 2017-18 and 2018-19 seasons, Pinelands fell victim to an exodus of graduating talent and struggled its way to five wins a year ago. That would seem to be a bad sign for the Wildcats’ winning prospects in 2021, but there is recent precedent for a quick turnaround at Pinelands. Fifth-year coach Fred Johnson took over a program coming off its first ever Shore Conference Tournament appearance two years earlier and backto-back double-digit-win seasons, then went 2-21 with an extremely young roster. One year later, the Wildcats were a contender for the Class B South title and finished third and second place in the standings in consecutive seasons.

A Head

Coach:

Fred Johnson, 5th season 2019-2020

Record:

5-18

(2-12, seventh in Class B South) 2020 Postseason Performance:

Did not reach Shore Conference Tournament; lost in NJSIAA South Jersey Group III first round (Westampton Tech) Coaches Projected Lineup

Josh Kline Rian O’Rourke Darren Barreau Matt Cyphert Andrew Jenkins RS – Returning Starter.

Sr. Jr. Jr. So. Sr.

5-7 5-8 5-9 6-4 6-1

Guard (RS) Guard (RS) Guard (R) Forward Forward

R – Returning Varsity Player

Last year’s team was not quite as young as Johnson’s 2-21 team was, but it was similarly inexperienced at the varsity level. This year’s team will have some more seasoning, particularly in the back court with returning duo Josh Kline and Rian O’Rourke. Kline was a steady point guard last season while O’Rourke is an energetic junior guard with shooting ability who will play off of his senior teammate. Junior Darren Barreau is another solid guard who could slot in with Kline and O’Rourke in a three-man starting back court.

With 2020 big man Ryan Skeie graduating, 6-foot4 sophomore Matt Cyphert will look to step as the

focal point of the inside game for Pinelands. He and 63 classmate Brogan Duelly are two sophomores for Pinelands to build around on the inside and could possibly play together when Johnson needs more size on the floor. Football standout Andrew Jenkins is also likely to start and juniors Daniel McCarthy and Aidan Skeie are primed to pitch in off the bench for a Pinelands team hoping to get back closer to .500 and set themselves up for another turnaround.

Key Losses

Ryan Skeie Anthony Falduto P.J. Losiewicz Bryce O’Rourke Andrew Barlett Ed Wilkinson

6-4 5-7 6-1 5-8 6-1 6-5

Forward Guard Forward Guard Forward Forward

Off the Bench

Brogan Duelly Daniel McCarthy Aiden Skeie Tom Flanagan Andrew Falduto Chris Mitchell

So. Jr. Jr. Sr. Jr. Jr.

6-3 6-0 6-0 6-3 5-10 5-9

Forward Forward Guard Forward Guard Forward

Player to WatcH

Josh Kline Kline was a bright spot in an otherwise-difficult 201920 season, which followed one of Pinelands’ best twoyear runs as a program. In his first year as a starter, Kline checked in at just under 10 points per game and a shade over three assists per game and should help the Wildcats be a more functional offense in 2021.

Big Shoes to Fill

Andrew Jenkins After missing last season due to injury, Jenkins is back in the fold after turning in a strong senior season on the gridiron for Pinelands. On the court, Jenkins will provide some toughness to complement the skill and upside of Cyphert and Duelly in the front court and the guard play of Kline, O’Rourke and Barreau.

Impact Newcomer

Matt Cyphert Johnson is hoping that by Cyphert’s senior year, the Wildcats will be back in the running at the top of the Class B South division and that day could come sooner if the 6-4 sophomore hits the ground running. Between Cyphert and Duelly, Pinelands has some sophomore pieces with legitimate size around which to build and getting them confidence and experience will be an important part of 2021 for Pinelands on the court.

Key Returners

Head

Coach:

Keith Lowe, 15th season Career Record: 156-172 60

2019-2020 Record:

(3-11 in Class B South)

8-16

Sunni DiElmo Skylar Callahan Bridget Dudas Emily Fence

Sr. Sr. Jr. Sr.

(6.8ppg) (4.2ppg, 22 3’s) (12.3ppg, 4.8rpg) (5.5rpg)

Jan. Jan. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb.

26 28 1 3 5 9 11 15 17 19 26

vs. at at vs. vs. vs. at at vs. at vs.

Sr. (3.4ppg) Jr. (3.8rpg) Sr. (3.8rpg)

6:30 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

7 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

Noon 5:30 p.m.

6 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

X-Factor

The small lineup Pinelands’ best lineup could very well include Kline, O’Rourke and Barreau – all of whom are listed at 5-9 or under. That will put a lot of pressure on one of them to guard a bigger player, as well as Cyphert to protect the paint and rebound along with Jenkins and Duelly. Even with the potential pitfalls, if the three guards can provide a scoring boost, they will see plenty of time together.

Top

Maddie Stein Kayla Weber Tamar Beaubrun

Barnegat Barnegat Manchester Manchester Lacey Point Boro Point Boro Jackson Liberty Jackson Liberty Southern Raritan

>

Newcomers

Rocky Towler Kayla Davis Kaydence Arleth

Sr. Jr. So.

player from the prior year. Last season, Dupont earned more minutes in the absence of injured starter Josh Glenn to give Manchester a more guard-oriented lineup. This year, Dupont replaces Josh Hayes, who finished the 2019-20 season as Manchester’s top scorer.

Players to WatcH

Savon Myers and Wyatt Haselbauer Myers was an all-around threat as a sophomore, filling up the stat sheet with 12.6 points, 7.8 rebounds and 3.5 steals per game. Now a year older, the 6-4, do-it-all guard can be an even greater force on both ends of the floor and will benefit from the rest of the team making strides along with him. While Myers is the team’s best all-around guard and athlete, Haselbauer is its size and muscle, which he showed in posting 10 points, 10 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game as a sophomore. Either Hawks star can carry the team on a given night and for the Hawks to reach their potential, both will have to bring it every game.

Impact Newcomer

Evan Weiner While the current junior class takes over the leadership group within the program, it will be important for the Hawks to establish some underclass talent that can complement them over the next two seasons.

At 6-5, Weiner provides a good young building block to work into the lineup as a backup for Haselbauer, as well as an option to play in bigger lineups.

X-Factor

Josh Glenn After missing last season, Glenn is healthy for his senior campaign – the lone senior projected to start on opening night. Like most of his teammates, Glenn started as a freshman and brings athleticism and toughness to the front court. He should pair well with Haselbauer on both ends as a player who can battle on the inside and guard wing players as well.

Big Shoes to Fill

Jordan Dupont For the second straight year, Dupont will have to cover the minutes of a missing

J R . W YATT H ASELBAUER

Top

Head

Coach:

Dave Beauchemin, 10th season Career Record: 163-90 2019-2020 Record:

Newcomers

Devyn Quigley, Fr.

28-4

(14-0 in Class B South) *Division, SJ Group 2, Group 2 Champions

J R . A MYAH B RAY

Key Returners

Destiny Adams Amyah Bray Morgan Brustman Myah Hourigan

Sr (18ppg, 11.7rpg) Jr. (7.8ppg, 3.5rpg) Sr. Jr.

Photos by:

S R . D ESTINY A DAMS

Tom Smith www.tspsportsimages.com

Richard Odonnell www.richardodonnellphotography.com

61

Feb. Feb. feb.

Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. feb.

Feb. Feb.

Matt Manley

By: Senior Staff Writer

rom approximately 2009-10 until the 2017-18 season, the Point Pleasant Beach boys basketball team was a perennial contender in the NJSIAA Group I playoffs, was routinely a top 10 team in the Shore Conference and a Shore Conference Tournament title contender a number of times as well. After a big drop-off from a sectional championship in 2018 to a one-win season the following year, the Gar net Gulls were one of the Shore’s most improved teams in 2019-20, when they increased their win total from one to 14. At the end of the year though, 16-year coach Nick Catania stepped down after a decade-and-a-half long effort that transfor med Point Beach into a championship prog ram, destination school and a Division I scholarship factor y.

F Head

Coach:

Ed Goodman, 1th season 2019-2020

14-14

Record:

(8-4, third in Class B Central) 2020 Postseason Performance:

Lost in Shore Conference Tournament first round (Marlboro); reached NJSIAA Central Jersey Group I quarterfinals (lost to Bound Brook) Projected

New coach Ed Goodman takes over a unique situation and while he won’t be aiming to replicate Catania’s tenure step for step, the goal will be to remain a competitive, winning team within Group I and the Class B Central division. Playing against Mater Dei Prep, Keyport, Keansburg, Asbur y Park and Henr y Hudson in pod play, Point Beach will have a good chance at another winning season thanks to a solid group of returnees that will have to replace two

Lineup

Anthony Longo Kevin Burns Joe Coakley Andrew Laumbach Matt Cavanaugh

Jr. So. Sr. Jr. Sr.

RS – Returning Starter.

6-0 6-0 6-3 6-2 6-3

Guard (RS) Guard (R) Forward (RS) Forward (RS) Forward (RS)

R – Returning Varsity Player

major sources of production from a year ago. Junior guard Anthony Longo and senior forward Joe Coakley were starting-lineup regulars throughout 2019-20 and will be two of the more reliable players in their pod.

Senior Matt Cavanaugh and junior Andrew Laumbach are two more frontcourt players with starting experience and with those two teaming up with Coakley, the Gar net Gulls will have an experienced, solid g roup of interior players.

Sophomore Kevin Bur ns and junior Andrew Seaman will be key cogs in the backcourt, with Burns a likely starter and Seaman either a starter in a three-guard lineup or the first man off the bench. Point Beach lost a lot of scoring in graduating Jake Clark and in losing Chris Venturosa to a transfer, but there is enough depth, experience and energy to give Goodman and the Gulls a chance to keep winning games.

Key Losses

1 3 4 9 11 13 15 17 20 23 25

vs. at vs. vs. at at at vs. at at vs.

Coach:

Jay Lagomarsino, 6th season (35th overall)

2019-2020

Record:

19-8

(10-4 in Class B Central)

Andrew Seaman

Jr. 5-11 Guard (R)

Dave Terra-Nova

Sr. 6-0 Guard (R)

Stephen Seaman

So. 5-10 Guard

Kyle Simpson

Jr. 6-1 Forward

(transfer from St. John Vianney)

Jake Clark

6-1 Guard

Chris Venturoso

So. 6-2 guard/forward (Transferred to Lacey)

Christian Flores

Jr. 5-10 Guard (R)

Shae Gada

Jr. 5-10 Guard Continued

Allison House Cassidy Burns Kristin Ohlinger Hannah Hensler Jada Clayton

Top

Sr. Sr. Sr. Jr. So.

Patricia Rizzo Grace Frauenheim Alexis Milak Olivia Henderson Jane M ac Pherson

Jr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Sr.

B

Head

Coach:

Kevin Hynes, 26th season 2019-2020

Record:

15-11

(10-4, second in Class B South) 2020 Postseason Performance:

Lost in Shore Conference Tournament first round (Mater Dei Prep); Reached NJSIAA South Jersey Group II quarterfinals (lost to Haddonfield) Projected

Lineup

Kai Messeroll Matt Lee Colton MacGlashan Stephen Mellett Dan Coughlan

Jr. Jr. Jr. So. So.

5-10 6-3 6-4 6-2 6-3

Guard (R) Guard (RS) Center (R) Forward (RS) Forward (R)

RS – Returning Starter.

R – Returning Varsity Player

Point Boro won’t so much be an underdog

J R . M ATT L EE

this season as much as it will be a team of young pups.

Twenty-sixth-year coach Kevin Hynes expects he will be featuring a regular rotation without a senior in it, led by returning junior shooting guard and three-point marksman Matt Lee. Classmates Kai Messeroll and Colton MacGlashan will also join the starting lineup to fill the two most glaring holes, left behind by point guard Alex Drucquer and center Sam Young.

Sophomore Stephen Mellet is the other returning starter after a successful freshman debut and classmates Dan Coughlan (6-foot-3) and Noah Knauf (5-10) will round out the starting lineup depending on whether or not Hynes wants to go big or small to start the game. Point Boro’s bench is also all juniors and sophomores and it should be fairly deep, giving the Panthers a roster that can push Manchester for the top spot in the five-team pod this year and shoot for an official division championship in 2022.

Key Losses

Alex Drucquer Sam Young A.J. Hernandez

6-0 Guard 6-5 Center 5-10 Guard/Forward

Coach:

2019-2020

David Drew, 13th season Career

62

Record:

201-119

Record:

(9-5 in Class B South)

11-15

Lila Shaver. Sr. (9ppg, 3rpg) Molly Burns Jr.(3ppg) Chelsea Distelcamp Jr.

vs. vs. at vs. at vs. at vs. at vs. at vs.

So. So.

New Egypt Jackson Liberty Jackson Liberty Freehold Boro Pinelands Pinelands Wall Barnegat Barnegat Point Beach Manchester Manchester

6:30 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

1 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

1 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

5:15 p.m.

1 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

Off the Bench

Noah Knauf

So. 5-10 Guard/Forward (R)

Jeff Guilfoyle

Jr. 6-1 Forward (R)

Jayden Levonoskie Jr. 5-10 Guard (transfer from Donovan Catholic)

Alex Baginski

So. 5-10 Guard (R)

Shane Ryan

So. 5-8 Guard (R)

Connor Newsome

Jr. 6-1 Forward (R) Continued

Top Newcomers

Key Returners

Head

27 1 3 6 9 11 13 16 18 20 23 25

>

Newcomers

Kamryn Tunrbach Morgan Higland

Jan. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. feb.

Feb. Feb.

Matt Manley

By: Senior Staff Writer

ehind a s t e a d y s e n i o r inside-outside punch, Point Boro climbed back to the cusp of first place in Class B South last season and in 2021, the Panthers will be passing the program off to very promising, very young group that will try to finish the job by the end of 2022. In a pod that features a Manchester team loaded up on juniors as well, the Panthers have their work cut out for them.

They are also part of a program that embraces the role of underdog.

5:30 p.m.

3:45 p.m.

5:30 p.m 5:30 p.m.

4 p.m.

1 p.m.

5:30 p.m.

5:30 p.m.

1 p.m.

5:30 p.m.

5:30 p.m.

Off the Bench

Key Returners

Head

Keansburg Keansburg Keyport Asbury Park Asbury Park St. John Vianney Mater Dei Prep Mater Dei Prep Point Boro Henry Hudson Henry Hudson

Erika Marinelli Jr. (5ppg) Kiera Munyan Jr. Gen Fara Jr. (5ppg, 4rpg)

Heather Kimak Olivia Valente Madison Bjorndahl Molly Liggett

Jr. Jr. So. So.

Sam Hynes So. Marysa McCue Jr. Emily Ehrmann Fr.

>

Player to WatcH:

Big Shoes to Fill:

Joe Coakley Coakley was the third-most productive player on Point Beach last year, posting 5.5 points and 5.1 rebounds per game during his junior season, while also leading the team with 20 blocks. Point Beach will look to Coakley to finish off more plays to increase his scoring and after answering the call last year, the 6-foot-3 senior is primed to take over as a leader on a team with a new head coach.

Kevin Burns and Andrew Seaman Replacing all-around talent Jake Clark (18.1 points, 5.0 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 2.4 steals) was already going to be a tall order for this year’s Point Beach squad, so losing sophomore and second-leading scorer Chris Venturoso (13.5 points and 5.5 rebounds per game) to Lacey is a big blow to the lineup. To replace that production, Point Beach will need its frontcourt depth to stay solid with some guards to step up alongside Longo on the perimeter. Burns and Seaman will be the duo that rounds out the back court and with those guys making shots, the team should be well-rounded on the offensive side.

Player to WatcH:

Big Shoes to Fill:

Matt Lee Lee wedged his way into a starting role as a freshman two years ago and as a sophomore last season, he upped his average to 12 points per game while finishing in the top 20 at the Shore in three-pointers made with 57. Lee benefited from Drucquer facilitating the offense last year and while he is likely to expand his offensive game in order to get good shots, how the rest of the team develops around him will play a part in the kind of scoring season Lee has.

Kai Messeroll Point Boro will have some young players with height who can help replace Young, although none are going to be as physical as Young was right away. Replacing Drucquer at point guard will be much harder, but Messeroll got some experience as a sophomore and just like Drucquer came on strong over his final two seasons to finish with an alldivision senior year, Point Boro is hoping Messeroll can make similar strides.

Impact Newcomer: Stephen Seaman Burns is a sophomore looking to make a difference in the first year of a new era at Point Beach and Seaman is another who could carve out a spot in the regular rotation in his second high school season. Point Beach will have three seniors that see the floor in Coakley, Cavanaugh and Terranova, so the young core is already going to be a key to the season. With Seaman entering the fold – along with Simpson and Flores – Point Beach can feature some lineups that will still be around in 2022.

Impact Newcomer: Noah Knauf Hynes typically likes his teams big and physical, but he could change it up and play Knauf as the fifth starter in order to help Point Boro match the speed of the other two returning winning teams in the pod – Manchester and Barnegat. Knauf improved enough between his freshman and sophomore season that he could make the leap right into the starting lineup and perhaps not look back.

X-Factor:

Paint Presence Clark and Veturoso carried the offense last year and also contributed on the glass, and while replacing the scoring will be a challenge, the rebounding should still be there.

Point Beach has at least three starting caliber interior players in Coakley, Laumbach and Cavanagh and the Garnet Gulls will look to those three to win games in the paint on both ends of the floor.

contributed on the glass, and while replacing the scoring will be a challenge, the rebounding should still be there.

Point Beach has at least three starting caliber interior players in Coakley, Laumbach and Cavanagh and the Garnet Gulls will look to those three to win games in the paint on both ends of the floor.

Photos by:

X-Factor:

Win-now mentality Clark and Veturoso carried the offense last year and also

63

Jan. Jan. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb.

Matt Manley

By: Senior Staff Writer

ithin the pod that contains Toms River East, the most glaring drop-off in talent is at Toms River North – which lost its top five scorers from a year ago. In some ways, though, Toms River East faces an even tougher challenge in keeping up Donovan Catholic, Southern, Lacey, Toms River North and Toms River South. The Raiders leaned heavily on Mike and Ryan Goodall to carry the offense over the past three seasons and on top of graduating the two cousins, they also lost an underrated, multi-talented center in Riley Engelhard.

W Head

Coach:

John Pampalone, 2nd season 2 0 1 9 - 2 0 2 0 R e c o r d : 16-10 (11-3, second in Class A South) 2020 Postseason Performance:

Lost in Shore Conference Tournament first round (Lakewood); lost in NJSIAA South Jersey Group IV first round (Clearview) Projected

Lineup

Nick Devane Luke Infurna Jaden Anthony

Jr. Sr. Jr.

6-1 Guard (RS) 6-0 Guard (RS) 6-1 Guard

(Transfer from Donovan Catholic)

Bruk Paul

Sr.

6-1 Guard

(Transfer from Mount Vernon, N.Y.)

Jay Silva

Sr.

RS – Returning Starter.

6-6 Forward (RS)

R – Returning Varsity Player

Kless and 6-for-4 center Dylan Hall the

Without that trio, Toms River East faces a major identity shift, going from a high-paced team with an offense that runs through two guards to a defensive-minded team that will rely on sharing the ball on offense. With senior Mark Roma injuring his ankle and ultimately opting not to play this year, senior Charlie Monica is only returning regular from the 2020 rotation and the sharpshooter will look to show off some additional layers to his game.

The rest of the starting lineup shapes up to be mostly seniors, with Mike Anselmo, Xavier

26 28 1 3 9 11 15 17 19 22 23 25

at vs. at vs. at vs. vs. at vs. at vs. at

Toms River North Toms River North Lacey Lacey Donovan Catholic Donovan Catholic Toms River South Toms River South Pinelands Manchester Toms River East Toms River East

6:30 p.m.

5:30 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

5:30 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

5:30 p.m.

5:30 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

6 p.m.

7 p.m.

5:30 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

frontrunners to get a starting nod on opening night. Niko Swenson is another senior projected for meaningful minutes, while starter Dylan Russell leads a sophomore quartet that also includes Manny Vargas, Jacob Mathus and Soren Wilson. All three, plus freshman Jason McKelvey, will angle for significant time in the rotation as the program’s future nucleus. Logic might dictate that a team replacing three players the caliber of Engelhard and the two Goodalls would move toward that young core immediately, but with some hard-working seniors on hand, the four-year program players will get a chance to usher in the new era.

S R . J AY S ILVA

Key Losses Key Returners

Head

Summer Davis Sarah Lally

Coach:

Thomas Bucci, Jr. 7th season C a r e e r R e c o r d : 109-70

2019-2020

Record:

12-15

(7-7 in Class A South)

Top Newcomers

Jr. Sarah Boyd Jr. Cuinn Deely Casey McBride Julia Nitting

So. Jr. Jr. Jr.

Molly Ciliberto Alexa Dringus Sam Ferringo Corinne Spina

Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr.

Ben Ridgway Will Devane Cole Robinson Noah Wasacz

Matt Manley ithin the pod that contains Toms River East, the most glaring drop-off in talent is at Toms River North – which lost its top five scorers from a year ago. In some ways, though, Toms River East faces an even tougher challenge in keeping up Donovan Catholic, Southern, Lacey, Toms River North and Toms River South. The Raiders leaned heavily on Mike and Ryan Goodall to carry the offense over the past three seasons and on top of graduating the two cousins, they also lost an underrated, multitalented center in Riley Engelhard.

W

Coach:

Tom DeRiggi, 2 season nd

2019-2020

Record:

15-12

(10-4, third in Class A South) 2020 Postseason Performance:

Lost in Shore Conference Tournament first round (Manalapan); reached South Jersey Group III quarterfinals (lost to Timber Creek) Projected

Mike Anselmo Xavier Kless Dylan Hall Charlie Monica Dylan Russell RS – Returning Starter.

Lineup

Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. So.

5-10 5-11 6-4 6-0 6-1

Guard (R) Guard Center (R) Forward (R) Forward

R – Returning Varsity Player

Without that trio, Toms River East faces a major identity shift, going from a high-paced team with an offense that runs through two guards to a defensive-minded team that will rely on sharing the ball on offense. With senior Mark Roma injuring his ankle and ultimately opting not to play this year, senior Charlie Monica is only returning regular from the 2020 rotation and the sharpshooter will look to show off some additional layers to his game.

The rest of the starting lineup shapes up to be mostly seniors, with Mike Anselmo, Xavier Kless and 6-for-4 center Dylan Hall the frontrunners to

get a starting nod on opening night. Niko Swenson is another senior projected for meaningful minutes, while starter Dylan Russell leads a sophomore quartet that also includes Manny Vargas, Jacob Mathus and Soren Wilson.

All three, plus freshman Jason McKelvey, will angle for significant time in the rotation as the program’s future nucleus. Logic might dictate that a team replacing three players the caliber of Engelhard and the two Goodalls would move toward that young core immediately, but with some hard-working seniors on hand, the fouryear program players will get a chance to usher in the new era.

Key Losses

Mike Goodall Ryan Goodall Riley Engelhard Reece Miller Mark Roma Nasceem Davis

6-1 6-0 6-4 6-0 Sr. 6-0

Guard Guard Forward/Center Guard 6-0, G/f (opted out) Guard

Off the Bench

Niko Swenson Soren Wilson

Sr. 5-9 Guard So. 6-2 Center

Manny Vargas Jacob Mathus Jason McKelvey

Coach:

Kevin Cohen, 17th season C a r e e r R e c o r d : 228-183 64

2019-2020

Record:

(10-4 in Class A South)

20-8

Natalie Dudar Lizzie Gillen Kelleen Sullivan Sydney Lorenzten .

So., 5-10 Guard So. 5-10 Guard Fr. 6-1 Guard

Player to WatcH

Charlie Monica Most of Monica’s production last season (4.3 points per game) came from his three-point shooting, but he also mixed it up with some rebounding. With more of a need for scoring and a team identity that will be less about two lead guards and more about defense and sharing the ball, Monica will look to step up and contribute in a lot of different ways. That should lead to some more scoring overall.

Big Shoes to Fill

Xavier Kless Every member of the Toms River East varsity boys basketball team will have to raise their level for the Raiders to remain competitive this season after losing so much production from last year. Kless is especially important for the Raiders as a potential scoring option on the perimeter along with Monica and Anselmo. With Roma deciding to opt out of this season during the first week of practice, the hole in the starting lineup grows even deeper and a breakout year from the KlessAnselmo back court would be a big lift.

Key Returners

Head

Forward Guard Forward Forward Continued

By: Senior Staff Writer

Head

6-5 5-6 6-2 6-5

Top Newcomers

Sr. Jr. Jr. Sr.

(4.1ppg, 3.7rpg) (6ppg, 5.2rpg) (4.2ppg, 2.4rpg) (2.7ppg)

Kelly Goodall Mikayla Madigan Abby Goodall Taylor Maire

Jr. Jr. So. Sp.

Jan. Jan. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb.

26 28 1 3 9 11 13 15 17 19 23 25

at vs. vs. at vs. at vs. at vs. vs. at vs.

>

Lacey 6:30 p.m.

Lacey 6:30 p.m.

Donovan Catholic 6:30 p.m.

Donovan Catholic 6:30 p.m.

Toms River South 6:30 p.m.

Toms River South 6:30 p.m.

Jackson Liberty 11:30 p.m.

Toms River North 6:30 p.m.

Toms River North 6:30 p.m.

Barnegat 6:30 p.m.

Southern 6:30 p.m.

Southern 6:30 p.m.

Impact Newcomer

Dylan Russell DeRiggi’s initial plan was to bring his sophomores off the bench, but Roma’s departure pushed Russell into the projected opening-night lineup. Russell and his three classmates should start to make their presence felt at some point during the course of the season, with Russell jumping into the first five with enough size to matchup relatively well against varsity players.

X-Factor

Scoring Even if Toms River East overhauls its style to accommodate a more defense-first roster, the Raiders are still going to need multiple players to step up and put the ball in the basket. Monica has shown he can knock down long-range shots, Hall should help on the boards and in the paint and the sophomores have some potential. Still, there are a lot of offensive questions that will be unanswered until the Raiders take the floor on opening night at Lacey.

Off the Bench

Jake Barbierri Nick Desiderio Tristan Author Max DiPietro, Nolan Schubiger Ryan Dale Logan Van Liew

sr.

Sr. Jr. So. Jr. Sr. Sr.

6-1 6-1 6-2 6-2 6-1 6-0 5-8

Forward (R) Forward Forward Forward Guard Guard Guard

Player to WatcH:

Jay Silva A First-Team Class A South player as a junior, Silva returns as Southern’s muscle on the inside after averaging 11 points and 5.5 rebounds as a junior – leading the Rams in both categories. A standout football player as well, Silva has the athleticism to fit in well in any style, so if the Rams do opt to get out and run more, it will suit the 6-5 senior just fine.

Big Shoes to Fill:

Jaden Anthony Injuries stalled Anthony’s sophomore season at Donovan Catholic but the athletic 6-2 guard started as a freshman for a solid program and should provide a major boost on both ends of the floor for his new team.

Southern’s biggest loss from last year was versatile 6-5 forward Ben Ridgway and with a more guard-heavy lineup in 2021, Anthony will likely be asked to wear multiple hats as a 6-2 player with some strength to guard forwards and athleticism to operate on the perimeter.. : Jaden Anthony and Bruk Paul Anthony was the second-leading scorer on Donovan Catholic as a freshman so he will make an impact on both ends for Southern. Paul – a transfer from Mount Vernon, N.Y. – adds another athletic guard to the projected starting lineup along with Silva in the middle and some size and toughness coming off the bench.

Impact Newcomers

X-Factor:

Chemistry With just two weeks of practice and one scrimmage before the season starts, every team is going to have to quickly build cohesion but for a team with two additions from outside the program that will likely alter the style they play, chemistry is going to be a major key. Having three starters like Silva, Infurna and Devane back to stabilize the starting five should help but the Rams will have to jump right into the fight with an opener at Toms River North.

65

Jan. Jan. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb.

Matt Manley

By: Senior Staff Writer

or the past six seasons, Toms River North has owned the Shore Conference Class A South landscape and for the past five, no one in the division has even touched them. The Mariners enter the 2021 season with a 74-game unbeaten streak in divisional play and since there is no official divisional play, that record will still be at 74 when divisional play presumably returns in 2021.

F

Head

Coach:

Rory Caswell, 10th season 2 0 1 9 - 2 0 2 0 R e c o r d : 24-5 (14-0, first in Class A South) 2020 Postseason Performance:

Reached Shore Conference Tournament final (lost to Manasquan); lost in NJSIAA South Jersey Group IV first round (Egg Harbor) Projected

Wesley Deitsch Zac Browne Ethan Paul Jake Kazanowsky Brandon Bowens

Lineup

Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr.

RS – Returning Starter.

6-0 6-2 6-3 6-3 6-6

Guard Guard (R) Guard Guard/Forward (RS) Forward

R – Returning Varsity Player

If there were divisional play this season, however, Toms River North would be as vulnerable as it has been since 2011-12 – the season before the team won its first A South title under coach Rory Caswell.

Since Manasquan routed them in the 2020 Shore Conference Tournament championship game, the Mariners suffered a stunning first-round loss to No. 16 seed Egg Harbor in the NJSIAA South Jersey IV Tournament, graduated four starters and three top scorers in the spring and lost two of their top three players set to return in 2021.

Despite the graduations and unexpectedly losing juniors Jaiden Fraser and Lamir Mitchell, Caswell is setting his expectations high for a group that will lack

game experience but competed against last year’s SCT finalist rotation in practice and has some athleticism around which to build. Senior Jake Kazanowsky is the lone returning starter and he have to go from a player who rebounds, defends, makes the right pass and finishes near the rim to a player who does all of those things, plus looks to score.

Zack Browne got some bench minutes as a junior last year and, like Kazanowsky, is a football player who adds some athleticism and toughness to the lineup. Point guard Wesley Dietch and Brandon Bowens also move into the lineup, Dietsch at point guard and Bowens as the 6-foot-6 center. Senior swingman Ethan Paul is the final starter and will have a pair of capable junior scorers and slashers in A.J. Emnace and Ryan Baker backing up him and the rest of the starters. It is an entirely different group from the one that accomplished so much over the past three seasons but those players were once new as well. Caswell is hoping that the bar is set and this group is ready to leap over it.

Key Returners

Head

Coach:

2019-2020

Vicki Gillen, 20 season th

Record:

Sydney Howell Gia Pissott Faith Wavershak Jackie Benvenuto Lexie Rizzo

17-9

(9-5 in Class A South)

Jr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Sr.

(7.4ppg) (4.8rpg) (6.2ppg) (8.3ppg, 10.3rpg)

Brandi Manna Julia Grodzicki Arlian Torres Darcy Gabourey

Jr. So. So. So.

Top Newcomers

Megan Sias

26 28 1 3 5 9 11 15 17 19 23 25

S Head

Coach:

Vinnie Arminio, 1st season 2 0 1 9 - 2 0 2 0 R e c o r d : 5-21 (4-10, sixth in Class A South) 2020 Postseason Performance:

Did not reach Shore Conference Tournament; lost in NJSIAA South Jersey Group III first round (Moorestown) Coaches Projected Lineup

Gavin Migliori Neil Kwincinski John Gallo John Huber Wyatt Sternberg

Jr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Jr.

6-0 5-10 6-5 6-3 6-4

Guard Guard (R) forward (R) Forward (RS) Forward

(Transfer from Central) RS – Returning Starter.

R – Returning Varsity Player

The tough part for Toms River South will be doing all that with new players. Jalen Folsom, Nick Luongo and Phil Fried were the team’s most productive players a year ago, so it will take a big effort from a new group to make the Indians a contender. Senior forward John Huber is the senior most likely to emerge as a top scorer, particularly in the front court. Classmate Neil Kwincinski, meanwhile, has experience in the back court and will team with senior John Gallo and junior Gavin Migliori in the three-guard attack.

Central Regional transfer Wyatt Sternberg gives Toms

Head

Coach:

Christine Scherm, 1st season 66

2019-2020 Record:

(3-11 in Class A South)

10-15

Jalen Folsom Nick Luongo Phil Fried Nickerson Jean-Louis Steve Beaton

6-0 6-1 6-2 6-0 6-3

Guard Guard Forward Guard Guard

Off the Bench

Mike Citta Colin Rainmann Gerry Ferrigno Dominick Catz

Sr. Jr. Sr. Sr.

5-9 Guard (R) 6-0 Guard 6-0 Forward 5-10 Guard

Player to WatcH:

John Huber With three reliable offensive players, including an all-

at vs. vs. at at at vs.

A.J. Emnace Ryan Baker Richard Riley Justin Moskowitz

6-7 6-0 6-2 6-5 6-2 6-4

Center Guard Guard Forward Guard (Left TR North) Forward (Opted Out)

Jr. Jr. Sr. Jr.

6-0 6-2 6-5 6-1

Guard Guard Guard/Forward Guard/Forward

Player to WatcH

Jake Kazanowsky A role player who started games for Toms River North last

Fr.

Continued

division guard in Jalen Folsom, and some role players graduating, Toms River South will need what experience it does have to step up. Huber was a steady presence in the starting lineup as a junior and he will look to be a leader, as well as a producer for a team trying to change its image in a pod with a very local flavor (more on that shortly).

Nick Kwincinski Folsom’s graduation leaves a sizable void left by a player who can score one-on-one and while most coaches aren’t going to require players to manufacture their own offense if it is not part of their game, Toms River South will need some guards to help drive the offense. With some big minutes on his resume from a year ago, Kwincinski will be one of the primary candidates to deliver at guard.

Impact Newcomer

:

Colin Rainmann As a varsity newcomer, Rainmann will have to play his way into the starting lineup but he’ll have a good chance to do so playing for a new coach who will be looking for any spark to ignite his team, particularly if it is a player

Key Returners

Top

Kelle Anwander Emma Wagner Erin Maguire Caitlyn Fall Ryanne Gethard

Cara Cribbin Emma Klina Janelle Blaszka Samantha Kohlhepp

Sr. (12ppg, 9.5rpg) So. (7ppg) Sr. Sr. So.

at vs.

6:30 p.m.

5:30 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

Off the Bench

Big Shoes to Fill:

Key Losses

vs.

Southern Southern Toms River South Toms River South Manchester Donovan Catholic Donovan Catholic Toms River East Toms River East Central Donovan Catholic Donovan Catholic

Najae Hallenbeck Jakari Spence Colin Baker Mike Vansprang Jaiden Fraser Jr. Lamir Mitchell Jr.

Matt Manley

River South some size in the lineup at 6-foot-4, as well as another junior for Arminio to build around beyond this season. Guard Colin Rainmann is another piece to the junior core, while Mike Citta, Gerry Ferrigno and Domenic Catz are three more seniors hoping to get a chance to close out their high-school careers with something resembling a complete season.

at

Key Losses

By: Senior Staff Writer

ince the graduation of Tymere Berry – one of Ocean County’s better players and all-around athletes of the past decade – Toms River South has dipped toward the basement in the Class A South division and will be looking to inject some energy into the program under new coach Vinnie Arminio. Even through its recent struggles, Toms River South is always a pretty reliable bet to play rival and A South dynasty Toms River North tough at least once and now that the Mariners are likely to come back to the pack this year, the Indians are hoping to make some noise in a more open division with their new coach.

vs.

Newcomers

So. So. Jr. Sr.

Jan. Jan. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb.

26 28 1 3 5 9 11 15 17 20 23 25

vs. at at vs. at at vs. at vs. at vs. at

Donovan Catholic Donovan Catholic Toms River North Toms River North Brick Toms River East Toms River East Southern Southern Brick Memorial Lacey Lacey

>

6:30 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

1 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

who can help beyond this season and score in this upcoming one.

X-Factor:

Toms River Parity?

With Donovan Catholic part of the six-team pod that houses Toms River South, Toms River East and Toms River North, all four Toms River schools will be scheduled to face one another two times each. Those games always have some extra intensity and with Toms River North graduating its top players from a Shore Conference Tournament finalist and Toms River East losing its top three players from a winning team, there are some questions regarding how good each team will be heading into the season. Those conditions could create an opportunity for Toms River South to make a move up the Toms River pecking order in what is likely to be a volatile 2021 season.

year, Kazanowsky will now have to be more involved in finishing plays in the paint and distributing the ball out of the high post, as opposed when he was tasked with working the glass, defending and finishing passes from Jakari Spence last year.

Kazanowsky is a smart, physical player with a good motor and plenty of leadership ability.

Big Shoes to Fill

Wesley Deitch and Brandon Bowens

Spence and Najae Hallenbeck were nodoubt All-Shore players for Toms River North and few people saw that as close-up as Deitch and Bowens did. According to Caswell, Deitch spend most of last season going head-to-head with Spence in practice while Bowens did the same against the physicallydominant Hallenbeck. They won’t be ready to produce like those two All-Shore First-Teamers, but Deitch and Bowens have seen two of the best up close, which should prepare them for just about anybody.

Impact Newcomer

Ethan Paul

Losing a trio like Spence, Hallenbeck and Baker leaves an almost irreplaceable amount of production to address, so Toms River North will need a lot of helpers in covering it. Paul will get to do his part as a starter, bringing a style not unlike what Colin Baker brought to the table over the past three seasons and doing so as a senior with something to prove.

X-Factor:

The Chip

It is fair to say this Toms River North group will be written off more than its predecessor from 2020. It is an entirely new lineup with very little experience and the rest of Ocean County is going to want its shot at the Mariners w h i l e t h e y think t h e y a r e down.

With a group that was tested as much in their practices as Ocean County opponents were tested vs. Toms River North in the games, the six-time defending A South champs will be just that until some team dethrones them. We will see how much of a fight the Mariners have when teams like Southern, Lacey, Donovan Catholic and the other Toms River schools line up to take the crown.

SPECIAL THANKS to all the

PHOTOGRAPHERS

Who Supplied the GREAT PHOTOS Seen in our publications & Website

S R . J AKE K AZANOWSKY

67