2025-26 Shore Conference Boys Basketball Preview: Class A North

The coaching carousel was spinning out of control in the Shore Conference during the spring and summer months of 2025, and the results of that turnover are apparent in the Class A North division – the Shore’s top division based on power points over the past two seasons. Two of the teams in the division will be led by their longtime head coaches – Manasquan’s Andrew Bilodeau and Holmdel’s Sean Devaney – but the other four teams in the division will be led by new head coaches.

The highest-profile change from last year was at Christian Brothers Academy, where CBA’s administration brought in Brian Lynch to replace his former CBA teammate, Geoff Billet, as just the fourth head basketball coach in Colts history. Lynch’s move to CBA left an opening at St. Rose, and it will be Chris Alesi taking over for the program that enters the 2025-26 season as the two-time defending Shore Conference Tournament champions, but with a much different look.

The other coaching exchange in Class A North was even more dramatic. Chris Champeau stepped down at Rumson-Fair Haven after 16 seasons to take the same position at a private school in Florida, which created an opening that called out to former Rumson girls coach and last year’s Red Bank Regional boys coach, George Sourlis. After back-to-back 20-win seasons with the team three miles west on Ridge Road, Sourlis left Little Silver to return to Rumson and coach the Bulldogs after Red Bank beat out Rumson for back-to-back division titles.

Red Bank had the ideal replacement lined up to replace Sourlis. This season, the Bucs will be coached by Ben DiBiase, whose Freehold Boro team won at Red Bank Regional in each of the last two NJSIAA Group III tournaments, including the 2024 Central Jersey Group III championship game.

Beyond the coaching drama, Class A North boasts the clear No. 1 team at the Shore in CBA, the most consistently excellent Shore program of the last 20 years in Manasquan, a Rumson-Fair Haven team that is not far behind, the Shore’s annual overachiever in Holmdel, and a Red Bank team that has a chip on its shoulder despite consecutive 20-win seasons.

Oh, right: and St. Rose is the two-time defending Shore Conference Tournament champion and a three-time defending NJSIAA South Jersey Non-Public B champion.

In predicted order of finish

1. Christian Brothers Academy

A new era is on tap at CBA, where Brian Lynch is back at his alma mater after turning St. Rose into a state power over the past four seasons as a new high school coach with professional experience overseas. Lynch’s first year at St. Rose was an acclimation year during which he led the Purple Roses to a .500 record with holdovers from the previous year before the high-end high school players showed up the following year. There will be no such wait at CBA, which returns a strong group of players from last year’s Shore Conference Tournament runner-up who will combine forces with a trio of transfers who followed Lynch from St. Rose.

Seniors Charlie Marcoullier and Connor Andree will ascend to leadership roles as three-year starters for the Colts, although there will be an adjustment for the two seniors playing for a head coach with whom three other rotation members are more familiar. Marcoullier can run the point or play off the ball as a knockdown shooter, while Andree brings strength and toughness to the paint, as well as a scoring touch.

Junior David Buley was a unique weapon for CBA who came off the bench for most of his sophomore year, but was a legitimate rim protector and inside presence on both ends of the floor. Senior guards Gavin Marlin and Charlie Messano also played key minutes as juniors who can shoot and defend, with Marlin starting for a large portion of the season. Both should thrive in a deep, wide-open offense under Lynch, just as both did under 18-year head coach Geoff Billet.

CBA goes from Shore Conference contender to unquestioned conference favorite and state-level player with the addition of three of Lynch’s players at St. Rose. Avery Lynch – the nephew of the head coach – will add even more size to the lineup with the ability to step out and shoot. In the backcourt, sophomores Izayah Cooper and Oymere Rene will bring quickness and defensive intensity. While Lynch was a greater statistical contributor than both sophomores a year ago, Cooper and Rene could be the most important additions to the team because of the defense and speed they bring to the court.

Last year marked CBA’s first trip to the Shore Conference Tournament championship game in nine years, and the Colts have not won the tournament since 2010. For most of the last decade, there has been a roster with more talent to foil CBA’s pursuit of a record 17th SCT championship, but that will not be the case in 2026. CBA’s roster is as loaded as it has been in decades, and anything short of a conference championship in 2026 – even as the players learn each other and Lynch’s system – would be a disappointment.

CBA at a Glance

Head Coach: Brian Lynch, first season
2024-25 Record: 21-5 (10-0, first in Class A North)
Key Losses: Justin Fuerbacher (6-5, Forward), Kevin Pikiell (6-2, Guard), Cam Reynholds (6-3, Forward), Nick Lane (5-10, Guard)

Projected Lineup (with 2024-25 stats)

Returning Starters in Bold

Charlie Marcoullier, Sr., 6-0, Guard

Izayah Cooper, So., 6-0, Guard – Transfer from St. Rose (5.3 points, 2.9 assists)

David Buley, Jr., 6-7, Center

Connor Andree, Sr., 6-5, Forward

Avery Lynch, Jr., 6-6, Forward – Transfer from St. Rose (9.5 points, 3.8 rebounds, 1.9 assists)

Off the Bench

Gavin Marlin, Sr., 6-2, Guard

Charlie Messano, Sr., 6-0, Guard

Oymere Rene, So., 6-1, Guard – Transfer from St. Rose (2.25 points, 1.8 rebounds, 1.0 assists)

Will Grier, Jr., 6-3, Forward

Matt Viesz, Sr., 6-1, Guard

Michael Barrett, Jr., 6-2, Guard

Connor Marcoullier, So., 5-10, Guard

Aidan Dotzler, So., 6-4, Forward

Declan Moran, Jr., 6-3, Forward

 

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2. Manasquan

The last two years of Manasquan basketball were straight out of a script that might be lying on the ground somewhere on the Netflix lot at Fort Monmouth in 2028. The Warriors overcame the loss of star point guard Ryan Frauenheim  to injury and current Maryland guard Darius Adams to transfer to reach the 2024 Group II semifinals and were on the cusp of upsetting a juggernaut Camden team before a stunning, viral officiating error cost them the win and sparked local outrage and national debate. One year later, Manasquan made it back to the Group II semifinal vs. Camden and this time, Griffin Linstra’s game-winning shot in the final seconds counted, and the Warriors knocked off the Panthers on the way to winning an overall Group II championship for the second time in three years.

The adversity Manasquan has overcome to win two state championships in the last three years has been a central part of its story as a program. Unfortunately for the Warriors, it will be a major part of their story throughout 2025-26. First-team All-Shore guard Rey Weinseimer will miss the season with a knee injury he sustained this fall, during which he played for the Manasquan soccer team. Manasquan already had to replace a four-year starter and two-time first-team All-Shore standout in Linstra, but Weinseimer was set to make that task easier. Without the junior standout, a new group of players will have to step up for a Manasquan team that will rival the inexperience of the 2021-22 team that featured Linstra and Adams as freshmen.

On top of the season-long absence of Weinseimer, Manasquan will begin the season without 6-foot-7 returning junior Logan Cleveland due to an ankle injury, but are hopeful to get him back during the first half of the season. That leaves senior forward Jack O’Reilly as the lone returning starter from last year’s state championship team, but that does not change the standards for the Warriors. While Cleveland heals, senior Jack Lattimer will move into a more prominent role after playing as a reserve a season ago while also serving a leadership role with O’Reilly.

The rest of the team is a mix of youth and inexperience, with the sophomore class figuring prominently into the equation. Sean Bilodeau – son of coach Andrew Bilodeau – will be a possible starter, as will classmates Noah Matuch and Kennedy Larned. Luke Winn is an impact transfer from St. Rose, where he sat behind a loaded starting five and backup group during his freshman year. Junior John Visceglia is another starting candidate for the backcourt, which remains a strength of Manasquan’s roster.

Weinseimer already figured to be a major source for scoring with the graduation of Linstra, so losing the All-Shore guard leaves the Warriors with questions on the offensive end. Defensively, however, Manasquan has all the ingredients to play with the Shore’s best, and if the Warriors can piece together some points while Cleveland rounds into form and the sophomores sharpen their edges, they will have a real chance at a seventh consecutive NJSIAA sectional championship.

Manasquan at a Glance

Head Coach: Andrew Bilodeau, 18th season
2024-25 Record: 25-4 (8-2, second in Class A Central)
Key Losses: Griffin Linstra (6-4, Guard), Brandon Kunz (6-0, Guard), Matteo Chiarella (6-1, Guard), Dan McManus (6-0, Guard), Keegan Hertel (6-1, Guard), Adam Murphy (6-5, Forward)

Projected Lineup (with 2024-25 stats)

Returning Starters in Bold

Sean Bilodeau, So., 5-10, Guard

John Visceglia, Jr., 6-0, Guard

Jack Lattimer, Sr., 6-2, Guard/Forward

Jack O’Reilly, Sr., 6-5, Forward (4.4 points, 5.8 rebounds)

Logan Cleveland, So., 6-7, Forward (6.9 points, 4.4 rebounds)

Off the Bench

Luke Winn, So., 6-4, Guard – Transfer from St. Rose

Noah Matuch, So., 6-2, Guard/Forward

Kennedy Larned, So., 6-1, Guard

Nate Shatkus, Sr., 6-1, Guard

Logan Siliato, Jr., 6-5, Forward

Maddux Basaman, Sr., 6-4, Forward

Rey Weinseimer, Jr., 6-2, Guard – Injured (16.4 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.6 steals, 63 3-pointers)

 

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3. Rumson-Fair Haven

After spending three seasons turning Red Bank Regional’s boys basketball team back into a championship-minded outfit, George Sourlis takes over the team that eliminated Red Bank from the Shore Conference Tournament, while being replaced at Red Bank by the coach (former Freehold Boro coach Ben DiBiase) who eliminated his Bucs from the last two NJSIAA tournaments. Although taking over for longtime Rumson coach Chris Champeau is a new job for Sourlis, he is right at home at Rumson, where he turned the girls program into a yearly Group II championship contender during a 30-year tenure.

Sourlis takes over a program with established infrastructure, both in its winning culture and in the talent on the actual 2025-26 team. Senior Luke Cruz is a returning All-Shore player who is one of the state’s more unique players thanks to his ability to score on the perimeter while also playing to his 6-foot-9 height as a rebounder, shot blocker and paint scorer. Seniors Luke Lydon and Drew Cavise are also back as rotation regulars after serving as key guards in 2024-25. Lydon can run the point and shoot the three, while Cavise is another capable shooter who could play a more frontcourt-focused role in Sourlis’s offense.

Cavise and Lydon both spent time as starters a season ago, so there are two spots in the Bulldogs starting five that will be occupied by first-year starters. According to Sourlis, his team is deep enough to use multiple players as starters again in his first year. Junior Casey Moore is trending toward starting in Friday’s opener against Manalapan, while seniors Blake Ahmann and Zach Halpern are at the front of the line to fill that fifth spot. Ahmann would be the choice for more size at 6-foot-3, while Halpern is a high-energy player on both ends. Senior Chace Perry will also be a key rotation piece at 6-5 and freshman Clint Martin and sophomore J.P. Quirk will be the underclassmen to watch in the program.

Losing three starters and a coach in Champeau who transformed the Rumson program into one of the best in the Shore will be a test on whether or not the program can endure. Replacing Champeau with a 700-win coach in Sourlis is a good start, and the return of Cruz only adds to it as the Bulldogs look to chase down their first NJSIAA sectional title in four years.

Rumson-Fair Haven at a Glance

Head Coach: George Sourlis, first season
2024-25 Record: 20-7 (7-3, second in Class A Coastal)
Key Losses: David Carr (6-2, Guard), Carson Memmott (6-3, Guard), Riley Gill (6-3, Guard), Nic Economou (6-2, Guard), Charlie Butters (6-3, Guard/Forward)

Projected Lineup (with 2024-25 stats)

Returning Starters in Bold

Luke Lydon, Sr., Guard (8.1 points, 1.8 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.1 steals)

Casey Moore, Jr., 6-0, Guard

Luke Cruz, Sr., 6-9, Forward/Center (17.4 points, 10.8 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.5 steals, 2.4 blocks)

Drew Cavise, Sr., 6-3, Forward (4.7 points, 1.7 rebounds)

Blake Ahmann, Sr., 6-3, Forward

Off the Bench

Zach Halpern, Sr., 6-1, Forward

Chace Perry, Sr., 6-5, Center

Michael Rongetti, Jr., 5-11, Guard

D.J. Yladen, Sr., 6-0, Forward

J.P. Quirk, So., 6-1, Guard

Clint Martin, Fr., 6-1, Guard

 

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4. Holmdel

Graduating a group of skilled guards is not a new challenge for Holmdel coach Sean Devaney and his program, but the way the Hornets will replace their four contributors from the 2025 graduating class will look different than it has in past years. Senior Jack Vallillo is a four-year varsity guard for Holmdel’s basketball team, but he will continue his athletic career after high school as a pitcher at Seton Hall University. Vallillo has been a three-point marksman for the Hornets and will carry more responsibility as a senior this season.

The rest of the starting lineup is also comprised of players who excel in other sports, including another Division I pitcher in Dylan Zammit, who moves from a bench role to the starting lineup this season. Senior Connor Paul, meanwhile, was an All-Shore soccer player for the Hornets in the fall and played his way into the starting five on the hardwood as a junior. Now a senior, Paul will be a versatile player who can play in the high post and defend across the board on the other end.

Holmdel’s football team made school history this fall, and two players from its high-scoring offense will play key roles on the basketball team. Sophomore Anthony Serini was an impact contributor as a freshman last winter, and this past fall, he led the football team in receptions while finishing second in receiving yards and touchdowns. His quarterback will be joining him on the court, with Shore Sports Insider MVP Jack Cannon opting to play basketball for the first time this year. Cannon will make a difference on the boards and on the defensive end while providing an additional option on the offense. With five starters at six-feet or taller playing for a coach who has won plenty with smaller teams, Holmdel will be a tough team to play any night and a very tough team to beat when the shots are falling.

Holmdel at a Glance

Head Coach: Sean Devaney, 20th season
2024-25 Record: 17-9 (6-4, third in Class A Coastal)
Key Losses: C.J. Karis (5-9, Guard), Daxx Corneiro (6-1, Forward), Joe Currieri (6-3, Forward), Ire Adesina (5-11, Guard)

Projected Lineup (with 2024-25 stats)

Returning Starters in Bold

Jack Vallillo, Sr., 6-1, Guard (13.2 points)

Anthony Serini, So., 6-0, Guard (6.1 points)

Dylan Zammit, Sr., 6-4, Guard

Connor Paul, Sr., 6-4, Forward (3.6 points)

Jack Cannon, Sr., 6-2, Forward

Off the Bench

Luke Schiess, Sr., 6-4, Forward

Elliot Bronovich, Jr., 5-9, Guard

Joe Marino, Jr., 5-9, Guard

Collin Bresnick, Jr., 5-10, Guard

 

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5. St. Rose

In a division defined by program turnover, no team has more new faces than St. Rose. After a dominant three-year run that saw the Purple Roses win three NJSIAA sectional championships, two Shore Conference Tournament titles and an overall NJSIAA Non-Public B championship, St. Rose will be replacing three mainstays from its championship lineups, as well as the head coach who put the pieces in place. Chris Alesi takes over the program after the departure of Brian Lynch to CBA, with Alesi also entering the high school arena with a background in college basketball as the coach at Division III Manhattanville University.

While St. Rose will be in good hands on the sideline, the Purple Roses will also have a competitive group on the floor, led by their two returning players from 2024-25. Tyler Cameron returns as the lone starter back from last year’s repeat SCT championship team and has been a rotation regular on the Shore’s most talented team since his freshman year. Cameron has never had to be as prominent on the offensive end as he will need to be this season, but his tenacious defense has been front and center – particularly over the past two seasons. The same can be said for O’Rien Campbell, who saw his minutes grow as the season progressed last year and will move into the starting backcourt with Cameron.

St. Rose will turn to three transfers to round out the starting five – all of whom played at the sub-varsity levels for accomplished programs. Junior Gill St. Bernard’s transfer Marco Leonardis is a well-rounded guard to join with the Cameron-Campbell duo, while Rumson-Fair Haven transfer Frankie Marullo steps into a frontcourt spot with the ability to stretch his offense to the three-point line. Sophomore Ranney transfer Ajay Catania, meanwhile, adds more shooting to the floor for a St. Rose team that should continue to do the job on defense and just needs to hold its own on the offensive side of the floor to compete night-in and night-out in the unforgiving Class A North division.

St. Rose at a Glance

Head Coach: Chris Alesi, first season
2024-25 Record: 23-8 (10-0, first in Class A Central)
Key Losses: Evan Romano (6-2, Guard), Bryan Ebeling (6-2, Guard), Jayden Hodge (Sr., 6-6, Guard; transferred to Montverde), Avery Lynch (Jr., 6-6, Forward; transferred to CBA), Izayah Cooper (So., 6-0, Guard; transferred to CBA), Oymere Rene (So., 6-1, Guard; transferred to CBA), Tyler Hager (Jr., 6-6, Forward; transferred to Red Bank Catholic), Matt Breen (6-4, Forward)

Projected Lineup (with 2024-25 stats)

Returning Starters in Bold

Tyler Cameron, Sr., 6-0, Guard (4.9 points, 2.7 rebounds, 1.4 assists)

O’Rien Campbell, Sr., 6-2, Guard (2.4 points)

Marco Leonardis, Jr., 6-1, Guard – Transfer from Gill St. Bernard’s

Ajay Catania, So., 5-11, Guard – Transfer from Ranney

Frankie Marullo, Jr., 6-2, Forward – Transfer from Rumson-Fair Haven

Off the Bench

Jack Deacon, Jr., 5-10, Guard

Gavin Cadorette, Jr., 6-4, Forward

Jack Jakubik, So., 5-8, Guard

Jason Portes, Fr., 5-8, Guard

Ben Gordon, Jr., 5-10, Guard

 

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6. Red Bank

In addition to replacing two All-Shore guards in Zayier Dean and Ryan Fisher, Red Bank is replacing a coach in George Sourlis who helped lead the Bucs to back-to-back 20-win seasons to cap his three-year stint in Little Silver before returning to rival Rumson-Fair Haven as its new boys basketball coach. The two games Red Bank will play against Rumson-Fair Haven figure to be even more heated than the Ridge Road Rivalry games have been over the past two seasons, but before the Bucs get there, they are looking to iron out the wrinkles that come with a new coach and a roster that returns only one starter.

To replace Sourlis, Red Bank turned to the coach who beat his team in each of the last two NJSIAA Tournaments. Ben DiBiase led Freehold Boro to the 2024 Group III championship game, which included the program’s first sectional championship in more than 50 years. Last year, Freehold Boro won at Red Bank for the second straight year, this time beating the Bucs in the Central Group III quarterfinals.

While DiBiase would like to go on another postseason run, returning junior guards Justin Valentino and Will Galligan would like a shot at tournament redemption with their new coach. Valentino is the lone returning starter and figures to have the ball in his hands more this season as a lead guard, while Galligan moves into the starting five after serving as the team’s best pure shooter while coming off the bench as a sophomore.

Senior Bennett Lopez was a workhorse in the paint before seeing his minutes shrink when Ronald Richardson became eligible. Now, the football standout will be unleashed as a senior in the frontcourt to complement Valentino and Galligan. Junior Chris Doody and senior Josiah Johnson are two upperclassmen competing for starting minutes, as are sophomores Wyatt Hegner and Randy Peterson, with all four due for key roles in the rotation. The inexperience will be a challenge to overcome in a stacked division that includes a supercharged CBA, talented Rumson-Fair Haven and the Shore’s most consistent winner in Manasquan, but Red Bank has enough back to compete just about every night.

 

Red Bank at a Glance

Head Coach: Ben DiBiase, first season
2024-25 Record: 22-5 (10-0, first in Class A Coastal)
Key Losses: Zayier Dean (5-10, Guard), Ryan Fisher (6-1, Guard), Anthony Moore (6-3, Forward), Ronald Richardson (6-4, Forward), Trey Moore (6-4, Center)

Projected Lineup (with 2024-25 stats)

Returning Starters in Bold

Justin Valentino, Jr., 6-0, Guard (5.5 points, 3.1 rebounds, 2.4 assists)

Will Galligan, Jr., 6-0, Guard (5.6 points, 2.3 rebounds)

Bennett Lopez, Sr., 6-2, Forward (1.4 points, 3.0 rebounds)

Josiah Johnson, Sr., 6-1, Forward

Chris Doody, Jr., 6-1, Forward

Off the Bench

Randy Peterson, So., 6-3, Forward

Wyatt Hegner, So., 6-3, Forward

Jack Monahan, Sr., 6-0, Forward

Will Oliver, So., 5-11, Guard

Jack Forsyth, Jr., 6-1, Forward

Vin Niesz, Sr., 5-8, Guard

Jack Nichols, Jr., 6-1, Forward

 

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Class A North Starting Five

Charlie Marcoullier, CBA

Izayah Cooper, CBA

Luke Cruz, Rumson-Fair Haven

Avery Lynch, CBA

Connor Andree, CBA

Off the Bench

Logan Cleveland, Manasquan

Justin Valentino, Red Bank

Tyler Cameron, St. Rose

Jack Vallillo, Holmdel

David Buley, CBA

Jack O’Reilly, Manasquan

Luke Lydon, Rumson-Fair Haven