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

In addition to being another deep, competitive division within the Shore Conference this season, the Class B North division is littered with programs that boast recent championship hardware. Four of the six teams in the division have won NJSIAA sectional championships over the past seven seasons, two have won Shore Conference Tournament championships in the last seven seasons and two others have won overall NJSIAA championships during the same amount of time.

The two teams are a Middletown North team coming off a division championship in Class B Coastal a year ago and a Red Bank Catholic squad that was the No. 1 seed in the SCT and reached the South Jersey Non-Public A final in 2021-22. In short, Class B North is a division of champions, regardless of the usual challenges each team faces in either replacing top-level talent in the year to come.

 

In predicted order of finish

1. Marlboro

Few teams got the injury bug – and in some cases, the flu bug – worse than Marlboro did last season and by the end of the year, the Mustangs we a shell of what they had hoped to be with a young core through a full regular season. The 2024-25 campaign ended with a blowout home loss to a Freehold Township team that did take the next step that Marlboro was hoping to make as a young team during the NJSIAA Tournament, which leaves the Mustangs hungry to make up for lost time this year.

Although there is some production to replace, Marlboro brings back most of its key pieces from a year ago and those pieces enter the season healthy and hoping to stay that way. Junior Nolan Gong has started since his freshman year and is the team’s top all-around scorer after putting up just under 14 points per game. Dylan McEwan averaged 10.3 points per game before missing a pair of games due to illness, then put up seven per game over the last seven games. Senior Christian Elmasri suffered a season-ending knee injury just 10 games into the season while averaging just under 10 points per game to go with contributions across the statistical spectrum.

The health of that trio will make Marlboro a dangerous team on both offense and in the Mustangs pressing, fullcourt defense, while 6-foot-6 Drew Lubeck will Marlboro the necessary size to compete in the paint with the Shore’s top teams. Senior A.J. Matthews moves from a bench role to the starting lineup and will fit in on both ends with the other guards, as will senior forward Jake Stone – another versatile option for fourth-year coach James Reuter. With all that went wrong last year, Marlboro is due some breaks (figuratively speaking) on the injury front that would go a long way in helping the Mustangs carve out a spot in the Shore top 10.

Marlboro at a Glance

Head Coach: James Reuter, fourth season
2024-25 Record: 10-16 (4-6, tied fourth in Class A North)
Key Losses: Daniel Crasto (6-0, Guard), Cole Newman (6-0, Guard), Adam Goodman (6-2, Guard/Forward)

Projected Lineup (with 2024-25 stats)

Returning Starters in Bold

Nolan Gong, Jr., 6-0, Guard (13.8 points, 2.9 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 1.25 steals, 41 3-pointers)

Christian Elmasri, Sr., 6-0, Guard (9.2 points, 4.7 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.6 steals)

Dylan McEwan, Jr., 5-11, Guard (9.4 points, 2.8 rebounds, 1.1 assists)

Ajay Mathews, Sr., 6-1, Guard (3.6 points, 1.4 rebounds)

Drew Lubeck, Sr., 6-6, Forward (4.2 points, 5.4 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 0.7 blocks)

Off the Bench

Jake Stone, Sr., 6-1, Forward

Lucas Ricevuto, Sr., 5-11, Guard (1.3 points, 1.0 assists)

Rob Glorioso, Sr., 5-8, Guard

Brandon Grossman, Jr., 5-11, Guard

Nate Seidler, Jr., 5-11, Guard (1.0 points)

Ali Decevic, Jr., 6-1, Guard, Forward

Dominic Palmeri, So., 5-11, Guard

Carter Jensen, So., 5-10, Guard

 

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2. Red Bank Catholic

Red Bank Catholic’s winning formula over the years has been to pair standout athletes in others powerhouse sports within the program with a handful of skilled basketball-first players. Last year, it was University of Virginia baseball commit Ryan Prior who put up an All-Shore season while players like Sean Saxton, Gavin Biasi and James Hankowski played their roles around Prior. This year, RBC has its Prior replacement thanks to the exodus at St. Rose, with two-sport standout Tyler Hager transferring in to bring his talents to the Eck Center hardwood this winter and the Count Basie Park baseball diamond in the spring. Hager was the second or third player off the St. Rose bench a season ago and put up modest numbers, but he also fit in athletically not only with St. Rose’s loaded roster but also against the Purple Roses impressive schedule of opponents.

Hager’s addition to the interior will provide an immediate lift on both ends of the floor while the return of an army of shooters will make RBC a tough team to guard. Hankowski and Biasi are both back, with Hankowski returning as one of the Shore’s top three-point bombardiers from a year ago. Biasi, meanwhile, is more of an all-around guard who will have the ball in his hands as he will be tasked with setting up Hager and Hankowski while also contributing to the scoring.

Two of junior Ryder Ciorciari and seniors Ryan Saxton and Jake Frankel will round out the starting five as head coach Tyler Schmelz sorts through this year’s rotation, which will also include even more experience with the return of senior guard Nolan Davis, sophomore Asher Cummins and junior Evan Boreson. The depth was already in place for the Caseys to navigate the season after Prior’s graduation and with Hager joining the group, RBC has a chance to make a run at an outright division championship, as well as a return to the Shore Conference Tournament quarterfinals.

Red Bank Catholic at a Glance

Head Coach: Tyler Schmelz, 10th season
2024-25 Record: 14-12 (5-5, fourth in Class A Coastal)
Key Losses: Ryan Prior (6-5, Forward), Sean Saxton (6-2, Guard)

Projected Lineup (with 2024-25 stats)

Returning Starters in Bold

Ryder Ciorciari, Jr., 5-10, Guard (3.9 points, 1.5 rebounds, 1.0 assists)

Gavin Biasi, Jr., 5-11, Guard (6.7 points, 3.2 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.8 steals)

James Hankowski, Sr., 6-0, Guard (9.0 points, 1.0 assists, 67 3-pointers)

Tyler Hager, Jr., 6-7, Forward – Transfer from St. Rose (1.8 points, 2.0 rebounds)

Ryan Saxton, Sr., 6-2, Guard/Forward (1.9 points, 2.5 rebounds)

Off the Bench

Jake Frankel, Sr., 6-2, Forward (4.9 points, 3.9 rebounds)

Asher Cummins, So., 6-2, Forward (1.3 points, 2.1 rebounds)

Nolan Davis, Sr., 5-10, Guard (2.3 points, 1.0 rebounds)

Evan Boreson, Jr., 6-4, Forward (1.6 points)

Ryan Bailey, So., 6-3, Guard/Forward

Luke Andrews, So., 6-1, Guard

Matias Candella, So., 5-10, Guard

Christian Fiumefreddo, Jr., 5-10, Guard

 

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3. Ranney

When this version of Ranney is in rhythm, the Panthers can put points on the board with just about any team in the Shore Conference. Last year, Ranney lit it up from three-point range by surrounding the arc with shooters and capable penetrators who created opportunities for teammates. Two of those creators graduated in MeSean Williams and Justin Buck, but the Panthers will have plenty of scoring firepower back in the lineup. Senior Shaan Nayar is at the top of the returners list after leading the Panthers at 17 points per game as a junior and his skill set extends beyond just scoring. Nayar will be a primary ball-handler and is a disruptive defender as well.

The challenge for coach Tahj Holden – one of the great big men in Shore Conference history as a member of Red Bank’s dominant late-1990’s teams before going on to win a national championship at Maryland – will be finding working around the fact that his current roster is without a big man. Junior Brody Mauro played that role for parts of the last two seasons, but he opted to focus on baseball this year and will not be an option on the basketball court this winter after missing most of his sophomore season on the hardwood due to a knee injury. Junior Andrew Mardahaev filled in admirably as a six-foot frontcourt player last year and will look to do the same while also providing offense both inside and out.

Juniors Alex Heyser, Ben Schaefer and Bryce Haney will round out the starting five, with Heyser playing off Nayar in the back court and Scheafer and Haney profiling as guards on the offensive end with the ability to defend the front court on the other side of the court. Jameson Jurofsky is a versatile senior off the bench and 6-foot-2 A.J. Mizhir is one of four sophomores in the mix for minutes. That sophomore group includes Eyan Antoine, the younger brother of former McDonald’s All-American and Shore Conference all-time leading scorer Bryan Antoine.

Junior Christian Lopez and sophomores Jordan Ru and 6-foot-3 Timmy Coyne are also potential key pieces in Holden’s bench, which could be an x-factor for Ranney as they try to chase down their first division championship since the Panthers finished No. 1 in the state in 2018-19.

Ranney at a Glance

Head Coach: Tahj Holden, 11th season
2024-25 Record: 13-11 (5-5, third in Class A North)
Key Losses: MeSean Williams (5-8, Guard), Justin Buck (6-4, Forward), Ethan Cherrier (6-2 Guard), J.J. Santulli (5-11, Guard), Brody Mauro (Jr., 6-4, Forward)

Projected Lineup (with 2024-25 stats)

Returning Starters in Bold

Shaan Nayar, Sr., 6-0, Guard (17.0 points, 5.1 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.2 steals, 74 3-pointers)

Alex Heyser, Jr., 5-11, Guard (7.4 points, 1.1 rebounds, 2.0 assists)

Andrew Mardahaev, Jr., 6-0, Forward (6.0 points, 4.0 rebounds)

Ben Schaefer, Jr., 6-1, Forward (3.2 points, 2.0 rebounds, 1.0 assists)

Bryce Haney, Jr., 5-11, Forward (1.7 points, 2.1 rebounds, 1.5 assists)

Off the Bench

Jameson Jurofsky, Sr., 5-11, Guard (2.4 points, 1.0 rebounds)

A.J. Mizhir, So., 6-3, Forward (2.3 points, 1.2 rebounds)

Jordan Rue, So., 5-11, Guard

Christian Lopez, Jr., 5-11, Guard

Eyan Antoine, So., 6-1, Forward

Timmy Coyne, So., 6-3, Forward

Jonathan Beneche, Jr., 6-0, Guard

Harry O’Neil, Jr., 5-8, Guard

Mason Lu, Jr., 5-10, Guard

Malik Broan, So., 5-10, Guard

 

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4. Colts Neck

Coach Steve Jannarone has been on the Colts Neck boys basketball staff throughout the program’s existence as both an assistant and now head coach and last year was the best season he – or anyone else at Colts Neck – has been a part of. The Cougars captured the boys basketball NJSIAA Group III championship for the first time in school history behind a workmanlike group of seniors that Jannarone continuously praised as much for their intelligence and character as he did for their playing ability. The only downside to getting to coach a senior class of that caliber is that those players are not around the next season, and that withdrawal will be an obstacle for Colts Neck this season.

One starter is back from last year’s team and he was an important one. Point guard Dillon Younger heads into his senior season after helping lead Colts Neck to the group title by managing the offense, protecting the ball and hitting colossal shots in the final seconds of two different games during his team’s run. As the lone starter back this season, Younger will have to balance playing to his strength as a point guard whose strength is setting up other players vs. stepping up as a scorer for a team that needs one.

Sophomore Nate Sloane is the most likely breakout player on this year’s team after Sloane came off the bench as a freshman sixth man during the championship season a year ago. Like his older brother and 2025 graduate, Lukas, Sloane is a slashing left-hander who can knock down a three-point shot and boasts the additional skill of shot-blocker after posting 1.3 per game despite limited minutes. Senior Liam Collura is the other starter with some experience from last year and will look to expand his role now that he is in the starting five.

The rest of the roster will be completely new and the starting five figures to be a work in progress as players develop and settle into their roles around Younger and Sloane. Seniors Matt Clark and Andrew Tomkovich will get a chance to take those spots and run with them, while younger players like sophomore Chindedum Amaefuna and freshman Trevor Baum look to make an impact at some point as well. With Younger as a senior presence, Sloane as a candidate to take a big step forward and a head coach with a history helping teams improve over the three-month season, Colts Neck should be a quality team that could be a threat come February.

Colts Neck at a Glance

Head Coach: Steve Jannarone, fourth season
2024-25 Record: 20-9 (6-4, second in Class A North)
Key Losses: Lukas Sloane (6-2, Guard), Bryce Belcher (6-3, Forward), Dan Buoncore (5-10, Guard), Jack Freid (6-1, Guard), Nolan Duddy (5-11, Guard), Miles Schneider (5-9, Guard)

Projected Lineup (with 2024-25 stats)

Returning Starters in Bold

Dillon Younger, Sr., 6-0, Guard (7.5 points, 6.3 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 1.8 steals)

Nate Sloane, So., 6-3, Guard (3.9 points, 2.8 rebounds, 1.3 blocks)

Matt Clark, Sr., 5-10, Guard

Liam Collura, Sr., 6-0, Guard/Forward (1.4 rebounds)

Andrew Tomkovich, Sr., 6-2, Forward

Off the Bench

Aiden Bain, Sr., 5-10, Guard

Chindedum Amaefuna, So., 6-3, Forward

Zach Caporale, Sr., 5-8 – Transfer from Marlboro

Christian William, Jr., 6-2

Stephen Bryce, So., 5-9

Aiden Cassitelli, Jr., 5-10

Devin Carletta, Jr., 6-0 – Transfer from CBA

Trevor Baum, Fr., 5-8, Guard

 

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5. Middletown North

New head coach Stew Lester takes the reins for a Middletown North team coming off its first piece of an outright division championship in 14 years and will try to keep the Lions in the hunt for a repeat in 2026. Doing so without the services of 2025 graduate and All-Shore wing Colin Byrne will not be easy for this version of the Lions, especially with 6-foot-6 senior standout Eddie Lopez ineligible for the first 30 days of the season. Lopez enrolled at College Achieve in Asbury Park for the start of the current school year before returning to Middletown North in time for the start of practice.

While the Lions wait on Lopez, they will have one returning starter back in the lineup. Junior Nate Tyburczy emerged as the team’s third scoring option alongside Byrne and Lopez last year and will look to assume more of a lead role, both as a player and in the locker room. Classmate Steven Huyhn will join him in the back court, while seniors Jack Kelly, Matt Dickie and 6-foot-4 forward Jack Dambaugh hold it down in the starting five until Lopez is ready to make his season debut in January.

There is also some junior and underclass waiting in the wings that will add depth to Lester’s first Middletown North team. Nick DiGiovanni will contribute as a freshman, classmate Branden Estrada could do the same, while juniors Matt Byrne and David Colantino are looking to follow in the footsteps of older siblings who recently came through the program. If the current group can hold the fort against a December schedule that includes the Kevin Williams Classic (formerly the WOBM Christmas Classic), Middletown South, Howell and Manalapan, followed by an early division schedule of Freehold Boro, Colts Neck and Ranney, the Lions will be at full strength with a chance to battle it out for a second straight division championship and Shore Conference Tournament appearance.

Middletown North at a Glance

Head Coach: Stew Lester, first season
2024-25 Record: 17-9 (9-1, first in Class B Coastal)
Key Losses: Colin Byrne (6-2, Guard), Jac Colantino (5-8, Guard), Damien Merker (6-4, Forward), Braden Marcotte (Sr., 5-10, Guard)

Projected Lineup (with 2024-25 stats)

Returning Starters in Bold

Nate Tyburczy, Jr., 5-9, Guard (9.3 points, 1.9 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.0 steals)

Steven Huynh, Jr., 5-9, Guard

Jack Kelly, Sr., 5-11, Guard (1.7 points)

Matt Dickie, Sr., 6-0, Guard/Forward

Jack Dambaugh, Sr., 6-4, Forward (1.7 rebounds)

Eddie Lopez, Sr., 6-6, Guard (11.5 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 1.2 blocks, 40 3-pointers)

Off the Bench

Nick DiGiovanni, Fr., 6-1, Guard/Forward

Matt Byrne, Jr., 5-9, Guard

David Colantino, Jr., 6-2, Forward

Mason Lisotto, Jr., 6-2, Forward

Branden Estrada, Fr., 5-10, Guard

Robert Kimball, Sr., 5-9, Guard

Chase Hantke, Jr., 6-3, Forward

Sean Ferreira, So., 5-9, Guard

Liam Moran, So., 5-11, Guard

 

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6. Freehold Boro

Freehold Boro may appear in the last spot in the Class B North rankings but the Colonials are as accomplished as any team in the division over the past two seasons. An NJSIAA Central Jersey Group III championship plus an appearance in the group final in 2024, followed by a 2025 win at top-seeded Red Bank for the second straight season in the Central Group III Playoffs highlighted back-to-back 20-win seasons by Freehold Boro as it moves into a deeper, tougher division that the one the Colonials dominated a season ago.

The three stars that led Freehold over the past two seasons – Brian Tassey, Qua’Mir Everett and Aidan Hamlin-Woolfolk – all graduated last spring and head coach Ben DiBiase left to take the same position at Red Ban. DiBiase’s assistant, Andrew Guy, takes over Freehold Boro and will look to lead the Colonials into its next competitive window, which they are hoping begins immediately. Although Freehold Boro will miss the major production supplied by the trio it lost, the Colonials still bring back three players who started for either most of or parts of last season. Mike Cush, Damier Lester and Max Girandola were key members of the supporting cast, with Cush serving as a spot-up shooter who showed he can catch fire in a big game, Lester a tougher defender, rebounder and slasher and Girandola a steady, reliable, complementary guard.

Senior Joe Haney also contributed off the bench in key moments for Freehold and will fill in one of the open spots in the starting lineup. Senior J.J. Ranaudo rounds out what will start as an all-senior starting five, with junior transfers Tristan Brito and Francesco Castronovo looking to make an impact as first-year Colonials. The degree of difficulty increases even more dramatically in the new division, but the senior presence plus the motivation to prove last year was about more than the “big three” should be enough fuel to power Freehold Boro to be competitive against a difficult Class B North field.

Freehold Boro at a Glance

Head Coach: Andrew Guy, first season
2024-25 Record: 20-8 (10-0, first in Class B North)
Key Losses: Brian Tassey (6-4, Guard), Aidan Hamlin-Woolfolk (6-5, Forward), Qua’Mir Everett (6-3, Forward)

Projected Lineup (with 2024-25 stats)

Returning Starters in Bold

Max Girandola, Sr., 5-10, Guard (2.3 points)

Mike Cush, Sr., 5-11, Guard (6.6 points, 2.2 rebounds, 37 3-pointers)

Damier Lester, Sr., 6-0, Guard (4.9 points, 3.7 rebounds, 1.0 assists)

Joe Haney, Sr., 6-1, Forward (2.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.1 steals)

J.J. Ranaudo, Sr., 6-3, Forward

Off the Bench

Cade Cascone, Sr., 5-8, Guard

Tristan Brito, Jr., 5-10, Guard

Francesco Castronovo, Jr., 6-0, Guard – Transfer from Calvary Christian

Dylan Kagan, So., 5-9, Guard

Ryan Shaffery, Sr., 6-4, Forward

Edwin Chen, So., 6-0, Guard

 

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Class B North Starting Five

Dillon Younger, Colts Neck

Shaan Nayar, Ranney

Eddie Lopez, Middletown North

Nolan Gong, Marlboro

Christian Elmasri, Marlboro

Off the Bench

Gavin Biasi, Red Bank Catholic

Dylan McEwan, Marlboro

Tyler Hager, Red Bank Catholic

Nate Tyburczy, Middletown North

James Hankowski, Red Bank Catholic

Damier Lester, Freehold Boro

Nate Sloane, Colte Neck