2025-26 Shore Conference Boys Basketball Preview: Class B South
Anyone used to the traditional Shore Conference alignment might do a double take reading about the teams in this year’s Class B South division thinking they were reading about Class A South with a mislabeled headline. Three Toms River teams and Brick Memorial make for a B South field stacked with traditional Class A South teams. To add to the rivalry flavor of the division, both Point Pleasant teams will occupy the other two spots. So, for those keeping track, that is three teams from Toms River, two from Point Pleasant and one from the town neighboring Point Pleasant.
In addition to the natural rivalries and Class A South pedigree, Class B South has several teams eager to either get out of a ridiculously challenging division or a division that was no longer challenging. Both Brick Memorial and Point Boro had to contend with St. Rose and Manasquan in last year’s Class A Central division, and whether or not either win this year’s Class B South is secondary to the fact that it’s at least a distinct possibility this year. Point Beach and Toms River East, meanwhile, will be challenged after each finished in second place in smaller divisions last year, with Point Beach winning 20 games as a member of Class B Central.
Toms River North and Toms River South are somewhere in between. Both were in Class A South last year and while getting away from last year’s version of Central Regional and this year’s versions of Jackson and Southern Regional should be beneficial, Class B South has a chance to be a more balanced division than Class A South. There may be a better opportunity to win the division, but no game will be easy.
In predicted order of finish
1. Point Pleasant Beach
With one of the younger teams in the Shore Conference, Point Beach has come in second place in Class B Central in each of the past two seasons – to Henry Hudson in 2024 and to Wall in 2025. Now, the Garnet Gulls are a team of seniors and juniors that have the ingredients to be Point Beach’s best teams since winning the NJSIAA Central Jersey Group I championship in 2018. The only catch, as it pertains to finishing at the top of the division after two near misses, is this year’s Class B South will present a tougher top-to-bottom challenge than Point Beach has seen in either of the last two years.
Even against quality division opponents on a nightly basis, the Garnet Gulls stack up well against the field. Senior Jacob Edgecomb heads into his fourth year as a starting guard and will be a top scoring option. Three other players have been starters since their freshman season and all three are juniors: point guard Tyler Preston, guard George Breckenridge and 6-foot-4 forward Danny Cavanaugh.
Point Beach went six deep last season, and senior Elijah Ives mostly came off the bench as the sixth man with a handful of starts to his name as well. Ives is Swiss Army-knife type of player who will mix it up in the paint and can hit a three, making him a good fit for any role. That role could be back as the sixth man if junior guard and Peddie School transfer Ryan Mahoney plays his way into the starting five. Whatever the configuration, Point Beach once again has six players who can credibly start. Now that they are a senior-junior team instead of a junior-sophomore-heavy team, the Garnet Gulls have a squad that should compete near the top of Ocean County, which means starting the season as one of the favorites – if not the favorite – to win Class B South.
Point Beach at a Glance
Head Coach: Ed Goodman, sixth season
2024-25 Record: 20-8 (8-2, second in Class B Central)
Key Losses: Scot Crowley (6-3, Forward)
Projected Lineup (with 2024-25 stats)
Returning Starters in Bold
Tyler Preston, Jr., 5-8, Guard (10.4 points, 3.2 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.9 steals, 38 3-pointers)
Jacob Edgecomb, Sr., 6-0, Guard (11.7 points, 4.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.8 steals, 51 3-pointers)
George Breckenridge, Jr., 5-10, Guard (8.6 points, 2.6 rebounds, 1.8 assists)
Dan Cavanaugh, Jr., 6-4, Forward (8.3 points, 5.6 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 2.6 steals, 1.2 blocks)
Elijah Ives, Sr., 6-0, Guard/Forward (6.2 points, 2.9 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.3 steals)
Off the Bench
Ryan Mahoney, Jr., 6-0, Guard – Transfer from the Peddie School
Chris Mosco, Sr., 5-9, Guard (1.3 points)
Billy Cavanaugh, So., 6-3, Forward
Matt Tierney, Jr., 6-2, Forward
2. Brick Memorial
Brick Memorial is coming off a winning season despite going 2-8 against a grueling Class A Central division schedule that included two games apiece against St. Rose and Manasquan, as well as enduring a 10-game losing streak during a three-week stretch. The Mustangs went 7-2 over their final nine games with losses to St. Rose and Ewing, and they bring back all but one starter who starred for the Mustangs down the stretch and a defensive specialist off the bench. Joe Witter was a force during the final nine games as Brick Memorial’s senior leader, but the Mustangs have the horses in place to overcome the graduation losses.
The primary reason for Brick Memorial’s mid-season losing streak was an injury that knocked point guard Jason Lajara out for a stretch. Lajara was also the quarterback for Brick Memorial’s NJSIAA sectional championship football team and has a similar effect on the basketball court as the facilitator and vocal leader. Senior Nyzier Matthews, Lajara’s top target on the football field, is also an important piece of the returning core. Matthews brings size to the wing and has a chance to be a shutdown defender at multiple positions while also remaining a threat to score on the other end.
Seniors Sean Collins, Austin Braaten and Shane Braaten are the basketball-first athletes on the team, with Collins leading the team in scoring in each of the past two seasons. All three are suited to play on the wing, with Austin Braaten also capable of playing in the paint and Collins possessing the size to score inside as well. Six-foot-4 sophomore Luka Begashvili is another intriguing player in the lineup after he spent his freshman year at St. Rose and brings a familiarity with championship-caliber basketball with him to Brick Memorial. Tyler Pierce, Casey Pierce and sophomore Devin Mack will be the non-senior contributors for a Brick Memorial team hoping senior experience and athleticism will prove important ingredients for a breakthrough.
Brick Memorial at a Glance
Head Coach: Keith Farr, second season
2024-25 Record: 14-14 (2-8, tied fifth in Class A Central)
Key Losses: Joe Witter (6-4, Guard/Forward), Damani Muldrow (5-10, Guard)
Projected Lineup (with 2024-25 stats)
Returning Starters in Bold
Jason Lajara, Sr., 5-8, Guard (8.2 points, 4.0 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 2.4 steals)
Nyzier Matthews, Sr., 6-3, Guard (6.7 points, 3.6 rebounds)
Austin Braaten, Sr., 6-2, Forward/Center (6.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.2 blocks)
Sean Collins, Sr., 6-4, Forward (12.8 points, 4.5 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.9 steals, 41 3-pointers)
Luka Begashvili, So., 6-4, Forward – Transfer from St. Rose
Off the Bench
Shane Braaten, Sr., 6-2, Forward (1.4 points, 2.0 rebounds)
Tyler Pierce, Jr., 5-10, Guard
Casey Pierce, Jr., 5-10, Guard
Jevin Mack, So., 5-8, Guard
3. Point Pleasant Boro
Like Brick Memorial, Point Boro is coming off a winning season despite taking its lumps playing in a division with St. Rose and Manasquan, not to mention three other quality teams in Jackson Memorial, Howell and Brick Memorial. The Panthers don’t have as much returning as Brick Memorial does, hence the projection one spot lower than the Mustangs, but they have the team’s top two scorers back in the fold with a talented supporting group around them that includes one of the Shore’s more impressive freshmen.
Junior Hunter Hynes – the nephew of head coach Kevin Hynes – is coming off a breakout season in which he was the Shore’s top three-point shooter with 83 connections from beyond the arc while averaging just under 17 points per game. Senior teammate Jovin Steinmetz also averaged double figures and has similar shooting range to go with an inside game at 6-foot-4. That scoring duo gives Point Boro an offensive foundation that matches up with the other top teams in Class B South.
Senior guards Nick Carmino and Dean Cardia will have big shoes to fill, which includes Cardia’s brother, Drew. Although he did not score as much as Hynes or Steinmetz, Cardia was the Panthers’ catalyst on both ends, and the two senior guards will have to cover for that production and leadership. Senior Griffin Dennis steps into the starting frontcourt and will be backed up by junior Landon Hoyle after both contributed off the bench last year. The Panthers will get a boost once 6-foot-6 freshman Chase Scarponi shakes off a preseason injury and joins the rotation as an interior scoring threat to complement Point Boro’s collection of established perimeter threats.
Point Boro at a Glance
Head Coach: Kevin Hynes, 30th season
2024-25 Record: 14-13 (2-8, tied fifth in Class A Central)
Key Losses: Drew Cardia (5-9, Guard), Hudson Griffin (6-4, Forward/Guard), Nick Kowalewski (6-6, Forward), T.J. Jordan (6-0, Guard)
Projected Lineup (with 2024-25 stats)
Returning Starters in Bold
Dean Cardia, Sr., 5-8, Guard
Hunter Hynes, Jr., 6-3, Guard (16.8 points, 2.0 rebounds, 1.2 steals, 83 3-pointers)
Nick Carmino, Sr., 5-9, Guard (3.5 points, 1.0 assists)
Griffin Dennis, Sr., 6-3, Forward (1.2 points)
Jovin Steinmetz, Sr., 6-4, Guard/Forward (11.4 points, 5.1 rebounds, 1.2 steals, 35 3-pointers)
Off the Bench
Chase Scarponi, Fr., 6-6, Forward/Center
Landon Hoyle, Jr., 6-4, Forward (2.7 points, 2.4 rebounds)
Logan Deangelis, Sr., 6-1, Guard
Michael Metcalfe, So., 5-8, Guard
Erik Kinzel, Jr., 6-2, Forward
Devan Rothman, Jr., 5-10, Guard
Michael Wayloo, Jr., 6-6, Forward
Jackson Morris, Fr., 6-0, Guard
Blake Nedza, Fr., 6-2, Guard/Forward
4. Toms River North
After nearly a decade dominating the Class A South division, Toms River North moves into Class B South looking to climb back to the top of a division that might be as good as some of the Class A South divisions the Mariners won between 2013 and 2024. The difference is that there is not a juggernaut like those Toms River North teams of years past domineering the field, leaving the current version of the Mariners with a chance to go from 17 losses in 2024-25 to the top of a division this winter.
Four players with starting experience return after the graduation of two regular starters in Sherrod Nelson and Mekai Morse, which will give Toms River North some veteran seasoning it was sorely lacking last year. Sophomore Jake Greenberg played well beyond his years as a freshman point guard, and he figures to be a mainstay for the Mariners over the next three seasons. With a sophomore running the point and a first-year starter at the other guard, Toms River North’s backcourt will be something of an unknown, as junior Wesley Tanner and senior Jayden Thomas compete for the starting job after both came off the bench.
Senior Bryce Kazanowsky leads a frontcourt packed with potential, with Kazanowsky heading into his fourth varsity season. Juniors Jackson Sias and Logan Brill both earned starters minutes last year and both are long, skilled wing players who can play both inside and out, leaving opponents without a mismatch to exploit. Senior John Sheehy will also bring size off the bench at 6-foot-4, giving the Mariners enough length to pair with Greenberg’s point guard skills as Toms River North attempts to re-discover its championship formula.
Toms River North at a Glance
Head Coach: Rory Caswell, 15th season
2024-25 Record: 9-17 (5-6, fourth in Class A South)
Key Losses: Sherrod Nelson (5-10, Guard), Mekai Morse (6-1, Guard), T.J. Valerio (6-2, Forward)
Projected Lineup (with 2024-25 stats)
Returning Starters in Bold
Jake Greenberg, So., 6-0, Guard (8.7 points, 4.7 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 1.6 steals)
Wesley Tanner, Jr., Guard, 5-11 (4.5 points, 3.9 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 2.1 steals)
Bryce Kazanowsky, Sr., 6-4, Forward (5.2 points, 4.3 rebounds, 1.7 assists)
Jackson Sias, Jr., 6-5, Guard/Forward (6.5 points, 4.9 rebounds, 1.1 steals)
Logan Brill, Jr., 6-4, Guard/Forward (6.0 points, 3.2 rebounds, 1.2 assists)
Off the Bench
Jayden Thomas, Sr., 6-2, Guard (3.4 points)
John Sheehy, Sr., 6-4, Forward
Aidan Gavillon, Sr., 6-1, Guard
Ezekiel Correa, So., 6-1, Guard/Forward
5. Toms River East
After battling for 11 wins as one of the Shore’s youngest teams in 2024-25, Toms River East is hoping to reap the benefits of bringing five starters back, with a pair of rising sophomores already established as top scorers. Brady Gillen led all Shore Conference freshmen in scoring a year ago while finishing in the top 30 in the entire Shore at a shade under 16 points per game. Gillen will team up with 6-foot-4 forward Tommy Intintola to form the most accomplished sophomore duo in Ocean County and the highest-scoring sophomore duo in the Shore Conference.
Gillen and Intintola have Toms River East set up for the next three years, but the Raiders will have some urgency this season thanks to the return of a pair of seniors in the starting lineup. Senior center Shamus O’Grady combined with Intintola gives Toms River East a strong frontcourt duo. Fellow senior Austin Weber, meanwhile, will be one of the guards playing off of Gillen. Junior Chase Ballie will be the other starting guard, giving the Raiders five players who already spent a season growing together.
An enhanced bench could prove to be the difference for Toms River East and the sophomore class could be a key factor in that depth. Six-foot-5 forward Carson Frazier brings even more size to the rotation, with classmate Brady Macom adding to the backcourt depth. Junior Matt Stewart will be a dependable junior off the bench, with Toms River North transfer Joe Klagg and senior Matt Bell adding to a mix that should help Toms River East hang with deeper, tougher group of teams than the Class B South division offered a season ago.
Toms River East at a Glance
Head Coach: Tom DeRiggi, seventh season
2024-25 Record: 11-16 (4-4, tied second in Class B South)
Key Losses: Anthony DeMarco (5-11, Forward)
Projected Lineup (with 2024-25 stats)
Returning Starters in Bold
Brady Gillen, So., 6-0, Guard (15.9 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.8 steals, 43 3-pointers)
Chase Baillie, Jr., 5-11, Guard (4.3 points, 4.2 rebounds, 1.8 assists)
Austin Weber, Sr., 5-11, Guard (3.4 points, 1.7 rebounds)
Shamus O’Grady, Sr., 6-3, Center (6.4 points, 5.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists)
Tommy Intintola, So., 6-4, Forward (7.3 points, 5.9 rebounds)
Off the Bench
Matt Stewart, Jr., 6-0, Forward
Carson Frazier, So., 6-5, Forward
Joe Klagg, Sr., 5-11, Guard – Transfer from Toms River North
Matt Bell, Sr., 6-0, Forward
Brady Macom, So., 5-10, Guard
6. Toms River South
The Indians are yet another team from Toms River looking to atone for a losing season while bringing back most of last year’s starting lineup. Toms River South does not quite have the returning inventory that Toms River East has, but it is comparable in volume to what Toms River North brings back. Two starters and a bench contributor graduated from last year’s team, and four players with starting experience are back to help Toms River South push for a big jump forward in wins.
Shane Gambarony, Kharii Pringle and Jacob Myers form a senior trio of players coming off productive junior seasons, with Gambarony finishing sixth in the Shore Conference in scoring and third among players returning to the Shore Conference this season. Myers was a capable second option at better than 10 points per game, and he averaged just shy of a double-double with better than nine rebounds per game. Pringle will again complement Gambarony in the backcourt, giving Toms River South two players who can both handle the ball and score it.
Senior Kyle Mundy takes over a full-time starting role after getting a taste of one as a junior, and at 6-foot-5, he brings a different dimension to the lineup. Brady Gibson rounds out an all-senior starting five, with guard Karsin Migliori also giving coach Vin Arminio a senior option off the bench. Sophomores Kevin Huegel and Darrien Giordano bring some youth to the rotation, with junior Nate Johnson a candidate to be the first guard off the bench for an experienced Indians team that has a similar feel to the one that stormed out to a 6-1 start in 2023-24 by winning the WOBM Christmas Classic Gepp Bracket.
Toms River South at a Glance
Head Coach: Vin Arminio, sixth season
2024-25 Record: 5-20 (0-10, sixth in Class A South)
Key Losses: Mark Avendano (5-11, Guard), Aiden Lynch (6-2, Forward), Tim Birchler (6-0, Guard)
Projected Lineup (with 2024-25 stats)
Returning Starters in Bold
Shane Gambarony, Sr., 5-9, Guard (19.3 points, 5.0 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 2.3 steals)
Kharii Pringle, Sr., 6-1, Guard (7.7 points, 5.2 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 2.5 steals)
Jacob Myers, Sr., 6-2, Guard (10.4 points, 9.2 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 1.1 steals)
Kyle Mundy, Sr., 6-5, Forward (2.4 points, 3.4 rebounds)
Brady Gibson, Sr., 6-3, Forward
Off the Bench
Kevin Huegel, So., 6-3, Forward
Nate Johnson, Jr., 6-2, Guard (1.0 points)
Karsin Migliori, Sr., 5-8, Guard (1.2 points)
Darrien Giordano, So., 6-1, Forward
Class A South Starting Five
Jacob Edgecomb, Point Beach
Shane Gambarony, Toms River South
Hunter Hynes, Point Boro
Sean Collins, Brick Memorial
Danny Cavanaugh, Point Beach
Off the Bench
Brady Gillen, Toms River East
Tyler Preston, Point Beach
Jason Lajara, Brick Memorial
Jake Greenberg, Toms River North
Jovin Steinmetz, Point Boro
Nyzier Matthews, Brick Memorial
Jackson Sias, Toms River North
