2026 Boys Basketball SCT Watch: Projecting the Field
For the second straight year, the Shore Conference is using power points in its seeding process for the Boys Basketball Shore Conference Tournament, although it came to the determination that last year’s process was too reliant on power points. In 2025, the seeding was determined, with little exception, by power points and power points alone and the result was the clear-cut, top team in the Shore Conference (St. Rose) landing at the No. 4 seed when everyone who watched a minute of the Purple Roses realized they were the obvious No. 1 seed.
But, the rules are the rules and while you can’t change them in the middle of a game, you can change them before you start a new one, which is what the Shore Conference has done this year. New in 2026, the top 24 teams by power points will qualify for the tournament – up from 20 in 2025 – but once that list of teams is set, a committee of eight coaches (one from each of the Shore Conference divisions) will vote on the seeding. Power points could play a role in the way coaches vote, but they will not be required to adhere to power points.
For the uninitiated, the old-school style of seeding was to use the overall strength of a team’s résumé to determine its seeding by coming to a consensus rather than using power points. On top of the overall body of work, factors like head-to-head and record vs. common opponents come into play as well. With 24 teams set to qualify, the top eight seeds will be awarded first-round byes, so cracking the top eight comes with two tangible benefits: the bye itself and a chance to host the round of 16 before moving to a neutral site for the remainder of the tournament.
Heading into Thursday’s action, the top 21 teams on the below power-point list are safely in the SCT, while the last three teams in and the first two teams out are battling for those last two spots. A third team out also has a remote chance, but really needs the state’s strength-of-schedule math – part of the power-point equation – to work in its favor over the next three days.
Then there is Brick. The Shore Conference Tournament rules allow for a team that won its division to enter the SCT, even if that team is not one of the top 24 by power points. Brick will fall into that category if it can clinch a share of the Class B South division championship on Friday night, which will require a loss by Pinelands. Brick and Pinelands still have not played a second time yet and the failure of those two teams to schedule a make-up before Sunday’s seeding meeting could cost both a chance to participate in the SCT.
With that being said, it’s time to take a look at the field and offer a perspective of what this year’s field might look like three days from the seeding meeting on Sunday. In this particular installment, the power points have been pushed to the side in many instances, but the 24 (or 25) teams that qualify will not be up for debate.
| Team | Power Points | Tournament |
| CBA (18-3) | 37.753 | SCT |
| Wall (16-0) | 33.053 | SCT |
| Red Bank Catholic (15-5) | 31.35 | SCT |
| Howell (15-4) | 29.22 | SCT |
| Marlboro (14-4) | 29.197 | SCT |
| Point Beach (16-5) | 27.374 | SCT |
| Ocean (14-7) | 26.082 | SCT |
| Manasquan (11-7) | 25.413 | SCT |
| Rumson-Fair Haven (13-7) | 25.059 | SCT |
| Central (14-6) | 24.848 | SCT |
| Jackson (13-4) | 24.39 | SCT |
| Ranney (10-7) | 23.457 | SCT |
| Freehold Twp. (10-8) | 23.09 | SCT |
| Shore (14-4) | 23.016 | SCT |
| Holmdel (10-5) | 22.363 | SCT |
| Point Boro (12-7) | 22.094 | SCT |
| Middletown South (12-7) | 21.991 | SCT |
| Brick Memorial (12-8) | 21.886 | SCT |
| Colts Neck (11-7) | 21.804 | SCT |
| Monmouth (13-6) | 21.789 | SCT |
| Southern (10-8) | 20.972 | SCT |
| Toms River South (11-10) | 20.148 | SCT |
| Toms River East (9-9) | 19.163 | SCT |
| Red Bank (7-13) | 19.119 | Coaches Cup |
| Henry Hudson (13-6) | 18.196 | Coaches Cup |
| Pinelands (13-4) | 18.078 | Coaches Cup |
| Toms River North (7-12) | 16.838 | Coaches Cup |
| Brick (9-11) | 15.854 | Coaches Cup |
| Matawan (8-11) | 15.835 | Coaches Cup |
| St. Rose (4-17) | 15.655 | Coaches Cup |
| Manalapan (7-12) | 15.196 | Coaches Cup |
| St. John Vianney (5-16) | 14.812 | Coaches Cup |
| Donovan Catholic (5-11) | 13.993 | Coaches Cup |
| Barnegat (8-10) | 13.667 | Coaches Cup |
| Middletown North (5-14) | 13.597 | Coaches Cup |
| Keansburg (9-8) | 13.572 | Coaches Cup |
| Neptune (6-11) | 13.555 | Coaches Cup |
| Freehold Boro (6-13) | 12.844 | Coaches Cup |
| Keyport (9-9) | 12.177 | Coaches Cup |
| Raritan (7-11) | 11.734 | Coaches Cup |
| New Egypt (8-10) | 10.928 | Coaches Cup |
| Long Branch (4-15) | 8.879 | Coaches Cup |
| Manchester (5-12) | 8.557 | Coaches Cup |
| Lacey (2-15) | 7.825 | Coaches Cup |
| Lakewood (1-16) | 6.534 | Coaches Cup |
| Asbury Park (0-13) | 5.945 | Coaches Cup |
Now that you know the teams in the field as of Wednesday night’s games, here is how I see it shaking out as of Thursday morning.
1. Christian Brothers Academy (18-3, 9-0)
Power-Point Rank: 1 (37.753)
Division Wins: Holmdel (2), Red Bank (2), Rumson-Fair Haven (2), St. Rose (2), at Manasquan
Division Losses: None
Non-Division Wins: Newark Collegiate, at Paramus Catholic, Hudson Catholic, St. Mary Rutherford, vs. ABF (Fla.), vs. Roselle Catholic, vs. Linden, vs. Middle Twp.
Non-Division Losses: Vs. Sagemont (Fla.), at Bergen Catholic, vs. Gill St. Bernard’s
Before the Cutoff: Vs. Manasquan
Why They’re Here: The preseason No. 1 team has bent, but has yet to break against the Shore Conference. While there is another unbeaten team that has actually had an easier time consistently putting teams away, the Colts have worn the bulls-eye on their collective back all year and still boast a 10-0 mark vs. the Shore with the most power points in the conference.
2. Wall (16-0, 9-0)
Power-Point Rank: 2 (33.053)
Division Wins: Freehold Twp. (2), Howell (2), Middletown South (2), St. John Vianney (2), at Manalapan
Division Losses: None
Non-Division Wins: St. Rose, at Ocean, vs. Red Bank Catholic, vs. Manasquan, vs. Freehold Twp., at Ranney, Neptune
Non-Division Losses: None
Before the Cutoff: At Manalapan, vs. Colonia
Why They’re Here: If the Crimson Knights can finish the regular season 17-0, they will be much closer to the No. 1 seed than to No. 3. The only nitpick on Wall at the moment is their marquee wins this season (over Red Bank Catholic and Manasquan) came in December, but beating Freehold Township three times and Howell twice in a span of 35 days is also pretty impressive.
3. Red Bank Catholic (15-5, 7-2)
Power-Point Rank: 3 (31.35)
Division Wins: Freehold Boro (2), Middletown North (2), at Colts Neck, Marlboro, Ranney
Division Losses: At Marlboro, at Ranney
Non-Division Wins: At Red Bank, at Freehold Twp., vs. Point Beach, vs. Central, at Donovan Catholic, Lawrence, vs. St. John Vianney, Point Beach
Non-Division Losses: Rumson-Fair Haven, vs. Wall, at CBA
Before the Cutoff: Vs. Colts Neck
Why They’re Here: If RBC beats Colts Neck on Thursday at home, the Caseys will be the outright Class B North champions and will have the strongest claim to the No. 3 seed. Three of their five losses came in overtime (Marlboro, Ranney, CBA) and the loss to Rumson was the result of an unconscious shooting performance by Luke Lydon (38 points). Non-divisional wins over Freehold Township, Point Beach (twice), Central and Lawrence are more solid than spectacular, but RBC has not had any ugly results, which gives the Caseys an edge over pretty much any other team that wants to make a run at No. 3.
4. Marlboro (14-4, 6-3)
Power-Point Rank: 5 (29.197)
Division Wins: Freehold Boro (2), Colts Neck, Middletown North, at Ranney, Red Bank Catholic
Division Losses: At Colts Neck, Ranney, at Red Bank Catholic
Non-Division Wins: At Howell, Red Bank, vs. Middletown South, at Red Bank, at St. Rose, Toms River East, vs. Bayonne, Manalapan
Non-Division Losses: Vs. Howell
Before the Cutoff: At Middletown North
Why They’re Here: A 12-point loss to Ranney to open this week could be the result that costs Marlboro the No. 4 seed, but the Mustangs have an excuse if they want to use it. Leading scorer and junior guard Dylan McEwan missed the game while in concussion protocol, according to head coach James Reuter and the Panthers took advantage by earning a season split with the Mustangs. All four of Marlboro’s losses have come vs. teams it also beat, so there is no team on the Mustangs’ résumé they have not beaten this year.
5. Howell (15-4, 6-3)
Power-Point Rank: 4 (29.22)
Division Wins: Freehold Twp. (2), Manalapan (2), at Middletown South, at St. John Vianney
Division Losses: Wall (2), Middletown South
Non-Division Wins: At Middletown North, vs. Steinert, vs. Old Bridge, vs. East Brunswick, vs. Marlboro, at Matawan, Monmouth, at Robbinsville, at Toms River South
Non-Division Losses: Marlboro
Before the Cutoff: Vs. St. John Vianney, at Hamilton West
Why They’re Here: Despite losing to Middletown South by 31 points to open the week, Howell remains the No. 5 seed thanks to the fourth-ranked power-point total and common-opponent advantage over the projected No. 6 seed. If there is a concern about Howell, it is that three of its four losses have been by at least 16 points, with the two losses to Wall coming by a combined 40 points. The win over East Brunswick remains one of the better non-conference wins in the field, but it is really carrying the Rebels’ non-divisional résumé.
6. Jackson (13-4, 6-1)
Power-Point Rank: 11 (24.39)
Division Wins: Barnegat (2), Donovan Catholic (2), at Central, Southern
Division Losses: At Southern
Non-Division Wins: Lacey, at Red Bank, Point Boro, Manasquan, vs. Brick Memorial, vs. Manasquan, St. Rose
Non-Division Losses: Vs. Freehold Twp., vs. Colonia, vs. Bayonne
Before the Cutoff: Vs. Central, at Point Beach
Why They’re Here: Jackson has the same problem Howell has, with all four of Jackson’s losses coming my a margin of at least 16 points, with three of them by 24 points or more. One of those losses is vs. Freehold Township – a team Howell beat twice, hence Howell’s ranking ahead of Jackson. On the plus side, Jackson owns two wins over Manasquan and that should be enough to keep the Jaguars ahead of the Warriors as long as Manasquan does not beat CBA on Thursday and Jackson beats both Central and Point Beach to close out the week.
7. Manasquan (11-7, 6-3)
Power-Point Rank: 8 (25.413)
Division Wins: Red Bank (2), St. Rose (2), Holmdel, at Rumson-Fair Haven
Division Losses: CBA, at Holmdel, Rumson-Fair Haven
Non-Division Wins: St. John Vianney, vs. Point Beach, Rancocas Valley, at Freehold Twp., vs. Thrive Charter
Non-Division Losses: Vs. Seton Hall Prep, at Jackson, vs. Wall, vs. Jackson
Before the Cutoff: At CBA
Why They’re Here: The Warriors began a stretch of five games in seven days with a loss at Holmdel, but have come roaring back over the past five days. Manasquan handled a Thrive Charter squad that won the 2025 NJSIAA Group I championship and is favored to do it again in 2026, then took down Red Bank and Rumson-Fair Haven to open this week. The two losses to Jackson make Manasquan’s climb into the top five a complicated one, but the Warriors are playing well at the right time, plus expect to be getting All-Shore guard Rey Weinseimer back into the lineup for the first time this season sometime in the next week-to-10 days.
8. Holmdel (10-5, 5-4)
Power-Point Rank: 15 (22.363)
Division Wins: St. Rose (2), Manasquan, Red Bank, Rumson-Fair Haven
Division Losses: CBA (2), at Manasquan, at Rumson-Fair Haven
Non-Division Wins: Ranney, vs. Spotswood, vs. East Brunswick Magnet, St. John Vianney, at Middletown South
Non-Division Losses: At Freehold Twp., vs. Freehold Boro
Before the Cutoff: At Red Bank
Why They’re Here: If Holmdel can pick up a road win over Red Bank Saturday to close out its regular-season, the Hornets will have a better division record that Rumson-Fair Haven, plus a win over the Bulldogs in the two weeks leading up the tournament. Holmdel has also beaten Ranney and Middletown South – two teams that are making a late push for a top 10 spot, but will not have a case to jump the Hornets. A loss to Freehold Township provides some reason for pause, but that came in December, when both sophomore Anthony Serini and senior Jack Cannon were still out of action due to injury following their long, successful seasons on the football field.
9. Ranney (10-7, 6-3)
Power-Point Rank: 12 (23.457)
Division Wins: Middletown North (2), Colts Neck, Freehold Boro, at Marlboro, Red Bank Catholic
Division Losses: At Colts Neck, Marlboro, at Red Bank Catholic
Non-Division Wins: Vs. Old Bridge, vs. Middletown South, at St. John Vianney, vs. Red Bank
Non-Division Losses: At Holmdel, vs. East Brunswick, at Morristown-Beard, Wall
Before the Cutoff: At Freehold Boro, vs. Middletown South
Why They’re Here: For the first time this season, Ranney has pushed its way into the top 10 in the Shore Conference, at least according to Shore Sports Insider. The Panthers took down a short-handed Marlboro squad, which gave them wins over both Red Bank Catholic and Marlboro within the span of a week. Throw in a 16-point win over Middletown South in December and no bad losses and Ranney’s case to be crack the top 10 is more solid than most.
10. Middletown South (12-7, 6-3)
Power-Point Rank: 17 (21.991)
Division Wins: Manalapan (2), St. John Vianney (2), at Freehold Twp., at Howell
Division Losses: Wall (2), Howell
Non-Division Wins: At St. Rose, vs. Notre Dame, Middletown North, vs. Long Branch, at Raritan, Rumson-Fair Haven
Non-Division Losses: Vs. Marlboro, vs. Ranney, Brick Memorial, Holmdel
Before the Cutoff: Vs. Freehold Twp., at Ranney
Why They’re Here: Consistency has not been a staple of a Middletown South team that leans heavily on a pair of freshmen, but when the Eagles have been on top of their game, they have proven to be dangerous. They own double-digit wins over Freehold Township, Rumson-Fair Haven and Howell, but also have a 20-point loss to Brick Memorial that will be something to overcome in the seeding. This week’s 31-point win over Howell sets Middletown South to make an argument for a bye if it can win a second game vs. Freehold Township and return the favor against Ranney to close the week while also getting some help from the opponents of Jackson and Holmdel.
11. Rumson-Fair Haven (13-7, 4-5)
Power-Point Rank: 9 (25.059)
Division Wins: Holmdel, at Manasquan, Red Bank, at St. Rose
Division Losses: CBA (2), at Holmdel, Manasquan, at Red Bank
Non-Division Wins: Manalapan, Long Branch, at Red Bank Catholic, St. John Vianney, vs. Roselle, vs. Westfield, at Rahway, vs. Holy Cross Prep, Union Catholic
Non-Division Losses: At Middletown South, vs. Lenape
Before the Cutoff: Vs. St. Rose
Why They’re Here: A 14-point loss to Middletown South could keep Rumson out of the top 10, as it is doing in this particular projection. The Bulldogs were all banged up for that game, but they were mostly healthy when they lost to a 7-13 Red Bank team later in January. Those two losses laid the groundwork for a drop in the rankings and now, Rumson is currently mired in a four-game division losing streak thanks to losses vs. Red Bank, CBA, Holmdel and Manasquan. Rumson did mix in an impressive win over Union Catholic, so there is still enough to like about the Bulldogs to push them into the top 10, but with only a game vs. St. Rose before the cutoff, they won’t have much of a chance to change anyone’s mind.
12. Freehold Township (10-8, 4-5)
Power-Point Rank: 13 (23.09)
Division Wins: Manalapan (2), St. John Vianney (2)
Division Losses: Howell (2), Wall (2), Middletown South
Non-Division Wins: Vs. Lawrence, Holmdel, vs. Central, vs. Jackson, Toms River North, at Freehold Boro
Non-Division Losses: Red Bank Catholic, vs. Wall, Manasquan
Before the Cutoff: At Middletown South
Why They’re Here: Double-digit wins over both Jackson and Holmdel give Freehold Township a case to be several spots higher than this, especially if the Patriots can beat Middletown South on Thursday. Freehold Township missed point guard Cole Gerigk for a stretch of nearly three weeks, but he is back in the lineup heading toward the tournament stage of the season. Although the last of the three games was a 14-point loss, Freehold has shown in its three matchups vs. Wall – two of which were decided by seven points – that it can hang with the No. 2 team in the tournament.
13. Point Pleasant Beach (16-5, 7-2)
Power-Point Rank: 6 (27.374)
Division Wins: Point Boro (2), Toms River East (2), at Brick Memorial, at Toms River North, Toms River South
Division Losses: Brick Memorial, at Toms River South
Non-Division Wins: At Brick, at Henry Hudson, Matawan, Woodbury, vs. Brick Memorial, at Central, at New Egypt, at Lacey, at New Providence
Non-Division Losses: Vs. Manasquan, vs. Red Bank Catholic, at Red Bank Catholic
Before the Cutoff: Vs. Toms River North, vs. Jackson
Why They’re Here: Power points paint a prettier picture for Point Beach, but the last two weeks have presented some issues. Junior forward Danny Cavanaugh missed the last two games with a foot injury, which dropped Point Beach’s record to 1-3 without him in the lineup this season. Even with him, the Garnet Gulls lost at home to Brick Memorial and nearly blew a 20-point lead with 4:30 left against Point Boro before handing on to win, 61-60. A loss to Toms River South to open this week leaves Point Beach needing a win over Toms River North Thursday to clinch the outright Class B South title and a win over Jackson on Saturday to climb in the seeding.
14. Ocean (14-7, 8-1)
Power-Point Rank: 7 (26.082)
Division Wins: Long Branch (2), Monmouth (2), Neptune (2), Raritan (2)
Division Losses: Matawan
Non-Division Wins: Henry Hudson, at Shore, vs. Hightstown, vs. Minnechaug (Mass.), vs. Colts Neck, vs. Bridgeton
Non-Division Losses: Wall, vs. Morris Knolls, at Point Boro, vs. Lawrence, vs. Hillsborough, vs. St. Peter’s (Staten Island, N.Y.)
Before the Cutoff: At Matawan, at Middletown North
Why They’re Here: Wins over C North division teams Shore and Henry Hudson, plus two over Monmouth Regional are behind the power-point performance by Ocean this season, but the Spartans also own a win over reigning Group III champion Colts Neck and also played Wall as close as any team has this season. A home loss to Matawan and a lack of head-to-head tests against any top teams beyond Wall its keeping the Spartans outside the top 10, but they are certainly worthy of a home game if they can run their winning streak to nine heading into the seeding meeting.
15. Colts Neck (11-7, 6-3)
Power-Point Rank: 19 (21.804)
Division Wins: Freehold Boro (2), Middletown North (2), Marlboro, Ranney
Division Losses: At Marlboro, at Ranney, Red Bank Catholic
Non-Division Wins: St. Rose, vs. Manchester, at Toms River North, Southern, vs. Ferris
Non-Division Losses: At Red Bank, vs. Toms River East, vs. Ocean, vs. Holy Spirit
Before the Cutoff: At Red Bank Catholic, vs. Monmouth
Why They’re Here: The head-to-head loss to Ocean and, perhaps, a light performance on power points could end up costing Colts Neck a home game, but there are several examples why that might not be justified. To be sure, the Cougars have some slip-ups, but they have also beaten Marlboro and Ranney in divisional play and lost to Holy Spirit in the final seconds one day before the Spartans handed Cherry Hill East its only loss of the season. If Colts Neck can knock off RBC on Thursday and win a piece of the Class B North title, it might be hard to keep them out of the top 12.
16. Central (14-6, 6-1)
Power-Point Rank: 10 (24.848)
Division Wins: Barnegat (2), Donovan Catholic (2), Southern (2)
Division Losses: Jackson
Non-Division Wins: Brick Memorial, Lacey, vs. Brick Memorial, Brick, vs. Toms River North, at Matawan, vs. Morris Knolls, vs. Haddon Heights
Non-Division Losses: Vs. Freehold Twp., vs. Red Bank Catholic, Point Beach, at Mainland, at Toms River East
Before the Cutoff: At Jackson
Why They’re Here: There are some similarities between Central and Colts Neck, both in the résumés and in the narrative of their seasons. Both teams graduated four starters from teams that had memorable seasons and have had their highs and lows this season. Like Colts Neck, Central has a loss to Toms River East, as well as one vs. Red Bank Catholic. Both teams have also beaten Southern, which Central did for a second time Tuesday in a double-overtime thriller. Central is lacking that marquee win to separate itself, but can change that by beating Jackson Friday for the Class A South division championship.
17. Point Pleasant Boro (12-7, 6-3)
Power-Point Rank: 16 (22.094)
Division Wins: Brick Memorial (2), Toms River East (2), Toms River North, at Toms River South
Division Losses: Point Beach (2), at Toms River North
Non-Division Wins: At Hamilton West, Ocean, at Brick, Lacey, Matawan, vs. Rahway
Non-Division Losses: At Jackson, Princeton, Monmouth, vs. Hudson Catholic
Before the Cutoff: Vs. Toms River South
Why They’re Here: Losses to Princeton, Toms River North and Monmouth are weighing Point Boro down and the Panthers also missed some chances to land big wins with two close losses to Point Beach and two more near misses vs. Jackson and Hudson Catholic. Two wins over Brick Memorial give the Panthers a shot at a home game, but actually locking one down could be a challenge, even with the No. 16 ranking in the conference by power points.
18. Brick Memorial (12-8, 4-4)
Power-Point Rank: 18 (21.886)
Division Wins: Toms River North (2), At Point Beach, Toms River South
Division Losses: Point Boro (2), Point Beach, at Toms River East
Non-Division Wins: Neptune, Princeton, at Matawan, Lacey, at Manchester, at Middletown South, Donovan Catholic, Manalapan
Non-Division Losses: At Central, vs. Jackson, vs. Central, vs. Point Beach
Before the Cutoff: Vs. Toms River East
Why They’re Here: Wins over Point Beach and Middletown South give Brick Memorial a good foundation with which to build a case for a home game in the first round, but the two close losses to Point Boro, two more losses to Central, plus a lopsided loss to Toms River East may put a ceiling on Brick Memorial that keeps them on the road in round one. Of all the teams projected to be on the road, only one other team comes close to the Mustangs when it comes to being a proven threat to a potential top 10 team.
19. Southern (10-8, 5-3)
Power-Point Rank: 21 (21.789)
Division Wins: Barnegat (2), Donovan Catholic (2), Jackson
Division Losses: Central (2), at Jackson
Non-Division Wins: Cedar Creek, at Toms River North, Pleasantville, vs. Atlantic Tech, Toms River East
Non-Division Losses: Vs. Overbrook, Lawrence, Trenton, at Colts Neck, Atlantic City
Before the Cutoff: Vs. St. Rose
Why They’re Here: Southern has the guard play that can scare a first-round opponent, but the season just has not come together for the Rams – at least not yet. They have a convincing home win over Jackson to their credit, but the rest of the résumé is lacking. Close losses to Trenton, Lawrence and Atlantic City should give Southern some reassurance that they are not far off from playing its way to the winning side of a tournament-caliber game, but it is hard to see the Rams getting a chance to prove themselves at home in the first round of the SCT.
20. Red Bank (7-13, 2-7)
Power-Point Rank: 24 (19.119)
Division Wins: Rumson-Fair Haven, St. Rose
Division Losses: CBA (2), Manasquan (2), at Holmdel, at Rumson-Fair Haven, at St. Rose
Non-Division Wins: Colts Neck, vs. West Windsor-Plainsboro South, Long Branch, at Shore, at Henry Hudson
Non-Division Losses: Red Bank Catholic, Jackson, at Marlboro, Marlboro, East Brunswick, vs. Ranney
Before the Cutoff: Vs. Holmdel, at Manalapan
Why They’re Here: With a wins over Rumson and Colts Neck, plus competitive losses to Red Bank Catholic, Jackson, Marlboro and Manasquan, Red Bank has proven to be a team that will be hard to shake come tournament time. There have been some low points as well, namely the loss to St. Rose, but outside of that game, Red Bank’s losses have all come vs. teams seeded in the top 11 of the field, plus East Brunswick. Southern’s loss to Colts Neck gives Red Bank a head-to-head argument vs. the Rams, but considering its win over Jackson, Southern may have to lose to St. Rose to close out the week to enable that jump for Red Bank. Red Bank likely has to beat either Holmdel or Manalapan to qualify, which will be difficult consider the Manalapan game is the resumption of a suspended game that Red Bank is trailing, 17-7, late in the first quarter.
21. Toms River East (9-9, 3-5)
Power-Point Rank: 23 (19.163)
Division Wins: Toms River South (2), Brick Memorial
Division Losses: Point Beach (2), Point Boro (2), at Toms River North
Non-Division Wins: Lacey, Brick, vs. Middletown North, vs. Colts Neck, vs. Oakcrest, Central
Non-Division Losses: Barnegat, vs. Donovan Catholic, at Marlboro, at Southern
Before the Cutoff: At Brick Memorial
Why They’re Here: Toms River East had to win at least one game this week to get into the field and after dropping a double-overtime heart-breaker to Point Boro on Tuesday, the Raiders responded by beating Central at home – likely the ideal win for the Toms River East to pick up out of the three games they were scheduled to play this week. The Raiders can solidify their position by beating Brick Memorial to end the week and although they don’t necessarily need to win, as the No. 24 seed, it would behoove them to leave it in someone else’s hands.
22. Monmouth (13-6, 6-3)
Power-Point Rank: 20 (21.789)
Division Wins: Neptune (2), Raritan (2), Long Branch, Matawan
Division Losses: Ocean (2), at Matawan
Non-Division Wins: East Brunswick Magnet, at Pinelands, Brick, at Point Boro, at Freehold Boro, at Shore, Lakewood
Non-Division Losses: Vs. Morris Knolls, at Henry Hudson, at Howell
Before the Cutoff: At Long Branch, at Colts Neck
Why They’re Here: The Falcons do own a noteworthy win over Point Boro that could boost Monmouth into a higher seeding tier. That would, however, likely require the Falcons to beat Colts Neck on Saturday, which would give them two wins over teams currently ahead of them to go with two against teams currently behind them (Henry Hudson and Matawan).
23. Toms River South (11-10, 2-6)
Power-Point Rank: 22 (20.148)
Division Wins: Point Beach, at Toms River North
Division Losses: Toms River East (2), at Brick Memorial, at Point Beach, Point Boro, Toms River North
Non-Division Wins: At Shore, Lakewood, vs. Allentown, vs. Manchester, Brick, at Barnegat, Bordentown, Princeton, vs. Atlantic Tech
Non-Division Losses: At Long Branch, vs. Donovan Catholic, vs. Brick, Howell
Before the Cutoff: At Point Boro
Why They’re Here: The Indians entered the week with three great power-point opportunities and they did not waste any time. Toms River South opened its week Tuesday by knocking off Point Beach – a 13-3 team through 16 games that gave the Indians the power-point windfall they needed to jump into the field. Now, Toms River South will look to make a statement before the seeding meeting by beating a Point Boro squad that is currently on the cusp of a home game. Winning that game could wind up being necessary to get in but a lot will have to go wrong around the Shore for Toms River South to miss out on the SCT.
24. Shore (14-4, 8-0)
Power-Point Rank: 14 (23.016)
Division Wins: Asbury Park (2), Henry Hudson (2), Keansburg (2), Keyport (2)
Division Losses: None
Non-Division Wins: Central Jersey College Charter, Lacey, Pinelands, New Egypt, Brick, Pinelands
Non-Division Losses: Toms River South, Ocean, Red Bank, Monmouth
Before the Cutoff: At Manchester, vs. Long Branch
Why They’re Here: The Blue Devils have a power-point ranking that suggests they should be in the running for a home game, but the main sources of most of their points are four wins over two teams (Pinelands and Henry Hudson) that are not currently in the field. With no wins over teams currently in the field and head-to-head losses to Toms River South, Monmouth and Red Bank, Shore will have a tough time avoiding No. 24 if the field stays the same.
Still Alive
Henry Hudson (13-6, 5-2)
Power-Point Rank: 25 (18.196)
Division Wins: Asbury Park (2), Keansburg (2), Keyport
Division Losses: Shore (2)
Non-Division Wins: At Calvary Christian, vs. South Amboy, vs. Keansburg, Thomas Edison Energy, Monmouth, at Academy Charter, Roselle Park, at Koinonia
Non-Division Losses: At Ocean, Point Beach, Red Bank, Pinelands
Before the Cutoff: At Keyport, vs. New Egypt
Chances to Qualify: Good. Henry Hudson will get in with wins over both Keyport and New Egypt as long as two of the following three things happens: Holmdel beats Red Bank; Toms River East loses; Toms River South loses. If Henry Hudson splits their two games, things get more complicated. The New Egypt game carries two more power points than the Keyport game, so that would be the preferred win for the Admirals if they were only to win one. In the event of a win over Keyport and loss to New Egypt, they would need Pinelands to lose to New Egypt and Red Bank to lose twice to get in.
Pinelands (13-4, 7-1)
Power-Point Rank: 26 (18.078)
Division Wins: Lacey (2), Lakewood (2), Manchester (2), New Egypt
Division Losses: At Brick
Non-Division Wins: Barnegat, Keyport, Hammonton, vs. Asbury Park, Pilgrim Academy, at Henry Hudson
Non-Division Losses: Monmouth, at Shore, at Shore
Before the Cutoff: At New Egypt, at Matawan
Chances to Qualify: Reasonable. Pinelands will likely need Toms River East to lose to Brick or Red Bank to lose to both Holmdel and Manalapan and if those two events happen, the Wildcats will only need to beat New Egypt for a second time to get in. If Pinelands beats both New Egypt and Matawan, the only way to keep the Cats out would be if two of the following three things happen: Red Bank beats Holmdel; Toms River East beats Brick Memorial; Henry Hudson beats both New Egypt and Keyport. Head-to-head tiebreakers do not apply to qualifying for the tournament, so Pinelands’ win over Henry Hudson does not help them if Henry Hudson finishes with more power points.
Toms River North (7-12, 3-5)
Power-Point Rank: 27 (16.838)
Division Wins: Point Boro, Toms River East, at Toms River South
Division Losses: Brick Memorial (2), Point Beach, at Point Boro, Toms River South
Non-Division Wins: Matawan, Donovan Catholic, Brick, vs. Wildwood Catholic
Non-Division Losses: Southern, vs. Cherry Hill East, Donovan Catholic, Colts Neck, at Freehold Twp., at Central, Robbinsville
Before the Cutoff: At Point Beach
Chances to Qualify: Almost zero. So, about that strength of schedule multiplier. With things as they are, a Toms River North win over Point Beach and two losses by Red Bank would not be enough for the Mariners to jump the Bucs. The multipliers would have to change enough in Toms River North’s favor and to Red Bank’s disadvantage and probably by a degree that is unreasonable to expect. Even if it does, Toms River North would also need Pinelands to lose twice, Henry Hudson to lose to Keyport and Toms River East to lose to Brick Memorial.
Brick (9-11, 7-1)
Power-Point Rank: 28 (15.854)
Division Wins: Lakewood (2), New Egypt (2), at Lacey, Manchester Pinelands
Division Losses: At Manchester
Non-Division Wins: Vs. Toms River South, Freehold Boro
Non-Division Losses: Point Beach, at Toms River East, at Monmouth, at Toms River North, vs. Middletown North, at Toms River South, at Central, Point Boro, at Shore, Barnegat
Before the Cutoff: Vs. Lacey
Chances to Qualify: Not great. There is no avenue for Brick to qualify as one of the top 24 teams on power points, but there is a way for the Green Dragons to make it as the 25th team in the field. If Brick can hold serve at home vs. 2-15 Lacey and New Egypt knocks off Pinelands on Friday night, Brick will clinch no worse than a share of the Class C South division championship, which entitles them to a spot in the SCT as a division champion. The bad news? Pinelands beat New Egypt, 53-27, the first time the two teams played, so the Dragons — along with Red Bank and the three Toms River teams — will be cheering for an inspired effort from the Warriors.
Projected Match-ups
(17) Point Boro at (16) Central, winner at (1) CBA
(18) Brick Memorial at (15) Colts Neck, winner at (2) Wall
(19) Southern at (14) Ocean, winner at (3) Red Bank Catholic
(20) Red Bank at (13) Point Beach, winner at (4) Marlboro
(21) Toms River East at (12) Freehold Twp., winner at (5) Howell
(22) Monmouth at (11) Rumson-Fair Haven, winner at (6) Jackson
(23) Toms River South at (10) Middletown South, winner at (7) Manasquan
(24) Shore at (9) Ranney, winner at (8) Holmdel
