2026 JSBL Championship Preview and Predictions

The 2026 JSBL season concludes tonight with the championship game. We’ve broken down both teams competing tonight with projected lineups, in-depth analysis, and game predictions.

 

(2) Sterns Trailer vs. (4) ACI/Robin’s Nest

At Manasquan High School, 7:30 p.m.

 

Sterns Trailer (7-2)

Head Coach: Jon Kaminski

Championships: 5 (2005, 2012, 2022, 2023, 2024)

Quarterfinals: Defeated RKE Athletic 115-113

Semifinals: Defeated Sea View Jeep 121-112

Projected Starting Lineup

G: Jalen Gaffney, 6-3, Florida Atlantic (12.0 PPG | 5.3 RPG | 1.7 APG | 0.3 SPG | 0.0 BPG | 38.2% FG | 38.9% 3PT | 100.0% FT)

G: Mason Jones, 6-2, Brookdale (11.2 PPG | 2.7 RPG | 1.8 APG | 1.3 SPG | 0.2 BPG | 38.6% FG | 35.7% 3PT | 72.7% FT)

F: Parker Dortch, 6-7, Anderson University (17.6 PPG | 4.2 RPG | 1.4 APG | 0.2 SPG | 0.2 BPG | 54.4% FG | 16.7% 3PT | 75.0% FT)

F: Rasheen Merlin, 6-9, Winston-Salem State (23.8 PPG | 8.4 RPG | 1.4 APG | 0.6 SPG | 0.0 BPG | 52.1% FG | 25.0% 3PT | 65.0% FT)

C: Mike Aaman, 6-8, Wagner (10.3 PPG | 7.7 RPG | 0.7 APG | 0.0 SPG | 0.3 BPG | 53.8% FG | 0.0% 3PT | 100.0% FT)

Bench

G: DJ Campbell, 6-3, Stockton

F: Devine Eke, 6-8, Radford

G: James Hankowski, 6-1, Brookdale

F: Scottie Lewis, 6-5, Florida

F: Christian Lyons, 6-7, Gloucester CC

F: Savon Myers, 6-5, Redlands CC

*G: Jakari Spence, 6-2, Jacksonville*

*G: Larry Smith, 6-1, Brookdale*

*One of Spence or Smith is eligible to be Sterns Trailer’s playoff exception.*

 

ACI/Robin’s Nest (5-3)

Head Coach: Steve DeVito

Championships: 1 (2025)

Quarterfinals: Defeated WCT Warriors 97-91

Semifinals: Defeated County Line Auto Body 110-87

Projected Starting Lineup

G: Dwaine Jones, 6-5, Charleston (21.3 PPG | 6.3 RPG | 6.2 APG | 1.2 SPG | 0.3 BPG | 51.0% FG | 31.4% 3PT | 65.5% FT)

G: Samier Kinsler, 6-2, Glenville State (20.7 PPG | 3.0 RPG | 1.0 APG | 1.0 SPG | 0.3 BPG | 41.5% FG | 39.3% 3PT | 77.8% FT)

G: Jagan Mosely, 6-3, Georgetown (21.0 PPG | 5.3 RPG | 2.3 APG | 1.8 SPG | 0.0 BPG | 48.3% FG | 40.6% 3PT | 83.3% FT)

F: Ibn Loyal, 6-5, Missouri Southern State (13.0 PPG | 4.0 RPG | 0.5 APG | 1.0 SPG | 0.3 BPG | 41.9% FG | 40.9% 3PT | 41.2% FT)

F: Jared Kimbrough, 6-8, Hartford (23.7 PPG | 12.7 RPG | 1.2 APG | 0.7 SPG | 1.0 BPG | 60.8% FG | 28.6% 3PT | 58.1% FT)

Bench

G: Sam Fagan, 6-2, Monmouth

G: Sean Grennan, 6-3, San Francisco

F: Marquail Hardiman, 6-8, Morris CC

F: Amari Jones, 6-6, Georgian Court

F: Micah Kerr, 6-5, Kean

G: Tyreek Montgomery, 6-2, William Paterson

G: Jared White, 6-5, Felician

 

The more things change, the more they stay the same.

Three hundred sixty-six days after Dwaine Jones’ improbable banked three-pointer delivered ACI/Robin’s Nest its first-ever JSBL championship in a stunning 95-94 upset of three-time defending champion Sterns Trailer, the two teams are set to meet again with the title on the line.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Jersey Shore Basketball League (@jsblhoops)

While both rosters have undergone some changes since last summer, enough familiar faces remain to make this a highly anticipated championship rematch. Unlike last summer, when Sterns Trailer entered the championship as the overwhelming favorite, this year’s matchup appears far more even on paper. The teams met once during the regular season, with Sterns Trailer pulling away in the fourth quarter for a 105-91 victory, but little separated the two sides through the first three quarters.

Throughout the first two rounds of the playoffs, Sterns Trailer has leaned on steady guard play from Jalen Gaffney, who has scored 65 points while shooting a blistering 13-for-26 from 3-point range, along with dominant frontcourt performances from Rasheen Merlin and Parker Dortch. Dortch has totaled 69 points and 19 rebounds over the two playoff victories, while Merlin has added 53 points and 21 rebounds.

Sterns Trailer center Rasheen Merlin isn’t lacking confidence in the way his frontcourt matches up with ACI/Robin’s Nest.

“Their bigs can’t hang with our bigs. Their guards are okay, though. I know a couple of those players. They don’t have one big that can stick with me. Jared [Kimbrough] is my dog, but Jared’s too light. I’m 230. I’m too strong. Parker’s [Dortch] 240, all muscle. Mike [Aaman] too. Come on, man,” Merlin said.

Merlin believes Sterns Trailer’s toughness and chemistry will ultimately be the difference.

“I think it’s just toughness, honestly. Parker [Dortch] is tough, I’m tough, the whole team is tough. I think it’s also chemistry. It doesn’t matter who’s going off on any given night. Any shot—even a bad shot—we’re all cool with it. Everybody just flows. Nobody cares who has the most points,” Merlin said.

For ACI/Robin’s Nest, the bulk of the offensive production throughout the playoffs has come from former Neptune standouts Jared Kimbrough and Dwaine Jones, along with Samier Kinsler. Kinsler leads the team with 49 points in two playoff games. Jones has filled the stat sheet with 44 points, 15 rebounds and seven assists, while Kimbrough has added 38 points and 19 rebounds.

Jones believes ACI/Robin’s Nest’s backcourt gives it an advantage against anyone they play.

“I know I get overlooked a little bit in this league, but I feel like I’m the best guard in the league. I’ve felt that way for a long time. Just follow my lead and Samier’s [Kinsler] lead. That’s why I brought him down here. I’ve been playing with him since I was 17 years old. I’m 25 now, so we’ve been doing this for eight years,” Jones said.

Kinsler feels that the key to winning the championship is approaching the game with a professional mindset.

“We just have to be mature. Go home, rest, ice up, do whatever we need to do. Get some sleep, eat right, prepare ourselves for tomorrow and take care of business,” Kinsler said.

 

Sterns Trailer’s Three Keys to the Game

1. Get Jared Kimbrough in foul trouble

In last year’s championship game, Jared Kimbrough was a force in the paint, finishing with 22 points, 15 rebounds and four blocks against a frontcourt featuring Parker Dortch and Rasheen Merlin. Sterns Trailer again holds the size advantage, both in height and weight, making it imperative for ACI/Robin’s Nest to keep Kimbrough on the floor. If foul trouble forces him to the bench, Marquail Hardiman (6-foot-8) would be ACI/Robin’s Nest’s lone player taller than 6-foot-6.

2. Do not let Dwaine Jones get to his left hand

While Jones has become increasingly comfortable finishing with his right hand, he remains at his most dangerous attacking downhill with his left. At 6-foot-5, Jones does an excellent job of fully extending the ball on his finishes, making his shots exceptionally difficult to contest or block.

3. Run Kinsler, Mosely, and White off the 3-point line

The Jones-Kimbrough two-man game is widely regarded as one of the toughest actions in the league to defend, but much of its effectiveness stems from the floor spacing provided by Kinsler, Mosely and White. The trio has combined to shoot well over 40% from 3-point range this season, making it difficult for defenses to commit extra attention to Jones and Kimbrough. For Sterns Trailer, avoiding defensive lapses and preventing any of the three from finding a rhythm from the perimeter will be critical.

 

ACI/Robin’s Nest’s Three Keys to the Game

1. Match Sterns Trailer’s physicality

This was one of the biggest keys to last year’s championship and a major reason ACI/Robin’s Nest came away with the title. Alongside Kimbrough’s dominance in the paint, Ibn Loyal, Micah Kerr and Marquail Hardiman more than held their own against Sterns Trailer’s bigger, more experienced frontcourt. If ACI/Robin’s Nest can again neutralize Sterns Trailer’s size advantage and turn the game into a battle of the guards, the matchup tilts in its favor.

2. Deny Jalen Gaffney the ball

In addition to emerging as Sterns Trailer’s top perimeter threat during the playoffs, Gaffney has been the engine of the offense, consistently creating opportunities for the team’s frontcourt. A key contributor on Florida Atlantic’s 2023 Final Four team, Gaffney will not get rattled. Still, if ACI/Robin’s Nest can force someone else to initiate Sterns Trailer’s offense, it will pay dividends over the course of four quarters.

3. Bring the crowd

ACI/Robin’s Nest consistently brings the largest and most energetic fan base in the JSBL, a rarity for a summer basketball league. The group donned “Protect the Nest” shirts during the semifinal and remained loud and engaged throughout the night. Dating back to last season, ACI/Robin’s Nest has consistently fed off that energy, while several of their opponents have allowed the crowd to affect their composure. In what figures to be a tightly contested championship game, a larger, louder cheering section could provide a meaningful edge.

 

Prediction

While Sterns Trailer enters the championship as the higher seed, the consensus is that the two teams are evenly matched on paper. ACI/Robin’s Nest, however, appears to be peaking at the right time, much like it did during last year’s championship run. Coupled with the energy of what should once again be a sizable and vocal crowd, that could be enough to propel ACI/Robin’s Nest to a second consecutive JSBL title.

Alec Crouthamel: ACI/Robin’s Nest 102, Sterns Trailer 100

Nick Doll: ACI/Robin’s Nest 103, Sterns Trailer 91

Dave Smith: ACI/Robin’s Nest 94, Sterns Trailer 93

Dan Yeserski: ACI/Robin’s Nest 112, Sterns Trailer 98