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

A season ago, the Class A Central division was home to the two best teams in the Shore Conference: St. Rose and Manasquan. St. Rose coasted to its second straight Shore Conference Tournament championship, and Manasquan was the Purple Roses’ toughest competition on that road to the SCT title before going on to win its own championship in the NJSIAA Group II tournament.

Both of those teams have moved “up” to Class A North, and the only team from last year’s A Central field to return is Howell. The Rebels were one of four teams that had to play Manasquan and St. Rose two times each, but the competition among those four was close. This year, that balance will be extrapolated across the entire division, as six teams with talent and experience will scrap for the top spot in one of the Shore’s more balanced, competitive divisions.

 

In predicted order of finish

1. Freehold Township

Coming off a season in which they finished one game above .500 and graduated two of their top four scorers, the Patriots would seem to be in line for a step forward. If all goes well, however, that might just be a gather step on the way to a slam dunk of a season for a Freehold Township team that started to resemble some of the program’s best squads of the last decade. That 14-13 record came while playing in a Class A North division that was home to Shore Conference Tournament runner-up Christian Brothers Academy and NJSIAA Group III champion Colts Neck, and the season concluded with the Patriots reaching the Central Group IV semifinals by routing Marlboro and upsetting Sayreville.

The development of Freehold Township’s Class of 2027 players was the primary catalyst for the late-season surge, and that group now heads into their junior year primed to make noise over the next two seasons. The starting five projects to be all juniors, led by returning starters Jake Schultzel, John O’Neill and Cole Gerigk. Schultzel is a standout athlete who excels on both ends of the court and continues to refine his game. O’Neill is a traditional post presence who complements Schultzel while adding to Freehold Township’s size. Gerigk came on strong as a point guard who also rebounds better than most guards.

Dakota Lasater earned minutes off the bench a year ago, and Jack Gundaker will see an enhanced role as he moves into the starting lineup. Sam Hawksby is another junior for the rotation, while sophomore Aamari Alexander-Monroe adds even more young talent to the junior-led squad. Coach Todd Smith is challenging his team with a quality schedule that includes Manasquan, Red Bank Catholic, Holmdel and Toms River North on top of the division games. Smith has also brought in former head coach Brian Golub and former CBA assistant Dave Walsh as two of his assistants. The burgeoning CBA juggernaut will provide a roadblock to a Shore Conference Tournament title, but the Patriots will make a serious bid for championships over the next two seasons, which could start with a Class A Central championship in 2025-26.

Freehold Twp. at a Glance

Head Coach: Todd Smith, third season
2024-25 Record: 14-13 (4-6, tied fourth in Class A North)
Key Losses: Nick Cardone (5-10, Guard), Jordan Dulnuan (5-10, Guard), Sean Harris (5-9, Guard)

Projected Lineup (with 2024-25 stats)

Returning Starters in Bold

Cole Gerigk, Jr., 5-11, Guard (6.4 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.2 steals)

Dakota Lasater, Jr., 5-10, Guard (4.1 points, 1.9 rebounds, 1.0 assists)

Jack Gundaker, Jr., 5-11, Guard

Jake Schultzel, Jr., 6-4, Forward (13.9 points, 6.5 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 1.4 blocks)

John O’Neill, Jr., 6-4, Forward (8.5 points, 5.6 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.3 steals)

Off the Bench

Sam Hawksby, Jr., 5-10, Guard

Aamari Alexander-Monroe, So., 5-8, Guard

Will Valera, Sr., 6-5, Forward

Carmen Nalasco, Sr., 6-3, Forward

Jake Platt, Jr., 6-0, Forward

Devin Davis, So., 5-9, Guard

Luke Gunther, Sr., 6-1, Forward

Jake Silverman, Sr., 5-10, Guard

Christian Dulnuan, Sr., 5-8, Guard

 

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2. Wall

The Crimson Knights may be the lone team in this new division to be stepping up in competition, but Wall is no stranger to the rigors of battling dominant teams within its own division. After taking its lumps in the same division as St. Rose and Manasquan in prior years, Wall finally escaped the clutches of the Shore’s two best teams and dominated its new division in 2024-25. The Crimson Knights won a Class B Central championship, reached 21 wins and were eliminated by the Shore’s two state champions in both the Shore Conference Tournament (Colts Neck) and the NJSIAA Group II Tournament (Manasquan). The only thing better than Wall’s actual season was that the Crimson Knights did all that with three juniors in the starting lineup, which sets them up for what could be an even better year in 2026.

The strength of the Class A Central field will make winning another division championship difficult and going a perfect 10-0 improbable. If Wall has an edge, it will be its all-senior starting five, which will counter Freehold Township’s all-junior first five, Middletown South’s freshman duo and Howell’s mix of seniors and juniors. Brian McKenna leads the way after a breakout basketball season as a junior, which he followed by stepping up as a revelation at quarterback during the fall.

McKenna showed he has the leadership to go with the two-way performance on the court, but he will have plenty of help from point guard Liam Killea and fellow wing Dan Hennessey. McKenna, Killea and Hennessey combined for an even 29 points per game a season ago as part of a balanced offensive attack. Fellow seniors Jake DeBrito and Joe Ambrozy will join that effort as starters last year, with DeBrito coming off a strong showing as a role player off the bench. Junior Nevin Tu will be the first man off the bench, which will be mostly juniors and a pair of sophomores.

The path to 20 wins will be tougher to navigate for Wall in 2025-26 than it was a season ago, but the Crimson Knights’ expectations are nevertheless higher than they were in 2025. A division championship is still very much in play, and with Manasquan’s injury misfortune throwing the Central Group II playoffs up for grabs in a way it has not been in years, Wall can dream of its first NJSIAA sectional title since winning back-to-back Central Group III titles in 2019 and 2020.

Wall at a Glance

Head Coach: Bob Klatt, eighth season
2024-25 Record: 21-6 (10-0, first in Class B Central)
Key Losses: Demitri Tu (6-2, Guard), Tom Eckberg (6-1, Forward)

Projected Lineup (with 2024-25 stats)

Returning Starters in Bold

Liam Killea, Sr., 5-10, Guard (8.8 points, 3.6 assists, 2.1 steals)

Brian McKenna, Sr., 6-2, Guard (10.7 points, 5.0 rebounds, 43 3-pointers)

Dan Hennessey, Sr., 6-1, Guard (9.5 points)

Jake DeBrito, Sr., 6-0, Guard (4.3 points)

Joe Ambrozy, Sr., 6-2, Forward (2.1 points)

Off the Bench

Navin Tu, Jr., 6-0, Guard

Ryan Dudas, Jr., 5-11, Guard – Transfer from St. Rose

Donovan Buist, Jr., 6-3, Forward

Marius Rossi, Jr., 6-1, Forward

Christos Tsandiotis, Jr., 5-10, Guard

Luke Donovan, Jr., 5-10, Guard

Kyle Cerami, So., 5-10, Guard

Alexander Amoss, So., 6-1, Forward

 

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3. Howell

Among the five teams in Class A Central getting out of unforgiving divisions, Howell is the only one to have to deal with St. Rose and Manasquan two times apiece last season. The rest of the Class A Central division was very competitive, with the Rebels going 3-3 against Jackson Memorial, Brick Memorial and Point Boro – all of which had solid 2024-25 seasons and should be good again this winter. For its part, Howell is also eyeing a big year after winning 31 games over the last two campaigns and looking to make it three straight winning seasons.

A winning season might be selling the Rebels short when it comes to their ceiling. They return the sibling duo of Cayden and Jay Parker to the backcourt, with the elder brother, Cayden, coming off a strong all-around season as the team’s point guard. Jay Parker averaged just under five points per game for the season but was at just under 10 after moving into the starting lineup down the stretch. Junior Eddie Garcia rounds out the three-guard look for Howell as a threat to knock down the three-point shot as a first-year starter.

Howell’s breakout performer of 2025 was 6-foot-6 center Noah Musto, who fell 14 rebounds shy of averaging a double-double as a sophomore. Musto will be looking to build on his impressive varsity debut, which also included impact defense in the paint for the Rebels. Senior Chris Kahwaty will join Musto in the frontcourt while Freehold Township transfer J.C. Farley and fellow senior Josh Krutyansky will provide depth in the frontcourt without surrendering much size. Michael Carbone and Mark Fagan are two more senior guards to round out another deep rotation for coach Dave Emery, who led Howell to a program-record 17 wins during his first season in 2023-24 and could have an even better group this season.

Howell at a Glance

Head Coach: Dave Emery, third season
2024-25 Record: 14-12 (3-7, fourth in Class A Central)
Key Losses: Peter Barkauskas (6-1, Guard/Forward), Zach Padilla (5-10, Guard), Joe Vella (6-1, Guard/Forward), Steve Schipani (6-4, Forward), Nick Papapietro (6-0, Guard)

Projected Lineup (with 2024-25 stats)

Returning Starters in Bold

Cayden Parker, Sr., 6-1, Guard (10.0 points, 3.6 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.7 steals)

Jay Parker, Jr., 5-11, Guard (4.8 points, 2.1 rebounds, 1.1 assists)

Eddie Garcia, Jr., 6-1, Guard

Noah Musto, Jr., 6-6, Center (10.0 points, 9.4 rebounds, 1.3 blocks)

Chris Kahwaty, Sr., 6-1, Forward

Off the Bench

J.C. Farley, Sr., 6-2, Forward – Transfer from Freehold Township

Michael Carbone, Sr., 5-6, Guard

Mark Fagan, Sr., 6-0, Guard

Josh Krutyansky, Sr., 6-4, Center

Jack Quinn, Sr., 5-11, Guard

Matt Stripto, Sr., 6-0, Guard

Mark Frenville, Sr., 6-0, Guard

 

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4. Middletown South

St. Rose and Manasquan were not on its division schedule, but Middletown South was fighting for its life against Rumson-Fair Haven, Red Bank, Red Bank Catholic and Holmdel in the Class A Coastal division in 2024-25. As Wall gets a step up in competition this season, Middletown South gets a break, although the Eagles will still have plenty to prove against a balanced division of quality rivals. While Freehold Township is junior-led and Wall senior-led, the Eagles will be operating on the extremes to form their rotation. While there are seasoned veterans in place to lead the team, coach Mike Iasparro has a freshman duo ready to jump into the starting lineup and a pair of sophomores primed to contribute in the rotation, giving the team a balance of young and old.

Seniors Matt Trimble and 6-foot-7 center Beckett Oliver are both coming off strong junior seasons and are likely to be joined in the starting five by one of two fellow seniors in Nick Cannizzaro or Justin Scarano. Sophomore Dominic Tuzzeo is also in play for the fifth starting spot, and senior Mike Fitzpatrick – a starter at Henry Hudson in each of the past three seasons – is likely to ascend to a starting spot once he is eligible 22 days into the season. Sophomore Ryan Gannon is a CBA transfer who is eligible on day one and will be a factor off the bench.

The fact that Middletown South is set to start a pair of freshmen is remarkable enough, but the most remarkable part of the new duo is that one of them is also named Ryan Gannon. That’s right: Middletown South has two unrelated players named Ryan Gannon and, according to Iasparro, both have the same middle name as well. Beyond the name game, the freshman Ryan Gannon has real game that he is ready to bring to the Eagles backcourt, while classmate Evan Wells enters high school as a 6-foot-6 impact player for the frontcourt. With a veteran group to help guide them along and pick them up as they adjust to the varsity game, Gannon, his namesakes (senior Patrick Gannon is the freshman Ryan’s brother) and Wells could be the difference in making Middletown South a big winner in 2026.

Middletown South at a Glance

Head Coach: Mike Iasparro, second season
2024-25 Record: 11-16 (2-8, fifth in Class A Coastal)
Key Losses: Brady Hahn (6-3, Guard)

Projected Lineup (with 2024-25 stats)

Returning Starters in Bold

Matt Trimble, Sr., 6-3, Guard (13.5 points, 6.2 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 41 3-pointers)

Ryan Gannon, Fr., 6-0, Guard

Nick Cannizzaro, Sr., 5-7, Guard (4.8 points)

Beckett Oliver, Sr., 6-7, Forward (8.4 points, 6.9 rebounds, 2.9 blocks)

Evan Wells, Fr., 6-6, Forward

Mike Fitzpatrick, Sr., 6-4, Guard – Transfer from Henry Hudson

Off the Bench

Dominic Tuzzeo, So., 6-0, Guard

Justin Scarano, Sr., 5-8, Guard (3.6 points)

Ryan Gannon, So., 6-4, Forward – Transfer from CBA

Patrick Gannon, Sr., 6-1, Forward

Chris Mauriello, Sr., 6-1, Forward (3.2 points)

Michael Mannino, Sr., 6-2, Forward

Joe Gironda, Jr., 6-0, Guard

 

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5. Manalapan

Last season was a challenging one for Manalapan coming off its run to the Central Jersey Group IV semifinals a year earlier. The Braves still managed to win an NJSIAA road playoff game and boasted an All-Shore wing in 2025 graduate Aiden Sosinov. The downside was that Sosinov was the only returning starter from the 2024 semifinal team, and the supporting cast – while competent – was not enough to lead the Braves to a winning season while battling in a very difficult Class A North division with CBA, Colts Neck, Ranney, Freehold Township and Marlboro.

Another setback for the Braves in 2024-25 was the loss of Joe Farino, who transferred to College Achieve for his sophomore season after averaging 9.1 points as a freshman on Manalapan’s talented 2023-24 squad. The Braves are set to welcome Farino back this season, and once he sits for a required 30 days, he will provide a jolt to the lineup as a scorer.

Farino rejoins a team that now belongs to senior leader Dean Aviles, who was Manalapan’s breakout star alongside Sosinov last season. Aviles will run the point again, with junior sharp-shooter Spencer Schoenfeld and fellow junior Cooper Levy also back at two guard spots. Junior Grayson Ferraro is primed to move into the starting lineup after coming off the bench as a sophomore. Another junior, Cameron Desfosse, is set to get the starts until Farino is eligible. Like Farino two seasons ago, freshman Josh Sosinov will also be a factor off the bench, and seniors Danny Mulvey and Pat Hearn will provide depth and leadership to the rotation as well.

Replacing the 23 points and 12 rebounds averaged by Aiden Sosinov in 2024-25 will not be done by one player, but the emergence of Aviles as a senior point guard, the return of Farino, and a well-rounded junior group will keep Manalapan in the mix for the top spot in the Class A Central field.

Manalapan at a Glance

Head Coach: Matt Conklin, fourth season
2024-25 Record: 11-17 (1-9, sixth in Class A North)
Key Losses: Aiden Sosinov (6-4, Guard/Forward), George Hardy (Sr., 6-2, Forward)

Projected Lineup (with 2024-25 stats)

Returning Starters in Bold

Dean Aviles, Sr., 5-11, Guard (14.8 points, 2.9 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 40 3-pointers)

Spencer Schoenfeld, Jr., 5-9, Guard (7.6 points, 2.3 assists, 1.0 assists, 42 3-pointers)

Grayson Ferraro, Jr., 5-9, Guard (4.5 points)

Cooper Levy, Jr., 6-2, Guard (4.6 points)

Cameron Desfosse, Jr., 6-2, Guard/Forward

Off the Bench

Joe Farino, Jr., 6-0, Guard – Transfer from College Achieve (2023-24: 9.1 points)

Josh Sosinov, Fr., 6-2, Forward

Danny Mulvey, Sr., 6-0, Guard

Pat Hearn, Sr., 6-1, Guard (2.9 points)

Colin Duffy, So., 5-11, Guard

Matt Lamarsh, Sr., 6-2, Forward

Luis Velez, Jr., 6-7, Forward

Joe Petriello, Sr., 5-9, Guard

Evan Schneider, Jr., 5-11, Guard

 

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6. St. John Vianney

Compared to the other teams in this version of the Class A Central division, St. John Vianney has the largest gap to close in going from the bottom half of the standings to the top, but the Lancers also had a chance to grow in the unforgiving Class A Coastal division last season. While SJV took its lumps on the way to an 0-10 division mark, the Lancers managed to go 9-8 outside of divisional play as Logan Singleton’s team also got a taste of winning in his first season leading the program.

The change in division will not be a whole lot easier for Vianney this season as the Lancers hope to keep up with a group of experienced rosters. Fortunately for SJV, it also has plenty of varsity experience returning, and by the end of last season, the Lancers were powered by underclassmen. Junior Nicky Mejia was the team’s top scorer over the final 17 games during his sophomore campaign, while classmate Justin Togans also averaged double-figure scoring on the year, and fellow junior Danny O’Neill was at double figures before the full team was eligible in mid-January. That quartet of juniors will give SJV a chance to take a major step forward in each of the next two seasons.

Seniors Jude Mbaziira and Nick Roselli will round out the starting five, with O’Neill in line to provide a lift off the bench as the sixth man. Guard Luke Angeles is a sophomore to watch as he vies for minutes, senior Zay Boone (6-4) and juniors Trey Gertsmyer (6-7) and Nick Winfey (6-4) give Singleton some additional size off the bench, and junior Isaiah Shade is a transfer who was the third-leading scorer at Lakewood last year. There are plenty of pieces in place to form yet another division contender for the Class A Central field. If the Lancers get clicking, expect a wild, six-team battle for the division championship.

St. John Vianney at a Glance

Head Coach: Logan Singleton, second season
2024-25 Record: 9-18 (0-10, sixth in Class A Coastal)
Key Losses: Alex Jurado (6-1, Guard), Jesse Plunkett (6-0, Guard), Nicco Aquilone (6-1, Forward), Dan Simeone (6-1, Forward)

Projected Lineup (with 2024-25 stats)

Returning Starters in Bold

Jude Mbaziira, Sr., 5-10, Guard

Nicky Mejia, Jr., 6-0, Guard (11.5 points, 1.7 rebounds, 1.5 assists)

Dan Lavan, Jr., 6-2, Guard (6.3 points, 2.9 rebounds, 1.7 assists)

Nick Roselli, Sr., 6-0, Guard (2.8 points)

Justin Togans, Jr., 6-3, Forward (10.4 points, 6.0 rebounds, 1.4 assists)

Off the Bench

Danny O’Neill, Jr., 6-4, Forward (8.6 points, 4.9 rebounds, 1.1 assists)

Luke Angeles, So., 6-1, Guard

Zay Boone, Sr., 6-4, Forward

Isaiah Shade, Jr., 6-1, Forward – Transfer from Lakewood (8.7 points, 5.8 rebounds)

Adam Sharbash, Jr., 6-2, Guard

Trey Gertsmyer, Jr., 6-7, Center

Nick Winfrey, Jr., 6-4, Forward

 

Class A Central Starting Five

Dean Aviles, Manalapan

Brian McKenna, Wall

Matt Trimble, Middletown South

Noah Musto, Howell

Jake Schultzel, Freehold Township

Off the Bench

Cayden Parker, Howell

Liam Killea, Wall

Joe Farino, Manalapan

Beckett Oliver, Middletown South

John O’Neill, Freehold Township

Dan Hennessey, Wall

Nicky Mejia, St. John Vianney