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

For the better part of a decade, Toms River North ruled Class A South with an iron fist, winning 75 straight games in divisional play between the 2014-15 and 2021 seasons. For the first time this year, Toms River North is not in Class A South, but the two top teams from last year’s division standings are. Central Regional ran the table during a historic season for its boys basketball program, while Southern Regional came in second during another solid campaign for the Rams.

Donovan Catholic returns to the field, which now includes a Jackson team that not only brings back a wealth of firepower from a talented Jackson Memorial team, but also includes help from Jackson Liberty’s team after the two schools merged. Class A South also welcomes another division champion as Barnegat joins the five-team field fresh off a Class C South title – the first division title for the Bengals’ program.

In predicted order of finish

1. Jackson

With the merger of Jackson Memorial and Liberty following the previous school year, this will be the first season ever of Jackson Township basketball or the first season of one Jackson High School basketball team since 2006-07, depending on how you view the move back to one high school in the town. Any way you slice it, Jackson Memorial and Jackson Liberty have combined forces. For the first time ever, the lone high school in Jackson is on Hope Chapel Road in what used to be Jackson Liberty High School.

While Jackson has the luxury of pulling from two returning varsity basketball teams, Jackson Memorial was already in an enviable position heading toward 2025-26 and that returning roster does not need a whole lot of help. A 10-16 record a season ago suggests the Jaguars have a long way to go to reach the tier of serious contenders for a spot in the Shore Conference Tournament final four, but the 2024-25 season started with Jackson waiting for its best player, guard George Boley, to become eligible. Even after the Jaguars added Boley – a nightly triple-double threat – to the fold, they still had to navigate a division that included St. Rose and Manasquan. With Boley in the lineup, Jackson Memorial was just 8-9 overall, but the Jaguars were 5-1 in divisional play outside of four combined losses to St. Rose and Manasquan – the top two teams in the conference.

Boley is part of a 2024-25 roster that remains intact, so coach Randy Holmes will be working with this starting five for a second straight season. Senior Jimmy Pappalardo is a knock-down 3-point shooter with length, athleticism and defensive chops, while senior Yaseer Johnson gives the Jaguars a ball-handler who will allow Boley to play off the ball from time to time. Sophomore Mi’Aire Anderson was a physically-advanced freshman a year ago and adds some muscle to the Jackson Memorial interior on both ends.

While Boley’s return bolstered Jackson’s starting five, the tradeoff was the loss of classmate Randy Holmes Jr. to a knee injury. Holmes’s return gives Jackson a full lineup that it did not have last year, save for a few games. Sean Hallihan and Paul Bradshaw will add to that rotation as bench pieces, while fellow seniors Aiden Brown and Tyler Niman join the group as the two impact additions from Jackson Liberty. The senior-laden group gives Jackson its best chance at a division championship in the last 15 years, and if the Jaguars have a chance to climb to the top public school spot in the conference, Boley will be the separator.

Jackson at a Glance

Head Coach: Randy Holmes, sixth season
Jackson Memorial 2024-25 Record: 10-16 (5-5, third in Class A Central)
Jackson Liberty 2024-25 Record: 6-17 (2-8, fifth in Class B Central)
Key Losses: Jonathan Peten (6-3, Forward), Brady Adams (6-0, Guard), John Vega (6-5, Forward), Corey Harnett (6-0, Forward), Aidan Kelly (Jr., 5-10, Guard)

Projected Lineup (with 2024-25 Stats)

Returning Starters in Bold

Yaseer Johnson, Sr., 5-8, Guard (5.6 points, 2.0 rebounds, 1.9 assists)

Georg Boley, Sr., 6-3, Guard (20.2 points, 3.8 points, 4.7 assists)

Randy Holmes Jr., Sr., 6-3, Guard (9.1 points, 4.7 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.7 steals)

Mi’Aire Anderson, So., 6-2, Forward (6.9 points, 6.3 rebounds, 1.1 assists)

Jimmy Pappalardo, Sr., 6-3, Forward (12.7 points, 3.1 rebounds, 1.1 steals)

Off the Bench

Paul Bradshaw, Sr., 5-9, Guard (1.6 points, 1.2 rebounds)

Aiden Brown, Sr., 6-1, Guard (12.5 points at Jackson Liberty)

Tyler Niman, Sr., 6-2, Forward (5.0 points at Jackson Liberty)

Sean Hallihan, Sr., 6-3, Forward (1.75 points, 1.25 rebounds)

Samir Talib, Jr., 6-3, Forward

Sal Simon, So., 5-8, Guard

Mike Wilmont, Sr., 6-3, Forward

 

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2. Southern

Although Southern does not bring back a full lineup like the one Jackson does, the Rams will be right with the Jaguars in the A South race thanks to the return of one of the Shore’s best duos from 2024-25. Senior Jake Sliwinski and junior Noah Perna are primed for their third year playing together as Southern’s top scoring duo, and this season has a chance to be their best yet in what appears to be a wide-open Shore Conference beyond heavy favorite Christian Brothers Academy. Southern has had some big-time talent over the last two decades, but it has never resulted in a trip to a Shore Conference Tournament quarterfinals, nor an NJSIAA sectional final appearances – two goals the Rams hope to be steamrolling toward once the calendar hits February.

Perna and Sliwinski were good for a combined 35 points a year ago, so scoring should be a strength for Southern this season. Both players, particularly Perna, are standout rebounders as guards, and Sliwinski is also one of the Shore’s better playmakers when it comes to setting up teammates. One of those teammates will be returning junior Spencer Walsh, who worked his way into the starting lineup as a sophomore and is ready to make a greater impact in the frontcourt. Perna and Walsh are part of a junior-loaded roster that will also include guards Chase Raub, Chase Petrizzi, Anthony Buczynski and Josh Brofman, as well as 6-foot-4 forward Mason Schubiger – all of whom could fill in the fifth starter spot.

One junior who will definitely occupy a starting spot is 6-foot-8 forward and Barnegat transfer Gavin Gerckens, who made an impact as a sophomore on a senior-heavy Barnegat squad that won a Class C South championship a year ago. Gerckens gives Southern a dimension the Rams have not had with Perna and Sliwinski, and if Gerckens can take the next step as a player to provide a frontcourt complement to the Rams’ established guard duo, this year’s Southern team has a chance to have a special year.

Head Coach: John Pampalone, seventh season
2024-25 Record: 18-9 (7-3, second in Class A South)
Key Losses: Cooper Dempsey (5-10, Guard), Rich Flores (5-10, Forward), Aiden Miller (6-0, Guard), Rob Kelsey (6-0, Guard)

Projected Lineup (with 2024-25 stats)

Returning Starters in Bold

Jake Sliwinski, Sr., 5-10, Guard (17.0 points, 5.3 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.7 steals)

Noah Perna, Jr., 6-0, Guard (18.7 points, 8.7 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.8 steals, 41 3-pointers)

Chris Raub, Jr., 5-7, Guard

Gavin Gerkens, Jr., 6-8, Forward – Transfer from Barnegat (5.3 points, 4.6 rebounds)

Spencer Walsh, Jr., 6-3, Forward (3.4 points, 3.6 rebounds)

Off the Bench

Chase Petrizzi, Jr., 5-7, Guard

Anthony Buczynski, Jr., 5-9, Guard

Reality White, Sr., 6-1, Guard (1.1 points, 1.8 rebounds)

Josh Brofman, Jr., 5-9, Guard

Mason Schubiger, Jr., 6-4, Forward

 

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3. Central

Over the past three seasons, Central continued to raise the bar for its program, and in 2024-25, the Golden Eagles set a new standard going forward. Led by All-Shore guard and current Georgian Court freshman Jaycen Santucci, Central dominated the rest of Ocean County, and if not for an unfortunate Shore Conference Tournament draw that paired the Golden Eagles with St. Rose in the quarterfinals and a hot-shooting first half by Lenape in the NJSIAA South Jersey Group IV semifinals, the Golden Eagles might have pushed the envelope even further. Still, a 24-win season with an undefeated run through Class A South made last year the best season the program has ever had.

The downside to last year’s senior-driven success is that this year’s team will be unproven, and the likelihood that Central does anything that approaches last year’s success is remote. It is, however, a chance for coach Mike Clemente to see how his program turns the page after losing an accomplished senior group. He will be fortunate enough to have some talent on hand to help keep the Golden Eagles in the Class A South hunt and among Ocean County’s best.

Junior Derek Roth is the lone returning starter for Central after fitting in nicely as a sophomore transfer from Lacey. Roth was needed as a rebounder and a frontcourt defender in a lot of Central’s matchups a year ago, but now that he is no longer a role player, Roth is likely to fit into more of a traditional guard mold with the size and athleticism to do more when his team needs him. Although Roth is the only returning starter, Central has a 6-foot-7 force in Iowa State football commit Elijah Reeder, who was an impact sixth man a year ago. Central sought to play a faster-paced game last year, but Reeder’s size and strength gives the Golden Eagles a chance to be dominant in a slower-paced, more physical style this season.

The rest of the rotation will be unproven, but still somewhat experienced. Senior Tyler Woemer got into most of Central’s big games as a physical frontcourt player, while junior Cijer Yates also saw a helping of appearances in key moments for the Golden Eagles. Junior Patryk Cavanaugh was also in line for a varsity role last year before a knee injury on opening night knocked him out for the remainder of his sophomore season. Sophomores Caden King and Jaxen Carter will be key pieces in the backcourt off the bench, 6-foot-4 junior Marquel McGrath will provide additional size to back up Reeder, and Charlie Krzcezkowski leads a freshman group that will hope to make an impact this season, as Central looks to turn the page to its next competitive chapter.

Central at a Glance

Head Coach: Mike Clemente, 11th season
2024-25 Record: 24-4 (10-0, first in Class A South)
Key Losses: Jaycen Santucci (6-4, Guard), Jayson King (6-0, Guard), Royalty Riley (6-3, Forward), Aiden Graham (6-1, Guard)

Projected Lineup (with 2024-25 stats)

Returning Starters in Bold

Derek Roth, Jr., 6-2, Guard (6.9 points, 4.2 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 1.7 steals)

Cijer Yates, Jr., 6-2, Guard

Patryk Cavanaugh, Jr., 6-1, Guard

Elijah Reeder, Sr., 6-7, Center (3.25 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.1 blocks)

Tyler Woermer, Sr., 6-3, Forward (1.1 points)

Off the Bench

Caden King, So., 6-0, Guard

Jaxen Carter, So., 5-10, Guard

Marquel McGrath, Jr., 6-4, Forward

Zyshun Carroll, Jr., 5-10, Guard

Charlie Krzcezkowski, Fr., 6-1, Guard

Kian Buenaventura, Fr., 6-2, Guard

Aiquan Milligan, Fr., 6-3, Forward

 

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4. Donovan Catholic

The modus operandi of Donovan Catholic was always to clean up in Class B South and challenge itself outside the division on the way to posting a winning record as one of the 20-or-so teams in the Shore Conference with a chance to finish in the top 10 during one of its better seasons. Last year, however, the Griffins found themselves in Class A South, which gave them a challenging division schedule to go with their usual challenging slate of nondivisional games. The result was a sub-.500 season that masked a capable roster that retains a fair amount of its talent heading into 2026.

The Griffins lost a lot of size over the offseason with the graduation of James Gibbons and the loss of Kai Pritchard, who will not play basketball this season as he prepares to play offensive lineman at the University of Illinois. Two varsity frontcourt players return to help cover those losses, with sophomore T.J. Hunter representing a promising underclassman who has a chance to give Donovan Catholic a different dimension as a more skilled option. Senior Frankie DiMaggio is another forward who will be a difference-maker after coming off the bench a season ago.

While size and interior play will be an X-factor, Donovan Catholic should remain strong in the backcourt despite the loss of lead guard Ryan Jacobs. Pat Gallo was a steady contributor and secondary scoring option in his first season with the Griffins, and at 6-foot-5, he will bring size to the wings. Junior Gabe Feliciano is battling a preseason injury that could delay his start to the season, but he will eventually reprise his role as another guard who can take the lead as a ballhandler and scorer. Either junior Anthony Streeter or freshman Gerard Gallo will round out the starting lineup, with juniors Charlie Yuro and Vito Armato adding to the backcourt depth and 6-2 freshman Ethan Sulkowski looking to make an impact for a Griffins team that is now used to life in Class A South.

Donovan Catholic at a Glance

Head Coach: Mike Kearney, 28th season
2024-25 Record: 11-14 (6-4, third in Class A South)
Key Losses: Ryan Jacobs (6-1, Guard), James Gibbons (6-6, Forward), Derek Espinelli (5-7, Guard), Kai Pritchard (Sr., 6-5, Center)

Projected Lineup (with 2024-25 stats)

Returning Starters in Bold

Gabe Feliciano, Jr., 6-1, Guard (7.3 points, 3.0 rebounds, 1.2 assists)

Pat Gallo, Sr., 6-5, Guard (7.4 points, 2.4 rebounds, 1.7 assists)

Anthony Streeter, Jr., 5-8, Guard

Frankie DiMaggio, Sr., 6-3, Forward (2.7 points, 2.2 rebounds)

T.J. Hunter, So., 6-3, Forward (2.0 points, 2.6 rebounds)

Off the Bench

Gerard Gallo, Fr., 6-2, Guard

Charlie Yuro, Jr., 6-1, Guard

Vito Armato, Jr., 5-10, Guard

Ethan Sulkowski, Fr., 6-2, Forward

Hunter McDonald, Jr., 5-11, Guard

Jack Monahan, Sr., 6-0, Guard

 

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5. Barnegat

Barnegat is moving into Class A South for the first time in the relatively young history of the program – a “reward” for last year’s team delivering the school its first Shore Conference division championship in boys basketball as the Class C South winner. Unfortunately for this year’s Bengals team, the 2024-25 squad was led almost entirely by senior, and the lone impact player who was not a senior – current junior Gavin Gerckens – transferred to Southern Regional. In fact, Barnegat is the only team in the Shore Conference that is not returning a single point from last year’s varsity roster.

With an entirely new starting five, the Bengals will be focused on making progress and attaining small victories as they attempt to set themselves up for another division championship down the road. That means seeing what freshmen Chancellor Joseph and Miles Joseph can do as a starting rookie duo in the backcourt, with classmate Ryan Bonhard coming off the bench and sophomores forward Jaden Nafzinger and guard Evan Falzini also contributing as underclassmen.

This season is also a chance to shine for a number of players who waited their turn behind last year’s seniors. Jack Haviland, Nick Bruno and Brady Anderson are seniors who are ready to step up as leaders, with 6-3 junior Anthony Dringus also ascending to a starting spot. Senior Donovan Paul will also be a factor in the starting lineup once he recovers from an injury he suffered while playing goalkeeper for Barnegat’s soccer team, while classmate Codey Shaffery was in line for a starting spot before suffering a preseason elbow injury that leaves him out indefinitely, according to coach Mike Puorro. The conditions will not be easy in a tougher division, but the Bengals will have a group of hungry players looking to make a strong first impression.

Head Coach: Mike Puorro, 12th season
2024-25 Record: 16-10 (7-1, first in Class B South)
Key Losses: Mason Krey (5-11, Guard), Cole Toddings (6-2, Forward), Todd Muhammad (6-1, Guard), Kyle Greenleaf (6-4, Forward), Johnnel Johnson (5-8, Guard), Corey Greenleaf (6-3, Forward), Luke Tortorici (Sr., 6-0, Guard), Gavin Gerckens (Jr., 6-7, Center; transferred to Southern)

Projected Lineup

Returning Starters in Bold

Evan Falzini, So., 5-9, Guard

Jack Haviland, Sr., 5-11, Guard

Chancellor Joseph, Fr., 6-1, Guard

Myles Joseph, Fr., 6-2, Guard

Anthony Dringus, Jr., 6-3, Forward

Off the Bench

Jayden Nafzinger, So., 6-2, Forward

Nick Bruno, Sr., 6-2, Forward

Brady Anderson, Sr., 6-1, Forward

Ryan Bonhard, Fr., 6-3, Forward

Donovan Paul, Sr., 6-2, Guard – Injured

Codey Shaffery, Sr., 5-9, Guard – Injured

 

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Class A South Starting Five

George Boley, Jackson

Jake Sliwinski, Southern

Noah Perna, Southern

Derek Roth, Central

Jimmy Pappalardo, Jackson

Off the Bench

Elijah Reeder, Central

Gabe Feliciano, Donovan Catholic

Pat Gallo, Donovan Catholic

Mi’Aire Anderson, Jackson

Randy Holmes, Jackson

Gavin Gerckens, Barnegat

Yaseer Johnson, Jackson