JSBL Opening Night: Collins Leads WCT Past Former Team, County Line Auto Body Wins Franchise Debut

MANASQUAN —

The 58th season of the JSBL tipped off Monday night with two competitive contests featuring standout individual performances and a successful debut for the league’s newest franchise. Jack Collins led the WCT Warriors past RKE Athletic in the nightcap, while County Line Auto Body opened its inaugural season with a victory over Sea View Jeep.

Collins Shines Against Former Team as WCT Downs RKE Athletic

Jack Collins couldn’t have scripted a much better start to his summer.

Playing against several former summer league teammates in his first JSBL game since graduating from Monmouth, the Manasquan native finished with 23 points and 11 rebounds to lead the WCT Warriors past RKE Athletic, 107-99.

The game also brought Collins back to a more familiar vantage point. After spending previous summers on the visitors’ bench with RKE Athletic, Collins found himself back on the home side of Manasquan High School’s gym, where he starred for the Warriors before his standout collegiate career.

“It was definitely fun to go against RKE,” said Collins. “I love all those guys.”

A four-year starter at Monmouth, Collins capped his career by helping lead the Hawks to their most successful season during his time in West Long Branch. Monmouth advanced to the Coastal Athletic Association championship game before falling to Hofstra.

The accomplishment was even more impressive considering Collins played the majority of his senior season with a torn meniscus before undergoing surgery shortly after the season ended.

“We had a great core this year,” Collins said. “We had the best chemistry I had in my four years at Monmouth.”

Now healthy, Collins is focused on beginning his professional career. Although he has not yet signed with a team, he has signed an agent and is exploring opportunities overseas.

“I’ve talked to a lot of teams in Belgium, Germany, Holland, and Portugal,” Collins said. “I’m just trying to find the right spot for me and see where the next home is.”

Collins joined forces this summer with a pair of fellow Manasquan alumni in Quinn Peters and Ryan Frauenheim. Peters was also his teammate at Monmouth.

WCT received contributions throughout its lineup. William Paterson alumnus and former Matawan standout guard Andre Wells continued to show why he is one of the league’s most underrated point guards, finishing with 21 points, seven assists, and two steals. Peters knocked down four 3-pointers on his way to 18 points. Former Lakewood standout and Nichols graduate Ryan Savoy provided 16 points and seven rebounds, and FDU-Florham’s Noah Pagan controlled the paint with 13 points and eight rebounds.

RKE Athletic was led by former Mater Dei Prep and Saint Peter’s sharpshooter Kyle Cardaci, who poured in a game-high 34 points while adding nine rebounds, three assists and three steals. Former Bloomfield star Nick Davidson turned in a strong all-around performance with 24 points, 12 rebounds, three assists, and three steals. Elizabethtown alumnus Bryce Greene chipped in 15 points with a pair of 3-pointers, while current St. Anselm guard Alex Massung scored an efficient 13 points on 6-for-7 shooting from the field.

County Line Auto Body Makes Winning Debut

County Line Auto Body made an immediate statement in its first game as the league’s newest franchise, defeating Sea View Jeep, 118-104.

The victory came in the franchise’s JSBL debut after replacing Intern Helpers, and it marked a significantly quicker trip to the win column than its predecessor, which needed more than a full season to earn its first league victory.

County Line Auto Body displayed impressive offensive balance as four players scored at least 18 points. Former Felician forward Abdul Shanunu led the way with 24 points, former Coppin State guard Josh Treadwell added 23, former New Mexico wing Jachai Simmons finished with 22, and former SMU standout Markus Kennedy chipped in with 18 points on an incredibly efficient 9-for-10 shooting performance.

Despite the loss, Sea View Jeep received a sensational performance from former Monmouth superstar Justin Robinson, who poured in 47 points on an efficient 18-for-33 shooting night that included seven three-pointers.