2026 JSBL Quarterfinals Night 1 Preview and Predictions

The Jersey Shore Basketball League’s 58th season playoffs tip off tonight with the opening night of quarterfinal action. Ahead of the postseason, we’ve broken down all four teams competing in tonight’s matchups with projected lineups, in-depth analysis, and game predictions.

 

(3) Sea View Jeep vs (6) Larson Ford

At Manasquan High School, 7 p.m.

 

Sea View Jeep (4-3)

Projected Starting Lineup

G: Justin Robinson, 5-8, Monmouth  (32.7 PPG | 7.7 RPG | 10.0 APG | 1.5 SPG | 0.0 BPG | 45.1% FG | 30.3% 3PT | 85.7% FT)

G: Xander Rice, 6-3, Monmouth (25.0 PPG | 9.0 RPG | 2.0 APG | 1.0 SPG | 1.0 BPG | 40.0% FG | 22.2% 3PT | 100.0% FT)

G: CJ Ruoff, 6-3, Catholic (18.5 PPG | 4.5 RPG | 1.2 APG | 1.0 SPG | 0.2 BPG | 53.1% FG | 40.6% 3PT | 85.7% FT)

G: George Papas, 6-5, Monmouth (29.0 PPG | 6.3 RPG | 3.7 APG | 2.3 SPG | 0.3 BPG | 46.9% FG | 42.1% 3PT | 78.6% FT)

F: Josh Cohen, 6-10, USC (36.3 PPG | 17.0 RPG | 1.8 APG | 0.8 SPG | 0.3 BPG | 58.3% FG | 20.0% 3PT | 58.1% FT)

Bench

G: Brandon Alexander, 6-5, Jersey Shore Breaks

G: Colin Cavanaugh, 5-10, Misericordia

C: Emmett Hall, 6-8, Jersey Shore Breaks

F: Josh Morris, 6-7, Bloomfield

G: Jesse Steele, 5-8, Monmouth

 

Larson Ford (2-5)

Projected Starting Lineup

G: Zayier Dean, 6-0, Northern Oklahoma (17.3 PPG | 6.3 RPG | 4.4 APG | 1.4 SPG | 0.0 BPG | 38.6% FG | 30.4% 3PT | 82.6% FT)

G: Gene Campbell, 6-1, NJCU (7.0 PPG | 3.5 RPG | 2.5 APG | 0.5 SPG | 0.0 BPG | 35.3% FG | 40.0% 3PT | — FT)

G: Corey Floyd Jr., 6-4, Providence (28.8 PPG | 7.6 RPG | 2.8 APG | 0.4 SPG | 0.2 BPG | 43.9% FG | 32.7% 3PT | 68.8% FT)

F: Isiah McCallum, 6-7, Paul Quinn (13.9 PPG | 6.1 RPG | 1.0 APG | 1.6 SPG | 0.3 BPG | 32.8% FG | 17.2% 3PT | 53.3% FT)

C: Alex Leiba, 6-10, Pepperdine (11.2 PPG | 10.0 RPG | 0.3 APG | 0.5 SPG | 1.0 BPG | 48.3% FG | 0.0% 3PT | 56.3% FT)

Bench

C: Lucas Agbejemisin, 6-10, Kaskaskia

G: Eryck Brown, 5-10, Felician

G: Luke DeVito, 6-4, Staten Island Academy

G: Peter Luster, 6-0, Middlesex CC

G: Jovin Steinmetz, 6-4, Brookdale

 

Larson Ford suffered a significant setback in its regular-season finale when Third Team All-JSBL center Shahid Muhammad was ejected, triggering an automatic one-game suspension for the opening round of the playoffs. Losing the league’s premier rim protector is a major blow heading into a matchup with Sea View Jeep, which led the JSBL in scoring during the regular season at 110.2 points per game.

To make matters worse for Larson Ford, Sea View Jeep will have Xander Rice available after the former CAA standout was granted an injury exception following elbow surgery earlier this summer. Rice returned to the lineup in Sea View Jeep’s regular-season finale, adding another dynamic scorer and playmaker to an offense that already led the league in scoring.

Not much can be taken away from the regular-season meeting, which Larson Ford won 106-85, as both teams will look dramatically different in the playoffs. Sea View Jeep was without Rice, Josh Cohen, and George Papas, while Larson Ford was missing Gene Campbell, Alex Leiba, and Corey Floyd Jr. Larson Ford also had Muhammad in the lineup that night, and he made a huge impact with 19 points, 22 rebounds, and two blocks.

One of Sea View Jeep’s biggest advantages comes in the turnover battle. The Jeep Store finished second in the league in assists while committing the fewest turnovers, a testament to having Most Valuable Player Justin Robinson orchestrating the offense. Sea View Jeep also committed the fewest fouls in the JSBL by a wide margin, consistently avoiding the unnecessary mistakes that lead to easy points at the free-throw line.

Larson Ford’s biggest advantages during the regular season came on the glass and at the rim, where it led the league in both total rebounds and blocked shots. Muhammad played a pivotal role in both areas, frequently teaming with Leiba to form the tallest frontcourt in the JSBL. Without him in the lineup, Larson Ford will have to find other ways to create an edge—particularly against Sea View Jeep’s Josh Cohen, the league’s leading scorer and most dominant interior scoring presence.

Prediction

Without Muhammad’s rim protection, Larson Ford will have a difficult time containing the firepower of Robinson, Papas, Rice, and Cohen. That quartet presents too many offensive weapons, and the absence of the league’s premier shot blocker removes Larson Ford’s best line of defense at the rim.

Alec Crouthamel: Sea View Jeep 107, Larson Ford 91

Nick Doll: Sea View Jeep 116, Larson Ford 94

Dave Smith: Sea View Jeep 123, Larson Ford 91

Dan Yeserski: Sea View Jeep 120, Larson Ford 73

 

(4) ACI/Robin’s Nest vs (5) WCT Warriors

At Manasquan High School, 8:30 p.m.

 

ACI/Robin’s Nest (3-3)

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: Tyreek Montgomery, 6-2, William Paterson (11.2 PPG | 5.3 RPG | 2.2 APG | 0.8 SPG | 0.2 BPG | 42.4% FG | 27.6% 3PT | 63.6% 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: Jagan Mosely, 6-3, Georgetown

G: Jared White, 6-5, Felician

 

WCT Warriors (3-4)

Projected Starting Lineup

G: Andre Wells, 6-0, William Paterson (15.6 PPG | 5.8 RPG | 6.4 APG | 1.4 SPG | 0.0 BPG | 47.7% FG | 9.1% 3PT | 83.3% FT)

G: Jack Collins, 6-5, Monmouth (18.8 PPG | 6.3 RPG | 5.8 APG | 1.3 SPG | 0.5 BPG | 39.6% FG | 33.3% 3PT | 55.6% FT)

G: Jacob Morales, 6-4, Montclair State (21.7 PPG | 6.5 RPG | 1.3 APG | 1.2 SPG | 0.3 BPG | 43.5% FG | 41.5% 3PT | 90.0% FT)

F: Ryan Savoy, 6-4, Nichols (19.6 PPG | 7.7 RPG | 3.4 APG | 2.0 SPG | 1.4 BPG | 54.7% FG | 40.9% 3PT | 57.1% FT)

F: Scott Gyimesi, 6-6, Tufts (23.4 PPG | 13.2 RPG | 3.0 APG | 1.0 SPG | 0.8 BPG | 53.1% FG | 34.4% 3PT | 66.7% FT)

Bench

F: Conor Andree, 6-5, CBA

G: Frankie Denvir, 5-10, FDU-Florham

G: Ryan Frauenheim, 5-10, Bates

G: Jorge Mercado, 6-4, Seton Hall

F: Noah Pagan, 6-8, FDU-Florham

F: Quinn Peters, 6-6, Monmouth

 

One of the most interesting storylines heading into the playoffs is the availability of ACI/Robin’s Nest sharpshooter Jagan Mosely. The Georgetown alumnus recently signed a contract overseas, putting his availability in doubt for the remainder of the season, although there was no confirmation.

Even if Mosely is unavailable, the defending champions still boast plenty of firepower, led by arguably the league’s best pick-and-roll combination in former Neptune standouts Dwaine Jones and Jared Kimbrough. Their chemistry, athleticism, and ability to create easy scoring opportunities make them one of the most dangerous tandems in the JSBL. The third scoring option will likely be Samier Kinsler, who greatly raises the ceiling of the team when he is present, but he has only played in three games this year.

The WCT Warriors enter as slight underdogs, but their sub-.500 record is somewhat misleading. They were competitive into the fourth quarter in every game this season and were only a handful of possessions away from earning a top-three seed. If a few late-game breaks had gone their way, WCT could just as easily be entering the playoffs as one of the league’s favorites rather than a lower seed.

ACI/Robin’s Nest claimed the regular-season meeting, 115-110, in a game that remained in doubt until the closing minutes. Statistically, the matchup was fairly even across the board. WCT held a 15-11 edge in made three-pointers, with Ryan Savoy and Jacob Morales knocking down four apiece, while Jack Collins and Quinn Peters added three each. ACI/Robin’s Nest countered by controlling the paint, holding advantages in both rebounding and interior scoring.

There were also key personnel differences that could significantly impact Thursday night’s rematch. Jared Kimbrough dominated with 23 points and 12 rebounds, but WCT was without both of its primary interior players, Scott Gyimesi and Noah Pagan. ACI/Robin’s Nest, meanwhile, had Mosely available, and he contributed 20 points.

The larger sample of the full regular season paints a similar picture to the first meeting. ACI/Robin’s Nest holds the advantage in size with Jared Kimbrough anchoring the interior and is the more dangerous team in transition thanks to the speed and athleticism of Dwaine Jones, Cam Montgomery, and Samier Kinsler. The WCT Warriors, meanwhile, own the edge from the perimeter, shooting nearly eight percentage points better from the free-throw line and roughly two percentage points better from beyond the arc.

Prediction

The majority of the staff is picking ACI/Robin’s Nest to advance, citing its advantages in size, athleticism, and championship experience. One of us, however, believes the potential absence of Mosely, the return of Scott Gyimesi, and WCT’s edge in perimeter shooting are enough to swing the matchup in the Warriors’ favor this time around.

Alec Crouthamel: ACI/Robin’s Nest 99, WCT Warriors 94

Nick Doll: ACI/Robin’s Nest 102, WCT Warriors 98

Dave Smith: ACI/Robin’s Nest 109, WCT Warriors 101

Dan Yeserski: WCT Warriors 114, ACI/Robin’s Nest 111