Boys Basketball 2024-25 Preview: Class A South
Last year’s version of Class A South was as balanced with talent from top-to-bottom as it has ever been, with Toms River North winning the regular-season title and Brick Memorial finishing last place despite getting their jabs in with a sophomore-led group. Now, Class A South will add the top-ranked Ocean County team from last season in Central Regional to the mix, which will make Class A South even better this season.
Brick Memorial, Jackson Memorial and Toms River East move out of the division this year to make way for Central, Donovan Catholic and Manchester. With the addition of Central and Donovan Catholic, Class A South is now home to three teams that won outright division championships in 2023-24 – the most of any division in the Shore Conference. Toms River North has the most to replace of the three, but has traditionally been the best program when it comes to reloading from year-to-year.
Outside of the Mariners, four of the five other teams in the division appear poised to be even better in 2024-25, which should make for an explosive regular-season with some potential hardware waiting at the end.
In predicted order of finish
1. Central
Last year’s Central squad made a real case for itself as the best boys basketball team in school history. It was the first Golden Eagles team to accomplish all of the following in the same season: win 20 or more games; win a Shore Conference division championship; reach the Shore Conference Tournament quarterfinals; and reach the NJSIAA sectional semifinal round. Over the last two seasons, Mike Clemente’s group has raised the bar for itself as a program and climbed into the top tier of Ocean County along with perennial contender Toms River North.
Despite all that success, there is still something missing: a championship game. Central has not played in a tournament championship game during its recent resurgence and this year’s group will have both the wherewithal and motivation to change that. Senior guard and 2023-24 First-Team All-Shore selection Jaycen Santucci will be among the Shore’s best players again this season and while fellow All-Shore Golden Eagle Miles Chevalier graduated in the spring, the supporting cast is deep, athletic and skilled.
Senior point guard Jayson King heads into his second season with Central after beginning his high-school career at Jackson Liberty and he will play an even more important role this year now that Central is looking for a second option alongside Santucci. Whether he is scoring or setting up one of his teammates, King will have the ball in his hands plenty this season.
Senior Royalty Riley, senior Aidan Graham and sophomore Lacey transfer Derek Roth will round out the starting lineup. Riley was a standout wide receiver on the football field and his athleticism translates to the basketball court. Graham and Roth will benefit from the attention Santucci draws and that balance extends to the bench. Junior Elijah Reeder gives Clemente a 6-foot-6 option for the lineup and sophomore Cijier Yates is another wing who can play multiple positions on the floor.
The mix of talent should rival what Central had last year and the experience of coming so close to reaching a championship gave will give the Golden Eagles all the ingredients they need to again set a new standard for the program.
Central at a Glance
Head Coach: Mike Clemente, 10th season
2023-24 Record: 22-5 (11-0 crossover, 5-0; first in Class B South)
Key Losses: Miles Chevalier (6-3, Guard), Jordan Barbot (6-1, Guard), Brayden Lowden (5-10, Guard)
Projected Lineup (with 2023-24 stats)
Returning Starters in Bold
Jayson King, Sr., 6-0, Guard (7.0 points, 3.6 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.7 steals)
Jaycen Santucci, Sr., 6-4, Guard (21.0 points, 9.6 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 2.7 steals, 1.4 blocks)
Aidan Graham, Sr., 6-1, Guard
Derek Roth, So., 6-1, Guard – Transfer from Lacey (6.8 points, 3.4 rebounds, 1.7 assists)
Royalty Riley, Sr., 6-3, Forward (3.8 points, 2.7 rebounds)
Off the Bench
Elijah Reeder, Jr., 6-6, Forward
Cijier Yates, So., 6-2, Guard/Forward
Tyler Woermer, Jr., 6-3, Forward
Luke Denning, Sr., 5-10, Guard
Patryk Cavanaugh, So., 6-1, Guard
2. Southern
Although Southern was not a young team across the board, the Rams were as reliant on underclassmen for scoring as any team in the Shore Conference outside of Point Pleasant Beach. Jake Sliwinski and Noah Perna combined for 30 points per game as a sophomore and freshman, respectively and the two guards are back this season as one of the Shore’s best backcourt duos. Sliwinski averaged a higher points-per-game average than every returning Class A South player outside of Santucci and he also finished eighth in the conference in assists per game.
Senior Cooper Dempsey gives coach John Pampalone a third returning starter and an ideal fit to play with Sliwinski and Perna because of his passing ability and three-point prowess. Rich Flores is another senior who will bring varsity experience to the lineup and a trio of his classmates – Aiden Miller, Alec Martone and Rob Kelsey – playing within the rotation.
Two more sophomores join Perna in the varsity rotation, including one in the starting five. Six-foot-3 sophomore Spencer Walsh will get an early look in the lineup, while classmate Chris Raub adds to the backcourt depth. Junior Reality White is another newcomer with a chance to make an impact in the rotation for a Southern team that unquestionably has a backcourt duo that can take the Rams a long way. If the rest of the team can slide into the proper roles, the Rams will be in the running for the top spot in Ocean County.
Southern at a Glance
Head Coach: John Pampalone, sixth season
2023-24 Record: 16-10 (7-4 crossover; 3-2, tied second in Class A South)
Key Losses: Caden Schubiger (6-0, Guard), Leo Crowley (6-2, Forward)
Projected Lineup (with 2023-24 stats)
Returning Starters in Bold
Jake Sliwinski, Jr., 6-0, Guard (16.0 points, 4.7 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 1.9 steals)
Noah Perna, So., 6-0, Guard (13.7 points, 7.8 rebounds, 2.0 assists)
Cooper Dempsey, Sr., 5-10, Guard (5.0 points, 1.8 assists)
Rich Flores, Sr., 5-10, Forward (3.6 points)
Spencer Walsh, So., 6-3, Forward
Off the Bench
Aiden Miller, Sr., 6-0, Guard
Chris Raub, So., 5-10, Guard
Reality White, Jr., 6-2, Forward – Transfer from Barnegat
Alec Martone, Sr., 6-4, Forward
Rob Kelsey, Sr., 6-0, Guard
3. Toms River North
The rivalry between Toms River North and Central last season was intense but felt unsettled by the end of the season. The two teams each won their respective divisions – Toms River North Class A South and Central B South – and split the two games they played against one another. Each team also reached the semifinals of the NJSIAA South Jersey Group IV Tournament, which meant each was just one win away from meeting the other for a championship rubber match. This year, the two teams will compete for the same division championship and while Central will have the advantage in experienced, proven players, Toms River North has a roster that should not be counted out.
A returning point guard is a great starting point for a team and Toms River North has one of those in senior Sherrod Nelson. In Nelson and fellow senior Mekai Morse, Toms River North will have one of the Shore’s quicker backcourts, which will serve the Mariners well on both ends of the court. That speed will create space for junior sharpshooter Colin Anderson and forwards Jackson Silas and Bryce Kazanowsky. Silas jumps into the starting mix as a sophomore, which is exactly what Kazanowsky did last season, when he put his toughness on display as an underclassman.
The Toms River North bench will also be young, starting with freshman Jake Greenberg. It may not take long for Greenberg and his well-rounded game to push into the starting lineup, giving the Mariners another young contributor to build around during the coming years. The rest of the bench includes two sophomores (Logan Brill and Wesley Tanner), two juniors (Jayden Thomas and John Sheehy) and senior T.J. Valerio – the quarterback on Toms River North’s 14-0, Group V championship team. There are not a lot of seniors on the team, but when the three seniors are an experienced point guard and two key members of a 14-0 football team, the team should be headed in the right direction.
Toms River North at a Glance
Head Coach: Rory Caswell, 14th season
2023-24 Record: 21-8 (9-2 crossover; 4-1, first in Class A South)
Key Losses: Owen Baker (6-0, Guard), Micah Ford (6-1, Forward), Tareq Council (6-4, Forward), Jeremiah Pruitt (6-1, Guard/Forward), Sean Gathers (6-4, Forward), Garret Dushek (6-4, Forward)
Projected Lineup (with 2023-24 stats)
Returning Starters in Bold
Sherrod Nelson, Sr., 5-10, Guard (6.4 points, 2.0 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.7 steals)
Mekai Morse, Sr., 6-1, Guard
Colin Anderson, Jr., 5-11, Guard
Jackson Silas, So., 6-5, Forward/Guard
Bryce Kazanowsky, Jr., 6-4, Forward (5.5 points)
Off the Bench
Jake Greenberg, Fr., 6-2, Guard
Logan Brill, So., 6-2, Guard
Wesley Tanner, So., 5-11, Guard
Jayden Thomas, Jr., 6-2, Guard/Forward
John Sheehy, Jr., 6-4, Forward – Transfer from Donovan Catholic (1.9 points)
T.J. Valerio, Sr., 6-2, Guard
4. Donovan Catholic
Coming off a season in which it won its first division championship in 15 years, Donovan Catholic moves into what looks to be a strong Class A South division this season. The Griffins will contribute to that strength as much as they will be challenged by it, with two major pieces returning to the starting lineup to lead the charge during their first A South season.
Senior Ryan Jacobs is coming off a breakthrough junior season, during which he led the Griffins in scoring, assists and steals. Jacobs will share the back court with a pair of crosstown transfers – sophomore Toms River East transfer Gabe Feliciano and junior Toms River North transfer Pat Gallo. Feliciano played his way into major minutes for the Raiders as a freshman and will be an impact addition for the Griffins, while Gallo is getting a shot to start in his new home as well. The trio will look to make up for some losses at the guard spot, most notably talented sophomore Amare Walker (6.7 points in 2024-25), who moved to Florida.
Donovan Catholic will not be hurting for size in 2024-25 thanks to the returns of senior James Gibbons and junior Kai Pritchard. Gibbons turned in a strong comeback season last year after he missed his sophomore season due to injury, while Pritchard was an imposing presence in the paint off the bench. The Griffins will be a handful on the glass with both in the game and coach Mike Kearney will turn to a deep, well-rounded bench to switch up the look. With a proven one-two punch of Jacobs and Gibbons, the Griffins will be formidable once the rest of the group settles into their new roles.
Donovan Catholic at a Glance
Head Coach: Mike Kearney, 27th season
2023-24 Record: 18-9 (10-0 crossover; 5-0, first in Class B Central)
Key Losses: Jack Malek (6-0, Guard), Matt Gerrity (6-2, Guard), Chris Miranda (5-9, Guard), Amare Walker (So., 6-1, Guard; transferred to Taveras, Fla.)
Projected Lineup (with 2023-24 stats)
Returning Starters in Bold
Ryan Jacobs, Sr., 6-1, Guard (14.4 points, 6.2 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 1.7 steals, 0.8 blocks)
Gabe Feliciano, So., 6-1, Guard – Transfer from Toms River East (4.3 points, 1.0 assists, 0.8 steals)
Pat Gallo, Jr., 6-3, Guard – Transfer from Toms River North
James Gibbons, Sr., 6-6, Forward (7.2 points, 7.6 rebounds, 0.8 blocks)
Kai Pritchard, Jr., 6-5, Forward (4.6 points, 4.1 rebounds)
Off the Bench
Derek Espinelli, Sr., 5-7, Guard (1.5 points)
Eli Ravenell, Sr., 6-2, Guard (1.5 points)
Jaeden Morales, Sr., 6-0, Guard (1.6 points)
Nick Carrara, Sr., 6-2, Forward
Charlie Vidal, Jr., 6-3, Forward (2.3 points)
Vito Armato, So., 5-10, Guard
Anthony Streeter, So., 5-9, Guard
Charlie Yuro, So., 6-0, Guard
T.J. Hunter, Fr., 6-2, Guard
5. Manchester
Like Donovan Catholic, Manchester migrates into Class A South this year after a competitive season in Class B South that the Hawks would like to improve upon in its new divisional home. Although a trio of key players from last season graduated, Manchester brings back one of the Shore’s top all-around returnees, a proven second guard and a 6-3 forward to battle in the paint – all of whom started last season.
Senior guard Aidan Lunn posted one of the more impressive stat lines in the Shore Conference as a junior in 2023-24 and he is back to try to top it this season while carrying his squad to a winning record. Senior M.J. Goins joins Lunn in the back court after averaging just a hair under 10 points per game as a junior and senior Alex Vasylatiy jumps into the starting five after playing a reserve role last season. Senior Ny’zyr Battle, meanwhile, is back in the starting front court after working his way into the starting five last season and turning in a strong football season in the fall.
The true newcomer in the starting lineup is freshman Justin Roberts, who will be Manchester’s latest rookie to apply his fingerprints to a Hawks basketball season as part of a promising freshman group that will provide coach Ryan Ramsay will depth off the bench. Juniors Malik Pharmes and James Ruocchio are set for major minutes as well, as the Hawks work to strike the right balance in the lineup with Lunn. There are some new players to acclimate and roles to cement, but the return of Lunn along with Goins gives Manchester the foundation to compete in what is now a very deep division.
Manchester at a Glance
Head Coach: Ryan Ramsay, 20th season
2023-24 Record: 10-16 (4-7 crossover; 3-2, tied third in Class B South)
Key Losses: Josh Love (5-8, Guard), Jaymire Watts (6-3, Guard), Tre Ross (6-0, Guard)
Projected Lineup (with 2023-24 stats)
Returning Starters in Bold
Aidan Lunn, Jr., 6-3, Guard (14.8 points, 10.1 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 2.0 steals, 1.1 blocks)
Justin Roberts, Fr., 5-11, Guard
M.J. Goins, Sr., 5-10, Guard (9.7 points, 1.2 assists, 2.6 assists)
Alex Vasylatiy, Sr., 6-0, Guard (1.9 points, 1.8 rebounds)
Ny’Zyr Battle, Sr., 6-3, Forward (1.8 points, 3.5 rebounds)
Off the Bench
Ryan Dunkey, Sr., 6-3, Forward
Malik Pharmes, Jr., 5-10, Guard
Tyheem Jackson, Jr., 5-10, Guard
James Ruocchio, Jr., 5-9, Guard
Brody Boyd, So., 5-10, Guard
Alex Rivera, Fr., 6-7, Forward
Aaron Henry, Fr., 5-11, Guard
Cole Santana, Fr., 6-2, Forward
Sam Spaziano, Fr., 6-1, Guard
6. Toms River South
Toms River South is hoping to ride the momentum created in 2023-24, when the Indians earned a winning record for the first time in nine years and made their mark in a very competitive Class A South division – including a win over Toms River North for the first time in 10 years. Momentum may have to do a lot of the heavy lifting for Toms River South, because varsity experience will not be a major part of the equation this season after four starters – including the top three scorers – graduated from last year’s team.
Junior Shane Gambarony is the lone returning starter and is coming off a strong sophomore campaign in which he turned in some big performances and clutch moments for the Indians. He will look to lead the offense as both a scorer and creator for a group that will be senior-heavy, but without a lot of varsity minutes. Senior guards Chase Ford and Mark Avendano will step into starting roles after coming off the bench last season, while junior Jacob Myers and senior Aiden Lynch do the same in the front court. Senior Quinn Wells – a transfer from Manchester – will also play a prominent role in the rotation at guard.
The only player over 6-2 projected for the rotation is forward Kyle Mundy – one of three juniors looking to make an impact behind their starting classmate, Myers. The development of those two, plus Kharii Pringle and Karsin Migliori will be important for this year’s Toms River South team – especially playing in a division that will be stocked with talented, experienced rosters.
Toms River South at a Glance
Head Coach: Vin Arminio, fifth season
2023-24 Record: 14-12 (5-6 crossover; 2-3, fifth in Class A South)
Key Losses: Kai Barckley (5-8, Guard), Rob Peirson (6-4, Forward), Jordan Jones (5-8, Guard), Declan Sennick (6-2, Forward)
Projected Lineup (with 2023-24 stats)
Returning Starters in Bold
Shane Gambarony, Jr., 5-8, Guard (7.5 points, 3.6 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.6 steals)
Chase Ford, Sr., 5-9, Guard
Mark Avendano, Sr., 5-11, Guard (1.4 points, 1.6 rebounds)
Jacob Myers, Jr., 6-1, Forward
Aiden Lynch, Sr., 6-2, Forward
Off the Bench
Quinn Wells, Sr., 5-10, Guard – Transfer from Manchester
Kharii Pringle, Jr., 6-0, Guard
Kyle Mundy, Jr., 6-4, Forward
Karsin Migliori, Jr., 5-9, Guard
Division Starting Five
Jake Sliwinski, Southern
Ryan Jacobs, Donovan Catholic
Noah Perna, Southern
Jayson Santucci, Central
Aidan Lunn, Manchester
In the Rotation
Jayson King, Central
Sherrod Nelson, Toms River North
Shane Gambarony, Toms River South
James Gibbons, Donovan Catholic
M.J. Goins, Manchester
