Boys Basketball 2024-25 Preview: Class B Coastal
Life in the new Shore Conference Class B Coastal division will be much different for the six new occupants and in different ways. Middletown North escapes the rigors of last year’s deep Class B North division that included two sectional finalists (Rumson-Fair Haven and Red Bank), while Matawan and Raritan will not have to deal with Shore Conference Tournament semifinalist Holmdel, Group III runner-up Freehold Boro and a solid non-public in St. John Vianney like they did while playing in Class A Coastal a year ago.
On the other side of the ledger, Henry Hudson, Keyport and Keansburg will have to play those three teams after playing in a five-team Class A Central division with Point Pleasant Beach and Asbury Park a year ago. Henry Hudson is ready for the challenge after winning its first outright division championship since the 1980’s and returning almost its entire team, but Keyport and Keansburg will have to raise their games to hang with a more top-heavy field this season.
In predicted order of finish
1. Matawan
A 3-10 buried Matawan into a hole out of which the Huskies spent the entire 2023-24 digging. A portion of those struggles can be attributed to the early-season absence of 6-foot-8 center Jayden Elijah, who comfortably averaged a double-double with three blocks per game in 16 appearances. Elijah will be ready to go from Day 1, so Matawan will have their built-in advantage right from the jump on a team that also has a mix of returning production and intriguing new talent.
One player not returning for this season is Chauncey Brown, who transferred to College Achieve in Asbury Park after scoring 1,000 points during his first three seasons at Matawan. With Brown gone, the Huskies bring back just half of their starting back court as point guard Amir Martinez returns to run the show for a third season. The three new starters offer a fair among of promise for coach Matt O’Brien, namely junior Trevor Cole, whose debut season in 2023-24 was derailed by a season-ending knee injury right before the start of the season. At 6-4 with some length, Cole will offer a physical presence that will help cover for the void left by Brown.
Junior Colin Reitmann is an improved junior guard ready to take on a starting job in the back court with Martinez. Freshman Cayson Williams rounds out the starting five and will have a chance to make the kind of impact that Elijah and Brown made as freshmen, only with a more established, veteran core to help him settle in. The new talent allows junior Ben Morales, sophomore Christian Brown and Christian Baskerville to stay in their bench roles, in which Brown did well in averaging better than five points and two assists. The presence of Elijah in the middle, a senior point guard and some high-ceiling talent around the rest of the roster is reason for excitement and if the Huskies can avoid stumbling out of the blocks, they could be in for a big year.
Matawan at a Glance
Head Coach: Matt O’Brien, third season
2023-24 Record: 10-15 (4-7 crossover; 2-3, fourth in Class A Coastal)
Key Losses: Chris Galasso (6-0, Guard), Cameron Cooper (6-0, Guard), BrianCharles Gagneron (5-9, Guard), Colin Chechel (6-2, Forward), Chauncey Brown (Sr., 6-3, Guard; transferred to College Achieve)
Projected Lineup (with 2023-24 stats)
Returning Starters in Bold
Amir Martinez, Sr., 5-10, Guard (9.4 points, 2.5 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.8 steals)
Colin Reitmann, Jr., 5-11, Guard
Jayden Elijah, Sr., 6-8, Center (15.0 points, 13.8 rebounds, 3.1 blocks)
Trevor Cole, Jr., 6-4, Guard/Forward
Cayson Williams, Fr., 6-4, Forward
Off the Bench
Ben Morales, Jr., 5-8, Guard (3.6 points)
Christian Brown, So., 5-11, Guard (5.4 points, 1.6 rebounds, 2.4 assists)
Christian Baskerville, 6-0, So., Guard
Welman Crooms, Jr., 6-0, Guard
Daamir Darby, Sr., 6-3, Forward
2. Henry Hudson
There were many reasons to be excited during Henry Hudson’s best season in decades, but perhaps the most exciting part of the breakout 2023-24 season was that almost the entire team was due to return in 2024-25. Henry Hudson cracked 20 wins for the first time in more than three decades, won its first division title since 1989 and reached the NJSIAA Central Jersey Group I semifinals for the first time since 1997 – all with a team that started just one senior and played only two.
Although the team looks almost the same as it did a year ago, the offseason was an eventful one for the Admirals. Shore Conference leading scorer Jack Fitzpatrick began the 2024-25 school year at College Achieve in Asbury Park before transferring back to Henry Hudson. With two transfers, Fitzpatrick will have to sit out for the first 30 days of the season, which gives him a target of Jan. 9 vs. Matawan at home for a season debut.
With Fitzpatrick back and a proven supporting cast around him, Henry Hudson will be a contender in the Class B Coastal division and Central Jersey Group I. College Achieve obliterated the competition in Group I last year but is no longer qualified as an NJSIAA-Tournament-eligible team, which opens up the CJ I field in 2025. Junior Mike Fitzpatrick, sophomore JoJo Newell and junior Kevin Pharo give the Admirals a well-rounded returning starting group, while Billy Quinn moves into the starting five. Junior transfer Masio Tucker and Phinn Kozic provide some additional size and will step up while Jack Fitzpatrick waits to become eligible. Once Jack Fitzpatrick is back, Henry Hudson will begin its march back toward the postseason.
Henry Hudson at a Glance
Head Coach: Brian Kelly, fifth season
2023-24 Record: 21-5 (8-2 crossover; 3-1, first in Class A Central)
Key Losses: Jeremy Way (5-11, Guard), Damyon Sparks-Edwards (6-2, Forward)
Projected Lineup (with 2023-24 stats)
Returning starters in bold
Michael Fitzpatrick, Jr., 6-2, Guard (7.8 points, 3.2 rebounds, 3.3 assists)
Jack Fitzpatrick, Sr., 6-3, Guard (22.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.8 steals)
Billy Quinn, Jr., 5-9, Guard (4.5 points, 2.3 rebounds, 1.6 assists)
JoJo Newell, So., 6-3, Forward (10.6 points, 10.5 rebounds, 1.4 blocks)
Kevin Pharo, Sr., 6-4, Forward (5.8 points, 7.4 rebounds,
Off the Bench
Phinn Kozic, Sr., 6-2, Forward
Blakely Smith, Jr., 5-10, Guard
Masio Tucker, Jr., 6-5, Forward – Transfer from Longwood (N.Y.)
3. Middletown North
The winners of the first ever boys basketball Coaches Cup, Middletown North is hoping for bigger and better things in 2025. Playing against a loaded Class A North and Class B North group in divisional and crossover play saddled the Lions with an 0-10 record in those games in 2023-24, but it sharpened their edges for all of their other games (12-5). There was a solid senior presence on last year’s team, but two of team’s best players are back in 2024-25 and the division slate sets Middletown North up to win more often in the season to come.
Colin Byrne is coming off an impressive all-around junior season that has him set up for an even bigger showing as a senior. Junior running mate Eddie Lopez is one of the Shore’s more unique talents at 6-6 with exceptional shooting prowess and developing athleticism – all of which is on hold while Lopez recovers from a foot injury that will keep him out of action until sometime after the calendar turns to 2025, according to coach Chris Hoffman. Junior Braden Marcotte is another returnee to the lineup at point guard who will, eventually, have a pair of reliable options to find while running the offense.
Lopez’s absence – as well as that of junior Owen Robson, who is expected to miss the season – will open the door for a collection of new starters to step up. Seniors Jac Colantino and Damien Merker are ready for a promotion to the starting five, with Merker providing size at 6-4 and Colantino out on the perimeter. Sophomore Nate Tyburczy is the fifth starter after he got a taste of varsity action as a freshman, giving Middletown North a strong starting group with a deep bench heading into a promising season that should be played with division title hopes.
Middletown North at a Glance
Head Coach: Chris Hoffman, second season
2023-24 Record: 12-15 (0-10 crossover; 0-5, sixth in Class B North)
Key Losses: Jay Quardt (Guard, 5-8), Luke Sheehan (6-3, Guard), Jack Walsh (6-2, Guard), Isiah Ellis (6-5, Center)
Projected Lineup (with 2023-24 stats)
Returning Starters in Bold
Braden Marcotte, Jr., 5-10, Guard (3.5 points, 1.7 rebounds, 1.2 assists)
Colin Byrne, Sr., 6-2, Guard (10.8 points, 5.5 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 1.3 blocks)
Jac Colantino, Sr., 5-8, Guard
Nate Tyburczy, So., 5-9, Guard
Damien Merker, Sr., 6-4, Forward (1.0 points, 1.5 rebounds)
Off the Bench
Eddie Lopez, Jr., 6-6, Guard (10.8 points, 7.4 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.3 blocks)
Joe Grasso, Sr., 6-4, Forward
Jack Dambaugh, Jr., 6-3, Forward
Matt Dickie, Jr., 5-9, Guard
Jack Kelly, Jr., 5-9, Guard
Matt Byrne, So., 5-7, Guard
Mason Lisotto, So., 5-9, Guard
Doc Colantino, So., 5-9, Guard
Steven Huynh, So., 5-7, Guard
Owen Robson, Jr., 6-1, Guard – Injured; out for season (3.0 points, 1.3 rebounds)
4. Raritan
Last season was the definition of a rebuilding year for Raritan, which graduated five starters from its 2022-23 team that went 21-3 and reached the semifinals of both the Shore Conference Tournament and the Central Group II Playoffs – losing to eventual champion Manasquan in both. In addition to a very different roster, Raritan also had a first-year head coach in Marc Rosner, who is back for year No. 2 with a far more experienced roster than the one he guided during his maiden voyage as a head coach.
Despite the loss of leading scorer Alex Garguilo and starter Cam Gabloff, the Rockets bring back four players with starting experience from a group that grew more competitive over the course of the season. Senior guard Sean Burnett exhibited toughness to go with some production in his first year in the starting back court, as did a pair of frontcourt options – junior Ian Mullan and Alan Warren. Those three combined to average 11 rebounds as first-year starters, giving the Rockets a foundation that fits their traditional team personality.
Senior Zavier Nunez and junior James Dillon are slated for the other two starting spots, with sophomore Eric Berg and junior Anthony Fazioli bringing some experience off the bench. Mario Diamantis will be a freshman to watch and there will be chances for him to showcase his ability for a team that has some scoring questions amid a group of hard-working role-players from a year ago. With a year of experience for the players and their head coach, plus a lighter division schedule, Raritan will have a chance to climb back above .500, with a reasonable shot to challenge for the division title as well.
Raritan at a Glance
Head Coach: Marc Rosner, second season
2023-24 Record: 4-18 (2-9 crossover; 1-4, fifth in Class A Coastal)
Key Losses: Alex Garguilo (6-0, Guard), Cam Gabloff (Jr., 6-0, Guard)
Projected Lineup (with 2023-24 stats)
Returning Starters in Bold
Sean Burnett, Sr., 5-8, Guard (6.4 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 2.2 steals)
James Dillon, Jr., 5-9, Guard (1.7 points, 1.4 rebounds, 1.0 assists)
Xavier Nunez, Sr., 5-10, Guard (2.0 points, 1.1 rebounds)
Alan Warren, Sr., 6-1, Forward/Center (3.9 points, 3.5 rebounds, 1.0 assists)
Ian Mullan, Jr., 6-2, Forward/Center (6.4 points, 3.5 rebounds, 0.9 blocks)
Off the Bench
Eric Berg, So., 6-0, Forward (2.7 points, 1.9 rebounds)
Cole Tishler, Sr., 6-0, Center
Anthony Fazioli, Jr., 5-11, Guard/Forward (2.7 points)
Connor Lee, Jr., 6-1, Forward/Center
Mario Diamantis, Fr., 5-10, Guard
5. Keyport
Keyport endured a more gradual loss of talent to graduation than what Raritan experienced, but last year was nevertheless a challenge for the Red Raiders after a pair of deep runs into the Central Jersey Group I Playoffs. The 8-15 record was not the success Keyport had grown accustomed to in recent years, but the Red Raiders were successful in piecing together a core of players who are ready to get back to winning this season.
Senior Nico Dispenza leads the group of returning starters after going off for nearly 18 points per game last year – better than all but two returning Shore Conference players (Henry Hudson’s Jack Fitzpatrick and Central’s Jaycen Santucci). Classmates Andrei Matthews and Brayan Rodriguez are also back in the starting lineup, with Matthews averaging just under 10 points and Rodriguez leading the team in assists and steals while trailing only 2024 graduate Ryan Burns in rebounding.
Keyport will welcome in a pair of Red Bank transfers in Kai Arrington and Demetrius Attia, who will have a chance to impact the Red Raiders at the varsity level – including a likely starting gig for Arrington. Chris Herrara is another sophomore who will play a key role in plugging one of the open starting roles, while seniors Jeremiah Rivera and Tariq Walker will be key pieces in the rotation as well. With more experience heading into the season than it had a year ago, Keyport is set up to be a better team with a chance to post a better record – even in a more difficult division than the one in which the Red Raiders have resided.
Keyport at a Glance
Head Coach: Phil Recco, 20th season
2023-24 Record: 8-15 (5-5 crossover; 2-2, third in Class A Central)
Key Losses: Mike Nichols (6-0, Guard), Ryan Burns (6-2, Forward)
Projected Lineup (with 2023-24 stats)
Returning Starters in Bold
Brayan Rodriguez, Sr., 5-7, Guard (2.8 points, 4.6 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 2.7 steals)
Andrei Matthews, Sr., 6-0, Guard (9.9 points, 3.6 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 2.3 steals)
Kai Arrington, Jr., 6-0, Guard – Transfer from Red Bank
Nico Dispenza, Sr., 5-11, Guard/Forward (17.9 points, 4.5 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 1.4 steals)
Chris Herrara, So., 6-1, Forward
Off the Bench
Jeremiah Rivera, Sr., 5-8, Guard
Tariq Walker, Sr., 6-0, Forward
Jermaine Bardon, Jr., 5-9, Guard
John Covert, Jr., 5-7, Guard
Demetrius Attia, So., 6-1, Forward – Transfer from Red Bank
6. Keansburg
A more difficult division schedule this season will put the Titans to the test in 2024-25, so it is a good thing Keansburg boasts a roster with five returning starters from a year ago. Not only was Keansburg dealing with a lack of seniors on the team beyond Jadiel Borges; the Titans were relying heavily on sophomores. With a group of seniors and juniors this time around, Keansburg will be better set up to deal with a division that won’t have any easy wins within its confines.
A’son Young is the team’s top returning scorer after a strong debut as a sophomore and second-year coach Ryan Waltz would gladly take an encore from his talented junior. Ultimately, though, Keansburg would like to see the rest of its lineup take some of the scoring load off Young. The backcourt trio of senior Ja’zier Wynn and juniors I’shon Young and Milan Marz will be the perimeter threats, with senior Gary Friberg providing support in the front court.
The return of the entire starting lineup should bolster the depth of the rotation as well – a must for Keansburg as the Titans prepare for their toughest division slate since they were in a division with the likes of Ranney, Mater Dei Prep, Point Pleasant Beach and St. Rose a half-decade ago.
Keansburg at a Glance
Head Coach: Ryan Waltz, second season
2023-24 Record: 3-18 (1-9 crossover; 1-3, fourth in Class A Central)
Key Losses: Jadiel Borges (Guard)
Projected Lineup
Returning Starters in Bold
I’shon Young, Jr., 5-8, Guard
Ja’zier Wynn, Sr., 5-10, Guard
Milan Mraz, Jr., 5-9, Guard
A’son Young, Jr., 6-1, Forward
Gary Friberg, Sr., 6-1, Forward
Off the Bench
Preston Smith, Sr., 5-10, Guard/Forward
Matt Cerretta, Jr., 5-7, Guard
Jaivon Conklin-Thomas, Jr., 6-2, Center
Devin Levine, Jr., 5-10, Forward/Guard
Marcus Fernandez, Jr., 5-9, Forward/Guard
Joshwa Sanchez, So., 5-7, Guard
Division Starting Five
Jack Fitzpatrick, Henry Hudson
Colin Byrne, Middletown North
Jayden Elijah, Matawan
Nico Dispenza, Keyport
JoJo Newell, Henry Hudson
In the Rotation
Eddie Lopez, Middletown North
Amir Martinez, Matawan
A’Son Young Keansburg
Sean Burnett, Raritan
Ian Mullan, Raritan
