Boys Basketball 2024-25 Preview: Class B North
Two-thirds of the Class B North division are teams from the Class A Central and B Central divisions in 2023-24, which were home to some of the smaller-school teams of the Shore Conference, as well as some of the Group II and III teams with lower power-point totals in prior years. One of the other teams in the division is Long Branch, which finished at the bottom of the Class A Coastal division last season. With those five teams, each of them could be fairly optimistic about winning a division title in 2024-25.
Unfortunately for those five teams, one of these six teams is not like the other. While most of Class B North is comprised of small schools or rebuilding mid-sized schools, Freehold Boro stands out as a Group III team that returns three major pieces from a team that played all the way to the final game of the 2023-24 season as the group runner-up. The Colonials are the overwhelming favorite in the division, although Shore deserves a tip of the cap for winning 40 games combined over the past two seasons and coming close to a sectional title in Central Jersey Group I.
Freehold Boro is likely to coast to a division title as long as the Colonials stay healthy, so the drama will be how far the Colonials can go in the postseason as a defending sectional champion, as well as how quickly teams like Shore, Monmouth, Ocean and Long Branch can restock their teams.
In predicted order of finish
1. Freehold Boro
Heading into the 2024 NJSIAA Tournament, Freehold Boro was having what might have been the most nondescript 19-7 season imaginable. The Colonials finished behind Holmdel and St. John Vianney in their division race, lost to St. Rose in the Shore Conference Tournament round of 16 and did not have a marquee win on their résumé. Then, Freehold Boro turned its season from underwhelming to unreal. The Colonials went on a postseason tear that culminated with them winning their first NJSIAA sectional championship in 51 years and ended in the Group III final on the final day of the season.
After playing in the final game of the 2023-24 boys basketball season in New Jersey, the Colonials are hungry to get back to the state final and will certainly have the star-power to do it. Freehold Boro’s top three scorers all return and all three- Brian Tassey, Aidan Hamlin-Woolfolk and Qua’Mir Everett – are 6-foot-4 and above with perimeter skills that make all of them match-up nightmares for opponents. Tassey, in particular, is a problem because of his play-making ability that sets up teammates, which frees up Hamlin-Woolfolk and Everett to attack – which they are very good at doing.
Freehold Boro’s ceiling this season lies with its supporting cast, which will have its hands full replacing a trio of guards who graduated last spring. The largest void is the one left by four-year starting point guard Christian DiGiso, but Freehold Boro will also miss the tenacious defense and intangibles of Sam Cranwell and a capable bench production of Will Hon. Junior Damier Lester figures to jump into the starting five after coming off the bench as a sophomore during Freehold Boro’s postseason run. The other starting spot is where the competition is, with juniors Mike Cush, Joe Haney and Cade Cascone in the mix along with a collection of seniors.
Moving into the Class B North division gives Freehold Boro a far more forgiving division schedule than the one the Colonials played a year ago. To counter that, they are facing a much tougher non-division schedule this year, including games vs. Christian Brothers Academy, Manasquan, Rumson-Fair Haven, Rutgers Prep, Wildwood Catholic and Southern Regional. Like last season, Freehold Boro will be tested heading into the postseason and whether or not the Colonials make some more noise in January this season, the goal will be to once again hit their stride at the end of February in order to play deep into March.
Freehold Boro at a Glance
Head Coach: Ben DiBiase, 15th season
2023-24 Record: 24-8 (7-4 crossover; 3-2, third in Class A Coastal)
Key Losses: Christian DiGiso (6-0, Guard), Sam Cranwell (6-1, Guard), Will Hon (5-10, Guard)
Projected Lineup (with 2023-24 stats)
Returning Starters in Bold
Mike Cush, Jr., 6-1, Guard (3.8 points)
Brian Tassey, Sr., 6-5, Guard/Forward (12.1 points, 6.1 rebounds, 4.7 assists, 1.1 steals, 2.1 blocks)
Damier Lester, Jr., 6-2, Guard/Forward (2.0 points, 1.4 rebounds)
Aidan Hamlin-Woolfolk, Sr., 6-5, Forward (12.0 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 1.2 steals, 1.0 blocks)
Qua’Mir Everett, Sr., 6-4, Forward (10.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.1 steals, 1.1 blocks)
Off the Bench
Joe Haney, Jr., 6-1, Guard/Forward
Cade Cascone, Jr., 5-7, Guard
Zahkey Jeter, Sr., 6-2, Forward
MyKing Ridley-Artis, Sr., 5-10, Guard
San Sawiris, Sr., 6-1, Forward
Cole Hurley, Sr., 5-11, Guard
Max Girandola, Jr., 5-9, Guard – Transfer from Freehold Twp.
2. Shore
While everything broke Freehold Boro’s way during its march toward a long-awaited sectional championship, Shore ran into some unfortunate circumstances while coming painfully close to Central Jersey Group I titles in both 2023 and 2024. The Blue Devils lost by one score on the road to Eagle Academy in the 2023 sectional final and last season, they lost to a College Achieve team that withdrew from the NJSIAA after running roughshod through last year’s state tournament with a roster of players from all around the state.
The conditions might be more conducive for an upstart to win the Central Group I title, but the timing is not ideal for Shore. The Blue Devils graduate four starters for the second straight season, which will again test the depth of their Group I program. Senior Bryce Crowe was the lone junior starter on last year’s squad and junior Andrew Barham grew into a key role as a sophomore, but the rest of the production will have to come from players who had either a modest role or a sub-varsity role.
Junior Finn Watson also got varsity time as his sophomore season advanced, so Shore will have three starters with a base of experience going into the season. Sophomore Maddox Paulin is ready to bring some shooting to the floor, while juniors Jasias Colon and Ryan Barham will elevate into more playing time. There are a lot of unknown elements on the roster, but Shore will remain a threat in Central Jersey Group I if the Blue Devils can improve during the 2024-25 regular season.
Head Coach: Erik Mazur, seventh season
2023-24 Record: 19-9 (8-2 crossover; 4-1, second in Class B Central)
Key Losses: Alex George (6-2, Guard), Joe Santi (6-0, Guard), Dom DiFiore (6-2, Forward), Gianni Fiumefreddo (6-4, Forward), Tyler Jackson (5-9, Guard)
Projected Lineup (with 2023-24 stats)
Returning Starters in Bold
Bryce Crowe, Sr., 6-0, Guard (7.6 points, 2.1 rebounds)
Maddox Paulin, So., 6-0, Guard
Andrew Barham, Jr., 6-2, Guard (1.9 points)
Finn Watson, Jr., 6-1, Guard (1.6 points)
Jasias Colon, Jr., 6-2, Forward
Off the Bench
Ryan Barham, Jr., 6-2, Guard
Gus Nohilly-Hicks, Sr., 6-2, Forward
Kyle Trimble, Sr., 5-9, Guard
Kedo Sayson, So., 5-7, Guard
Tim Decker, So., 5-11, Guard
Jayden Cox, Jr., 6-3, Forward
Jack Kelley, Sr., 6-5, Center
Lucas Stanziale, Sr., 6-0, Guard
Kaua Costa-Pereira, Sr., 6-1, Guard
Preston Furman, Jr., 5-10, Guard
3. Monmouth
In battling its way to 12-12 in 2023-24, Monmouth maintained excitement about a bright future thanks to a talented junior group centered around talented 6-3 wing Ahmir Wiggins. In the offseason, however, Wiggins moved to North Carolina, senior guard James Curley transferred to College Achieve in Asbury Park and suddenly, a team that figured to bring back four starters now brings back just one.
The silver lining for Monmouth is its lone returning starter is a very important one. Junior Jaylen Reeves is back at point guard after positioning himself as one of the Shore Conference’s leaders in assists while also providing some scoring, rebounding and defense. Although Reeves will not have most of the cast of players who helped him finish off those assists, junior Michael Griffin is one option who remains. Griffin was one of Monmouth’s top three-point threats as a sophomore and will be a top scorer again this season.
Sophomore Logan Conrad is ready for an enhanced role in the front court, which he will share with 6-3 junior Charles Tinsley. Junior Judah Uter is in line to round out the starting five, with sophomores Javon Bowles and Samuel Jackson positioning themselves for important roles off the bench or next up as starters. Monmouth will have a younger lineup than anticipated this season, but the Falcons have been young in recent years and managed to make progress. In Class B North, there is still an opportunity for Monmouth to finish .500 again.
Monmouth at a Glance
Head Coach: Jeff Sfraga, eighth season
2023-24 Record: 12-12 (6-4 crossover; 2-3, third in Class B Central)
Key Losses: Andrew English (6-4, Center), Daniel Kikta (6-2, Forward), James Curley (sr., 6-0, Guard; transferred to College Achieve), Ahmir Wiggins (Jr., 6-3, Guard/Forward)
Projected Lineup (with 2023-24 stats)
Returning Starters in Bold
Jaylin Reeves, Jr., 5-9, Guard (7.9 points, 3.8 rebounds, 4.4 assists, 2.4 steals)
Michael Griffin, Jr., 5-10, Guard (5.4 points, 1.3 rebounds)
Judah Uter, Jr., 5-10, Guard
Logan Conrad, So., 6-0, Guard (1.1 points, 2.3 rebounds)
Charles Tinsley, Jr., 6-3, Forward
Off the Bench
Javon Bowles, So., 5-10, Guard
Samuel Jackson, So., 6-0, Forward
Beckett Langdon, Jr., 5-10, Guard
Ryan Corwin, Fr., 5-10, Guard
Aiden Trocchia, 5-10, Forward
4. Ocean
The Spartans climbed to 10 wins last season behind the play of their standout duo of Keith Allen and Aidan Saint Louis, the latter of whom is back this season as the top returning scorers in the division by points-per game. Despite that, Ocean lost most of its scoring from a year ago, not only in Allen, but also with the graduations of Devin Simms, Liam Yefet and Lu Salvatore.
The Spartans will need many of its returnees to progress quickly during the early stages of 2024-25 and coach Ryan Pringle will have some options after most of last year’s team got a chance to see the varsity floor. Seniors Noah Nguyen and Niall Tantrum are the other returning starters and classmate Oliver Aiello is also in line to start. Vernon Taylor leads a group of juniors who are ready for regular roles, with classmates Jameson McAllister and Mickey McGovern also in the mix. Senior Michael Manginiello will also add some size at 6-3 in the rotation.
Ocean will hope a new young core emerges to complement its junior group, led by sophomore Justice Hodges. During a nine-game sample in 2023-24, Hodges averaged a shade better than four points per game and will be joined by sophomore Jack Bell and freshman Brody Bell as young Spartans looking to make an impact.
Ocean at a Glance
Head Coach: Ryan Pringle, fifth season
2023-24 Record: 10-16 (4-6 crossover; 2-3, tied fourth in Class B Central)
Key Losses: Keith Allen (6-0, Guard), Devon Simms (6-4, Forward), Liam Yefet (6-4, Forward)
Projected Lineup (with 2023-24 stats)
Returning Starters in Bold
Oliver Aiello, Sr., 5-10, Guard
Noah Nguyen, Sr., 5-6, Guard (1.3 points, 1.2 assists)
Niall Tantrum, Sr., 6-3, Guard/Forward (2.0 points)
Aidan Saint Louis, Jr., 6-2, Guard/Forward (12.6 points, 5.5 rebounds, 2.2 assists)
Vernon Taylor, Jr., 6-1, Guard/Forward (2.3 points, 1.5 rebounds)
Off the Bench
Jameson McAllister, Jr., 5-9, Guard (2.5 points)
Mickey McGovern, Jr., 5-11, Guard (1.0 points, 1.6 rebounds)
Michael Manginiello, Sr., 6-3, Forward
Justice Hodges, So., 5-8, Guard (4.2 points, 1.1 rebounds)
Brody Bell, Fr., 5-8, Guard
Jack Bell, So., 5-11, Guard
Eddie Greco, Sr., 5-11, Guard
John McLaren, Sr., 6-0, Guard
John Aldarelli, Sr., 6-0, Guard
Zahir Higgins Kirk, Sr., 5-7, Guard
Wilgens Dormeus, Jr., 5-11, Guard
Daniel Dos Santos, Jr., 6-3, Forward
Giovanni Cocozza, So., 5-11, Guard/Forward
5. Long Branch
Head Coach: Darnell Tyler, fifth season
2023-24 Record: 4-19 (1-10 crossover; 0-5, sixth place in Class A Coastal)
Key Losses: Peter Da Cruz (6-6, Forward), Jahki Willis (6-2, Forward), Jermandy Rosado (5-10, Guard), Richard Rivera (5-10, Guard)
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6. Asbury Park
Head Coach: Caleb Correa, first season
2023-24 Record: 0-21 (0-10 crossover; 0-4, fifth in Class A Central)
Key Losses: Shyhiam Barnes (6-1, Forward)
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Class B North Starting Five
Jaylen Reeves, Monmouth
Brian Tassey, Freehold Boro
Aidan Hamlin-Woolfolk, Freehold Boro
Qua’Mir Everett, Freehold Boro
Aidan Saint Louis, Ocean
In the Rotation
Bryce Crowe, Shore
Michael Griffin, Monmouth
