Ranney, Rumson lead Shore Conference Boys Basketball By John Sorce

Ranney was the top team in the Shore this season in boys basketball. The Panthers won their first-ever Shore Conference Tournament title and advanced to the Public B final, where they lost by two points to Roselle Catholic. 

Ranney (28-5, 14-0) won the division title in B Central, with Mater Dei (23-6, 12-2) finishing second. 

Ranney was led by a duo of juniors who are two of the top recruits in the country for the Class of 2019. Bryan Antoine, a five-star recruit according to ESPN and the seventh player in the Class of 2019, led the Panthers with 676 points and 21.1 points per game. Scottie Lewis, another ESPN five-star recruit and the eighth player in the Class of 2019, averaged 16.4 points and 5.5 rebounds per game. 

Seniors Kyle Cardaci and Kenny Jones averaged 14.1 points per game for Mater Dei, which saw their season at the hands of Ranney in the Non-Public B South semifinals. Junior Alexander Rice, who transferred from St. Anthony’s and is the son of Monmouth University head coach King Rice, contributed with 11.6 points and 202 boards per game. 

Rumson-Fair Haven won A Central, going 25-3 overall and an undefeated 12-0 division record. Matawan was the only other team in A Central to finish over .500 in the division, going 20-6 and 10-2. Junior Ian O’Connor led the Bulldogs in scoring at 15.1 points per game, while Vanderbilt football commit Elijah McAllister averaged 8.9 rebounds and 5.2 blocks per game. Rumson had a run to the Group 2 semifinals, where the Bulldogs fell to Haddonfield by four points. Senior Michael Dunne led Matawan with 15.5 points per game. He also recorded 7.6 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 2.5 steals per game. The Huskies lost to Lincoln in the first round of the Central Group 2 tournament. 

There was a trio of dominant teams in A North, with Neptune (22-6, 13-1) claiming the regular season title. Christian Brothers Academy finished second at 17-8, 12-2, while Colts Neck finished third at 19-8, 10-4. Jared Kimbrough led Neptune with 14.9 points and 3.4 rebounds per game. The Scarlet Fliers saw their season end to Moorestown in the semifinals of the Group 3 tournament. Junior Stephen Braunstein was the leading scorer for CBA, averaging 17.3 points per game, while junior Josh Cohen was second at 15.1. The Colts fell to Red Bank Catholic in the quarterfinals of the Non-Public A South tournament. Senior Dan Gaines led Colts Neck with 16.9 points per game. The Cougars were upset by Trenton by one point in the Central Jersey Group 4 final. 

Toms River North won A South at 25-5, and went 14-0 in divisional play. Toms River East finished second at 13-11 and 10-5. Senior Travis Holland led Toms River North with 15 points per game. He also tallied seven rebounds and 2.2 steals per game. The Mariners lost to Atlantic City in the semifinals of the South Jersey, Group 4 tournament. Senior Nick Silvia led Toms River East with 15.3 points per game. The Raiders lost to Mainland in the first round of the South Jersey, Group 3 Tournament. 

Manasquan claimed the B North title with a 20-7, 12-2 record. Red Bank Catholic finished second at 18-11 and 9-5. Junior Brad McCabe led the Warriors with 15.7 points per game. He also added 5.2 rebounds per game. Manasquan lost to Lincoln in the quarterfinal round of the Central Jersey, Group 2 Tournament. Red Bank Catholic was led this season by sophomore Charlie Gordinier, who averaged 13.8 points and 5.8 rebounds per game. The Caseys fell to St. Joseph Metuchen in the Non-Public A South tournament semifinals. 

Point Boro won B South at 16-7, 11-3 with Lakewood finishing second (14-11, 10-3). The Panthers were led by Connor Costigan, who averaged 15.9 points per game. Point Boro lost to Medford Tech in the first round of the South Jersey, Group 2 tournament. Lakewood was led by senior Kevin Dent, who averaged 13.1 points per game. The Piners lost to Ocean Township in the first round of the Central Jersey, Group 3 tournament.