CAPE MAY COUNTY BOYS BASKETBALL PREVIEW

Posted: December 13th 2023

By BRIAN CUNNIFF

CapeAtlanticLive.com

A new high school boys basketball season is set to begin Thursday.

If it’s anything like last season, it’s sure going to be fun.

Here in Cape May County, defending South Jersey Group II champion Middle Township brings back nearly all of its players, leading many to believe the Panthers are the team to beat in the Cape-Atlantic League.

Lower Cape May and Wildwood also have a good amount of players back from teams that won 18 and 23 games, respectively, and Ocean City returns three starters from a team that reached the South Jersey Group III title game.

Wildwood Catholic lost a big-time scorer to graduation but brings back most of the rest of its players, along with the addition of a heralded transfer.

Let the games begin.

The following is a look at each of Cape May County’s high school boys basketball teams:

Junior Chance Ginyard (left) and senior Ben Lynch are two of the key players for the Cape May Tech boys basketball team this winter.

CAPE MAY TECH

Head coach: Sam Picketts (fourth season, 7-47 career)

Assistant coaches: Travis Amstutz, Ray Brown

Last season: 1-19

Varsity returnees: Seniors - Ben Lynch (6-0 F), Colin Gery (5-9 G), Tyler Dille (5-8 G), Ron Neenhold (5-11 F); Juniors - Chance Ginyard (5-8 G), Alec Dooley (6-5 F).

Varsity newcomers: Seniors - Henry O’Brien (5-9 F), Lucas Woolcock (6-0 F); Junior - Trevor Frey (5-10 G); Sophomores - Amine Cherifi (6-1 F), Paul Simmerman (6-2 F), Eidian Valez (5-11 G); Freshman - Logan Veras (6-1 F).

Outlook: Without much experience and very little in the way of proven scoring returning from a 1-19 team, Cape May Tech is facing yet another rebuilding season. Forwards Ben Lynch (6.7 ppg) and Alec Dooley (5.5 ppg) and guard Colin Gery (5.6 ppg) will look to lead the Hawks into the new season. Cape May Tech will do its best to compete in the CAL United Conference. The Hawks have also scheduled some similarly rebuilding opponents in non-league games.

Season opener: Thursday vs. Vineland, 5:30 p.m.

Seniors (from left) Oguer Nunez, Auri Wright, Amir Clarke and Macky Bonner hope to lead an undersized but quick Lower Cape May team to a division title this winter.

LOWER CAPE MAY

Head coach: Scott Holden (14th season, 151-182 career)

Assistant coaches: Gary Douglass, Pat Holden, John “Champ” McGaffney, Rocco Sansone

Last season: 18-8

Varsity returnees: Seniors - Macky Bonner (5-11 G), Auri Wright (5-8 G), Oguer Nunez (5-10 G); Junior - Brayden Melo (5-11 G); Sophomores - Ty Bonner ( 5-9 G), John Fenrandez (5-9 G).

Varsity newcomers: Senior - Amir Clarke (6-0 F); Junior - Mason Cronin (6-2 F); Sophomore - Josh Gretta (5-9 G); Freshmen - Ryan Mallon (5-6 G), Cole Sedlerland (5-9 G).

Outlook: After an 18-win campaign last winter, Lower brings back a proven scorer in senior four-year starter Macky Bonner (13.5 ppg, 39 three-pointers), who is one of the top point guards in the CAL. His younger brother, Ty Bonner (7.3 ppg, 35 three-pointers) also returns, along with another senior with loads of experience in Auri Wright. Senior Oguer Nunez, junior Brayden Melo and sophomore John Fenandez should also see increased roles, giving Lower its deepest team in quite a few years. The Tigers also get a boost from sophomore transfer Josh Gretta, who has already shown scoring ability in the preseason. A guard-heavy group, Lower Cape May will attempt to play with pace on both ends of the floor in an effort to negate the size advantages of many of its opponents. With Mainland having moved out of the CAL United Conference, Lower Cape May could be in position to compete for the conference title, with Absegami seen as its biggest obstacle. 

Season opener: Saturday vs. Hammonton at Ocean City, 1:45 p.m.

Defending South Jersey champion Middle Township looks for more success during the 2023-24 season behind seniors (from left) Re'Ale Basquin, Jermaine "Bubba McNeil, Anthony Trombetta and Michael Zarfati. 

MIDDLE TOWNSHIP

Head coach: LaMarr Greer (third season, 37-20 career)

Assistant coaches: Ryan Babnew, Frank Brown, Ben Green, Marcus Harmon, LaMarr Greer Jr., Charlie McNeal, Brendan Norris

Last season: 20-12, South Jersey Group II champions, CAL Playoff Tournament semifinalist

Varsity returnees: Seniors - Jermaine “Bubba” McNeil (5-10 G), Anthony Trombetta (5-10 G), Re’Ale Basquin (6-6 F), Michael Zarfati (6-2 (G/F); Juniors - Jamir McNeil (6-0 G), Aydan Howell (5-10 G); Sophomore - Chase Moore (6-4 F).

Varsity newcomers: Juniors - Riley Powell (6-7 F), Amir Elston (6-1 G).

Outlook: With all five starters returning and significantly increased depth, Middle Township should again be one of the top teams in both the CAL and across South Jersey. Three players – Bubba McNeil (15.4 ppg), Jamir McNeil (11.4 ppg) and Re’Ale Basquin (10.2 ppg, 8.3 rpg) – averaged in double figures in scoring last season and should be able to do the same in 2023-24. Anthony Trombetta (8.8 ppg) can also put the ball in the basket. Players such as Chase Moore (a returning starter), Riley Powell and Aydan Howell, who each could be standouts on other teams, are excellent role players. Middle also gets a boost with the return of Michael Zarfati, who missed all of last season with a knee injury after playing major varsity minutes as a sophomore. With solid guard play and three players in its rotation who stand 6-4 or taller, Middle is considered by many to be the team to beat in the CAL and a favorite to win the CAL Playoff Tournament. The Panthers also are going to be an extremely tough out in the South Jersey Group II Tournament, although a loaded Camden team would be considered the favorite there. Middle will again play a very difficult non-league schedule.

Season opener: Saturday vs. Lenape at Cherokee, 5:30 p.m.

Ocean City's Dylan Schlatter

OCEAN CITY

Head coach: John Bruno (35th season, 464-388 career)

Assistant coach: Tom Ballezzi, Ryan Gill

Last season: 15-13, South Jersey Group III finalist

Varsity returnees: Seniors - Kori Segich (6-3 F), Dylan Schlatter (6-1 G), Pat Grimley (6-2 F), Charlie LaBarre (5-11 G); Juniors - Ben McGonigle (5-8 G), 

Varsity newcomers: Senior - J.R. Gilchrist (5-8 G); Juniors - Colin Thompson (5-11 G), Jack Porter (6-1 F); Sophomore - Dean Lappin (5-9 G).

Outlook: Ocean City struggled at times last season with injuries and trying to compete in the ultra difficult CAL American Conference but the experience gained paid dividends at the end of the season, the Raiders winning three state playoff games and making a run all the way to the South Jersey Group III title game. With three key players back, Ocean City projects as one of the top teams in the conference this winter. Seniors Kori Segich (15.7 ppg) and Dylan Schaltter (10 ppg) are proven scorers, while senior Pat Grimley is a top rebounder who is expected to score more this season. Role players Charlie LaBarre, Ben McGonigle and Colin Thompson are also expected to contribute.

Season opener: Thursday vs. Wildwood Catholic, 6 p.m. (live video at CapeAtlanticLive.com and the Cape Atlantic Live Facebook page and YouTube channel)

Eight seniors lead the way for a Wildwood team that expects to win its share of games this season. They include (from left): top row - Lance Lillo, Josh Pintella, James Wyers, Harley Buscham; bottom row - Luke Basile, Jordan Fusik, Ryan Troiano, Junior Hans. 

WILDWOOD

Head coach: Scott McCracken (15th season, 209-132 career)

Assistant coaches: Rip Engle, Rich Hans, Tim Mahon, Bobby Mullholland, Joe Murray

Last season: 23-7, Tri-County Classic Division champions, South Jersey Group I semifinalist

Varsity returnees: Seniors - Junior Hans (5-11 G), Ryan Troiano (5-9 G), Jordan Fusik (5-7 G), Harley Buscham (6-0 G/F), Lance Lillo (6-2 F); Juniors - Brian Cunniff (6-1 G/F), Luke Basile (5-8 G), James Wyers (5-11 F). 

Varsity newcomers: Senior - Josh Pintella (5-11 F); Junior - Gavin Burns (5-7 G); Sophomore - Jordan Dozier (6-2 F); Freshman - Nolan Mawhinney (6-0 G/F).

Outlook: Wildwood brings back six of its top eight players from last season’s 23-win team that won a division title and a pair of state playoff games. Senior Junior Hans, already a career 1,000-point scorer and one of the top players in the Tri-County Conference who averaged 17.9 ppg last season, leads the Warriors. Defensive standout Ryan Troiano, Jordan Fusik (10.6 ppg, 48 three-pointers) and Harley Buscham were also starters last season and Brian Cunniff should see an increased role after playing off the bench last season. Transfer Josh Pintella is expected to help inside despite being undersized. The Warriors lost their two top rebounders, one to graduation and one to transfer, and are extremely guard heavy without much of an interior presence. Despite its lack of size, the team’s experience should allow it to compete well against most of the teams on its schedule. Wildwood has the potential to compete for the division title in an underrated Tri-County Classic Division and make a nice run in the South Jersey Group I Tournament.

Season opener: Thursday at Overbrook, 5:30 p.m.

Five seniors lead the way for a Wildwood Catholic team that hopes for a winning season. They include (from left): top row - Kyelle Ruiz, Kelshaun Russell, Anthony Edwwardi; bottom row - Charlie Dunner, Patrick Bean.

WILDWOOD CATHOLIC

Head Coach: Will Wareham (second season, 9-18 career)

Assistant coaches: Fred Daniel, Andrew Draghi, Al Genz, Joe Wareham

Last season: 9-18

Varsity returnees: Seniors - Charlie Dunner (6-1 G), Pat Bean (6-0 G), Kelshaun Russell (5-9 G), Anthony Edwardi (6-2 F); Juniors - Tayshaun Jackson (6-1 G/F), Ryan McGrath (6-2 G).

Top newcomers: Senior - Kyelle Ruiz (6-0 G/F); Junior - Nahseer Ruiz (6-0 G/F); Sophomores - Alex Daniel (6-1 F), Calvin Kiker (5-8 G), Peyton Rosenello (5-11 G).

Outlook: Wildwood Catholic experienced a rough start to last season but rebounded with some nice upset wins over the last few weeks as players became more acclimated to their roles. The Crusaders will have to replace the immense production of the graduated Justin Harper, who averaged 22 points and 11 rebounds per game last season. Dunner, Bean and McGrath (41 three-pointers last season) are players who will be counted on to score, while Jackson will most likely serve as the team’s top defender. The Crusaders also get a boost from transfer Alex Daniel, who averaged 11 points and five rebounds per game as a freshman at Wildwood last season. Wildwood Catholic had difficulty competing in the juggernaut that was the Cape-Atlantic American Conference last season. But thanks to a bit more experience and some of the top CAL American teams losing talented players to graduation and transfer, Wildwood Catholic seems better positioned to compete in its conference games. With more experience and better depth, the Crusaders hope to challenge for a winning record.

Season opener: Thursday at Ocean City, 6 pm (live video at CapeAtlanticLive.com and the Cape Atlantic Live Facebook page and YouTube channel)