CAPE MAY COUNTY BOYS BASKETBALL PREVIEW

Posted: December 17th 2024

By BRIAN CUNNIFF

CapeAtlanticLive.com

It’s an early start to the regular season for high school basketball.

Most teams in Cape May County will begin Tuesday, which means they’ve had only about two weeks of official practice and a couple of scrimmages to prepare.

But ready or not, the regular season is here.

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

Seniors Alec Dooley (left) and Chance Ginyard lead Cape May Tech into the new season.

CAPE MAY TECH

Head coach: Phil Kelly (first season)

Assistant coaches: Ray Brown, John McGovern

Last season: 2-20

Varsity returnees: Seniors - Alec Dooley (6-4 F), Chance Ginyard (5-8 G); Juniors - Paul Simmerman (6-2 G/F), Amine Cherifi (6-1 G).

Varsity newcomers: Seniors - Austin Bigelow (6-1 F), Nick Kroesche (5-11 F); Junior - Eidian Valez (5-11 G); Sophomores - Teague Ludeman (5-9 G), Logan Veras (6-1 G).

Outlook: Phil Kelly takes over the program from Sam Picketts, who resigned after leading the program for four seasons. The Hawks have suffered through some tough seasons in recent years, so the school hopes the hiring of Kelly eventually leads to a turnaround. With just two players back with significant varsity experience in F Alec Dooley and G Chance Ginyard, this shapes up as another rebuilding season for the program. Numbers are also on the low side; Tech is not expected to field a junior varsity team this winter. The Hawks did schedule some smaller schools like themselves in non-league contests, which should help them compete.

Season opener: Tuesday at Schalick, 5:30 p.m.

Seniors Mason Cronin, Breckan Conley and Braydon Melo lead defending CAL United champion Lower Cape May.

LOWER CAPE MAY

Head coach: Scott Holden (15th season, 172-189 career)

Assistant coaches: Tom D’Urso, Pat Holden, John “Champ” McGaffney, Rocco Sansone

Last season: 21-7, Cape-Atlantic United Conference champions

Varsity returnees: Seniors - Breckan Conley (5-8 G), Mason Cronin (6-3 F), Brayden Melo (6-0 G); Juniors - Ty Bonner (5-9 G), John Fernandez (5-9 G), Josh Gretta (5-9 G).

Varsity newcomers: Sophomores - Ryan Mallon (5-6 G), Jose Ramos (5-10 G), Cole Sederland (5-11 G); Freshmen - Chris Hawes (6-0 G/F), Cooper Milligan (5-9 G).

Outlook: Lower Cape May lost 1,000-point scorer Macky Bonner, one of the top players in recent program history, and a couple of other starters to graduation. But there’s a chance this Caper Tiger could be just as good, or maybe even better, than last season. Lower has improved depth – the team can probably go eight or nine players deep – more size and numerous pesky guards who can wreak havoc on opponents. Ty Bonner (13.1 ppg) and Josh Gretta (10.1) each averaged in double figures as sophomores. Fellow guards John Fernandez, Ryan Mallon (injured last season) and Cole Sederland and forwards Braydon Melo and Mason Cronin help give Lower a solid rotation. After winning the CAL United Conference a season ago, Lower moves up to the more competitive National Conference. This is a team that could compete for the conference title and, if it gets the right draw, make a respectable run in what is expected to be a loaded South Jersey Group II bracket.

Season opener: Tuesday vs. ACIT, 7 pm (live broadcast on CapeAtlanticLive YouTube channel and Facebook page)

Seniors Jaxon Schmidt, Acere Moore, Amir Elston, David DelConte, Jamir McNeil and Aydan Howell hope to lead Middle Township to a second straight CAL title.

MIDDLE TOWNSHIP

Head coach: LaMarr Greer (fourth season, 65-23 career)

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

Last season: 28-3, CAL American Conference champion, CAL playoff tournament champion, South Jersey Group II finalist

Varsity returnees: Seniors - Amir Elston (6-2 G), Aydan Howell (5-10 G), Jamir McNeil (6-1 G); Juniors - Adam Bouabbache (6-2 G/F), Chase Moore (6-5 F).

Varsity newcomers: Seniors - David DelConte (5-10 G), Acere Moore (5-9 G), Jaxon Schmidt (6-0 F); Sophomores - Luca DelConte (6-1 G/F), Michael Farrow (6-2 G/F), Mason Murawski (6-2 G/F), Kanye Perkins (6-7 F), Tommy Yarson (5-10 G).

Outlook: Middle Township returned to prominence last winter by winning the Cape-Atlantic League championship and advancing to the South Jersey Group II title game, in which it lost to eventual state champion Camden. The Panthers lost quite a bit to graduation – Anthony Trombetta (Stockton), Bubba McNeil (IMG Academy prep season), Re’Ale Basquin (professional in Spain) and Michael Zarfati (football at Rowan). But at the same time, the team also brings back four players with significant varsity experience, led by Rider signee Jamir McNeil (13.2 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 5.2 apg), a player whom many consider to be the best in the CAL. Amir Elston and Aydan Howell are solid, experienced guards, while Chase Moore is a crafty lefty in the post. Middle’s roster is also bolstered by a pair of sophomore transfers in guard Mason Murawski and forward Kanye Perkins, both of whom should make an impact. Coming off a 28-win season, the Panthers are expected to again be one of the top teams in the Cape-Atlantic League and make a strong run in a loaded South Jersey Group II bracket.

Season opener: Tuesday vs. St. Joseph, 7 p.m.

OCEAN CITY

Head coach: John Bruno (36th season, 490-392 career)

Assistant coach: Ryan Gill

Last season: 26-4, South Jersey Group III finalist

Varsity returnees: Seniors - Ben McGonigle (5-11 G), Jack Porter (6-1 G/F), Zio Wright (6-2 F).

Varsity newcomers: Juniors - Alec Bell (6-0 G), Leon Brown (6-1 F), Dean Lappin (5-10 G), Tighe Olek (6-2 G/F), Luke Passarella (6-1 G/F), Chris Pontari (6-2 F), Luke Tjoumakaris (6-4 F), Liam Zinter (6-3 F); Sophomore - Josh Lenko (6-2 F).

Outlook: Ocean City enjoyed one of the finest seasons in the long coaching career of John Bruno last winter but has lost four starters and nearly 95 percent of its scoring to graduation. The one returnee, Ben McGonigle, is an excellent point guard who should take a step forward with his scoring output this winter. Forward Jack Porter should see an increased role after playing in limited action last season. The Raiders will be bolstered by a handful of players up from a junior varsity team that lost just one game last winter. Expecting another 26-win season would be too much to ask here, but Ocean City should be rather competitive, especially as the season progresses. A winning regular season and a decent run in the South Jersey Group III Tournament isn’t out of the question. Bruno enters the season needing 10 victories to become just the third coach in CAL history to win 500 career games.

Season opener: Tuesday at St. Augustine Prep, 6 p.m.

R.J. Blanda, Sammy Santiago and Brian Cunniff are the seniors for the Wildwood boys basketball team.

WILDWOOD

Head coach: Scott McCracken (15th season, 225-145 career)

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

Last season: 16-13, South Jersey Group I semifinalist

Varsity returnees: Senior - Brian Cunniff (6-2 G/F); Junior - Jordan Dozier (6-2 F); Sophomore - Nolan Mawhinney (6-2 G).

Varsity newcomers: Seniors - R.J. Blanda (5-9 G), Sammy Santiago (5-8 G); Juniors - Eric Jordan (6-4 F), Jeffrey Knight (6-1 F), Justice Santiano (5-8 G); Sophomores - Danny Benichou (5-8 G), Jack Fullerton (6-4 F), Vinny Sweeney (5-7 G), Gianni Troiano (5-10 G), Trevor Troiano (5-8 G).

Outlook: Wildwood lost eight seniors, including career 1,000-point scorer Junior Hans, to graduation. The only returnee with significant varsity experience is senior returning starter Brian Cunniff (12.3 ppg, 5.7 rpg), who will have to carry much of the load while younger players gain more experience. After quite a few seasons of being a guard-heavy team, Wildwood will feature a bigger lineup this season, with four players standing 6-2 or taller. Nolan Mawhinney is expected to take on a scoring role as a sophomore while Jordan Dozier, Eric Jordan and Jack Fullerton should give Wildwood a bit more in the post than it’s had in the past. Trevor Troiano and R.J. Blanda should help at the guard position. There will be growing pains but the Warriors should be better toward the end of the season and could challenge for a winning record. Depth could be an issue for this group.

Season opener: Wednesday at Pennsville, 5:30 p.m.

Wildwood Catholic's seniors include Keynan Alston, Chase Critchfield, Ryan McGrath, Riley Powell, Nahseer Ruiz, Jack Belisario and Tayshaun Jackson.

WILDWOOD CATHOLIC

Head Coach: Will Wareham (third season, 20-34 career)

Assistant coaches: Andrew Draghi, Al Genz

Last season: 11-16

Varsity returnees: Seniors - Tayshaun Jackson (6-1 G/F), Ryan McGrath (6-2 G), Nahseer Ruiz (6-1 F); Juniors - Alex Daniel (6-1 F), Calvin Kiker (5-8 G), Peyton Rosenello (6-0 G).

Top newcomers: Seniors - Keynan Alston (5-9 G), Jack Belisario (6-1 G), Chase Critchfield (5-9 G), Riley Powell (6-7 F); Juniors - Chris Papageorgiou (5-10 G), Peyton Rosenello (6-0 G), Brody Zuccarello (5-10 G/F); Sophomores - Nick Catanoso (5-6 G), Joey Wareham (5-9 G).

Outlook: Wildwood Catholic must replace its leading scorer in Charlie Dunner. The Crusaders, however, have as much experience going into the season as any team in the county considering that seniors Tayshaun Jackson and Ryan McGrath are now four-year varsity players and junior Alex Daniel (10.1 ppg, 7.0 rpg) is in his third year as a varsity player. Senior Nahseer Ruiz is also a returning starter. Some less experienced players such as senior Calvin Kiker and juniors Peyton Rosenello and Chris Papageorgiou are also expected to play key roles. The Crusaders will also see increased depth and talent when 6-7 senior Riley Powell becomes eligible in mid January after sitting out the first 30 days according to NJSIAA transfer rules. Wildwood Catholic should be able to challenge for a winning season, a place among the top two or three teams in the Cape-Atlantic American Conference and could also make a run in the South Jersey Non-Public B Tournament.

Season opener: Tuesday at Millville, 5:30 p.m.