Ocean City checks into SJ title game for fourth straight season after convincing victory over Toms River South

Posted: March 4th 2026

By BRIAN CUNNIFF

CapeAtlanticLive.com

The Ocean City High School boys basketball team has further cemented its status as one of the region’s top programs over the past handful of seasons on Wednesday evening.

The Raiders checked into the South Jersey Group III title game for the fourth straight year behind a commanding 53-32 victory over Toms River South in a sectional semifinal game.

Third-seeded Ocean City (23-6) will host No. 4 Delsea in the title game Saturday at 6 p.m. Delsea was a 46-42 winner over top-seeded Deptford in the other semifinal.

Ocean City held a six-point lead over No. 7 Toms River South (16-13) at halftime. The Raiders then took complete command of the game behind an 18-3 third-quarter surge.

Luke Tjoumakaris tallied 16 points, Josh Lenko scored 13 points and Chris Pontari chipped in nine points off the bench for Ocean City.

Shane Gambarony led TRS with 12 points. The Raider defense limited the Indians to only 11 field goals for the game.

Ocean City is the defending South Jersey champion. The Raiders beat Timber Creek in last year’s sectional title game before losing by just two points to Colts Neck in the state semifinal.

Ocean City dropped a triple-overtime thriller to Mainland in the 2024 South Jersey title game. The Raiders also made the 2023 South Jersey title game in 2023 after a .500 regular season and lost to Moorestown in the title game.

Ocean City has won two South Jersey championships under longtime coach John Bruno, the other coming in 1999 when the team beat Middle Township in overtime after Ryan Reich’s famous halfcourt shot tied the game at the buzzer of the fourth quarter.

Bruno takes a career record of 535-405 into Saturday’s sectional title game. He is in his 37th season as coach.