Embracing new role, senior who's been major factor in Middle basketball's renaissance approaches scoring milestone

Posted: January 16th 2024

By BRIAN CUNNIFF

CapeAtlanticLive.com

When Jermaine "Bubba" McNeil entered Middle Township High School, the school’s proud boys basketball program was experiencing some struggles.

A program used to competing for league and South Jersey championships finished just 12-15 in the season before McNeil arrived. As a freshman, with the world in the throes of the COVID-19 pandemic, Middle won just one of its five games during that abbreviated season.

There have been better times since. As a sophomore, McNeil averaged 12.8 points per game and was one of the linchpins of a team that went a solid 17-8 with a young lineup. Then last season, Middle returned to royalty, winning 20 games and a South Jersey Group II title, helped by McNeil’s team-leading 17 points per game.

Now, McNeil is part of a team that many have tabbed as the favorite to win the Cape-Atlantic League championship. The Panthers, 12-2 after Monday’s comeback win over Atlantic City, are currently ranked 10th in the state.

BUBBA MCNEIL

With McNeil helping the team return to its usual place among the region’s best teams, he’s about to come up on a personal milestone. He’ll enter Wednesday’s game at Egg Harbor Township only 38 points shy of 1,000 for his career.

“He’s been amazing for us, a big part of why we’re getting better,” Middle coach LaMarr Greer said of McNeil, a 5-9 senior guard.

Perhaps because the team has played so many important games of late, surpassing the 1,000-point milestone hasn’t consumed McNeil’s thoughts.

“I’m not thinking about it at all,” he said. “If it happens, it happens.”

Partly due to a minor preseason injury, McNeil has been forced to take on a new role this season for the Panthers as a reserve player coming off the bench. It hasn’t affected his production. On Monday against Atlantic City, McNeil went 8 for 8 from the foul line over the final two minutes of a 54-48 victory over the Vikings and finished with 11 points.

“When I first met him, I told him at some point he’s going to have adversity and that adversity is going to show his character,” Greer said. “He’s going through a little adversity with his injury now and working his way back, but you see his character. He’s still chipping away. He’s not sulking. He’s working hard every day and he’s still finding ways to really help us.”

As many as nine players see significant playing time for Middle in each game, so McNeil knows he’ll still get his opportunities. Despite coming off the bench, McNeil has still managed to average in double figures in scoring so far at 10.1 points per game.

“I know my teammates are confident in me,” McNeil said. “I’ve accepted my role off the bench. It’s about whatever helps the team best to help the team win.”

McNeil regularly sees the names on the 1,000-point banner in Middle’s gym. They include some of the best players in program history, including Greer and current Middle girls coach John Leahy, who each scored more than 2,000 career points. Other notable names include other eventual Division I college players such as Ricky Harmon, Charles Farrow and Nick Boyd, the legendary Stephano Anderson and current Middle assistant coach Marcus Harmon.

“It would mean a lot to get up there on the banner,” McNeil said. “I’ve put in a lot of work to get the opportunity, so if I get it it’s going to feel good.”

More than anything, however, McNeil has appreciated simply pulling on a Middle Township jersey over the past four years.

“It’s a pleasure to play for Middle,” he said. “I’m thankful for all the support, especially from my teammates and coaches. I really appreciate it.”