Shore Conference: Biggest Shoes to Fill

<p>The Shore Conference has been experiencing a great run of success in the last decade. Since 2010, three different teams have made the Tournament of Champions with Ranney taking home the title in 2019. Manasquan won a state high 31 games in 2019-20, while four other Shore Conference teams made the sectional final. A lot of major talent is moving on to the next level, but it is still filled with quality players capable of putting up numbers. Here are the Shore Conference biggest shoes to fill.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="929516" first="Connor" last="Walsh"], 6’5 SF Manasquan 2021</strong></p> <p>The Warriors return Shore Conference Player of the Year <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="901942" first="Ben" last="Roy"]</strong>, but must replace Louisville baseball commit <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="850360" first="Alex" last="Galvan"]</strong>’s production down low. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1012961" first="Jack" last="Collins"] </strong>is primed for more touches on the offensive end, leaving Walsh with more responsibilities in the paint. The lanky 6’5 forward is a good athlete who can finish above the rim and swat shots around the basket. Walsh has a nice touch around the basket and is a solid on-ball defender. Manasquan has the talent to repeat as Shore Conference Tournament champs if Walsh elevates his game down low.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1013048" first="Jaiden" last="Fraser"], 6’0 PG Toms River North 2022</strong></p> <p>The Mariners had one of the top duos in the Shore in Robert Morris commit <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="896630" first="Jakari" last="Spence"]</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="896636" first="Najae" last="Hallenbeck"]</strong>, but both seniors graduated. Fraser was a part-time starter for the 24-win club and is ready for a more prominent role this season. The 6’0 guard is quick off the bounce and knows how to finish around the basket. Fraser is capable of running the offense, but also has experience playing off the ball. Toms River North is looking to continue its dominance in A South with Fraser getting more looks on offense.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="901981" first="Colin" last="Ackerman"], 6’0 PG Wall 2022</strong></p> <p>Ackerman has been a key part of the Crimson Knights’ squad over the past two seasons, but he will be asked to up his scoring with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="896620" first="Quinn" last="Calabrese"]</strong>’s graduation. The 6’0 guard rarely gets flustered on the ball and knows how to set the tempo of the game. Ackerman can beat his defender off the bounce and knows how to draw contact around the basket. He is a good passer and plays solid on-ball defense. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="900360" first="Pat" last="Lacey"] </strong>is a proven scoring option for Wall, which should create a dangerous duo between him and Ackerman.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1013015" first="Andreas" last="Von Fricke"], 6’6 SF Mater Dei Prep 2021</strong></p> <p>The Seraphs were already going into the 2020-21 season without leading scorers <strong>Peter Gorman </strong>and <strong>Tahaj Parland</strong>, but they will also miss <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="900305" first="Philip" last="Urban"]</strong>. Von Fricke had a solid debut season for Mater Dei Prep and should be the go-to guy this year. The 6’6 forward has a nice touch around the basket, but is also capable of attacking from the perimeter. Von Fricke skies for rebounds on both ends of the floor and is an underrated shot-blocker. Mater Dei Prep made a surprise run to the Non-Public B South quarterfinals and will Von Fricke to explode onto the scene to repeat the feat.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1028018" first="Jay" last="Ratner"], 6’3 SG Marlboro 2022</strong></p> <p>The Mustangs were seconds away from taking home the Central Jersey Group 4 title and they are one of the favorites to win it this season. The program’s all-time leading scorer <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="896675" first="Alex" last="Ratner"]</strong> graduates, but younger brother Jay is there to pick up the slack. The 6’3 guard has a nice release on his jumper and moves well off the ball. Ratner is more than just a shooter as he can handle the ball on the perimeter and beat his man off the bounce. Marlboro has the pieces to take home the sectional title, but will need Ratner to become a strong scoring option on the perimeter.</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Other Players to Know:</strong></span></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1013015" first="Andreas" last="Von Fricke"], 6’6 SF Mater Dei Prep 2021</strong></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="902747" first="Chris" last="Venturoso"], 6’2 SG Point Pleasant Beach 2023</strong></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="931026" first="Cy" last="Arvantis"], 6’0 PG Red Bank Catholic 2022</strong></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1013080" first="Gabe" last="Blackwell"], 6’4 SF Manalapan 2022</strong></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1013009" first="Ross" last="Thomas"], 6’3 SG St. John Vianney 2021</strong></p>