THE PICTURE WILL BE CLEARER AFTER THIS WEEK

The high school basketball season goes by in the blink of an eye these days. So do high school careers, one day you’re a freshman and the next day a season. Thats why they say enjoy and appreciate every moment. Well the 2026 Shore season is now in full swing. Some folks are enjoying and others are wondering.

This week lots of things are going to cleared up. Starting tonight. #3 Manasquan takes on #9 St. Rose. It’s been a story of two different tales. Manasquan once again was expected to go though a rebuild. Instead they are looking as the favorites in GROUP 2 and may actually pose a threat to RBC and SJV. Meanwhile St. Rose has been a disappointment. They 12 man rotation was a disaster and they have done away with it. But they have seen some day light with a big win over then Top 20 Teaneck. But Teaneck has been on skid row for weeks now. Brook Missry who missed the Rutgers Prep game has returned and St. Rose could get their season back on track tonight with a win. This game is going to give us likes of insight to were both teams are going. Meaning is Manasquan really this good and is St. Rose still alive and kicking.

RFH takes on RBR on the road. RFH has shocked everyone with 7-0 record. Dave Callahan has his team led by ERIN RIED playing like a wild pack of hungry dogs. Meanwhile RBR has played a very soft schedule and we don’t know what to expect. RFH is hyper competitive, meanwhile RBR is just the opposite but have more talent on paper. This game could decide real seeding issues come seasons end. A win by RBR could put them in the Top 20. A lost by RFH and folks will call them a paper tiger. This game is going to clear up a lot of questions.

On Wednesday the two super powers meet. RBC travels to SJV. RBC has had SJV’s number the past 2 years after SJV dominating them for 4 years. RBC has played an insane schedule. They lost to nationally ranked #2 LUHI on Sunday in a highly competitive game. Meanwhile SJV got their season first true competitive game of the year and beat DC powerhouse St. John of DC. You can bet your last dollar SJV will have a full house and they will be playing as if their life depends on it. RBC who has crushed everyone ranked team it has played will get it first true emotional, and physical game of the year. This is going to be a “GOODIE”

There are a few things that have come to like after 4 weeks. Like nobody is beating RBC and SJV. The talent gap is just to big

Some players have stepped up in a big way. Kylee Beam of Howell is a legit star. Jordyn Hollawell has been just the doctor ordered for Manasquan. While RBC’s Addy Nyemchek has been all world. Katie and Tessa Liggio have been all SHORE.

This has not been the year of the babies. But Ella KRYAL of Trinity and SUMAIYAH LASHLEY have shown they are ready for prime time. Why KRYAL Is the current leader for Freshman of the year. LASHLEY is breathing down her back.

Ari Wissen of Brick is looking like the next great guard in the Shore Conference. But make no mistake, she won’t be alone CALISTA VOWTERAS of MANASQUAN is going to be a mega star. Both have delivered the good this season in a major way.

NEPTUNE has gone 3-0 and all signs point to this team having a chance to grow. It all comes down to Ty Howard and her ability to to stay on track. If she does watch out because she could be a Top 5 player. But then again we have to wait and see.

COLTS NECK is healthy to start the New Year. Allison McAndrew is in her bag. Emily Donahue has arrived and JULIANNA JASINA Is there leading scorer. This is a dangerous team to anyone in the state not named SJV and RBC

We are far from time to panic but TRINITY HALL will need to find a third scorer before SCT time. Teams will face guard or box in one freshman Ella KRYAL. Grace FEENEY will need help carrying the scoring load. Someone else will need to step up if Trinity hopes to make noise in SCT… Whitney Hobson could be that person

It’s early but my ALL SHORE FIRST TEAM RIGHT NOW

ADDY NYEMCHEK- RBC- POY

KATIE LIGGIO- RBC

STELLA LOCKHART- SJV

ERIN REID- RFH

KYLEE BEAM- HOWELL

MADISON KOCIS- SJV

I saw where Garry Linton has decided to leave basketball. He tired his best to help Ocean County develop a basketball environment. But got zero help from the community and high school coaches. The high school coaches in Ocean are afraid their best player will leave if they get exposure. Garry was trying to develop kids so they knew they didn’t have to leave. Ocean Coaches simply do not get it. It’s that simple, they do not have kids best interests at hand.