Toms River High School North’s boys’ basketball team will bid to duplicate its success of a winter ago.
In the 2017-18 season, the Mariners posted a 25-5 record and coasted to a 16-0 record in the Shore Conference Class A South Division.
During the postseason last winter, Toms River North advanced to the quarterfinals of the Shore Conference Tournament where it was eliminated by Ranney School, 76-52. Ranney, a state power, went on the win the Shore Conference Tournament title.
In the state tournament, the Mariners advanced to the South Jersey, Group 4 state sectional semifinals where they were eliminated by Atlantic City High School, 59-45. Atlantic City lthen ost to Shawnee High School in the sectional final, 61-48.
“We return four players that played major roles on last year’s 25-win team. Senior forward Nick Dunzack, junior forward Najea Hallenbeck, junior guard Colin Baker and junior guard Jakari Spence are all three-year varsity players with a lot of experience. In addition to those players we return two other players with varsity experience. Junior guard Mike Vansprang will likely be the fifth starter, he is a 6’5 guard that will be handling the ball a lot at the point guard position to allow Spence and Baker opportunities to get down the floor. Senior Ryan Schlosser will be the sixth man and is a quick slashing guard who will play all three guard positions,” Toms River North coach Rory Caswell said.
He said other players expected to get time are five football players all coming off of successful seasons. They are junior Jarrod Pruitt, senior Aaron Craig , senior Will Marsh , sophomore Jake Kazanowsky and sophomore Zack Browne.
Caswell also said he believes his team’s size and inside scoring will be their strength.
“I believe Dunzack and Hallenbeck can be one of the best scoring four and fives in the shore. Both have good post up games with great size and shoot the three very well. Spence has
potential to be one of the top point guards in the shore and Baker, Vansprang and
Schlosser give us plenty of talent and shooting from our two and three spots. Our depth will allow us to be versatile in the way we play this season. We can go with our long and big lineup. We can play a large zone with three players at 6’5 plus in the back line, or we can use our athletic depth, which will allow us to play five long athletes, as well as, full court press when needed,” Caswell said.
The coach is optimistic that some newcomers will contribute.
“With the emergence of a very talented junior class who already have a ton of varsity experience. We have a lot experience back along with a lot of skilled newcomers. We believe this team has a very high ceiling because of our overall size, length and skill set. I see us as a top team in the shore,” Caswell said.
