Hoops A Plenty

Just about every weekend during the high school basketball season you can find one day showcases designed to spotlight teams and players. One of the benefits of these events is teams get to play opponents they would not usually face during the course of the season and it’s a welcome break from conference play.

For the second straight year the Toms River Regional Schools will host a Winter Showtime Hoops Classic this Saturday at the spacious Pine Belt Arena. The districts three schools along with Central and Manchester will take on schools from out of the area in a five-game showcase that affords basketball fans the opportunity to see multiple games. The all-day admission is just $5 for adults and $3 for students and senior citizens.

In the 11am opener Manchester, led by LJ Robinson takes on 12-2 South Brunswick and then Central Regional will face Ridge at 12:45. The Golden Eagles feature the 1-2 punch of guard Maks Gruszecki and center Denis Corbin. Toms River South takes the court at 2:30 to face North Brunswick…the Indians Matt Shiffer was a Shore Sports Network Player of the Week earlier this month. Toms River East has struggled for most of the season without top scorer Phil Lingat but Zyaire Dorn has helped pick up the slack and will lead the Raiders against Atlantic County Institute of Technology at 4:15pm. In the finale at 6pm, once-beaten Toms River North faces the Crusaders of Wildwood Catholic. The Mariners are led by seniors Jaden Rhoden and Mike Nyisztor.

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