Boys Basketball – 2023-24 SSN All-Shore Team: Second and Third Team
2023-24 Shore Sports Network Boys Basketball All-Shore Team
Click Here for the All-Shore First Team
Selected by Shore Sports Network Basketball Editor Matt Manley based on a combination of stats, first-hand accounts, coaches input and impact on team success. Click here for the Coaches' All-Shore picks.
Second Team
Zayier Dean, Jr., 5-11, Guard, Red Bank
2023-24 Stats: 14.9 points, 5.3 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 2.0 steals, 32 3-pointers, 76.5 FT%
An All-Shore guard as a sophomore at Ocean, Dean moved north up Rt. 35 to Red Bank and his arrival made all the difference for the Bucs. A year ago, Red Bank went 8-15 and while the Bucs brought three starters and four experienced players back from that team, they needed a player to tie it all together. That’s exactly what Dean did, averaging just under 15 points while notching five rebounds, three assists and two steals. Only two other players in the Shore Conference – Central’s Jaycen Santucci and Manchester’s Aidan Lunn – hit all of those benchmarks and Dean did it against a relentless division schedule in Class B North. With Dean leading the way, the Bucs won 20 games for the first time in two decades, won their first Class B North division title since 2006-07 and reached a sectional final for the first time in 10 years. The lightning-quick point guard will be back for one more season and will try to finish what he and his teammates started in 2023-24.
Justin Fuerbacher, Jr., 6-5, Forward, Christian Brothers Academy
2023-24 Stats: 14.1 points, 6.2 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 30 3-pointers, 70.1 FT%
A steady player on a steady, balanced CBA team, Fuerbacher got off to a slow scoring start over his team’s first four games, then found his stride with a career-high 26 points in CBA’s final game of December – an 81-59 win over West Morris. From that point on, the only team to hold Fuerbacher to single-digit scoring was St. Rose, which did it twice against CBA’s top scorer. Despite being limited vs. the Shore’s No. 1 team, Fuerbacher averaged 14.6 points and 7.4 rebounds in postseason play, which included a workmanlike defensive effort against Howell big man D.J. Orloff in CBA’s Shore Conference Tournament quarterfinal win. Fuerbacher leads four CBA starters due back for what could be a big 2024-25 season at the Academy.
Ben Kipnis, Sr., 6-2, Guard, Holmdel
2023-24 Stats: 11.6 points, 5.0 rebounds, 7.2 assists, 2.0 steals, 47 3-pointers, 82.5 FT%
For the first time in his four-year varsity career, Kipnis is an All-Shore selection and he got there by looking to score less while involving the rest of his skilled squad. After leading the Shore Conference with 86 three-pointers last year – 14 more than the next closest player in the conference – Kipnis lapped the field in assists this year, averaging 2.5 more than the next-closest Shore player and 3.2 more than he averaged a year ago. He posted double-digit assists seven times and logged a triple-double (11 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists) in the Huskies Holiday Classic championship game vs. Sayreville. Kipnis was part of a three-headed monster along with classmates James Vallillo and Nick Seeloch that lead Holmdel to a 21-4 record, a Class A Coastal division title and semifinal appearances in both the SCT and Central Jersey Group II Playoffs.
D.J. Orloff, Sr., 6-6, Forward, Howell
2023-24 Stats: 17.9 points, 10.2 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 2.0 steals, 1.2 blocks, 20 3-pointers, 82.7 FT%
By the numbers, not many players in the Shore Conference had a better season than Orloff. He was one of two players in the conference (Lunn from Manchester the other) to average double-figure scoring, double-figure rebounds, two assists, two steals and one block per game and his 18 double-doubles were second in the Shore behind Manasquan’s Griffin Linstra. Orloff did that while finishing third at the Shore in scoring and leading Howell to 17 wins, which matches a single-season school record. Orloff’s inside-out offensive game was instrumental in getting the Rebels to the SCT quarterfinals for the second time in school history and first time since 2011. He graduates as Howell’s all-time leading rebounder and a one of the most decorated players to pass through the Rebels program.
Brian Tassey, Jr., 6-4, Guard, Freehold Boro
2023-24 Stats: 12.1 points, 6.1 rebounds, 4.7 assists, 1.2 steals, 2.1 blocks, 20 3-pointers
Another stat-sheet stuffer on a team that enjoyed one of its best seasons ever, Tassey did it all for a 24-8 Freehold Boro team that won more games than all but two teams in the Shore Conference (St. Rose and Manasquan) and reached the NJSIAA Group Finals for the first time in program history. Tassey is a rare combination of size, athleticism and basketball savvy – a combination that helped him finish third in the Shore Conference in assists per game while also finishing seventh in blocked shots. He posted triple-doubles in three consecutive games in January vs. Raritan, Pinelands and Matawan and was outstanding in NJSIAA Tournament wins over Red Bank in the Central Group III final (17 points, seven rebounds, seven assists, five blocks) and Mainland in the Group III semifinal (22 points, seven rebounds, five assists). Tassey is set to complete his four-year varsity career next season with a Colonials team lined up to return three impact starters in Tassey, Aidan Hamlin-Woolfolk and Qua’Mir Everett.
Micah Ford, Sr., 6-1, Guard/Forward, Toms River North
2023-24 Stats: 13.8 points, 5.6 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 2.3 steals
If you are looking for the best all-around athlete in the Shore Conference, you would be hard-pressed to make a better pick than Ford. A two-time NJSIAA Group V championship quarterback on the football field who will continue his gridiron career at Stanford, Ford was also the leader of a Mariners basketball that reached high points that few other teams from the Shore did. He opened the season as the WOBM Christmas Classic MVP and while that was early in the season, it included wins over Colts Neck, Central and Manasquan, the last of which included 21 points, seven rebounds, three steals and two blocks against the Shore’s No. 2 team. Ford and the Mariners would go on to win 21 games, the Class A South championship, reach the SCT quarterfinals and play No. 1 Lenape down to the wire in a South Jersey Group IV semifinal loss.
Third Team
Bryan Ebeling, Jr., 6-3, Guard, St. Rose
2023-24 Stats: 7.4 points, 2.5 assists, 1.0 steals, 31 3-pointers, 71.8 FT%
A thumb injury on his shooting hand suffered in January cooled off Ebeling, but the workhorse guard from Italy powered through the pain and rounded out a relentless starting five for the state’s No. 1 team. Like everyone on the St. Rose team, Ebeling sacrificed individual stats that certainly would have been more robust had he dominated the ball for a lesser team in the state. Prior to hurting his thumb, Ebeling had a three-game stretch against nationally-ranked Archbishop Stepinac, the George School and Bergen Catholic in which he averaged 15.3 points, 3.3 assists and 1.7 steals. He also turned in an impressive 13-point performance against Montverde, the No. 1 team in the country, and closed the season with 12 points and five rebounds in St. Rose’s rout of Montclair Immaculate in the Non-Public B final. Prior to the thumb injury, Ebeling showed an improved three-point stroke to go with his typical suffocating defense, then he showed the toughness to play through the injury before eventually rediscovering his shot for the St. Rose stretch run.
Drew Buck, Sr., 6-3, Guard, Ranney
2023-24 Stats: 17.8 points, 6.4 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 47 3-pointers, 83.5 FT%
During a four-year varsity career that included over 1,000 career points and a lot of winning, Buck faced his toughest challenge this season. In years past, he had other All-Shore-caliber talent around him, but heading into his final high-school season, Buck found himself surrounded by players who either lacked experience or were taking on much greater roles on the team than they played last season. Buck, in turn, played a greater role, finishing fifth in the Shore Conference in scoring average and 11th in assists per game to help drive a potent Ranney offense. He nearly carried his team to a Buc Holiday Classic title in December, averaged 27 points in two games vs. Group III runner-up Freehold Boro, posted a triple-double in a win over Point Boro and helped the Panthers shock No. 2 Manasquan with 10 points, eight rebounds and six assists.
Miles Chevalier, Sr., 6-4, Guard, Central
2023-24 Stats: 13.4 points, 6.2 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 2.1 steals, 42 3-pointers, 76.2 FT%
Central is in the midst of a stellar four-year stretch that just so happens to coincide with the arrival of Chevalier to the program. That, of course, is no coincidence. From the first day of his freshman year, Chevalier has been an impact guard for the Golden Eagles and is now a two-time All-Shore player. This past year, Chevalier joined the 1,000-point club, but his presence on the defensive end – where he averaged just over two steals per game – helped to spearhead a swarming Central defense that was the strength of the team. Chevalier also had his share of scoring outbursts as well, which included back-to-back 23-point games in two key divisional crossover wins vs. Toms River North and Jackson Memorial. Chevalier also put up 20 points and 14 boards in a win over Ranney and poured in 26 to lead the Golden Eagles to a win over then-unbeaten Haddonfield.
Ryan Prior, Jr., 6-5, Forward, Red Bank Catholic
2023-24 Stats: 13.8 points, 6.7 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 0.9 blocks, 69 3-pointers, 80.5 FT%
Before Prior even set foot on a high-school basketball court for a varsity practice, he was verbally committed to pitch for the University of Virginia Baseball team. Since then, Prior has put the work in to improve on the basketball court, starting off as a 6-foot-4 three-point shooter as a freshman and developing into a well-rounded player who has maintained the soft touch from long range. His 69 three-pointers tied Manalapan senior Tristan Ulrich for the Shore Conference lead, while Prior also led RBC in scoring and blocked shots. He made two early statements in his junior season with a season-high 28 points on opening night vs. Matawan and his first career triple-double (17 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists) in a win over Middletown North. Prior also scored 23 points in a win over No. 3 Rumson-Fair Haven and closed his season with scoring totals of 23, 25 and 26 against Seton Hall Prep, Notre Dame and Rutgers Prep, respectively.
Nick Rigby, Sr., 6-1, Guard, Rumson-Fair Haven
2023-24 Stats: 11.6 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.1 steals
Rumson is another Shore Conference team that had a great season without any player putting up huge numbers. The Bulldogs were solid across the board on offense, played great team defense and used their considerable front-court size as a decided advantage over opponents. If there was one player who steered the Rumson ship, it was Rigby – a three-year contributor who was also part of the 2021-22 Rumson team that won the Central Jersey Group II championship. This year, Rigby was the point guard of a Bulldogs team that again reached the CJ II final thanks to three strong performances from its senior leader. The best of them was 15 points, seven rebounds and five assists in leading Rumson to a 60-37 road rout in the sectional semifinals at Holmdel, whose only other losses this season came against No. 1 St. Rose and No. 2 Manasquan (twice).
Steve Scimone, Sr., 6-1, Guard, Marlboro
2023-24 Stats: 15.6 points, 4.8 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 1.7 steals, 65 3-pointers, 77.65 FT%
Marlboro sent shockwaves through the Shore on opening night by winning at Central after the Golden Eagles opened the season ranked No. 3 in the Shore Conference (they would finish No. 5). In that game, Scimone showed he could go toe-to-toe with two All-Shore players in Jaycen Santucci and Chevalier, both of whom were All-Shore selections a season ago and are again this year. Scimone showcased his scoring ability throughout the season, highlighted by a single-game school-record 43 points in a win over Middletown North and a single-game school-record eight three-pointers in a win over Ranney. Scimone was also a willing passer and was the only player in the Shore Conference to average at least 15 points and four assists per game. The two-year starter closed out his career strong, averaging 14 points, 5.3 rebounds and 4.7 assists as Marlboro made it to the Central Group IV semifinals for a fifth straight season.
Just Missed
In the spirit of the NCAA Tournament and in an effort to recognize at least some of the many other players who were seriously considered for a spot on the All-Shore team, below are the “First Four” and the “Next Four” who just missed the All-Shore cut. Not only will all eight players be among the All-Shore Final Vote (more on that at the bottom of the post), but among the eight players who were listed among the First Four and Next Four out in 2022-23, four made this year’s All-Shore Team. So, give them a look, tip your cap to the seniors in the group and keep a close eye on the players who will be back in 2024-25.
First Four Out
Owen Baker, Sr., 6-2, Guard, Toms River North
2023-24 Stats: 12.1 points, 3.6 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.8 steals, 31 3-pointers, 72.9 FT%
Luke Cruz, So., 6-8, Forward, Rumson-Fair Haven
2023-24 Stats: 11.4 points, 6.0 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.12 steals, 1.3 blocks, 44 3-pointers
James Vallillo, Sr., 6-3, Forward, Holmdel
2023-24 Stats: 14.6 points, 5.9 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.2 steals, 0.8 blocks
Aiden Sosinov, Jr., 6-3, Forward, Manalapan
2023-24 Stats: 15.8 points, 11.4 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.25 steals, 0.8 blocks, 37 3-pointers
Baker and Cruz put up relatively modest numbers by All-Shore standards while playing on deep, talented teams that finished in the top 10 of the Shore Sports Network rankings and also have a representative on one of the three All-Shore teams. Sosinov, who also played on a talented Manalapan team, put up numbers more commonly associated with an All-Shore spot, albeit for a team that just missed out on the top 10. Vallillo combined both while helping lead Holmdel to the No. 4 ranking in the Shore Sports Network rankings.
Next Four Out
Jason Larned, Sr., 6-3, Guard, Manasquan
2023-24 Stats: 8.8 points, 4.8 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 75 FT%
Vova Trotsko, Sr., 6-6, Forward, Colts Neck
2023-24 Stats: 15.2 points, 8.2 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 0.8 blocks, 37 3-pointers, 81.9 FT%
Anthony Leger, Sr., 6-2, Guard, Manalapan
2023-24 Stats: 12.7 points, 3.8 rebounds, 4.4 assists, 1.7 steals, 32 3-pointers
Aidan Hamlin-Woolfolk, Jr., 6-5, Freehold Boro
2023-24 Stats: 12.0 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 1.0 blocks, 23 3-pointers
Larned leads off the group as a player who did not have All-Shore numbers, but made an All-Shore impact as a first-year senior-starter on the Shore's No. 2 team. He might not have outscored many on this All-Shore list, but he outplayed a lot of them head-to-head. Trotsko and Leger were offensive forces throughout the season, with Trotsko hammering the glass and Leger playing the point for a high-scoring Manalapan squad. Hamlin-Woolfolk came on late in the season and was Freehold Boro's top scorer during its run to the Group III final.
All-Shore Final Vote
The All-Shore Team is never complete without the Shore Conference community. We need your help picking the final two All-Shore spots, which you can do in the All-Shore Final Vote. Follow the link below to find out the nominees and start voting.
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