Shore Conference Sleepers

Last season may have been the best ever for the Shore Conference as Ranney won its first ever Tournament of Champions. Manasquan,Wall and Freehold Township all sectional group titles with the latter playing in the Group 4 final. The Shore Conference may not have the same type of star power as it did last season, but it is still full of quality players. Here are the top sleepers in the Shore Conference this season. Charlie Gordinier, 6'5 SF Red Bank Catholic 2020 The Boston College football commit had a stellar junior season as he averaged 14.5 points and 6.8 rebounds per game. Gordinier's size makes him a threat to score from the inside, but his strength is his outside shooting. He knocked down 67 three-pointers last season and had three games with five made threes. His ability to score from the perimeter gives Notre Dame football commit Kevin Bauman space to operate in the post. Gordinier is one of the top players in the Shore Conference and is primed for a big senior season. Najae Hallenbeck, 6'6 PF Toms River North 2020 Senior point guard Jakari Spence may be the engine that fuels the Mariners, but Hallenbeck is a presence in the paint. The 6'6 power forward understands how to carve out space down low and has a soft touch around the basket. Hallenbeck is also a solid rebounder as he grabbed over 10 boards a game as a junior. He can even step out and knock down a perimeter jump shot with 27 career three-pointers. Spence is Toms River North's best player, but the Mariners need Hallenbeck inside to make a deep run in states. Justin Soranno, 6'5 SF/PF Central Regional 2022 Central Regional is not one of the elite teams in the Shore Conference, which is why Sorrano is being slept on. He poured in 33 points against Jackson Memorial and had a 29-point game earlier in the season. Soranno excels at attacking the basket where he uses his length to score around the rim. He is also a good rebounder as he had four consecutive games with a double-double. Soranno is a talented player who should have a big sophomore season for Central Regional. Elijah Mckenzie, 6'4 SF Matawan 2020 Mckenzie is without a doubt the most overlooked player in the Shore Conference. He did not have a great junior season, but has exploded onto the scene in the fall league. Mckenzie dominated at the Northeast Fall Invitational against Newark East Side as he was all over the floor. He gobbled up rebounds, attacked the basket hard and defended with intensity. Niles Haliburton, John Beukers and Ethan Okello are a good trio and Mckenzie gives Matawan a shot at contending for the Shore Conference title. Ryan Zan, 6'5 PF Ranney 2022 Ranney lost six of its top seven players from last season and needs someone to help Elijah Perkins with the scoring. Zan will have to sit out a month because of NJSIAA transfer rules, but he looks to be the Panthers' second scoring option. The Hunterdon Central transfer attacks the basket with a purpose, rebounds in traffic and has a solid perimeter game. His ability to space the floor gives Perkins room to attack the basket. Ranney may not repeat as winner of the Tournament of Champions, but Zan gives the Panthers a chance for a solid 2019-20 season.