Red Bank Catholic reigns supreme in Shore Conference boys basketball rankings
Records through Tuesday
Rank-School-2021 record-Last week’s rank
1. Red Bank Catholic (11-1, Second)
For the first time in at least the last 15 years, the Red Bank Catholic boys basketball has ascended to the top spot in the Shore Conference boys basketball rankings. Red Bank Catholic's best wins so far this season are against CBA, St. John Vianney, Rumson-Fair Haven, Raritan, Holmdel and Marlboro. Their only loss is to Marlboro, which the Caseys have already avenged this season.
2. CBA (11-1, First)
The Colts stay as the No. 1 ranked team lasted a week due to the 59-47 loss to Red Bank Catholic on Saturday. Despite that loss, the Colts still have an impressive resume of wins: (Holmdel, Freehold Township, Rumson-Fair Haven, Ranney School, Marlboro and St. John Vianney). After that aforementioned loss, the Colts defeated Long Branch, 57-25, on Jan. 17. CBA remains one of the top favorites to hoist the Shore Conference Tournament Final trophy in late February.
THIS WEEK'S SCHEDULE: Shore Conference boys basketball January 17-23 schedule, results
3. Marlboro (10-2, Third)
The Mustangs remained in the third spot for this week due to their recent success. Since the 46-40 loss to Red Bank Catholic on Jan. 8, Marlboro has rattled off wins over Howell, Robbinsville and Freehold Township to stay in the conversation of one of the best teams in the Shore Conference. There is a scheduled rematch with CBA on Jan. 24, so the opportunity to avenge one of its two losses (66-60 defeat to CBA on Jan. 4) is there.
4. St. John Vianney (12-2, Sixth)
The Lancers are easily becoming the surprise team of the year in the Shore Conference. They haven't finished ranked in the final Asbury Park Press' top 10 in at least the last 11 years and last season they were 6-6 in a COVID-shortened season. But the St. John Vianney bandwagon is open and welcoming everybody that wants to jump on. With four straight victories (Colts Neck, Middletown North, Freehold Township, Red Bank), the Lancers are one of the hottest teams in the Shore Conference right now.
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5. Manasquan (8-2, Seventh)
The Warriors have played quality opponents (Rutgers Prep, St. John Vianney, Point Boro and St. Joseph-Metuchen) and despite losses to a now undefeated Rutgers Prep squad and a rising St. John Vianney squad, Manasquan should still be considered a contender in the Shore Conference. The Warriors have reeled off six straight victories (Jackson Memorial, Immaculata, Point Boro, St. Joseph-Metuchen, Wall and St. Rose) and have become the the top team in the Class C North division.
PREVIOUS RANKINGS
6. Ranney School (6-1, Fifth)
The Panthers haven't lost in the 2022 segment of their schedule yet with recent wins over Keyport, Mater Dei Prep and Rancho Solano from Arizona. Their best win is over a 7-1 Keyport squad. Their best opponent was CBA but that resulted in a 55-49 overtime loss. The Panthers don't have the strength of schedule of the teams currently ranked ahead of them.
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7. Manchester (8-2, Eighth)
The Hawks edged Rumson-Fair Haven for the seventh spot this week based on a few factors. Their common opponents are Donovan Catholic and Lacey. Manchester is 2-0 against Donovan Catholic with an average margin of victory of 20 points and Manchester is 1-0 against Lacey via 73-52 triumph. Meanwhile, Rumson-Fair Haven is 1-0 against Donovan Catholic via a 58-44 win and 1-0 against Lacey via a 63-47 triumph. Manchester's two losses of note (Marlboro, St. John Vianney) are comparable to Rumson-Fair Haven's two losses of note (CBA and Red Bank Catholic). The Hawks have also won five straight games.
8. Rumson-Fair Haven (4-2, Eighth)
The Bulldogs returned to action on January 11 with an 87-45 win over Matawan and then suffered a 52-34 loss to Red Bank Catholic on January 13. Overall, Rumson-Fair Haven has lost two of its last three games (CBA was the other loss on December 28. The Class A Central division is going to be a battle with a rematch with Red Bank Catholic and two upcoming showdowns with upstart Raritan coming up.
GAME STORY: Red Bank Catholic boys basketball snags signature win versus rival CBA
9. Keyport (7-1, Ninth)
The Red Raiders performed well against Class B Central division leader, Ranney School, despite a 64-58 loss on Jan. 11. That performance against the best team the Red Raiders have seen so far this season, is what what kept Keyport in the top 10 for the second straight week. Also, Keyport defeated Highland Park and Point Beach in the last week.
10. Point Borough (9-1, Not ranked)
The Panthers make their season debut after their best start since the 2017-2018 squad also went 9-1 in their first 10 games. Their only miscue was a 35-29 loss to Manasquan on January 6. Since then, Point Boro has won four straight games (Ocean, Jackson Liberty, St. Rose and Monmouth).
GAME STORY: St. John Vianney boys basketball maintains lead in Class B North division
Dropped out: No. 10 Holmdel (5-5).
Others receiving consideration: Raritan (6-2), Freehold Township (6-5), Central (8-3), Brick Memorial (6-3),
Sherlon Christie is a sports reporter at the Asbury Park Press and has covered sports at the Jersey Shore since 2004. Don't miss any of his coverage by subscribing at https://subscribe.app.com/. You can contact him via e-mail at schristie@gannettnj.com, on Twitter at https://twitter.com/sherlonapp, on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/sherlonapp and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/sherlon_christie
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Red Bank Catholic reigns in Shore Conference boys basketball rankings
