By RICH FISHER
Contributing Editor
What can the St. Rose, Belmar boys’ basketball team do for an encore after winning the 2024 Shore Conference and NJSIAA Non-Public B championships?
Maybe the same thing?
“I think that we have the team to do it; that’s the goal they have been very clear about,” coach Brian Lynch said. “Having five guys back makes you feel strongly that they are capable … They’ve been there and they’ve done it already.
“We feel we have guys that have gotten better over the summer,” he continued. “We have guys that come in to give nice sparks. We’re deep enough and have the firepower to get it done. Whether we do it or not is another story, but clearly that’s the goal.”
There are spots to fill, of course, as graduates Matthew Hodge and Gio Panzini are now at Villanova and Cornell, respectively. But five experienced players return in senior captains Evan Romano and Bryan Ebeling, junior Division I prospect Jayden Hodge (Matt’s brother), junior Tyler Cameron and sophomore Avery Lynch (the coach’s nephew).
Lynch called Romano and Ebeling “certainly underrated in the state.” Romano averaged 8.7 points with 89 assists and 31 steals last year, while Ebeling averaged 7.4 points with 71 rebounds, 71 assists and 28 steals.
“Evan is a dynamic scoring guard,” Lynch said. “He’s really elusive, he can shoot from anywhere – off the dribble, off the catch, off the move. Bryan is like his dad (Jon, a former pro in Italy), a tough son of a gun. He gets to the rim, he’s incredible defensively. He gets a lot of big rebounds even though he’s only 6-3. Just a smart player. Both guys will play major roles for us.”
Hodge is the Roses returning leading scorer after averaging 12.5 points last year. He collected 161 rebounds, 81 assists and 56 steals.
“Jayden is gonna be our elite guy that we need to go to when things aren’t going the right way,” Lynch said. “His brother was that guy this year. He’s got the potential, in my opinion, to be the best player in the state. He’s a 6-6 point guard who can guard every position. He can shoot, he can get to the rim with the best of them, and he defends and rebounds at a very high level. He takes us from a very good team to one of the best teams in the state.”
The coach feels Cameron is “probably the most underrated player in New Jersey,” as he has provided everything but scoring in his first two years. With Panzini and Matt Hodge gone, he will be asked to step up in that area while continuing to rebound and defend well. He is the glue that holds it all together.
“Tyler Cameron is a baller,” Lynch said. “He’s only a six-foot guard but will get us seven or eight boards. He never turns it over and he’ll only take the right shots. He’s a tremendous team player.”
At 6-foot-6, Avery Lynch will step in for Matt Hodge and “run our offense as a command leader.” Lynch has basketball smarts, can score from the perimeter or drive to the basket, and can also create off the dribble.
“He’ll be a guy to get our offense moving around, make good plays, get dirty points around the rim,” his uncle said.
Lynch is high on Izayah Cooper, who he says “Is probably one of the state’s best guards in the freshman class.” Cooper is smooth and under control, always playing at an even keel. His coach calls him “wise beyond his years,” prompting his teammates to nickname him “Grandpa.”
Three others who should see playing time are freshman Oymere Rene, a defender and rebounder, junior Orien Campbell, who will provide a spark off the bench; and sophomore baseball star Tyler Hager, who is 6-6 and will provide back-up for Avery Lynch.
Few teams can survive the loss of two Division I players and still be considered a state champion hopeful, but the Roses appeared poised for another run. Lynch has discussed the fact that his team, which went 29-2 last year as is ranked No. 3 in the New Jersey On3 Composite preseason rankings, will have a bullseye on its back after two straight trips to the state finals.
“Being under the radar is gone for us,” said Lynch, whose team opens by hosting Paramus Catholic Dec. 14. “They have to walk that line as one of the better teams in the state and expect everyone’s best shot. Obviously how we handle it, how we play, will obviously determine how ready we are. I think they do understand that from a mental standpoint.”
The Purple Roses are 65-18 in Lynch’s first three seasons at the helm. He has quickly built his program to enjoy success over the long run.
“That was the goal,” Lynch said. “I said we’ll be really good if we get to the point where we have three players of each grade who are all legitimate basketball players. We’re almost there. I’m really proud of building that kind of culture here.”
The Church needs quality Catholic journalism now more than ever. Please consider supporting this work by signing up for a SUBSCRIPTION (click HERE) or making a DONATION to The Monitor (click HERE). Thank you for your support.