St. Joseph’s to Compete in Hoop Group Boardwalk Showcase

Falcons Slated to Play Against Manasquan at Brookdale on Saturday

LINCROFT, NJ—Earlier on Thursday, GMC Hoops learned that the Hoop Group of Neptune, New Jersey updated its schedule to have only three games in its 2022 Boardwalk Showcase at Brookdale College on Saturday, January 8th.  The schedule change doesn’t affect St. Joseph’s, which is still playing in the event as it takes on Shore Conference power, Manasquan at 4:20 PM.

The Falcons, which began the season with a shorthanded roster as it played without at least a half dozen players, ultimately had to shut down during the holidays, and were unable to play in the 2021 Neptune Holiday Jubilee.  St. Joseph’s was able to salvage its holiday tourney play by participating in the Front Office’s NJ Challenge 2022 at Bergen Catholic, where it defeated Ramapo (74-61) on January 2nd.

St. Joe’s was originally scheduled to host New Brunswick on Tuesday, January 4th, but the game was also postponed as a result of the latest COVID surge.  The second ranked Falcons, which are currently 3-1 overall on the season to date, also have a bye on Thursday.  The only loss suffered by St. Joseph’s so far this season was against St. Thomas Aquinas (64-57) in the Friends of South Amboy Charity Basketball Games on December 18th.

Led by Ethan Simmon, who has tallied 91 total points, or an average of 22.8 points per game including 25 in the loss against Aquinas, and a season high of 26 in the 87-66 victory versus Perth Amboy at home on December 21st.  Junior Josh Ingram has chipped in with an average of 16 points per game including a season high of 17 in the come from behind victory over Monroe (60-49) on opening night at Maglio Gymnasium in Metuchen.

Also contributing to the Falcons early season success has been the likes of senior point guard, Kwane Herod (6.8 ppg) and Dave Caruso (5.8 ppg).  St. Joseph’s has been playing without the services of Immaculata transfer Darren Tuck while senior Amari Campbell and junior Anthony Williams, who had a 13 point performance in the win over Ramapo on Sunday, just returned to the lineup.

Meanwhile, the team St. Joe’s will be facing, Manasquan, is one of the top programs in Central Jersey year after year, and is among the top in the state currently.  According to NJ.com, the Warriors are 4-2 overall after defeating Immaculata (63-55) at the same NJ Challenge 2022 on Sunday, and only have lost to Rutgers Prep (71-51) on opening day, and St. John Vianney of Holmdel (69-60) in the WOBM Christmas Classic Semifinals.  

Anthony Williams going up for a score against Ramapo at Bergen Catholic. Photo courtesy of Charlie Wall. For more of his photos from this game, visit his photo gallery at SmugMug.

The Warriors are led by sophomore guard Ryan Fraunheim, who has tallied 93 total points, or an average of 15.5 points per game, freshman Darius Adams, who has compiled 85 points, or an average of 14.2 points per game.  Senior forward Matt Solomon leads the team with 73 total rebounds, or an average of 12.2 per game along with 9.3 points per contest.  Sophomore Alex Konov has also chipped in with 9 points and 6 boards per game.

This game will be the nightcap of three games that are scheduled to be played on Saturday.  Below is the full schedule of games for the day at the 2022 Boardwalk Classic at Brookdale College’s Collins Arena:

  • Red Bank Catholic vs. Marlboro, 1:00 PM
  • St. John Vianney vs. CBA, 2:40 PM
  • St. Joseph’s vs. Manasquan, 4:20 PM