By Rich Chrampanis
The boys basketball season saw Colts Neck break through to win the school’s first state title and Christian Brothers Academy reach the Shore Conference Tournament finals. Here’s a look at this year’s Two River Times All-Area team.
Player of the Year
Lukas Sloane, Colts Neck
Cougars’ senior guard Lukas Sloane took his game to another level in the playoffs and the result was a magical run to the school’s first state title. After overcoming an ankle injury suffered around the Shore Conference Tournament, Sloane had three double-doubles in the Cougars’ six postseason games, highlighted by a 20-point, 12-rebound effort in the state finals against Ramapo. He scored 13 of the Cougars’ 15 points in the first half to keep the them in the mix before a tremendous second half gave Colts Neck a 54-46 win.
“We haven’t been here before as a program, so… it’s unheard of, and we have the best student section, everyone popped out,” Sloane said after the win. “This is just amazing. This is everything I could have dreamed for.”
For the season, Sloane averaged 16.9 points and 7.5 rebounds a game.
All-Area Boys Basketball First Team
Luke Cruz, Rumson-Fair Haven
Cruz has emerged as one of the best bigs in New Jersey, averaging 17.4 points and over 11 rebounds a game. At 6-foot-9, Cruz has a great inside-outside game, sinking 37 3-pointers and swatting away 66 shots in the paint. Cruz was a big reason RFH reached the 20-win mark.
Zayier Dean, Red Bank Regional
During Dean’s two years at RBR, the Bucs won 43 games. His offensive output increased last year, along with a big jump in assists – from 86 to 109. Factoring in Dean’s first two seasons at Ocean Township, he finished with 1,578 career points, the most in Red Bank Regional history.
Ryan Fisher, Red Bank Regional
Fisher stepped up big in his senior season for the 22-5 Bucs. He had 28 points and six rebounds in a 65-57 win over Freehold Boro in the Albert E. Martin Buc Classic championship over the holidays. Fisher had 20 points and 10 rebounds in an 80-74 win over Red Bank Catholic and averaged 15.5 points per game.
Justin Fuerbacher, Christian Brothers Academy
Fuerbacher was the catalyst for a Colts team that had a 21-5 record with a spot in the Shore Conference Tournament finals and the sectional semifinals in Non-Public “A” South. Fuerbacher was recognized as first-team All-Shore by the Shore Conference coaches. He had a season-high 26 points early in the season against Holmdel and had back-to-back double-digit rebounds during the Shore Conference Tournament.
Ryan Prior, Red Bank Catholic
One of New Jersey’s top pitchers on the baseball field, Prior was also one of the top offensive threats in Shore basketball with 18.8 points and 7.5 rebounds per game. He scored 30 points twice and finished his career with 1,332 points and 633 rebounds. Prior continues the tradition of Caseys multisport athletes who have been big contributors to the RBC basketball team in their secondary sport.
Second Team
Colin Byrne, Middletown North
Jack Fitzpatrick, Henry Hudson
Brady Hahn, Middletown South
Eddie Lopez, Middletown North
Kevin Pikiell, Christian Brothers Academy
Third Team
David Carr, Rumson-Fair Haven
Bryce Crowe, Shore Regional
Charlie Marcoullier, Christian Brothers Academy
Shaan Nayar, Ranney
Dillon Younger, Colts Neck
Click here to view 2025 Two River Times All-Area Girls Basketball Team.
The article originally appeared in the March 27 – April 2, 2025 print edition of The Two River Times.
