Mariners Hoops Having Banner Season

Toms River North is probably not known as a perennial basketball powerhouse but the Mariners have had their periods of success and one of them is right now.

With an easy 13-point win over Central last night at the Pine Belt Arena North locked up its third consecutive Class “A South” championship and improved to 20-1 with that lone loss coming against Freehold Township in the finals of the WOBM Christmas Classic. It was not only a night to celebrate a division title but the achievements of two Mariner seniors as Jaden Rhoden & Mike Nyisztor both joined the 1,000 point club.

Rhoden, who scored a game-high 24 points, reached the milestone in the 3^rd quarter and Nyisztor joined him later with number 1,000 coming on a dunk which certainly energized the home crowd.

The duo are just the 7^th and 8^th players in school history to reach that magic number and the first since Ryan Stokes 17 years ago.  Jim Barone was the first 1,000 point scorer followed by Bill Nide, Michael Ritacco, Ron Sermarini, Greg Adams and then Stokes.  Just last week senior Darrion Carrington collected his 500^th career assist and along with Rhoden & Nyisztor will lead Coach Rory Caswell’s team into the Shore Conference Tournament next week where they will try and make a deep run.

Meanwhile not to be forgotten is the Toms River North girls’ basketball team which remains undefeated and has already secured the Class “A South” championship. Ranked 10^th in the state the Lady Mariners figure to get their toughest test of the season when they visit surging Neptune tonight.  Led by 1,000 point scorer Ashley Tutzauer TR North will likely get a high seed in the upcoming Shore Conference Tournament which will be loaded with state powers like Manasquan, Red Bank Catholic, St. Rose and St. John Vianney.