Manasquan

Manasquan won its first ever NJSIAA state title with a dominant performance Saturday night at Rutgers -- a red-hot performance that means an ice-cold gift from its coach.

Manasquan and Caldwell will play the final game of the 2022-23 boys basketball season in New Jersey, with both programs looking for their first state championship.

Manasquan's stars stepped up on offense and stepped in on defense in crucial spots to help the Warriors hold off Middle Township and reach their first state final since 2004.

Whether it is a hot opponent or COVID, Manasquan has run into a group final roadblock in recent years. Is this the year the Warriors break through?

Ryan Frauenheim helped Manasquan overcome some early struggles and the Warriors banded together for a strong second half that secured a Central Jersey Group II title win at South River.

Manasquan hits the road Tuesday in search of its fourth straight sectional title, with a dangerous South River team standing in the way.

Last week, Manasquan closed out a dominant run to its third Shore Conference championship in four years, setting itself up for a potentially historic season for the program.

Manasquan remembered its bitter defeat in last year's Shore Conference final and finished off a happier ending Sunday by beating Ranney for its third conference title in three years.

Manasquan and Ranney have grown familiar in recent years and for the second time since 2019, the two Shore Conference powers will play for the conference championship at Monmouth.

Manasquan dominated a one-loss Raritan team to earn a trip to its fifth straight Shore Conference Tournament championship.