Jamir McNeil helped revitalize the Middle Township High School boys basketball program.

He will graduate as one of the most accomplished players in school history.

McNeil led the Panthers to a 21-9 record, the Cape-Atlantic League American Division title and the South Jersey Group II final this season. He averaged 20.9 points, 4.7 rebounds and 3.8 assists. McNeil is The Press Player of the Year.

“My journey was great,” McNeil said. “Ever since I went there as a freshman, I just had to do the little things, bring the energy and get on the court. Over the years, I found myself in a bigger leadership role. I’m very appreciative. Being in this program meant a lot to me. It pushed me.”

In McNeil’s four seasons at Middle, the Panthers were 86-32. They won a South Jersey Group II and a Cape-Atlantic League championship and reached three sectional finals. McNeil finished with 1,672 career points. The Panthers had five straight non-winning seasons before McNeil arrived.

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“He’s turned our program around,” Middle Township coach LaMarr Greer said. “We weren’t looking that good when he walked into the building. Now, we’re one of the top public schools in the state, winning 20 games, getting to sectional finals. Now we have kids in the third, fourth and fifth grades who look up to him. They want to come to Middle now and be successful like he was.”

McNeil excels with the ball in his hands in the open court, but he became a more complete player during his Middle career.

“He’s developed his jump shot.” Greer said. “That’s the biggest thing. Growing up, he was so athletic he would jump over people. He’s developed his 3-point shot. His off-the-dribble pull-up shot. He’s super athletic but now he can shoot the ball.

McNeil will continue his career on an NCAA Division I scholarship at Rider University.

“The process starts all over again,” McNeil said. “I have to work 10 times harder to find minutes on that court. I have to go in there and do the little things, do what the coach needs me to do to fit the system.”

Coach of the Year

Paul Rodio’s strength as coach is his ability to convince players to sacrifice for each other and play for a goal bigger than their own individual achievement.

This season, Rodio, who is 1,045-287 in his 42-year career, did that as well as he ever has.

Rodio led the St. Augustine Prep boys basketball team to the Cape-Atlantic League championship. He is The Press Coach of the Year.

“I just had the feeling having done this as long as I have that I had a good group of kids,” Rodio, 72, said. “They were young. They were going to make mistakes. They were a good group. They understood the tradition of St. Augustine basketball, and they played with the framework of that.”

St. Augustine finished 17-13. The Hermits were hampered by injuries and were 8-10 at one point. It would have been easy for the Hermits to quit on the season, but Rodio and his staff of Tom Attanasi, Dave Catalana, Brendan Westcott, Connor Murphy, Ray Dudo and Jared Hastings helped the Hermits stay connected. They won the program’s 11th CAL title. No CAL boys or girls team has won more.

“This was definitely one of the best and satisfying ones.” Rodio said of the CAL title. “Especially as you get older. I think it was great that we were able to do what we did in that situation. I think it was great for the kids. It was good for the school, and it was good for St. Augustine basketball.”

Team of the Year

This was supposed to be a rebuilding season for Ocean City.

The Red Raiders returned just one starter from a team that lost in the 2024 South Jersey Group III final to Mainland Regional.

Ocean City used the low expectations as motivation and had one of the best seasons in school history.

The Red Raiders finished 22-7 and won the South Jersey Group III title, their first sectional championship since 1999.

“We took it personally,” senior point guard Ben McGonigle said. “People saying it was a rebuilding season. I took it personally, and we worked so hard to get here.”

McGonigle was the Red Raiders’ unquestioned leader. He averaged 13 points and dribbled the ball up court on just about every position. Junior forward Luke Tjoumakaris emerged during the state tournament as one of the CAL’s top players. Sophomore Josh Lenko showed the ability to score on the perimeter and drive to the basket. Dean Lappin and Tighe Olek were standout defenders who supplied timely offense. Leon Brown brought 3-point shooting off the bench.

Along the way, the Red Raiders also celebrated coach John Bruno’s 500th career win.

“Hard work and excellent chemistry in accepting everyone’s role to be successful,” Bruno said when asked the keys to the Red Raiders’ prosperity. “(We had) incredible leadership from Ben McGonigle as a role model for the younger players.”

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