original story via Matt Manley Shore Sports Insider
The winners of the first ever boys basketball Coaches Cup, Middletown North is hoping for bigger and better things in 2025. Playing against a loaded Class A North and Class B North group in divisional and crossover play saddled the Lions with an 0-10 record in those games in 2023-24, but it sharpened their edges for all of their other games (12-5). There was a solid senior presence on last year’s team, but two of team’s best players are back in 2024-25 and the division slate sets Middletown North up to win more often in the season to come.
Colin Byrne is coming off an impressive all-around junior season that has him set up for an even bigger showing as a senior. Junior running mate Eddie Lopez is one of the Shore’s more unique talents at 6-6 with exceptional shooting prowess and developing athleticism – all of which is on hold while Lopez recovers from a foot injury that will keep him out of action until sometime after the calendar turns to 2025, according to coach Chris Hoffman. Junior Braden Marcotte is another returnee to the lineup at point guard who will, eventually, have a pair of reliable options to find while running the offense.
Lopez’s absence – as well as that of junior Owen Robson, who is expected to miss the season – will open the door for a collection of new starters to step up. Seniors Jac Colantino and Damien Merker are ready for a promotion to the starting five, with Merker providing size at 6-4 and Colantino out on the perimeter. Sophomore Nate Tyburczy is the fifth starter after he got a taste of varsity action as a freshman, giving Middletown North a strong starting group with a deep bench heading into a promising season that should be played with division title hopes.
Middletown North at a Glance
Head Coach: Chris Hoffman, second season
2023-24 Record: 12-15 (0-10 crossover; 0-5, sixth in Class B North)
Key Losses: Jay Quardt (Guard, 5-8), Luke Sheehan (6-3, Guard), Jack Walsh (6-2, Guard), Isiah Ellis (6-5, Center)
Projected Lineup (with 2023-24 stats)
Returning Starters in Bold
Braden Marcotte, Jr., 5-10, Guard (3.5 points, 1.7 rebounds, 1.2 assists)
Colin Byrne, Sr., 6-2, Guard (10.8 points, 5.5 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 1.3 blocks)
Jac Colantino, Sr., 5-8, Guard
Nate Tyburczy, So., 5-9, Guard
Damien Merker, Sr., 6-4, Forward (1.0 points, 1.5 rebounds)
Off the Bench
Eddie Lopez, Jr., 6-6, Guard (10.8 points, 7.4 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.3 blocks)
Joe Grasso, Sr., 6-4, Forward
Jack Dambaugh, Jr., 6-3, Forward
Matt Dickie, Jr., 5-9, Guard
Jack Kelly, Jr., 5-9, Guard
Matt Byrne, So., 5-7, Guard
Mason Lisotto, So., 5-9, Guard
Doc Colantino, So., 5-9, Guard
Steven Huynh, So., 5-7, Guard
Owen Robson, Jr., 6-1, Guard – Injured; out for season (3.0 points, 1.3 rebounds)