MAYS LANDING - The Atlantic Cape Community College Buccaneers men’s basketball team enters the 2025-26 season with a completely revamped roster, positional and scoring depth, size, physicality and a relentless defensive system determined to apply intense pressure on opponents up and down the court in the continued pursuit of a national championship.
Last season’s squad, which finished 16-13 overall and 11-7 in the conference, was led by sophomore standouts Christopher Parker and Jeremy Ellis, who helped the Buccaneers to the second round of the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Region 19 Division III playoffs.
Parker finished his Atlantic Cape career with more than 1,000th career points, and was named All-Garden State Athletic Conference (GSAC) Division III Player of the Year, All-GSAC Region 19 Division III First Team and the team’s most valuable player. Parker earned a full scholarship to Division I South Carolina State University. Meanwhile, Ellis was the team’s most improved player and an All-Academic Team honoree. He is currently playing for Division I Alcorn State University in Lorman, Mississippi in the Southwest Athletic Conference.
Fifth-year Head Coach Allen Ragland is determined to see this season’s team play a style that embodies relentless defense, grit and toughness.
“We want to play like a pack of hungry wolves and coyotes,” said Ragland. “This year, our identity is defense. We’re going to win with mindset, discipline, toughness, and grit.”
He is also confident that the team will learn from last season’s tough lessons.
“We learned you can’t ride one or two guys to carry a team. You need a committee and every player has to contribute. Defense and grit win games in March, and this roster understands that,” said Ragland. “Last season was disappointing. With talent like Parker and Ellis, along with the rest of the team, we should have done better. We didn’t have the guards like we do this year. We did have ups and downs, and that taught us valuable lessons about balance, depth, and consistency. This year, we have addressed those weaknesses head-on.”
On a team with only two returning student-athletes, developing chemistry and continuity while also overcoming an inexperienced youthful backcourt, and early season-ending injuries to freshmen guard Xavier Lewis and forward Faik Efe Ozdemir will be of the utmost importance.
“This season excites me because I recruited players who are competitors. These guys thrive on toughness. They’re built for defense and they’ll get after people every single possession. We’re deep at every position and can play the relentless style of basketball I love,” said Ragland.
Meet the 2025-26 Buccaneers men’s basketball team with insight into each student-athlete by coach Ragland:
Sophomores
Ragland is confident that this season’s team depth will adequately replace Parker’s scoring and intangibles.
“[Christopher] Parker was special—his scoring and leadership carried us at times. But this year, it’s not about one man. It’s about the entire team. Replacing him will be done by committee. Everyone must work, defend and sacrifice. That’s how we’ll be successful,” admitted Ragland, whose expectations for his student-athletes and team remain the same. “My expectation is simple: hang banners. I want to win championships, I want players moving on to four-year schools and I want diplomas in their hands. We’ve had All-Region players and Division I signees every year, but this season is about finishing the job.”
The Buccaneers open the 2025-26 season on Thursday, November 6, 5 p.m. vs. Salem Community College. Visit www.atlanticcape.edu/mensbasketball for schedule, results, roster and coach information.
“This team is built different. We’re gritty, we’re tough and we’re relentless. Every player has a role, and together we’re going to bring pride and banners to Atlantic Cape,” concluded Ragland.
Craig Matthews Women's Basketball Preview
With a powerful trifecta of freshmen student-athletes leading the way, the rejuvenated Atlantic Cape Community College Buccaneers women’s basketball team took the National Junior College Athletic Association’s (NJCAA) Region 19 by surprise last season as they earned a berth in the playoffs.
Last season’s squad, which finished 7-16 overall and 6-14 in the conference, was led by first-year standouts guard Angelina Bell, forward Millinda Marigliano and guard Allison Giraldo, who averaged 18.4, 17.3 and 14.4 points-per-game, respectively. The Buccaneers qualified for the Region 19 playoffs, but fell to Montgomery County Community College, 67-53, in the first round. Despite the loss, the Bucs plan to use the playoff setback as a learning experience.
“Last season was a valuable learning experience for our team. Despite having only five or six players each game, we battled hard all year and held our own against the best teams in the league,” said first-year Head Coach Ricky White, Jr., who takes over for John Miller. “The biggest lesson we took from last season is that the game isn’t over until the clock hits zero. There were times we were down by 30 points and still managed to come back and win or push it to the final buzzer. We also learned the importance of staying poised, avoiding unnecessary fouls and letting the game come to us.”
The coaching staff and Athletic Department conducted a thorough recruitment process after last season to ensure that the team’s lack of depth was addressed.
“I’m really excited for this new season, especially because we finally have a full team. The recruitment process wasn’t easy, but we got fortunate and picked up some real talented student-athletes,” said White, Jr. “We’re solid from positions one through five. The girls truly care for and trust one another, and we believe we have what it takes to make a deep playoff run.”
As team captain, Marigliano, who was last season’s team most valuable player, an All-Academic Team honoree, and 1st Team All-Conference GSAC and 2nd Team All-Region NJCAA Region 19 selection, will be looked upon once again this season for her skill, leadership and intangibles.
“I expect her [Marigliano] to continue leading this team as the captain she was last year. She is a versatile player who can step into any position when needed. She works hard, uplifts her teammates and serves as the backbone of our squad. Her leadership and determination are exactly what we need to make a strong championship run,” said White, Jr.
Meet the 2025-26 Buccaneers women’s basketball team with insight into each student-athlete by coach White, Jr.
Sophomores/Returnees
• Angelina Bell (So., G – Egg Harbor Township, NJ) – “Last year’s leading scorer, Bell plays with unmatched competitiveness and grit. She’s hungry to improve and dominate, and I’m confident she’ll earn first-team recognition in Region 19 this season.”
• Lanique Brice (So., F – Nassau, Bahamas) – “She’s been putting in serious work both in the weight room and on the court to become a better player for herself and her teammates. I believe she’s going to surprise a lot of people this year.”
• Samantha Cosme (So., G – Egg Harbor Township, NJ)– “A strong defender who always took on the toughest matchups without complaining. Over the summer, she added a jump shot and improved her finishing at the rim. With her defensive skills and new offensive tools, she’s going to be tough to stop.”
• Allison Giraldo (So., G – Galloway Township, NJ) – “Our starting point guard last season, she faced constant double teams and tough pressure. Even when turnovers made things look rough, she never backed down. This offseason, she trained consistently and hit the weight room hard. I expect her to be one of the top guards in the region and earn first-team honors.”
• Millinda Marigliano (So., F – Absecon, NJ) – Our All-Region and All-Conference standout, she led Region 19 in both total blocks and blocks per game. Her skill level and drive to be the best for her team make her one of the top players in the region and I expect nothing less this year.”
• Alexandra Montoya (So., F – Galloway Township, NJ) – Like Cosme, Montoya came in new to basketball, but quickly became one of our best defenders. She spent the summer working hard on her ball-handling and layups, and the progress really shows.”
Freshmen/New Additions
• Rainelle Blocker (Fr., G – Clayton, NJ) – “A talented multi-sport athlete who turned down track and field scholarships to stay and bet on herself in basketball. She’s the total package. She can shoot, handle the ball, drive, rebound, block shots and create turnovers. If she continues to put in the work, she has the potential to be Player of the Year.”
• Laziah Wilson (Fr., C – Egg Harbor Township, NJ) – “Another multi-sport athlete who’s new to basketball, but brings incredible athleticism and instincts from volleyball. Her energy and timing make her a natural rebounder, and she has the potential to lead the conference in that category.”
• Jayda Dixon (Fr., G – Galloway Township, NJ )– “A newcomer who had never played basketball before, but came in eager to learn. In just a few weeks, she’s already showing major improvement and growing into a solid player.”
• Kennedy Campbell (Fr., G – Cape May Court House, NJ ) – “A true blessing to our program. A former standout at Cape May Tech High School, she hadn’t played since high school, but reached out wanting to return to the game. Campbell is a tough guard who can score from all areas of the floor, and brings valuable experience and intensity to our team.”
White, Jr. is convinced that his squad is primed and ready to make a legitimate run to the top of the Region 19 standings this season. A full team effort will be needed though to reach their ultimate goal.
“My expectation is for us to start and finish this season united as a team, showing respect to every opponent, whether in victory or defeat. I expect us to make a deep run in the playoffs. I also want each player to achieve their personal goals, whether that’s playing at the next level or continuing to grow into the remarkable young women they already are.
“I believe it’s going to take a full team effort this season. There will be games where Marigliano or Bell might not be at their best, and that’s when players like Giraldo and some of our new additions will need to step up. Reaching our goal will depend on everyone contributing and working together as one unit.”
The Buccaneers open the 2025-26 season on Thursday, November 6, at Middlesex College, 5 p.m. Visit www.atlanticcape.edu/womensbasketball for schedule, results, roster and coach information.
