Jason Wingate never put up huge numbers or made spectacular passes. But the six-foot point guard from Rice ably ran the Raiders’ offense, keeping his teammates on an even keel and helping them capturethe state Federation championship.

Wingate hopes to attain similar success at Manhattan, the college to which he committed yesterday. He was expected to sign with the Bronx school today.

“That’s what made him so important,” said Rice head coach Maurice Hicks of Wingate, who was named to the Post’s All-CHSAA second team. “He knew what to do for us to win.”

That was especially true late in games, when Wingate had a knack for hitting the big shot.

Wingate also considered Hofstra, Ohio, Fairfield and Florida International.