Southern Boys Volleyball: The Hype Is Real

- In material promoting the numerous achievements of the Southern Regional High School boys volleyball team, it states, “Tradition of Success. 23 years of achieving excellence through hard work, enthusiasm, dedication and passion. Creation of a family called Southern Regional Volleyball. Southern volleyball consists of a group of UNCOMMON PEOPLE achieving UNCOMMON RESULTS!” There are plenty of successes to back up the bravado.

Coach Eric Maxwell, who began the program in 2000, has guided the Rams to numerous titles, including six overall championships in the NJSIAA Tournament. Their latest title - the Group IV state crown - was captured this season.

Maxwell arrived at Southern in the fall of 1999 after working for 11 years at Pinelands Regional where he coached several seasons of boys basketball, the final three at the varsity level. Then-Southern athletics director Kim DeGraw-Cole had just approved the start of girls volleyball for the fall of 1999 season. Maxwell’s sister-in-law, Cathy Maxwell, was the first coach of the girls team. Fast forward to this season. Smarting from the fact they had not won a state title since 2017, the Rams were determined to make it back to the top of the mountain. Losses to Old Bridge in the state championship match during the last two seasons further fueled the Rams’ fires.

“We were on a mission to change those results,” Maxwell said, “so we went to work like we always do.”

The Rams worked out with their club program, the Southern Ocean Volleyball Club, from September through February. Its coaching staff consists of former Southern players Robert Kraft (2006-09),

Brennan Davis (2014-17), Matt Jones (2015-18), Anthony LeBlanc (2016-19) and Justin Kean (2017-20).

The hours and hours and hours of hard work and training paid off. The Rams (31-1) captured the Group IV state title with a 2-0 victory over Bridgewater-Raritan (18-7). The game scores were 25-17 and 25-18.

The team consisted of senior outside hitter Lucas Kean, senior defensive specialist Cameron Nu- gent, senior middle blocker Kyle Caufield, junior outside hitter Jack McKenna, senior opposite Patrick Gaffney, senior libero Landon Davis, junior middle blocker Dane Calsyn, junior opposite-defensive specialist Caden Schubiger, senior setter Ethan Brummer, junior defensive specialist Max DiRocco, junior outside hitter-opposite Ian Batchelor, junior opposite-outside hitter Matthew Hoosack, senior outside hitter Jonah

Short, sophomore middle blocker-opposite Aiden Krinic, sophomore opposite Jonah Krinic, junior defensive specialist Colin Olcott, junior setter-defensive specialist Angelo Addiego, junior setter Nick Gatto, senior middle blocker Chris Prosperi and freshman setter Logan Homme.

“I think the fact that our previous state title was won in 2017 makes this title special,” Maxwell said. “We don’t like finishing second. Add to that the fact that Old Bridge was standing in our way again. We wanted this one badly. And they were considered the favorite.”

The so-called experts were wrong. The Rams toppled Old Bridge in the South Jersey championship match.

Southern captured overall state titles in 2017, 2016, 2014, 2013, 2010 and 2009. Maxwell owns a 711104 overall record at the helm. He has coached the Rams’ girls team to a 542-129 overall record from 2002-2022.

Behind Every Face Is A Story In Newly Discovered Homeless Camp

By Stephanie Faughnan

TOMS

RIVER

– A clandestine homeless encampment has managed to defy discovery since last October, catching local authorities completely off guard.

The revelation came to light during a recent weekend summer sunset patrol by diligent members of the Ocean County Air Support Squadron (OASS). From the vantage point of their small aircraft, volunteers took a double take as they gazed down upon the landscape below.

Amidst an area nestled near high tension wires, rows of tents and people moving about revealed a hidden world that had successfully eluded scrutiny for eight months.

Ocean County Sheriff Michael Mastronardy oversees OASS, which serves as the county law enforcement agency’s air wing. Utilizing their own aircraft, skilled pilots conduct surveillance over waterways, roads, and wooded regions. Through the submission of photographs, any unusual discoveries are diligently documented.

Mastronardy credited the sharp-eyed team with discovering the hidden encampment, which had been alluded to in a social media post that same day. Upon identifying the setup, Toms River Police were notified of the situation.

Local authorities dispatched a targeted group to the camp to engage with them and evaluate

(Homeless - See Page 4) their situations. While some expressed resistance to what they perceived as outsider intervention, others hoped to find alternatives to their current living conditions.

In the wake of county officials taking proactive steps to create a homelessness trust fund and task force, the urgency for support became all the more evident.

Homelessness Advocacy

Setting up a community of tents to address shelter isn’t exactly a novel concept for Minister Steve Brigham of Destiny’s Bridge. At the start of the millennium, Brigham began by providing for the needy by offering food and essentials. However, an encounter with a man who asked Brigham for rent money resulted in a more comprehensive approach.

After providing the man with a tent and camping gear, Brigham settled him in Jackson. Two weeks later, the man expressed difficulties finding work and a lack of nearby food pantries. Responding to the man’s concerns, Brigham agreed to relocate him and later extended assistance to other homeless individuals he learned were in need.

So began the story of Lakewood’s Tent City, which was ultimately dismantled by authorities. Its occupants received some compensation as others moved on to Howell to another homeless community. Township officials in Howell promised to help them, and then sold that property to a developer, who kicked them off.

The most recently discovered homeless encampment set up by Brigham stands out due to the ages and health of many of its residents, who are living without the comfort of conventional support systems.

In a social media post earlier this month, Brigham gave the first names of nineteen individuals ranging from ages 28-78 with requests for clothing donations. He also told the story of someone who advocated for a homeless shelter within Ocean County a decade ago for others. Lynn fell upon hard times and came to the encampment as she had nowhere else to live.

Tragically, just two weeks after settling in the camp, Lynn called one of her newfound friends to say she wasn’t feeling well. The next call was from one of Lynn’s family members, informing them that she had passed away in the hospital due to a heart attack.

Brigham easily admits he has little faith in the government. He expressed his concerns regarding the risk of removing people from the tent community in a more recent social media post.

“This treatment of homeless seniors by local and county government is utterly inhumane and honestly, downright shameful,” Brigham said. “While resources are scarce, affordable housing is unavailable, and the wealthy are more concerned about their property values than human lives, the very least government officials ought to do is allow community organizations like ours to assist the poor without interference, in whatever way we are able.”

“It’s like putting a Band-Aid on the whole thing,” Brigham said when interviewed. “Sure, people will get put up in a hotel for a couple of days or even a couple of weeks. But families don’t always get to stay together. And they can’t bring their animals with them. They’re back on the streets in no time.”

Among the team assembled for the first visit by Toms River Police were plain clothes officers, the Board of Social Services, social workers, and volunteer representatives from organizations such as Just Believe, Inc. Paul Hulse, is CEO of Just Believe, which runs a Code Blue shelter in Toms River when temperatures drop below freezing points.

Hulse said he thought there was a need for his group’s services after reading Brigham’s first post.

“We are also privately funded through private grants from the state, county, and Toms River,” shared Hulse. “We also receive support from a number of private businesses.”

Hulse said his organization works with various non-profits to secure assistance. The list of affiliates includes mental health professionals, veteran groups, and affordable housing entities.

Who Are They?

Before word got out that authorities knew of the camp’s existence, Brigham had already agreed to allow this reporter to visit the camp. However, the scheduled appointment was moved up by a few days in a matter of minutes.

“I just got a call from people over at the camp,” Brigham shared. “The police were there with a bunch of people. They’re planning on coming back tomorrow.”

Brigham’s tone made it difficult to discern whether he was aggravated by the perceived invasion or even a bit worried - or perhaps a mix of both emotions. Nevertheless, the decision was an easy one and the appointment was scheduled for early the next morning.

Along the unpaved and twisty road through untamed nature, a sense of secrecy enveloped the surroundings. It was early morning and as the camp came into view, the only living creatures around were a playful flock of different colored chickens. Everyone else was tucked away in the tents lining two sides, creating a pathway winding through the heart of the camp.

“No roosters,” offered Brigham. “They make too much noise. The chickens are good for getting rid of the tics.”

Brigham first pointed to some water jugs that he fills regularly and then sighed as he looked at the pile of black garbage bags. He commented on the inevitability of garbage and a throw away society. The unmistakable upset in Brigham’s voice was palpable as he began moving from tent to tent to check on those he considered part of his ministry. He explained that they each had a chance to share their stories if they wished. Despite the option of anonymity, a surprising number willingly posed for quick portraits, unreservedly offering their full names to accompany their narratives.

Bill Honeker, 63, originally from Brick, emerged from his tent, ready to provide Brigham with the details of the previous day. His bare torso revealed a chiseled six-pack, only marred by a surgical scar from a liver transplant. Fred, a sweet boxer, stood faithfully next to his master.

Honeker said he rides his bicycle to the gym regularly to work out and then showers after he’s done there. Meanwhile, a great deal of Honeker’s Social Security benefits goes to paying for his medication.

“Between food and my medication, there’s nothing left to pay for rent,” shared Honeker.

A former dock builder and plumber, Honeker said he once owned his own home, a boat, and a truck. He lost it all after a bad breakup with a girl

(Homeless - See Page 5)