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ABOUT THE COVER
Most high school sports seasons are judged by wins and losses, trips to the state playoffs, conference titles. Come up on the short end more often than not in regular-season games and meets, and some might view it as an unsuccessful season. The Absegami boys and girls swimming programs know they aren’t going to win a lot of dual meets during the regular season. The Braves don’t have a ton of depth, and unlike teams such as Ocean City, Mainland or Egg Harbor Township, Absegami isn’t loaded with club swimmers, which usually is a necessity for a team to make the state playoffs or compete for conference titles. But swimmers like freshman Sarah Ghazaz, pictured above, are being indoctrinated into what Absegami swimming is all about. Things like teamwork, sportsmanship and enthusiasm define each Braves season. In this edition of Glory Days Magazine, student reporter Ray Lewis, a senior at Absegami, dives into the Braves’ swimming culture for a closer look at one of the more fun teams in the CAL. — Dave O’Sullivan, Staff Writer
GLORY DAYS MAGAZINE General contact: 609-788-4294/advertising@acglorydays.com Dave O’Sullivan, Publisher: sully@acglorydays.com On Twitter: @GDsullysays Giuseppe Ungaro, Managing Editor: gungaro@acglorydays.com On Twitter: @GDgisepu Amy D’Adamo, Graphic Design: advertising@acglorydays.com Bill Lynskey, Director of Advertising: bill@acglorydays.com Victor McGuinn, Advertising Sales: victor@acglorydays.com STORY IDEAS/ADVERTISING: Have a story you’d like to see told in Glory Days Magazine? Want to get your business noticed with a marketing campaign in our print or digital platforms? Call us anytime at 609-788-4294. Volume: 6 Issue: 11 Overall Issue Number: 118. Cover Photography: Dave O’Sullivan. 2018 Glory Days Magazine. All rights reserved.
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MAKING HEADLINES Sully takes a closer look at the athletes, coaches and teams who are generating news and highlights in the Cape-Atlantic League and throughout South Jersey.
u Closing in on a milestone: ACIT senior guard Kayla Sykes, pic-
tured above, is one the verge of becoming just the second player in program history (behind Yasmeen Nelson) to reach 1,000 career points. She should hit the mark on Monday when the RedHawks host Cedar Creek. Ironically, Nelson also scored her 1,000th career point during a home game against the Pirates. u Seagull season: The Seagull Classic, one of the most iconic high school basketball tournaments in New Jersey, made its return to the area last year, and this weekend will mark the second straight year that Holy Spirit is hosting the event. It features six of the top 20 teams in the state and some incredible matchups. Check out page 7 for a full schedule.
glory days digital Want the best high school sports coverage every day of the week? Visit glorydaysonline.com for game coverage, features and more! You can also like us at facebook.com/acglorydays, and follow Sully on Twitter @GDsullysays. Get the best. Every day.
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BASKETBALL
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Glory Days Magazine photo/Dave O’Sullivan
Senior center Sam Growalt and the Pleasantville Greyhounds cap off an exciting Seagull Classic showcase event on Sunday, Jan. 6, when they take on host Holy Spirit.
Seagull Classic features lineup of marquee basketball teams Patrick School, Haddonfield, Wildwood Catholic and Camden among top schools heading to Holy Spirit From staff reports The Seagull Classic, a formerly iconic basketball tournament that was revived last winter by Holy Spirit High School, is back again and has a lineup that features some serious basketball heavyweights, on both the boys and girls sides. The showcase event runs from Friday, Jan. 4 through Sunday, Jan. 6, and culminates with the host Holy Spirit boys taking on Pleasantville. Last year, the Spartans took down Pleasantville as point guard Drew Gallagher, now playing at Drew University, battled sickness the entire night
to lead an inspiring victory over a very talented Greyhounds team. This year’s Greyhounds team is just as talented and no doubt will be looking for some revenge. And, Pleasantville has an added piece in Middle Township transfer Jalen Freeman, an electric guard who can score, dish and defend. He teams up with guys like Jacob Valeus and Sahmir Jones to pose a formidable challenge to the Spartans. Both Atlantic City teams will be in action during the Friday session, as the girls, one of the top defensive teams in the Cape-Atlantic League, start things off by facing Middle Township at 5 p.m. The Friday night slate also features two boys games, as Southern Regional takes on Elizabeth at 6:30 and Atlantic City battles Camden Catholic at 8 p.m. The Irish feature Uche Okafor
See Seagull, page 9
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schedule Friday, Jan. 4 (Session 1) 5pm: Atlantic City vs. Middle (girls) 6:30: Elizabeth vs. Southern 8:00: Atlantic City vs. Camden Catholic Saturday, Jan. 5 (Session 2) 10am: Holy Spirit vs. Delsea (girls) 11:30: Mainland vs. Gloucester Cath. (girls) 1pm: St. Joseph vs. Rancocas Valley 2:30: Haddonfield vs. Linden (Session 3) 6:30: Middle vs. Eastern 8:00: Camden vs. Patrick School Sunday, Jan. 6 (Session 4) Noon: Lenape vs. Ocean City (girls) 1:45pm: Ocean City vs. Howell 3:30: Wildwood Catholic vs. Patrick School 5:15: Bishop Eustace vs. Williamstown 7:30: Holy Spirit vs. Pleasantville
Watch games live at youtube.com/mattOCNJ or 973espn.com/watch-live-high-school-basketball-games/
Glory Days Magazine photo/Dave O’Sullivan
Jules Lynch and the Holy Spirit girls kick off a Saturday slate of six games when the Spartans take on Delsea Regional at 10 a.m.
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Jan. 4, 2019 w Glory Days Magazine w Page 9 Kylee Watson and Mainland face a tough challenge at the Seagull Classic, as they go up against Duke recruit Azana Baines and Gloucester Catholic on Saturday.
Seagull, from page 6 and Babatunde Ajike, a couple of talented forwards, and have scored big wins so far this year over the likes of Lenape and Cinnaminson. The two Saturday sessions feature some really exciting matchups, including the Mainland girls taking on Gloucester Catholic and Haddonfield vs. Linden boys. The game of the night is at 8 p.m. as Camden, one of the top teams in South Jersey, squares off against the Patrick School, the No. 4 team in the state according to nj.com and a squad that has won three straight. The Patrick School will stay overnight and play again on Sunday at 3:30 p.m. against Wildwood Catholic, the No. 15 team in the state. The tournament features six teams in the state’s top 20, including four of which are undefeated. Elizabeth is (5-0) is No. 9, Haddonfield (6-0) No. 12, Camden (4-0) No. 13, Wildwood Catholic (6-1) No. 15 and St. Augustine Prep (5-0) No. 17. The Mainland vs. Gloucester Catholic girls game features two of the best players in New Jersey. Azana Baines is committed to Duke University, and Mainland junior Kylee Watson, who played for USA Basketball’s U16 team after her freshman year, is being recruited by a host of the nation’s top colleges, including the likes of South Carolina, Florida, Oregon and UCLA, among others. There will be plenty of Cape-Atlantic League
Glory Days Magazine photo/ Dave O’Sullivan
teams in action as well. Joining Atlantic City are both of Ocean City’s teams, as the Red Raiders girls squad returns from a holiday trip to Florida to take on Lenape in the noon game on Sunday, while the boys take on Howell immediately afterward. Holy Spirit’s girls kick off the action on Saturday with a matchup against Delsea Regional, and the St. Joseph boys, one of the top teams in the league so far, square off against Rancocas Valley at 1 p.m. on Saturday. St. Augustine Prep has a tough matchup on Saturday night as the Hermits, led by Charles Solomon and
Cole Vanderslice, go up against Moorestown, one of the better teams in the Cherry Hill area. Prior to the finale on Sunday night, Bishop Eustace takes on Williamstown in boys basketball action. Ten of the games will be streamed live on YouTube by Matt Ulmer of Ulmer’s Appliance, and the broadcasts will feature Glory Days Magazine publisher Dave “Sully” O’Sullivan, Mike Frankel of SNJToday, and Mike Gill and Nick Kosko of 97.3 ESPN FM.
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VIC’S SUBS COVER STORY Stephon Adams, second from right, is a special needs swimmer whose older brother, Stanley, endeared himself to the Absegami swimming program last year by working hard to become a competitive swimmer despite being autistic. Stephon is following in Stanley’s footsteps, teaming up with guys like, from left, John Douglass, Shuang Wang and Liam Thompson to compete in relay events. The Braves have cultivated a philosophy of inclusion that has helped several special needs swimmers enjoy becoming part of a high school team.
Glory Days Magazine photo/ Dave O’Sullivan
for love of the sport Everyone’s contribution to the Absegami swimming program is valued, no matter what their skill level is or the challenges they face By RAY LEWIS Student correspondent n Dec. 20, the Absegami swim program had a regular-season meet. That day, the girls team had one of the largest number of swimmers in the school’s history. Before the meet had started, however, the team’s head coach, Jim Winkler, knew one thing was certain: “They are going to lose by a lot.” This was known by many people closely following the Absegami swim program, along with many of the
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swimmers themselves. After all, they were going up against a formidable opponent in Mainland Regional High School. Yet if anyone (whether it be a die-hard parent or bored little brother) were to guess the actual reason why the loss was so anticipated, they would not have to go much further than by using the simple eye test. The program has numbers, but unfortunately not enough to score a lot of dual-meet victories. “You really need about 30 kids on a team to be competitive,” said Winkler. The Braves had just 22 girls and 14 boys swimming that day. They lost because of their lack of depth, but certainly not because of lack of heart or determination. This lack of depth, however, is not what the Absegami swim program is known for. If you were to ask anyone, whether it be a rival school’s coach or swimmer, that issue is most likely one of the last
things to come to mind. That is because this group of swimmers is known for something that is much more important than the win-loss records that many high school coaches fret over. What the Braves are known for is not a mutual feeling between the swimmers of being one solid unit or “family.” Many teams have that, whether you are on the high school or college or even professional level. Just look at the Pleasantville Greyhounds’ football team or Loyola Chicago’s basketball team or even the Houston Astros if you were to glance back at their record-shattering season in 2017. What the Absegami swim program is known most for is the fact that they are — without a doubt — one of the most fun, inclusive, sportsmanlike teams that
See Absegami, page 11
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Jan. 4, 2019 w Glory Days Magazine w Page 11 Absegami, from page 10 exist in South Jersey sports. That cannot be contested no matter who they are compared to, and that fact can be considered a universal truth no matter what part of the state, country or world you may find yourself living in. The characteristics that these swimmers seem to possess didn’t just suddenly appear at a random meet, either. They have been groomed over the past two years by coach Winkler and have certainly rubbed off on some of their highest-level swimmers, like talented senior captain Stephen Barnard or junior rising star Francis Deibert. “For Stephen, he is always the best cheerleader, the best leader, and the best support for me,” said Winkler, “but he’s also a nice enough and a good enough kid that I want to see him be successful in every fashion.” When asked about his role on the team, it was even more evident what kind of a person Barnard is and what kind of atmosphere he is hoping to create for anyone wanting to join the swim team, no matter how talented or capable that person may be. “My role is the same as everyone else’s role. I do my best to make everyone feel included and I feel that everybody else has that same role,” he said. One of those swimmers that Barnard said he hopes to help feel as included as possible in the program is connected to someone who took not only Absegami by storm last winter, but also just about every other school that Stanley Adams showed up to in order to prove himself to his family, school, and fel-
Glory Days Magazine photo/Dave O’Sullivan
The Braves cheer on Liam Thompson as he competes in one of the freestyle relay events during a meet against Vineland earlier this season. low competitors. Adams, who was one of the few swimmers in the region with special needs, can be credited with shattering of a glass ceiling of sorts for the Ab-
segami High School swim program, as he shocked dozens of spectators at every meet he had taken part in, whether it be at the school’s swimming pool, or the Special Olympics one. He made his
debut last year in a dual meet against Ocean City, swimming in the 50 free-
See Absegami, page 13
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Jan. 4, 2019 w Glory Days Magazine w Page 13 Faith Berry is another of Absegami’s freshmen who are getting a chance to see the spirit and sportsmanship the Braves bring to the deck every meet.
Absegami, from page 11 style event, much to the delight (and teary eyes) of not only Braves fans, but the Red Raiders’ faithful as well. His brother, Stephon, who also has special needs, is hoping to not only follow in his brother’s footsteps, but also gain a feeling of accomplishment for himself. This should not be a problem, thanks to the very inclusive and accepting environment created by the various members of the swim program. “The team is just full of great kids. They support each other. The coaches are amazing,” said Stephon’s mom, Karyn. “And I think it’s helped his self-esteem. I think Stephon will feel a sense of accomplishment. He saw what an amazing year Stan had, and I think he wants to show that he can also do it and that he can also be good at swimming.” “I want us to be louder on the deck,” Barnard said after a December meet against Vineland. “I want to see more cheering on the other teams. But we’re at a good place, there’s room for improvement, sure, but I’m more concerned with us all being a team.” Junior Victoria Axelsson said the
Glory Days Magazine photo/Dave O’Sullivan
family atmosphere among the Braves comes from “our friendship with one another. We all support each other, no matter if you are a club swimmer or you just do it for fun. We’re all in this together, and that’s one of my favorite things about this team, how much spirit we have.” The sense of accomplishment that Stephon seeks is nothing that the Absegami swim program cannot help provide. From the collective cheering of the team for the last event of the day,
to the cultivating excitement from the coaching staff in and out of practices and meets, to even the dedication that the parents of the booster club have for the success of their children and their friends, there is always something positive that can result from being a part of this organization. To put it in coach Winkler’s words, “the team is very inclusive of everyone despite anything they might (be dealing with). We will find a way to include any ‘Gami Brave that wants to be on
this team.” For any Absegami student who might be considering joining the swim team next year, there is something both groundbreaking and inspiring happening with the Braves’ swimming program. Don’t miss out on your chance to be a part of it. Ray Lewis is a senior at Absegami High School and a member of the cross country and baseball teams. (Staff Writer Dave O’Sullivan contributed to this story).
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WRESTLING
Agostino wants his Eagles to get tough New coach preaching conditioning and mental fortitude By DAVE O’SULLIVAN Staff Writer ach Agostino is a pretty tough dude. During his days at Egg Harbor Township, he was a linebacker and fullback for a football team that went 11-1 in 2009. In wrestling, Agostino was a three-time state qualifier, a three-time District 32 champion and a Region 8 champ. He’s also pretty smart, too, having earned a 3.9 GPA during his high school days before signing on with the University of Pennsylvania to continue his wrestling career. The former Eagles star has taken over the wrestling program from Joe Dilks, who filled in last year after the retirement of legendary skipper Mike Caiazza. Agostino said he is focused on one thing this winter in his first year guiding the program: toughness. He wants to instill it in his wrestlers, and he wants them to start showing more of it in January and February, when the matches start getting really difficult and wrestlers are tested, both physically and mentally. “We are in the ‘let’s get tougher’ part of the process. We opened up with a win over Lower Cape May then we wrestled a powerhouse in Brick Memorial, then two teams that were here (at the Marinelli Tourna-
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Glory Days Magazine photo/Dave O’Sullivan
New EHT wrestling coach Zach Agostino, a former star for the Eagles, said he wants his team to be ready for the grind of February and is instituting a regimen of conditioning and mental toughness that he hopes will pay dividends in the postseason. ment), the first place team and the runner-up, and a good Cherry Hill West team. So, we’re just trying to build toughness, get it now and instill it now in our kids so maybe it’s a little easier come February. We’re trying to build toughness and get ready for the rest of
the year. Kids who are just now stepping onto the mat at the varsity level are beginning to understand they are saving team points, adding bonus points.
See Agostino, page 16
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Page 16 w Glory Days Magazine w Jan. 4, 2019 Agostino, from page 14 We’re getting a feel for where we are at. There are things you can control, like conditioning — there were matches today that were won by less talented wrestlers who were in better shape. Like I said, it’s just building toughness. There were teams here today who are tougher right now than we are, maybe they are a little more experienced and more athletic, but I want my guys by the end of the year to be tougher than the other guy,” Agostino said after the Arthur O. Marinelli Tournament during the holiday break. “At this level, if you’re in the finals at a tournament like this the holes in your game are going to get exposed and I thought my guys showcased some holes that we have, but we’ll get better.” Agostino said the Marinelli was a good barometer check for where his team is at right now, and although the Eagles put two wrestlers into the finals, he said he’s far from satisfied and knows there is plenty of work to do as the dual-meet season begins to heat up in January. “There was good wrestling, head-
Glory Days Magazine photos/Dave O’Sullivan
Senior 170-pounder Nick Leone is one of the veterans new coach Zach Agostino will look to for leadership this season. to-toe. Anytime you get 14 teams anywhere — especially four of the top 10 or 15 teams in South Jersey — there’s quality, there’s depth. Some of these matches could be rematches at regions or in the state tournament. You see some good kids and maybe some kids who thought they were ready to wrestle
at that top level now know where they need to be. It’s a good test and a good barometer for the rest of the year,” he said. “You delegate to the people who have been around and know what’s going on, and try to make sure nothing goes wrong. I think everything ran pretty smoothly and we’re happy with
the turnout.” Senior 126-pounder Andrew Ngo and junior 138-pounder Jack Schiavo each made runs to the finals at the Marinelli, and senior 160-pounder Brione Preston wrestled back to finish fifth after a loss in the second round. Nick Leone, a senior 170-pounder, made a run to the semifinals before falling to Clearview’s Dylan Clydis, and a couple other EHT wrestlers scored first-round wins, but the Eagles have an overall lack of varsity mat experience after getting hit hard by graduation the past couple of years. But Agostino has some help from guys who have been around the program, such as Bryan Carmichael, Jimmy Garrett and Caiazza, who is never far from a wrestling mat. “We have a few guys on staff who weren’t here last year but were here a few years ago, and it’s really just getting the kids acclimated to being comfortable with being uncomfortable, being in positions that are tough so maybe they can win that third-place match at districts or get them into the
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Jan. 4, 2019 w Glory Days Magazine w Page 17 Agostino, from page 16 medal round at regions,” Agostino said. “These tournaments are great, but the postseason is what it’s all about. We want to make sure that we are peaking and in the right frame of mind and right condition so we’re ready to go by February.” Knowing wrestling is one thing, but being a head coach involves a lot more than teaching moves and running conditioning drills, as Agostino is finding out. But, he said he welcomes the challenge of a job he always joked with Caiazza about taking over someday, but never actually thought the opportunity would arise. But now it has. “You have to make sure guys have rides over the holidays, some guys never cut weight before and some guys don’t even know what that means. Some guys might be on weight but that doesn’t mean you can eat something or have a bottle of water on the ride to weigh-ins, so there are some things and some curveballs but I have
a good staff. When I was able to work it out with my work schedule and talk with Caiazza, I was excited. I always joked growing up that one day me and my friends would take this program over. I’ve lived in Manhattan the last three years and didn’t think I would be back down here this year, but when the job opened there were a few stipulations I needed from the school, but yeah, I’ve really enjoyed it so far,” said Agostino, whose brother, Conner was a star wrestler a few years ago. “We had some guys who lost at an earlier match against Clearview who won (at the Marinelli), so we saw some gains in just the span of five days. Some guys (from other teams) looked a little tougher and a little more dedicated than us, so I think that was a wake-up call for some of our guys. I’m not a big rah-rah, catch-phrase guy, I just harp on the word ‘tough.’ We just have to get tougher.” Contact Dave O’Sullivan: sully@acglorydays.com; on Twitter @GDsullysays
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Andrew Ngo, a 126-pounder, made it to the finals of the Marinelli Tournament during the holiday break.
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WRESTLING
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Falcons relying on seniors to set pace Berry, Corbitt looking for big things to close out their careers By DAVE O’SULLIVAN Staff Writer akcrest’s wrestling singlets aren’t very flashy. Sort of a charcoal gray with a big royal blue ‘O’ on the left side. That’s it. No neon colors or fancy striping. But the singlets are a pretty good reflection of what this group is all about. No nonsense, all business. They just come to the mat to wrestle hard every time out, and that’s the example a couple of seniors have been setting for this team. Keevon Berry has mostly been known as a hardhitting linebacker in football during his days as a Falcon, and also a pretty intimidating player on the lacrosse field. As a sophomore, he had a pretty good year on the mat, posting 14 wins, but last year he broke out in a big way, racking up 27 wins and advancing all the way to the state championships at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City. Included in his run with a gutsy overtime win over then-St. Augustine Prep senior Sean Lenzsch, one of the top 195-pounders in the state, at the Region 8 tournament. Berry came into this season’s Arthur O. Marinelli holiday tournament at Egg Harbor Township High School in late December as the favorite to win his 195-pound weight class, and he didn’t disappoint, scoring three straight wins — including two via pin
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Glory Days Magazine photo/Dave O’Sullivan
Keevon Berry, a senior 195-pounder, was a state qualifier last year and recently won his weight class at the Arthur O. Marinelli Tournament at Egg Harbor Township High School. — to capture the gold medal. He pinned Lenape’s Ian Camerato in just one minute, 15 seconds, then, in the semifinals, he put Burlington Township’s TreVonne Black to his back in 3:02. The finals were a bit more difficult, but he managed to get past Rancocas Valley
senior Drew Bowker — who came into the tournament sporting a 9-1 record — with a 6-2 victory.
See Falcons, page 19
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Jan. 4, 2019 w Glory Days Magazine w Page 19 Falcons, from page 18 “I didn’t come in expecting to win anything; I came in focused and confident that my training would pay off. I knew (Bowker) would be a tough matchup in the final, so I wanted to prepare myself all day and focus on that after each match. (Heading into the third period) I was just thinking, relax. That’s what happens to a lot of people when they get into the finals, they start to get too excited, so I was just thinking I needed to relax and focus on my moves,” said Berry, who has had to make a quick transition from football after Thanksgiving. “I feel as though a lot of the offseason training I was doing has helped, so the transition hasn’t been too difficult. I had to cut about 10 pounds, but that comes from training and just natural cutting. Right now, I’m OK with where I’m at. I’m
“I haven’t been to states yet, and that’s my goal. I want to be a district champ and region champ. I just have to have solid drilling, just the basics. You can do fancy stuff, but it’s the basics that are going to take you all the way through.”
Kal-El Corbitt, Oakcrest senior 182-pounder
not satisfied and there’s always room for improvement, so I’m just working every day with my coaches from different places — especially my coaches from Oakcrest, they are trying to improve on my shots and a lot of other things I can improve on. Everyone always sees mistakes they make, so I just have to go back and work on some basic things, like my doubles and turns, stuff like that.” Berry is without a doubt the leader of Oakcrest’s wrestling team, but Corbitt is right there with him, and it’s no surprise he’s made leaps and bounds
in terms of his improvement since his sophomore year. After all, he has to go up against Berry every day in the room, and that will make any wrestler better. “Keevon pushes me more than I push him. It’s great to have a guy like that in the room who can push me. He did great today and he’s just doing what he does, there’s no other way to put it. He just goes out there and wins,” Corbitt said. “He’s going to be on the podium this year (at states), I have no doubt about that. He’s gotten better since last year, and he was already great last year, so the sky is the limit for him.”
Corbitt followed a similar career path, having a pretty good sophomore year before really breaking out last year with a 22-win season. He didn’t make it out of regions, however, and that’s something he’s out to change this winter. “I knew my confidence was all the way up, I’ve been wrestling and preparing the whole summer, and the whole year, really. I’m just coming in and doing what I love to do, which is wrestle. The seeding doesn’t really bother me, if I pulled first or second place that would have been great, but I’m just going out there and wrestling whoever is in front of me,” Corbitt said after winning the 182-pound weight class at the Marinelli tournament. “My expectations this year are to place in regions and got to states, make my
See Falcons, page 21
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ROUNDBALL REPORT
CAL features a variety of point guards this season When I tried out for high school basketball as a freshman at Lacey Township High School in 1996, I was hoping for a way to stay in shape for the upcoming baseball season. My knowledge of basketball came pretty much from neighborhood streets, where fouls weren’t really called and if the kid who owned the ball got mad, he went home and the game was over. At the pretryout meeting, one of the seniors asked me what position I was trying out for. I responded, “point guard.” Because, well, I figured that was the guy who scored most of the points. Needless to say I was out of my element, and three days and a few quarter-sized blisters later, my high school basketball career was over. But in the years since, I’ve seen a lot of hoops, and this year there are some really interesting point guards in the Cape-Atlantic League, and each brings a unique skill set to the position. Point guard can be played in so many different ways and styles, and we’re already seeing several variations of that. The Ocean City girls feature Danielle Donoghue, who is tall enough to
Dave O’Sullivan
be a forward and also is one of the more offensive-minded point guards in the CAL, and the Red Raiders also have Tori Rolls, a very quick defender who can also put up some points when necessary. Ocean City’s boys team features Joey Sacco, younger brother of outstanding point guard Grace Sacco, who now plays at UNC-Wilmington. Sacco might be the most underrated point guard in the league, and I’ve been saying this for two years now. He’s always in your face defensively, and can do a lot of things offensively that most teams don’t think he can. He’s one of those guys when you look at the stat sheet after the game you’re thinking, how did that kid have 14 points, eight rebounds and five assists? There are a couple of athletes who fit the more traditional thought of what a point guard should be, a small, quick guard who can handle the ball and distribute to the bigs inside, and maybe hit the occasional 3-pointer. Absegami’s Gianna Hafner doesn’t score much, but she’s been incredibly valuable to the Braves because of her ability to defend as well as break pressure with the dribble. Ditto for St. Augustine Prep’s Jordyn Kendrick, a 5-8 senior. With all the talent the Hermits have, Kendrick has plenty of options and can really handle the rock in transition, which helps the
See Guards, page 24
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Jan. 4, 2019 w Glory Days Magazine w Page 21 Falcons, from page 19 name known. I haven’t been to states yet, and that’s my goal. I want to be a district champ and region champ. I just have to have solid drilling, just the basics. You can do fancy stuff, but it’s the basics that are going to take you all the way through.” There are some other guys who should be able to make a name for themselves this winter as well. Junior Frank Gabriel, a 126-pounder, got off to a 6-1 start this year, then went 2-1 at the Marinelli to finish third. And Oakcrest also has the Horsey boys, Hayden, Hunter and Hogan. Hayden, a 113-pound junior, and Hayden, a 106-pound freshman, each made it to the semifinals at the Marinelli and each wrestled back to take third. Hogan,
Hayden’s twin, won the 106-pound weight class in the junior varsity tournament. The Falcons also have another quality wrestler in the upper weights with senior Enrique Tabora at 220 pounds and expect some good things from sophomore David Flippen at 120 pounds. Flippen scored three wins at the Marinelli after suffering a loss in the second round, coming back through the wrestlebacks to finish fifth overall. Oakcrest certainly will be tested this month in regular-season matches, as it faces the likes of Williamstown, Holy Spirit, Lower Cape May and Absegami. Contact Dave O’Sullivan: sully@acglorydays.com; on Twitter @GDsullysays
Glory Days Magazine photo/Dave O’Sullivan
Oakcrest will be counting on junior Frank Gabriel, a 126-pounder, to be a consistent force in the lower weights this season.
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BASKETBALL/CAL TOURNAMENT UPDATE GIRLS
Glory Days Magazine photos/Dave O’Sullivan
BOYS OVERVIEW: It’s early yet, but in high school basketball, it gets late quickly, as the Cape-Atlantic League tournament is only about six weeks away. You can probably count on some of the usual suspects to make the tournament, and be high seeds, as St. Augustine Prep and Wildwood Catholic have each gotten off to great starts, the Hermits at 5-0 entering the new year and the Crusaders at 6-1. Here’s a quick look at each division and how it’s been playing out so far. Granted, each team only has one or two divisional games played so far, so keep that in mind. Plenty of basketball yet to be played! CAL AMERICAN: Kevin Forman (pictured) and St. Augustine Prep is the cream of the crop here, but Millville isn’t far behind, as the Thunderbolts got out to a 4-2 start. Atlantic City, typically a team that makes the tournament every year and which played in last year’s final, currently sits in third place and has EHT hot on its heels. The Eagles scored a key early season win over the Vikings before the Christmas break. Vineland, ACIT and Bridgeton have a lot of work to do for consideration, but Bridgeton played well over the break. CAL NATIONAL: This division is completely wide open. Ocean City currently sits in fourth place, and might be the most talented team overall. Holy Spirit and Mainland are vying for the top spot along with the Red Raiders, as is perhaps the surprise team of the season so far, Lower Cape May. The Caper Tigers have jumped out to a 6-1 start and head into January tied with Holy Spirit atop the standings. CAL UNITED: This division is loaded this year, and Wildwood Catholic coach Dave DeWeese recently said he thinks its the best division in the CAL. His Crusaders are tied with St. Joseph at the top of the standings, but Cape May Tech and Pleasantville aren’t far behind, and P’ville has some very talented scorers. They also have Middle Township transfer Jalen Freeman, who could be a huge difference maker down the stretch.
OVERVIEW: Mainland and Ocean City played into overtime in last year’s CAL Tournament championship game, with the Mustangs coming out on top. Don’t be surprised to see a rematch again this year, as these two teams clearly are the class of the Cape-Atlantic League. There will be plenty of teams eager to dethrone the Mustangs, who have an emerging star in freshman point guard Camryn Dirkes (pictured below). CAL AMERICAN: Kayla Sykes and the ACIT RedHawks have been one of the hottest teams in the CAL to start the season, as they jumped out to a 5-0 start that included a championship at the Boardwalk Classic in Wildwood. Atlantic City has has some offensive struggles but might be the best defensive team in the league, and EHT and Vineland have gotten off to good starts. This should be a four-team race to the end, and this division may get three berths in the tourney. CAL NATIONAL: Mainland and Ocean City will be duking it out most of the year for the top spot, but Absegami has had a great start and came into the first week in January tied with Mainland for first place. Lower Cape May and Cedar Creek also are hoping they can hang around in the race. CAL UNITED: Middle and Wildwood Catholic usually battle it out for first place in this division, but so far OLMA has been the cream of the crop, posting a 5-0 record, including 2-0 in the division. It may be tough for this division to get three bids, so this race will be hotly contested.
Glory Days Magazine photos/Dave O’Sullivan
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Page 24 w Glory Days Magazine w Jan. 4, 2019 Guards, from page 20
Glory Days Magazine photo/Dave O’Sullivan
Sophomore Lauren Baxter is quickly becoming a star for EHT. She scored 20 points in a loss to ACIT to start off January, including hitting four 3-pointers.
Hermits get quick, easy transition buckets. There are also some exciting young point guards who are beginning to make a name for themselves. Mainland’s Camryn Dirkes proved she’s already one of the top soccer players in the league this past fall, and is making a heck of an impact on the Mustangs’ girls basketball program as well. She broke her nose in the opening game of the season, against Atlantic City, but played on and has helped lead Mainland to a 7-0 start and first place in the CAL National race. And keep your eye on EHT’s Lauren Baxter. This sophomore has a great basketball IQ and has become the Eagles’ go-to weapon on offense, whether it is draining threes or driving to the basket and getting to the foul line. In a 45-32 loss to ACIT on Jan. 3, Baxter poured in a game-high 20 points, including four from long range. Her counterpart in that game, the RedHawks’ Kayla Sykes, is also worth noting. She’s had a tremendous career and came out
of that game needing just three more points to reach 1,000 for her career and become just the second player in program history to hit the mark, behind only Yasmeen Nelson. And we can’t forget about Madison Brestle of Atlantic City, who is a high-energy player with a great handle and can also add some big threes when the Vikings can spring her off screens. There are also some bigs who I’m interested in seeing how they develop throughout the season. ACIT has a very intriguing player in Ceani Jackson, who is taller than 6 feet, is a good rebounder and has some finishing moves around the basket. Her teaming up with Jakyra Williams on the blocks is making the RedHawks a pretty formidable team so far, as they’ve jumped out to a 6-0 start and have the secondlongest winning streak (6) in the league behind Mainland (7). It will also be fun to see how Ocean City’s Molly Hoffman progresses. Having her play well alongside Emma Finnegan gives coach Paul Baruffi some options on the low blocks.
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Glory Days Magazine photo/Dave O’Sullivan
Katie McClintock and the Mainland girls swimming team improved to 4-0 with a victory over Vineland on Jan. 2.
Swimming Mainland 117, Vineland 53 (Girls) Mainland 126, Vineland 44 (Boys) It took a little while for the Mustangs to get going as they shook the rust off from the holiday break, but after the break the Mustangs cruised on both the boys and girls side. The Mainland boys were without star Destin Lasco, but had plenty of talent to put away the Fighting Clan and scored their 49th straight victory. The Mustangs have gone 15-0 the past three years, including three state championships, and are off to a 4-0 start this season. The Mainland girls have also won four straight to begin the season and have scored more than 100 points in all four meets. Vineland is the only team to have scored more than 42 points against them so far. WHAT WE LEARNED Mainland is much more than just the Destin Lasco show, as the Mustangs have plenty of talent and versatility with guys like Liam and Cole Garbutt, Erik Truong and Andrew Middlesworth. The girls also may have enough talent and depth to challenge EHT, but that will be a tall order. KEEP AN EYE ON Grace Gallagher, she’s a senior who is starting to really come on strong and provides Mainland with some versatility in the lineup. Also watch out for Cole Garbutt, he looked pretty strong in the 200 IM and also gives Mainland some options as a freestyler, as he was a part of two winning relay teams, the 200 and 400.
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Girls basketball ACIT 45, EHT 32 Most of the focus coming into this game was on ACIT senior Kayla Sykes, who needed 15 points to reach 1,000 for her career and become just the second player in program history to reach that milestone. She only had five by halftime, but came on strong in the second half. In the end, she finished three points shy of the mark, but more importantly, the RedHawks secured a big Cape-Atlantic League American Conference win. The victory kept them atop the division standings and gave them a 2.5game advantage on EHT. WHAT WE LEARNED EHT is never out of it with a sharp-shooter like point guard Lauren Baxter, who hit four 3-pointers and finished with a game-high 20 points, but ACIT is going to be a handful for most teams because of their size on the blocks. Ceani Jackson, Jakyra Williams and Grace Speer can grab a lot of rebounds, which makes it tough for opponents to get second-chance points. KEEP AN EYE ON Glory Days Magazine photo/Dave O’Sullivan Julianna Montero. With defenses spending a lot of time worrying about Julianna Montero scored nine points on Jan. 3 to help lead ACIT to Sykes’ scoring ability, Montero is going to find herself open and she a 45-32 win over EHT. needs to knock down shots, like she did against EHT.
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Glory Days Magazine photos/Dave O’Sullivan
Mainland’s Erik Truong competes in the 100 breaststroke event during the Mustangs’ victory over Vineland on Jan. 2.
Oakcrest freshman Hunter Horsey tries to get control of Rancocas Valley’s Anthony Lasala during the Marinelli tournament at EHT in late December.
Ocean City’s Donovan Graham pulls up for a short jumper during the Red Raiders’ early season loss to Atlantic City. Ocean City takes on Howell on Jan. 6 at 5:15 p.m. as part of the Seagull Classic at Holy Spirit High School.
snapshots The Atlantic Tech cheerleading team gets the crowd pumped up prior to the RedHawks’ 45-32 victory over Egg Harbor Township on Jan. 3. The win helped ACIT improve to 6-0 and take over first place in the Cape-Atlantic League American Conference race. Glory Days Magazine photo/ Dave O’Sullivan