January 10, 2011 Volume-III - Issue-1 R ar i t a n Wre st l in g E n ds L on g B ran c h Streak Pa g e 3 St. Rose Boys Win WOBM Classic Title Pa g e 4 Boardwalk Showcase Preview Pa g e 8- 9 Melvin's Review Pa g e 10 Rumson Girls Win WOBM Classic Title Pa g e 13 Wrestling: Mustang Classic Recap Pa g e 14 Stumpy’s Corner Pa g e 15
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January 10, 2011 I Volume-III I Issue-1
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Volume-III
Issue-1
1/10/11
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A dIFFEREnT SHAdE OF GREEn: RaRitan WRestling ends long BRanch’s stReak By Bob Badders – Senior Staff Writer Raritan senior Ryan Lynch has nothing against a good rivalry. It's just that in the past three seasons he hasn't exactly had fond memories of the Rockets' meetings with nemesis Long Branch. "My personal experience was 0-3 as a team and 0-6 individually," recalled Lynch. "I had to wrestle (two-time state champ Nick) Visicaro or (state medalist Jon) Robertson every time." Lynch and the Rockets certainly aren't alone in their recent futility against Senior Ryan Lynch Long Branch, as the Green Wave entered a Shore Conference nondivisional matchup on Jan. 5 with a 58-match winning streak against Shore Conference opponents. Over the past three seasons, Long Branch has been among the best teams in the state and has captured three straight NJSIAA Group II titles. This time, however, Raritan was able to erase some bad memories with a key road victory.
George topped Steve Corona, 13-6, in the match's opening bout at 152 pounds. But from there on it was all Rockets, as they grabbed a 15-3 lead and never looked back on their way to improving to 3-1. Masi pinned Ryan Festejo in 3:00 at 160 to make it 6-3 before Lynch decked Joscil Jackson in 1:32 with a modified cradle. Victor Ianello then outlasted Markas Moya, 3-2, in the ultimate tiebreaker at 189 for a 15-3 lead. "First of all, it was a huge momentum swing for us to get those two pins right there and for Ianello to get that onepoint win," Lynch said. "Those were huge for the rest of the
After Ianello's win at 189 made it 15-3, Long Branch got a pin from Paul Tracey at 215 and a 2-0 decision from Jim Parnell over Adam Daniels at heavyweight to cut Raritan's lead to 15-12. Long Branch forfeited to Matt Lindo, the reigning District 22 103-pound champ, to make it 21-12, and Raritan would respond by winning the next four bouts to close out the victory. At 112 pounds, sophomore Vin Masi controlled the first two periods against Romulo Garcia and held on to win 5-2. Scarcella followed with his win before Nick Ligouri used takedowns in each of the first two periods to defeat Nick George, 5-3, at 125 pounds and stretch
match." "Those two guys (Masi and Lynch) are senior captains and leaders of our team," said Rockets head coach Rob Nucci. "When we started at 152 we knew that could happen, and they got the job done for us."
Scarcella's win at 119 came after he trailed 4-1 in the first period to Balina, who was a District 22 Lynch and fellow senior Joe Masi came up with runner-up at 103 as a freshman last season. An escape important pins at 171 and 160 pounds, respectively, and a takedown in the second period tied the bout at and sophomore Anthony Scarcella delivered a clutch four before Scarcella scored victory over Luke another takedown in the Balina at 119 pounds third period for a 6-4 lead to send the Rockets, and added two late near-fall ranked No. 5 in the points for an 8-4 win that All Shore Media Top gave Raritan a 27-12 lead. 10, to a 36-23 victory over No. 8 Long "The match was won at Branch. The Rockets 119," Nucci said. "He beat a won eight of 14 bouts real good kid in Balina." and showcased their biggest strength Jason Bohal officially depth - to end a fiveclinched the match when he match skid vs. Long edged Gavin Pejakovich, 3Branch and put an end 2, at 130 pounds to give to the Green Wave's Sophomore Anthony Scarcella Raritan a 33-12 lead streak against the with three bouts Shore that ran all the remaining. With the work way back to a loss to Southern in the 2007 Shore they did early in the match, the Rockets made sure that Conference Tournament quarterfinals. Long Branch's two most experienced wrestlers, Luis Filipe (135) and Matt Eggie (140), wouldn't factor into "It was awesome coming in and finally beating the match. Filipe won by technical fall and Eggie them," Lynch said. "Getting that early lead was key, scored a quick pin, but both came after Raritan had and me and Masi getting those pins, that was already clinched. awesome. It was definitely what we needed." Long Branch led for only a brief moment when Jake
Seidenberg," Lynch said. "But we don't have any terrible guys - everyone is good. No one can do anything against our lineup as far as movement. You can try to bump, but we don't give up bonus points, and we keep every match close."
"We don't have any really good guys like Dan
Senior Joe Masi
Raritan's lead to 30-12. After Bohal clinched the match at 130, Filipe won by technical fall, 21-6 over Devin Holmes at 135, and Eggie pinned Thomas Broderick in 30 seconds at 140. Raritan still led 33-23, and senior Brian French closed out the victory in style as he squeaked out a 3-2 victory over Joe Ciroalo at 145. "Even during those years where they were as dominant as they were, this was still a rivalry," Nucci said. "This is a rivalry through rec and middle school, and even though the scoreboard didn't always show it, those were tough, close bouts. It's nice to be on the other end for a change."
Video Highlights by:
Bob Badders
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Photos by:
Anthony Payne
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Volume-III
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Issue-1
1/10/11
Rosy Finish: st. Rose Boys Win WoBM classic title By Matt Manley – Staff Writer If the St. Rose boys basketball team learned anything last year, it was that a good start isn't worth much without a strong finish. In the the WOBM Christmas Classic final against No. 2 seed Point Boro on Jan. 2, the fifth-seeded Purple Roses' strong finish to the game helped continue their hot start in 2010-11. Cliff Clark scored 15 points, tournament Most Valuable Player Mark Kukoda added 15 of his own, and St. Rose used a strong second half to pull away from the Panthers, 52-38, to win its second WOBM championship, the first since 2003, and improve its record to 6-0. "I think this proves a point that we are a lot better this year," Kukoda said. "Being undefeated gives us a lot of pride and a lot of confidence going forward into the rest of our divisional games and then stretch run."
St. Rose started the third quarter on a 130 run, holding Point Boro scoreless for the first 6:57 of the quarter. Clark hit a 3pointer after Panthers junior Ja'Shon Woodard ended the scoreless drought to put St. Rose up 34-22 heading into the fourth quarter, which capped a 16-2 thirdquarter run. Clark scored 13 of his game-high total in the second half, hitting three 3pointers. Kukoda scored eight of St. Rose's 18 first-half points, while center Andrew Van Schaack scored eight of his 11 points in the second half and helped keep Point Boro center Ryan Malleck in check for most of the second half. The Panthers senior finished with a team-high 13 points, but scored only one second-half field goal.
Coming off of an injury-plagued 2009-2010 season in which they went just 9-13, the Roses dominated the WOBM Tournament by winning all four tournament games by 10 points or more and holding all four of their opponents to fewer than 40 points. St. Rose has an average margin of victory of 16.5 points and in a three-point win over Point Pleasant Beach "We just had to battle him," Clark said. earlier in the "He's a strong guy, and he works hard, so we season, St. Rose just had to work harder down there." overcame a 15point deficit and Kukoda is the only player in St. Rose's eight-point regular rotation who is not a senior, but the halftime deficit. transfer from Spotswood High School has The strong secondemerged as a legitimate point guard and half play is a scoring option on a team with four players significant averaging double-figure scoring coming into difference between the game. this year and last Kukoda transferred to St. Rose as a year, during which sophomore after spending his freshman year at St. Rose blew a Spotswood. He has been plagued by injuries 14-point secondduring both of his high school seasons, half lead in a St. Rose guard Mark Kukoda missing two weeks last year with an ankle WOBM injury. Kukoda played football at quarterfinal loss to Spotswood and suffered a ruptured spleen that Jackson Memorial. caused him to miss most of his freshman year "We're of basketball, according to his older brother upperclassmen, and St. Rose assistant coach Matt Kukoda. and we're all With Matt Kukoda joining head coach leaders on the Dennis Devaney's staff during the 2008-09 court," Clark said. season, Mark soon followed one year later to "That's really the take over the point guard duties. Matt Kukoda difference late in games this year." graduated from St. John Vianney in 2001 and played at Amid their defensive dominance against Point Boro, Monmouth University before serving as an assistant at the Roses themselves struggled to score in the first Vianney for three seasons. Mark Kukoda has led the half before finding their offense in the third quarter. Roses in scoring in three of their six wins. After Point Boro took a 20-18 lead in the second half,
"I started to feel more and more comfortable last year, but there was definitely an adjustment period," Kukoda said. "I think coming into this year I felt a lot more confident knowing the guys better and being fully healthy finally. It's just a lot easier now that I know the system and know the guys I'm playing with." Clark, meanwhile, was the latest St. Rose player to step up his scoring. Clark was the lone starter not averaging more than 10 points per game coming into Sunday, but his second-half offense helped the Roses pull away. Van Schaack (14.4 points per game), Kukoda (13.0 ppg), Andrew Kurtz (12.2 ppg) and Brandon Carroll (10.8 ppg) all came into Sunday averaging more than 10 points per game. "You can't focus on one guy with this team because we can all beat you, and we're all unselfish," Clark said. "We all have confidence in the next guy and that makes it easier on us and tougher on the other team." St. Rose remained unbeaten after playing what could be the most difficult part of its regular-season schedule and will catch a break in the schedule before playing a three-game stretch against Asbury Park, St. John Vianney and Point Beach starting on Jan. 20. "We can't let up," Clark said. "There's still a long way to go and we need to keep getting better, so there's really no reason to ever let up."
Video Highlights by:
Matt Manley
www.allshoremedia.com Photos by:
Bill Normile
www.billnormile.zenfolio.com
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A S A M P L I N G O F C U R R E N T A N D F O R M E R M A C A L L - S TA R S n Sehmonyeh Allen—Neptune HS
n Mike Faherty—Brooklyn Polytech HS
n Christian Morris—S. Kent School (CT)
n Delvon Arrington—St. Anthony’s HS
n Crissie Fisher—Rumson-Fair Haven HS
n Darius Morris—Long Branch HS
n Brian Baker—Colts Neck HS
n Sarah Fisher—RBR HS
n Valerie Morris—Freehold Boro HS
n Mustafa Barksdale—RBR HS
n Adam Fleischner—Holmdel HS
n Michael Murphy—Howell HS
n Robert Barksdale—Asbury Charter School
n Colin Ford—Manasquan HS
n Sachin Nagpal—Ranney School
n Glen Ford—RBC HS
n Karen Otrupchak—RBR HS
n Greg Ford—Trenton Central HS
n Kevin Owens—Neptune HS
n Avery Gardner—Long Branch HS
n Toni Panza—St. John Vianney HS
n Billy Gilligan—RBR HS
n Anthony Perry—St. Anthony’s HS
n Tyler Glass—Mater Dei Prep HS
n Shinece Perry—RBR HS
n Erica Gomez—St. John Vianney HS
n Earl Pettis—Saints John Neumann & Maria Goretti Catholic HS (PA)
n Billy Beggans—Ocean Township HS n Steve Bridgemohan—E Brunswick HS n Josh Brody—RBR HS n Brandon Brown—Freehold Boro HS n Yesenia Burgos—St. John Vianney HS n Rashon Bruno—St. Anthony’s HS n Courtney Calderon—St. John Vianney HS n Richard Calia—Holmdel HS n Shilique Calhoun – Middletown North HS n Quarran Calhoun—Raritan HS n Cooper Calzonetti—Neptune HS n Cleveland Cannon—Long Branch HS n Raheem Carter—Long Branch HS n Corey Chandler—East Side HS n Robert Cheeks—St. Anthony’s HS n Rahmir Cottman—RBR HS n Don Coven—Long Branch HS n Paul De Salvo—CBA n Syessence Davis—Neptune HS n Allen Dean—Neptune HS n Taquan Dean—Neptune HS n Dana Jean DeGennaro—RBC HS n Chris Delaney—CBA
n Kevin Grier—CBA n Paul Halas—St. Rose HS n Felicia Harris—RBR HS n Ashley Hart—The Peddie School n Eugene “Nu Nu” Harvey— St. Benedict’s Prep n Corey Haskins—RBR HS n Kasey Hobbie—RBC HC n Nolan Ivers—Holmdel HS
n Jose Diaz—Pt. Pleasant Beach HS n Mark Donnelly—RBR HS
n Simon Press—Asbury Park HS n Joey Raines— Asbury Park HS n David Reeves— RBC HS
n Charlie Rogers—Matawan HS n Amanda Rosato—St. John Vianney HS n Alifiya Rangwala— The Ranney School n Will Sanborn—RBR HS n Keyron Sheard—RBR HS n Brian Snodgrass—Holmdel HS n Lauren Sokol—The Peddie School n Stephen Spinella—Colts Neck HS n Matt Stahl—Middletown South HS n Missy Stavola—Rumson-Fair Haven HS n Jenna Strich—RBC HS n Scott Stump—RBC HS n Kim Talbot—RBC HS n Aaron Tarver—RBR HS n Terrance Todd—Neptune HS n Maurice Turpin—Long Branch HS n John Weldon— Freehold Boro HS
n Jasmine Jackson— Old Bridge HS
n Dawn Werner— St. John Vianney HS
n Rosie Jackson— St. John Vianney HS
n John Werner— St John Vianney HS
n Tyson Johnson—St. Mary’s HS (NY)
n Kade Weston—RBR HS
n Billy Kiss—Long Branch HS n Nick La Morte—Mater Dei HS n Herve Lamizana—St. Patrick’s HS n Erin Leahy—Rumson-Fair Haven HS n Carl Little—Asbury Park HS
n Pat Delaney—CBA
n Sean Dunne—CBA
n Dana Graziano—Holmdel HS
n Anne Richards— The Lawrenceville School
n Maggie Loundy—Pt. Pleasant Beach HS n Mike Mavrinac—Middletown South HS
n Kayshanna Wesley— Asbury Park HS n Eric Yarborough— Asbury Park HS n Tomora Young—RBR HS n Terry Zinn—RBC HS n Lynne Zoltowski—RBC HS
n Jasmine McCall—Manalapan HS n Billy McCue—CBA
V i s i t o u r w e b s i t e , w w w. m a c t e s t i n g . c o m
Volume-III
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Issue-1
1/10/11
VETERAnS’ dAY: Raritan Captures Huskies Classic Title
Johnson when it looked like Furlong was clearing out the defender with his free arm, and he went to the foul line with 14.6 seconds remaining.
By Scott Stump – Managing Editor Matawan's boys basketball team had come storming back from a 10-point, fourth-quarter deficit to tie the game and had its home gym rocking for a championship game for the first time in years, but then Raritan countered with its two most formidable weapons - veteran experience and junior center Mike Aaman. The top-seeded Rockets didn't panic during Matawan's surge, and made the crucial plays in the final minutes against an upstart Huskies team that does not have much big-game experience. A free throw by senior point guard Kevin Furlong and a putback by Aaman after Furlong missed his second foul shot with 14.6 seconds left in regulation gave the Rockets a three-point lead that was enough for them to hold on for a thrilling 54-52 win over the host Huskies in a match-up of unbeatens in the Huskies Holiday Classic championship Raritan junior center Mike Aaman game on Jan. 2. The Rockets won their first holiday tournament title since capturing the WOBM Classic championship in 2006, and Aaman was a major reason. The 6-foot-9 junior, who has verbally committed to Wagner, was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player with 19 points, 14 rebounds and 6 blocks despite being saddled with foul trouble in the fourth quarter. Senior guard Tim Pizanie added 15 points and Furlong had 11, and all four senior guards - Pizanie, Furlong, Jared Gurczeski and Mike DaCosta - made crucial plays in crunch time. Furlong was also named to the AllTournament Team along with Aaman. Junior forward Larry Alston III had a game-high 20 points in the loss for Matawan and was also named to the All-Tournament Team. "The experience of how many years they have played together showed,'' said Raritan head coach Denis Caruano. "I was very proud of how they fought back after not having scored for five minutes in the first (quarter), down (five) at halftime for the first time this year, and how quickly we took the lead in the third quarter.'' "We've been playing together for a while, so it's not a problem not having 'Big Mike' (Aaman) for stretches because we've been playing together so long that we can make up for it,'' Pizanie said. The Rockets didn't even score a point until there was 3:06 left in the first quarter and trailed 22-17 at the half after committing 11 turnovers and missing numerous open looks from the perimeter. Matawan senior guard Keenan Johnson (12 points), the younger brother of former Raritan star Marques Johnson and a Raritan transfer, splashed in a shot in the lane at the halftime buzzer after a scramble for the ball to give the Huskies the momentum heading into the locker room. However, Raritan came out firing in the third quarter led by Pizanie, who scored eight points in the period, including a pair of 3-pointers. Aaman was also hammering the offensive glass and working the pick-androll to perfection with Furlong as he had seven points in the period. Raritan scored 24 points in the quarter, topping its entire output from the first half, to seize a 4131 lead heading into the fourth quarter. "The shooters really came on (in the third quarter), and if they missed I was there,'' Aaman said. "That's why we're so deadly. We have four kids who can shoot and me as the big man who can rebound.'' Raritan appeared to be in command, up 44-35 after a free throw by Aaman with 5:30 left in the game, but Matawan freshman guard Kashaun Barnes hit a pair of free throws and then buried a 3-pointer from the wing to
trim it to 44-40 before Aaman was whistled for a charge. That saddled him with four fouls with 3:55 left in the game, and he headed to the bench. Matawan immediately went inside to Alston, a 6-foot3, 215-pound transfer from Georgia who attacked the rim with Aaman out of the game. Barnes followed a bucket by Alston with a pair of free throws that tied the game at 44 with 2:57 remaining and got the home crowd roaring. "We tried to get (Alston) the ball as much as we could,'' said Matawan coach Tom Stead. "We knew that if we got Aaman in foul trouble, we could have our way with them.'' A runner by Furlong was answered by a driving bucket by Alston against Aaman, who was back in the game but had to play cautiously because of the four fouls. "I couldn't jump and block it,'' Aaman said. "I had to keep my hands straight up, and I like to block shots. I like to challenge shots, but that's a big problem. I need to stay on the floor more, which I have been working on in practice a lot.'' Aaman scored inside to make it 50-48 with 54 seconds left in the game, but again Alston scored inside to tie it up at 50 with 27 seconds to go. On Raritan's ensuing possession, Furlong drew a borderline blocking call on
Furlong, who went 11-for-11 from the foul line in the semifinals, made the first and then missed the second, but Aaman swooped in for a putback and a huge bucket for a 53-50 lead with 10.9 seconds left. "I had the height advantage,'' Aaman said about the play. "He boxed out, but he just didn't jump, so I lucked out there and then I made the layup.'' The win by the Rockets came in the first meeting of at least three between the teams because both are in the Shore Conference Class A Central division, where Raritan is the favorite to bring home the title and Matawan looks like a top challenger. The Huskies have not had a winning season since 1997, and have to deal with the loss of Johnson, who suffered a broken wrist on Jan. 3 and will miss three weeks.
Video Highlights by:
Scott Stump
www.allshoremedia.com Photos by:
Cliff Lavelle
www.clearedge.zenfolio.com
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Volume-III
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I
By Scott Stump – Managing Editor
t has b eco me a J er s ey S h o r e ins titu tio n , a r ite o f w inter w h er e b as k etball ju nk ies f r o m all o ver th e s tate an d bey o nd co nv erge o n M on mo u th Co unty to s ee s o me o f th e bes t bas ketball in th e s tate and in the n atio n o n th e b oys an d g ir ls s id es .
Th is 11 th an nu al Boar d w alk H oo p G r ou p S h ow cas e pr omis es to b e n o d iff er en t on th e w eek en d o f J an . 1 5 - 1 6 at the M ulti- P ur p o s e A ctiv ity Cen ter ( M A C) at M on mou th U niv er s ity. S ev en S ho r e Co n f er en ce b o ys teams an d eig ht S h o r e Con f er en ce gir ls teams w ill b e in actio n in the ev ent, w ith th e b oy s s h ow cas e b ein g held o n S atu r d ay f o llow ed b y the gir ls o n S u nd ay. Th er e w ill b e f ive g ames h eld each day, s tar tin g at n o on . Let’s tak e a loo k at th e play er s an d match up s to w atch f r o m w h at is alw ay s an ex citin g w eek en d. A ls o , if y ou can ’t make it or y o u w on ’t be s taying f o r th e w ho le day o n S atur day f or the b oy s ev ent, f ollow A ll S h o r e M edia’s co v er ag e thr o ug h ou t o n w w w.alls ho r emed ia.co m.
BOYS SHOWCASE S ch ed u le: Ja n u ary 15, 20 11 New Egypt vs. Jackson Memorial, noon Middletown North vs. Lakewood, 1:40 p.m. Monsignor Donovan vs. Pt. Beach, 3:20 Lincoln (N.Y.) vs. CBA, 5 p.m. Newark East Side vs. Neptune, 6:40 p.m.
Pla y ers t o Wat ch D es m o n d Hu b ert , S r., F, N ew Eg y p t: Th e 6 f oo t- 8 s en io r is o n e of N ew J er s ey ’s to p play er s an d h as a lis t of o ff er s that in clu d es G eo rgia Tech , M ar y lan d , Wak e F o r es t an d Villanov a. A ju mp ing jack w h o is q u ick o ff th e f loo r to f ollow h is ow n s h ot, h e lo ok s to rattle th e r im at the M A C a co u p le times . B ran d o n McD o n n ell, Jr., G/F, J ack s o n Mem o ria l ( pictu red r ight): The y ou n ger br o ther o f Temp le recr u it J immy M cD o nn ell, B r an d o n h as g ood s ize at 6 -fo o t- 5 and ran ge fro m w ell b eh ind the 3- po int arc. S h iliq u e C a lh o u n , S r. , C , M id dleto w n N o rth : A n ex plo s iv e ath lete w ith mu ltip le D iv is ion I offers in
Issue-1
1/10/11
f oo tb all an d b as ketb all, Calh ou n alr eady h as a 38 - po in t g ame to h is cr edit th is s eas on and is on e o f th e mo r e ex citin g off ens iv e p layer s in th e S h or e w h en h e gets ho t.
Ma t t McMu llen , S r. , F, C BA : The Co lg ate r ecr uit is on e o f th e to p p layer s in th e S hor e Co nf er en ce an d a r ar e th r ee- year s tar ter f o r th e Colts .
Ja s on Hu elb ig , J r., G, Mid d let ow n N ort h ( p ictu red r ig ht) : A no th er big leaper, H uelb ig r ecen tly had a 33 - p oint g ame f or the hig h - s co r in g Lion s . H e has d r aw in ter es t f r o m A mer ica Eas t an d N or theas t Con f er en ce p r o gr ams and has the ab ility to th r ow o n e d ow n and hit f r om b eh ind th e 3 - po in t lin e.
J . P. Kou ry, S r. , G, C BA ( pictured r igh t): The Ben tley Co llege r ecr u it is to u gh off the d r ib b le an d h as 3 - p oint r an ge. H e combines w ith M cM ullen to s cor e th e major ity of CBA’s po in ts .
A n t h o n y Wa lk er, S r., G/F, La k ew o od : O n e o f th e S h o r e’s mo s t imp r o v ed p lay er s , th e 6 - 5 Walk er h as r ang e o ut to the 3 - po in t lin e, g oo d leaping ab ility and a mid - r an g e g ame. H e has d r aw n in ter es t f r om M inn es o ta, S t. P eter ’s , and mor e, accor din g to P iner s coach Ran d y H o lmes . J arrod D a v is , S r., G/F, La k ew oo d ( p ictured left) : A n oth er D ivis io n I pr o s pect, the 6 - 6 D av is p lay s o n th e w in g an d can s co r e f r om b eh in d th e ar c or in th e pain t. H e teams w ith Walk er to f o r m on e of th e S ho r e’s b es t tan dems . S ea n Gren n a n , S r. , G, Ms gr. D o n o va n : O r ig in ally co mmitted to D avid s o n b ef o r e h is r ecr uitmen t w as r e- op en ed , G r enn an is a f ou r- y ear s tar ter w h o has inter es t f r om S eto n H all, Wak e F o r es t and o th er s . Anthony D u s zcza k , S r., C , Ms g r. D o n o va n ( pictu red r ig h t) : A g oo d leap er w h o is tou g h o n th e o ff en s iv e g las s , the 6 - 6 s enior co mbin es w ith G r en n an to d o th e b u lk o f the s co r in g f o r the G r iff in s . J arelle R eis ch el, S r. , G/F, Po in t Bea ch : Th e r eig nin g A ll S ho r e M edia P lay er o f the Year, Reis chel has v er b ally co mmitted to Rice U n iv er s ity. H e mis s es s o me g ames ear ly in th e s eas on w ith a k nee in jur y b ut h as r etu r n ed to make th e G ar n et G u lls a team to w atch.
Ka m a ri Mu rp h y, S r., F, Lin coln ( N . Y.) : A 6- f o ot- 8 f o r w ar d, M ur phy has n umer o us D ivis io n I o ff er s f r om places lik e I o w a, I o w a S tate, Ru tger s an d mo r e. S h a q u ille S t ok es , S r., G, Lin co ln ( N . Y. ) : Th e s peedy 5 - f o ot- 10 po in t g uar d has o ff er s f r o m I o w a, TCU and U N LV. J or dan D icker s on , S r. , C, Lincoln ( N . Y.) : A 7- f ooter, D icker s on is r aw b ut is a b ig bo dy in s ide. I k ie C a ld ero n , J r. , G, N ep t u n e ( pictu red r ig ht) : A thr ee- y ear var s ity p lay er, Calder o n is v er y q uick o ff the d r ibble an d can f in is h in th e lane an d s et up teammates . Ta riq C arey, Jr. , G, N ew ark Ea s t S id e: A 6 - f oo t- 2 gu ar d w ith go od s cor ing ability w h o r eboun ds w ell f o r a g uar d. Kas im C h an d ler, Jr. , G, N ew ark Eas t S id e: A lig htning- qu ick 5 f oo t- 8 g uar d w ho is a h ar d- no s ed def en d er.
Marq u ee Match - u p s C BA vs . Lin co ln : Th e Colts w ill h av e to d eal w ith Lincoln’s big f r o n t line an d its b ack co ur t p r es s ur e, s o this is a major tes t. M att M cM ullen vs . K amar i M ur ph y cou ld b e a gr eat match- up if it mater ializes . N ep t u n e v s . N ew a rk Ea s t S id e: N ew ar k Eas t S ide looks like the f avo r ite to w in th e G r o u p I I I title in M ar ch, s o a w in b y N ep tu ne w o uld immed iately es tablis h th e S car let F lier s as a co ntend er. Th es e teams h av e s ome p lay off h is tor y together and b oth play tr an s itio n , u p tempo off ens e and f u ll- co ur t pr es s ing d ef ens e. Mid d let ow n N ort h v s . La k ew oo d : Tw o teams gear ed up to make a r u n in th e S h o r e Co n f er en ce Tour namen t, bo th bo as t h ig hs cor in g, exciting off ens es and mar q uee p layer s . S h ould be an u p- an d- d ow n, ex citin g game.
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GIRLS SHOWCASE Schedule: January 16, 2011 Jackson Memorial vs. Pt. Boro, noon Middletown South vs. RBC, 1:40 p.m.
A SM / 9
S am a n t h a C lark , J r. , C , S t . R o s e( pictu red left) : A 6 - f o ot- 3 cen ter w ith 3 - po int r an ge, Clar k is a D ivis io n I pr os p ect w h o is a diff icu lt match - u p f or any team.
Rumson-FH vs. St. Rose, 3:20 p.m. Christ the King (N.Y.) vs. Neptune, 5 p.m. Piscataway vs. St. John Vianney, 6:40 p.m.
Pla y ers t o Wat ch C h ris t a Ev a n s , S r. , C , Ja ck s o n Mem o ria l: The 6 - f o ot- 5 Ru tg er s r ecr uit is o n e o f th e to p p os t p lay er s in the s tate. Kelly Hu g h es , S o. , G, Poin t Bo ro ( pictu red r ig ht) : The h ig h s cor in g s tar and f utur e D iv is ion I r ecr uit has h elp ed th e y oun g P an th er s take a b ig leap f o r w ar d this s eas o n .
S y es s en ce D av is , S r. , G, N ep t u n e ( p ictured r ig h t) : A Rutg er s r ecr u it, D av is is o ne o f the b es t o n- the- b all d ef end er s in th e s tate an d a v er s atile s co r er. S h ak en a R ich a rd s on , S r. , G, N ep t u n e: A d azzlin g play mak er an d ano ther Rutg er s r ecr u it, Rich ar ds on is u s ually at h er bes t w hen th e s p otligh t is br igh tes t. C h y n a Gold en , S r. , C , N ep t u n e: A P itts b urgh r ecr u it, G old en is on e o f the mo s t athletic p ivo t p lay er s in th e s tate.
Meg h a n McGu in n es s , S r. , G, Mid d let ow n S o u t h : A N iagar a r ecr uit, M cG uin nes s is o ne o f the s teadies t g u ar ds in th e S ho r e an d a g oo d s co r er. S am an t h a Gu a s t ella, S r. , C , R ed Ba n k C at h o lic: The Q uin nipiac r ecr u it is an ath letic p os t p layer w ith go o d s h o o tin g r an g e.
A s h ley C oo p er, S r. , G, R u m s o n - FH( p ictu red left): P ar t of a s tar tin g f iv e o f D iv is io n I r ecr u its th at in clud es N ico le I s aacs ( M anh attan ) ; S tep h an ie I s aacs ( F D U ) ; Victo r ia Les ko ( Bo s to n Co lleg e) an d D ivis io n I I r ecr u it Ellie Wilb u r ( U n iv. o f Tamp a) , Co o p er, a H o ly Cro s s recru it, is a v er s atile s co rer w ith f o u r y ear s o f v ars ity exp erien ce.
N ia Od en , S r., F, C h ris t t h e Kin g : H eaded to I llin ois , O d en is a 5- f oo t11 f o r w ar d w ith go o d qu ick nes s . Bria S m it h , S r., G, C h ris t t h e Kin g: Th e Virgin ia r ecr u it is tou g h o ff the dr ibb le an d r ebo u nd s w ell o n th e o ff ens iv e glas s .
Marq u ee Mat ch - u p s N ep t u n e v s . C h ris t t h e Kin g: N eptu n e is on a mis s ion to w in the my th ical natio nal title b y f inis hin g a br u tal s ch ed ule u n b eaten an d th en r epeating as the N J S I A A Tou r n ament of Champion s w in n er. The S car let F lier s ’ on ly los s las t s eas o n came at the Bo ar dw alk ag ains t ano th er N ew Yo r k City p ow er, M u r r y Bergtr au m, s o th ey w ill be u p f o r this o ne. Chr is t the K ing is a p er enn ial Eas t Co as t p ow er and is r an ked in th e to p 1 0 in th at n atio n in s ev er al r ank in g s . S o is N ep tu n e, s o a w in h er e w o u ld b e a majo r r es ume b o os t f or the S car let F lier s . N eptun e’s b ackco ur t of S y es s en ce D av is an d S haken a Rich ar d s o n is th e b es t in N ew J er s ey, s o it s h ou ld b e a f u n match u p ag ain s t Br ia S mith an d Co . S t . Jo h n Vian n ey v s . Pis cat aw a y: Th is is S t. J oh n Viann ey ’s balan ce an d d epth agains t the ex plo s iv e talents o f P is cataw ay’s D an aejah G r ant. The Lancer s ar e the f avo r ite, s o w e’ ll s ee if th e Ch ief s can giv e th em a g ame. S t . R os e vs . R u m s o n - Fa ir Hav en : Rums o n r ecently s u ff er ed co ns ecutiv e lo s s es agains t w ellr egar ded teams in S t. J o hn Vian n ey and P o in t Bor o, but the Bu lldo gs alw ay s p lay th e P ur p le Ro s es to u g h . Th is game w ill be imp or tant f or S hor e Con f er en ce To ur n amen t s eedin g pu r p os es as w ell.
J ack ie Ka t es , S r. , G, S t . J o h n Via n n ey( p ictured r ig h t) : O n e o f f o u r D iv is ion I r ecr u its in the Lancer s ’ s en ior clas s , K ates is headed to the U n iver s ity o f P en ns y lvania an d is a v eter an f lo or lead er an d b ig- game play er.
Kat ie O’ R eilly, S r. , G/F, S t . J oh n Vian n ey : Th e Leh ig h r ecr u it h as emerged as a g o - to s cor er in big g ames f or th e Lan cer s . D a n aej a h Gra n t , J r., G, Pis cat a w ay : O ne o f the mo s t ex plo s ive s co r er s in th e s tate, th e 5- f o o t- 9 g uar d has p ut u p mu ltiple 3 0- po in t g ames in h er car eer.
Photos by:
Cliff Lavelle
www.clearedge.zenfolio.com
Bill Normile
www.billnormile.zenfolio.com
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Volume-III
10 / ASM
Issue-1
1/10/11
Melvin’s Last Chance Showcase Becomes the Beginning for Some Huggins, Cluley, Hair, Nolan, Gallogly, Brodie, Winston among the top talent to attend combine Christopher Melvin – HS Football Recruiting Analyst – ELITERECRUITS.COM football coaches at the collegiate level to locate and recruit top athletes,”
There may have been a blizzard that paralyzed the Jersey Shore a day after Christmas this year, but it did not completely hinder the Chris Melvin 2010 Last Chance Football Showcase on Dec. 26. The blizzard kept a majority of the potential attendees of the showcase from attending the event held at the GoodSports USA complex in Wall, but it didn’t keep more than two dozen football players and colleges coaches from across the Shore, state and beyond from attending the event. The Chris Melvin Last Chance was designed to give football recruits ranging from sophomores in high school to prep and junior college players the chance to impress smaller programs live and to also get exposure by the way of the web-based results (emailed to college coaches) and video footage that can be seen on the internet. But this event drew in a bit more than your standard diamond in the rough recruit from across the Shore. New Jersey’s top 2011 recruit and the Gatorade New Jersey Player of the Year, St. Peter’s Prep running back Savon Huggins, attended the showcase, but for different reasons than many of the other attendees of the showcase. “I wanted to get a great workout in before heading to Florida for the Under Armour All-American game (on Jan. 12 in Orlando),’’ Huggins said. “I wanted to support the event, my trainer (Calvin Thompson of TrainingYoungChampions.net) and to get ready to play against the best players in the nation.’’ Huggins was joined by one of the state’s top quarterbacks from the Class of 2012 in Wall’s 6-foot-3, 195-pound Steve Cluley. “I wanted to get a workout in and throw the ball around,” said Cluley, who trains with Cornell Key of Key2SportsTraining.com. “I wanted to get the rust off of my arm since I haven’t really thrown since the season. Both Thompson and Key joined event organizer and Recruiting Analyst Chris Melvin of Eliterecruits.com and strength specialist Mark Depen as the instructors of the event. Because of NCAA regulations, Division I-A and I-AA programs are prohibited from attending events such as showcases, giving Division II, III, junior college and prep school coaches the opportunity to see and possibly draw in legitimate, yet unnoticed, talent. “This was my first time at the showcase, and I was impressed with the caliber of athletes that were there to showcase their talents and physical Long Branch’s Steve Worsley ability,’’ said Nassau (N.Y.) Community College head coach Jermaine Miles, whose team went 11-0 in his first season this fall. “An event like this does wonders for the exposure of the studentathlete. Furthermore, I believe it enhances the opportunity for
“As a head football coach and recruiter it is essential to assemble a team of young men of character and talent in order to be successful. Chris Melvin and his ‘Elite Football Showcase’ is an important instrument for the success of young men and the enhancement of a football organization.’’ Manuel Galarza, the head coach of Gattaca football, a new junior college program based in Mercer County, felt the same way. “The event was awesome,’’ Galarza said. “A lot of these kids have been added to our recruiting board now. For a new program like ours (inaugural season in 2010), this helps a great deal. We will be here every time.’’ Pace University head coach and former Matawan star quarterback and Duke player Chris Dapolito is quite aware of how important the showcase is for the players and college programs. “Give the kids a chance to be seen,’’ Dapolito said. “We didn’t have anything like this when I was growing up. We are looking to bring in a lot of talent, and Chris Melvin’s Showcase had this - a lot of speed and some good-sized kids that impressed me as well. Wish I could get Cluley as well, but he’s a long shot. He is a BIG TIME player right there like the Huggins kid. “You can’t go to many events like this and have three to four guys running legit 4.3 40s. The event was impressive and worth the travel and time.”
Event breakdown and standouts The event offered optional testing in the 40-yard dash, pro-agility (5-105), broad jump, vertical jump, accurate height and weight measures, position drills and the 185-pound bench press for high school and prep school players and 225 pounds for junior college attendees.
foot-8-inch broad-jump, a 30inch vertical, and bench pressed 185 pounds 13 times. Nassau Community College sophomore Nate Francisco (WR/RET) showed why he earned a label as being one of the Northeast Football Conference’s most impressive returners. The 5-foot-9.5, 171pounder ran a 4.45 forty, a 4.32 pro-agility, and broadjumped 9-feet, 5-inches. Toms River North Class of 2009 star running back Jonathan Daniels (Ocean County Community College) showed Jackson Liberty’s Justin Billups that he was still worthy of a look from colleges as he measured in at a stocky 5-foot-8, 175 pounds, broad jumped 9-feet-10inches, bench pressed 185 pounds 10 times and posted a 4.5 pro-agility and 4.5 forty-yard dash time. Jackson Memorial senior 6-foot-3.5, 288-pound Joe Nolan (center) looked impressive after shedding 20 pounds for wrestling. Nolan dodged the snow following wrestling practice to take part in the event and fared well, bench pressing 185 pounds 15 times, posting a 5.3 time in the forty along with a 4.9-second pro-agility. Holmdel senior Kevin Gallogly (center) received a great deal of praise as he showed great desire, determination and skill for a BIG MAN. Gallogly measured in at 6-foot-3, 285 pounds, bench pressed 185 pounds 16 times, ran a 5.5 forty, broad-jumped 7-feet-1 inch, and added a 17-inch vertical. Hamilton West High School senior Christian Sanchez, a 6foot-3, 240-pound TE/DE, impressed a great deal as well after posting an 8-feet-2-inch broad-jump, a 24-inch vertical, and a 5.03 pro-agility. Lakewood’s 5-foot-9, 170-pound senior Ahmier Dupree (DB/RB) was no surprise as he continued to display great speed by posting a 4.3 forty, a 25-inch vertical and a 9-foot-1 inch broad jump. Manchester Township junior Marvon Brodie (NG) may not be the biggest player around the state, but he is definitely one of the strongest. The 5-foot-8.5, 273pound Brodie bench pressed 185 pounds 28 times, ran a 5.4 forty, and clocked a 5.0 pro-agility.
Long Branch’s Karon Hair
Huggins was by far the top talent at the event, displaying great quickness, moves and super-soft hands as a pass catcher. Cluley displayed the same talent that impressed the nation at one of Chris Melvin’s Showcases in 2010: a soft touch, great footwork, poise, size (6-foot-3, 197 pounds) and ability to throw the deep, intermediate or short passes. Long Branch High School senior Karon Hair (DB/WR) made a great showing by running a 4.3 forty, a 4.3 pro-agility and posting one the event’s top broad-jumps. Nottingham High School senior Robert Wiggs (WR/DB/Returner) showed why he was one of the most electrifying players in Mercer County. Despite standing just over 5-foot-8, Wiggs is super quick, having posted a 4.1 proagility, a 4.4 forty, and a 9-foot-2-inch broad-jump. Long Branch senior Steven Worsley (DB/WR) was also impressive for the Green Wave, having measured in at 6 feet tall and posting a 4.4 forty, a 9-foott-3-inch broad-jump, and a 30inch electronic vertical. Matawan senior Austin Davis (DB/WR) displayed impressive athleticism and speed. The 5foot-9, 170-pounder clocked a 4.5 forty, a 4.3 pro-agility, a 9-
Fairfield Warde (Conn.) High School senior Craig Lowery (WR/DB) made the trip down for the event and displayed a tremendous amount of talent. Lowery measured in at 5-foot9.5, 150 pounds, broad-jumped 8-feet-4inches, ran a 4.6 forty, a 4.42 proagility, and posted a 26.5 vertical jump. (l to r) Cal Thompson, Chris Melvin, & Cornell Key Jackson Liberty junior Justin Billups (DB/RB) continued to be impressive as he measured in at 5-foot-8, 170 pounds, broad jumped 9-feet, vertical jumped 25-feet-5-inches, ran a 4.5 forty, clocked a 4.2 pro-agility and benched pressed 185 pounds 12 times.
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La st Cha nce page 14
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SADD - Shore Regional Chapter Showing their Support (from left to right) SADD National Rep. Pamela Clark, Shore Regional rep. Jennifer Czajkawski, Paige Woodie, Chelsea Amaroso, Nick Nuvan, Kay Honda’s Jason Woods and General Manager George Rodriguez.
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Volume-III
1 2 / AS M
Issue-1
1/10/11
ASM Holiday All-Tournament Team By Scott Stump – Managing Editor ASM Most Outstanding Player Shilique Calhoun, Sr., F, Middletown North Selected as the MVP of the Buc Classic, Calhoun poured in a career-high 38 points to help the Lions remain unbeaten and hold off a feisty Freehold team in the championship game. He also had 10 points and 5 rebounds in the semifinals against Monmouth, and 18 points and 8 rebounds in the quarterfinals against Woodbridge. He has often hinted as his potential, taking over games for stretches and then often disappearing for stretches, so if Middletown North can get consistent play out of one of the Shore Conference's better athletes, that will make a world of difference. Middletown North's Shilique Calhoun
I also thought Raritan junior center Mike Aaman could have gotten this award as well for his performance in the Huskies Holiday Classic, but Calhoun's explosion in the final could not be denied.
ASM All-Tournament Team Mike Aaman, Jr., C, Raritan: The Wagner recruit affects the game in three major ways - scoring, rebounding and shot-blocking. He has gotten off to a fast start, and stuffed the stat sheet while he was at it. He had 19 points, 14 rebounds and 6 blocks in a 54-52 win over Matawan in the Huskies Holiday Classic championship game at Matawan on his way to earning tournament MVP honors. He played with foul trouble in almost every game of the tournament, but still put up impressive numbers. He also had 18 points and 11 rebounds in a first-round win over Manalapan, and 23 points, 10 rebounds and 5 blocks in a win over Freehold Township in the semifinals. Definitely an early All-Shore candidate. Mark Kukoda, Jr., G, St. Rose: Selected as the WOBM Classic MVP after leading the Purple Roses to the title, Kukoda has emerged as one of the more improved players in the Shore in his second season after transferring from Spotswood. He had 15 points in the final against Point Boro and gives St. Rose one of the most underrated point guards in the area. He is a consistent double-digit scorer and a solid passer amidst a good overall backcourt for the Purple Roses.
Kyle Janeczek, Sr., G, Wall: One of the more improved players in the Shore, Janeczek took his team to the WOBM semifinals and scored 23 in a loss to Point Boro. Janeczek then had 25 points in a 4-point loss to Jackson Memorial in the third-place game. He looks to be among the Shore's scoring leaders all season. Jason Huelbig, Jr., G, Middletown North: Huelbig pumped in 24 points in the semifinals in a win over Monmouth and also had 21 in a win over Woodbridge in the first round of the Buc Classic before taking a back seat to Shilique Calhoun's monster game in the final.
Ruane and Mark Coleman getting healthy and joining this young team, the Blue Devils should be a group to keep an eye on in Class A Central after a tough start. Eric Youncofski, Jr., G, Middletown North: The Lions' point guard has been an assist machine thus far, including 13 in a quarterfinal win over Woodbridge in the Buc Classic. His performance and ability to run the offense will be a huge key to the Lions' ultimate success because he gets the ball to their array of scorers in the best position to score and handles opposing defensive pressure in the backcourt.
Kevin Furlong, Sr., G, Raritan: John Martens, Sr., G/F, The Rockets' point guard was a Wall's Kyle Janeczek Middletown North: Even other steadying force in their march to Class A North coaches have the Huskie title, and he had a clutch remarked that Martens is a harder 11-for-11 showing from the foul line player to guard this season because of the work he has in a 17-point effort in a tight win over Freehold done on his offensive game. Township in the semifinals. He had 11 points, including the game-winning free throw with 14 seconds left, in the championship game against newcomers to Watch Matawan. He also played just about every minute of every game, rarely coming off the floor. Larry Alston III, Jr., F, Matawan: Alston had back-
Most Improved Casey Skievaski, Jr., G, Freehold Township: Skievaski got his feet wet on varsity last season and now has emerged as a scoring force. He can get to the rim and score in traffic in addition to hitting from downtown. He had 26 points in a win over Howell in the Huskie consolation final, and followed that up with a 39-point eruption against Manalapan in a regularseason game on Monday. Conor Mulholland, Jr., G, Wall: Mulholland showed a nice touch from behind the arc, including hitting five 3-pointers as part of a 17-point effort in an upset of Manchester in the WOBM Classic quarterfinals. If he can complement the nucleus of Janeczek, Brandon Walsh and Derek Gardner, Wall should be able to right the ship now that it has lost three straight after a 5-0 start. Jesse Hunt, Sr., G, Freehold: He can knock it down from behind the arc, put it on the floor and score, bring the ball up against pressure, and score in transition. Hunt, who had 17 points in the Buc Classic final in a loss to Middletown North and 24 points in a quarterfinal win over Old Bridge, should be among the Shore's scoring leaders this season. Now the question is how he will deal with increased defensive attention, as he had 8 points in a loss to Monmouth earlier this week. Zach Hoffman, Sr., G, Shore Regional: Hoffman poured in 25 points in a win over Woodbridge and then had 26 in a win over Roselle in the consolation bracket of the Buc Classic. With football standouts Evan
to-back 20-point games in the Huskie Classic, including 21 in a two-point loss to Raritan in the final. His presence adds a whole new dimension to a guardoriented team. A 6-foot-3, 215-pounder with good quickness and a 15-foot jumpshot, Alston grew up in Matawan, moved to Georgia, and now has moved back. He has barely any experience at the varsity level of high school basketball and is also a potential football standout, so it will be interesting to see how his career progresses. Pat Mullin, Jr., G, Freehold: Mullin has emerged as a third scorer with Hunt and Brandon Reynolds for the Colonials, as he had 11 points in the final of the Buc Classic against Middletown North and dropped in a career-high 19 points in a semifinal win over Red Bank. Brandon Holup, Jr., F, Jackson Memorial: The 6foot-5 forward gives opponents two Brandons to worry about on Jackson along with junior swingman Brandon McDonnell. He was named to the All-Tournament team at the WOBM Classic and has stepped up as an important scorer for a team looking to make a run at the Class A South title and more. Mike Gesicki, Fr., G, Southern: He had some good scoring nights at WOBM and is a scorer to keep an eye on for the Rams. He already has a pretty solid build for a freshman, and once his shot selection and efficiency improve, he could be a big weapon for them.
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A SM / 1 3
THE dOMInAnCE COnTInuES: Rumson girls Repeat as WoBM classic champs By Matt Manley – Staff Writer Bulldogs built their lead up to 21 during the third quarter. Point Boro drew as close as seven when it pulled to within 52-45 with fewer than two minutes left, but Rumson hit five of six free throws and made two straight stops to put the game away.
Even with a year more of experience and an NJSIAA South Jersey Group III championship under its belt from last season, the Point Boro girls basketball team wasn't quite ready to beat one of the Shore Conference's elite programs in Rumson-Fair Haven. The Bulldogs, the top seed in the WOBM Christmas Classic, stormed out of the gate and held off a late flurry from the secondseeded Panthers to win 57-47 and capture their third straight WOBM title. Rumson has now won the tournament seven times - all in the last decade - and has won five of the last six tournaments.
The Bulldogs hit nine threes altogether, four of which came during the first-quarter spurt. Isaacs buried two, and Cooper and Ellie Wilbur each hit one during the first eight minutes.
Wilbur drew the primary responsibility of stopping Point Boro sophomore guard and leading scorer Kelly Hughes. Senior guard Nicole Isaacs Hughes scored a team-high 16 scored a game-high 18 points points, but made only four field on six 3-pointers to earn the Rumson senior guard Nicole Isaacs goals and scored nine of her tournament Most Valuable points in the fourth quarter as Player award and Ashley Cooper the Panthers were trying to play and Victoria Lesko also scored in catch-up. Her two two-point field goals came off double figures. Cooper, a senior guard, followed up turnovers and one of her two threes was a 27-footer her 24-point performance in a semifinal win over late in the fourth quarter. For the rest of the game, Toms River North with a 13-point final, while Lesko added 10 points. Both Cooper and Lesko were selected Wilbur had her covered. to the all-tournament team by the coaches and "Ellie did an amazing job on Kelly," Cooper said. tournament staff. "She is tough to guard just because she has so much range so you have to stay with her at all times, but (Wilbur) stayed on her and contested everything." Kelsey Haycook scored 12 points for Point Boro and also had five steals. The WOBM Classic turned into yet another showcase for a balanced Rumson team with five capable scorers in the starting lineup. In the last three tournaments, three different players have won the tourament MVP, with Cooper winning the honor last year.
"I definitely thought I could have a good game against them," said Isaacs, who thrived against Point Boro's 1-3-1 defense by finding the pockets in the zone. "We've prepared a lot for that style of defense so we thought we could get some open looks, especially in the corners." Rumson jumped out to a 18-2 first-quarter lead and after Point Boro pulled to within 11 at the half, the
"It just shows our balance," Cooper said. "One game I scored three points and another I have 24. If I'm not scoring, then it's Nicole, and if it's not Nicole, it's Ellie or Victoria who leads us in scoring. We all can score, we all can shoot, so we just try to share the ball and make the defense guard all of us."
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Volume-III
1 4 / ASM
STARTInG WITH A BAnG: casaletto headlines Mustang classic By Bob Badders – Senior Staff Writer Southern Regional senior Kyle Casaletto was one of two champions from the Shore Conference at the Mustang Classic at Brick Memorial on Jan. 2. Casaletto, who was second in New Jersey last season at 112 pounds, won his second Mustang Classic title by defeating St. Augustine Prep's Joe Esposito, 7-2, in the finals. Casaletto also defeated Timber Creek's Brandon Keller, who was seventh in the state at 112 as a freshman last season, 5-0 in the semifinals and was selected as the tournament's Outstanding Wrestler. Casaletto was hoping to get a shot at High Point senior Nick Francavilla, who defeated Casaletto in last season's title match, but Francavilla lost via injury default in the quarterfinals. The other winner from the Shore was Wall senior Andrew Marr, who defeated Delbarton junior Dean Sullivan, 7-6, in the 215-pound final. Marr, who was the Region VI 215-pound champion and seventh-place finisher in the state last season, used a late escape to top Sullivan, who recently medaled at the Beast of the East tournament.
escape early in the second period. Esposito countered with a takedown to make it 3-2, but Casaletto escaped to take a 4-2 lead into the third period. In the final period, Casaletto rode out Esposito, earning three near-fall points in the process, to win 7-2. Casaletto was named as the tournament's Outstanding Wrestler, as he also defeated Timber Creek's Brandon Keller, a state medalist, in the semifinals. 130: Anthony Perrotti (West Essex) p. Jorge Lopez (Delbarton) 5:40 135: Jeff Canfora (Delbarton) d. Alexander Richardson (St. Peter's Prep) 4-3 140: Devon Gobbo (Delbarton) d. Drew Wagenhoffer (High Point) 4-1 145: Joe Gaccione (High Point) d. Brian Merkel (St. Peter's Prep) 5-0 152: Frank Marotti (West Essex) d. Noel Santiago (Sayreville) 12-5 160: Anthony Dawson (Paulsboro) d. Adam Schroeder (St. Augustine) 7-5 171: Ethan Orr (High Point) d. Anthony Pafumi (St. Peter's Prep) 3-2
Senior Kyle Casaletto
Also wrestling in a championship bout was Ocean senior Tyler Lyster, who was defeated by St. Peter's Prep's James Fox in the 189-pound final. Fox recently became just the second unseeded wrestler to win the Beast of the East tournament. Here are the recaps from the finals featuring Shore Conference wrestlers and the results from the other weight classes:
Finals 103: Michael Bohling (Sayreville) d. Tom Gattinella (St. Augustine) 9-4 112: Justin Bellis (High Point) d. Max Rogers (Delbarton) 12-5
189: James Fox (St. Peter's Prep) md. Tyler Lyster (Ocean) 13-4 On the heels of becoming just the second unseeded wrestler to win the Beast of the East, Fox won another prestigious tournament by topping the third-seeded Lyster. Fox got a quick takedown before Lyster escaped late in the first period to make it 2-1. Fox went to work on his feet in the second period with three takedowns, each time letting Lyster up, to take an 8-4 lead into the third period. Fox chose defense in the third, secured a reversal and picked up three-near fall points to win 13-4. 215: Andrew Marr (Wall) d. Dean Sullivan (Delbarton) 7-6 285: Billy Smith (High Point) p. Nick Curl (Paulsboro) 1:44
119: Billy Hagany (High Point) md. Anthony Geiger (Sayreville) 12-1 125: Kyle Casaletto (Southern Regional) d. Joe Esposito (St. Augustine) 7-2 The state runner-up at 112 pounds last season, Casaletto entered the final as the favorite over the fourth-seeded Esposito, a junior who was second in District 32 and Region VIII last season. Casaletto led 20 after the first period and took a 3-0 lead with an
Video Highlights by:
Bob Badders
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Photos by:
Bill Normile
Issue-1
1/10/11
La st Cha nce Continued from page 10 Raritan High School senior Max DeNardo (WR/RB/RET) measured in at 5-foot-9, 160 pounds and bench pressed 185 pounds 10 times, jumped 28 inches in the vertical, broadjumped 8-feet-7-inches, and added a 4.5 pro-agility. DeNardo may not have been the biggest or fastest player in attendance, but he proved to be one of the most athletic. Following the testing, Denardo did his best impression of 2010 New York Giants first-rounder Jason Pierre-Paul, who left NFL scouts flabbergasted as he did back flips for 50 yards down the field at the 2010 NFL Combine. “I felt that by doing this it would add a few ‘Wows’ and impress the college coaches a bit. They will be able to see how athletic I am off the field as well without the pads on,” said DeNardo, who did back-flips for close to 70 yards and followed that with 70-yard hand stand walks. Jackson Memorial junior Brandon Winston (RB/DB) has the type of talent on the gridiron that will make him one of the state’s most impressive players in the Class of 2012, and at the showcase it was no different. Winston was officially measured in at 5-foot-6, 155 pounds and managed to bench press 185 pounds 11 times, ran a 4.5 forty, a 4.21 proagility, broad jumped 8-feet-10-inches and posted a 26-inch vertical leap. Asbury Park senior (DL/OL) Marquis Monfiston looked very good, tipping the scale at a solid 6-foot, 251 pounds and posting a 5.1 pro-agility and a 7-foot broad jump. Willingboro’s explosive senior, Darryl Morgan Jr. (RB/DB), measured in at 5-foot-7, 157 pounds, recorded a 4.38 proagility, bench pressed 185 pounds 9 times, recorded a 21inch vertical leap, and broad jumped 7-feet-10-inches. Manasquan’s 6-foot-3, 180-pound senior Stefan Baier (WR/DB) posted an impressive 25-inch vertical and 8-foot10-inch broad jump. IMPRESSIVE SOPHOMORES: Long Branch’s Dominic Mincieli (LB/TE) measured in at 6-foot-1, 214 pounds, benched pressed 185 pounds 16 times, and posted a 4.6 pro-agility, a 7-feet-4 inch broad jump and a 21.5 vertical jump. Freehold Boro’s Matt Parke (OL) is attempting to launch himself on the scene after measuring in at 6-foot-3, 255 pounds, bench pressing 185 a handful of times, posting a 5.3 second pro-agility time and adding a 6-foot-10-inch broad jump. Monsignor Donovan sophomore offensive tackle Brad Henson measured in at 6foot-4, 270 pounds.
The 2010 Chris Melvin Elite Recruits Last Chance Football Showcase was held Dec. 26 at Good Sports in Wall, NJ. The event was presented by Eliterecruits.com, TrainingYoungChampions.net, Key2SportsTraining.com, NJSportShotsNJ.com and AllShoreMedia.com.
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STAY TUNED IN FOR THE NEXT CHRIS MELVIN LAST CHANCE FOOTBALL SHOWCASE SCHEDULED TO TAKE PLACE JANUARY 2011. LAST CHANCE SHOWCASE VIDEOS ON YOUTUBE: 1- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3r2ucbhCkvM 2- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_hzytT1hwa8 Photos By: Karen's Eye Photography
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A SM / 15 "The kids in our school are the toughest on the basketball team, soccer team, and baseball team when they lose, so there's more of a fear of losing and having to face their classmates than losing the streak or something like that,'' said CBA head coach Geoff Billet, who starred for the Colts as a player in the mid-1990s before playing at Rutgers. "It's just everyone around the area,'' said senior guard J.P. Koury. "You walk into a restaurant with CBA basketball stuff on after we just lost, and you don't hear the end of it.''
P
layin g bas ketball at Ch r is tian Br o th er s Aca demy mean s th at win n in g is ta k en f or g r an ted by ma n y, wh ile lo s in g mer its th e 58- po in t h eadlin e.
Add a 48-game-and-counting winning streak against Shore Conference competition to the usual expectations, and you might want to make that headline about 72-point if the Colts lose to a local team. CBA is an all-boys school with some of the top talent in the area, so the feeling is that the playing field is not level against most Shore Conference teams. CBA's stumbling block for years has been the state playoffs, where it faces teams that enjoy similar advantages and have similar talent, so it could be assumed that it's just easy to run through the Shore Conference unscathed, which is far from the truth. That's why few other teams have ever done it in one season, let alone multiple ones. The players certainly know the drill at this point. "When we lose it's a huge thing, but when we win, you're supposed to,'' said senior forward Matt McMullen, a Colgate recruit. "We read everything everybody writes. We've got it all hanging up in the locker room, so we're ready for it.''
"We like having the target on our back,'' said Koury, who had a game-high 24 points. "It's great. We want the sellout games. We like coming into the big games with the big crowd. Everyone has got to love that.'' The streak isn't the most intimidating factor for CBA's players, however. It's their classmates and the prominent alumni whose teams got it done. Those are the ones the current players don't want to face if they have a letdown. "You owe it to the previous teams and friends that were on the previous teams to uphold the tradition,'' Koury said.
Many teams are beaten by CBA before the opening tip because of the Colts' history and the intimidation it While all the winning and the brings, but Neptune is certainly not one of same old headlines can get boring those teams. The Scarlet Fliers have a long for the outsiders and Shore and proud tradition of excellence and Conference fans, there's always a championships themselves and do not back new group of players at CBA down from anyone, plus they have had looking to get their taste of it. Guys success against CBA in the past. That's like Kieran Hughes, Tyler Russo, why a showdown at Neptune on Jan. 8 Eric Shaw and others get their looked like it might be the spot where chance to play a much bigger role CBA's winning streak against Shore Senior forward Matt McMullen in keeping the machine running. Conference competition might be in While the veterans may already have some championships serious jeopardy. The Scarlet Fliers' home gym is one of the under their belt, they don't get complacent because of the few gyms in the Shore Conference that the Colts have exited hungry newcomers. with losses on several occasions. "Each year is a unique year,'' Billet said. "We've got some "We have so much respect for Neptune, and I have new kids now, and for them competing and winning never probably even more respect for them than our players do, so gets old, so we're lucky that we have focused kids. They I was very fearful coming in here,'' Billet said. "I knew if we don't fall into those traps.'' could get off to a quick start, I thought it would help us. Perhaps one of the biggest motivators in CBA's success is Neptune is a great challenge for us, and we need to play good old-fashioned fear. Fear of picking up that paper or against competition like that and turning on that computer the next day. Fear of being the team execute.'' that didn't get it done. CBA blitzed the host Scarlet Fliers "We know that everyone is expecting it, but at the same with a 17-0 run to start the game on time we don't want to wake up the next morning and see their way to a 68-33 rout, one of the 'CBA loses,''' Koury said. worst beatings the Colts have ever put on their longtime rivals. It was the As the buzz ends for the Neptune game, next comes perfect illustration of how the Colts' undefeated Middletown North on Jan. 13, the latest players still make it fun for themselves challenger to CBA's supremacy. The storyline will again be amidst all the external pressure. The whether CBA can keep the streak going. Love the Colts or sound of silence in an opposing gym, hate them, you cannot ignore them. the knowledge that the latest Again, it will be a mixture of urgency, drive, pride, fear and challenger to the throne was beaten relief powering their effort against the latest upstart. Such is back - that is what it's all about to life at the Shore Conference's version of Duke or the them. Staying on top is often much Yankees, and the Colts wouldn't have it any other way. harder than getting there.
On the surface, that can seem like a joyless existence when wins are rewarded with shrugs while losses are considered Armageddon. But that is the reason certain players relish playing at CBA. The margin for error "That's the reason I came here,'' said is slim because every local opponent McMullen, who had 20 points in the is looking to make its reputation off win. "(The Class) A North (division) is beating the Colts, so that keeps them Senior guard JP Koury fun, but I came here to play against sharp. Any sloppy practice, any mailgreat out-of-conference teams, especially Neptune. If you it-in effort, and forget seeing it splashed all over the Internet don't come out and play with energy against a talented team or the newspaper. Try walking down the hallway the next like Neptune, you can be in trouble.'' day.
"It works out for me because I'm a big Yankees fan,'' Koury said on Saturday before smiling and heading for the exits, ready for the next challenge.
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Volume-III
Issue-1
1/10/11