3-30-20 Volume-XII Issue-5 2020 Shore Sports Network Winter Season Awards

March 30, 2020 Volume-XII Issue-5

Kevin WILLIAMS Shore Sports Network Director kevin.williams@townsquaremedia.com

Steve MEYER Shore Sports Networkn Director High School Division steve.meyer@townsquaremedia.com

732-233-4460 Managing Editor BOBBadders // bob.badders@townsquaremedia.com

Senior Content Providers MATTManley // mmanley21@gmail.com GREGGlerner // glerner3@verizon.net

Shore Sports Network Journal is published by: Townsquare Media 8 Robbins Street Toms River, NJ 08753

Copyright 2020 Townsquare Media . All rights reserved Reproduction in whole or in part without the permission of Shore Sports Network is prohibited

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Dear Sports Fans, As you read what is a recap of the winter sports season our team should be getting you set for the spring with full previews of the upcoming baseball and lacrosse seasons. Sadly we are not and enter April with no idea if there will be any high school sports played over the next couple of months as school facilities remain closed.

We are in unchartered waters as nothing like this has happened in our lifetimes as we deal with COVID-19 which has interrupted our way of life but more importantly has claimed innocent lives throughout the world. And most of all that is what we have to remember the most. As disappointed as we are that there are no games to play or watch we must keep in mind that the health of those we love and those we don’t even know is the priority. The most important statistic in the weeks and months ahead is not batting averages or goals scored but the lives we save by being smart and safe.

All of us at the Shore Sports Network look forward to days when we can write about what we love most… sports. The teams, players, coaches and fans who make high school sports so special and its unique ability to bring schools and communities together. There will be a time soon when we can get back to that and hopefully sooner than later, especially for seniors who are being deprived in many cases of putting on a uniform for the final time. Let’s hope they still get that opportunity.

In the meantime we encourage you to visit shoresportsnetwork.com on a daily basis as we share special features and more. Bob Badders and Matt Manley may not have lacrosse, baseball and other games to write about but that does not mean you won’t find coverage.

We’ll do our best to highlight some of the players and teams who would have earned headlines this spring season while providing other content that will keep you connected.

More than anything else we hope you and your families stay together and healthy!

Yours truly,

Kevin Williams, Director Shore Sports Network

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ach week throughout the 2020 season the Shore Sports Network selected a Shore Conference Basketball team to receive the coveted Jersey Mike’s Team of the Week award.

The honored team received a special game ball and $250 gift card from Jersey Mike’s during a special presentation at one of their practices from a SSN representative.

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WSubs for their sponsorship of all our e would like to thank Jersey Mike’s

high school Basketball programming this season.

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Jersey Mike’s is known nationwide with some 1,500 locations but CEO Peter Cancro has never abandoned his shore roots and he has passed that on to his son Rob, now Senior Vice President, Director of Operations and a former football player at Wall High School.

We are especially appreciative of the support Jersey Mike’s has shown in partnering with us on the Team of the Week program in which 10 different Basketball teams were honored during this past season.

We look forward to many years of teaming up with them to bring a “sub above” to Basketball fans throughout the shore area.

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Jersey Mike’s Senior Vice President, Director of Operations

Rob Cancro

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very week this regular season, Shore Conference Basketball fans had the opportunity to vote for the Orthopaedic Institute of Central Jersey/ Shore Sports Network Basketball Player of the Week on our website.

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eek 10 Player of the Week winner is marlboro’s Alex Ratner

In the final year of his four-year, varsity-letter-winning career, Ratner led Marlboro’s scoring effort throughout its run to the Central Jersey Group IV final. He scored 22 points in an opening-round win over Hillsborough, put up 15 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists in a quarterfinal win over North Brunswick, and scored a team-high 22 points Saturday in a road win over secondseeded New Brunswick.

After scoring eight points in his teams 72-71 loss to South Brunswick at the buzzer in Tuesday's sectional final, Ratner ends his career with 1,348 points - the most ever for a Marlboro boys basketball player over

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the course of a varsity career. Ratner reached the number despite playing sparingly during his freshman season and missing time last year with an ankle sprain. The Mustangs senior also leads the Shore in scoring at 22.6 points per game.

Ratner wrapped up the final Orthopaedic Institute Player of the Week for 2020 by amassing just under 44 percent of the vote and will be awarded with a gift card to Surf Taco.

The final poll of 2020 turned out to be a two-horse race between Ratner and runner-up Tahaj Parland of Mater Dei Prep, who collected 33.5 percent of the vote.

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ach week during the season Shore Conference Wrestling fans had their chance to vote for the Thrive Spine & Sports Rehab/Shore Sports Network Wrestler of the Week. That wrestler received a special tee-shirt in addition to being highlighted on shoresportsnetwork.com for capturing the weekly honor.

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as they are committed to helping athletes and others dealing with injuries while also helping them improve performance and achieve their goals. As former athletes the guys at Thrive know what it takes to be successful on the mat, court and field and they share our passion for high school sports. We look forward to working with them for years to come. “We were super excited to be involved with the wrestler of the week program this year as we know how hard these guys work day in and day out to compete on the mats. These guys are the true definition of Thriving� said AJ Adamczyk & Joe Marchitelli, owners of Thrive Spine & Sports rehab.

We would like to thank THRIVE Spine & Sports Rehab for their sponsorship of The Wrestler of the Week program this season as it allowed us to salute the kings of the mat. Thrive is an ideal partner for the Shore Sports Network

106-LB Southern Fr.

Nick Bennet WK-6

285-LB Howell Sr.

Justin Wright WK-5

138-LB Colts Neck Jr.

Logan Waller WK-4

120-LB Howell jr.

Kyle Nase WK-3

285-LB Donovan Cath. so.

Dominick Brogna WK-2

126-LB Howell jr.

Nieko Malone WK-1

106-LB Brick So.

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1. Southern (20-1) The Rams captured the NJSIAA Group 5 state championship to repeat as state champs, claim the program’s fourth state title and finish as the No. 1 team in the Shore Conference for the second straight season.

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Bob Badders

- Managing Editor

ince the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association expanded wrestling to five groups, a Shore Conference team has won the title every time. Each season, that winner has also finished as the No. 1 team in the Shore, and 2020 was no different.

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Once again, Southern Regional rose to the top in the postseason to claim another state championship and finish the 2019-2020 season as the top wrestling squad at the Jersey Shore. The Rams didn’t win their division as Toms River North repeated as Class A South champion, but Southern got its revenge in the state tournament to avenge its only defeat en route to the Group 5 title.

Class A South was again the deepest division in the Shore with four teams ranked in the Top 10, including three in the top five. Class A North was right behind with three ranked teams while Class A Central, Class B North and Class B South had one ranked team each.

Along the way, Southern earned wins over seven teams that finished the season ranked in the NJ.com Top 20. The Rams also avenged their only loss, a 28-26 setback to Class A South rival Toms River North, by defeating the Mariners, 35-26, in the South Jersey Group 5 semifinals. Southern then knocked off Howell, 36-30, in a matchup of the top two teams in the Shore to win the program’s 14th sectional title. Southern crushed Passaic Tech (63-6) in the Group 5 semifinals before a 3824 win over Manalapan in the state championship match. Southern then captured the District 29 team title, its 21st district title in program history and 10th in a row.

Southern had a Shore Conference-high eight state qualifiers and finished with three all-state wrestlers. Senior JT Cornelius finished second at heavyweight, senior Robert Woodcock placed third at 160 pounds and junior Eddie Hummel took third at 138 pounds. Additionally, freshman Conor Collins, senior Jayson Scerbo and Woodcock were Region 8 champions while Collins, Scerbo, junior Matt Brielmeier, Hummel, Woodcock, senior Ben LoParo and junior Stephen Jennings won District 29 titles.

Southern loses several standouts to graduation, including Woodcock and Cornelius and state qualifiers Scerbo and LoParo but will return a very strong core with Hummel, Brielmeier, Jennings, Collins and freshman Cole Velardi leading the way.

2. Howell (24-2)

7. Jackson Memorial (12-9)

3. Toms River North (19-5)

8. Rumson-Fair Haven (15-4)

4. Brick Memorial (17-4)

9. Long Branch (18-4)

5. Manalapan (26-4)

10. Point Boro (14-4)

6. Middletown North (25-2)

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One of her finest qualities is a seamless flexibility to teach and to motivate, from the youthful innocence involved in memorizing the ABCs to the complexity of getting teenagers to understand the values of executing the Xs and Os of basketball. Coyle is in her comfort zone when surrounded by sponges open to absorbing the wisdom delivered from a source who knows what greatness looks like.

As a gritty guard at St. John Vianney from 1999 to 2003, Coyle helped the Lady Lancers to a Shore Conference Tournament title as a junior, sank 61 threes in a senior year that included a Non-Public A state title and was part of a four-year run in which SJV went 85-23. During her time in Holmdel, she got acquainted with a high standard of excellence.

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Gregg Lerner - SSN Staff writer

When she arrived as the head coach at Long Branch eight years ago, it was impossible to place such lofty expectations on her program, one that experienced its last winning season in 1997. The Green Wave had fallen on hard times and looked to Coyle not to build a dynasty but to restore something far greater - self-esteem.

Thus, the prevalence of tears that flowed inside the locker room in the aftermath of a 59-40 loss to Montgomery on March 5 oddly filled Coyle's heart with joy. She had finally struck the nerve she’d spent so much time desperately seeking to find, knowing her historic group that put Long Branch back on the map, was emotionally committed to the journey they had proudly navigated yet distraught to see it end.

hannon Coyle is an inspiring educator dedicated to grooming pupils, be it those who hang on her every word in the pre-kindergarten class she oversees at Morris Avenue or the players who share a similar reaction when she holds court in the gym at Long Branch High School.

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"For us, that was the most touching moment of the season,” Coyle shared.

“We sat there having a conversation heart to heart and I’m getting choked up, they’re all crying. I told them when you think about where we started from to how far we came, these were good tears and this was the time it was okay to cry. In a way, everyone was happy.”

To say Long Branch endured a prolonged stretch of lean years would be an understatement. Over the previous 22 seasons, the Green Wave was a collective 110-375, enduring one losing campaign after another with far too little to celebrate other than the annual courage of players to persevere during trying times.

Upon arriving at her first head-coaching gig, Coyle made three points her top priorities. The first was to change the culture one small step at a time. The second was getting those she worked with to be accountable for their actions in the classroom and be exemplary ambassdors of the program. And third, she urged her players to recognize their full potential, to not measure gains on wins and losses but on development of chemistry necessary to increase the former and decrease the latter in a steady ascent toward reclaiming respectability.

All of that came to a head this winter. The Green Wave rode the crest of a 5-0 start that featured a title in the Lady Wave Tournament it hosted over the holiday break. A subsequent string of losses to Marlboro, Howell and Middletown South was an ominous sign to outsiders that perhaps old habits were resurfacing.

Long Branch refuted that notion, running off seven successive wins, finishing tied with Middletown South for second place in the A North behind Marlboro with an 8-4 divisional mark. It marched into the Shore Conference Tournament as the 10th seed and took

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out Southern in the first round before valiantly bowing to seventh-seeded Red Bank, 6255 in the round of 16.

The Green Wave locked up the fifth seed for the Central Jersey, Group 4 tournament and scored a 50-38 home win over Old Bridge in the opening round. What made the victory even sweeter the large collection of fans who assembled to show their appreciation for a long climb back to respecatbility that sadly ended with a tearful 5940 loss to eventual sectional champion

Montgomery in the quarterfinals, closing the book on a satisfying 17-6 performance.

"They grew together by fighting through adversity," said Coyle, the 2020 Shore Sports Network Girls Basketball Coach of the Year. "As a coach, you have to address certain roles of the team...let them know where the ball is going at the end of a game, reinforce each player's best quality. You are a good rebounder, be really great at that. You can shoot the jumper, work on getting even better from the outside. We started seeing the light bulbs go in. It clicked and we were playing together."

A senior-laden cast that featured dynamic 6-0 guard Anyssa Fields, tenacious forward Maddie Grayson, streak-shooting Alanna Lynch and junior playmaker Jada Rogers fulfilled the most important goal Coyle could establish. Their indisputable bond on the court hatched a cohesive operating system as well as a breakthrough showing.

"This was a great group who people wanted to support," Coyle said. "I think more kids will come out and be more involved in the off season. It was an eye-opening experience for the kids and the parents.

They liked the feeling of winning. We have some middle schoolers growing more involved and they jumped on board AAU. It should only go up from here."

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“Don’t screw it up,” Bilodeau said. “I asked Bob Nastase what the key to coaching was and he said ‘Stay out of the way of the players and your assistant coaches. Don’t screw it up.’”

While that was likely a gross oversimplification of his coaching craft by Nastase, Bilodeau’s approach over the last two decades – with the last 12 seasons coming as boys basketball coach at Manasquan – has yielded results that are unparalleled by any other program in the same time span.

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Matt Manley – Senior Staff Writer

This year, Manasquan went from consistent winner to Shore Conference juggernaut. The Warriors finished 311, won a second consecutive NJSIAA Central Jersey Group II championship and captured the program’s first Shore Conference Tournament championship since 1957. Like his team, Bilodeau has been a consistent contender for the billing of “Best Coach in the Shore Conference” and his team’s success in 2019-20 pushed him over the top as this year’s Shore Sports Network Coach of the Year.

“We have had a lot of good teams here and certainly, we thought this could be a special one,” Bilodeau said of his 2019-20 squad. “Obviously, the talent level is there. The chemistry was outstanding. Their competitiveness every day was a big factor in them improving throughout the year. They showed up to every game and every practice ready to work, but they were also a loose group. They were loose but extremely competitive.”

Since grabbing the reins at Manasquan in 2008-09, Bilodeau has overseen winning seasons in 11 out of 12 years, eight straight division championships from 2013 to 2020, nine straight Shore Conference Tournament quarterfinal appearances since 2012, six SCT semifinal appearances overall and four Central Group II titles.

Up until last year though, Manasquan could not find its way into the SCT championship game and when they finally did, the Warriors ran into a Ranney team loaded with five DivisionI-caliber starters. Manasquan hung with Ranney most of the way before ultimately succumbing, 70-60.

n d r e w Bilodeau has been a head basketball coach for 19 years but it was his time as an assistant under three prominent names in Shore Conference athletic lore that he learned his preferred approach to coaching.

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Bilodeau worked under Toms River South head baseball coach and all-time state wins leader Ken Frank, former Toms River South football coach Ron Signorino and former Lakewood basketball coach Bob Nastase and it was the latter who shared some words of wisdom that have stuck with Bilodeau.

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While last year belonged to Ranney, this past season at the Shore belonged to Manasquan. The Warriors opened the season No. 1 in the Shore Sports Network Top 10, validated the ranking with a dominant performance in the WOBM Christmas Classic, and proved themselves worthy at every step of the way thereafter. North Jersey Non-Public B champion Roselle Catholic was the only team to beat Manasquan and Newark East Side and Holmdel were the only teams to lose to the Warriors by a single-digit margin.

“The combination of athleticism and size was probably the biggest factor for us,” Bilodeau said. “(Juniors) Connor Walsh and Jack Collins stepped in and made big contributions for us all year and Tim McEneny was awesome defensively. That’s two six-five guys and a six-eight guy who are athletes, plus we had three great defensive guards. Defensively, we were really good in a number of different ways and we got contributions from everybody.”

Even in losing to Roselle Catholic, Manasquan opened plenty of eyes by playing the Lions even the whole way despite missing injured star Alex Galvan. It took a lastsecond layup by C.J. Wilcher to deny Manasquan, 45-43, in the classic showdown at the Hoop Group Boardwalk Showcase at Brookdale.

After his team suffered what would be its only loss of the season, Bilodeau and his team were not interested in accepting a moral victory.

"We didn't come up here to put on a show or put up a good fight," Bilodeau said after the game. "We came here to win just like we would any other game."

Galvan missed a total of 13 games over two separate stints with two different injuries and Manasquan went 12-1 without him – including a convincing win over St. Peter’s Prep team that finished ranked No. 12 in the state by NJ Advance Media. He returned for good in the SCT semifinals and helped spark the Warriors to a 44-40 win over Holmdel.

After surviving a second straight struggle with Holmdel, Manasquan rolled into the SCT championship game for the second straight year and proved its superiority. Playing Toms River North at Monmouth University’s OceanFirst Bank Center, Manasquan stormed out to a 32-7 lead by early in the second quarter and never looked back in beating the Mariners, 75-49, in what was a clinical performance.

From there, Manasquan again handled the competition in Central Jersey Group II, capped by a 53-38 win over Holmdel in the sectional final. It was the fourth time Manasquan had beaten Holmdel – the No. 2 team in the Shore Sports Network Top 10 – during the season and finished off the second straight sectional title for the Warriors.

As great as Manasquan’s season was, the Warriors wanted it to be even better, but never got the chance to build on what they already did. Just hours from a scheduled tipoff against Camden – the No. 1 team in the state in 2019-20 – the Manasquan Board of Education announced it was pulling its boys basketball team out of the NJSIAA Tournament due to concerns surrounding the outbreak of the COVID-19 coronavirus.

The season had ended without Bilodeau or any of his assistant coaches or players running up against Nastase’s memorable words. They didn’t screw it up, but the season was still over.

“It was awkward,” Bilodeau said of the team’s last meeting together. “It was sad. It was very unfortunate. It’s a unique ending. The way New Jersey is set up, every year, every team ends on a loss except the team that wins the Tournament of Champions. So coaches are always walking into sad locker room at the end of every year. This was different thought because we had no control over our season ending. Instead of regrets about the way you played, you end up questioning a lot of other things. It’s unique and it’s difficult.”

Manasquan will not have a chance to talk about a historic win over Camden, a run to the Tournament of Champions or even an excruciating loss that ended an all-time season for the program. It does not, however, change that 2019-20 was, indeed, an all-time season for the Warriors.

“Because we had a good year, I hope those guys remember it as a positive overall,” Bilodeau said. “I hope these guys have those same thoughts that a lot of guys have been lucky to have here: they played with guys they grew up with and got to represent their town and their school. That it ended the way it did adds some questions but it shouldn’t spoil it for them. Maybe it just enhances the conversation a little bit.”

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A 2003 RFH graduate, Heller is among the Bulldogs’ all-time greats as twotime state medalist, two-time Region 6 champion and a two-time district champion who posted 118 career wins.

He then wrestled collegiately at Penn State where he was an NCAA qualifier in 2005.

Despite the program’s lack of team success and its sporadic cases of individual triumphs, Heller knew that could change with a dedication to a training system he believed would yield results. He encouraged setting lofty yet reasonable goals, and this year those were the most ambitious yet.

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Bob Badders - Managing Editor

umson-Fair Haven Regional High School is an athletic powerhouse, but wrestling has not been among the many sports in which the Bulldogs are among the best in the Shore Conference.

That is starting to change in a noticeable way.

The 2019-2020 season was a banner campaign for Rumson’s wrestling team as the Bulldogs won their first division title in 17 years, finished No. 8 in the Shore Sports Network Top 10, reached an NJSIAA sectional final for the first time in program history and saw a record three wrestlers climb the podium as top-eight finishers at the NJSIAA Championships. Not too long ago, Rumson couldn’t fill out its lineup and struggled to win even a handful of dual meets, but those years are getting smaller in the rearview mirror.

The man at the helm of the surging program is seventh-year head coach Bryan Heller, and he is the 2019-2020 Shore Sports Network Wrestling Coach of the Year.

When Heller was hired seven years ago he had a vision of how he wanted to build the program he once called home.

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“It was absolutely a successful season,” Heller said. “We have high goals and the kids have high expectations. A state sectional title; we’re still hoping to win that one and we’re still chasing it, but you can’t just focus on one outcome and base the season on it. Winning the division and getting three guys on the podium was huge for us.”

Rumson finished 15-4, including an unblemished 11-0 mark against Shore Conference teams and a perfect run through the Class A Central division. The Bulldogs won a 37-30 thriller over division king Raritan on January 15 and then effectively clinched the division crown with a 46-30 win over St. John Vianney on Jan. 20. A win over Manasquan on Feb. 5 officially locked up the program’s fifth division title and first since winning Class B Central in 2003.

Rumson earned the No. 3 seed for the NJSIAA Central Jersey Group 2 tournament and opened with a 48-24 win over Delran to set up a semifinal match at Point Boro, an annual contender that won the section in 2018. Trailing 25-20 with four bouts left, Rumson won three of the final four bouts for a 32-31 victory that propelled it to a sectional final for the first time in program history. Junior Tyler Brignola and senior Mike Ponenti delivered late heroics; Brignola with a 2-1 double-overtime win over Jack Bailey at 152 pounds and Ponenti with match-clinching 6-1 decision in the final bout.

The ultimate team goal of the season didn’t come to fruition, however, as South Plainfield defeated Rumson, 42-30, in the Central Jersey Group 2 final. The loss stung as much as any championship setback would, but it also helped set the stage for the best individual postseason in program history.

At the District 18 Tournament, Rumson finished second to Hunterdon Central in the team standings and had four district champions sophomore Aidan Shaughnessy (113), juniors Max Brignola (145) and Jack Kelly (170) and senior Liam Horan (195) - for the second time in program history and first since 2003. Horan’s win in the final was the 100th of his career while senior Tristan Izzo (120), Tyler Brignola (152), sophomore Shay Addison (160) and Ponenti (182) each finished second to give Rumson eight qualifiers to the Region 5 Tournament.

Addison was one of the stars of the Region 5 Tournament by coming from the No. 8 seed to win the 160-pound championship. He upset the No. 1 seed, Manalapan’s Matt Benedetti, 2-1 in the quarterfinals, pinned Perth Amboy’s Gilbert Sosa in the semifinals and beat Hunterdon Central’s Norman Cella, 3-1, in the championship bout. Benedetti had defeated Addison, 5-1, in the Shore Conference Tournament final and Cella had beaten Addison, 7-2, in the District 18 final.

Shaughnessy joined Addison on top of the podium by winning the 113pound title as the No. 4 seed. A 16-12 win over Holmdel’s Nick Ammirati in the quarterfinals was followed by a 7-3 win over Hopewell Valley’s Jacob Venezia, the No. 1 seed, in the semifinals. In the championship bout, Shaughnessy defeated Manalapan’s Justin Schifter, 7-5.

Max Brignola finished second at 145, Kelly finished third at 170 and Tyler Brignola placed fourth at 152 to give Rumson five NJSIAA qualifiers.

Under the bright lights of Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, three of the five earned all-state status. Kelly pinned Piscataway’s Marcus Petite in the quarterfinals to clinch a state medal and reach the semifinals before falling to Howell’s Shane Reitsma, 6-4, in a tight battle. After a loss to Carteret’s Jacob Vega in the consolation semifinals, Kelly closed out his season by pinning Haddonfield’s Luke Benedict in the first period to place fifth in New Jersey.

Addison also placed fifth in the state, but his road at 160 pounds was a bit dicier. After losing by fall to High Point sophomore Brian Soldano, the eventual state champion, Addison prevailed in the blood round with a 5-2 win over Cherokee’s Nathan Lapinski to clinch a state medal. He lost to Southern’s Robert Woodcock, the eventual third-place finisher, 3-0, in the wrestleback semifinals but won by fall over Watchung Hills’ Blake Bahna to finish fifth.

Max Brignola also found his way into the podium with an eighth-place finish at 145 pounds.

After a 4-3 loss to Collingswood’s Andrew Clark, the eventual state champion, in the quarterfinals, Brignola topped Camden Catholic’s Dante Monaco, 11-8, in the blood round.

All five of the state qualifiers return next season, as well.

“It felt great,” Heller said. “Billy (assistant coach Billy George) and I drove back together and had a good reflection on it. We were so happy for the kids who all worked so hard and felt great to have them accomplish what they wanted. And to have them all coming back next year is equally as exciting.”

“Iwama finishing eighth in the state to get the ball rolling, Nick saw that leadership in him and took it to the next level and placed twice and now it’s these guys, who watched them accomplish those goals,” Heller said. “It’s a culture change. They saw what it took to get on the podium and now they know. I forget who gave him this advice but someone said to me, ‘The best thing you can have is the young kids looking up to the high school kids. Then you’re in business’.

They’re going to see that and take hold of that early on.

With 10 starters returning, several underclassmen looking to jump levels and some promising middle-schoolers on the horizon, it’s easy for Heller to get excited about what’s next.

“When you have individuals, a kid like Aidan Shaughnessy for example, where you see what he was last year (17-14) and how he finished up this year; if we can get all the kids to level up like that…,” Heller said. “Then the kids like Jack Kelly, Shay Addison, Max and Tyler Brignola leveling up plus kids not in the limelight yet but making jumps, we expect to be in the same position next year.”

Rumson’s rise has not been meteoric. It has been the product of meticulous preparation and a culture change from the youth level on up. Heller wants to build a program that sustains itself, not one that has a noteworthy season once every 20 years.

“It’s been a lot of changes in the whole community over the years,” Heller said. “From the Skoves (led by former Long Branch great Thomas Skove) doing the junior Bulldogs and coach Billy and I changing how we coach and having our system of technical training evolving over the last four years. We’ve been making little adjustments and evolving with the sport as coaches so the kids can evolve and are in the upper echelon.”

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It began with Marcus Iwama, who won two Region 6 titles and then placed eighth in the state as a senior during Heller’s first two seasons. Then it was Theo Addison carrying the torch in 2016 and 2017. He handed the baton to his brother, current Stanford freshman Nick Addison, who was a two-time state fourth-place finisher, a region champion and a three-time district champion.

Now Rumson has multiple state medalists; multiple region champs; multiple hammers.

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Roy is the second sophomore to win the award, joining current Villanova freshman and former Ranney star Bryan Antoine, who won the first of his three awards in 2016-17. Antoine was not, however, named the Player of the Year by the coaches that season.

In Roy’s case, statistics don’t quite do his game justice but they are a good start. The 6foot-1 guard finished 10th in the conference with 18.1 points per game and his 578 total points were the fourth-highest total at the Shore this season, trailing only seniors Alex Ratner of Marlboro (656) and Najae Hallenbeck (619) and Jakari Spence (616) of Toms River North. Roy has been more of a score-first combo guard for Manasquan during his first two seasons but still threw in 2.5 assists per game while paying off his stellar defense with 1.87 steals per game.

“He plays the entire game,” Manasquan coach Andrew Bilodeau said. “I think some other guards are just scorers at times, some guys are just shooters, some are just drivers. Ben does it all on offensive end and he doesn’t just play one end of the floor. He’s special.

Matt Manley Senior Staff Writer By

“He has a toughness about him. He takes it to the rim against bigger guys, he’s great finisher around the rim and he’s fearless. All those things are what make him so different – and he is different. There isn’t really anyone else like him that I have seen.”

From the early part of the season, Roy showed a propensity for performing his best in big games. In a WOBM Christmas Classic that featured six of the top seven ranked teams in the final Shore Sports Network Top 10, Roy stole the show and won tournament MVP honors by leading Manasquan to the title and averaging 20.5 points per game in the process – including 53 combined in the last two games vs. No. 3 Middletown South and No. 4 Toms River North.

The only team to beat Manasquan within the Class A Central division in 2018-19 was Red Bank Catholic and in that game, the Caseys held

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igh school basketball coaches are, generally speaking, not eager to pass out superlatives to sophomores but Manasquan guard Ben Roy has made coaches around the state take notice during his first two years of high school basketball.

Roy to zero points – the only time in his career he has been shut out. This year, Roy hit back hard, scoring 20 points in the first Manasquan win over RBC and 26 more in the road win over the Caseys.

Once the Shore Conference Tournament came, Roy again summoned his best basketball. He averaged 18.5 points over the first two rounds of the

Even in a senior-heavy conference and with a dominant senior teammate playing alongside him, Roy’s credentials as the Shore Conference Player of the Year were undeniable in the eyes of the conference’s coaching collective. After leading the Warriors to their first Shore Conference Tournament championship in 63 years, the coaches voted him Player of the Year – virtually unheard of for a sophomore.

Following a run to a second straight NJSIAA Central Jersey Group II championship and a wire-to-wire No. 1 ranking for his Manasquan team in the Shore Sports Network Top 10, Roy can also add 201920 Shore Sports Network Player of the Year to his alreadyimpressive resume.

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he appeal was made out of necessity, delicately broached to one of the premier players in New Jersey who earned such status largely based on her offensive versatility.

T

A few of the attractive features that put Destiny Adams in such esteemed company would have to be tabled this season for the sake of addressing a bigger concern facing Manchester.

By

Gregg Lerner - SSN Staff writer

The Hawks were rich on guards capable of attacking from all angles and firing from distance, two elements Adams is particularly adept at. Where they were short - both literally and collectively was in the post, a void coincidentally left when Destiny’s older sister Dakota graduated in the spring of ‘19.

“Dakota gave us the luxury of a quality frontcourt player, so we were able to use Destiny’s skill set on the outside as a mismatch,” said Manchester coach Dave Beauchemin. “Coming into this year, graduating that size, it became a necessity for us to play her inside.

It's what we needed.”

Beauchemin approached his 6-3 standout and asked her to conduct her work almost exclusively in the paint for her junior year.

The request was significant when considering a highly-regarded recruit accepting limitations at a time when showcasing strengths would only improve her stock in the eyes of college coaches.

There might not be an “I” in team but one resides in the middle of Destiny and it stands for influential, integrity and impossible when it came to containing her.

Adams found a different way to impress those monitoring her actions. She stepped up to accept the circumstances without hesitation. She embraced a more refined role, met the demands of being a dominant force under the basket and epitomized what both a leader and teammate are defined by on her way to being named the Shore Sports Network Girls Basketball Player of the Year.

“It was kind of an easy transition,” said Adams, who, in addition to her aforementioned contributions, added 1.8 assists, 2.4 steals as well as 2.4 blocks per game to confirm just how well rounded her game is. “If I flashed outside and was open, I’d shoot it but when I was down low, I took advantage of my new part in the offense.”

How impactful was Adams? In 32 games, she registered 17 double-doubles despite playing

A year after sinking 48 3-pointers and averaging 14.7 points a night, Adams drained only 16 jumpers from beyond the arc yet her proximity to the rim, coupled with her usual size advantage on the interior, saw her scoring rate climb to 18.0 a game.

Where her impact was even more prolific came under the boards.

Adams, who cleared seven rebounds a contest as a sophomore, ripped down 11.7 this winter, averaging a double-double. More importantly, her willingness to sacrifice other notable dynamics that substantiate her offensive balance for the good of the program enabled Manchester to maintain its place among the state’s elite teams.

The Hawks (28-4) claimed their third straight B South division title, navigated their way back to defend the Shore Conference Tournament title, bowing to top-seeded St. John Vianney, 57-50, in the championship, and recovered from the defeat to win a fourth consecutive South Jersey, Group 2 crown. A 58-38 triumph over Manasquan in the state semifinals had Manchester positioned for a second consecutive Group 2 trophy but the COVID-19 outbreak forced the cancellation of the remainder of the state tournament, abruptly bringing the season to an unfortunate close.

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tournament – both double-digit Manasquan wins over St. John Vianney and Ranney. Roy and his team got off to a rough start in the semifinals vs. Holmdel but Roy rose to the occasion by scoring 11 of his 14 points in the second half to lead a fourth-quarter comeback and 44-40 Manasquan win.

The furious finish by Roy and Manasquan earned them a trip back to OceanFirst Bank Center on the campus of Monmouth University. A year earlier, Manasquan fell to Ranney, 70-60, in an entertaining championship game that Manasquan trailed by four points early in the fourth quarter.

While the Warriors put forth a valiant effort against the eventual Tournament of Champions winner, Roy did not have his best scoring game and finished with only four points to go with five assists.

With another chance to thrive on the Shore Conference’s biggest stage, Roy more than made up for 2019. He and Manasquan bombarded Toms River North with a 32-7 start to the game and when the smoke cleared, the Warriors dumped the Mariners, 75-49, behind a career-high 31 points from Roy. The SCT championship game was the first of two 31-point outings in the postseason by Roy, who also poured in 31 in an 80-67 win over Bordentown in the Central Jersey Group II semifinals. Roy averaged 16.7 points in the NJSIAA Tournament, including 21 over the last three rounds of the tournament.

“His level of play is such that he’s had some games in the high twenties and thirties I guess you would call it a quiet 30,” Bilodeau said “You’re so used to him being so outstanding that you have to pinch yourself once in a while. He is at such a high level all the time that you just get used to it. He doesn’t have those lows that most guys tend to have.”

While Roy book-ended his marvelous sophomore season with standout performances in tournament settings, he likely won the Player of the Year in the middle of the season by stepping up his play while senior teammate Alex Galvan was on the shelf. Galvan – who could very well have been the Player of the Year were it not for injuries to his ankle and shin – averaged 18.3 points and 9.5 rebounds in 19 games, leaving Manasquan to fend without that production for 13 games in the middle of the season.

In those 13 games, the Warriors went 121 thanks to a true team effort. Roy averaged 18.5 points and 3.1 assists during that collection of 13 games while drawing even more defensive focus from opponents.

Roy’s memorable sophomore season is worthy of comparisons to some of the Shore’s top guards in the Shore Conference over the past decade and beyond. Matt Farrell made significant strides as a sophomore at Point Pleasant Beach, but his real breakout came as a junior when he led his team to the Group I championship and a Tournament of Champions appearance.

Farrell reached another level as a senior, leading the Garnet Gulls to their only SCT title before landing a late scholarship offer from Notre Dame.

flashed his brilliance-to-come during his sophomore year, Barry was not posting the night-innight-out numbers for a top-10 team in the state like Roy did this year.

More recently, Rob Higgins led the Shore Conference in scoring as a sophomore and did so two more times before his career at Middletown North ended in 2019. Statistically speaking, Roy is a longshot to match the pace Higgins set during his four-year varsity career but Roy’s postseason track record has already surpassed that of Higgins – albeit while playing with a better cast of players around him.

That leaves Ranney’s duo of Antoine and Scottie Lewis, who graduated last year as two of the most decorated players in Shore Conference history. Antoine was a First-Team All-Shore Player in all four of his high-school seasons, won three Shore Sports Network Player of the Year Awards, two Shore Coaches’ Player of the Year Awards, two Kerwin Awards and finished his career as the alltime scoring leader in Shore Conference history. Lewis, meanwhile, was SSN Co-Player of the Year along with Antoine last year, picked up the Kerwin Award as a sophomore, was a three-time FirstTeam All-Shore selection and graduated 12th on the all-time Shore Conference scoring list.

Together, Antoine and Lewis led Ranney to back-to-back Shore Conference Tournament titles and the Tournament of Champions title in 2018-19.

While some of Antoine’s accomplishments are beyond matching, Roy has a chance to check a lot of those boxes during the second half of his highschool career. At 882 career points already, he will have a good shot at becoming the ninth Shore Conference player to eclipse 2,000 points and can make a run at two more Player of the Year Awards.

He already has scholarship offers from Monmouth University and Robert Morris and could continue to pile those up over the next calendar year.

More than that, he has a chance to become one of the Shore’s great winners.

Roy has already played in two Shore Conference Tournament championship games, helped end a 63-year SCT championship drought and won two Central Jersey Group II championships – all while playing on a team that is 605 since he joined the program.

“Right away, as a freshman, you could see how confident he was,” Bilodeau said. “That comes from his work ethic, his skill level and from playing high-level AAU competition. He is a daring, aggressive kid and I think that made him fit in with what our team was about. He probably even inspired some of the older guys with the way he works.”

Considering the current state of the world, nothing should be taken for granted or assumed. Roy could play add to his career over the next two years, but then again, high school basketball could cease to exist. Whatever story is told in the Shore area over the next two years, Ben Roy will be a central character.

Photos by:

Brendan Barry carried Rumson-Fair Haven to a Shore Conference Tournament title as a junior in 2015 and while he, like Farrell,

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limited minutes in a number of lopsided triumphs. She turned up especially when the competition was fiercest.

Against a ramped-up schedule that included meetings with a number of nationallyprominent opponents, Adams met the challenge head on. She struck for 23 points and 16 boards in a loss to Monteverde (Fla.), went for 20 and 23 in a setback to state powerhouse Trenton Catholic, tagged Red Bank Catholic for 22 and 19 in a semifinal triumph during the SCT despite being the subject of a diamond-and-one defense and collected 21 and 23 when the Hawks topped Middle Twp. for the South Jersey sectional championship.

Already a force on the glass, Adams pays some of the credit for her interior excellence to what she did in the fall.

“Volleyball helped me this year,” admitted Adams, who has to be a frightening image to see from the other side of the net when she elevates and primes to hammer a spike in the fall. “We don't have a big team. If I’m not getting rebounds, there was a concern about who was. I found myself jumping a little higher and getting more rebounds thanks to playing volleyball.

I really liked it.”

Adams had plenty of verified resources to seek and work out against in order to raise her post profile just in her household alone.

Besides some backyard battles with her sister, she also toiled against her accomplished dad, Dennis, a former Hawk star himself who went on to shine at Muhlenberg, where he was inducted into its Hall of Fame in 2005 and is now the principal at Manchester.

“He has been my No. 1 coach since second grade,” said Adams. “He never took it easy on me. He pushed me to make me better.

I still work out with him.”

Beyond everything Adams can do on the court, what her coach admired most this year was her flexibility, to adapt to a different responsibility and thrive within it while showing a talented group loaded with gifted underclassmen that sacrifce is an admirable trait. And, that no part, no matter how high their profile, is larger than the sum of the whole.

"Destiny can play every position," said Beauchemin. "She played on the wing for her freshman and sophomore seasons and went deep inside this year. I needed to place kids where their strengths would best serve the team. She fit right into that just like she fit into becoming a leader."

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His latest accolade is being recognized as the 20192020 Shore Sports Network Wrestler of the Year.

Peterson put all his talents on display at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, but mostly his impenetrable defense.

In five bouts, Peterson did not allow a single point, winning by 15-0 technical fall in the first round, by 8-0 major decision in the second round and then by 7-0 decision over Paulsboro’s Georgio Mazzeo in the quarterfinals. In the semifinals, Peterson defeated Bergen Catholic’s Nick Kayal, 3-0, before blanking Brick Memorial’s Vincent Santaniello, 1-0, to add a 120-pound state championship to the 113-pound title he secured last season.

By

Bob Badders

- Managing Editor

ny superlative a person could think of to describe Dean Peterson’s junior season would not be hyperbolic. He was that good.

A

Every wrestler who squared off against Peterson was sent back to their corner without getting their hand raised. From one of the nation’s toughest tournaments to the New Jersey state finals, Peterson was perfect for a second straight season.

Peterson won the NJSIAA 120-pound title to become a two-time state champion and cap a tremendous season that also included a second Region 5 title, a third district title, a third Shore Conference Tournament championship, a Sam Cali Memorial Invitational belt and a Beast of the East championship. He has won 72 straight matches, and with a three-year record of 1082 is authoring one of the greatest careers in Shore Conference history.

St. John Vianney began the season at the University of Delaware for the prestigious Beast of the East Tournament. It was there Peterson became the first Shore Conference wrestler since 2007 (Jackson’s Scott Winston and Southern’s Glenn Carson) to win The Beast.

Peterson cruised into the semifinals where he won 2-1 in double overtime over St. Joseph (Montvale) sophomore Alex Almeyda, a returning state medalist who went on to finish fourth in the state this season. In the championship bout, Peterson scored an 8-2 win over Blair Academy senior Ryan Miller, who finished the season ranked No. 8 in the nation. The only surprise was that Peterson actually surrendered a takedown, albeit while holding a 5-0 lead in the third period.

Peterson missed out on a chance to win a third Mustang Classic thanks to a broken nose he suffered against Miller at The Beast but returned to action on Jan. 4 when St. John Vianney participated in the Sam Cali Memorial Invitational, which has quickly become one of the state’s best tournaments. Peterson didn’t allow a point until a 15-4 win over Middletown North’s Fred Luchs in the quarterfinals. He then defeated Don Bosco Prep’s Mike Tandurella, 8-2, in the semifinals before a 6-1 decision over Shore Regional’s Jack Maida in the championship bout.

Peterson’s next conquest was the Shore Conference Tournament where he had the rare task of needing to rally for a victory. Peterson encountered little resistance in reaching the 120pound championship bout with a 16-0 technical fall over Marlboro’s Mike Bruno, a win by forfeit over Jackson Liberty’s Dorian Hall and a 13-5 major decision over Luchs. Waiting in the championship bout was a familiar opponent in the form of Santaniello, a two-time state medalist who is also ranked in the top 20 in the nation. Peterson entered the bout with a 30 record against Santaniello, defeating him in the finals of the Mustang Classic and the SCT final when they were freshmen and again in the SCT final last season.

After a scoreless first period, Santaniello chose defense and escaped to take a 1-0 lead.

With 1:13 on the clock in the second period, Santaniello took Peterson down to take a 3-

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0 lead as the crowd inched further forward in their seats. But just as quickly as Peterson fell behind he rallied to tie the score. Just 12 seconds after being taken down, Peterson got to his feet to trim the deficit to 3-1 and 12 more seconds later took Santaniello down to tie the bout 3-3 heading into the third period. Peterson was awarded an uncontested escape to start the third period, giving him a 4-3 lead. A second stalling call on Santaniello gave Peterson another point and he prevailed, 5-3, to win his third straight Shore Conference Tournament title.

Peterson moonwalked to his third district title, needing just two technical falls to place first at District 17. His 25-10 victory over South Plainfield’s Jacob DelVecchio in the final was also the 100th win of his career.

The Region 5 Tournament was shaping up the same way until Peterson was nearly shocked in the championships bout. Peterson won by 15-0 technical fall over Manalapan’s Chris Balzano in the quarterfinals and pinned Middletown South’s David Hussey in the semifinals. He squared off with Maida, the Shore Regional junior whom he beat 61 in the Sam Cali final, in the region final. Peterson was up 10-4 in the third and appeared well on his way to a second title when Maida hit a reversal with a headlock and put Peterson to his back for a 5-point move that made the score 10-9.

Peterson was able to fight off his back after nearly half a minute and in doing so turned the hold into an illegal headlock, which gave him another point. He held on for the 11-9 victory to become a two-time region champ.

Championships becomes more impressive the more it is dissected. In 2010, Manchester’s Jimmy Lawson pinned all four of his opponents in the first period en route to winning his third heavyweight state title. That remains the gold standard, but Peterson allowing zero points in 26:12 of mat time over three days is nonetheless remarkable.

Peterson, who is committed to Princeton University, ended the season ranked No. 3 in the nation by both InterMat and FloWrestling. There’s no reason to believe he’ll be anything but dominant during his senior season, and if that is indeed the case he will go down as one of the greatest wrestlers in Shore Conference history.

Jackson Memorial’s Scott Winston went 137-0 with three state titles.

Lakewood’s Damion Hahn was 131-3, a three-time state champion and a four-time state finalist. Long Branch’s Luke Skove went 1191-1 with three state titles and four finals appearances.

Middletown South’s Glenn Pritzlaff went 113-3 with three state titles. Central’s Mark Worthy went 128-2 with three state titles.

Southern’s Frank Molinaro finished 148-6 with three state titles and Lawson went 141-11 with three state titles. That is the elite company Peterson, a two-time state champ and three-time finalist, can join next season.

Legendary status awaits in 2021.

That was the last time Peterson would surrender a point the rest of the season. at

Peterson’s complete shutout the NJSIAA

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2019-20 Shore Sports Network Boys All-Division Teams

A NORTH 1st Team

A SOUTH

B CENTRAL

1st Team

Jakari Spence, Sr. Najae Hallenbeck, Sr. Mike Goodall, Sr. Colin Baker, Sr. Ryan Goodall, Sr. Jay Silva, Jr. Player of the Year: Jakari Spence

TR North TR North TR East TR North TR East Southern TR North

1st Team

CBA Luke Albrecht, Jr. Midd. South Aleksy Friedman, Jr. Marlboro Mike White, Jr. CBA Jiasion Carpenter, Jr. Freehold Boro Blake Henis, Sr. Manalapan Coach of the Year: Jim Anderson Midd. South

2nd Team Riley Engelhard, Sr.

TR East Central TR South Jackson Mem. Central Southern TR North

2nd Team Chris Venturoso, Fr.

3rd Team Jack Sheridan, Sr.

3rd Team Jaiden Fraser, So.

TR North Justin Soranno, So. Central Brandon Thomas, Sr. Brick Mem. Mike Vansprang, Sr. TR North Nick Colon, Sr. Jackson Mem. Luke Infurna, Jr. Southern

3rd Team Anthony Longo, So.

Alex Ratner, Sr. James Anderson, Sr. Ryan Knorr, Sr. Jack Seidler, So. Mike Dabas, Sr. Bobby Pirie, Sr. Player of the Year: Alex Ratner

Marlboro Midd. South Manalapan Marlboro Midd. South Midd. South Marlboro

2nd Team Colin Farrell, Sr.

Jayce Schapiro, Jr. Jon Spatola, So. Joe Lardaro, Jr. Dane Moran, Jr. Zach Orrico, Jr

Midd.South Freehold Twp. Marlboro Freehold Twp. CBA Freehold Twp.

I-Meer Johnson, Jr. Jalen Folsom, Sr. Matt Mahala, Sr. Eugene Brown, Sr. Ben Ridgway, Jr. Coach of the Year: Rory Caswell

A CENTRAL

Elijah Perkins, So. Peter Gorman, Sr. Tahaj Parland, Sr. Jake Clark, Sr. Ryan Zan, So. D.J. Thomson, So. Player of the Year: Elijah Perkins

Point Beach Charles Anyichie, So. Ranney Davon Jackson, Jr. Keansburg Sean Turner, Sr. Mater Dei Prep Andreas Von Fricke, Jr. Mater Dei Prep Brian Day, Jr. Ranney Coach of the Year: Rich Buckheit Mater Dei Prep Chris Johnson, Sr. Eryck Brown, Sr. Nick Troccoli, Jr. Anthony Tancredi, So. Brandon Klatsky, So.

Quinn Calabrese, Sr. Pat Lacey, Jr. Niles Haliburton, Sr. Sam Fagan, Jr. Jack Miller, Sr. Corey Miller, So. Player of the Year: Quinn Calabrese

Wall Wall Matawan Neptune Ocean Ocean Wall

1st Team

RFH Derek Chan, Sr. Holmdel Jack Giamanco, Sr. Holmdel John Beattie, Sr. St. Rose Eric Hinds, Sr. Holmdel Doug Chan, Sr. Holmdel Coach of the Year: Andrew Bilodeau Manasquan

2nd Team John Beukers, Sr.

Matawan SJV Matawan Red Bank Wall SJV Wall

2nd Team Savon Myers, So.

3rd Team Charlie Gordinier, Sr. RBC

3rd Team Saadiq Armstead, Sr. Neptune

Ben Roy, So. Alex Galvan, Sr. Kieran Flanagan, Sr. Alex Baker, Jr. Geoff Schroeder, So. Kevin Bauman, Sr. Player of the Year: Ben Roy

Manasquan Manasquan Manasquan Holmdel RFH RBC Manasquan

2nd Team Jack Carroll, Sr.

Jaylen Smith, Sr. Jack Collins, Jr. C.J. Ruoff, So. Tim McEneny, Sr. Alex Bauman, So.

Raritan Manasquan RBC Manasquan RBC

Alex Leiba, Sr. Ethan Okello, Sr. Drew Valentino, Sr. Colin Ackerman, So. Nate Williams, So. Coach of the Year: Bob Klatt Nick Ferrogine, Jr. Brian Stuart, Sr. Matt Kenny, So. Matt Weidman, Sr. Aiden Horan, Sr.

Keyport Keyport Asbury Park Ranney Mater Dei Prep Ranney

B SOUTH

B NORTH 1st Team

1st Team

Ranney Mater Dei Prep Mater Dei Prep Point Beach Ranney Keyport Ranney

Red Bank SJV Midd. North Red Bank Colts Neck

Ryan Savoy, Sr. Sam Young, Sr. Isaiah Gerena, Sr. Jaxon Baker, Jr. Josh Hayes, Sr. Alex Drucquer, Sr. Player of the Year: Ryan Savoy

Lakewood Point Boro Barnegat Barnegat Manchester Point Boro Lakewood

Manchester Amari Petty, So. Donovan Cath.

Jordan Cohen, Sr. Lacey Respect Tyleek, Fr. Lakewood Carson Howard, Fr. Lacey Ryan Skeie, Sr. Pinelands Coach of the Year: Randy Holmes, Lakewood

3rd Team Matt Lee, So.

Point Boro Samir Padilla, Fr. Lakewood Matt Weeden, Sr. Donovan Cath.

Brendan Revello, Sr. Barnegat Wyatt Hasselbauer, So. Manchester Neithan Ramos, Sr. Donovan Cath.

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Staying Game Ready during Covid-19

By

Bobby Smith, MS, CSCS, *D, RSCC *D & Pat Livesey, MS, CSCS

W

ith recent updates in the current global pandemic that we are facing, all gyms and training facilities have been mandated to shut down.

Schools and sports have been put on hold, and American citizens have been told to stay home. As athletes and coaches, we are finding this time to be difficult for both our physical and mental preparation as we head into what is truthfully the unknown. When will we be able to return to our normal daily routines, return back to our seasonal sports, and return to training? With so many unknowns, we wanted to help out with some tips and strategies to stay “game ready” until this is all over.

As athletes and active people, the best way to stay prepared is to set up a plan of action. For those that do not have access to a facility to train in, we are providing you with a 4 part plan of action that will get you through the next few weeks. Each of these 4 different pillars have their own importance and need to be addressed now more than ever, as we are uncertain what the immediate future holds. These pillars are in no particular order of importance as they are all equally necessary and should be worked on together.

They are 1) Cardiovascular condition (running), 2) Strength/Power maintenance, 3) Recovery and nutrition, 4) Flexibility and mobility.

So where’s the best place to start?

1) Let’s get outside and run! This is the first pillar that we are going to focus on because it requires the least amount of equipment. Grab your sneakers/cleats and find a field, or go for a run around your neighborhood. Regardless of the sport you play, staying conditioned during this time is going to be of great importance upon returning to your sport. All athletes need aerobic and anaerobic conditioning, in other words, we feel its valuable to do both short, quick sprints, as well as longer, slower distances. If exercise has been deemed acceptable in your city/state as long as you are 6 feet away from anyone else, we recommend a training session similar to this to help stay “game ready” for whatever sport you are preparing to jump back into.

The charts enclosed have been developed to help maintain or rebuild the conditioning

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that athletes would normally build up during offseason training, practices, and conditioning after practices. Each athlete is different sports require usage of different energy systems. However, in a time like this, all athletes can benefit from basic cardiovascular conditioning regardless of their playing level or sport.

Here is how to perform the training session in Chart #1. The distance labeled is the TOTAL distance that you are to run during a shuttle drill at the increments it lists below.

If the distance is 20 yards (at 10), then you are to run 10 yards upfield, change direction, and run 10 yards back downfield to total 20 yards. Your stopwatch or timer will start when you begin the 20 yard shuttle and if the rest states “sprint every 30 seconds” than you have until the 30 second mark before you are required to run again. Write down the time that you completed the 20 yard shuttle and perform however many “reps” or repetitions that is listed in the right hand column. Perform the exercises in order as they are listed. The only part that changes slightly is the finisher for each day, the 150 yard shuttle. You will perform 2 repetitions of this distance, but you get a 90 second rest from the time you cross the end line of the 150 yard distance.

To keep the training sessions interesting and give you some variety, Chart #2 is another type of running that you can do. Depending on the type of field you have access to, the size may vary, however they will normally be 100-120 yards. You may need to change the distances, but do the best you can with what you have available to you at this time. General guidelines would make 1/4, 1/2, and full field become 25, 50, and 100 yards respectively. The same rules apply from above, start your watch before the sprint and begin the next sprint at the end of the given rest period. As the distance increases, we are challenging your body a little differently, requiring you to adapt to the changes!

Chart-2 Recommended Extra Conditioning Week #

Distance

Rest

Week 1

1/4 Field 1/2 Field Full Field

Sprint Every 30 Seconds Sprint Every 60 Seconds 60 Second Jog Back

x10 x10 x3

Week 2

1/4 Field 1/2 Field Full Field

Sprint Every 30 Seconds Sprint Every 60 Seconds 60 Second Jog Back

x10 x10 x4

Week 3

1/4 Feld 1/2 Field Full Field

Sprint Every 30 Seconds Sprint Every 60 Seconds 60 Second Jog Back

x10 x10 x5

Week 4

1/4 Feld 1/2 Field Full Field

Sprint Every 30 Seconds Sprint Every 60 Seconds 60 Second Jog Back

x10 x10 x6

Chart-1 Recommended Extra Conditioning Week #

Distance

Rest

Week 1

20 Yard Shuttle (at 10) 40 Yard Shuttle (at 10) 150 Yard Shuttle (at 25)

Sprint Every 30 Seconds Sprint Every 30 Seconds 90 Seconds Rest

x6 x6 x2

60 Yard Shuttle (at 10) 80 Yard Shuttle (at 10) 150 Yard Shuttle (at 25)

Sprint Every 30 Seconds Sprint Every 30 Seconds 90 Seconds Rest

x6 x6 x3

Week 3

20 Yard Shuttle (at 10) 40 Yard Shuttle (at 10) 150 Yard Shuttle (at 25)

Sprint Every 30 Seconds Sprint Every 30 Seconds 90 Seconds Rest

x6 x6 x4

Week 4

60 Yard Shuttle (at 10) 80 Yard Shuttle (at 10) 150 Yard Shuttle (at 25)

Sprint Every 30 Seconds Sprint Every 30 Seconds 90 Seconds Rest

x6 x6 x5

Week 2

Time Achieved

Reps

Time Achieved

Stay tuned for the next 3 pillars!

Have fun and stay RYPT!

Reps

25

PETER GRANDICH, FORMER WALL STREET WHIZ KID, IS DEEPLY ROOTED IN SPORTS By

John Archibald President & CEO Resolution Sports Resolution Promotions

N

ow in his 36th year in and around the financial industry, Peter Grandich has certainly taken the road less traveled to get where he is today.

After first entering Wall Street in the mid-1980s with neither formal education nor training, Grandich was appointed Head of Investment Strategy for a leading New York Stock Exchange-member firm within three years. He would later hold positions as Chief Market Strategist and Portfolio Manager for four hedge funds and a mutual fund that bore his name. Grandich notably called the Stock Market Crash of October 1987, which led to him being dubbed the “Wall Street Whiz Kid” by industry pundits. He would earn that nickname by going on to correctly forecast major stock market declines and rallies in 2000, 2008 and perhaps his most accurate and timely forecast on January 1, 2020.

In his New Year’s commentary to clients and followers, he said the following: “From today’s valuations, a mere cyclical mean reversion in stock market multiples implies a 50+% drawdown in prices. I do believe that when this bubble bursts in the relative not-too-distant future, that which follows will be America’s most difficult economic, political and social era ever. Accordingly, my generation (age 63) is not likely to see a significant financial asset bull market again in their lifetimes.”

How many investors today wish they were listening to Peter just a few months ago?

“If ever I wished one of my forecasts ended up wrong, it was my 2020 as the economic, social and political damage is acute,” said Grandich. “Despite the unbelievable damage, many continue to follow much of what has led them to such dire consequences from what I’ve coined as the Don’t Worry, Be Happy crowd that makes up much of the financial services industry these days.”

Grandich is now the owner and managing partner of Peter Grandich & Company, which focuses on retirement, business and estate planning. The firm uses a faith-based approach

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while providing specialized financial services to a wide range of clients across the nation, including individuals, business owners, entertainers and professional athletes. The underlying goal of Peter Grandich & Company is to help common people attain uncommon results.

With the assistance of co-founder and two-time Super Bowl champion Lee Rouson (New York Giants), Grandich assembled an extraordinary team of people who are available to offer direction and years of experience to clients who may require mentoring through his Trinity Advisory Board.

“In our continuing effort to build a team of values-based, faith-filled men and women who can provide their real life experiences and inspiration to our clientele, I feel our company has been truly blessed with the addition of these God-fearing people,” said Grandich. “Through God’s grace, we will continue to meet a number of athletes, entertainers and business people whose love for God will help serve our mandate.”

The Trinity Advisory Board includes highly-respected professionals of all backgrounds, such as New York Jets great Joe Klecko, U.S Soccer and Jersey Shore legend Christie Pearce Rampone, former New York Ranger Nick Fotiu, three-time Stanley Cup winner Ken Daneyko, Super Bowl champion David Tyree and former NFL quarterback Ray Lucas.

Recently, the Trinity Advisory Board also added two very notable figures in New York Giants Ring of Honor member Jessie Armstead and former Rutgers Football standout turned entrepreneur and philanthropist Eric LeGrand.

“I am excited to join the Trinity Advisory Board of Peter Grandich and Company,” LeGrand said of his addition. “There are so many well-known athletes and celebrities on the Advisory Board, and I take great pleasure in now being included among this group. I have heard so many great things about Peter Grandich from a variety of people, and I really look forward to working together with him through this and other initiatives.”

Grandich also remains more deeply engrained in the sports community through strategic partnerships with the likes of Christie Pearce Rampone and David Tyree.

“In my life, I have been entrusted with much. None is more important than the opportunity to serve God and people,” said Tyree. “The Helmet Catch has provided a unique platform to be a servant of all, whether through sport, business or personal relationships.

Peter Grandich has been a tremendous friend and supporter for many years.”

Grandich penned an autobiography entitled Confessions of a Former Wall Street Whiz

Ricky Aiello, Nick Fotiu, Lee Rouson, Peter Grandich, Brian Propp & Joe Klecko

Kid, which was first published in the fall of 2011. Most recently, a fourth edition of the book was published in 2019. The book is currently available on Amazon, but it can also read it for free online at PeterGrandich.com.

Over the years, Grandich has participated in hundreds of media interviews, including Good Morning America, Fox News, CNBC, Wall Street Journal, Barron’s, Financial Post, Globe and Mail, US News & World Report, New York Times, Business Week, MarketWatch, Business News Network and dozens more. He has spoken at investment conferences around the globe, edited numerous investment newsletters and was one of the more sought-after financial commentators.

Grandich has been a member of the National Association of Christian Financial Consultants, The New York Society of Security Analysts, The Society of Quantitative Analysts and The Markets Technician Association. He is an active supporter of Athletes in Action, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Good News International Ministries and Catholic Athletes For Christ. Through Athletes in Action, Grandich assisted with Bible study and chapel services for the New York Giants and New York Yankees from 2002 to 2016.

Grandich currently resides in New Jersey with his wife, Mary, and he has one daughter, Tara. He recently opened a satellite office for Peter Grandich & Company in Millstone Township, while still maintaining its corporate office in Spring Lake. The satellite office was established in order to better-serve its rapidly-growing client base in Western Monmouth County.

To hear more about Peter Grandich and Company, visit PeterGrandich.com or call (732) 642-3992 to schedule a consultation.

JSIWA Shore Conference All-Division Teams & Awards

by Bob Badders

Managing Editor

A NORTH 106: Jack Zaleski, Fr., Middletown South 113: Colin Bradshaw, Fr., Howell 120: Kyle Nase, Jr., Howell 126: Nico Messina, Sr., Freehold 132: Zach Vasile, Jr., Marlboro 138: Ryan Zimmerman, Sr., Long Branch 145: Hunter Konstantoulas, Sr., Manalapan 152: Ryan Carey, Sr., Long Branch 160: Matt Benedetti, Sr., Manalapan 170: Shane Reitsma, Sr., Howell 182: Andrew Conklin, Jr., Long Branch 195: Gavin Claro, Jr., Manalapan 220: Tracey Taylor, Sr., Long Branch 285: Justin Wright, Sr., Howell Most Outstanding Wrestler: Shane Reitsma (Howell) Coach of the Year: Scott Pressman (Manalapan) Honorable mention: Hector Santiago (Freehold Twp.), Julian George (CBA)

A CENTRAL

A SOUTH 106: Anthony Santaniello, Fr., Brick Memorial 113: Ryan Rosenthal, Sr., Toms River North 120: Vincent Santaniello, Jr., Brick Memorial 126: Michael Richardson, Sr., Brick Memorial 132: Michael Conklin, Jr., Toms River East 138: Eddie Hummel, Jr., Southern 145: Anthony Lawrence, Fr., Toms River East 152: Nick Boggiano, Sr., Toms River North 160: Robert Woodcock, Sr., Jackson Memorial 170: Hunter Smith, Sr., Jackson Memorial 182: Joe Colon, Sr., Brick Memorial 195: David Szuba, Jr., Brick Memorial 220: Mike Nakano, Sr., Toms River North 285: JT Cornelius, Sr., Southern Most Outstanding Wrestler: Nick Boggiano (Toms River North) Coach of the Year: Mike Kiley (Brick Memorial) Honorable mention: Evan Tallmadge (Brick), Tyler Pepe (Central), Justin Murray (Toms River South)

B NORTH

B CENTRAL 106: Brendan Nicholas, Jr., Shore 113: Jacob Herschenfeld, So., Shore 120: Jack Maida, Jr., Shore 126: Gabe Scalise, So., Shore 132: Riley Simon, Jr., Point Beach 138: Al DeSantis, Sr., Shore 145: Jesse Bowers, Sr., Point Beach 152: Mike McGhee, Jr., Shore 160: Jason Schulz, Jr., Point Beach 170: John Liotta, Jr., Point Beach 182: Jason Sherlock, Sr., Point Beach 195: Shane Zimmerman, Sr., Keyport 220: Stevens Cajulus, So., Asbury Park 285: Liam Buday, Sr., Point Beach Most Outstanding Wrestlers: Al DeSantis (Shore) & Jason Sherlock (Pt. Beach) Coach of the Year: Jeff Bower (Point Beach) Honorable mention: Jesse Berescky (Keansburg), Vincent Fontanez (St. Rose)

B SOUTH

106: Joseph Giordano, Fr., St. John Vianney 113: Aidan Shaughnessy, So., Rumson-Fair Haven 120 Dean Peterson, Jr., St. John Vianney 126: Nico Diaz, So., St. John Vianney 132: Seth Rotondella, Jr., St. John Vianney 138: Michael Lonnay, Sr., Raritan 145: Max Brignola, Jr., Rumson-Fair Haven 152: Tyler Brignola, Jr., Rumson-Fair Haven 160: Shay Addison, So., Rumson-Fair Haven 170: Jack Kelly, Jr., Rumson-Fair Haven 182: Blake Clayton, Jr., St. John Vianney 195: Aidan Meyler-McAuliffe, Sr., Red Bank Catholic 220: Michael Pavlinetz, Sr., Holmdel 285: Aswan Clark, Jr., Raritan

106: Blake Tarnowski, Jr., Ocean 113: Tyler Klinsky, Sr., Middletown North 120: Fred Luchs, Sr., Middletown North 126: Thomas O’Keefe, Sr., Middletown North 132: Jack Nies, Sr., Ocean 138: Logan Waller, Jr., Colts Neck 145: Nicholas Zamaloff, Jr., Wall 152: Nico Vargas, Sr., Wall 160: Joe Barsky, Jr., Colts Neck 170: Brendan Newbury, Jr., Wall 182: Luke Rada, Sr., Colts Neck 195: Ken Koenig, Sr., Colts Neck 220: Nico Cerbo, Jr., Middletown North 285: Joe Teresi, Jr., Ocean

106: Lucas Torre, So., Point Boro 113: Lucas Sabo, Jr., Point Boro 120: Dorian Hall, Sr., Jackson Liberty 126: Cael Rankin, Sr., Donovan Catholic 132: Colin Rolak, Jr., Lacey 138: Peter Karras, Jr., Point Boro 145: Chris Gallegos, Sr., Donovan Catholic 152: Jack Bailey, Jr., Point Boro 160: Ty Bailey, Sr., Point Boro 170: Jackson Brandt, Sr., Lacey 182: Chimdindu Molokwu, Fr., Jackson Liberty 195: Gerard O’Connor, Jr., Lacey 220: Vin Ceglie, Jr., Lacey 285: Griffin Jackstadt, Sr., Barnegat

Most Outstanding Wrestler: Dean Peterson (SJV)

Most Outstanding Wrestler: Tyler Klinsky (Middletown North)

Most Outstanding Wrestler: Griffin Jackstadt (Barnegat)

Coach of the Year: Bryan Heller (Rumson-Fair Haven)

Coach of the Year: Matt Sirchio (Middletown North)

Coach of the Year: Pat Brady (Point Boro)

Honorable mention: Devon Pham (Monmouth Reg.), David Lisk (Manasquan)

Honorable mention: Phil Stolfa (Red Bank), Nathaniel Levie (Neptune), Kamrin O’Neil (Matawan)

Honorable mention: Tyler Huston (Manchester), Travis Brown (Pinelands), David Olivares (Lakewood) 27

JSIWA Shore Conference All-County Teams & Awards

by Bob Badders

MONMOUTH COUNTY 106: Jack Zaleski, Fr., Middletown South 113: Tyler Klinsky, Sr., Middletown North 120: Dean Peterson, Jr., St. John Vianney 126: Nico Messina, Sr., Freehold 132: Jack Nies, Sr., Ocean 138: Ryan Zimmerman, Sr., Long Branch 145: Max Brignola, Jr., Rumson-Fair Haven 152: Mike McGhee, Jr., Shore Regional 160: Matt Benedetti, Sr., Manalapan 170: Shane Reitsma, Sr., Howell

Managing Editor Most Outstanding Wrestlers: Dean Peterson (SJV) and Tyler Klinsky (Middletown North) Coach of the Year: Scott Pressman (Manalapan) Honorable mention:

OCEAN COUNTY 106: Anthony Santaniello, Fr., Brick Memorial 113: Ryan Rosenthal, Sr., Toms River North 120: Vincent Santaniello, Jr., Brick Memorial 126: Michael Richardson, Sr., Brick Memorial

Nick Boggiano (Toms River North) Coach of the Year: Mike Kiley (Brick Memorial) Honorable mention: Evan Tallmadge (Brick),

Aidan Shaughnessy (Rumson),

132: Michael Conklin, Jr., Toms River East

Jason Sherlock (Point Beach),

Fred Luchs (Middletown North),

138: Eddie Hummel, Jr., Southern

Jayson Scerbo (Southern),

Jack Kelly (Rumson), Nico Diaz (SJV), Tyler Barrett (CBA), Ken Koenig (Colts Neck),

145: Jesse Bowers, Sr., Point Beach

Conor Collins (Southern), JT Cornelius (Southern),

Michael Pavlinetz (Holmdel), Blake Clayton (SJV),

152: Nick Boggiano, Sr., Toms River North

Kyle Epperly (Jackson Memorial),

Jake Whitworth (Wall), Al DeSantis (Shore),

160: Robert Woodcock, Sr., Southern

John O’Donnell (Toms River North)

Patrick O’Dwyer (Long Branch), Joe Teresi (Ocean)

170: Hunter Smith, Sr., Joe Colon

182: Luke Rada, Sr., Colts Neck

182: Joe Colon, Sr., Brick Memorial

195: Gavin Claro, Jr., Manalapan

195: David Szuba, Jr., Brick Memorial

220: Tracey Taylor, Sr., Long Branch

220: Mike Nakano, Sr., Toms River North

285: Justin Wright, Sr., Howell

285: Griffin Jackstadt, Sr., Barnegat

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Most Outstanding Wrestlers:

2019-20 Shore Sports Network boys All-shore teams

Teams Selected by Shore Sports Network Boys Basketball Senior Staff Writer Matt Manley

Boys First TeamTEAM BOYS FIRST Ben Roy, So., Guard, Manasquan 6-0 Key 2019-20 Stats: 18.1 pts per game, 2.5 assists, 1.87 steals, 77% FT, 65 3-pt made Signature Game: One year after losing in the championship game, Manasquan returned to the Shore Conference Tournament final at OceanFirst Bank Center at Monmouth University and seized the moment. No Warriors player flipped the script more than Roy, who went from a four-point game as a freshman in the 2019 final to pouring in a career-high 31 points in this year’s game. The sophomore’s superb performance in leading Manasquan to a 75-49 rout of No. 4 Toms River North cemented his status as the Shore’s top guard and one of the state’s up-and-coming stars.

Alex Galvan, Sr., Forward, Manasquan 6-7 Key 2019-20 Stats: 18.3 pts per game, 9.5 rebounds, 2.1 steals, 2.05 blocks Signature Game: Galvan twice returned from injury to jumpstart Manasquan, particularly in its heated battles with Holmdel for supremacy in the Class A Central division, the Shore Conference Tournament and Central Jersey Group II. Before he got hurt – first his ankle, then his shin – however, Galvan showed off his full range of dominance and athleticism at 6-7 in a December showdown with then-reigning Group IV champion Newark East Side. Against the Red Raiders, Galvan posted 32 points, 13 rebounds, three blocks and three steals to spark an early-season statement win for Manasquan, 74-67.

Jakari Spence, Sr., Guard, Toms River North 6-1 Key 2019-20 Stats: 21.2 pts per game, 4.2 rebounds, 6.1 assists, 2.28 steals, 77 3-pt made Signature Game: Spence had plenty of high-scoring performances (five 30-plus-point games, including one vs. Manasquan) and all-around stat-sheet-stuffers (a 26-11-10 triple-double vs. New Brunswick) but no game better encapsulated Toms River North’s ability on full-blast like its Shore Conference Tournament quarterfinal win vs. Marlboro. In that game, Spence posted 21 points, six rebounds, 15 assists and four steals to help key a 114-85 Mariners win over a highscoring Mustangs team that had no shot of keeping up on that Sunday morning.

Alex Ratner, Sr., Guard, Marlboro 6-0 Key 2019-20 Stats: 22.6 pts per game, 5.3 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 2.59 steals, 45 3-pt made Signature Game: Ratner set a career-high with 36 points in a December win over Wall and matched it two more times over the course of the season. In that first game, however, Ratner was at his most brilliant, scoring 35 points over the first three quarters to stake the Mustangs to a big lead and lead them into the semifinals of the WOBM Christmas Classic. The six-foot senior also added four rebounds, four assists and a pair of steals in the win over the Crimson Knights.

Najae Hallenbeck, Sr., Center, Toms River North 6-6 Key 2019-20 Stats: 21.3 pts per game, 12.2 rebounds Signature Game: When you average 21 points and 12 rebounds, there are a bunch of 20-and-10 games from which to choose – 18 to be exact. Hallenbeck’s seasonhigh in points and rebounds came in the same game and, coincidentally, it was the most infamous game of Toms River North’s season. Hallenbeck scored 34 points and hauled in 18 rebounds in an effort to carry his team across the finish line on March 3, but Egg Harbor withstood the monster night from Hallenbeck to win, 67-61, in one of the biggest upsets of this year’s state tournament. If you prefer your signature performances to come in wins, Hallenbeck averaged 29.5 points and 14 rebounds in two wins over No. 5 Marlboro.

James Anderson, Sr., Guard, Middletown South 6-2 Key 2019-20 Stats: 18.0 pts per game, 4.0 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.96 steals, 96 3-pt made Signature Game: With a chance to win the program’s first outright Shore Conference division championship since 1979, Middletown South took a 12-point lead into halftime at Marlboro but playing against the highest-scoring team in the Shore Conference, the championship wasn’t in the bag. After scoring five points in that first half, Anderson caught fire in the third quarter, scoring 14 points in the third and 22 in the second half. Anderson’s 27 points highlighted 100-84 win that clinched the A North title for the Eagles and completed a three-game sweep of the Mustangs in 2019-20.

SECOND TEAM Kieran Flanagan, Sr., Guard, Manasquan 6-1 Key 2019-20 Stats: 10.5 pts, 3.8 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 2.47 steals

Ryan Savoy, Sr., Forward, Lakewood 6-4 Key 2019-20 Stats: 16.7 pts, 11.6 rebounds, 4.18 blocks

Ryan Knorr, Sr., Guard, Manalapan 5-10 Key 2019-20 Stats: 21.6 pts, 4.8 assists, 85 3-pt made

Alex Baker, Jr., Forward, Holmdel 6-5

THIRD TEAM Mike Dabas, Sr., Forward, Middletown South 6-2 Key 2019-20 Stats: 13.3 pts, 7.3 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.65 steals

Jack Seidler, So., Forward, Marlboro 6-5 Key 2019-20 Stats: 18.6 pts, 8.4 rebounds, 1.5 assists

Quinn Calabrese, Sr., Guard, Wall 6-3 Key 2019-20 Stats: 14.9 pts, 2.3 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.06 steals, 69 3-pt made

Peter Gorman, Sr., Guard, Mater Dei Prep 6-0

Key 2019-20 Stats: 12.9 pts, 10.8 rebounds

Key 2019-20 Stats: 17.8 pts per game, 2.3 assists, 2.43 steals, 56 3-pt mad

Elijah Perkins, So., Guard, Ranney School 6-3

Pat Lacey, Jr., Guard, Wall 6-2

Key 2019-20 Stats: 15.1 pts, 3.5 assists, 1.8 steals

Key 2019-20 Stats: 15.1 pts, 3.5 assists, 1.8 steals

Mike Goodall, Sr., Guard, Toms River East 6-0 Key 2019-20 Stats: 21.2 pts, 5.4 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 2.93 steals, 58 3-pt made

Bobby Pirie, Sr., Forward, Middletown South 6-4 Key 2019-20 Stats: 12.4 pts, 7.8 rebounds, T1.4 assists, 0.86 blocks, 37 3-pt made

ALL-SHORE MADNESS FINAL VOTE WINNERS The All-Shore Madness Final Vote Tournament began on Tuesday Mar 24 th with 68 nominees and wrapped up in Sunday the 29 th at 4 p.m. with three new members of the 2020 Shore Sports Network All-Shore Boys Basketball Team.

Let's meet the winners - One of whom was among the 12 players to draw a double-bye in the proceedings, another who survived all four rounds to claim one of the two spots and one more who turned out to be an international man of mystery (as well as one of the best scorers in the conference).

Luke Albrecht, Jr., Guard, Middletown South 6-0

Jalen Folsom, Sr., Guard, Toms River South 5-11

Key 2019-20 Stats: 10.7 pts per game, 3.4 rebounds, 5.3 assists, 1.1 steal

Key 2019-20 Stats: 14.9 pts per game

Albrecht battled through a minor hip injury through the early part of his junior season, according to head coach Jim Anderson, but once the calendar turned to February, Albecht found his A-game. In Middletown South’s 13 games from Feb. 1 through the end of the season, Albrecht averaged 12.7 points, 3.8 rebounds and 5.1 assists and registered all three of his games of 20 points or more. The junior guard came up just shy of a triple-double (11 points, nine rebounds, 12 assists) in Middletown South’s 100-84, Class-A-North-clinching win over Marlboro and averaged 21 points and three assists in the Eagles’ two NJSIAA Tournament wins.

It has been five years since a Toms River South boys basketball player has either scored 1,000 points or joined the All-Shore picture and Folsom ended the wait on both counts. He reached the 1,000-point plateau in a February game vs. Hooper-Ave. rival Donovan Catholic and was selected as one of the two All-Shore Final Vote winners. Not since Tymere Berry – a Monmouth University football standout and NFL hopeful – graduated in 2015 has a Toms River South basketball player made that much noise. Like Berry, Folsom is a multi-sport standout, having made the All-Shore First Team as a goalkeeper on Toms River South’s boys soccer team.

D.J. Thomson, So., Guard, Keyport 6-3 Key 2019-20 Stats: 21.4 pts per game, 6.1 rebounds, 3.3 assists On a per-game basis, only two players in the Shore Conference – Alex Ratner of Marlboro and Ryan Knorr of Manalapan – scored more points than Thomson. In the first seven games of the season, the 6-3 sophomore hit the 30-point plateau four times and added a careerhigh 36 later in the season in a win over Somerset Tech.

Thomson turned in a dominant all-around performance in a win over rival Keansburg (27 points and 16 rebounds), and produced in three postseason games as well (18.0 points, 6.7 rebounds, 4.0 assists in three games). In just two high school seasons, Thomson has already racked up 836 points and if he continues to improve along with the sophomore-heavy Red Raiders, 2,000 points is not out of the question.

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2020 Shore Conference Wrestling Statistics

by Bob Badders

Managing Editor

Statistics compiled from results reported to TrackWrestling 2020 Wrestling Statistics POUNDS-FOR-POUND WINS LEADERS Wrestler Weight Dean Peterson, St. John Vianney Tyler Klinsky, Middletown North Fred Luchs, Middletown North Al DeSantis, Shore Matt Benedetti, Manalapan Thomas O’Keefe, Middletown North Jack Zaleski, Middletown South Anthony Santaniello, Brick Memorial Shane Reitsma, Howell Nico Messina, Freehold Jack Nies, Ocean Mike McGhee, Shore Luke Rada, Colts Neck Ryan Zimmerman, Long Branch Robert Woodcock, Southern Nick Boggiano, Toms River North Griffin Jackstadt, Barnegat Jack Maida, Shore Ryan Rosenthal, Toms River North Eddie Hummel, Southern Justin Wright, Howell Nico Cerbo, Middletown North Blake Clayton, SJV Jason Sherlock, Point Beach Joe Teresi, Ocean Kyle Epperly, Jackson Memorial Michael Conklin, Toms River East Shay Addison, Rumson Evan Tallmadge, Brick Vincent Santaniello, Brick Memorial Julian George, CBA Tyler Pepe, Central Conor Collins, Southern Logan Waller, Colts Neck David Rubin, Matawan Harrison Gordon, Marboro JT Cornelius, Southern Max Brignola, Rumson Kamrin O’Neil, Matawan Gavin Claro, Manalapan Jack Kelly, Rumson Michael Richardson, Brick Memorial Nico Vargas, Wall Neiko Malone, Howell Brad Galassi, Jackson Memorial Mike Nakano, Toms River North Joe Colon, Brick Memorial Sabino Portella, Red Bank Catholic David Szuba, Brick Memoriasl Michael Pavlinetz, Holmdel Ryan Carey, Long Branch

30

120 113 120 138 160 126 106 106 170 126 132 152 182 138 160 152 285 120 113 132 285 220 182 182 285 195 132 160 106 120 126 132 106 138 113 106 220 145 132 182 170 126 152 126 220 220 182 160 195 220 152

Record 37-0 49-1 43-9 43-4 43-3 42-8 42-6 42-1 42-1 41-5 41-4 41-4 41-3 41-3 41-2 41-1 40-7 40-5 40-4 40-2 39-7 39-7 39-6 39-6 39-5 39-5 39-4 39-4 39-3 39-2 38-8 38-6 38-4 38-4 37-9 37-7 37-5 37-4 36-7 36-6 36-6 36-6 36-6 35-8 35-7 35-7 35-6 35-6 35-3 34-8 34-7

Alex Poniros, Ocean Vin Ceglie, Lacey Hunter Konstantoulas, Manalapan Ken Koenig, Colts Neck Victor Wladika, Holmdel Zach Vasile, Marlboro Cole Velardi, Southern Jackson Brandt, Lacey Jesse Bowers, Point Beach Tyler Barrett, CBA Joseph Giordano, SJV Hunter Smith, Jackson Memorial Nick Aquilano, Raritan Colin Bradshaw, Howell Dylan Waller, Manalapan Aidan Shaughnessy, Rumson Dante Powell, Brick Thomas Lidondici, Colts Neck Tracey Taylor, Long Branch Ty Bailey, Point Boro Edward Jang, Marlboro Angelo Messina, Freehold Jared Tracey, Ocean Brett Blaess, Jackson Memorial Nathaniel Levie, Neptune Justin Schifter, Manalapan John O’Donnell, Toms River North Shane Zimmerman, Keyport Jake Whitworth, Wall Kyle Nase, Howell Nick Ammirati, Holmdel Phil Stolfa, Red Bank Adam Coleman, Matawan Collin Rolak, Lacey Zander Silva, CBA

WINS BY FALL Wrestler Nathaniel Levie, Neptune Jason Sherlock, Point Beach Ryan Zimmerman, Long Branch Jack Maida, Shore Matt Benedetti, Manalapan Ty Bailey, Point Boro Nico Messina, Freehold Jack Zaleski, Middletown South Sabino Portella, Red Bank Catholic Conor Collins, Southern Jack Kelly, Rumson Fred Luchs, Middletown North Joe Teresi, Ocean Shane Zimmerman, Keyport Vin Ceglie, Lacey

138 220 145 195 170 138 152 170 145 145 106 170 182 113 170 113 106 285 220 160 160 106 160 106 132 113 285 182 182 120 113 126 145 132 132

34-6 34-5 34-10 34-10 34-10 34-10 33-8 33-6 33-4 32-9 32-12 32-10 32-10 31-9 31-7 31-6 31-6 31-6 31-5 31-5 31-13 30-9 30-9 30-8 30-8 30-7 30-6 30-6 30-5 30-11 30-11 30-11 30-10 30-10 30-10

Pins 28 28 27 26 26 25 25 25 25 24 24 23 23 22 22

Max Brignola, Rumson Shay Addison, Rumson Zach Vasile, Marlboro Nick Sura, Central Nick Boggiano, Toms River North Griffin Jackstadt, Barnegat

22 22 21 21 21 21

TECHNICAL FALLS Tyler Klinsky, Middletown North Evan Tallmadge, Brick Shane Reitsma, Howell Mike McGhee, Shore Logan Waller, Colts Neck Dean Peterson, St. John Vianney Ryan Rosenthal, Toms River North Chris McCarthy, Middletown North Robert Woodcock, Southern Thomas O’Keefe, Middletown North Tyler Pepe, Central Nico Vargas, Wall Jack Nies, Ocean Anthony Santaniello, Brick Memorial Eddie Hummel, Southern Julian George, CBA Jack Zaleski, Middletown South Lucas Torre, Point Boro David Hussey, Middletown South Isaiah Fenton, Howell Al DeSantis, Shore Fred Luchs, Middletown North

TF 24 15 11 11 11 10 9 8 8 8 7 7 7 7 7 7 6 6 6 6 5 5

MAJOR DECISIONS

MD

Al DeSantis, Shore Robert Woodcock, Southern Thomas O’Keefe, Middletown North Blake Tarnowski, Ocean Jesse Bowers, Point Beach Alex Poniros, Ocean Gavin Stewart, Pinelands Chris Balzano, Manalapan Kyle Epperly, Jackson Memorial Alex Poniros, Ocean Dylan Waller, Manalapan Thomas Cleary, Holmdel Ryan Carey, Long Branch Mike Lonnay, Raritan David Hussey, Middletown South Thomas Clearly, Holmdel Adam Coleman, Matawan Owen Fitzgerald, Middletown South

10 9 8 8 8 7 7 7 7 7 7 6 6 6 6 6 6 6

2019-20 Shore Sports Network Girls All-shore teams

Teams Selected by Shore Sports Network Girls Basketball Editor Gregg Lerner

GIRLS FIRST TEAM Destiny Adams, Manchesher Junior Forward 6-3

By request, Adams changed the emphasis of her game this winter and was a dominant force for the Hawks (28-4). Manchester showcased its centerpiece on the interior, an area previously devoid of height, to utilize her size, athleticism and persistence around the rim. She certainly didn't disappoint.

Her bids from 3-point range declined significantly due to her success and increased overall output in the paint. Adams saw a rise in her scoring, which went from 14.7 as a sophomore to 18.0 this winter, a testament to capitalizing on higher-percentage shots. That location also put her in closer proximity to the rim, inviting Adams to be tenacious on the offensive glass, which helped elevate her rebounds from 7.0 to 11.7. Her consistency was substantiated by 19 double-doubles, including a masterpiece against Middle Twp. that featured 21 points and 23 boards in a 52-39 triumph that wrapped up a fourth consecutive South Jersey, Group 2 title.

Adams is a highly-sought after recruit who is currently ranked 33rd overall among the Class of 2021 by ESPN and fifth in the nation among junior wing players, which is her natural place on the offense. Even though relegated to interior designs, she still managed to offer occasional reminders of what she can accomplish from the perimter, dicing defenses off the driblle and dropping 16 3-pointers.

Madison St. Rose, St. John Vianney

Sophomore Guard 5-9 Going against conventional wisdom, a St. Rose bloomed this winter. The sizzling sophomore guard could aptly be dubbed the “Electric Glide” for how gracefully she exhibited the power of leading by example.

St. Rose made a seamless transition from key reserve as a freshman to a stealthy floor general who earned her stripes in steering the Lady Lancers (28-1) to a B North division title, the Shore Conference Tournament championship, the South Jersey, Non-Public A crown and the No. 1 ranking in the Shore Sports Network Top 10 in a bountiful 28-1 campaign.

Her unflappable poise under fire was evident in the latter stages

of the SCT. St. Rose converted 14 of 17 free throws in the fourth quarter and finished with a career-high 36 points in a 70-63 semifinal triumph over St. Rose and she went 4 for 4 at the line in the final 32.8 seconds of the championship to seal a 57-50 verdict against defending champion Manchester.

Her smooth lefty stroke yielded 18.4 points an outing, doubling her scoring rate from a year ago but only scratched the surface of her list of contributions. St. Rose added 5.4 rebounds, 3.4 assists while her shrewd defense reaped 4.2 steals per game and verified the impact she made at both ends of the court.

Brynn Farrell, St. Rose Senior Guard 5-11

So often lauded for her natural scoring prowess, the University of Florida pledge developed into a more complete asset for the Purple Roses (22-8).

Farrell, who became only the 12th player in Shore Conference history to eclipse the 2,000-point plateau for her career, maintained her propensity for point producing, clicking for 20.3 a night. However, faced with various defenses inclined to cut off her route to the rim, Farrell countered with a heady passing touch that exposed openings and invited teammates into the offensive fray.

She dished out 100 assists to lead St. Rose in that department. Her dispossessing hands reaped a team-high 51 steals to illuminate defensive qualities easily overlooked and her fierce competitiveness under the boards cleared nearly six rebounds a game. Her penchant for penetration overshadowed a perimeter game that sank 54 3-pointers.

Kristina Donza, Jackson Memorial Senior Guard 5-9

A fixture in the Jaguars’ lineup since her freshman year, the Navy-bound senior saved her best for last. Donza provided Jackson Memorial (23-4) with a bonanza of rewards across the board as it marched through a 14-0 run to the A North title.

She registered 10 double-doubles while devouring opponents for 26.7 points and 8.4 rebounds a game. Donza picked up 26 points and 15 boards in a 54-36 victory over Toms River East on Jan. 9. Against Point Beach in the preliminary round of the Shore Conference Tournament, she exploded for a season-high 37 points and surpassed Hannah Missry to become the program’s all-time

leading scorer, finishing her stay with 1,824.

Donza get defenders' heads spinning with her offensive variety.

She pierced schemes with agile manuervers to the rim and seized advantage of those who played off her by burying 70 3-pointers.

SECOND TEAM Kayla Richardson, Middletown South Senior Guard/Forward 5-10

Anyssa Fields, Long Branch

Makayla Andrews, St. Rose Senior Forward 5-11

Arguably, the best kept secret in the Shore.

One of the primary reasons the Green Wave (17-6) fashioned its first winning season since 1996 hinged on the consistency of its 6-0 senior compass. Fields, who is uncommitted, beat defenders in all manner and guided Long Branch with effortless style. Her drives magnified her agile footwork while her elevation to the rim unlocked endless layups but also her affinity for controlling the glass.

Besides striking for 18.3 points a contest, Fields cleared 13.3 rebounds per outing. She recorded 19 double-doubles in 23 games, marked by 25 points and 21 boards in a 50-38 decision against Old Bridge in the first round of the Central Jersey, Group 4 tournament. She wrapped up her run with the Green Wave with a 969 points and 784 rebounds.

Camryn Foltz, Colts Neck Senior Guard 6-0

Senior Guard/Forward 6-0

Katie Hill, St. John Vianney Junior Guard 5-11

Vianney operated without a single senior on its roster but Hill, who recently verballed to Richmond, was the next best thing.

Along with fellow junior Christina Whitehead, her experience as a three-year varsity member proved invaluable for the Lady Lancers in terms of representing the composure and timely deliveries necessary to build the impeccable resume SJV authored.

While her 11.2 points, 4.2 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 2.5 steals were tangibles greatly appreciated, so too was her ability to defend any position on the floor. Her staunch, heady resistance, be it on the perimeter or in the paint, was instrumental in St. John Vianney limiting opponents to a mere 34.6 points a game.

A steely touch from the foul line was highlighted in the final stages of the SCT; she sank all four attempts from the stripe in the fourth quarter to help put St. Rose away in the semis and knocked down 5 of 6 in the last three minutes to punctuate the championship triumph over Manchester.

Paige Slaven, Rumson-Fair Haven Senior Guard 5-7 Macy Brackett, Neptune Senior Forward 5-9 Jessica Riepe, Marlboro Junior Forward 5-11

THIRD TEAM Abby Antognoli, St. Rose Junior Guard 5-7 Kemari Reynolds, Manchester Senior Guard 5-8 Rachel Capua, Jackson Memorial Junior Guard 5-8 Justine Pissott, Red Bank Catholic Sophomore Guard 6-2 Chloe Teter, Red Bank Junior Guard 5-9 Brooke Hollawell, Manasquan Sophomore Guard 5-7

SPECIAL THANK YOU to all the photographers who allow us to use their great photos seen throughout this Issue as well as our website: shoresportsnetwork.com

FOR SHORE SPORTS NETWORK ADVERTISING INFORMATION

Contact: Steven Meyer 732-233-4460

steve.meyer@townsquaremedia.com 31

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