Tom Williams Sports :: South Jersey Sports

OCHS First Decade Golf All Stars

Tom Williams NJ Shore Sports — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 19:27:00 GMT

Jeff Michner has completed his high school golfing trifecta.

The Ocean City High School graduate was the Raider Player of the Decade for the 1990s and the Player of the 20th Century. Now, he is also the Player of the Decade for the First Decade of the 21st Century.

It was just good timing for Michner. He earned the 1990s award because his freshman and sophomore years were in that decade and clearly the best of any other player. But, in the first two seasons of this decade he was even better.

As a junior, Michner averaged 37.65 strokes for nine holes, the lowest average in OCHS history. His senior average (38.40) was slightly higher but it was still good enough for him to be named South Jersey Golfer of the Year by the Courier-Post. He finished first in both the Cape-Atlantic League Tournament and the NJSIAA South-Central Group 3 Tournament that year. A first team, All-South Jersey selection in both 2000 and 2001, Michner played in 80 regular season matches in his career, breaking 40 in 45 of them.

Joining Michner on the OCHS First Decade All Stars is Matt Lombardi, an all-conference pick this spring and a second team selection in 2008. Lombardi averaged 37.80 strokes per nine holes this year, the second best average in school history. He was an All-Group 3 choice in South Jersey.

Others on the seven-player all star squad include Kevin McCarthy, an all-conference selection in 2007; Matt Brown, an all-conference choice in 2000; Matt Galownia, a second team all-conference choice three times; and both Justin Heckler and Elisa Mateer, second team selections in 2008.

But Jeff Michner again wrote his name into the OCHS record books with his play during the first two years of this decade, adding to his selection of Raider Golfer of the 90s and Golfer of the 20th Century. He joins Desmond Atkinson (80s) and Jim McKeon (70s) as Ocean City High School Golfers of the Decade.

The First Decade Raider Golf All Stars
Matt Brown (2000)
Jeff Michner (2001)
Kevin McCarthy (2007)
Justin Heckler (2008)
Elisa Mateer (2008)
Matt Galownia (2009)
Matt Lombardi (2009)

Four From CAL Named Pre-Season 1st Team All-State In Football

Tom Williams NJ Shore Sports — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 18:21:00 GMT

According to the pre-season all-state team announced by MaxPreps, the nationally acclaimed high school sports website, the Cape-Atlantic League has four players on its football teams who are the best in New Jersey.

The four were Egg Harbor Township wide receiver Tejay Johnson, Hammonton defensive lineman Ian Evans, Bridgeton linebacker Rashaun Smith and Ocean City punter Chris Curran.

Second team selections on the all-state team were St. Augustine kicker Chris Gough and Scott Miller of Egg Harbor Township. Named to the New Jersey “Watch List” from the CAL were Charles Cooper of Middle Township, Nick Crescenzo of Hammonton, Nigel Jones of Holy Spirit, Donetae McKinnon and Josh Nuneville of Buena, and Dustin Thomas and Gabe Voumard of St. Augustine.

First Decade Current-Area Boys Tennis All Stars

Tom Williams NJ Shore Sports — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 18:55:00 GMT

There has always been a great belief that the Cape-Atlantic League is as tough as any in South Jersey in tennis.

Well, if the first 10 years of the 21st Century are any indication, there is plenty of evidence to back that claim.

Consider The Current All Star Boys Tennis Team for the First Decade (2000-09).

Leading the way is Vinay Bhamidipati, the talented 2002 graduate of Egg Harbor Township High School. Bhamidipati was a two-time CAL singles champion, a two-time CAL first team selection, a first team pick on the All-South Jersey team and the only CAL player during the decade to win the NJSIAA singles championship. That makes Bhamidipati the Current Boys Tennis Player of the Decade.

And that is quite an honor, when you consider the other singles players on this decade all star team.

There is Mainland’s Van Homer Pangilinan, a two-time all-conference selection and the 2000 league singles champion. His younger brother, Carlo Pangilinan, who was a four-time CAL first teamer at Mainland, a three-time league champion, two-time All-South Jersey selection and South Jersey singles champion in 2005. Absegami’s Bryan Nguyen was all-conference three times and South Jersey singles champion in 2008. And Keith Goldstein, a four-time all-conference selection, three-time league singles winner and South Jersey champ in 2007.

Quite a talented group.

Then there was doubles. The top two teams, both league champions and both 24-4 that year, were both from EHT. Kevin Lam and Kevin Lau won the 2005 CAL title and were second team, All-South Jersey as a team. A year later, Jeff Steinberg and Dan Yoo were league champs. Steinberg and Yoo played together the year before at No. 2 singles and lost only once.

There are also two doubles players who deserve spots on the team for their success with different partners. Mainland’s Paul Weller was first team all-conference at doubles in both 2004 and 2005. And Ari Lewkowitz accomplished the same fete for the Mustangs in 2007-08.

Boys tennis was especially good in this part of Atlantic County during the First Decade. And Vinay Bhamidipati of Egg Harbor Township was the best of the best.

The Current First Decade Boys Tennis All Stars
Singles - Van Homer Pangilinan, Mainland (2001)
Singles - Vinay Bhamidipati, Egg Harbor Township (2002)
Singles - Carlo Pangilinan, Mainland (2005)
Singles - Bryan Nguyen, Absegami (2008)
Singles - Keith Goldstein, Egg Harbor Township (2009)
Doubles Team - Kevin Lam-Kevin Lau, Egg Harbor Township (2005)
Doubles Team - Jeff Steinberg-Dan Yoo, Egg Harbor Township (2006)
Doubles - Paul Weller, Mainland (2005)
Doubles - Ari Lewkowitz, Mainland (2008)

OCHS First Decade Girls Lacrosse All Stars

Tom Williams NJ Shore Sports — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 22:15:00 GMT

Things were at their best for girls lacrosse at Ocean City High School as the First Decade of the 21st Century ended.

The Raiders, under Matt Lane, had compiled three straight winning seasons in what was the first decade ever for the sport at OCHS.

That string of three straight winning seasons, two Cape-Atlantic League championships and three straight opening round wins in the NJSIAA Tournament over the last three seasons of the decade was started by a team sparked by Casey Beyel, the OCHS Girls Lacrosse Player of the Decade. Beyel scored 62 goals her senior year (2007), the second highest total in school history, after scoring 60 as a junior. She graduated with 162 career goals, a school record, and was named first team All-Group 3 and second team All-South Jersey.

The thing to remember about girls lacrosse is that Ocean City didn’t start the sport until 1999 and because there were few CAL teams playing it then, the Raiders were forced to play in the Olympic Conference, which was filled with experienced programs.

Still, Ocean City won three division titles in its seven years in the Olympic Conference and has won the CAL title in two of the three years the sport has been a championship sport in the league.

Joining Beyel on the First Decade All Stars were the first two lacrosse stars at OCHS – Meredith Long and Julie Southard. Long scored 61 goals in 2001 and Southard added 36. They were both given honorable mention on the All-South Jersey team.

Jill Southard came along in 2002 with Maggie Long, who led the team in scoring in 2002 and 2003. A year later the 2004 team was led by Kelsey Nickles and Caitlin Dougherty. The 2005 season produced Ocean City’s first winner, led by Beyel as a sophomore. Nikki Patrizzi stepped up in 2006, scoring a school record 86 goals, and the Raiders notched their first-ever NJSIAA Tournament win.

Michelle McKinley was a big factor during those years at stopping the other team’s offense. McKinley and Natalie Hunter, who is entering her senior year next week, were the most successful defensive specialist throughout the decade.

Joining Hunter on the 2009 team, which has to be considered the most successful team of the decade, were scoring leader Katie Feairheller and goal keeper Bekka Olandt, who had a 70 percent save percentage.

Things are looking good for girls lacrosse at Ocean City High School as the program gets ready for another decade. There have been five straight winning seasons and four straight teams that won at least one NJSIAA game. That string all started in 2005 when our Player of the Decade, Casey Beyel, was a sophomore just beginning her highly successful career.

The First Decade Raider Girls Lacrosse All Stars
Meredith Long (2001)
Julie Southard (2001)
Jill Southard (2002)
Maggie Long (2003)
Caitlin Dougherty (2004)
Kelsey Nickles (2004)
Nikki Patrizzi (2006)
Casey Beyel (2007)
Michelle McKinley (2007)
Katie Feairheller (2009)
Natalie Hunter (2009)
GK-Bekka Olandt (2009)

First Decade All Stars Coming For Current Area

Tom Williams NJ Shore Sports — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 03:02:00 GMT

The year 2009 brings an end to the first decade of the 21st Century. And that is a good time for a series of all star teams recognizing the outstanding performers of the First Decade.

Beginning this week and continuing into February, on this blog and in editions of The Current in Atlantic County we will publish all-decade teams for the 10 seasons from 2000-09. They will include athletes from Absegami, Atlantic City, Egg Harbor Township, Holy Spirit, Mainland, Oakcrest and Pleasantville. Stats, Cape-Atlantic League all star teams, All-South Jersey selections, input from coaches and more will be used to help shape the final selections.

Boys tennis will start this string of 19 all-decade teams and will be followed by the rest of the spring sports. Only sports that are championship sports within the CAL will be included. After the 2009 fall season is completed, we will begin to review the 10 seasons in those sports. Then, in early 2010, it will be time for the winter sports.

At the end, there will be a SportsPerson of the Decade and the top coaches, male and female athletes and the best boys team and girls teams of the decade will be named.

The last 20 years of the 20th Century was a special time for sports in the Cape-Atlantic League. As new sports were added to the programs, the success grew. In the next six months, the coaches, athletes and teams from 2000-09 who continued the great success of previous eras will receive one more congratulatory salute.

The Cape-Atlantic League has had success in sports since its creation in 1949. But that success has never been greater than it is now. And against the best in competition.

We will recognize those most responsible for that success during the next six months.

OCHS First Decade Boys Tennis All Stars

Tom Williams NJ Shore Sports — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 19:48:00 GMT

The First Decade of the 21st Century ended for the Ocean City High School boys tennis team with the best season of the 10-year period. In fact, it was the best season in 14 years.

A big reason was Dan Barrus, who is the OCHS Player of the Decade for 2000-09. Boys tennis is the first of 19 Decade All Star Teams at Ocean City High School to be spotlighted in The Gazette.

Barrus, who still has a year remaining in his high school career, was 21-3 this spring as the Raiders won a division championship, their first championship within the Cape-Atlantic League since 1983. They also notched their first NJSIAA Tournament win in 13 seasons.

Barrus will enter his senior year with 57 victories, placing him third on the all-time OCHS list of winners. He trails Joe Carey (75) and Don Barton (65). Barrus has been selected all-conference first team all three years.

Joining Barrus as singles players on the First Decade All Star Team are Matt Speed and Erick Chalfin. Speed joined Barrus as the only two players to be the team’s significant No. 1 singles player in more than two seasons. He was 13-29 in his two seasons. And Chalfin contributed at different levels over three seasons. He was 6-12 as a No. 1 player his senior year, 12-10 playing at No. 2 as a junior and 11-8 in doubles as a sophomore.

Only those who played at No. 1 singles are generally considered for these all-decade teams. Because the CAL has so many strong No. 1 singles players, the top players from Ocean City frequently have not had winning records. But they were the best players in the Raiders lineup.

In doubles, the two teams selected to the First Decade All Stars are Mike O’Neill and Matt Piechoski from 2002 and Jim Dugan and Chris Mullan from 2004.O’Neill-Piechoski were 15-6, the best record of any doubles team in the decade. Dugan and Mullan combined for an 11-9 record and were chosen to the second team, all-conference in the CAL. All together, with different teammates, Piechoski had 30 wins at doubles and Dugan 25, the most of any OCHS players.

But the first decade of this century belonged to Dan Barrus in boys tennis. He joins Joe Carey (90s), Brian King (80s) and Don Barton (70s) as Ocean City High School Boys Tennis Players of the Decade.

The First Decade Raider Boys Tennis All Stars
Singles - Matt Speed (2002)
Singles - Erick Chalfin (2003)
Singles - Dan Barrus (2009)
Doubles - Mike O’Neill-Matt Piechoski (2002)
Doubles - Jim Dugan-Chris Mullan (2004)

First Decade All Stars Coming For OCHS

Tom Williams NJ Shore Sports — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 00:07:00 GMT

The year 2009 brings an end to the first decade of the 21st Century. And that means it is time for another series of Ocean City High School All Star teams.

Beginning this week and continuing into February, this blog and The Gazette of Ocean City and Upper Township will publish all-decade teams for the 10 seasons from 2000-09. Stats, Cape-Atlantic League all star teams, All-South Jersey selections, input from coaches and more will be used to help shape the final selections.

Boys tennis will start this string of 19 all-decade teams and will be followed by the rest of the spring sports. Only sports that are championship sports within the CAL will be included. After the 2009 fall season is completed, we will begin to review the 10 seasons in those sports. Then, in early 2010, it will be time for the winter sports.

At the end, there will be a SportsPerson of the Decade and the top coaches, male and female athletes and the best boys team and girls teams of the decade will be named.

For review, here is a list of the OCHS Best of The 1990s.
SportsPerson: Paul LeFever
Boys Coach: Gary Degenhardt
Girls Coach: Trish LeFever
Male Athlete: Scott Lipford
Female Athlete: Cory Picketts
Boys Team: 1996 Football
Girls Team: 1994 Track

And these were the top OCHS athletes, sport by sport, in the 1990s.
Baseball: Ben Charles
Boys Basketball: Mike Rowell
Girls Basketball: Joi Johnson
Boys Cross Country: Rich Vinnacombe
Girls Cross Country: Abbey Hartman
Field Hockey: Abbey Woolley
Football-Defense: Doug Colman
Football-Offense: Kevin Sinclair
Golf: Jeff Michner
Boys Soccer: Chad Severs
Girls Soccer: Lauren McHale
Softball: Beth Reeves
Swimming: Heath Muzslay
Boys Tennis: Joe Carey
Girls Tennis: Jen Frank
Boys Track: Scott Lipford
Girls Track: Kellie Adams
Wrestling: Pat Lynch

Ocean City High School has had success in sports since the 1920s. But that success has never been greater than it is now. And against the best in competition.

We will recognize those most responsible for that success during the next six months.

Wendy Nickles Ends 19-Season Coaching Career

Tom Williams NJ Shore Sports — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 20:42:00 GMT

In almost every season of Ocean City High School girls tennis since it became a varsity sport more than three decades ago, Wendy Nickles has been part of the program.

She was the head coach from 1975 through 1985, except for one season that she took off for maternity leave. Dixie Howell stepped in for her that season.

Phil Birnbaum became the head coach in 1986 and directed the program through the 2000 season. During most of that time, Nickles was an assistant on his coaching staff. Then, when Birnbaum retired to become the head coacxh of women’s tennis at Richard Stockton College, Nickles took over again for eight more seasons.

Nickles, who retired after the last fall season as a coach and stepped down as a teacher in June, had a great deal of success in her 19 seasons as head coach.

Her teams won 223 games and lost 120. That is the most girls tennis wins in OCHS history, two more than Birnbaum had in his 15 seasons. Nickles’ teams qualified for the NJSIAA Tournament 14 times in her 19 seasons, reaching the South Jersey championship match seven times. They won the South Jersey title in 1983. In the Cape-Atlantic League, she finished with a champion, taking Division Two of the American Conference last fall. Her teams also won five other championships in the National Conference, all in succession.

Nickles leaves with the 10th most wins by an OCHS coach in a single sport. Recently re-married, she also leaves with the knowledge that over the last three decades she had a major impact on the most successful period of sports success in OCHS history.

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Also stepping down this year as a teacher in Ocean City was Gary Degenhardt. Retired as football coach three years ago, Degenhardt won 101 games during his career, the most by an OCHS and Cape May County coach. He was also an assistant coach for decades before taking over as head coach in 1991.

Degenhardt is expected to continue with his new game night responsibility at Carey Stadium – guarding the press buffet from Butch Gleason.

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Earlier this month Dave Simpson died at age 89.

Simpson coached in the Ocean City Youth Athletic Association. He was an avid golfer, leading him to design miniature golf courses on the boardwalk. He was a big fan of the Phillies and the Red Sox, owning a collection of memorabilia that he occasionally loaned to the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown NY. You would see him outside the post office regularly in his beloved station wagon wearing a Phillies or Red Sox cap. And he was more than just an idle fan. A student of the game, he’d talk about the way a certain player needed to adjust his swing or a manager needed to be more selective about when teams his veteran pitcher faced.

Throughout his life, Simpson served on many boards, as an officer with many clubs and was an elected official who helped change the community for the better. He was a great guy to work for, frequently going out of his way to make life better for his employees.

Going to the post office will not hold the same anticipation it always has, the chance to run into Simpson and have a great conversation about baseball or whatever else was happening.

There are probably only a dozen or so individuals who made Ocean City what it is today. Dave Simpson was one of them.

Some New High School Sports Rules

Tom Williams NJ Shore Sports — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 18:25:00 GMT

Things change a little bit every year in high school sports. A few weeks ago we told you about the group changes within the NJSIAA. Now, here are some of the rule changes for the high school sports year coming up.

Football: The horse-collar tackle has been added to the list of illegal personal contact fouls. Effective with the 2009 season, it will be illegal to grab the inside back or side collar of the runner's shoulder pads or jersey and subsequently pull the runner to the ground. The penalty will be 15 yards from the succeeding spot.

Another risk-minimization change will make it illegal to grasp an opponent's chin strap, in addition to the opponent's face mask or edge of a helmet opening.

Also a maximum of three coaches may be in the restricted area to communicate with players during dead-ball situations. Before the ball becomes live, however, the coaches must retreat into the team box.

Another change clarifies that the mandatory three-minute warm-up period begins immediately following the conclusion of the halftime intermission. An unsportsmanlike conduct penalty will be assessed to the head coach if the team is not back on the field prior to the start of the warm-up period.

A foul will now occur for illegal batting by the kicking team if it bats a scrimmage kick that has not yet been grounded unless it is batted by the kicking team toward its own goal line.

Field Hockey: One of the most significant changes was the emphasis on the forehand edge hit. Players shall not hit the ball hard on the forehand with the edge of the stick.

In further attempts to minimize risk, at least one-half inch of padding shall be on all casts and splints. Also, braces must be worn as the manufacturer intends, and may be padded or unpadded.

In order to be consistent with other sports, if a team is playing short, an injured player may return to the game at any time. If bleeding occurs, the bleeding player is directed to leave the game until the wound is covered and any adjustments are made to the uniform. It is also permitted to play short if a player is rendered unconscious during a game; however, the player may not resume participation that day without written authorization from a physician.

The use of video monitoring, replay equipment or personal wireless communications devices during the game by officials, coaches or players is prohibited.

On a free hit by the attacking team within five yards of the circle, the ball shall be placed on the broken line circle nearest where the foul occurred. No player shall be within seven yards of the spot where the free hit is taken except attacking team members positioned outside of the broken line circle.

If fans misbehave, officials should suspend play, inform game management of the problem, and let game management resolve the issue. For the second offense, the official shall suspend the game on the first dead-ball situation and request assistance from the appropriate game manager/administrator. If, after resuming play, the problem continues, the officials shall declare the game a suspended game and shall follow state association procedures for reporting sportsmanship incidents. The offending spectator(s) should be removed from the venue.

Soccer: Because many "joint" ankle braces are designed to be worn over stockings or other material, a rule has been amended to allow players to wear braces outside the stocking, provided they are not made of metal or other hazardous material. Any braces made of metal or other hazardous material must still be worn under a stocking.

Another change will allow any member of the team to deliver the team roster to the officials at least five minutes prior to the start of the contest. Previously, the coach was required to submit the roster, but since coaches are very busy prior to the start of the game, they are now allowed to delegate the task.

The final change requires that the officials must be dressed in matching uniforms distinctly different from only the field players of both teams. This permits the referee to possibly wear a shirt similar to one of the goalkeepers' shirts, as long as it's unlike the field players' uniforms.

And starting in the 2012 season, rules will require the front of the shin guard to be permanently marked with the NOCSAE seal and height range. The delay in implementation is to allow manufacturers to supply these types of shin guards to retailers. There is also an emphasis on placing the shin guard no higher than two inches above the ankle to minimize risk of injury.

Basketball: Replay equipment may be used in state high school basketball championships next year to determine the final outcome of games. Officials may use a replay monitor to review field-goal attempts at the expiration of time in the fourth quarter or any overtime period, but only in games when the last-second attempt would affect the outcome of the game.

Although not directly linked to the replay change, the other rule change approved by the committee could enhance the reviews of end-of-game situations. Beginning with the 2009-10 season, if a red light behind the backboard or an LED light on the backboard is present, it is permitted to signal the expiration of time in the quarter/extra period. If no red light/LED light is present, the audible timer's signal will continue to signal the expiration of time. In the past, use of the red light/LED light was not permitted even in those facilities that had one.

Swimming: Participants in the backstroke event will be able to start the race with their feet placed on the end wall, without the requirement of the feet being under water.

In other changes, the committee established the requirements for the first leg of a relay to be recorded as an official time for an individual event when using fully automatic timing (FAT). As an example, the swimmer in the first leg of the 400-yard freestyle relay could record an official time for the 100-yard individual freestyle, providing all requirements for the start, stroke and finish were met.

It is no longer required, but rather recommended, that the meet score be posted and/or announced throughout the meet.

Swimmers are now required to wear one-piece suits. The committee noted that a two-piece suit, as originally allowed in the rules, is outdated as all competition suits are manufactured in one piece.

The use of a pistol capable of discharging live ammunition is prohibited for use as the sounding device.

Wrestling: As a part of the steps to assume the offensive starting position, the offensive wrestler's head must be on or above the opponent's spinal column, and both wrestlers must become stationary. The referee still must pause momentarily before blowing the whistle.

Two new tie-breaker options for dual-meet competitions have been added as well. In the first, the team whose opposing wrestlers or team personnel have been penalized the greater number of team point deductions shall be declared the winner. The second states the team whose opposing wrestlers were penalized the greater number of match points for unsportsmanlike conduct during a match shall be declared the winner.

If a designated, on-site meet physician is present, he or she may examine a wrestler for communicable skin disease or any other condition, either immediately prior to or immediately after the weigh-in.

Tournament weigh-in may proceed by team(s) with the lowest weight class to the highest and end immediately upon the completion of the highest weight class.

Softball: Hard, unadorned devices, such as bobby pins, barrettes and hair clips, no longer than 2 inches, may now be worn to control a player's hair.

There was also a change in the required number of innings pitched for a starting pitcher to be credited with a win to half of the total number of innings played in the game. The new language gives the starting pitcher the ability to earn a win even if she leaves the pitching position for another defensive position and returns as pitcher later in the game. It also allows greater clarity in determining the winning pitcher when a game is terminated due to the mercy-rule.

But the biggest change will take place starting with the 2011 season when the distance between the pitcher’s plate and home plate will increase from 40 feet to 43 feet. Although the new pitching distance is mandatory beginning with the 2010-11 school year, state high school associations may adopt the 43-feet distance in 2009-10, if desired.

Track & Field: Beginning next track and field season, officials no longer will need to interpret the intent of hurdlers who knock over a hurdle by foot during the race. The competitor must attempt to clear the hurdle, but will not be faulted for knocking over the hurdle with his or her foot.

In a change affecting pole vault competitors, it is no longer a foul when a team member clears the cross bar in the pole vault when the uprights are positioned incorrectly by the officials.

A final change affecting pole vaulters and high jumpers is that beginning January 1, 2013, the crossbars in these events must be circular, as opposed to being triangular or square with beveled edges.

Baseball: Effective January 1, 2012, a bat should be a smooth cylinder implement from the top of the cap to the top of the knob.

Another major rule addition applies to assistant coaches and their behavior during the game. The rule prohibits any member of the coaching staff who is not the head coach from leaving the vicinity of the dugout or coaching box to dispute a judgment call by an umpire. The penalty for this infraction is that both the head coach and the offending coach will be restricted to the dugout for the remainder of the game. If severe enough, the umpire also has the authority to eject the offending coach and/or the head coach.

The final adjustment was made to read that the batter is out if any member of the offensive team or coach other than the runner interferes with a fielder who is attempting to field a foul fly ball. The addition of the phrase “other than the runner” clarifies the responsibility of the runner and that the runner - not the batter - will be declared out for the runner’s interference.

Now you know how these games will be governed in the future.

Red & White Weekend Coming For OCHS Alumni

Tom Williams NJ Shore Sports — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 19:42:00 GMT

The year 2009 is a year filled with anniversaries for Ocean City High School sports teams.

It was 20 years ago that Gina Zappariello’s softball team completed an improbable march to the state championship, the only one in the history of that program.

Five years earlier, in 1984, Ed Woolley guided the Raiders to the school’s first South Jersey playoff football championship with an exciting win over Willingboro at the newly dedicated Carl Lewis Stadium.

It was 30 years ago that Pat Dougherty’s team won a South Jersey championship in girls basketball, reaching the state finals were they were beaten by a team led by 6-7 Anne Donovan, one of the greatest players in New Jersey history. It was the first South Jersey title by any OCHS girls program.

That same year, in the spring, Ralph Carson took his golf team through an undefeated season to the South Jersey championship.

It was 35 years ago that Phil Birnbaum won the first of his South Jersey championships in tennis.

And, 45 years ago, Dixie Howell won his second – and final – state championship in boys basketball.

If you attended OCHS during the last five decades, one of those championship teams is probably special to you. You could include Mike Naples’ dynasties in girls track and girls cross country, the Pat Lynch years in wrestling, the incredible soccer teams of the past decade and the last 20 years of field hockey success. You can go back to the 1930s, when John Carey won three times in the state track meet. Or the incredible accomplishments of Archie Harris. There are many, many more.

These are some of the sports memories that former Ocean City High School students have taken with them. Some of them have carried their memories all over the World.

Next month, OCHS wants you to come back.

On Sept. 25-26 the first Red & White Weekend will be held in Ocean City. It is envisioned as a couple days when all those who attended OCHS will participate in a two-day celebration. And it is all surrounding the annual Ocean City-Mainland football game, which hardly needs any more hype. But it seems appropriate because there are probably hundreds and hundreds of OCHS grads who now live in Somers Point, Linwood or Northfield and whose loyalties now center on their children, who attend Mainland.

The weekend is scheduled to begin with a tailgate party sponsored by the Archie Harris Booster Club. After the football game, there will be gatherings at the Deauville Inn, where they are bringing back OCHS Wing Night, and at DiOrio’s in Somers Point.

On Saturday, there will be a luncheon at the high school and a tour of the five-year old building for those who have not yet seen it. And a parade is planned, with floats and flatbed trucks honoring veterans and other distinguished alumni. That might include members of some of the teams mentioned above. Or the women who became Miss New Jersey. Or especially prominent graduates like author Gay Talese, MTV anchor Kurt Loder, blues musician Walter Trout and retired military officer Ken Farrell.

If Mike Cipriano was the principal when you attended Ocean City High School, or Mike Subotich, or George Meyer, the Red & White Weekend is for you. If you remember the gym in the old high school as a state-of-the-art facility, or a leaky band box, they want you to attend. If you remember the Youth Center and the Junior Fair, or if you hung out at the mall, try to attend. Was your hangout Pop’s or the Boxwood, or McDonald’s? They want all of you.

There will probably be recognition of the oldest alumni to return and maybe the class from each decade that returns the most members. You can post a message and follow the progress of the weekend on their website – OCHSalumni.com. And, for more information, you can call Shawna Mulford at 609-703-4862.

In this age of immediate communications, it should be easy to get the word out about the first Red & White Weekend. Send emails to the OCHS alumni in your address book. Mention it on your Facebook or MySpace. Give it a tweet on your Twitter.

A year filled with championship anniversaries seems like a great year to start a universal reunion covering nearly 100 years of Ocean City High School.

Remembering The Ocean City Chatterbox Teams

Tom Williams NJ Shore Sports — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 21:10:00 GMT

It was 50 years ago this year that the Cape-Atlantic Boys Basketball League (CABL) was formed.

People like Wildwood youth sports icons Tom Jorgenson and Jack Buchanan, former Middle Township star athlete John Roberson and the late Ed Gargan, a well-known area sports personality, helped create a league that gave young basketball players a chance to play.

Ocean City was represented in the league by The Chatterbox Teams, sponsored by Jean Campbell’s restaurant. The team was especially important to Ocean City because there were no school basketball teams for players in grades five through eight in the town.

The interesting thing about looking back on those teams is the identity of some of the players, many now well-known throughout the community.

The Chatterbox team actually started in 1958, a year before the league began, and played a limited schedule. John Cranston, who would lead Ocean City High School to a state championship five years later, was the team’s MVP. Dick Wertley, who went on to a good career at Mainland Regional High School before dying way too young, was the team’s leading scorer.

Things picked up in the 1959-60 season as the league action started. The local team had three players in double figures – Les Oliphant, Earl Tarves and Craig French. The following year produced a championship team, led by Randy Fox, Barry Banks and John Laudenslager – all key juniors on Ocean City’s 1964 state champions. And Bud Wertley who, like his older brother, played successfully for Mainland.

The 1961-62 team was led by Butch Gleason, who was the league’s most valuable player, leading scorer and top free throw shooter. Gleason averaged 18.3 points a game, hitting 30 or more three times, including a 36-point game against Wildwood in the playoffs. Gleason was backed up by Ron Fox, Lew Mawson and Bill Maurer. A JV program also grew that year and Dave French led that team in scoring.

The next year the JV team won 15 games, led by John Huff , Tom Kravitz and Mike Tolson. The 1962-63 varsity team was led by Mike Pritchett, Jack Wheaton and Jerry Bixler. In addition to the two teams in the CABL that year, there was a Chatterbox team in the the prestigious Spencer Bennett Tournament in Atlantic City and they won the championship. That team featured Jim Fusco, Alan Pierce, Andy Raffa, Alfonza Gayle, John Kiphorn and Dave Beyel.

The two teams combined for 37 wins in 1963-64. Jim Tarves, Dave French, Terry Howell and Larry Masi led the varsity team. Tom Kravitz, Tom Tolson and Danny Town led the JV team.

The following year the varsity team won 21 games, led by Howell, Huff, Bruce Beaver, Frank Bixler and Gary Gans. The JV team was paced by Chuck Gargan, Glenn Wiesenthal and Ron Pennington.

In the final full year of the Chatterbox team, the varsity won 17 games with Bill Rolls averaging 15 points and 18 rebounds a game. Kravitz, Gene Davis and Skip Given were also key players. The JV team featured Dave Andrews, Steve Faragher, Guy Gargan and Rich Krattenmaker.

In the fall of 1966, Ocean City finally created school basketball teams, hiring Herk Lamley, who would later become a head coach at Oakcrest, as the junior high school coach. Consequently, the Chatterbox team played a very small schedule that year and disappeared the following year.

In the nine years that the Chatterbox teams existed some five decades ago, they played 304 games and won 182. The teams had no home court and played most of their games on the road.

Prominent members of the Ocean City community were part of the program – Joe Foglio, Jim Tarves, Glenn Wiesenthal, Rich Booth, Craig French, Harry Vanderslice, Bruce Beaver, Mike Gill, Ron Pennington, Rich Krattenmaker, Jerry Klause, Scott Simpson, Dave Turner, John Huff, Gary Gans, Mike Tolson, Earl Tarves, Larry Masi, Glenn Darby, Mike Monihan, Bill Maurer, Randy Fox, Butch Gleason, Ron Beaver – the list goes on and on.

And the players on the other bench were pretty impressive, too. Guys like Mainland legend Skip Castaldi; future Wildwood High School stars Chuck James, Meredith Campbell, Jim Waicus, Harry Hayward and Chick Ludman; Wildwood Catholic players Al Corchianni, John Newdeck and Joe Bimbo; Atlantic City’s Phil Juliano; Steve Brady, Dennis O’Brien and Jack Matthews from Holy Spirit; and another Spirit grad who had great success in college and the NBA, Chris Ford. There was also future South Jersey media superstar Bud Rinck.

It was great basketball. It was great fun. And it was made possible in Ocean City by Jean Campbell’s support. You can now look back with more detail on those teams by clicking the link at OceanCitySports.com, where there are stats and photos.

And a lot of good memories.

Mike Trout, Nijgia Snapp Win 2009 Flagship Awards

Tom Williams NJ Shore Sports — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 20:21:00 GMT

Millville's Mike Trout and Nijgia Snapp of Oakcrest were named winners of The 9th Annual Flagship Award as the Cape-Atlantic League's top senior athletes from the Class of 2009.

Trout was an all-state baseball player and one of the top basketball players in the American Conference. He had committed to East Carolina University but was drafted in the first round of the MLB draft by the Los Angeles Angels and signed a million dollar contract. He is currently playing in the Arizona Rookie League.

Snapp was a state champion on the outdoor track the last two years and was named South Jersey Track Athlete of the Year during the indoor track season. She was also a state champion during both her senior and junior years in indoor track, being considered one of the best in the nation. She will run for Seton Hall University.

The 11 other finalists for the boys Flagship Award this year were B.J. Bailey of Holy Spirit, Craig Capella of Absegami, Brent Caprio of Mainland, Bill Damiana of Lower Cape May, Bill Giberson of St. Augustine, Keith Goldstein of Egg Harbor Township, Brett Johnson of Ocean City, Mac Mancuso of Holy Spirit, Ken Miles of Buena, Julian Miller of Wildwood Catholic and Max Voumard of St. Augustine.

Among the girls, the finalists were Ty Abilla of Absegami, Karisse Bendijo of Egg Harbor Township, Holly Berenotto of Egg Harbor Township, Lindsay Bertulis of Millville, Ashley Durham of Sacred Heart, Paige Frost of Holy Spirit, Dana Keister of Absegami, Liz Ker of Ocean City, Jessie Mooers of Middle Township, Nicole Pagano of St. Joseph and Jill Shaner of Egg Harbor Township.

The awards are made possible through the dedication of Jason Kaye at FantaSea Resorts in Atlantic City and Dave Talarico of William Schoppy Inc.

Carey Stadium Should Be OK For Fall Season

Tom Williams NJ Shore Sports — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 23:00:00 GMT

This summer, three Ocean City Barons games had to be moved from Carey Stadium to the soccer complex at Tennessee Avenue. The Bermuda Grass that was planted on the field last year does not hold up well in cold weather and was further damaged by the very wet spring and summer. It is sod normally used for high quality lawns and golf courses in the warmer parts of North America.

The field was re-sodded last month and the Barons were able to complete their season, wrapping up by clinching another post-season appearance.

According to sources in the city administration, this new Bermuda Grass should be fine for the 2009 Ocean City High School football season, unless there is a very early frost. But the same situation could occur again next spring, depending on the weather.

Which brings us to the FieldTurf discussion.

There were 136 turf fields in New Jersey at the start of this calendar year – like the one at St. Augustine Prep and non-Cape-Atlantic League schools like Eastern, Washington Township, St. John Vianney, Shawnee and Bishop Eustace. The surface is also used in the state at Princeton, Rutgers, Monmouth and at Giants Stadium. This summer, turf fields are being installed at Egg Harbor Township and Cherokee high schools. The conversion was voted down in a bond issue by Mainland voters. Cherokee raised the money through private contributions.

That is a big part of the problem – the cost. It is around $500,000 to install FieldTurf on a football field. It needs to be replaced in 10-12 years, depending on use. It is like playing on grass except it drains almost immediately and can be used almost constantly. All you have to do is not stick anything into it (goal posts and soccer-like goals must be weighted down) and minimize chewing gum on the surface.

If there is any high school type facility that should have FieldTurf it is Carey Stadium. Not only can the high school football team use it but OCHS has among the best soccer and field hockey programs in South Jersey. Those teams could play some games there. And, of course, there are the Barons.

FieldTurf at Carey Stadium would also open the door to more uses. Bring back the Drum & Bugle Competition. More opportunities for rugby and lacrosse. There are many possibilities.

There have been discussions about FieldTurf between the city and the school district, who share the operations of the field, in the past. And it seems likely that they will talk about it again in the future. It is an expensive step but, handled properly, it could come close to paying for itself.

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Two weeks ago the NJSIAA announced its competition groups for the 2009-10 school year. Only Cape May Tech changes groups among Cape-Atlantic League schools, moving up to Group 2 in every sport except cross country. Last week, they announced the football only groupings, which are frequently different because not every school has a football program.

Among the differences – Cherry Hill West, Clearview, Triton and Winslow Township – all up in Group 4 for most sports, will compete in Group 3 for football. Delsea, Lower Cape May and Point Pleasant Boro, Group 3 schools in most sports, will be in Group 2 for football.

A number of teams – including Pennsauken, Rancocas Valley, Toms River North, Willingboro and Delran – are in Central Jersey for most sports but move to South Jersey for football.

There will also be a new point system to determine which eight schools qualify for the NJSIAA playoffs in each group. Basically, a team will get more points for playing teams with good records, rather than teams with large enrollments. And a team will benefit from the strength of its overall schedule, not just from the strength of the teams it defeats.

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Harry Vanderslice is not sure, but he thinks the baseball fields used by the Ocean City Youth Athletic Association at 35th Street might be haunted.

The Red Sox team he coached in this year’s OCYAA minor league, which included his son, Cole, was trailing the Yankees, 5-0, after one inning in the deciding game of their semifinal series. Then Harry silently asked for help from his dad, Harry, for whom the fields are named as a memorial tribute. Boom! The Sox scored five runs to tie the score and eventually won the game, 10-9.

Then, in the finals, the Indians built a 3-0 early lead in game two. But the Spirit of Big Bear came alive again and the Sox scored four times, eventually winning the game and the championship, 7-5.

So, if you’re hanging around 35th Street and a mysterious voice tries to sell you a new set of tires, you’ll know what’s going on.

Holy Spirit, Ocean City Share Ed Byrnes Award

Tom Williams NJ Shore Sports — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 22:40:00 GMT

Somewhere Ed Byrnes is smiling.

For the first time, the award that bears the likeness and carries the name of the late Holy Spirit athletics director and Cape-Atlantic League president will be displayed at the school he loved.

Holy Spirit tied Ocean City for the 19th annual Ed Byrnes Memorial All-Sports Award as the CAL all-sports champion. It was the third time the award has been shared by two teams. And St. Augustine Prep, which had won three of the previous five years, finished a close third.

The all-sports award was created by Prime Events and William Schoppy Inc. in 1991. It was renamed in memory of Byrnes, the longtime athletics director and football coach at Holy Spirit, after he died in February, 1996. Byrnes was president of the CAL for six years and had just won his 100th football victory three months before his death.

The system used to determine a school’s final score in the competition awards points for championships won – both CAL and NJSIAA – with bonuses for the number of different sports in which they were won. Under this system, which rewards a sports program’s versatility, a school that wins one championship in each of two different sports will get a higher score than if it won two championships in the same sport.

During 2008-09, Holy Spirit won South Jersey titles in boys swimming, girls cross country, girls tennis and girls swimming. The Spartans were the overall CAL champions in boys basketball. Other HSHS sports to produce championships included baseball, field hockey and girls basketball.

Ocean City was South Jersey champion in boys cross country, field hockey and girls basketball. Other teams from OCHS to win championships were boys soccer, boys tennis, girls soccer, girls tennis and girls lacrosse.

Among 2008-09 highlights:
* Holy Spirit ended St. Augustine Prep’s streak of being the best in the National Conference for 10 straight years.
* Egg Harbor Township was the top school in Division One of the American Conference for the first time in the 19 years.
* Nobody but Ocean City or Mainland has been best in Division Two of the American Conference. The Mustangs were best 11 times, Ocean City has been best eight times.
* Sacred Heart was tops in Division Two of the National Conference for a third straight year.
* Ocean City has been first (or tied for first) in Cape May County for 12 straight years.
* Middle Township, repeat winner among Coast Big Five schools, has now been best in that group eight times, one less than Wildwood Catholic.
* Holy Spirit and Cape May Tech both had their highest scores ever.
* Ocean City was first in fall sports for the sixth straight year and 11th time in 12 years.

Complete lists of The Ed Byrnes Award winners throughout the years are available online through Cape-AtlanticLeague.com.

ED BYRNES MEMORIAL ALL-SPORTS RANKINGS

2008-09 OVERALL POINT LEADERS

1. Holy Spirit (tie)		24
1. Ocean City (tie)		24
3. St. Augustine		22
4. Egg Harbor Township	        14
5. Sacred Heart			11


PREVIOUS CHAMPIONS
2007-08	St. Augustine
2006-07	Ocean City
2005-06	Ocean City
2004-05	St. Augustine
2003-04	St. Augustine
2002-03	Mainland
2001-02	Mainland
2000-01	Ocean City/St. Augustine (tie)
1999-2000 Absegami
1998-99	Ocean City
1997-98	Ocean City/Vineland (tie)
1996-97	Mainland
1995-96	Mainland
1994-95	Ocean City
1993-94	Ocean City
1992-93	Ocean City
1991-92	Mainland
1990-91	Mainland


OTHER 2008-09 LEADERS
American Conference	Ocean City
National Conference	Holy Spirit
American One		Egg Harbor Township
American Two		Ocean City
National One		Holy Spirit
National Two		Sacred Heart
Atlantic County		Holy Spirit
Cape May County	        Ocean City
Cumberland County	Sacred Heart
Coast Big Five		Middle Township
Boys Sports		St. Augustine Prep
Girls Sports		Ocean City
fall Sports		Ocean City
Winter Sports		Holy Spirit
Spring Sports		St. Augustine

Mike Trout Off To Good Start

Tom Williams NJ Shore Sports — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 02:25:00 GMT

In his first 4 games with the AZL Angels, Mike Trout is hitting .571 with 6 runs scored, 1 double, 2 triples, 2 RBIs and 2 stolen bases.

Cape May Tech Moves Up To Group 2

Tom Williams NJ Shore Sports — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 23:33:00 GMT

Cape May Tech, with an enrollment that has increased by 22 percent over the last five years, is the only Cape-Atlantic League school to change NJSIAA groups for the 2009-10 school year.

The Hawks will play in Group 2 starting in September, joining Middle Township, Bridgeton, Buena and Pleasantville from the CAL. Tech will, however, remain in Group 1 for cross country.

Tech was one of CAL seven schools with an enrollment increase over the school year that ended in June. The others are Egg Harbor Township, Absegami, Millville, Oakcrest, St. Augustine Prep and St. Joseph.

Over the last five years, the biggest increase was 57 percent by St. Joseph, which has the largest enrollment (481) in its history. St. Augustine has increased by 35 percent and Egg Harbor Township by 30 percent. Each also has its largest enrollment ever.

These figures are for grades 10-12 during the fall of 2008. New figures will be compiled in three months and those figures will be used by the CAL to re-align its conferences for 2010-11. If those figures are basically the same as those just announced, it seems like St. Augustine Prep will move into the American Conference for football and Hammonton would drop back into the National. The decision of Cedar Creek High School in Egg Harbor City about when it will start playing varsity sports could also effect that situation. Cedar Creek will join in September 2010.

There have been changes in South Jersey groups that will impact schools in the CAL. In Group 4, Clearview, Shawnee and Winslow Township have all moved up from Group 3. Gloucester Township Tech and Burlington Township are added to Group 3. In addition to Cape May Tech, Glassboro has moved up to Group 2 and West Deptford has dropped down to Group 2.

Five schools will move from South Jersey to Central Jersey – Toms River North (Group 4), Rancocas Valley (4), Pennsauken (4), Willingboro (2) and Cinnaminson (2). Three other schools are moving from Central Jersey to South Jersey – Brick Township (3), Point Pleasant Boro (3) and New Egypt (1).

Here are a few other observations about the newly released figures.
* Vineland is still the second largest school in South Jersey (to Washington Township) and EHT is a close No.4, 28 students behind third-ranked Cherokee. EHT’s enrollment has almost doubled since 2000.
* Millville’s enrollment increased by nearly 25 percent over the last year, moving the Thunderbolts past Atlantic City. For the first time ever, ACHS has the smallest enrollment in Division One of the American Conference.
* Wildwood Catholic has its smallest enrollment in at least 21 years. For the second straight year, there are more students in grades 10-12 at Wildwood High School than at Wildwood Catholic. It had not happened before last year since 1996.
* Ocean City and Wildwood have exactly the same enrollments as they did five years ago.
* If the NJSIAA figures hold up, it looks like Holy Spirit will compete in Division Two of the National Conference in boys sports starting in 2010. For the past few years, Pleasantville has filled that role.
* St. Joseph is now the third largest school in South Jersey Non-Public B.

Check this week's Gazette, Leader or Current for a complete CAL enrollment chart.

A Final Look at 2009 Sports Camps

Tom Williams NJ Shore Sports — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 19:25:00 GMT

Here is our final list of sports camps in the area this summer.

Many parents and young athletes are still looking for sports camps during the summer of 2009. A few weeks ago we brought you a list of the camps that started in June and July. This time it’s a list of camps that begin the final week of July and in August.

July 27-30: The At The Top Basketball Camp in the Margate Little League Complex parking lot, devoted to dribbling and ball handling, for boys and girls from 9am-noon under the direction of Yogi Hiltner. For information phone 609-823-9609 or visit AtTheTopCamps.com.

July 27-30: Shore Soccer Camp at Tighe School in Margate for boys and girls aged 7-14 from 5-8pm under the direction of Kevin Semet. For more information phone 609-204-0833.

July 27-31: Nothing But Net Camp at Richard Stockton College for girls from 9am-4pm under the direction of Joe Fussner. For information phone 609-626-6818.

July 27-31: Ocean City Tennis Camp at Sixth Street Courts for boys and girls aged 6-18 with limited experience from 3:30-7:30pm under the direction of Phil Birnbaum. For information phone 609-525-9307.

July 27-31: Make It-Take It Basketball Camp for girls from ages six through 15 will be held from 8:30am-12:30pm each day at Middle Township High School under the direction of John Leahy. Phone 609-522-3231 for information.

July 27-31: Mustang Softball Camp for girls from ages eight through 14 will be held from 9am-noon each day at Mainland Regional High School under the direction of Christina Mayrhofer. Phone 609-628-4206 for information.

July 27-31: One Touch Soccer Camp at Maxwell Field in Wildwood for boys and girls aged 5-16 from 4-7pm under the direction of Steve DeHorsey. For information phone 609-536-8056.

July 27-31: The Sharpshooters Basketball Camp for boys and girls aged 5-16 will be held from 9am-1pm each day at Belhaven Avenue School in Linwood under the direction of Mike Gatley. Phone 609-601-8080 or visit SharpshootersBaskets.com for information.

July 27-31: Ocean City Barons Soccer Camp at Sixth & Haven Baseball Complex for ages 4-17 from 9am-noon. For information phone 609-525-9999 or visit ocbarons.com.

July 27-Aug. 7: Ventnor City Sports Camp at the Ventnor Education Community Complex for boys and girls age 6 or older from 9am-1pm under the direction of Jerry Thomas. A variety of sports are covered and campers can attend every week or for individual weeks. For information phone 609-823-7950.

Aug. 3-6: Ocean City Golf Camp at Municipal Course for boys and girls aged 8-12 from 4-5:30pm. For information phone 609-525-9304.

Aug. 3-6: The At The Top Basketball Camp in the Margate Little League Complex parking lot for boys and girls from 9am-noon with guest coach Matt Brady of James Madison University. Additional sessions are scheduled later in August. For information phone 609-823-9609 or visit AtTheTopCamps.com.

Aug. 3-6: Ocean City Junior Lifeguards Camp at First Street Beach for boys and girls aged 9-15 from 9-11:30am. For information phone 609-525-9304.

Aug. 3-7: Eagle Basketball Camp for boys entering 2nd through 10th grades will be held at Slaybaugh Primary School in Egg Harbor Township under the direction of George McNally. Phone 609-390-5740 for information.

Aug. 3-7: Stockton Soccer Academy Camp at Richard Stockton College for boys and girls aged 5-12 under the direction of Jeff Haines. For information phone 609-626-6005.

Aug. 3-7: The Hoop Heaven Basketball Camp for ages 5-14 every day from 9am-1pm at Ocean City High School directed by Monmouth University coach Stephanie Gaitley. Phone 610-581-7986 or visit svgcamps.com for more information.

Aug. 3-7: Ocean City Tennis Camp at Sixth Street Courts for boys and girls aged 6-18 with advanced experience from 3:30-7:30pm under the direction of Phil Birnbaum. For information phone 609-525-9307.

Aug. 3-7: The Hoop Haven Basketball Skills Camp for girls entering 2nd through 9th grades will be held at Belhaven Middle School in Linwood under the direction of Brian Coyle. Sessions for those entering grades 5 through 9 will be from 9am until noon. The sessions for grades 2-4 will run from 1-4pm each day. Phone 856-697-6338 for information.

Aug. 4-5, 11-13: Ocean City Rowing Camp at 34th Street boat ramp for ages 12-14 from 6-7:15pm directed by Greg Tracy. For information phone 609-263-4353.

Aug. 10-13: Ocean City Golf Camp at Municipal Course for boys and girls aged 8-12 from 4-5:30pm. For information phone 609-525-9304.

Aug. 10-14: One Touch Soccer Camp at Maxwell Field in Wildwood for boys and girls aged 5-16 from 4:30-8pm under the direction of Steve DeHorsey. For information phone 609-536-8056.

Aug. 10-14: Make It-Take It Basketball Camp for girls from ages nine through 15 will be held from 8:30am-12:30pm each day at Middle Township High School under the direction of John Leahy. Phone 609-522-3231 for information.

Aug. 10-14: Shore Soccer Camp at Ventnor Education Community Complex for boys and girls aged 7-14 from 9am-12n under the direction of Kevin Semet. For more information phone 609-204-0833.

Aug. 10-14: Eagle Basketball Camp for boys entering 2nd through 10th grades will be held at Slaybaugh Primary School in Egg Harbor Township under the direction of George McNally. Phone 609-390-5740 for information.

Aug. 10-14: Ocean City Barons Soccer Camp at Sixth & Haven Baseball Complex for ages 4-17 from 9am-noon. For information phone 609-525-9999 or visit ocbarons.com.

Aug. 17-21: Hoop Mountain Girls Basketball Camp at Ventnor Education Community Complex aged 9-16 from 9am-2pm under the direction of Larry DiGiovanni. For more information phone 609-804-0425.

Aug. 17-21: Shore Soccer Camp at 26th Street Complex in Brigantine for boys and girls aged 7-14 from 9am-12n under the direction of Kevin Semet. For more information phone 609-204-0833.

Aug. 24-28: Sixers Youth Basketball Camp at Jewish Community Center in Margate for boys and girls aged 7-13 from 9am-3:30pm with 76ers players and coaches. For more information phone 609-822-1167.

Hope you can use this information to make your summer more enjoyable!

Tom McKeever To Coach Mainland Boys Basketball

Tom Williams NJ Shore Sports — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 16:10:00 GMT

Mainland Regional High School has named former Absegami coach Tom McKeever as its new boys basketball coach. Meanwhile, at Gami, Greg Goodwin has indicated he will return for at least one more season as that school’s boys basketball coach.

McKeever succeeds Jon Evans, who stepped down right after last season. He is the school’s 10th head coach in 48 years, joining Nuncie Sacco, Jim Schafer, Bill Advena, Scott Beeten, Dennis Foreman, Sam Botta, Roy Heck, Whitey Haak and Evans.

At Absegami, McKeever’s teams were 25-47 in three seasons, qualifying for the NJSIAA Tournament once. The Mustangs were 12-13 last year and have Adam Floyd, Ed Irizarry, Willie Jungels and Bobby Fitzgerald returning as seniors next winter.

Evans compiled a 56-46 record at Mainland in four seasons, qualifying for the NJSIAA Tournament all four years. He was also 21-22 in two seasons coaching Oakcrest for an overall career record of 77-68.

Goodwin had an impressive 277 wins in 12 seasons coaching the Absegami girls, including 11 division titles, nine conference championships, five overall Cape-Atlantic League crowns, five South Jersey titles and two state championships. He retired at the end of the 2007-08 season.

But a hazing incident at the school forced a boys coaching change just weeks before the start of last season and Goodwin agreed to step in. He coached the Gami boys, without three projected starters, to an 11-12 record and kept them in the race for a division title until the final week of the season. Eight of his 12 varsity players will return next season, including Ed Parker, Javonte Dickerson, Jon Hampton, Cesar Sandoval and Avery Cunningham.

Goodwin had previously coached boys teams at St. James-Carney’s Point, Millville and Absegami. His overall boys coaching record is now 118-137 in 11 seasons, including 42-50 in four seasons at Gami.

Father's Day Tribute To John Bruno

Tom Williams NJ Shore Sports — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 17:58:00 GMT

Editor’s Note: June is always a big month for the senior athletes at area high schools. There is graduation and the end of their scholastic careers - plus Father’s Day. During previous Junes, Tom Williams, to celebrate the holiday, has turned over his column to Stephanie Gaitley, Matt Woolley, Jeff Boyd, Allison Rinck, Tracey LeFever, Shaune McLaughlin, Erik Geisinger, the Degenhardt sisters, Joey Galante, Ron DeFelice and Doug Colman, among others, to write about their fathers.
This week Mainland Regional senior Chelsea Bruno writes about her father, John, the boys basketball and softball coach at Ocean City High School.

My dad, John Francis Bruno (sorry, Dad), is truly a special man and I could not have asked for a better father. Not only is he my dad, but he is also a mentor, friend and, most importantly, my hero. He is there for me whenever I need him, even with his busy schedule. As many people know, basketball is a huge part of not only my dad’s life but also my family’s life. On the record, basketball is considered a winter sport that runs from November through March. For my dad it is so much more – it is a year-round commitment. Never once does he stop thinking about his players and what he can do to better them. Through his love and passion for basketball he has been able to teach me dedication.

For as long as I can remember our life has been basketball. Every year on Thanksgiving, my dad would work on his plans for his practice the next day. This is when I knew that basketball season was just around the corner. From the time I was five months old, I thought that it was customary for everyone to see 26 basketball games in a season. As I grew older, I enjoyed going to the games for my own personal pleasure. I enjoyed watching this crazy lunatic that I call Dad run up and down the sideline arguing with a referee about a play that happened almost a minute before. There were three things that I looked forward to every season. The first one was standing with him during the National Anthem. It was only two minutes long, but they were my two special minutes with my dad. The other thing was getting my water break with him during halftime of every game. Although he may not agree with it, I think that it was me who calmed him down during halftime. No matter if his team was losing or winning, he always found the patience to listen to me on what I thought needed to be done in order to get the win. And the final thing I looked forward to every year was senior night. Even though it is a night dedicated to the seniors, my dad never once left out my sister, Jillian, my mom or me for all of our love and support throughout the season. Throughout the seasons, no matter how far away games were, or how busy our schedules were, the three of us always managed to make it, even if it was just to see the smile on my daddy’s face when we got there.

Education has always been a huge part of my life. From a young age, I learned the importance of an education and always doing your homework. From the beginning my dad has always found the patience to help me with my homework. This is clearly one of the advantages of having a teacher as a dad. No matter what it took for me to understand something, he made sure that I did. During the car ride on a family vacation, he would always challenge me to name the 50 states in fifteen minutes. Now, as I prepare to enter college, I am so grateful for what my dad has taught me. He always told me that I could do anything I wanted to do, as long as I put my mind to it. I will remember this next year and in my future when times get tough, I will be able to think of my dad and persevere and get through any difficult time.

Another characteristic that my dad has taught me is hard work. This is exactly what my dad is all about. He consistently worked three jobs as a teacher, coach and bartender to make sure that our family got everything we wanted. (Within reason) We were able to take vacations that would not be possible without his hard work. While doing these jobs, never once did he complain about having to work seven days a week during the winter. He sacrificed his time to make sure that our family could have the best life possible.

A side of my dad that other people probably don’t see as much is his compassion. The clearest example of this was almost six years ago when his own father passed away. It was the first time in my life that I was able to see just how much he loved his family. When he offered his father’s eulogy at the funeral it really made me cherish the relationship that I have with my dad. Seeing my dad talk about his dad gave me insight into why my dad is the way he is. My pop-pop always wanted what was best for my dad just like my dad wants what is best for me. It was late August and school was getting ready to start, but my dad couldn’t leave his side. He spent night after night in West Chester to not only be with his dad, also his mother. I remember the tee shirt my dad gave his dad in his final days. He kept it on his dad’s favorite chair. The shirt read “World’s Greatest Dad”. We had given it to him, but he thought that his dad deserved it even more. Still, until this day, the shirt lays there at my grandmother’s house. This experience allowed me to see his softer and more compassionate side.

Throughout my athletic career I have been fortunate enough to have my parents at nearly all my games. My dad was able to make it to almost every field hockey game over four years. Softball became a different story when he decided to yet again become the head softball coach. Even though he wasn’t able to make it to all of my games, it actually brought us closer together because we were able to talk about each others practices and games everyday. I appreciate everything that he has done for me in regards to sports over my lifetime.

For the past 17 years I have always been a daddy’s girl. No matter what my dad was doing, I wanted to be there. My dad will do absolutely anything for me or anyone in my family. He has truly taught me what unconditional love is. He has been my hero and my friend. I will always look up to him, because he is so much more than just a father.

Dad, you are everything that I could ever ask for in a father. You have prepared me for next year and the real world past that. Thank you for all that you have done for me. It is such an honor to call you my dad. I wish you Happy Father’s Day. I love you, Daddy.

Parents and Coaches - Part 2

Tom Williams NJ Shore Sports — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 19:30:00 GMT

Last week a few high school coaches offered their opinions of some problems they’ve had with parents. Every single one made it clear that, although problems seem to be getting a little more plentiful, the large majority of parents were very good – many of them said 90-95 percent.

This week we have some more observations. This coach tried to head off problems before they started.

“In the past we have received phone calls from parents after big wins, complaining that their son did not get enough shots or play enough. As a coach, we expect criticism when things are not going well, but to receive complaints after a win takes all the enjoyment out of it. When I took over as head coach, my first year I held a parent meeting before the season and explained that I would not accept any phone calls from a parent during the season in regards to playing time, number of shots etc. Phone calls in regards to colleges and academics were more than welcomed. Since that meeting, we have had no parent issues. In fact our parents the last two years have been nothing but supportive and I could not ask for anything more.”

And this coach took that even a step further.

“I have experienced all the typical parent stuff over the past 9-10 years. The ‘I wanna be your friend until you don't play my son’ parent. The ‘with all that experience, I thought you were a better coach than this’ parent. The ‘let me donate to the program - either time or money - until you don't play my son’ parent. I could go on for some time. At Catholic schools I do feel that the parent situation is even worse due to the fact that their tuition payment makes some feel they have paid for privileges in athletics.

“So I adopted a philosophy quite a few years ago. I limit, and I mean limit, my interaction with parents. This interaction is usually just ‘Hi how are you’, ‘Tommy is great kid and doing a great job’, ‘here is the info on an upcoming event’. They say, ‘Great job, Coach’ – I respond, ‘Thanks and have a good night’. And that is it.

Academic situations, college recruitment or injuries - things really unrelated to game situations - are always discussed.

“It has worked for me thus far. When someone wants to talk and discuss something with me regarding the sport and their son and they are not pleased with my response regarding their son I simply recommend that they contact the athletic director or other school administrators and that is usually the end of it. It has actually gotten to the point where, at times, I do not know which parents are which. I do not teach at the school and practices are generally not attended by parents. So, game days are the only days I see them.

“Recently I made a comment to my staff after a senior night ceremony and game that I thought it was odd that not one parent came up to me and said thanks, or something similar. My staff laughed and responded, ‘Coach, what do you expect. You don't talk to them during the season, so they probably think that you would rather not speak to them at all.’

“Don't misunderstand me, I have great relationships with my players. They are always thankful for all that we do for them and take time to tell us. They always come back after graduation and keep in touch with the coaches and the program. I continue to have relationships with players from seven or eight years ago. On the positive side, I have had parents that have anonymously donated money to our program or have contacted the school administration and expressed gratitude for the job my staff and I have done.”

One veteran coach has had few problems.

“Most all of my team parents are great and give me total support, but that might be because I have been doing it for so long. I have had parents start a booster club and start fund raising on their own without me even being involved. On the negative side, I have had one parent tell me he would be more than glad to show me how to run a tournament the correct way after I had been coach over 30 years. And, of course, there are always a few parents that get too involved in the game and say things to the opposing players that shouldn’t have been said.”

And this athletics director describes how he handles things.

“Most of the parents are supportive once it is clear that the coach is in charge of the team. When a parent calls me about ‘the team’ I always tell them – ‘I will talk about anything except playing time or coaching style’. In most cases that eliminates a majority of the issues. Of course, some of them do not care about the team, it's all about their kid. When I do meet with a parent, most of the issues revolve around ‘unrealistic expectations for their child’. The days of an athlete coming to high school and playing at the freshmen level as freshmen, JV as a sophomore, making varsity as a junior and then starting varsity as a senior, are long gone. Every kid is an all-star before they come to high school and some parents believe it is often the coach's fault the kid is not playing at the highest level - even as a freshmen. Some sports are worse than others; soccer, baseball and softball rank the highest in problems on my end. In sum, most parents are fine to deal with, but I make certain I keep the conversations with all parents to a minimum.”

There were a few coaches who responded to our requests for contributions with specific compliments. All the coaches were promised anonymity but these two coaches insisted their names be used.

“The best parent I had,” Absegami’s Greg Goodwin said, “was the parent of the best player I ever coached in 26 years, Mike Booker (Tara's dad). He never asked me about stats or shots, it was always about the team. He was extremely supportive of all the players on the team and was more concerned with us winning than how many points or rebounds Tara had.”

“Luke Dillon played for me four years ago and his brother, Casey, for the last four,” said Jon Evans. “The two players NEVER missed or were late for a meeting, summer practice, bus departure, etc. Never once had a problem in the classroom or with attitude. Mother and father were incredibly supportive at every game, even while Casey was injured for two months this past year. Older brother Connor has been, without a doubt, the No. 1 Mainland basketball fan the last five years. Just an example of great parents – and a great family – from Mainland.”

This two-part series was not an effort to jump all over parents. Parents are great. None of us would be here without them. And all parents, even the ones who might create tensions and problems, believe they are looking out for their kids. Coaches need to take some responsibility, too. Possibly a pre-season meeting, as described here, could be helpful.

The purpose of this two-part discussion was to let coaches say things they might otherwise never get a chance to say. And to let parents read about the way it looks from the coach’s position. Coaches are teachers and were selected because of their experience and perceived abilities to direct a program. They want their program to be successful and will do what is necessary to achieve that. They will teach their team to play in a manner they believe gives the team the best chance for success. And they will use their players toward that same end. If a player can help the team, that player will play.

If anybody thinks there is something really wrong with a coach, their feelings should be passed on to a school administrator. But, under normal circumstances, it would seem the best thing a parent can do for his/her student-athlete is to teach the kid to play hard, take advantage of their opportunities and make the best of the situation.

When high school sports stops being fun, it stops being beneficial.