Sports

Underdog coach a perfect fit for underdog team

cmcgazettesports@yahoo.com (Brian Cunniff) — Thu, 23 May 2013 00:34:25 +0000

Frank Vogel had dreams of becoming a Division I college basketball coach, hoping to someday lead a team into the Final Four.

Vogel never did get a job leading a college team. But he is in the Final Four.

By the time you read this, Game 1 of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals will have already been played.

In case you’ve been living under a rock, or, if you’re from out of the area and here for Memorial Day weekend, Vogel is the Wildwood Crest native and Wildwood High School graduate who is the head coach of the Indiana Pacers.

Spinning out some two-wheeled action at EHT BMX

bill.leconey@shorenewstoday.com (Bill LeConey ) — Wed, 22 May 2013 19:42:36 +0000

EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP - The only time you’ll ever sit at a BMX track is the minute or so spent on the bicycle during a race.

And that is an action-packed minute, with spins and jumps and a rhythm section that will make your teeth clatter.

There was plenty of excitement at EHT BMX last Saturday, May 18, as the track hosted a Redline Cup qualifier for bikers young and old from all over the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions.

Scoring milestones for LCMR lacrosse pair

cmcgazettesports@yahoo.com (Brian Cunniff) — Wed, 22 May 2013 16:44:33 +0000

Lindsay Lare was treated to dinner Tuesday evening by her parents for her 18^th birthday.

The family had a lot more than just a birthday to celebrate, however.

Lare netted the 200^th goal of her career when she scored for the eighth and final time in a 15-8 win over Oakcrest that afternoon.

“I really couldn’t ask for a better birthday,” Lare beamed.

Lare, who is headed to Division II University of New Haven to play lacrosse next scholastic year on a partial scholarship, has been one of the top players in the Cape-Atlantic League for the past few seasons. She’s just the fourth girls lacrosse player in county history to reach 200 career goals, joining current Ocean City star Tess Solazzo, who had 314 through early this week, and 2011 Middle Township graduates Grace Adelizzi (261) and Kelsey McCusker (214).

“I think it’s a privilege,” Lare said of reaching 200 goals. “I know it’s a huge milestone. I hope I can continue to be just as successful in college.”

Middle golfers finish 3rd straight unbeaten season

cmcgazettesports@yahoo.com (Brian Cunniff) — Wed, 22 May 2013 01:38:07 +0000

Middle Township’s golf team finished off another successful season this week.

The Panthers participated in the Tournament of Champions for the third straight year, finishing fourth in Monday’s event at Hopewell Valley Golf Club.

Sophomore David Hicks was among the tournament’s top scorers, finishing at 75 after shooting a 1-under-par 35 on the front nine. His score was good for fourth in Group II and 15^th overall out of 132 golfers.

Senior Kevin O’Donnell added an 82 and senior John Longstreet carded a 91.

Meyer leads Cedar Creek to playoff win over Manchester

mschultz@shorenewstoday.com (Mike Schultz) — Wed, 22 May 2013 01:16:32 +0000

EGG HARBOR CITY - The fourth-seeded Cedar Creek Lady Pirates defeated No. 13 Manchester Township 11-1 on Tuesday in the opening round of the NJSIAA South Group II state playoffs.

Cedar Creek scored four runs in the first inning, three runs in the third inning and four in the sixth to earn the victory.

Schwartz makes Middle's lone hit count in playoff win over LCM

cmcgazettesports@yahoo.com (Brian Cunniff) — Mon, 20 May 2013 23:40:53 +0000

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CAPE MAY COURT HOUSE – Doug Schwartz made his team’s only hit of the game count.

Schwartz’s hard-hit single to right center scored Chris Dougherty from third base with the winning run as the Middle Township High School baseball team edged rival Lower Cape May, 2-1, in eight innings in a first-round South Jersey Group II playoff game Monday afternoon.

“We had the perfect guy up at the perfect time,” said Middle coach Chuck Dougherty.

Fifth-seeded Middle (18-7), which set a program record for victories in a season with the win, moves on to play at fourth-seeded Cinnaminson in the second round on Friday. Cinnaminson beat No. 13 Barnegat, 4-3, on Monday.

In the decisive bottom of the eighth inning, Dougherty and Steve Hand were issued back-to-back walks to start the inning and were moved to second and third base on a sacrifice bunt by Eric Arenberg. Up stepped Schwartz, who roped his 46^th hit of the season into right center by connecting on a chest-high fastball.

Middle got the win despite being overpowered for most of the game by Lower starter Josh Pennington, who used a dominating fastball and a handful of good off-speed pitches to strike out 13 Middle hitters while allowing zero hits through seven innings. But Pennington, who endured a shoulder injury earlier in the season, was lifted after seven innings and 114 pitches.

Egg Harbor Township beats Howell to advance in playoffs

bill.leconey@shorenewstoday.com (Bill LeConey ) — Sun, 19 May 2013 03:43:50 +0000

EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP – Sal Avellino used the “Canadian Switch” to propel the Egg Harbor Township High School boys lacrosse team to the biggest win in program history.

Avellino scored the game-winning goal with 44 seconds left as the Eagles beat Howell, 6-5, in a first-round NJSIAA South Group IV playoff game at EHT. It was the first playoff victory in the six-year history of the varsity program.

Oakcrest boys lacrosse notches first playoff victory

bill.leconey@shorenewstoday.com (Bill LeConey ) — Sat, 18 May 2013 14:25:22 +0000

MAYS LANDING – The Oakcrest High School Falcons struck a blow not only for themselves but for South Jersey shore-area lacrosse Friday with a playoff victory over Red Bank.

Jon Mitchell scored three goals and had two assists, and Nick Verzicco made 23 saves as the Falcons rallied for the 10-8 win in a first-round NJSIAA South Group II playoff game. Chris Heitzer, Blake Biren and Lou Parks each added two goals, and Danny Smith scored the go-ahead goal early in the fourth quarter.

EHT athletes shine at home, Clark brothers fly at CAL championships

bill.leconey@shorenewstoday.com (Bill LeConey ) — Fri, 17 May 2013 03:25:53 +0000

EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP - The Egg Harbor Township High School girls relay teams capped off an impressive day for the host Eagles at the Cape-Atlantic League Championships Thursday at EHT.

The EHT girls won both the 4x400 and 4x800 relays, beating Millville both times. The 400 relay of Ashley Gerald, Zahara James, Juliann Brand and Cassidy Treanor finished in 4:00.03, edging Millville by .66 seconds, while the 800 team of Abigail Shafer, Morgan Shick, Julianna Catania and Juliann Brand won their race by 13 seconds.

Pleasantville’s middle distance stars, Isaac and Jacob Clark, finished 1-2 in the 800, with Isaac edging out his twin brother by three-tenths of a second. Isaac Clark's time of 1:50.27 is No. 1 in the state this spring and No. 4 in the country. Jacob's time of 1:50.30 is No. 2 in the state.

Oakcrest crew teams headed to Nationals

bill.leconey@shorenewstoday.com (Charlie Pritchard) — Thu, 16 May 2013 19:37:43 +0000

The Scholastic Rowing Association of America National Championship Regatta will take place at the Cooper River Park in Camden next week on May 24 and 25. Four boats, and possibly five, from Oakcrest High School will be going.

Two women’s teams and two men’s teams qualified at the Garden State Championships two weeks ago. For the women, the qualifiers were lightweight four and the junior eight. The men’s qualifiers were the lightweight eight and the junior four.

Absegami notebook: DellaVecchia, Khalid pace track team to third place at counties

jodee.clifford@catamaranmedia.com (Staff Reports) — Thu, 16 May 2013 19:21:11 +0000

Absegami High School track and field standouts Nick DellaVecchia and Salman Khalid raced to victory at the Atlantic County Championships on May 9 at Buena Regional.

DellaVecchia placed first in the 400-meter hurdles with a time of 56.43 seconds. Khalid won the 3,200 in 9:38.1, and he was second in the 1,600.

NJSIAA playoff seedings announced for baseball, softball

bill.leconey@shorenewstoday.com (Bill LeConey ) — Thu, 16 May 2013 17:31:52 +0000

The NJSIAA announced playoff seedings for its state tournaments in high school baseball and softball. Several area teams were selected for the tournaments. Games begin Monday, May 20, for baseball, May 21 for softball.

In South Group IV baseball, Egg Harbor Township is the 10^th seed and plays at No. 7 Lenape in the first round. Absegami is the 13^th seed and plays at No. 4 Williamstown. Atlantic City is the 15^th seed and plays at Vineland (2).

COLUMN >> The athletes who establish the standards

primeevents@prodigy.net (Tom Williams) — Thu, 16 May 2013 04:00:00 +0000

Last Thursday (5/9/13) was a pretty special day in Ocean City High School sports history.

At the Tennessee Avenue Complex behind the municipal golf course, senior Tess Solazzo became the first Cape-Atlantic League girls lacrosse player to score 300 or more goals in her career. Only three others have done it in South Jersey history. She enters this week’s Wednesday game against Egg Harbor Township with 99 goals this season, a school record.

Ocean City youth football registration begins on Monday

brigitta.scott@catamedia.com (Staff Reports) — Thu, 16 May 2013 04:00:00 +0000

The Ocean City Junior Raiders Football Association is holding its football and cheerleading registration beginning Monday. The registration will continue on Tuesday and Wednesday at the Eighth Street Recreation complex from 5pm to 8pm each night. Registration is open to those in kindergarten through eighth grade. No prior experience is necessary. The Junior Raiders compete in the Atlantic County Youth Football League, which is a weighted league. Practice starts at the end of July and the season runs from early September to early November.

Redline Cup qualifier this weekend at EHT BMX

jodee.clifford@catamaranmedia.com (Staff Reports) — Wed, 15 May 2013 20:16:00 +0000

It’s a big weekend for the competitive sport of bicycle motocross (or BMX) racing out at EHT BMX in Egg Harbor Township.

EHT BMX will be hosting a Redline Cup qualifier on Saturday, May 18, in which bikers from all over the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic region will attempt to qualify for the Redline Cup East Finals, to be held in Winston Salem, N.C., in October.