Wrapping up the "Year in Reviews"

Well, it’s 3 days after Christmas and I’m finally finishing the Fall Sports Reviews, so here is Girls Cross Country and Football.

The girl’s cross country team had a very successful 2006 campaign. Senior Isobel Graf and Junior Lindsey Setaro led the team all season long. Seniors Carly Clifton, Jackie Coleman, and Carole Spoth also helped solidify the rest of the pack. Seniors Ashley Horne, Jamie Mastroberti Amanda Sheppard, Junior Charlotte Scrivani and Sophomore Brittany Ryan rounded out the roster. Next year the Eagles will have a lot of big shoes to when Graf, Clifton, Coleman, and many of the other on this senior laden team graduate but Coach Clifton will be sure to have his girls ready for another competitive season in 2007.

The Eagles Football team saw something they had not seen in 4 years, a loss. But fortunately for them, they still saw the championship trophy at the end of the season. Their season record was 11-1, culminating in a 39-0 victory over Moorsetown for the Sectional title. Junior Pat Campbell led the team with 927 passing yards and 5 TD passes. Campbell also returns next year to give the team something they have not had in a while, a quarterback with a full year of experience under his belt. Senior David Dosil rushed for 1263 yards and 27 TDs. Sophomores Matt Martino and Chris Bunge both rushed for over 350 yards and proved in the Championship game that they are ready to shoulder the load next year. This year’s team mixed experience and youth nicely, and Coach Antonucci can expect another great season in ‘07.

Boy's Basketball scores 2nd win

The Middletown South High School South Boy's Basketball defeated the Manalapan Braves 52-50 in a close game on their home floor. Garret Thiel spread the ball amongst his teammates all game and hit an impressive 3-point shot at the buzzer at the end of the 3rd quarter. Brian Dudzinski got into foul trouble early and was forced to the bench for much longer than he, and Coach Cullen, would have liked. James Haley also had a good defensive game, but fouled out with about 2 minutes left in the game. Pete Clabby had another good game from the perimeter. Mike Roura played great defensively all game. The Eagles improve their record to 2-0 with a big matchup with Freehold Township Thursday.

MHSS Basketball Opening Night

Today’s' schedule worked out great. The Boy's varsity basketball game started at 5:30 PM at Middletown North and when it was over at around 6:45, it left enough time for the small group of South fans time to get back to the Girl's game without missing too much.

First, new Head Coach Kevin Cullen secured his first coaching win with a 39-36 victory at North. The Eagles had an 8 point lead going into the 4th Quarter, which they then extended to 12, but the Lions went on a 12-0 run to tie the game 36-36 with about 30 seconds left to go. Garret Thiel brought the ball up the floor and worked the clock. After a missed shot, Brian Dudzinski rebounded the ball and put it back with 10 seconds left, to give South a 2 point lead. Mike Roura stole the ensuing inbound pass and dished it off to Thiel, who was fouled. Thiel put in 1 of 2 free throws to make the score 39-36. The desperation shot by North was well short leaving the Eagles with a big road win, and a record of 1-0. Dudzinski led the Eagles with 13 points and 9 rebounds. Peter Clabby had a great game from the perimeter and Thiel passed the ball efficiently. Matt Callori had 7 points and a few key defensive plays in the first varsity game of his career. Roura, Clabby and Thiel all had great games defensively.

The Girl's team dominated the entire game. Winning by a score of 69-28, they shut the Lions down defensively and scored almost at will. An important note from the game is the status of Jill Gannon, who injured her ankle in the 2nd half. She had to be helped off the court by Coach Tom Brennan. The defending A-North Division Champions have a record of 1-0.

2006 Boys XC

I only have two more of these to write after this one so I'll try to get them done ASAP.

The Boy's Cross Country team, led by Coach Victor Bayers finished this season with a 5-2 dual meet record, with their only losses to Christian Brother’s Academy and Colts Neck. The team also did extremely well in their invitationals; a 4th place finish in Passaic County Coaches, 7th place in Shore Coaches, 5th in the Monmouth County Championships, 10th place at the Manhattan Invitational in Van Cortland Park, and a 9th place finish in the Shore Conference Championships in Ocean county Park. The Eagles also had a great showing at the NJSIAA North 2 Group 3 State Championships at Warinanco Park, coming in 3rd place. At the Group 3 Championships at Holmdel Park, South’s team was uncharacteristically spread out, but they still finished in an impressive 10th place despite a very competitive field.

Senior Pat Montalbano, whose best time was 17:29, led this year’s team as their number 1 runner. Rob George helped anchor the pack in a great senior year while Brian Miller lettered for the first time after a great ending to a career that was riddled with injuries. Sophomore Jay Malejki built off his great freshman season, finishing in the 2nd or 3rd place most races. Junior John Healy got stronger as the season went on to set himself up for a great senior year. Sophomore Jim Geant had a solid season earning himself his first varsity letter. 4-year letterman Anthony Garrido only ran 7 races because of a hip injury but was great at encouraging the team from the sidelines. Junior David Leipa had a very consistent season for the Eagles, usually finishing 6th or 7th for the team in his first year as a cross country runner. Also a first time XC runner, sophomore Conner Givens had a great 2nd half of the season to letter. Junior Dane Couch was injured during the beginning of the season but worked hard all season to lower his times.

South will have to replace Montalbano, George, Miller ,and Garrido, not only their performances, but also their leadership. Malejki, Healy, Geant, Givens, Leipa, and Couch will look to fill the big shoes left behind.

Middletown South Football: 2006 Champions

When the Middletown South Football team drove up the New Jersey Turnpike to Rutgers Stadium in Piscataway, they were looking for their 4th consecutive sectional championship and 5th in 6 years.

In short, they got what they were looking for.

Middletown South dominated the game from coin toss to final gun. Quarterback Pat Campbell threw 2 touchdown passes and ran for another. Dayon Lane intercepted two passes, returning one for a touchdown and adding another on a reception from Campbell.

Senior running back David Dosil, who has played varsity all 4 years of high school, was injured reinjured his right ankle midway through the 2nd quarter and was unable to return. Senior Brian Meeker and Sophomores Chris Bunge and Matt Martino helped pick up the slack. Bunge ran for 150 yards while Meeker and Martino earned tough yardage up the middle.

The Eagles defense allowed the Moorsetown Quakers only 70 yards of total offense and no first downs until late in the 3rd quarter. They forced three turnovers on the game, the two interceptions by Lane and a fumble recovery.

The Middletown South Eagles finish their season with an 11-1 record and a Central Jersey Group 3 Championship Crown with the 39-0 victory.

MHSS Hockey Wins on Opening Night

The Eagles hockey team secured a win in their opening game last night with a 3-1 victory over Wall Township. Jace Arliss scored a power-play goal in the 2nd period assisted by Lou Malvasi. Malvasi scored in the 3rd period to put South up 2-0. Brian Montanelli of Wall scored to bring the game within 1 but goalie Tim Jaeger shut out the Knights from there on out. Malvasi added his second goal of the night with 10 seconds left when Wall pulled is goalie to bring in an extra attacker.

Today at 2:00 PM the South Football team will play Moorestown at Rutgers Stadium in Piscataway. I'll have results of that game as soon as I can.