HIGH CALLORI DIET: EAGLES BIG MAN LEADS TEAM TO SEMI-FINALS

A career night from Matt Callori propelled the Eagles into the semi-finals of the Central Jersey Group III with a 52-36win over Freehold Boro. The win, according to head coach Kevin Cullen, was the first playoff win for the program since 2001.

Callori scored 8 points in the third quarter to help the Eagles finally pull away from the Colonials after a highly contested first half.

The Eagles were on fire from the perimeter early in the game, with Pete Clabby and Garret Thiel knocking down several three-pointers and jump shots in the first period.

Despite this, South led only 15-11 at the end of the first. The Eagles extended their lead slightly until about midway through the quarter, when Freehold grabbed the momentum.

The Colonials forced several turnovers which led to fast break opportunities but several missed lay-ups cost them a chance at the lead. A three point shot at the end of the half brought them within three points, 23-20.

This is where Callori took over. He was wide open several times after setting screens and knocked down easy jump shots from the short corners. He finished with 17 points, along with 5 rebounds.

Freehold tried to make a late push at the end of the game, but the Eagles made enough of their free throws to put the game out of reach.

The two players who are usually the leading scorers for South, Thiel and Kyle Cancillieri, were by no means absent. They both netted 12 points and Cancillieri pulled down 8 rebounds.

Brandon Carter led the Colonials with a team-high 15 points in the final high school game of his career. Teammate Lance McKenzie added 9 points in the loss.

The Eagles will get a chance at revenge on Saturday as they host Red Bank Regional, the team that defeated South in the first round of the Shore Conference Tournament two weeks ago. The game will be at 7 p.m. at South and the winner will go on to the Central Jersey Group III championship game.

EAGLES RIDE DEFENSE TO STATE PLAYOFF VICTORY

A strong third quarter showing by Middletown South gave the Eagles a win over Nottingham in the quarter-finals of the Central Jersey Group III, 39-33.

The game was a defensive battle throughout, with both teams playing zones for large periods of time and not allowing many offensive rebounds.

Nottingham held the lead at the end of the first half 19-16, but the game was still up for grabs.

The teams continued to halt each other’s offenses during the third quarter and a fee throws by the North Stars’s Brianna Lucas at the end of the third period gave Nottingham a one point advantage, 26-25, as the teams headed into the final eight minutes of play.

Still in their zone defense, the Eagles sat and watched as the North Stars crossed the half-court line for the first possession of the final period. But as they crossed the timeline, the Nottingham point guard stood their and let the seconds tick away off the clock.

After almost burning two minutes of time, Danielle Pankey sprinted towards the ball. After a couple of quick passes by the North Stars, Pankey stole the ball at the high post.

Pankey pushed the ball up the floor and found teammate Megan McGuiness in the corner for a three-pointer, and the lead, which the Eagles would never give back.

On the ensuing possession, McGuiness blocked a pull-up jump shot attempt and drove down the floor for a lay-up.From there, South’s defense took over. The Eagles held Nottingham scoreless until there was just 1:55 left in the game and after South had built up a substantial lead.

Shawna Hagen was the leading scorer with 11 points, while Pankey netted 9 of her own after coming off a stretch where she scored 60 points in her last two games.

SEMI-FINALS FOR BOTH EAGLES BASKETBALL TEAM

The girl's basketball team defeated Nottingham 39-33 tonight and advance to play at Freehold Boro on Saturday in the semi-finals.

The boys defeated Freehold Boro 52-36 and will get a shot at revenge when RBR comes into South once again for a semi-final matchup on Saturday night at 7 p.m.

I'll have stories on the games later on tonight. For news on the other games around the Shore, go to ShoreConferenceSports.com.

BASKETBALL DOUBLE HEADER

Tonight, both the girls and boys basketball teams play in the second round of the state tournament. The girls game against Hamilton North tips off at 5 p.m. while the boys team faces Freehold Boro at 7 p.m. Both games will be in the bigger gym.

PANKEY POWERS EAGLES TO VICTORY

Danielle Pankey's 27 points led the Eagles over Westampton Tech 60-45in the first round of the Central Jersey Group III tournament.

Jill Gannon added 17 points to continue South's season, as they willplay at home on Thursday in the second round.

The Eagles went out ahead early, scoring on several fast-break andsecond-chance opportunities, to take a 14-6 lead at the end of thefirst quarter.

The two teams played an aggressive, fast-paced second quarter, whichended on a breakaway lay-up by the Panthers.

South came out in the third quarter ready to put Westampton away andsucceeded in extending the lead to 14 by the end of the quarter, witha 48-34 advantage.

Clutch free throws down the stretch from Pankey and Megan McGuinessclosed the door on the Panthers and ensured the Eagles of theirvictory.

RBR UPSETS EAGLES IN SCT

A second-half run by Red Bank Regional, helped by 17 points by Matt Pebole after halftime, gave the Buccaneers a 45-33 upset victory over the number seven seed, Middletown South.

The Eagles were without Garret Thiel for the entire second half after he came out of the game mid way through the second quarter with an ankle injury, and finished with only 3 points.

South was intense early and, thanks to Matt Callori’s 6 points in the first quarter, held a 10-6 advantage at the end of the first quarter. The Eagles were able to fight on even with their point guard at the end of the second quarter and extend their lead to 20-14 at the half.

The Buccaneers quickness and aggressiveness won out in the second half with RBR winning the third quarter 12-5 to go up by one point going into the final period.

More clutch shots from Peoble and turnovers by South led to the Bucs extending their lead to 11 late, and were able to kill the clock effectively for the 12 point win.

Pebole finished with a game-high 18 points, while Will Sanborn netted 14 despite a quiet second half. Matt Callori recorded a double double with a team-high 10 points and 12 rebounds.

Red Bank Regional plays second seeded Monsignor Donovan on Sunday afternoon at Brookdale Community College in the quarterfinal round.

Unfortunately, the girls team also lost in their SCT game to Howell. Both the boys and girls teams will continue playing, as the NJSIAA Central Jersey Group 3 starts at the end of the month.

Also, this was the Pep Band's last performance of the year, as they are not allowed to play during state tournaments. They played at every home basketball game this season, playing during timeouts and quarter/halftime breaks, and provided a lot of energy to the gym every night.

PANKEY'S CAREER-HIGH 33 POINTS LEAD MIDDLETOWN SOUTH OVER BRICK MEMORIAL IN THE FIRST ROUND OF THE SCT

A 33-point explosion from Middletown South's Danielle Pankey helped the Eagles fight off an upset bid from Brick Memorial in an exciting 65-58 win in the first round of the Shore Conference Tournament.

The Eagles were without Jill Gannon for the game, and Pankey stepped up in a big way to score more than half her team's points.

Pankey came up clutch in the fourth quarter, scoring on a 3-point play with 3:50 left in the game. Then two key free throws gave South a 61-55 lead with 1:15 left on the clock.

Brick Memorial came out on fire, hungry for the upset victory. The Mustangs were leading 10-4 early, but the Eagles came alive a few minutes in and went on a 7-0 run to take an 11-10 lead. South held a 17-16 advantage at the end of the first period.

The Eagles and Mustangs played evenly in the second quarter. At the end of the quarter, a steal by the Eagles turned into a fast break lay-up opportunity for Pankey, but she was fouled at the very end of the half. After initially calling a shooting foul, the referees changed the call and said there was no foul and the half was over. After a lengthy discussion with the officials, head coach Tom Brennan and his team went into the locker room with a 33-29 lead.

The two teams continued to play a close game throughout the second half, with the third quarter ending on a Kerry Kinsella put-back lay-up to give South a 42-39 lead heading into the final quarter.

Megan McGuiness added 9 points for the Eagles, while Annie McCarthy and Bethany Butka scored 13 and 10, respectively for Brick Memorial. Middletown South advances to the next round of the Shore Conference Tournament to play at Howell on Friday at 4 p.m.

LADY EAGLES #11 IN SCT; WILL HOST BRICK MEMORIAL

The girl's bracket was released just minutes ago and the Middletown South girl's were awarded the number 11 seed in the Shore Conference Tournament and will host Brick Memorial in the first round. I am not certain, but I believe that this game will take place on Wednesday night at 6:30 PM.

EAGLES CLAIM 7 SEED IN SCT; SET TO PLAY RBR

When the bracket for the Shore Conference Tournament came out this afternoon, the boys basketball team had been placed in the seventh seed, with a first round bye. They will play Red Bank Regional High School, the 10 seed. This game will be played at South, and I believe it will be Friday night at 6:30 PM.

The girl's results will be announced later and I will get them to you as soon as I find out.

JUNIOR DOMINATES ON SENIOR NIGHT

Jill Gannon, Shawna Hagen, Paula Lopez and Vanessa Ward were honored during Senior Night before the Eagles 56-37 win over Toms River North, but it was junior Danielle Pankey who stole the show.

Pankey’s 24 points paced South to their second straight non-divisional win.

The Mariners of TR North were able to stay within five points at the end of the first quarter, with the score at 16-11. But the Eagles came out in the second quarter and pulled away on a three pointer from Gannon, and a stolen inbounds pass for a lay-up by Pankey, and they never looked back, going into halftime with a 30-18 advantage.

Things got even better for the Eagles in the third quarter, holding TR North to 6 points, while scoring 12, including a buzzer beater by Taylor McFarland, coming off a screen set by Lopez.

Head coach Tom Brennan was able to get all of his seniors into the game for one last time in the fourth to put away the 19 point win.

To go along with Pankey’s 24 points, Jill Gannon scored 12 points in her last regular season home game. The Mariners’ Dana Coranado scored a team-high 10 points, while teammate Adrian hunter netter nine.

The Lady Eagles take a record of 13-5 into the Shore Conference Tournament seeding meeting. South has already been seeded number four in the NJSIAA Central Jersey Group III bracket.

I have discovered that I can upload video to my blog now, and I actually have a video for you. Press play below for the buzzer beater shot by Taylor McFarland at the end of the third quarter.

EAGLES IMPROVE PLAYOFF POSITION WITH WIN OVER TR NORTH

For yet another game, the Eagles rebounded from an early deficit to come back and beat Toms River North 41-39.

TR North took an early lead thanks to the outside shooting of Steve Nyisztor, who hit two three-pointers in opening period. A quick bucket at the end of the half gave the Mariners a 19-14 advantage.

Middletown South picked up their play in the second half and was able to climb closer as the third period ended. After taking the lead in the fourth, key free throws by Garret Thiel, Kyle Cancilleiri, and Pete Clabby, helped South put the game away.

Nyisztor finished with a game high 19 points, leading the Mariners. Thiel paced the Eagles with 16 points and 7 boards. Matt Callori netted 13 points, as well as grabbing 6 rebounds. Cancilleiri may have only scored 9 points, but was a huge presence on the glass with 10 rebounds.

The Eagles and Mariners both wait for the Shore Conference Tournament Seeding Meeting, which will take place Sunday night. South takes a record of 18-5 and impressive road wins over CBA and Colts Neck into the meeting. Also on their tournament resume is this win over TR North, and the Bayshore Holiday Tournament Championship.

When the NJSIAA Central Jersey Group III Brackets were released earlier this evening, the boys team recieved the number 1 seed and a first round round bye. The girls bracket showed the Lady Eagles with the 4 seed and preliminary round match up with BCIT Westampton, the 13 seed, on February 26.

HUGE THIRD QUARTER HELPS EAGLES TO VICTORY

Rebounding from a lackluster first half, the Eagles scored 22 points in the third quarter to help them defeat cross-town foe Mater Dei, 46-31.

It was a slow game in the first half, with a 19-10 Eagles advantage at halftime. South cam out on fire offensively in the third quarter thanks to the guard combination of Garret Thiel and Pete Clabby, and went on a 22-7 run in the quarter.

The starters were able to get some rest in the fourth quarter and let their teammates finish off the win.

Thiel led all scorers with 18, while Clabby knocked down 11. Mater Dei’s Chris Jeter scored all of his team-high 14 points in the fourth quarter. Mike Gallo chipped in 7 while Glen Holk netted 6 points.

The Eagles will host Toms River North, who holds a 17-3 record. The game will be a key game for both teams for seeding purposes in the Shore Conference Tournament. When these two teams met last year, Thiel's three-point buzzer beater gave the Eagles a one point victory.

DISTANCE TRACK TEAM SETS RECORD

During the NY Varsity Classic in New York City on Monday evening, the boys 4x800 meter relay team set a new school indoor track record with a time of 8:17. John Healy, Rob Dill, Dave Liepa, and Shaun McGeever worked together to break the previous mark of 8:21, which was set during the 1996-1997 season.

EAGLES COME UP SHORT AGAINST COLTS NECK

The Eagle of Middletown South fought back from an 11 point deficit, but were unable to overcome Steve Spinella, Mitchell Kates, and the Colts Neck Cougars in a 50-49 loss. Check here for video highlights and Scott Stump's story.

The girl's team was also defeated by Colts Neck in a close matchup with the Cougars winning 43-41.

The boys track team ran today, and I'll hope to have those results later on.

EAGLES FIGHT OFF UPSET BID FROM RARITAN

Garret Thiel and Peter Clabby both scored over 20 points to help theEagles squeak by Raritan in overtime, 57-52.
Middletown South started out with the lead, 11-6 at the end of thefirst, in large part to Thiel's 7 points in the opening quarter. TheEagles and Rockets played to an 8-8 tie in the second, leaving thescore 19-14 at halftime.
Raritan came out in the third quarter and was able to hold South'soffense to only 7 points while scoring 15 and came out of the thirdquarter with a 29-26 advantage. The Eagles were able to tie the gamelate and Raritan had the ball with 15 seconds left in regulation.
Thiel stole the ball just after Bennet Jackson crossed halfcourt andwent towards the Raritan basket as time was winding down. A Raritandefender was able to beat Thiel down the floor and get between him andthe basket. Thiel went up for a lay-up and drew contact, but no foulwas called.
In overtime, the Eagles went ahead early and were able to hold off theRockets thanks to a combined 11 points from Clabby and Thiel.
Thiel went 8 of 9 from the charity strike in the fourth quarter andovertime, and finished with a team-high 23 points. Clabby netted 21points, 13 of them in those final two periods. Raritan guard CoreyHahn contributed a game-high 24 points in the Rockets loss.