EAGLES BASKETBALL EARNS POSTSEASON AWARDS

Scott Stump released his post-season All-Star teams and final top ten yesterday, and Middletown South was well represented. On the boys side, head coach Kevin Cullen won the 2007-2008 Coach of the Year, while senior guard Garret Thiel was named to First Team All-Shore. Sophomore Kyle Cancillieri was named Third Team All-Shore. In the final Top 10, the Eagles were ranked second behind Neptune, the team they defeated in the Central Jersey Group III Championship game. Thiel was unable to play in the Shore Conference Boys Senior All-Star Game, but was still present as the North fell to the South 114-110. Cullen was also on the coaching staff for the North squad.

On the girls side, junior Danielle Pankey received Honorable Mention in the All-Shore selections. At the Shore Conference Girls Senior All-Star Game, Jill Gannon and Shawna Hagen were on the North side, which routed the South team 115-83. Gannon and Hagen both scored 13 points to contribute to the victory.

DUDZINSKI PICKS UP FIRST COLLEGIATE WIN FOR PIRATES

Former Middletown South pitcher Brian Dudzinski pitched his first game for the Seton Hall Pirates on Wednesday against Army. He pitched three innings of no-hit ball coming out of the bullpen to pick up his first win of the season. Dudzinski entered with a runner of second base with the Pirates in the fourth inning and was able to strand the runner. Seton Hall came back to score 13 unanswered runs after that and Dudzinski picked up the win. His final line was 3 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K. The Pirates head to Tampa to play South Florida this weekend.

LADY EAGLES HAVE SUCCESSFUL "REBUILDING" YEAR

After losing many seniors to graduation last year, many thought that the Middletown South girls basketball team would not be as successful and suffer through the dreaded rebuilding season. The Eagles proved people wrong, however, as they compiled a 16-8 record. They were not able to win their third straight A-North Divisional Title, finishing third behind strong Colts Neck and Howell teams. The Eagles will obviously lose players after this year as well, and they include Jill Gannon and Shawna Hagen. Gannon was the inspirational story this year, coming back from a horrific head injury last year, but was far more than that. She was a team captain and averaged just over 11 points a game. She was an important key to the team's defense and will be missed. Hagen was huge on the both the offensive and defensive glass while also averaging 7.7 points per game. Their leading scorer Danielle Pankey, who averaged 16.6 points this season, will be returning next year. The Eagles will have several young players in the fold for next year's squad including: Kelly Scheur, point guard Taylor McFarland, Kerry Healy, Megan McGuiness, and Kerry Kinsella.

EAGLES RUN ENDS AT GROUP SEMIS

Last night the Eagles lost to a quick, athletic Timber Creek team by a score of 58-32, but that will be a mere footnote in the story of this amazing year. This season, the Eagles their first Sectional Championship since 1979, and won 21 games, more than the last three years combined. The team battled through injuries, illnesses, and an unforgiving Class A-North schedule to have one of the best seasons in school history. Senior Garret Thiel and Peter Clabby have now finished their careers and South, where they were instrumental to the resurgence of the boys basketball program. Thiel has been a three-year starter and been the team's unquestioned leader on the floor. He may not have put up gaudy numbers, but was the heart and soul of the team. Thiel's ability to control the floor and handle pressure were huge during South's playoff run. Also, he showed his perseverance by playing and through the NJSIAA tournament with a badly sprained ankle, and still contributing to the team. Clabby was Mr. Consistency for the past two years. He was a team leader on the floor, and often came up with clutch three-pointers just when the team needed them. Clabby was the silent superstar, who did not always get the coverage and accolades he deserved.
Even with their two starting guards leaving after this season, the Eagles will not be a "one-and-done" team. They will have their entire frontcourt returning next year. Kyle Canilleiri was one of the best players in the Shore this year and will only improve during his junior season. Matt Callori developed into another offensive threat during the playoffs, showing his ability to hit the outside jumpshot and three-pointers while also being able to use his size down low. Will Low is a solid finisher at the basket and a huge asset in the rebounding department. Other players that saw major minutes during the season include: Steve Gisondi, who is a tough defender and a solid ball-handler, Rob Callori who can hit a three pointer from about anywhere on the court, and Brian Clabby who showed this season that he is an offensive, defensive and rebounding threat.

IMPORTANT TICKET INFORMATION FOR BOYS BASKETBALL GAME

Tickets for Middletown South's game WILL NOT be sold at the door. You must buy tickets at Middletown South in the nurse's office between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m. Also there will not be a fan bus for the game again so you can click on this link for directions to Winslow Township High School.

EAGLES ARE CHAMPIONS

The boys basketball team brought home the Central Jersey Group III title with a 45-33 victory over Neptune. This is the team's first sectional title since 1979. Matt Callori's 17 points led the Eagles while Kyle Cancilleiri added 11. Click here for Scott Stump's story and video highlights. The Eagles play on Thursday night at 7 p.m. at Winslow Township High School.

BRING ON NEPTUNE

The Eagles overcame a 10-point defecit at halftime to beat Red Bank Regional 61-47 in the Central Jersey Group III semi-finals. South will take on Neptune in the finals.

Click here for Scott Stump's story and video highlights, including an interview with Garret Thiel.

On the girls side, the Lady Eagles fell to number one seed Freehold Boro on the road 71-58 in the CJ Group III semi-final.