Delran High School Class of 1994 Alum Articles

Putting Prose In The Mouths Of His Students

Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20150915092215/http://articles.philly.com/1987-03-15/news/26223280_1_guest-speaker-poems-soup

By Connie O'Kane, Special to The Inquirer

Posted: March 15, 1987

The guest speaker at the Cambridge School in Delran had a question for members of the fifth-grade class: What had they been doing just before he came in?

"Classwork," they said.

"Was anyone daydreaming?" asked the speaker.

A couple of hands went up, but most of the class kept silent. (These youngsters weren't born yesterday - more like 11 years ago.)

"I'm glad some of you were daydreaming," said the speaker. "And now you can turn the switch - the daydream switch. You can daydream all through what I'm doing."

This was not an ordinary speaker, the children were discovering. He was a poet.

Daniel Lusk, 42, is part of the poet-in-residence program. He was hired, using money from a state grant, to teach at the school for a week and to help pupils love words. By the end of the week, the children's poems were due to be published.

Lusk began with alliteration.

Devin Marden, 10, took up the lesson with gusto, reciting "The Soup That Sounds Silly."

Devin's work, in homage to the letter S, goes: "Soup sounds so slurpy on a spoon, so I suggest soup should not be sold at a supermarket because it sounds so sloppy. Soup sits staying up, so don't be silly. Soup can't stay sitting up so long or the soup should go stale."

After a few alliteration exercises, the students were working on actual poetry.

Once they were warmed up, the fifth-graders were pumping out all manner of verse. Hulk Hogan was the muse that spawned one poem; the Phillies were the inspiration for another.

For Pat Duff, 11, the exercise meant recounting an unusual episode:

In the huge horizon

What did I see?

A fat funny man

Looking down at me.

So I said, would you please move?

He said, "Shut up, before I sit on you."

I said try it, you fat, funny man.

So he tried it. So I tripped him."

While they scribbled away, Lusk quietly paced the aisles, sprinkling soft- spoken words of encouragement.

"Why not?" he said to Richard Gibson, when the 11-year-old balked at a line. "Who said you have to make sense?"

If Lusk had any message, it was that: The poems didn't have to make sense.

"You're ridiculous," he told the class after a round of reading out loud. ''And you know that. And I'm glad. And you know that, too."

Grownup poets can be a lot like children, Lusk told the class.

"I know how it feels when you first finish something and just don't want to read it," said Lusk.

Jimmy Haines, 11, knew how it felt, too, at least judging from the hearty, ''No way!" that he bellowed when asked to read his poem, "The Blue Moonlight."

Yet a few moments later, Jimmy reconsidered and read.

The lake's water was bright

because the blue moonlight was

shining on it while

the stars twinkled in the light.

And the trees howled in the wind.

At the end of last week, Lusk was to have made up an anthology that would include poems the children had written during the week.

A Lambertville resident, Lusk, 47, has been participating in various poetry-in-residence programs for 15 years. He also does the newsletters and other publications for the Solebury School in New Hope, Pa.

He's written two small volumes of poetry, Wild Onions and Doors, as well as a novel, O, Rosie, and a book called Homemade Poems, which tells teachers how to use poetry in the classroom.

"Most of their schoolwork teaches them (pupils) to think reasonably, to learn correctly, to remember right answers," he said. "So what I'm really trying to do is get them to use the other part of their brain, so they can work more intuitively and so they learn how to invent."

He said he wanted students to develop their sense of music and language, so they could learn to love words.

Lusk said he was especially taken with some of the children's poetry.

Second-grader Jennifer Christopoulus' poem was a standout, Lusk said.

The music is coming from a cemetery, and people are singing a song.

The name of the song is goodbye.

In fact, said Lusk, the quality of some of the young poets' work came as a revelation to their teachers.

"I had a workshop with teachers," he said. "They were surprised at the people I picked to read, because those were the kids who don't do well with language arts. And yet they were the best poets in the class."

For Coach, Soccer Not Just For Kicks

Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20150914163354/http://articles.philly.com/1987-07-05/news/26201625_1_soccer-teams-soccer-equipment-soccer-players

By Eddie Olsen, Inquirer Staff Writer

Posted: July 05, 1987

By the time Cris Errazuriz arrived, all the players had donned their jerseys and soccer shoes. They were ready to go to work.

Errazuriz wasted no time removing soccer equipment from the trunk of his car. He nodded toward his assistant coaches, Jim Garvey of Cinnaminson and Larry Urwiler of Delran, and his manager, Chuck Harrison of Delran.

"We're going to use the nets," Errazuriz announced.

Without a word, the men grabbed the bulky nets and trudged toward the goals to pull and stretch them into place.

The scene took place two weeks ago at a field owned by the New Jersey Public Service Electric and Gas Co. It's about 1,000 yards from the Delaware River in Burlington Township where two soccer teams, the Avengers 71s and the Avengers 75s, practice soccer nine months out of the year.

The field is well manicured even though it is engulfed by 10 towers supporting electric cables and signs that read, "Danger, High Voltage," while other signs caution, "Use Fields at Your Own Risk."

"The PSE&G people have been good to us," Errazuriz said. "They keep the grass mowed and the field cleared. I don't know what we would do without their help."

Errazuriz, 40, is in his third year as the Avengers' head coach. The Cherry Hill resident organized the club for serious, no-nonsense soccer players willing to give up such diversions as baseball, basketball and football. The Avengers is a year-round commitment, each team playing 120 games a year, not including out-of-state tournaments.

"Since we haven't been able to get a sponsor, each youngster must pay about $3,000 in expenses during the year," Errazuriz said.

As the nets were being stretched into place, Errazuriz strolled to the middle of the playing field. He paused and smiled.

"OK, everybody over," he said, simply.

There was no shouting, no yelling. Yet, there was an immediate response. Thirty athletes stampeded within seconds to surround the 6-foot-2 Errazuriz.

Sandi Camper of Willingboro stood on the sidelines and shook her head. Her 12-year-old son, Keith, plays on the Avengers 75s.

"I call him the eighth wonder of the world," she said, gesturing toward Errazuriz. "Such a remarkable soccer coach. Such a remarkable man. Tough. Firm. Yet gentle. They love that man like a father."

Another mother, Barbara Harrison of Delran, nodded in agreement.

Both of her sons, Gregory, 12, and Kevin, 16, are on the Avengers.

"He treats everyone the same," Harrison said. "If his own boys get out of line, he will scold them in the same manner as any other boy.

"But he is always quick to come back with praise, a loving concern. The boys all know that he is dedicated to them."

Beverly Molinaro of Cherry Hill, whose 12-year-old son, Joe, also plays for the Avengers, attempted to explain Errazuriz's relationship with his players.

"He knows when to be tough," she said. "But he has the kind of charisma and gentleness that his toughness never hurts anyone . . . the boys know he means business and that's enough."

The Avengers 71s, comprised of players who were born in 1971, won the 16- year-old New Jersey championship in May, defeating Hamilton, 3-0. The Avengers 75s, comprised of players who were born in 1975, won the 12-year-old state championship last November, defeating Green Tree, 5-0.

Such a double championship for South Jersey in soccer is unprecedented. Through the years, such North Jersey clubs as Union, Neptune and Mount Clair have dominated the state soccer playoffs. But not so this year.

In a sense, Craig Errazuriz, 12, and Cris Errazuriz, 16, both members of the Avengers, are responsible for encouraging their father's return to the sport of his childhood.

During the 1940s when the elder Cris Errazuriz was growing up in Santiago, Chile, he said his thoughts and activities were dominated by soccer.

"It's comparable to your own baseball here," Errazuriz said. "I remember going to the stadium every Friday, Saturday and Sunday to watch doubleheaders. Then, I'd go out and play soccer. Just like kids here play stickball."

When Errazuriz was 18 years old, however, he had an opportunity to attend the University of Texas at El Paso on an athletic scholarship. The scholarship was not for soccer because the university did not offer the sport at that time. The scholarship was in track and field because Errazuriz had distinguished himself in the high jump.

"I had a big decision to make and my education was riding on it, so I knew I would have to forget about soccer for a while," Errazuriz said.

In his sophomore year at the University of Texas at El Paso, Errazuriz cleared 7 feet in the high jump, the first athlete from South America to do so. In fact, Errazuriz's 1962 effort stood as a South American record 11 years, although he would never again equal his best jump.

Errazuriz briefed his players on upcoming scrimmages and practices. He warned them that there is a lot of hard work ahead of them before they compete in the regional soccer championships in their respective age divisions at Amherst, Mass., July 10-12.

At Amherst, five age divisions from 14 states will compete in the U.S. Youth Soccer Association's Eastern Regional Championships. Winners will advance to the national championships in St. Louis, July 25-26.

Errazuriz said the Avengers have a chance. He said his teams have the talent. The Avengers, for example, recently placed four players - Lance Beiker of Delran, Dan Beaney of Cherry Hill, Jeff Zaun of Medford Lakes and Errazuriz's oldest son, Cris - on the USA Team East, candidates for the U.S. Olympic team.

"We need a lot of hard work," Errazuriz said. "But my kids are tough. Disciplined. They know how to work. That's what it takes."

With A Pool, Life Goes Swimmingly

Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20150911191007/http://articles.philly.com/1989-08-16/news/26147229_1_backyard-pools-pool-builder-pool-fever

By Charlie Frush, Inquirer Staff Writer

Posted: August 16, 1989

Mark and Irene Recuber of Evesham expected their children to clock a lot of hours with the family's latest recreational toy, but the youngsters have spent so much time splashing around in the new back-yard swimming pool that they threaten to mutate into amphibians.

How bad is it?

"We come out once a night and sprinkle food over the pool and the kids come up and bob for it," Mark Recuber said last week, his exaggeration summing up how a new swimming pool can affect a family.

Economic indicators may dip and climb, but when Mom, Dad and the gang get swimming pool fever, all systems are go, especially when the summer sun begins bearing down. Backyard pools are part of what some have described as "the American dream."

"It's a big decision but once they've made it, as long as financing is available, they will get one," said pool builder Charles Ragonese. "A lot of people hem and haw but . . . they will get it. They like to swim, they always want to be around water and the shore is a turnoff for them."

Raymond S. and Pat Zebrowski of Delran are on their third pool.

The last one expired after 13 years in place at their Montclair Drive home, Raymond Zebrowski said, and even though their children are 24, 23, 21 and 20, they're still at home and still enjoy a dip.

People don't buy swimming pools on a whim, and usually there are well- considered reasons for taking a plunge that can cost more than $16,000. .

The Recubers, for example, put in a 14-by-26-foot pool "because we were fighting over the lounge chairs at our swim club," Mark Recuber said. He works late, "and every time I got there, there was no place to lay down except the worst places."

With a solar cover, he can crank up the thermometer in his backyard pool to 85 degrees many days. Sons Tim, 11, and Nick, 8, "will swim in ice water, but I won't go in if it's not 80 degrees."

Actually, Mark Recuber wanted a hot tub, but was outvoted by his wife and children.

"But," he said, "I'm happy with the pool," which arrived at the family's Kingsley Avenue home by crane in a one-piece fiberglass shell. "The kids can bring their friends. We'd rather have our kids in our back yard watching them than not knowing where they are. When they're teenagers, hopefully they'll have parties here and I can watch them."

When Bob Keeler of Medford bought a home on Lexington Court, "One of the drawing cards was that it was so close to the shore," he said. "We're only 20 miles from Long Beach Island."

Pleasant memories of growing up in North Jersey and having fun in the surf motivated the purchase of a Jersey home instead of one in Pennsylvania, but Keeler and his wife, Debbie, and children Doug, 16, and Melissa, 9, hadn't been back from the Midwest long when medical waste hit the beaches. That was it. They ordered a free-form, in-ground pool, and have been using it since July 1988.

Moving from Willingboro to Delran was traumatic for the older son of George W. and Joan Ward, who live on Rutgers Drive.

"Willingboro had community pools and our 13-year-old was used to swimming. When we moved to Delran, they had no community pools and we thought joining a swim club was very expensive," said Joan Ward, mother of George 3d and Joseph, 4.

"We moved here two years ago and that first year we really missed a pool," she said. "A couple of times George went swimming with a friend who belongs to a swim club," but otherwise he was high and dry.

Even though Joan Ward is no big swimmer - "I don't like the cold water," she said - this spring they sprung for an above-ground pool, their first, and son George uses it once, twice, three times a day.

For David J. and Madelyn McGuire's family, a new pool met social needs.

"We live in Mount Laurel and we like to socialize," said Madelyn McGuire, ''but we don't have access to any town pools and there are no lakes in the area. The closest public lake is 45 minutes away. So my husband said if we had a pool, we would be able to have our friends and guests over, and it would be very good for our children."

The McGuires' move in 1986 to Knotty Oak Drive persuaded them to install a pool. Since 1980, they had lived in a townhouse complex that had a pool.

Now, with a pool of their own, their children, Lauren, 8, and Ashley, 5, can swim at all hours.

"I allow my girls to play in the shallow end while I am in the family room and breakfast area, which looks out on the pool, and I can get to them very quickly from there," Madelyn McGuire said.

For the adults, it quickly became Club Med McGuire.

"We have had company every . . . weekend" since the pool opened July 21, Madelyn McGuire said. Last week, "I said to my husband - enough. And we took a break."

For two years, Anthony Dydek of Delanco rented a plot of ground at the shore and hauled his trailer there for family recreation. He even considered buying a place at the shore.

"But too much stuff comes up, birthday parties and so forth, and I said to my daughter, let's get in the car and go get a pool," he recalled.

Jackie, 5, was all for it. She told her father, "Let's get one that fits in the car and go right home."

Her dad and mother, Susan, who live on Magnolia Lane, had something a little more substantial in mind, however, and for the last three weeks they've been swimming in their in-ground pool.

They went for in-ground "because you can't see into the above-ground as easily" to determine if someone is in trouble, Anthony Dydek said. "With the in-ground, you can look right out the window and see if somebody has fallen in." That's important to him because he witnessed a pool tragedy years ago. ''I'm not crazy over pools that aren't watched," he said.

The Genzanos of Third Street in Riverside decided they had enough know-how and handy relatives to do it themselves.

"My husband installed it himself," said Sandra Genzano, "and he had never done one before." Pete Genzano is a contractor. And a lot of cousins pitched in.

"All my life I wanted a pool," Sandra Genzano said. "It was my dream. I've been swimming since I was 2. My family belonged to Riverdel Swim Club and my mom loved the water."

When he lived in Philadelphia's Mount Airy section, Frank M. Woods didn't have enough room for a pool, but that changed when he and his wife, Sharon, and daughter, Monique, 10, moved to Haines Mill Road in Delran a year ago.

Father and daughter are the aquaphiles and have been enjoying the pool for almost a month. A rainy spring stretched what was to have been a 10-day construction project into two months and turned their yard into muck and mire, a common complaint among pool buyers this year.

For years, June Hamblin of Larchmont Drive in Delanco owned a pool, then five years ago she had it removed.

"In the old days I was in it constantly," she said, but now she's disabled. Still, the family decided to put in a new pool this year. The principal users are her son and daughter-in-law, Ernie and Marlene Hamblin, who live with her.

"They really wanted a pool and . . . it gives me something to do to break the monotony," she said. She uses the whirlpool in the shallow end.

Besides, "I found that I did miss it. I'm a Pisces. I just have to know water is there."

'Babies' Of Zurbrugg Hospital Celebrate Their Common Bond

Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20160101034901/http://articles.philly.com/1990-06-13/news/25913182_1_babies-frances-collins-hospital-parking-lot

By Charlie Frush, Inquirer Staff Writer

Posted: June 13, 1990

When Frances Collins rose to be introduced at Zurbrugg Hospital's 75th anniversary celebration - held under a tent in the hospital parking lot last Wednesday - she looked as if she could win, hands down, as the slimmest, trimmest woman ever to bear 19 children.

Collins, of Cinnaminson, was there because the anniversary was pegged to a Zurbrugg babies birthday reunion theme. All those born at the hospital from its inception in 1915 were invited, and more than 500 "babies," relatives and friends showed up to chomp on chicken wings and cake and cheer a program emceed by Channel 3 news correspondent Dick Sheeran of Delran.

No one knows for sure how many babies came into the world at Zurbrugg, but Dr. Alan Schaefer estimated that he delivered at least 5,000 himself.

Sixteen of Collins' children were born at Zurbrugg from 1954 to 1973, before the hospital closed its maternity ward after 1975.

And before you ask, here are some answers:

The children are named Denise, Charles Jr., Cynthia, Valerie, Cheryl, William, Lisa, Barbara, Brenda, Sandy, Frances, Andre, Gerry, Dana, Phillip, Jason, Aaron, Heather and Christine.

"No, we didn't have trouble coming up with names," Collins said.

Her daughters dislike having their ages bandied about, but Collins said her eldest son was 34. The baby of the babies, Christine, is 11.

Collins, 54, and her husband, Charles A. Collins, 60, a self-employed paperhanger, have reason to be proud of their progeny.

"We've had 11 college graduates," said Frances Collins, and the family is in the middle of a football dynasty.

Andre, a 6-foot-3, 225-pound Penn State linebacker and co-captain, was drafted in the second round by the National Football League's Washington Redskins this spring after being named a first-team All-American by the U.S. Football Writers Association. Gerry, a running back, has two years left at Penn State; Phillip, a wide receiver at Cinnaminson High School, is going to Penn State, too, and Jason and Aaron both play for Cinnaminson.

Frances Collins and five others received special plaques denoting their uniqueness among those who attended the Zurbrugg anniversary celebration.

Collins won the "Most Frequent Zurbrugg Mother" award.

As the oldest Zurbrugg baby to attend, Dr. John Rogers of Riverton was named "most seasoned baby." Rogers was born Jan. 22, 1921, in the original hospital building, the former mansion of industrialist Theophilus Zurbrugg.

David and Deborah Richmann of Edgewater Park received the "married Zurbrugg babies" award. They were born within three days of one another at Zurbrugg, grew up, met, married and have a set of 5-year-old twins. David works in the Zurbrugg maintenance department.

Jennifer Edwards of Delran was "most recent" baby. A Chester Avenue Middle School student, she was born May 19, 1975, one of the last born at the hospital.

Peg Hansen of Delran was "Zurbrugg birthday baby" because last Wednesday was her birthday. She's a mammography technician with the Center for Women and Health at Zurbrugg, and her four children were born at the hospital.

Sterling Athletic Director Retires, Ending 27 Years In School Sports

Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20151018095733/http://articles.philly.com/1990-08-26/news/25931573_1_sterling-holy-cross-school-sports

By Marc Narducci, Special to The Inquirer

Posted: August 26, 1990

After 27 years of involvement in high school sports, Bill Morro has decided to call it a career. Morro retired in early August as athletic director at Sterling, a position he has held for the past 12 years.

Morro was also a coach at Woodbury High for 15 years, and served eight of those years as athletic director. After leaving Woodbury in 1971, he went into private business before returning to Sterling in 1978.

"I'm really going to miss it," said Morro, who will be replaced by Kris Foster as Sterling's athletic director. "I always like working with kids. You have a lot to learn from them. The kids today are looking for direction and unfortunately, there's not enough of that."

Morro says he has no definite plans, except to play some golf.

Morro added that he was always able to take the work demands of being an athletic director in stride. "I remember at one time at Woodbury, I was the head football coach, the AD, head of the physical education department and director of recreation for the City of Woodbury," recalls Morro. "To do this job you really have to enjoy it and I really did."

*

Two South Jersey football players have been named among the top 250 by Max Emfinger's National High School Football Recruiting Service. The Texas-based service lists Gloucester High senior-to-be wide receiver Neal Houser and Holy Cross senior defensive back Matt Taffoni among its top 250.

Houser was a first-team Inquirer all-South Jersey selection last season after catching 40 passes, including 16 for touchdowns. The 6-foot-1, 185-pound Houser also added seven interceptions.

Taffoni, a 6-1, 210-pound strong safety, has accumulated more than 100 tackles in each of the past two years for Holy Cross. He is also a punishing running back and carries a 3.4 grade point average.

With some of the high school football camps already open, it's an appropriate time to look at a potential No. 1 team in South Jersey. Camden Catholic, with 17 returning starters, could be the top team, at least in preseason.

The Irish, who were 7-2 last year, compete in the Olympic Conference National Division, which may be the toughest in South Jersey this season.

Camden Catholic opens with a difficult three-game stretch beginning Sept. 15 at Bishop Eustace. The Irish play Sepdefending No. 1 team Woodrow Wilson Sept. 22 and play at home against Edgewood on Sept. 29.

Other potential top teams (listed alphabetically) include Cherokee, Cherry Hill East, Delran, Deptford, Edgewood, Holy Cross, Millville and Woodrow Wilson. One or two others probably could rise to the top in what should be a year of parity in South Jersey.

The Sacca family has been prominent in South Jersey sports over the past number of years and another Sacca is ready to enter the scene.

Ralph Sacca, a 6-1, 155, freshman, will be a quarterback prospect at Delran, where his brothers Tony and John quarterbacked the Bears to South Jersey Group 2 titles in 1987 and 1989 respectively. (His sister Tricia was an all-South Jersey basketball player and is a senior at Fairfield, where she has also scored more than 1,000 points).

There's a possibility that Ralph Sacca could vie for varsity playing time during his freshman year on a Delran team that will be favored to defend its Burlington County Freedom Division crown. The Bears could be more of a ground- oriented team with the return of twin senior running backs Darrell and Derrick Parker, who could be the best running back combination in the area. Woodrow Wilson, which was expected to be a top five South Jersey basketball team, could be even stronger with the addition of former Camden Catholic point guard Sidney Goodman, a 6-1 senior.

Goodman should compliment 6-5 senior Steve Rogers and 6-5 junior Reggie Welch, to give the Tigers a formidable trio.

Haddon Twp., Eastern Put 5 Wrestlers Each In Region Semis

Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20151226160027/http://articles.philly.com/1991-03-02/sports/25790658_1_cherokee-state-champions-paul-vi

By Gus Ostrum, Special to The Inquirer

Posted: March 02, 1991

On a night when all No. 1 seeds were victorious, Haddon Township and Eastern High School each advanced five wrestlers into today's NJSIAA Region 7 semifinals.

Winning quarterfinal bouts for Township were Pete Klaus (130 pounds), Kevin Farnham (135), Clay Payne (140), Mark Nazarok (152) and Bill Tassogloy (189).

Klaus remained unbeaten, at 26-0, when he pinned Shawnee's Jim Carfagno in 33 seconds. Farnham also improved his record to 26-0 when he toppled Maple Shade's Joe Kuni by technical fall, 16-1.

For host Eastern, unbeatens Nikos Pavlides (145 pounds, 29-0) and Joe Robinson (152, 27-0) advanced, as did heavyweight Greg Land (25-1), 130- pounder Bill Mariner (23-5) and 112-pounder Dan Kelly (20-7-2).

Two defending state champions - Jackson Township's Jumel Kinchen (26-0) at 135 pounds and Rob Johnson (23-0) at 160 pounds - also moved into semifinal matches, as did brothers Rick Koss (119 pounds, 22-3-1) and John Koss (160, 22-1) of Collingswood.

Today's semifinals will begin at noon, while the consolations and finals will be held in late afternoon, beginning at 5. The top three finishers in each weight will advance to the NJSIAA state championships, March 14-17 at Princeton University's Jadwin Gymnasium.

THE RESULTS

Winners advanced to semifinals.

103 pounds: Jeremy Boland, Camden Catholic, pinned Ian James, Manchester, 3:48. Justin Hurst, Lenape, pinned Greg Harrison, Delran, 3:00. Dave Kretzmer, Jackson, dec. Mike Sfera, Shawnee, 13-9. John Watson, Cinnaminson, dec. Tom Ruhl, Burlington Twp., 9-3.

112: Todd Patchell, Palmyra, won by forfeit. Kyle Young, Cherry Hill West, pinned Todd Davidson, Shawnee, 1:51. Dan Kelly, Eastern, dec. Jamie Gabbett, Camden Catholic, 4-0. Carlos Garcia, Pemberton, dec. Nick Martino, Paul VI, 3-2.

119: Evan Addis, Lenape, pinned Josh Blair, Manchester, :28. Mike Yankanich, Cherokee, pinned Sean Verost, Jackson, 2:59. Rich Koss, Collingswood, pinned Justin Hagan, Moorestown, 3:24. Clint Matter, Delran, dec. Brian Hughes, Nottingham, 9-2.

125: Mark Peditto, Maple Shade, tech. fall Mike Gaspari, Collingswood, 4:49. Jeff Bauer, Lenape, dec. Izzy Robledo, Jackson, 7-5. Andrew Whipple, Paul VI, dec. C. J. Seemuller, Cinnaminson, 10-2. Wayne Williams, Willingboro, dec. Dom Petullo, Cherokee, 8-4.

130: Ron Roman, Trenton, dec. Mark Christensen, Delran, 12-9. Bill Mariner, Eastern, dec. Dave Ulmer, Cherry Hill West, 9-7. Bill Evers, Audubon, dec. Tom Dymowski, Hamilton West, 15-7. Pete Klaus, Haddon Twp., pinned Jim Carfagno, Shawnee, :33.

135: Joe DiLullo, Holy Cross, won by forfeit. Kevin Farnham, Haddon Twp., dec. Greg Kuni, Maple Shade, 16-1. Joe Cleary, Cherokee, pinned Joey Baer, Burlington, 3:08. Jumel Kinchen, Jackson, inj. def. Olen Foreman, Camden.

140: Jacoby Kinchen, Manchester, dec. Keith Eberly, Lenape, 11-6. Dan Gish, Cherokee, pinned Brian Simpson, Audubon, 5:32. Clay Payne, Haddon Twp., dec. Rusty Adams, Pemberton, 5-2. Walt Holland, Rancocas Valley, pinned Seamus Hogan, Cinnaminson, 1:57.

145: Nikos Pavlides, Eastern, pinned Jeff Saia, Nottingham, 3:57. Joe Linneman, Holy Cross, dec. Frank Corona, Collingswood, 10-5. Kevin Morrison, Manchester, pinned Chad Callahan, Camden Catholic, 1:56. Angelo Frangos, Pennsauken, dec. Dom Georgamo, Jackson, 6-3.

152: Joe Robinson, Eastern, dec. John Papaneri, Cherry Hill West, 10-2. Nigel Streater, Camden, pinned Peter Eckley, Hightstown, 4:57. Andy Nino, Delran, dec. Alan Constance, Hamilton West, 8-6. Mike Nazarok, Haddon Twp., dec. Rich Simone, Northern Burlington, 14-7.

160: John Koss, Collingswood, pinned Bill Ferrari, Cherry Hill West, 1:00. Bryan Freeman, Rancocas Valley, pinned Brian Walter, Hamilton West, 3:50. J. J. Bichler, Burlington Twp., dec. Abdul Soudan, Camden, 9-7. Alex Grassia, Paul VI, inj. def. Nick Giannini, Maple Shade, 2:38.

171: Rob Johnson, Jackson, pinned Shane Streater, Camden, 3:15. Eric Silva, Camden Catholic, dec. Oxlee Rodriguez, Pemberton, 15-14. Brian Hamlet, Delran, dec. Kevin Poole, Bordentown, 10-7. Rob Germo, Maple Shade, dec. Dan Schaeffer, Shawnee, 6-5.

189: Bill Tassogloy, Haddon Twp., won by forfeit. Bryan Morrison, Manchester, dec. Chip Chaporous, Shawnee, 6-3. Ted Speers, Haddon Heights, dec. Matt Galosi, Cinnaminson, 8-2. Tyronne Johnson, Jackson, dec. Gabe Lippincott, Northern Burlington, 19-7.

Hwt.: Greg Land, Eastern, dec. Sean Henderson, Paul VI, 13-1. Robert Rufus, Trenton, dec. Craig Turner, Cinnaminson, 6-3. Derrick Jones, Manchester, dec. Diondrey Ford, Willingboro, 10-7. Bill Duff, Delran, dec. Dave Barr, Haddon Heights, 2-1.

Florence The Hunted In The Freedom

Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20151221201603/http://articles.philly.com/1991-03-26/sports/25794646_1_flashes-florence-deepest-staff

By Marc Narducci, Special to The Inquirer

Posted: March 26, 1991

Delran High baseball coach Rich Bender knows what it's like to be in the hot seat.

Over the last five years, the Bears have been been picked as either the favorite or a major contender in the Burlington County League Freedom Division. Delran is annually a member of The Inquirer's South Jersey preseason Top 10.

This year, Bender is gladly relinquishing Delran's role as the favorite, and he's not afraid to turn up the thermostat on the Bears' friendly rival, Florence.

Last year, Florence ended Delran's three-year reign atop the Freedom Division, finishing 16-1 in the division and 20-3 overall. The Flashes were No. 4 in the final Inquirer South Jersey ratings. Delran finished second in the division with a 14-3 record, was 20-5 overall and wound up rated No. 10 in South Jersey.

Florence goes into this season as the favorite, with Delran, Burlington Township and Maple Shade expected to contend. Bender has wasted little time fueling the Flashes' flame.

"I think Florence should be No. 1 in South Jersey," said Bender. "They are absolutely loaded."

Don't think, however, that Bender is ready to concede the title. "We'll show up," he said.

When Florence coach Jim Maher hears these comments, he just laughs them off.

"If we had Matt Dengler and Mike Scott, there's a chance we could be put that high," said Maher, referring to his shortstop and second baseman, who are both expected to miss this season. Dengler has a knee injury and Scott is academically ineligible. "But now, no way should we be up there as No. 1 in the area. I think our league is gong to be a dogfight, with four teams fighting for the title. I don't think you'll see a runaway."

Florence returns two dependable pitchers in all-South Jersey lefthander Troy Ingham (6-2 last season) and Andy Estrada (3-0). Maher is still looking for a dependable No. 3 pitcher. If he finds one, the Flashes could be one of the area's more dangerous teams.

Delran must build a staff around 6-foot-6 senior Mike Martin, who has had major-league scouts attending his preseason outings. Martin, who has narrowed his list of colleges to Rutgers and Penn, was 7-1 last season.

Burlington Township may have the deepest staff in the league with Steve Melloy, Mike Gollnick and Brian Adams, who each had an ERA under 2.10 last year. If the Falcons are consistent offensively, they could contend.

Maple Shade could also contend behind 6-2 senior pitcher Bill Weingartner, whose career record is 18-9. If the Wildcats can develop a staff behind the righthander, they could be dangerous

Riverside will have a potent offense, and it might surface as a contender if the pitching comes around. Burlington is another school capable of fielding a winning team, but may not have enough depth to contend. Moorestown, Palmyra, Northern Burlington and Bordentown have young teams that will battle for respectability in this competitive conference.

BORDENTOWN. Coach: Pat Lynch (17-37 record).

Last year: 3-17 overall, 1-16 division (10th).

Key returning players: 1B Jim DeBronzo; OF-P Ed Seppe; OF Brian Guire; OF Ed O'Malley.

Promising newcomers: SS-P Vince Shuster; 2B Curtis Weyers; 1B-P Rob Gauss.

Outlook: The Scotties may be improved, but will find it difficult to move up too much in the standings.

BURLINGTON CITY. Coach: Bruce McCutcheon (164-120).

Last year: 8-9 overall, 8-7 division (4th).

Key returning players: P Frank Fiorelli; C Steve Hesson (.400); SS-P George Camae; OF Sean Fitzpatrick; OF Chris Davis.

Promising newcomers: SS-3B Zak Shansey; 2B Keith Babola.

Outlook: The Blue Devils probably won't contend, but are certainly capable of posting a winning record. Hesson could be one of the top players in the league and Fiorelli is a quality pitcher, but depth could be a problem for the Blue Devils.

BURLINGTON TOWNSHIP. Coach: Mike Pisa (102-84).

Last year: 8-12 overall, 7-10 division (tied for 5th).

Key returning players: 3B Brian Levondusky (.313); P-INF Brian Adams; 2B Mike Jobes; OF Nick Wikowski (.400, 15 RBIs); C Mike Parker; SS Jorge Velez; OF Bruce Painter; C Pete Trochin; P-OF Steve Melloy (.367); P Mike Gollnick.

Promising newcomers: C Shibaz Hasan; P-3B Raymond Stewart; OF Matt Kensler.

Outlook: The Falcons figure to contend for the division title, although they are not the favorite. Burlington Township will have one of the league's deepest pitching staffs with Gollnick, Adams and Melloy, and the pitching will keep it in most games.

DELRAN. Coach: Rich Bender (230-119).

Last year: 20-5 overall, 14-3 division (2d).

Key returning players: P Mike Martin (7-1, 1.88 ERA); CF Hugh Donaghy (.339); INF Ray Skorny (.381); 1B-DH Bill Jesunas (.324) OF-P Greg Lewis; 2B Ryan Kakowski; C Chris Bayne.

Promising newcomers: P-SS Joe Olivo; C Chad Keeports; INF-P Ray Gonzalez; INF-P Mike Minnix; P Ralph Sacca; C Sean Donaghy.

Outlook: For the first time in about five years, the Bears are not considered the Freedom Division favorite. Delran, however, should be a major contender for the title if any pitching behind Martin is developed.

FLORENCE. Coach: Jim Maher (57-32).

Last year: 20-3 overall, 16-1 division (1st).

Key returning players: P-1B Troy Ingham (6-2, 3 saves 1.32 ERA); C Darren Hines (.377, 2 home runs, 19 RBIs); DH-OF Joe Gadbois (.318, 3 home runs, 16 RBIs); 3B Mauro Correnti (.274, 3 home runs, 17 RBIs); P Andy Estrada (3-0, 2.74 ERA); OF Brandon Opre.

Promising newcomers: OF Aaron Dengler; OF Joe Chmiko; 1B-P Mike Connelly; OF Dan Austin; OF-2B Matt Farr; 1B-P Tony Luyber; 2B-SS Brian Zingaro.

Outlook: Florence is the team to beat in the division. The Flashes would probably have been a prohibitive favorite if they had the services of second baseman Scott and shortstop Dengler, who both are expected to miss this season. Still, there is enough depth to successfully defend their title and be one of South Jersey's premier teams.

MAPLE SHADE. Coach: Jim Varsaci (82-58).

Last year: 14-8 overall, 9-5 division (3d).

Key returning players: P-SS Bill Weingartner (6-4, 1.27 ERA); 2B-OF Kevin Nehring (.380); P-SS Doug Bimmer; C Ray Bruce; OF-P Mike Cerasi (.368); 3B Scott Renteria (.326).

Promising newcomers: OF-P John Cinnamond; 3B-OF Rich Cloke; OF Bernie Hynson.

Outlook: The Wildcats are one of the teams that should contend for the Freedom Division title. Weingartner and Nehring are two of the best players in the division. If a pitching staff can be developed behind Weingartner, Maple Shade will be a dangerous team.

MOORESTOWN. Coach: Jeff Hadden (64-63).

Last year: 7-8 overall, 6-6 division (7th).

Key returning players: P-1B Jeff Legath (.308); OF Mike Green (.305); 2B Greg Booker (.285); INF Jeff Hunter; P Mike Griffis.

Promising newcomers: P-INF Dave Laughlin; P-INF Ben Schaal; INF Tony

Saggiomo; INF Matt Rowe; OF Craig Fisher; OF Ali Khan; OF-P Fred Rodi.

Outlook: The Quakers are one of the youngest teams in the league. Recording a winning record would be an achievement. The key will be getting solid seasons on the mound from veterans Legath and Griffis.

NORTHERN BURLINGTON. Coach: Carmine Pastore (29-34).

Last year: 8-12 overall, 5-11 division (9th).

Key returning players: SS-P Brian Wilson; 2B Craig Shaw; P-1B Rich Simone; OF John Salter (.418); P-1B Joe Kucowski; 3B-P Randy Feig; C Kyle Wilson.

Promising newcomers: INF Dave Munoz (a transfer from Texas); 3B Frank Angelucci (transfer from Notre Dame of Trenton); OF-P Eric Simmons.

Outlook: With seven returning lettermen, improvement is possible. But the pitching is questionable, and in this division, teams with unproven pitching usually find the going rough.

PALMYRA. Coach: Mike Tumelty (7-11).

Last year: 7-11 overall, 6-10 division (8th).

Key returning players: 3B-P Chris Bailey; SS-P Dave Guzman; OF Dan Nece; OF-P Chris Small.

Promising newcomers: 2B-3B-P Ed Maerten; 1B-P Jason Bruglar; INF Scott Szeliga; C Tom McEvoy.

Outlook: This is another young team that will be in a rebuilding season. Tumelty hopes that a number of sophomores can get experience this season. Palmyra appears to be a year away from fielding a .500 team.

RIVERSIDE. Coach: John Miranda (19-21).

Last year: 11-11 overall, 7-10 division (tied for 5th).

Key returning players: OF Rick Loveland (.429); 2B Mike Garbett (.357); SS- P Joe Dorety (.391, 19 RBIs); 1B Greg Davidson (.314); OF Mike Rocatto; DH Jeff Newman.

Promising newcomers: OF Brian McNulty; 3B-P Steve Elliott; P-SS Mike Tuscano; P Steve Elliott; P Rob Powell (transfer from Delran); OF Tim Olsen; C Colin Tucker; 3B Mike Weaver; OF John Gasper; C Joe Grabowski.

Outlook: With four returning players who hit .314 or better, the Rams should again have a strong offense. Riverside should produce a winning team, and if the pitching comes around, the Rams could end up being a contender.

Riverside Sisters Turn Family Ties Into Team Wins

Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20151231223055/http://articles.philly.com/1991-04-23/sports/25780961_1_powells-cherokee-softball-coach

By Kevin Tatum, Inquirer Staff Writer

Posted: April 23, 1991

In his 13 years as softball coach at Riverside High, Harry Johnstone had fielded his share of competitive teams, but never one that could challenge for a Burlington County League Freedom Division championship.

Some good fortune has changed that this season.

When Johnstone gathered his team for preseason practice, he noticed four newcomers who had the same last name. They were sisters Aimee, Audrie, Jodie and Mindy Powell, who had transferred from Delran and brought a new attitude to the team at Riverside.

"The Powells are competitive," Johnstone said. "They love to win, and it's rubbing off on the other players."

With the Powells and Nancy Asay leading the way, Riverside has won seven of its last eight games to bring its record to 8-2 and already has clinched its first playoff berth since 1988. The Rams have outscored the opposition 142-55.

Aimee Powell, a junior, is the Rams' ace pitcher, with a 6-2 record while batting .333. Audrie Powell, Aimee's twin, plays first base and is hitting .612. Jodie Powell, a sophomore second baseman, is batting .645, and freshman catcher Mindy Powell is hitting .222 in her first year of varsity play. Asay, the Rams' third baseman, has a batting average of .515. Jodie Powell bats second in front of Asay (third), Audrie (fourth), Aimee (fifth) and Mindy (eighth).

Riverside returned nine letter winners from last year's 8-14 team, but Johnstone said he hadn't been expecting a whole lot. Until he added the Powells to the mix.

"Realistically, we would have just tried to make the playoffs, but it would have been a struggle," Johnstone said. "But the Powells came, and they were a complete surprise. They didn't play at Delran last year, so I didn't have any information on them. They can hit and field, and they have softball savvy."

Riverside, 5-1 in the league, trails Northern Burlington (6-0) and Florence (5-0). The Rams dropped a 3-2 decision to Northern but will play the Greyhounds again. Riverside has two meetings scheduled with Florence.

"This is the first shot we've really had" at the league title, Johnstone said. "I feel we can play even with Florence and Northern. We have worked to be better, and it's showing. We just hope the good things continue, and we're looking for good things in the playoffs. It's a matter of keeping our momentum going."

Burlco's First Family Of Politics

Source: http://articles.philly.com/1991-05-16/news/25794970_1_tom-bumper-stickers-democratic-council-candidates

By Charlie Frush, Inquirer Staff Writer

Posted: May 16, 1991

Blame it on John F. Kennedy.

Satisfied with his status as a Republican, Dennis Foy was living and working happily in Burlington Township when Kennedy, who was to become the first Irish Catholic president, announced his candidacy.

That did it.

Dennis Foy, a loyal son of the Old Sod, changed his allegiance and his registration, declared himself a Democrat, and spawned what has become the county's most prolific family of officeholders - the Foys.

As a result of that 1960 flip-flop, Burlington County today is served by three elected officials who are all children of the late Dennis and Sarah Foy - State Sen. Thomas P. Foy, Burlington Township Mayor Joseph D. Foy and Delran Township Council President Mary Ann Foy-Rivell.

Democrats all, and as outgoing and gregarious a bunch as you would want to meet. Pretty charismatic at the ballot box, too.

"It is kind of unusual that three of us have had successful careers," said Tom, an attorney by profession but a hail-fellow-well-met by genetic coding. "We always had a strong commitment to public service."

His father, Tom said, "was a great source of inspiration. He was an electrician by trade. We were working class people. The children of immigrants who came up the hard way. . . . My father's grandfather came over from County Sligo; my mother's father came from Italy - actually Messina, in Sicily."

Dennis Foy's enthusiasm over his newfound loyalty infected his children, Tom as much as any of them.

"My father was an Irish Catholic and Kennedy was an inspiration to him, and it got us all enthused and excited," Tom said. "The bug bit me and it's been with me ever since.

"I came up through the ranks, the traditional stuff, putting up signs, bumper stickers, stuffing envelopes, anything to help out the party."

Not even the folks on his newspaper route were safe. When he handed out the papers, he also profferred political fliers.

"I was president of the County Young Democrats as a teenager, at 15 or 16," he said.

Even marriage conspired to catch up Tom in politics. He married Jamie Mullin, daughter of the late Joe Mullin, who was the mayor of Willingboro back in those fleeting months when it was known as Levittown, and they have produced two children who probably think everyone's mother or father holds government office.

Actually, it was Joe Foy who was the first to be elected to office, winning a council seat in Burlington Township on his second try, in 1969, only to be swept right back out in the Nixon landslide of 1972. Then came Watergate, which put Joe and a slate of six Democratic council candidates right back into office.

In the rest of that decade, he left the council briefly in anticipation of an employment move that never happened, then played council musical chairs with Tom until Tom moved on. Later still, Joe, who had been heading the council as president, more or less permanently took up the new post of mayor, in which he is now serving his ninth year - with three more to go.

Mary Ann started later than any of them, but that was because the Holy Cross High School graduate was rearing three children and did not move to Delran until 1976.

Now 47, she plunged right into Delran politics that Bicentennial year, becoming a member of the Delran county committee, then municipal chairwoman. She tried to impress on others that, if asked, they had an obligation to serve. In 1984, when they asked her to run for council, her only consideration was "the time it would take to campaign. I didn't aspire to be on council. There was a vacancy, and my county committee asked me to run."

She ran on a slate that promised change and was elected handily to a four- year term. In 1988, when she ran a second time, no one even filed to oppose her. She was elected by fellow council members to the rotating one-year position of council president for the first time in 1987 and again last year; her current term expires June 30.

She has a rare gift of detachment that serves her well.

"I don't think that because somebody is happy with a decision I make that they are personally happy with me. I don't take a win personally, but I don't take a loss personally. I hope people find me receptive to what they think. I try to pay close attention to what they're saying - to be sure to represent them and not myself. It's important to know what people want instead of what I want."

Nor does she espouse confrontation.

She learned negotiation from Tom and Joe, she said. "I think they are very willing to compromise. Tommy said something once to our council when we were trying to decide what to do. He said, 'I always hate to back somebody into a corner unless it's one of their own making. You always come further if you're able to work something out.' Sure, you can go for the jugular, but you should weigh the greater good. You get more results if two people cooperate rather than if one person wins."

Mary Ann has no higher political aspirations.

"This is enough work," she said.

However, who knows where Tom's ambitions may lead?

He turned 40 on March 13, exactly three months after being appointed to fill the Senate seat vacated by Cathy Costa, and has an impressive resume.

From Burlington Township High School, he went to Duke University, graduating magna cum laude in political science and earning a fellowship to seek his master's degree.

"I did the course work, but never wrote the thesis because my father passed away and I left school to go to work because I was broke," he said.

Democrat Brendan Byrne had just been elected governor, and Tom got an appointment as special assistant to the commissioner in the Department of Labor.

"I was always interested in becoming an attorney," Tom said, and he enrolled at Rutgers University's law school in Camden.

Appointed to fill Joe's Burlington Township Council seat when Joe resigned in 1975, Tom won another term on his own, but by 1977, he had passed the bar. He resigned his seat, and Joe, by now back on council as president, appointed Tom municipal prosecutor and, later, administrative solicitor.

They got a lot of static over that, Joe said, but he was trying something new and "the concept worked. Instead of having a lawyer charge for every hour, I put them on salary and I was able to keep a handle on costs." They even carried over the idea into another department. "We were the first community in the county to have our own engineer," Joe said.

Tom also would bristle at the suggestion of anything improper about his appointment.

"I am very scrupulous," said the senator. "My integrity is very important. My life is an open book. People are willing to examine it as they see fit."

His response to insinuations of nepotism was, "Who is (Joe) supposed to appoint? I am competent. Wouldn't you appoint your friends, family if you could?" Tom himself appointed Mary Ann as his principal aide and said, "I challenge any member of the legislature to show me a more competent administrative assistant than my sister. And please quote me on this. It's mind over matter. Those who mind don't matter. Those who matter don't mind."

Tom was elected a state Democratic committeeman in 1981 and won his first term to the state Assembly in 1983, representing the Seventh District (13 lower Burlington County communities and Pennsauken). He served in the Assemby until his Senate appointment.

In 1990, Tom left private practice after 13 years, the last 10 with the firm of Schlesinger, Schlosser & Foy, to become vice president of a multinational firm and a collector of frequent-flyer points.

Since joining Hill International Inc., the construction and management/ consulting company with headquarters in Willingboro, he has endured prolonged absences from his Burlington Township home.

"I'm basically responsible for major, worldwide and national sales," he said, "and I schedule my travel when the legislature is in recess," which is six weeks in April-May and July-August. "That means the six weeks we are out of session, I'm usually on the road half that time." His wife, he said, ''takes care of the kids and manages me. Logistically, I don't live at home, I light at home, like a fly."

The Foys have traditionally been involved with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 269. Sister Catherine, who lives in Delran with Mary Ann, is the only nonpolitical member of the tribe. Catherine is an electrician, as was Joe; Tom was a unionist, too, but it was with the Laborers International Union of North America.

"I worked as a construction laborer in high school and college," he said. ''I joined in 1968. I'm a 23-year member of Local 369 in Trenton." He still pays his dues and keeps his union card because, he joked, "You never know when this business is going to get slow."

It has already gotten slow for Joe, who turned 52 yesterday.

His employer, MMR Foley, an electrical construction company in Philadelphia, went bust.

It's the second time the company left him up in the air, so to speak.

"I left council in 1975 for about 1 1/2 years because I thought I was going to Alaska to work for my company. We had subscribed to newspapers, we had catalogues coming, we had arranged for friends to ship us things. My kids were all charged up. My guys are hunters," he said, and were fantasizing about riding sleds and hunting moose and all that other manly northern stuff.

"We never went. My company thought it had the job, but a California company came in and took over the entire project. It never materialized."

Not that he has not had a good ride.

As a newly minted Trenton Catholic High graduate in 1956, he began a five- year electrician's apprenticeship that launched an occupational climb that took him to positions of vice president and regional manager with MMR Foley.

"I still have my tools around," he said. "I'm not letting them get rusty. Like bike riding, you don't forget."

Joe and his wife, Carol, who have reared four children, share ownership with Tom of a liquor store in Burlington City, so the wolf is not exactly at the door.

Besides, he could get good references from the National Guard. He joined at 17 and was active for 32 years, getting a commission in 1964. He attended infantry, armored, command and staff schools and rose to lieutenant colonel.

Both brothers are given to expressing themselves colorfully. Joe describes relaxation time at the Shore, where he and Tom both have homes, as "Hey, you" time.

"We go down there all throughout the year," said Joe, "and it's just 'Hey, you, do this.' 'Hey, you, do that.' "

When grandchildren must be chauffeured to a sports event, he says, "I do windshield time."

Two qualities characterize the Foys, Tom said.

"We are willing to work hard - we dedicate lots of hours we could be spending on other pursuits to public life - and we're among the people, not above the people."

Tom is probably the best at putting names with faces, a great gift for an elected official.

"I try to do a good job with it," he said. "I've always had a good memory and an ability to recognize people. I'm a people-oriented person. If there's a key to my success, it's that I'm not pretentious." Despite his success, he said, "I'm the same guy everybody knew the day before."

New Division Packs A Lot Of Punch

Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20150918125923/http://articles.philly.com/1991-09-18/sports/25799866_1_new-league-john-hughes-top-goalies

By Marc Narducci, Special to The Inquirer

Posted: September 18, 1991

There are only five boys' soccer teams in the newly formed Patriot Division of the Burlington County League, but the mini-conference should have immediate credibility.

All five members have solid credentials. In fact, it wouldn't be a shock if all five posted winning records this fall.

The league includes teams from three different leagues. Northern Burlington, Moorestown and Delran move up from the smaller-school Burlington County Freedom Division. Cinnaminson was a member of the Olympic National Division last year, and Rancocas Valley competed in the big-school Burlington County Liberty Division.

The new league also includes two former champions - Northern Burlington, which won the Freedom Division last year, and Moorestown, which captured the South Jersey Group 2 title.

Cinnaminson, with 12 returning letter-winners, is the favorite. Delran is considered the best challenger, and Moorestown could surface as an outside contender if much-needed scoring punch is found. Rancocas Valley and Northern Burlington don't appear ready to contend, but they should still provide formidable opposition in this competitive division.

CINNAMINSON

Coach: Chip Candy (22-15-1).

Last year: 10-8-1 overall, 7-2 division (tied for second in the Olympic Conference National Division).

Key returning players: Forwards Matt Kiss (17 goals, 3 assists) and Brian Huffnagle; defenders Eric Mathis, Pat McDermott, Ed Fudah, Pete Rodriguez and Scott Hughes; midfielders Chuck Ambos, John Damian, Kyle Kaufmann and Mike Schroeder, and goalie Anthony Mazzarelli.

Promising newcomers: Forwards Chris O'Schell and John Vining.

Outlook: The Pirates, ranked No. 4 in The Inquirer's preseason South Jersey ratings, enter the season as the favorite in this new league. Last year, Cinnaminson was hurt severely by injuries. Kiss is one of the better offensive players in the area and Mazzarelli could emerge as one of South Jersey's top goalies. If the Pirates can stay healthy, they should seriously contend for the league title and be one of the best area teams in Group 2.

DELRAN

Coach: John Hughes (77-19-2).

Last year: 8-7-2, 8-6-2 (fifth in the Freedom Division).

Key returning players: Midfielders Mike Benn, Greg Harrison, Mike Okipinski and Dave Zealer; forwards Matt Digney, Bob Brown, Shawn Urwiler and Josh Trolley; goalie Chad Keyportes, and defender Jason Braun.

Promising newcomers: Defender Joe Ventura (a senior transfer from Holy Cross); midfielders Mike Romello and Brian Langdon, and forward Rudy Silva.

Outlook: In Hughes' first four years the Bears lost a total of 12 games. They slipped to seven losses last year, but with 10 returning letter-winners Delran should once again be in the contender's role.

MOORESTOWN

Coach: Mike Sutcliffe (14-6-2).

Last year: 14-6-2, 10-4-2 (fourth in the Freedom Division).

Key returning players: Goalie Ben Schall (10 shutouts); defenders Dason Mathers and Dave Khanlian and forward Todd Michael.

Promising newcomers: Forward Hunter Hendrickson; midfielder Jason DeBlitz and defender Justin Santino.

Outlook: Even though the Quakers were hit hard by graduation, this should be one of the top defensive teams in the league. The question will be whether the Quakers can develop a consistent goal scorer to go along with Michael. If this happens, Moorestown, while maybe not considered a favorite, is capable of posting a winning record and possibly surfacing as an outside contender.

NORTHERN BURLINGTON

Coach: Douglas Daniels (90-83-11).

Last year: 17-5, 13-3 (first in the Freedom Division).

Key returning players: Forward Mike Shaw (17 goals); midfielder-defenders Dimetry Uymn and Paul Ashmore; and defenders Tom Lynch and Jason Rarig.

Promising newcomers: Midfielder Matt Anderson (a junior transfer from Rancocas Valley); midfielder-defender Jason Tanner; forwards Chris Findly and Luis Ojeda (an exchange student from the Canary Islands), and goalie Jamie Worrell.

Outlook: The Greyhounds lost too much to graduation to be considered a contender, but this is another team capable of producing a winning record. Shaw should be one of the league's top offensive threats, but the defense, which is unproven, must come up big if the Greyhounds hope to post a winning record.

RANCOCAS VALLEY

Coach: Tony Lotierzo (74-112-8).

Last year: 14-8, 6-6 (fifth in the Liberty Division).

Key returning players: Forward Steve Ringgold (12 goals); goalie Rick Keeley; defenders Darren Gunn, Jose Rosario and Mike Ashley; and midfielders Ed Weiler, Cam Uhlig and Frank Marzullo.

Promising newcomers: Defenders Carl Howard and Mike Duncan; midfielders Ray

Hutchens, Chris Wittkamp and Josh Gannone and forwards Brian Sharp and David Leitner.

Outlook: With eight returning letterwinners, the Red Devils have the experience needed to compete in this difficult league. However, the graduation of 33-goal scorer John Sharp has left a big hole. If Rancocas Valley can develop a consistent scorer to complement Ringgold, this team can also post a winning record, but it doesn't appear ready to contend for the league championship.

3 Teams Could Vie For Title

Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20151221131724/http://articles.philly.com/1991-12-13/sports/25809281_1_guard-senior-center-starters

By Gus Ostrum, Special to The Inquirer

Posted: December 13, 1991

Schools competing in the Burlington County's new Patriot Division will more than likely find a well-balanced and competitive battle for this season's girls' basketball title.

The league, which had two divisions last season, has split into three divisions.

Delran, Moorestown and Rancocas Valley will return experienced teams and are expected to contend for the title. Meanwhile, Cinnaminson and Northern Burlington hope for .500 seasons.

"The league is very well-balanced and we should have a good battle for the championship," Moorestown coach Bill Kravitz said. "We're looking forward to a big year ahead."

Moorestown, coming off a season when it was 18-7 overall and 14-4 in the league in the Freedom Division, will have its first five players returning. Kravitz will have experience, scoring balance and an excellent defense.

All-conference center-forward Dana Hughes, who is 5-foot-9, will be counted on for inside scoring after averaging 11 points per game last season. Also, sophomore center-forward Renata Zapala, who averaged 12 points and 12 rebounds as a freshman, will provide inside strength, along with junior forward Janice Petrella, who averaged 9.0 points. In the backcourt, senior guards Jen Mazzucco, who averaged 12.0 points, and Becky Saba, who averaged 8.0 points, will keep opponents off balance.

Others expected to contribute include junior forward Jen Morris, senior guard Kate Zanger, junior guard Megan Guenther, sophomore forward Meredith Funston, sophomore forward Lisa Reid and freshman center Susie Funston.

Delran, coached by 13-year veteran Jim Weber, will have three returning starters and five letterwinners from an 18-6 team.

The offense will be perhaps the most potent in the league. All-conference guard-forward Micki Bailey, a senior, averaged 17 points last season, and junior all-conference center Melissa Roberts averaged 16 points.

Sophomore guard Nicole Johnson is capable of scoring in double figures, and senior forward Andrea Landis and senior center-forward Jan Sada can be dangerous as well. Junior guard-forward Meghan Schofield and junior guard Becky McKeen will also see playing time.

"Our scoring potential and experience should help us win a lot of games," said Weber, who has 258 victories. "The new league is well distributed as far as talent goes, and hopefully we'll be right in the middle of the race."

Rancocas Valley coach Jerry Dunn will welcome seven letterwinners from last season's 9-14 team, and his squad should be in the thick of the division race.

The scoring attack is well-balanced, led by 6-0 senior forward Alyson Mangan, who averaged 10 points last season. Senior center Marvel Wall, who averaged 7.5 points, and sophomore guard Latoya Smith, who averaged 8.0 points, also should lend scoring to the starting lineup. Other possible starters include senior guard Maureen Moore and freshman guard Pam Prickett. Senior guard Ingrid Demby, senior forward Niki Uetz and junior forward Pat McBride also look to contribute.

"There are several teams with a good chance at contending for the league championship," Dunn said. "If our scoring attack remains balanced, and if some of the new kids come through, we could be in that group."

Cinnaminson will move into the Patriot Division after competing in the Olympic Conference National Division last season. The Pirates will return just three letterwinners from last season's 12-11 team. Those returnees are junior center Leighann Steinmeyer, sophomore forward Portia Pollack and sophomore forward Carmella Mazza.

They will be joined by junior forward Wendy Steele, junior guard Lauren Johnstone, junior guard Katie Luvicheski, senior guard Dawn Flanagan and senior forward Erica Porter.

Northern Burlington, coached by veteran Joe Janney, will have an inexperienced team with only three letterwinners returning from a 13-12 season. The Greyhounds, who won nine of their last 11 games in the Freedom Division last season, will rely on promising sophomores and juniors.

Guard Andrea Brown, who played as a sophomore but sat out last season with a knee injury, is the lone senior. Junior Netshia Sims, who played 12 varsity games last season, will most likely start at center. Others spots should be filled by sophomore point guard Katie Burkle, sophomore center-forward Dana Cumberland, sophomore guard Karena Tomasso, sophomore guard-forward Robin Newberry and junior forward Nikia McGlaughlin.

Delran Is The Powerhouse Of This Brand-new Division

Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20150919090708/http://articles.philly.com/1991-12-18/sports/25808645_1_weights-sophomore-district-champion

By Gus Ostrum, Special to The Inquirer

Posted: December 18, 1991

Delran High's wrestling team, coached by veteran Dennis Smith, will be an overwhelming favorite in the newly formed Burlington County Patriot Division, which was created when the Burlington County League was realigned into three divisions.

The Bears' stiffest challenge is likely to come from Rancocas Valley, with Northern Burlington, Moorestown and Cinnaminson looking to have .500-or-better seasons. Cinnaminson will move into the Burlco Patriot Division after competing in the Olympic Conference National Division the last two seasons.

Delran, last season's Burlington Freedom Division champion with records of 18-2 overall and 8-0 league, will have 10 returning starters on the roster under Smith, who has a career record of 205-78-3. The Bears had won 10 of the last 11 Freedom championships before moving into the Patriot Division this season. They were also a South Jersey Group 2 qualifier before bowing to Delsea in the semifinals.

Senior Clint Matter, who was 29-5 last season and was a regional runner-up, will wrestle at 135 or 140 pounds. Senior Brian Hamlet, 30-3-1 at 171 pounds last season, will also be back after placing in both the regionals and states.

The Bears will also have a tough closer in junior heavyweight Bill Duff, who posted a 27-6-1 record last season in placing third in the regionals. Senior district champion Mike Christiansen will also return, at 130, after last season's 18-9-1 campaign, as will senior 152-pounder Ed McBride, who was 22-6 a year ago.

Freshman Brent Matter, Clint's younger brother, is a promising prospect at 103 pounds. Others who will help out include sophomore Greg Harrison (112, 19-10), junior A. J. Jordan (119), junior Josh Lashley (125, 14-9), junior Mike Gray (135), freshman Scott Hamlet (135 or 140), sophomore Pat Duff (145), senior Chad Keyports (160) and senior Scott Barber (189).

"We're very optimistic, but cautious at the same time," Smith said. ''We're watching the injury situation closely. We can't afford any injuries to our big guns because we don't have a lot of depth."

Rancocas Valley, which went 13-6 overall and 3-3 in the Liberty Division last season, should provide Delran with its chief competition in the Patriot.

Coach Leo Quinones, who has a career record of 89-67-1 in 10 years, will welcome back six letter-winners from a year ago.

The Red Devils will have a strong middle lineup. Senior John Godoy, 17-4 as a junior, will return at 135 pounds, and sophomore Josh Gannone, 22-4 as a freshman, will return at 140.

Senior Mike Ashley, who was 14-10 at 145, will return at that weight. Also back is senior Walt Holland, a returning district champion, at 145 or 152.

"Delran will be tough to beat, but we should be competitive," Quinones said. "Our middle weights will be strong, and hopefully we'll find some depth in the other weights. It will be interesting to see how our younger wrestlers respond to varsity competition early in the season."

Cinnaminson will join the league after two seasons in the Olympic National Division. Coach Doug Cunningham will begin his 12th season and hope to better last season's 10-7 overall record, including a 5-3 National Division mark.

The key returning wrestlers, who will compete in various weight classes, include seniors C. J. Seemuller, Dan McDonald, Wayne Pestridge and Seanus Hogan. The top newcomers will include seniors Mike Feeley and Tony Destro along with juniors Jeff Young, Rob Dolge and Pat McDermott.

Northern Burlington, guided by third-year coach Brian Maccarella, will try to improve upon last season's 7-12 overall mark and 2-5 mark in the Freedom Division.

The Greyhounds will have six returning letter-winners in the starting lineup at various weights, including seniors Eric Althearn, Rob Beetel and John Flynn; junior Tom D'Arcy, and sophomores Cullen Aultman and Harry Applegate.

Moorestown, under third-year coach Paul Martin, will be in a rebuilding process after last season's 3-15 overall finish and 3-5 Freedom Division record.

Only three starters return. They are juniors Justin Hagen, Mark Geary and Art Young.

The Quakers will have a solid group of promising newcomers, including senior Greg Booker and juniors Jim Cramner, Josh Jensen, Cory Angelini and Steve Cameron.

Burl. Twp. Holds Off Delran To Go 19-0

Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20150913181641/http://articles.philly.com/1992-02-08/sports/26042020_1_shots-bears-falcons

By Tom Williams, SPECIAL TO THE INQUIRER

Posted: February 08, 1992

Undefeated Burlington Township, ranked No. 3 in The Inquirer's South Jersey Top 10, had to fight off two rallies in the second half at Delran last night before escaping with a 75-66 win over the Bears.

The win was the 19th straight for Township, which leads the Freedom Division of the Burlington County League. Delran (9-8) is in fourth place in the Patriot Division.

"We played well in the first half," Burlington Township coach Ken Faulkner said, "and we just ran into a spot in the third quarter where we struggled. But it's a sign of a good team to fend it off when a team like that rallies."

Anthony Smith, Township's 6-foot-4 senior forward who is headed to Duquesne, scored 10 points in the first half, and 6-1 senior Marcus Andrews added eight as the Falcons opened a 40-27 halftime lead.

"I challenged our kids at halftime," Delran coach Jim Petrino said. "I told them to play with heart and with guts in the second half."

They did.

With 6-4 sophomore Ralph Sacca leading the way, the Bears outscored Burlington Township, 16-3, over a five-minute stretch to reduce a 43-27 Township lead to 46-43.

Sacca, the youngest brother of Penn State quarterback Tony Sacca, made 4 of 7 shots in the third quarter, scored 10 points, and grabbed seven rebounds.

"We could go with a bigger team," said Faulkner, who played without injured 6-4 senior Phil Pittman, "but we decided to use a transition lineup. We expected them to try to go inside."

But Delran could get no closer than three points. Burlington Township had increased the margin to 52-45 by the end of the third period on consecutive buckets by Smith and Ray Stewart.

"Even though Delran came at us and cut into our early lead, we were able to maintain control of the game," Faulkner said. "Guys like Stewart and Larry Crump made some big plays for us."

Crump, a 5-9 junior point guard, had 12 points, seven assists and eight rebounds for the Falcons.

Nate Hemsley, Delran's 6-2 senior forward who is headed to Syracuse University on a football scholarship, scored 15 of his game-high 23 points in the fourth period to keep the heat on. But Township sank eight straight free throws in the final 1 minute, 3 seconds to prevent the Bears from getting any closer than six points.

"We've lost a lot of games like that," Petrino said. "We're not that far away from being 14-3. This team refuses to quit. But sometimes we just don't have the horses to match up."

Smith made 9 of 18 shots en route to his 19 points. He also grabbed eight rebounds, blocked four shots and had six steals.

Hemsley added 11 rebounds and three steals to his 23 points, making 10 of his 20 shots. Sacca had 16 points, 11 rebounds and three steals. Senior Matt Connearny scored 12 points.

"They have good athletes," Faulkner said, "and you could see they really wanted to best us."

Township, which has a one-game lead over Burlington City in the Freedom Division, will play an intra-divisional game at Rancocas Valley on Monday and go to Maple Shade on Tuesday. The Falcons should be the top seed in the South Jersey Group 1 tournament.

Delran, which qualified in Group 2, can stay alive in the Patriot Division by winning on Tuesday night at first-place Cinnaminson.

"Games like this one can get you ready for a big league game or the state tournament," Petrino said. "We had one stretch this season where we played six teams in a row that were not very tough."

Delran Wins Sectional Duff Brothers Lead Wrestlers

Source: http://articles.philly.com/1992-02-21/sports/26041858_1_brett-matter-bout-championship

By Marc Narducci, SPECIAL TO THE INQUIRER

Posted: February 21, 1992

For most of the season, Delran High sophomore Pat Duff has wrestled in the shadow of his heavyweight brother.

Last night, both Pat and Bill Duff played major roles in the Bears' 30-19 victory over visiting Buena for the South Jersey Group 2 championship.

Pat Duff, who entered the match with an 8-12-1 record, pinned Bruce Hall in the second period at 145 pounds in the most significant bout of the evening. Then junior Bill Duff clinched the championship with a pin in the first period at heavyweight to improve his record to 24-0.

It is the second sectional championship for Delran, which also won the South Jersey Group 2 title in 1986. The Bears, No. 8 in The Inquirer's South Jersey ratings and the top-seeded Group 2 team in South Jersey, improved to 18-2. They will wrestle in tomorrow's sectional semifinals at North Jersey II champion Jefferson. Central Jersey champion Somerville and North Jersey I champion Garfield will also be in the field. No. 4-rated Buena, which was seeded second in South Jersey Group 2 and used just three seniors, finished its dual-meet season 17-3.

Pat Duff appeared to be the underdog against Hall, who entered the bout with an 11-4 record. Clinging to a 9-8 lead early in the second period, Duff reversed Hall, got him in a headlock, and pinned him, giving Delran a 21-9 lead.

"I think he saw my record and maybe didn't take me as seriously," said Pat Duff. "He was really strong and I knew he was coming out there to pin me."

Duff's record is a bit deceptive. He competed at 160, while weighing 148, early in the season against wrestlers from state powers Phillipsburg and Brick Memorial. He had confidence entering last night's bout and got extra incentive from his brother.

"Bill told me to wrestle smart and don't get pinned," said Pat, smiling.

He also said it is OK that Bill has received most of the accolades.

"I don't mind that Bill has gotten a lot of the attention," said Pat. ''He deserves it. He is undefeated and he is older."

Delran, which won seven and tied one of the 13 bouts, got rolling with a 5-0 decision at 103 by Brett Matter (21-3) over Paul Castellini (19-3).

After Buena won the next two, Delran tied the score at 7 when Josh Lashley (18-3-3) won a 15-5 decision.

Delran's other victories were decisions by Mark Christensen at 130, Clint Matter at 135 and Brian Hamlet (24-0) at 160.

Buena freshman Bob Hanson, at 112, and senior Ron Roberts, at 189, remained unbeaten. Hanson is 22-0 after a hard-fought 8-6 win over Greg Harrison (16-7-1). Roberts scored a 15-4 major decision over Scott Barber (16-7) to improve to 20-0.

Delran definitely wrestled better than we did," said Buena coach Doug Castellari. "Delran is very physical, very tough. We're very young and feel that we can be better next year."

Young Delran Team Makes An Impression

Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20150917081531/http://articles.philly.com/1992-02-25/sports/26039601_1_bears-show-steady-improvement-crusaders

By Gus Ostrum, SPECIAL TO THE INQUIRER

Posted: February 25, 1992

Delran High's girls' basketball team played second fiddle this season to unbeaten Moorestown in the Burlington County Patriot Division. But the youthful Bears made an impression on area teams.

Coach Jim Weber's team sports an 18-3 overall record and a 14-2 league mark, with both league losses to the Patriot Division-leading Quakers. But with four of five starters returning, Delran followers have plenty of reason to be optimistic.

This season's team continued a winning tradition under Weber. Delran has captured five Burlington County Freedom Division championships and one South Jersey Group 2 title, and has made five sectional playoff appearances.

Last season as a starter, sophomore Nicole Johnson contributed to the offense before she missed the last half of the season with an injury. She has averaged nine points and nine assists per game this season.

Other contributors have been senior Jan Sada, junior Becky McKeen, sophomore Melissa Roberts, and junior Micki Bailey. Roberts and Bailey have done most of the scoring, each averaging in double figures.

"Most of those girls saw action last season, when we had a very young team," Weber said. "They've shown continued improvement over last year against some tough competition."

In addition, another key in the Bears' youth movement has been the play of freshman guard April Pilenza, who averages seven points a game and who steadily improved over the last half of the season.

"You have to keep in mind that she's just a freshman, but April has shown excellent skills," Weber said. "She has a bright future and is a great addition to our lineup."

While most of his key players will return, Weber fell short of making predictions for next season.

"You just can't predict what's going to happen, especially with high school kids," he said. "A lot of things can happen. On paper, we should field a strong team, and hopefully these players will work hard and continue to show steady improvement."

Although the Bears have enjoyed an excellent campaign, the Group 2 tournament will be a tough assignment. Included in the rugged field is perennial power Sterling, the Colonial Conference champion, along with Middle Township (23-0) and Moorestown (22-0).

"We'll have our work cut out for us, that's for sure," Weber said. "But hopefully we'll surprise a few teams along the way."

STARTING TO PEAK. When Delsea's Crystal Swanson returned to the Crusaders' lineup after sitting out most of the year for academic ineligibility, she provided her teammates with a huge boost.

Swanson has averaged 13 points per game, and gives Delsea (16-4, 14-3) scoring and rebounding strength heading into the South Jersey Group 3 playoffs next week. With her, the Crusaders have one of South Jersey's most balanced lineups. Jackie Stewart (19 points per game) and Jen Stephenson (11) are the other scoiring threats in coach Carol Pellicano's lineup.

"Crystal is playing well, and she definitely gives us a more complete lineup," Pellicano said. "We're glad she's back, and we hope she'll make a difference in the Group 3 playoffs."

ANOTHER STERLING TITLE. Winning never seems to be a problem at Sterling High, where coach Bill Ulrich's team clinched its sixth straight Colonial Conference championship with a 73-31 victory over Woodbury on Thursday. It was the 10th crown in 11 years for Sterling.

The Silver Knights (20-3, 16-0) used Pam Durkin's 29 points along with 16 apiece from Kate Schmid and Tori Mello to wrap up the Colonial title.

Ulrich's team is No. 7 in The Inquirer's South Jersey rankings.

SCHOOL RECORD AT HEIGHTS. Haddon Heights set a school record for most wins in a season with 18. The Garnets (18-5) have won nine straight games and have been led by the offensive play of Courtney Allshouse.

Among their wins this winter were those against Tri-County Conference Classic Division leader Glassboro and tournament-bound Gateway and Haddon Township.

The Garnets, with momentum on their side, hope to be a factor in the Group 1 sectional tournament.

100 CAREER THREE-POINTERS. St. James' Brittney Graham was honored recently during a 50-33 win over Pennsville for scoring 100 career three-point baskets.

The senior guard helped the Spartans gain a 17-5 overall record and second place to Glassboro in the Tri-County Classic Division standings.

Koss Brothers, Matter Brothers Advance To Wrestling Semifinals

Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20151222231135/http://articles.philly.com/1992-03-07/sports/26019992_1_brothers-wrestlers-quarterfinal-action

By Gus Ostrum, SPECIAL TO THE INQUIRER

Posted: March 07, 1992

The big brother-little brother act is enjoying center stage during the NJSIAA Region 7 wrestling tournament at Eastern High.

Two pairs of brothers - Collingswood's John Koss and Rick Koss, and Delran's Brett Matter and Clint Matter - all advanced into today's semifinal round with wins last night in quarterfinal bouts.

The semifinals begin at noon, while the finals and consolations start at 5 p.m.

The road from here may be a bumpy one for the talented Koss brothers, however.

Senior John Koss (29-0), a state champion last season at 160 pounds, easily advanced at 171 pounds by toppling Shawnee's Joe Scioli, 17-1. Koss, however, strained his right knee in the victory, but is expected to wrestle today.

Junior Rick Koss (25-2) pinned Rancocas Valley's John Godoy in 3 minutes, 8 seconds at 135 pounds to advance, but his semifinal opponent will be second- seeded Clint Matter, an 8-1 victor over Allentown's Mike Pecci. Matter (28-1), a senior, was a regional runner-up last season and is the favorite in today's bout.

Brett Matter, a freshman, advanced with a tough 7-5 win over Hamilton West's Jamie Butera. He improved his season record to 27-3.

Delran advanced seven wrestlers into this afternoon's semifinal round. Aside from the Matter brothers, they include: Greg Harrison (112), Josh Lashley (125), Ed McBride (145), Brian Hamlet (160), and Bill Duff (heavyweight).

All told, two No. 1 seeds - Eastern's Dan Kelly (112) and Collingswood's Mike Gaspari (125) - fell in quarterfinal action. A total of 17 seeded wrestlers (Nos. 1-4) were defeated in quarterfinal action.

Kelly (22-4-1) dropped a 6-5 decision to Camden Catholic's Jerry Boland (18-5-2) at 112, while Gaspari (27-2) lost to Camden Catholic's Jamie Gabbett (19-2-1) by a 4-2 score at 125.

Gabbett, a senior, was especially impressive against a top-flight wrestler. He scored a second-period, two-point takedown and then later reversed Gaspari for the deciding points.

"I've picked up the tempo in my last few matches and feel I'm wrestling the best I have all season," Gabbett said. "I just hope I can keep peaking."

Today's top three finishers in each weight class will advance into next week's super region tournament at Cherry Hill East.

THE RESULTS

QUARTERFINALS

103 pounds: Justtin Hurst, Lenape, pinned Mike Donato, Bishop Eustace, 2 minutes, 37 seconds. Dan Perry, Camden Catholic, dec. Sean Reynolds, Pemberton, 8-5. Mike Sferra, Shawnee, dec. Nate Yahn, Haddon Twp., 14-3. Brett Matter, Delran, dec. James Butera, Hamilton West, 7-5.

112 pounds: Jerry Bolland, Camden Catholic, dec. Dan Kelly, Eastern, 6-5. Eric Russen, Cherry West, dec. Nick Martino, Paul VI, OT. Greg Harrison, Delran, pinned Greg Bauer, Lenape, 4:52. Jonathan Quick, Hamilton West, dec. Mike Coskey, Haddon Twp., 17-15.

119 pounds: Kyle Young, Cherry West, dec. Bob Onorato, Holy Cross, 3-1, OT. Beau Beurer, Lenape, dec. Tom Shoenfelt, Steinert, 5-3. Dave Jensen, Cherry East, dec. Ken Merrigan, Paul VI, 8-5. Dave Sulkin, Cherokee, dec. Tom Ruhl, Burlington Twp., 8-4.

125 pounds: Jamie Gabbett, Camden Catholic, dec. Mike Gaspari, Collingswood, 4-2. Justin Totten, Allentown, dec. Todd Patchel, Palmyra, 12-3. Jon Baer, Burlington, tech fall Brendan Dugan, Haddon Twp., 15-0, 3:09. Josh Lashley, Delran, pinned Sayke Reily, Rancocas Valley, 1:46.

130 pounds: Mike O'Mara, Eastern, dec. Jay Cornish, Rancocas Valley, 9-6. Chris Trias, Paul VI, dec. Mark Hepler, Hamilton West, 7-4. Chris Carpino, Holy Cross, dec. Geoff Weismer, Cherry East, 3-2. Ken Hess, Pemberton, pinned Kevin Seward, Lenape, 3:37.

135 pounds: Rusty Adams, Pemberton, pinned Pat McDermott, Cinnaminson, 2:31. Bill Stout, Shawnee, dec. Anthony Turner, Camden, 8-3. Rick Koss, Collingswood, pinned John Godoy, Rancocas Valley, 3:08. Clint Matter, Delran, dec. Mike Pecci, Allentown, 8-1.

140 pounds: Pete Klaus, Haddon Twp., pinned Scott Hamlet, Delran, :33. Merlin Gerst, Pemberton, pinned Jesse McNight, Eastern, 2:39. Drew Whipple, PaulVI, dec. Seamus Hogan, Cinnaminson, 4-3. Josh Gannone, Rancocas Valley, dec. Sam Haines, Lenape, 9-6.

145 pounds: Kevin Farnham, Haddon Twp., dec. Jeff Neely, Nottingham, 16-5. Walt Holland, Rancocas Valley, dec. Joel Reed, Shawnee, 5-2. Ed McBride, Delran, dec. Bill Scully, Audubon, 5-3. Eric Brown, Hamilton West, dec. Adrell Balle, Penn Tech, 7-4.

152 pounds: John Papaneri, Cherry West, pinned Sharaz Hasan, Burlington Twp., :40. Bert Horton, Pemberton, dec. Steve Martin, Haddon Twp., 11-1. Mike Ashley, Rancocas Valley, pinned Dan Gish, Cherokee, 3:59. Jim Albertson, Eastern, pinned Jason Brugler, Palmyra, 2:57.

160 pounds: Brian Hamlet, Delran, dec. Sean Thomas, Camden, 6-4. Keith Zimmerman, Holy Cross, dec. Dan Plefka, Paul VI, 2-1. Steve Benson, Eastern, dec. Oxlee Rodriguez, Pemberton, 11-5. Tom McAleer, Gloucester Catholic, tech fall Karl Eberly, Lenape, 21-6, 5:35.

171 pounds: John Koss, Collingswood, tech fall Joe Scioli, Shawnee, 17-1, 3:56. Brian Walter, Hamilton West, dec. Bill Ferrari, Cherry West, 11-3. Alex Grassia, Paul VI, pinned Terry Egan, Haddonfield, 4:36. Shane Streater, Camden, dec. Brooks Bunting, Eastern, 15-9.

189 pounds: Joe Micela, Paul VI, dec. Kevin Landolt, Holy Cross, 5-0. Craig Ameser, Allentown, forfeit. Ryan Stouffer, Lenape, pinned Andre Williams, Trenton, 2:37. Greg O'Neill, Cherry East, pinned Matt Klaus, Haddon Twp., 2:55.

Hwt: Bill Duff, Delran, pinned Brian Kennedy, Eastern, 1:39. Pat Henderson, Paul VI, tech fall Todd Abbott, Lenape, 18-2, 5:02. Steve Randazzo, Haddon Twp., dec. Robert Rufus, Trenton, 5-0. Diondry Ford, Willingboro, pinned Vince Angelucci, Bishop Eustace, 3:05.

Delran Stars Dominate In Region 7

Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20151221192455/http://articles.philly.com/1992-03-08/sports/26017858_1_super-regionals-finishers-top-seed

By Marc Narducci, SPECIAL TO THE INQUIRER

Posted: March 08, 1992

Delran High stole the show last night at the 20th annual Region 7 wrestling championships at Eastern.

The Bears advanced seven wrestlers to Wednesday's super regionals at Cherry Hill East. The top three finishers in each weight class advanced to the super regionals.

Delran had two champions, four runners-up and a third-place finisher. No other school had more than three wrestlers qualify for the super regionals.

Collingswood's John Koss, the defending state champion at 160 pounds, is 31-0 after his first-period fall over Alex Grassia of Paul VI for the 171- pound championship last night. Koss was named most valuable wrestler.

Hamilton West's Ralph Delibero was named Region 7 coach of the year.

The finals began with Lenape sophomore Justin Hurst successfully defending his crown at 103 pounds. The top-seeded Hurst needed overtime to defeat junior Mike Sferra of Shawnee, 5-3. Hurst scored a takedown 56 seconds into the sudden-death overtime after the two tied at 3 in regulation.

It marked the third time this year that Hurst and Sferra have met. Hurst (26-2) lost to Sferra (25-4) in a dual meet and then pinned him in last week's District 27 final.

Camden Catholic sophomore Jerry Boland completed a storybook tournament by winning the 112-pound championship. The unseeded Boland defeated third-seeded Greg Harrison of Delran, 6-4, in the finals. Boland (19-5-2) had some motivation for the regionals.

The rest of his family is living in California because his father was transferred in his job. Boland decided to finish the school year here and is living with assistant coach Gary Papa. His parents, two brothers and sister flew in for the regionals.

"Having them come here really gave me some incentive," said Boland, who had lost to Harrison, 4-3, in last week's District 27 final. "It meant a lot to have them here. Plus I was relaxed because I really wasn't expected to do well here."

Cherry Hill West senior Kyle Young, the Region 7 champion at 112 pounds last year, won the title at 119 with a 25-11 decision over unseeded Cherry Hill East sophomore Martin Jensen. Young, 25-1 and the top seed, is two wins from tying Eric Jamerson's school record for career victories. Young is 89-19 in his career.

Delran junior Josh Lashley took the 125-pound title with a 4-0 win over unseeded Jamie Gabbett (20-3-1) of Camden Catholic. Lashley, the second seed, improved to 26-3-3.

Unseeded junior Chris Carpino (26-1) of Holy Cross upset top-seeded Mike O'Mara of Eastern, 6-1, to win at 130.

Top-seeded Rusty Adams (29-3) of Pemberton won the 135-pound title by injury default over second-seeded Clint Matter of Delran. Matter (29-2) was unable to wrestle in the finals after injuring a knee. In one of the most exciting bouts of the evening, second-seeded sophomore Josh Gannone of Rancocas Valley decisioned Haddon Township's Pete Klaus, 4-3, at 130. In addition to having been the top seed and unbeaten, Klaus (25-1) had been the defending champion at 130. Gannone is 25-1.

Haddon Township's Kevin Farnham won a routine 16-3 decision over Delran's Ed McBride (22-6) in the final at 145 pounds. Farnham, who lost a tough 6-5 decison in last year's final to Jackson's Jumel Kinchen, is 27-1.

Cherry Hill West's top-seeded John Papaneri (25-2-1) scored an 8-2 win over Eastern's second-seeded Jim Albertson at 152. Papaneri had an easier time in the finals after defeating Pemberton's Bert Horton, 15-13, in overtime during the semifinals.

Second-seeded senior Tom McAleer of Gloucester Catholic snapped a 7-7 tie on a takedown with 4 seconds left for a 9-7 decision over top-seeded Brian Hamlett of Delran at 160. McAleer is 25-1; Hamlett fell to 29-2-1.

Cherry Hill East's Greg O'Neil won the 189-pound title via injury default over Joe Micela of Paul VI. O'Neil (23-2) was leading, 6-3, with 4 minutes, 16 seconds gone in the bout when Micela (22-3) injured a foot.

Delran's Bill Duff (31-1) ended the evening with a 9-2 decison over Willingboro's Diondre Ford at heavyweight.

Here It's A Whole New Ball Game As Division Begins With Five Teams

Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20151223112743/http://articles.philly.com/1992-03-20/sports/26018811_1_patriot-teams-top-three-pitchers-pirates

By Marc Narducci, SPECIAL TO THE INQUIRER

Posted: March 20, 1992

People shouldn't confuse quantity with quality when assessing the strength of the new Burlington County Patriot Division. The league consists of only five teams, and each should field a competitive club.

Cinnaminson moves from the Olympic National Division. Delran, Northern Burlington and Moorestown come from the Burlco Freedom and Rancocas Valley enters after competing in the big-school Burlco Liberty last year.

Cinnaminson, with seven returning starters, is the favorite. "We will contend," said Walt Herman, in his 20th year as coach. "But nothing will be easy. There are some quality teams in this league." Another team with a shot at contending is Delran, which finished strong last year. The Bears (17-9) won nine of their last 11 games, and the only two losses were by one run to Group 2 state champion Woodstown and Burlco Freedom champion Maple Shade.

Delran's top three pitchers are not seniors and this is still a very young team.

Moorestown, Rancocas Valley and Northern Burlington are capable of posting winning records.

Patriot teams will play each other twice and it would be surprising if any of the five teams could go through the league schedule unbeaten.

CINNAMINSON

Coach: Walt Herman (20th year).

Last year: 10-7 overall, 9-5 division (fourth in the Olympic National Division).

Key returning players: P-SS Doug Dreby (5-3); C Walt Huber; 1B-P Kyle Kaufman; 2B Matt Crowley; OF Joe Tomarchio; OF Howard Shank, P-INF Matt Stevens.

Promising newcomers: P-OF Ryan James; OF-SS Tom Shank, 3B Paul Mulhern.

Outlook: The Pirates appear to be the slight favorites to win the league. Dreby could be one of the league's top pitchers, and with seven returning starters the Pirates could make their first year in the new division a successful one.

DELRAN

Coach: Rich Bender (247-129).

Last year: 17-9, 12-6 (third in the Burlington County Freedom Division).

Key returning players: P Joe Olivo (5-3, 3.28 ERA, three saves); P-1B Ralph Sacca; C-1B Tom Kelvey (.360, three home runs, 31 RBIs); OF Todd Knorr (.279, 21 RBIs), C Sean Donaghy.

Promising newcomers: P Jim Hansen; 2B Mike Okupinski; 2B Dave Zieler; SS Sean Theis, OF Mike Minnix.

Outlook: The Bears will be young, but they can't be discounted as contenders. Olivo, Sacca and freshman Hansen give Delran a solid starting pitching nucleus. A key will be to get some offensive support for Kelvey and Knorr in the lineup. Delran could challenge for the top spot in South Jersey by next year and certainly should contend for the Patriot while many of the young players get experience this season.

MOORESTOWN

Coach: Jeff Hadden (71-77).

Last year: 7-14, 7-11 (eighth in the Burlington County Freedom Division).

Key returning players: OF Brian Keane (.433, 21 stolen bases); P Tony

Saggiomo (3-2, 3.69); 2B Greg Brooker; 3B Jeff Hunter; 1B Ben Schaal; OF Craig Fisher, SS Dave Laughlin.

Promising newcomers: OF Luke Goodwin; C Dom Talvacchio, P Darren Pulito.

Outlook: The Quakers, despite returning seven starters, are still a young team. Moorestown appears ready to jump to the .500 level this year. Laughlin, who missed the last half of last season with a broken arm, is 100 percent healthy and should solidify the infield. The Quakers must develop pitching depth behind Saggiomo, who should be one of the top pitchers in this pitching- rich division. Moorestown still appears to be a year away from contention.

NORTHERN BURLINGTON

Coach: Carmine Pastore (47-42).

Last year: 18-8, 14-4 (second in the Burlington County Freedom Division).

Key returning players: C Kyle Wilson; 2B-P Frank Angelucci (.364), P-OF Eric Simmons (.320).

Promising newcomers: SS-P Jason Rarig, 2B-P Mike Shaw.

Outlook: Last year the Greyhounds were one of the more pleasant surprises, finishing second, behind Maple Shade, in the Freedom Division. But that team was decimated by graduation. Northern Burlco will be an inexperienced team this year. The Greyhounds would do well to reach the .500 level. The key will be developing a pitching staff, because Simmons, who had three wins last year, is the most experienced pitcher.

RANCOCAS VALLEY

Coach: Tony Lotierzo (57-80).

Last year: 6-15, 1-11 (seventh in the Burlington County Liberty Division).

Key returning players: 1B Rich Doppler; P Kevin White; OF Eric Trojanowski; OF Ray Hutchens; P Brad Zerbe; 2B Charlie Gardner; SS Terry Powell; C Steve McMullen, C Mark Miller.

Promising newcomers: P-3B Ed Colgan.

Outlook: With nine returning lettermen, including five starters, improvement is likely for the Red Devils. Doppler could be one of the league's premier power hitters and the offense should be consistent. The Red Devils don't appear to be ready to contend, but a winning record is a realistic goal. Rancocas Valley has lost two pitchers due to grades, and the pitching is too unproven to be able to label the Red Devils contenders.

A Two-way Race Is Shaping Up In The Patriot

Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20151226020819/http://articles.philly.com/1992-03-21/sports/26019054_1_junior-outfielder-senior-outfielder-underclassmen

By Gus Ostrum, SPECIAL TO THE INQUIRER

Posted: March 21, 1992

Burlington County Patriot Division softball coaches all agree on one point - at least two teams will battle it out for league honors in a hotly contested race.

Touted as the top challengers will be Northern Burlington and Delran, with each returning talented and experienced teams. Cinnaminson and Rancocas Valley could both be spoilers in the race while Moorestown will struggle to reach the .500 level.

"No one will win this in a cakewalk," Moorestown coach Bill Kingston said. "There are several solid teams, and the division appears to be well balanced."

After finishing second in the Burlington County Freedom Division race last season, Northern Burlington will be an instant contender in the Patriot Division this spring. Veteran coach Chris Haines guided her club to a strong 15-7 overall record and 13-3 league mark last season.

Among Haines' seven returning starters will be junior pitcher Kristin Schoen, senior infielder Carrie Don, senior pitcher Becky Dengler, senior infielder Shannon Griffiths, junior outfielder Netishia Sims, senior outfielder Kate Herbert, and senior outfielder Sherry Nutt.

Pitching will definitely be a strength as Schoen posted a record of 10-4 with a 1.31 earned run average and 135 strikeouts.

"With a good pitcher and our experience, we should be one of the favorites," Haines said. "But the league will be a strong one, and nothing is guaranteed."

Looking to make a run for first place will be Delran, coached by Nancy Fanelli. Six returning starters should enable the Bears to improve upon last season's 8-11 overall mark and 8-9 Freedom Division record.

Among the key returnees will be seniors Danielle Mastrosimone (shortstop) and April Bart (third base), junior Melissa Roberts (first base), and sophomores Karen Jesunas (pitcher-outfield), and Dina LaGreco (outfield- catcher).

The Bears will perhaps have one of the area's strongest freshman classes in softball this season. April Pilenza (catcher-outfield), Jamie Schoeffling (infield-outfield), and Aimee Bart (pitcher-outfield) should all see playing time.

Rancocas Valley, coached by Deb Hauth, may find a spot in the race with six starters back from a 6-12 season and a host of promising underclassmen.

Senior first baseman Niki Uetz will be a third-year starter who has excellent hitting and defensive skills. Senior outfielder-pitcher Anne Milich, sophomore catcher Crystal Mount, sophomore pitcher Chris Sweeney, junior second baseman Jennifer Gaunt, and senior outfielder Jenn Willem will all be returning.

Cinnaminson, 11-9 overall last season as a member of the Olympic Conference National Division, may have enough to challenge in the Patriot standings. Coach Emory Markovic will have seven letter-winners and a host of promising newcomers in his lineup.

The Pirates' top prospect will be senior third baseman Linnea Young, a three-year letter-winner and an all-South Jersey candidate. She will co- captain the team along with senior pitcher Kris Kearns, junior first baseman Wendy Steel, and senior shortstop Lori Cassidy.

Cinnaminson will also receive offensive and defensive boosts from veterans Porta Pollack (centerfielder), Lauren Huminski (second base), and Jinnene Young (outfield), all sophomores.

In addition, juniors Colleen Ryan (catcher), Nicole Kline (pitcher), and Dana Schrillo (outfielder) along with senior Susan Robinson (infield) will also see playing time.

Moorestown should definitely improve upon last season's 0-18 overall record under head coach Bill Kravitz, who is also the girls' basketball coach. The Quakers will return six starters from last season.

Four seniors will head the list of returnees, including pitcher-third baseman Joanne Gotthardt, shortstop Linda Rosmando, first baseman Cara Brown, and rightfielder Moira Lewis.

In addition, sophomores Christine Mogey (catcher) and Tanya Beauchamp (centerfielder) also lend experience to the starting lineup. Coach Kravitz also has a talented group of freshmen on the roster who may crack the starting lineup.

Pemberton's Newest Player Helps Extend A Winning Streak To 11

Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20151016200302/http://articles.philly.com/1992-05-01/sports/26011412_1_hornets-john-reeves-riot-act

By Marc Narducci, INQUIRER CORRESPONDENT

Posted: May 01, 1992

When a team is on a school-record winning streak, it is usually receiving huge contributions from a multitude of players.

That is the case for Pemberton High's baseball team.

The host Hornets, who started the season 0-2, increased their streak to 11 with yesterday's 7-3 victory over an inexperienced but scrappy Delran team in a nonleague game.

The winning hit came from designated hitter John Reeves, a junior making his first varsity start after excelling on junior varsity. In Pemberton's 11 victories, eight different players have a game-winning hit.

This is a squad that entered yesterday's game with a .481 on-base percentage, and with eight of the starters batting .316 or better.

Delran (8-5) did a good job of containing Pemberton's leading offensive threat, Ray Drayton, who entered the game with 24 RBIs but went 0 for 3. But Drayton still had plenty to do with the triumph, allowing just six hits and two earned runs in raising his record to 7-1.

The offensive heroics were left to Reeves and junior rightfielder Jason Diller.

Pemberton, No. 7 in The Inquirer's South Jersey ratings, jumped to a 2-0 lead when speedster William Ogburn scored on an error and Rich Grover hit an RBI double in the third. Delran tied the score on sophomore Ralph Sacca's two- run single in the fourth.

In the bottom of the inning, Reeves began capitalizing on his promotion. He lined a two-run single that put Pemberton ahead for good, 4-3. In the next inning, Diller hit a two-run home run, his first of the season.

Pemberton's defensive star was sophomore catcher Ron Jensen, who threw out all three baserunners who tried to steal.

Nobody is enjoying this streak more than veteran Pemberton coach Gary Schafer. The Hornets were 10-12 last year, and Schafer was hoping to get off to a quick start. After beginning the season 0-2, the Hornets didn't exactly instill fear in their Burlington County Liberty Division opponents.

"When you are 0-2, teams want to play you," said Schafer. "I think a few teams in the division started to take us lightly."

A few victories have certainly changed the attitudes of Pemberton's opponents. The Hornets are in a fight for the Burlington Liberty title, trailing division-leading Lenape by one game. Yesterday, Lenape showed the ultimate respect for Pemberton by sending a coach to scout the game.

"It's nice to see that they had enough respect to come out and scout us," said Schafer. "Teams are starting to look at us much differently."

A problem is that Pemberton was also beginning to see itself in a new light. Schafer said the Hornets were basking too much in the glow of the winning streak. After Pemberton beat Rancocas Valley, 13-11, on Tuesday, Schafer read his team the riot act before Wednesday's practice.

"I felt that the kids were feeling the pressure because everybody was patting them on the back," said Schafer. "I told them that they had to get refocused. Yes, it's been great that we have won all these games, but we can't lose sight of our goals. I told them we still haven't caught Lenape and we want to go for the highest possible seed in the Group 4 tournament. Then I put them through the hardest practice I've ever had as a coach. I believe that we are refocused now."

Delran can attest to that.

C.h. West Aims To Extend String Of Sectional Wins

Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20150928204617/http://articles.philly.com/1992-05-29/sports/26013207_1_sectional-titles-junior-lefthander-teams

By Marc Narducci, INQUIRER CORRESPONDENT

Posted: May 29, 1992

Cherry Hill West will be vying for its sixth consecutive sectional title in today's Group 4 South Jersey sectional baseball championships. West is the only South Jersey team returning to the finals.

No team from the seven-county South Jersey area has qualified for the Group 3 title, which will be played between top-seeded Toms River South and second- seeded Lakewood at Point Pleasant Borough (3:30 p.m.). The game was originally scheduled for Deptford, but was changed because of the distance both teams would be forced to travel.

Despite a similar situation in Group 2, the site won't be moved. That means Delran and Kingsway will both travel nearly two hours to play today's championship at Southern Regional. Site director Jack DuBois of Manchester Township refused to move the game despite pleas from both schools.

Below is a preview of the Group 1, 2 and 4 championships.

GROUP 4

Fourth-seeded Cherry Hill East (19-2) vs. second-seeded Cherry Hill West (24-2), 3:30 p.m. at Eastern.

History. Since sectional titles began being decided on the field in 1959, West has won 10 South Jersey championships. The Lions have won five straight South Jersey titles and three consecutive state crowns, including last year, in Group 3.

East has won two South Jersey Group 4 titles, in 1974 and 1988. The teams have split both games this year. West won a 2-1 decision when Walt Clymer hit a two-run homer in the bottom of the sixth inning. East earned a 10-9 eight- inning home win over West in the rematch. In addition to playing today, the two will meet in tomorrow's Diamond Classic semifinal, 1:30 p.m. at Hammonton.

Outlook. West has the edge in pitching. East ace Kevin Foley (6-1) is ineligible to pitch, because of NJSIAA restrictions, after going seven innings in Wednesday's 3-1 semifinal win over Toms River East. The Cougars will probably start senior righthander Dave Angstreich, who is 5-0 with an 0.83 ERA. Coach Dave Martin likes to employ a committee of pitchers and will probably also use junior lefthander Matt Dalsey (3-1, 2.10) and junior righthander Barry Toren (1-0).

West's stopper, Bo Gray (11-0), is eligible to pitch seven innings and is the likely starter for coach Tom Trotman. No. 2 Chris Querns, who pitched four innings and got the win in Wednesday's 4-1 semifinal win over Shawnee, is eligible to pitch six innings.

East's offense is paced by shortstop Steve Young (.594, 28 RBIs), first baseman Foley (.359, 17 RBIs) and designated hitter Erik Henry (.441, 29 RBIs).

West's offense is led by senior catcher Dan Farling (.454, five home runs, 31 RBIs), Gray (.325, one home run, 24 RBIs) and leadoff batter Tom Bianco (.328, 20 stolen bases, 32 runs).

East has won 17 in a row; West has a four-game win streak. West is the obvious favorite, but East is one program that isn't intimidated by West's past success. These two teams formed the core of Cherry Hill's 15-year-old Babe Ruth team that won the national championship in 1989.

GROUP 2

Top-seeded Kingsway (20-2) vs. sixth-seeded Delran (16-9), 4 p.m. at Southern Regional.

History. Kingsway has won three sectional titles, all in Group 1, in 1975, 1981 and 1987.

Delran has been to the sectional title game seven times in 17 years, having won three South Jersey Group 2 titles, in 1983, 1987 and 1988.

Delran is the lowest seed left in the four public school finals.

Outlook. Kingsway has a decided pitching advantage. Coach Bill Crane will start his son, Rider-bound senior lefthander John Crane (10-1, 0.65 ERA). Crane, who hasn't pitched since last Friday, is eligible to pitch 10 innings.

Delran won't be able to use No. 1 pitcher Joe Olivo (7-4), who went seven innings in Wednesday's 1-0 win over second-seeded Pennsville.

Coach Rich Bender, whose team has won seven of nine games, says he is undecided on his starting pitcher. A possibility is sophomore lefthander Ralph Sacca (4-1). Other potential starters are freshman righthander Jim Hansen (3-1, 26 strikeouts in 23 innings), or sophomore righthanders Max Newill (2-1) or Dave Graver (0-1).

Both teams have outstanding offenses. The No. 9 hitter in the Kingsway lineup, senior third baseman Mike Zeno, is hitting .368. Delran's No. 9 hitter, junior second baseman Dave Zierler, is hitting .404.

The lowest batting average among Kingsway starters is .339.

The Dragons' leading hitter is senior leftfielder John Lucas (.453). Other key offensive threats include centerfielder Tom O'Brien (.390, 33 runs), second baseman Brian Sheldon (.417), Crane (.370, 30 RBIs) and catcher Basil Barchuk (.426). Delran is led by senior designated hitter Tom Kelvey (.383, 33 RBIs), senior catcher Sean Donaghy (.385, 22 RBIs), and junior shortstop Olivo (.304, 20 RBIs).

Kingsway is a senior-laden team, while Delran is composed mostly of underclassmen.

GROUP 1

Top-seeded Audubon (21-1-1) vs. second-seeded Schalick (17-4), 4 p.m. at Pennsauken.

History. Audubon, a team with a rich baseball tradition, has won five sectional titles, but none in Group 1. Schalick is making its first appearance in a South Jersey baseball title game.

Outlook. Even though Audubon is a solid favorite, the Green Wave won't have the use of No. 1 pitcher Brett Laxton (9-0), who pitched seven innings in Wednesday's 7-6 win over Florence. Still, junior righthander Brian McGettigan, who will start agianst Schalick, would be the ace on most staffs. McGettigan is 6-0 with a 2.11 ERA.

Schalick will counter with senior righthander Matt Pagliarini, who picked up the win in Wednesday's 4-2 semifinal win over Riverside, hurling two innings of relief. Pagliarini (7-3, 3.39) is eligible to pitch eight innings.

The game will pit Audubon senior shortstop Mike Harris against his cousin, Schalick second baseman Mark Harris.

Mike Harris is one of the most feared hitters in South Jersey. He is hitting .471 with 10 home runs and 39 RBIs.

Mark Harris is hitting .400.

Laxton, who also plays outfield, leads Audubon with a .486 average. Audubon's No. 9 hitter in the lineup, Jeff Whitman, is hitting .400.

Schalick has one of South Jersey's best kept secrets in first baseman Amadi Eze (.451, 36 runs, 24 stolen bases). Other top offensive performers include catcher Jay Bucolo (.466, 21 RBIs), third baseman Tony Aversa (.367, 20 RBIs), and designated hitter Don Ollek (.488, 21 RBIs).

Crane's 3-hitter Is The Key Kingsway Shuts Out Delran For The South Jersey Group 2 Title.

Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20151228025347/http://articles.philly.com/1992-05-30/sports/26013195_1_kingsway-john-crane-dragons

By Marc Narducci, INQUIRER CORRESPONDENT

Posted: May 30, 1992

MANAHAWKIN — Kingsway senior lefthander John Crane professes to pitch better in the bigger games. The pressure, he said, inspires him to a different level. Yesterday, in the most important game of his career, Crane had one of his most impressive outings, throwing a three-hit shutout in Kingsway's 4-0 win over Delran in the South Jersey Group 2 championship at Southern Regional.

Top-seeded Kingsway, 21-2 and No. 8 in The Inquirer's South Jersey ratings, advances to Tuesday's state Group 2 semifinal against Kennedy-Iselin at Hamilton East at 4 p.m. Sixth-seeded Delran, which had only three seniors, finished 16-10.

The championship was the fourth for Kingsway, which had last won a sectional baseball title in 1987 by capturing the Group 1 crown.

In addition to pitching in a championship game, Crane also had to endure the chants of a group of Delran fans who heckled him from his first pitch to the final out.

"I like pitching with pressure because it makes me concentrate more," said Crane, 11-1. "Plus today the fans were trying to rattle me. But things like that make me want to do better."

Crane was also the beneficiary of some stellar defense. The only error the Dragons committed was on Crane's overthrow on a pickoff play.

Third baseman Mike Zeno, shortstop Eric Gray and second baseman Brian Sheldon were the three key defensive standouts.

"Since we played Audubon, that's the best shortstop and second baseman we've seen," said Delran coach Rich Bender. "And with Crane on the mound they are very strong up the middle. You have to give Crane a lot of credit. He's an excellent high school pitcher."

Crane helped his cause by picking off two runners, one in the first and another in the sixth. In addition, Kingsway executed a double play after Delran's Ralph Sacca and Kevin Jordan walked and singled to open the seventh inning.

"Our defense was just tremendous," said Kingsway coach Bill Crane, John's father, who announced earlier this year that this will be his final season. ''The other key was the two pickoff plays. Delran is the kind of team that likes to get things going on the basepaths. Those pickoffs really took a lot out of them. It's a play we work on a lot."

Coach Crane was also glowing over John's performance. John will attend Rider College next year.

"The bigger the game, the tougher the situation . . . John just sucks it up and rises to the occasion," said Bill Crane. "Being in a big game like this just inspires him."

Kingsway opened the scoring in the first after loading the bases with one out when Sheldon and Crane singled and Gray reached base on an error. John Lucas drove in the run with a sacrifice fly.

Delran's Sacca was impressive in holding down Kingsway, as every starter was batting .339 or better. But the Dragons kept chipping away. Kingsway's other runs were scored on Rob Choyce's sacrifice fly in the third inning, Sheldon's RBI double in the fourth and Tom O'Brien's RBI single in the sixth.

That was more than enough support for Crane, who had seven strikeouts for 89 in the season.

"I'm usually nervous anyway, but when your own kid pitches it tears your stomach apart," said Bill Crane. "You're watching him as a coach and his father. But seeing something like this is very gratifying."

While Kingsway had an experienced team with seven of nine senior starters, Delran exceeded expectations by reaching the championship with a team that most considered a year away from playing for the title.

"I'm really proud of my kids," said Bender. "That is a team that could be state champs, especially with Crane on the mound. Our kids gave a great effort and this is a young group. We will be back."

Even Soaked, Lights Give The Delran Bears A New Reason To Shine

Source: http://articles.philly.com/1992-09-28/news/26021465_1_new-lights-football-field-first-night-game

By Josh Zimmer, INQUIRER CORRESPONDENT

Posted: September 28, 1992

DELRAN — It was a bear of a night for Delran High School to unveil the new lights on its football field.

But 500 hearty souls (out of an expected 2,000) stuck out Friday's drenching rain to support the Delran Bears in their first night game - the result of a community fund-raising effort.

The fans - most of them, anyway - huddled under umbrellas, as the cheerleaders' rah-rah enthusiasm and high-pitched voices cut through the incessant patter of rain.

"First and 10, do it again! Go, Go!" they cried, their karate-chop motions defying the downpour.

The football players trudged on, not letting anything lessen their focus on their first home game. They would emerge victorious, 20-0, against the Burlington City Blue Devils.

The Bears' No. 73, offensive and defensive tackle Bill Duff, summed up the effect of the high-speed water droplets that swiveled under the illumination of the field lamps.

"I don't care," he said.

Just let there be light.

The lights had been 15 months in coming. They were the result of efforts by a group called Light Up Delran to fill a social and recreational vacuum in the suburban township, where the local 7-Eleven and fast-food joints are the closest thing to legitimate hangouts.

"There is no community center in town, and the high school seemed to be the perfect place for the community to get together to watch the kids play," said Don Deutsch, co-founder of the group.

While some parents like Donald Joanne DeMaise have always had time to watch their son Don, a defensive guard, romp on the gridiron, many others never enjoyed the opportunity.

"The bottom line was a lot of parents . . . never saw our kids play," because games were restricted to Saturdays, DeMaise said.

Light Up Delran raised about $40,000 to purchase and install 45 lights on four poles. About 700 people contributed, including the five-member township council, which transferred $25,000 in developers' fees to the group.

Deutsch had wanted badly to thank all those who came out in the rain Friday.

But his salutations, scheduled for halftime, went bust because of faulty broadcast equipment. Before the start of the third quarter, Deutsch said he would plan to give his spiel at the next night football game. He also had planned to officially hand school board president Ronald Napoli control of the improved facility and the new snack bar, which was built solely by volunteers.

Light Up Delran is hoping for an increase in revenues from greater ticket and food sales. The money will go toward maintenance of all the district's sports facilities, with "some left over," Deutsch predicted.

Despite the rain Friday, fans were generally positive about the lights.

"It makes the game a little more exciting," said James Haines, a member of the state champion 1990 team, who was watching his little brother Jim - an offensive and defensive tackle - follow in his footsteps. "You'll get a better turnout."

The onset of night games in Delran comes as the neighboring Willingboro school board is considering resuming such events after a four-year ban. The ban was imposed after the post-game beating of a Willingboro football player by four Camden men.

In Delran, up to eight township police officers will be providing security for the games, said Patrolman William Pfeffer.

"We don't anticipate many problems," he said. "We're prepared for anything that happens."

Delran's first night game appeared to be succeeding in one other respect: giving teenagers an alternative to television and video games.

"I'd say all of us" are happy about the lights, said one teenage fan. But added a point about outdoor sports in general.

"That's what's good about wrestling: You're never in the rain."

Lott's 3 Touchdowns Power Delran Past Burlington Twp. The Bears Running Back's Scoring Efforts Weren't Fancy. They Were Very Effective, However.

Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20150919095334/http://articles.philly.com/1992-10-18/sports/25997634_1_clinton-lott-bears-burlington-township

By Rich Fisher, INQUIRER CORRESPONDENT

Posted: October 18, 1992

Stick a football in the stomach of Clinton Lott and give him a few holes to run through and you have a solid game plan.

Delran High followed that plan perfectly yesterday in taking a 21-6 victory over Burlington Township in a Burlington County League interdivision game. Lott rushed 24 times for 131 yards and three touchdowns as Delran (3-1) severely hurt Township's chances of gaining a state tournament berth.

Lott scored on 18-yard runs in the first and fourth quarters and added a 3- yard scoring run in the fourth. All three plays were straight up the middle.

"Bill Duff leads up the blocking on those plays," Lott said. "He opened some big holes. He's a big dude."

Duff was big on defense, too, collecting three sacks for 40 yards in losses. The Bears also got strong play from their secondary, which shut down the Falcons' passing attack. Burlington Township quarterback Tony Cattani was 10 for 30, for 112 yards, but completed just three passes for 30 yards in the second half. Cattani was intercepted twice, by Ervin Turner and Sean Theis.

"We were worried about their passing," said Lott, who doubles as a defensive back. "The coaches worked a lot with the secondary on stopping them this week."

Lott's first TD came with 6 minutes, 20 seconds left in the first quarter, and Rich Brandon's conversion pass to Joe Olivo made it 8-0.

Township had two good scoring chances in the second quarter. The Falcons (3-2) drove to the Delran 16-yard line but the Bears came up big, stopping Jason Stockett for no gain on first down and forcing Cattani into three straight incompletions. On its next possession, Township gained control at Delran's 32 and moved to the 15 before Duff sacked Cattani for a 14-yard loss. Cattani followed with three straight incompletions.

Delran put the game away in the fourth quarter on Lott's TD runs, and Township avoided the shutout when Kevin Bennett scooped up a fumble and ran 78 yards for a score with under two minutes remaining.

Delran finished with 169 rushing yards while quarterback Ralph Sacca completed 9 of 14 passes for 74 yards. It was Sacca's first game since opening night, when he separated his shoulder against Burlington City.

Big Pass Play Gives Delran Group 2 Title The 64-yard Play In The Fourth Quarter Helped The Bears Overcome A 10-0 Deficit Against Sterling.

Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20151222111533/http://articles.philly.com/1992-12-06/sports/25992601_1_bears-olivo-football-playoff

By Marc Narducci, INQUIRER CORRESPONDENT

Posted: December 06, 1992

It will be a catch that will be remembered years from now, an improbable connection on a day more suited for grind-it-out football.

Calling Joe Olivo's 64-yard touchdown reception spectacular would be understating the case. But adjectives aside, the catch proved to be the game- winner as Delran High overcame a 10-0 deficit to defeat host Sterling, 12-10, in yesterday's South Jersey Group 2 football championship.

Delran's glittering postseason record is as impressive as Olivo's game- winning grab. The Bears, seeded fourth this year, have never lost a football playoff game, going 8-0. The school's other titles were won in 1987, 1989 and 1990.

Delran, No. 10 in The Inquirer's South Jersey ratings, finished 9-2. Sterling, ranked No. 7, ended up 9-1-1.

Before the catch, things weren't looking bright for the Bears. They faced a third and 15 from their own 36-yard line.

Quarterback Ralph Sacca sent Olivo deep, but he was covered tightly by both Sterling safeties, Jay Brook and Robert Mann.

Sacca, who battled the wind to complete 5 of 23 passes for 155 yards and two touchdowns, decided to throw the ball anyway despite the tight coverage.

Mann and Brook both jumped and banged one another, just missing the ball. The 5-foot-11, 160-pound Olivo, who had the defenders beaten by a half step, leaped up at the Sterling 30-yard line and caught the ball. He had the presence of mind to stay on his feet and raced the final yards, just eluding a final Sterling defender with 4 minutes, 3 seconds left in the game.

"I outjumped them for the ball and it was perfectly thrown," said Olivo, a senior who caught three passes for 126 yards. "Even with the two guys there, I was concentrating on the ball. That catch was the best thing I ever did in my life."

On the next series, Sterling attempted its first passes of the game, but the Silver Knights completed just 1 of 3 for 4 yards and were forced to punt. Delran then ran out the final 3:10 to seal the victory.

Sterling's defense, led by junior end Dave Pearson and senior tackle Kevin Henry, dominated Delran in the first half. The Bears' offensive statistics in the first two quarters were as grim as the chilled weather. Delran completed just 2 of 14 passes for 49 yards and gained 0 yards on eight carries.

At haltime, the Delran Bear mascot jokingly said, "Now we have them were we want them."

He was referring to Delran's first-round, 23-19 playoff win over Hammonton, in which the Bears trailed, 19-0, at the half.

Sterling's only touchdown was set up when Delran punter Rich Peirce was down on the Bears' 22 after kneeling to field a bad snap with just 1:39 gone in the first quarter.

Five plays later, Sterling's John Fox (17 carries, 55 yards) scored from the 1 for a 7-0 lead.

Sterling increased the advantage to 10-0 when Pearson, who was successful on the earlier conversion kick, added a 19-yard field goal with 1:49 left in the half.

Facing a fourth and goal from the 2, Sterling opted for the sure points instead of going for the touchdown.

A key penalty finally got Delran started in the second half. Faced with a fourth and 5 on their own 19, the Bears retained possession when Sterling was called for roughing the punter, Peirce.

With a first down on its own 25, Delran then went 75 yards on 13 plays. Again, Delran made the most of an improbable pass play that resulted in a 17- yard touchdown pass from Sacca to Rich Brandon with one second left in the third quarter.

Facing a stiff wind, Sacca underthrew his senior receiver. Brandon tipped the ball and then Sterling cornerback Bob Shelley, who had tight coverage, also tipped it. Brandon, falling backward, then caught the pass in the end zone off the tip by Shelley.

"The pass was short because of the wind," said Brandon. "We both tipped it and I came down with it. When you want to win a game like this, you have to make big plays."

Midway through the fourth quarter, Sterling still appeared in command, but was called for a costly personal foul on a late hit out of bounds against a scrambling Sacca. Instead of facing a third and 15 from its own 26, Delran had a first down on its own 41.

After an incomplete pass and a 5-yard loss, Sacca found Olivo for the touchdown.

Sterling had trouble moving the ball in the second half, with Bill Duff the leader of Delran's defensive surge. The 6-4, 235-pound, one-man wrecking crew continually stuffed Sterling ballcarriers. Delran also blitzed more in the second half, virtually disregarding the Silver Knights' passing game.

"It's a great feeling to win," said Delran coach Pete Miles. "I'm especially happy for the receivers Joe (Olivo) and Rich (Brandon). We didn't throw the ball much this year and they didn't get the credit they deserve."

And now, Brandon and Olivo join a long list of heroes that includes Tony and John Sacca in Delran playoff lore.

"When I have grandchildren, I'll still watch a tape of this game and probably get chills," said Olivo. "It will stay with me the rest of my life."

This Could Be The Best Bunch Yet To Play For The Burlco's Teams Shawnee's Dan Earl And Kirk Luchman, And Cherokee's Randy Edney Lead A Ton Of Talent.

Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20150922000957/http://articles.philly.com/1992-12-11/news/25995712_1_kirk-luchman-dan-earl-pemberton

By Marc Narducci, INQUIRER CORRESPONDENT

Posted: December 11, 1992

The Burlington County League probably will have more talent this winter than ever before.

At the top of the list are three Division I recruits, Dan Earl and Kirk Luchman of Shawnee, and Randy Edney of Cherokee.

Playing in their shadows are a number of talented performers for teams in the Liberty, Patriot and Freedom Divisions, including Sherrod Jones of Cinnaminson and Chris Hutton of Burlington Township.

Here's a look at the best of the Burlco.

LIBERTY DIVISION. When mentioning the top players in South Jersey, the roll call begins with Shawnee's Earl, who plans to attend Penn State next season.

Last season, he averaged 19.0 points, 9.4 assists and 6.0 rebounds in earning Inquirer first-team all-South Jersey honors. He led the Renegades to state Group 4 and Tournament of Champions titles.

Earl also won the three-point-shooting contest this summer at an invitation-only camp in Indianapolis.

Luchman, a 6-9 center, plans to attend Florida State next year. He averaged 15 points and 10 rebounds a game last season.

In addition to Earl and Luchman, Shawnee will get some firepower from sophomore guard Brian Earl - Dan's brother - and 6-0 senior Corey Green, who recently was named all-league in football at defensive end.

Cherokee's Edney, a 6-10 senior who is showing strong improvement over last season, has signed a letter of intent to attend Mount St. Mary's in Emmitsburg, Md. Edney averaged 11.0 points, 9.1 rebounds and 2.5 blocks last season.

The leading returning scorer in the division is Lenape's James MacLeod, a 6-1 senior who averaged 19.3 points last season. MacLeod, one of the best shooters in Burlington County, impressed observers with his play last summer.

Pemberton has twin towers in 6-5 seniors Lamonte and Shawn Harvin. Lamonte Harvin averaged 12.1 points and 8.8 rebounds last season; Shawn Harvin averaged 8.7 points and 5.2 rebounds.

Malcon Meriweather, a 5-8 junior, will run the Pemberton attack after averaging 8.6 points and 4.1 assists last season.

New Holy Cross coach Jim Flynn will rely heavily on one of his few experienced veterans, Bill Koch. The 6-5 senior averaged 8.0 points last season.

PATRIOT DIVISION. One of the county's best players is Rancocas Valley's 5-10 senior guard James Lewis, who labored in the shadow of the Shawnee stars last season despite averaging 15 points and six assists per game. Lewis is entering his fourth season as the Red Devils' starting point guard.

He also enjoyed a fine summer, leading Rancocas Valley to an upset win over Shawnee in the championship of the Cherry Hill Recreation League.

Rancocas Valley has two other double-figure scorers returning, 6-3 senior Cameron Watson and 5-11 sophomore Eugene Knox. Watson averaged 11 points and four assists; Knox averaged 11 points and five assists.

Robbie Haskins, a 6-4 sophomore transfer from Ossi-Vo Tech, could be a key frontcourt addition for the Red Devils.

Cinnaminson's Jones, a 6-8 senior, is yet another Division I-caliber big man. Drexel and Delaware are just two of the schools showing interest in Jones, who is also a Division I-A football prospect as a tight end.

Last season, Jones averaged 13 points a game. Colleges like his versatility. Jones has developed a solid perimeter game to go along with his ability to score from inside.

Delran has two players who figure to be among the top players in the Patriot Division, 6-4 junior Ralph Sacca and 6-2 senior Jamal Holloway.

Moorestown returns two double-figure scorers, 6-3 senior Ben Schall and 6-4 senior Duane Harper. Schall averaged 13 points, while Harper averaged 11.

FREEDOM DIVISION. Possibly the most underrated player in the entire league is Bernie Hynson of Maple Shade. The 6-1 senior averaged 17 points a game last season, and is another player who fared well in summer camps.

Hynson, who has the ability to penetrate, could emerge as one of the area's top guards.

Maple Shade's inside game is built around 6-5 senior Dave Camp, who averaged 14 points a game. Frank Smith, a 5-8 senior who averaged six points a game, will team with Hynson to make up a strong backcourt.

Another football star who should make an impact in basketball is Burlington Township's Hutton, a 6-4 junior. Last season, he averaged 7.0 points and 7.0 rebounds for a team that won the state title in Group 1. The Falcons have one of the top guards in the division, 5-9 senior Larry Crump, who averaged 6.5 points and eight assists.

No Freedom team has a more formidable front line than Palmyra. It may have the division's top senior in 6-6 Joe Davis. He will team with 6-8 junior Jason Yoder to give Palmyra one of the strongest rebounding combinations in the county.

Despite being hit hard by graduation, Burlington City will be competitive, with the presence of 6-2 senior Andre Von Cellis and 6-1 senior Melvin Hannah. Von Cellis averaged 9.0 points and 3.0 assists, while Hannah, an all-league football player, averaged 6.0 points and 5.0 rebounds.

BURLINGTON COUNTY LEAGUE BOYS' BASKETBALL

Here's a look at the races in the Burlington County League.

FREEDOM DIVISION

* Team to beat: Burlington Township. Despite returning only two starters

from a state Group 1 champion, the Falcons have the tradition and young talent coming up to fight off all the competition.

* Top challengers: Palmyra, with the best frontcourt in the league, will seriously contend if its backcourt comes around. Burlington, with two returning starters and an excellent tradition, should also make a run.

* Dark horses: Maple Shade, with three returning starters, and Florence both are capable of giving the contenders fits.

* Last season: Burlington Township: 11-1 in the division, 31-2 overall. Burlington: 11-1, 18-6. Palmyra: 7-5, 15-10. Florence: 6-6, 11-11. Maple Shade: 5-7, 12-14. Riverside: 1-11, 6-20. Bordentown: 1-11, 2-21.

* Recent champions: 1992, Burlington Township and Burlington. 1991, Burlington. 1990, Burlington. 1989, Burlington Township. 1988, Burlington.

PATRIOT DIVISION

* Team to beat: On paper, this appears to be the best-balanced division in South Jersey. There is no clear favorite. Here's a clue, however - Rancocas Valley beat defending state Group 4 champion Shawnee this summer to win the Cherry Hill Recreation League.

* Top challengers: Delran, with five returning starters; Moorestown, with two double-figure scorers back, and Cinnaminson, with the league's top player in 6-foot-8 Sherrod Jones all could contend.

* Last season: Cinnaminson: 7-1 in the division, 15-8 overall. Rancocas Valley: 5-3, 13-12. Delran: 4-4, 13-12. Moorestown: 4-4, 12-12. Northern Burlco: 0-8, 6-18.

* Recent champions: The Patriot Division was created last year. The first champion was Cinnaminson.

LIBERTY DIVISION

* Team to beat: Shawnee, hands down. The Renegades won the state Group 4 title and the Tournament of Champions last season, were ranked No. 1 in South Jersey, and have five of their top six players back.

* Top challengers: Pemberton, with three returning starters, is hoping to contend. But the Hornets will be tested immediately; they open their season next Friday against - you guessed it - Shawnee.

* Dark horses: Willingboro is probably a season away from contention. Cherokee lacks the depth to be a strong contender. Lenape is young, but is coming off an impressive showing in summer competitions.

* Last season: Shawnee: 10-0, 32-1. Willingboro: 5-5, 16-10. Pemberton: 5-5, 15-9. Cherokee: 4-6, 14-13. Lenape: 4-6, 12-11. Holy Cross: 2-8, 13-13.

* Recent champions: 1992, Shawnee. 1991, Willingboro. 1990, Shawnee. 1989, Willingboro and Rancocas Valley. 1988, Willingboro.

Class Of '94 Showing Big Promise Ten Players Have Run The 40 In 4.55 Or Better. One Has A Perfect Sat Math Score.

Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20150913121156/http://articles.philly.com/1993-02-08/news/25954240_1_talented-prospects-receiver-division-i-signees

By Sam Carchidi, INQUIRER STAFF WRITER

Posted: February 08, 1993

South Jersey usually produces 30 to 40 Division I football prospects each year.

Next year, the number might be significantly higher.

According to an Inquirer survey of football coaches in the seven-county area, the Class of 1994 - players who will be high school seniors in September - appears superior to the Class of 1993. It is a class that will include:

* A pair of returning first-team all-South Jersey stars, in center Mike Garth of Pemberton and wide receiver Chris Hutton of Burlington Township.

* 10 players who, according to their coaches, have run the 40-yard dash in 4.55 seconds or better. They are defensive back Craig Jenkins and wide receiver Bob Orro of Pemberton; receiver Frank Fudala of Cinnaminson; running back Roger Hamilton of Camden; running backs James Jenkins and Robert Ridley of Oakcrest; running back-linebacker Jermaine Pratt of Rancocas Valley; tailback Ken Reid of Willingboro; receiver Nolan Walls of Woodrow Wilson, and running back Zafir Wajid of Edgewood.

* Salem running back-linebacker Eric Mitchell, the nephew of former NFL star Lydell Mitchell.

* A quarterback - Delran lefthander Ralph Sacca - who has good bloodlines. His brothers, John (Penn State) and Tony (Phoenix Cardinals) also are quarterbacks.

* Nine high-caliber prospects from Woodrow Wilson, a school that last week produced four Division I signees - the most in South Jersey.

* Twenty-four talented prospects from the Olympic Conference American Division. No other league has more top prospects. The Burlington County League Liberty Division, with 22 Division I or Division II prospects, was No. 2 on the list, followed closely by the Cape-Atlantic League American Conference and the Cape-Atlantic League National Conference, each of which have 19 prospects. The Olympic National, has 17 prospects.

* Moorestown defensive back-wide receiver Jim Carroll, a player who had a perfect 800 score on the math portion of his Scholastic Aptitude Test. Carroll missed his entire junior season because of a lower-back injury, but should be ready to play as senior. He was a second-team all-league wide receiver as a sophomore.

Listed below are the results of a survey of the coaches in the seven-county area. The survey sought out those players the coaches feel are capable of drawing interest from Division I, Division I-AA or Division II football teams.

The chart lists each player's projected position in 1993, his height, weight, time in the 40-yard dash, and weight in the bench press. The teams are listed in the leagues in which they will participate in the 1993 season.

BURLCO FREEDOM

PLAYER, SCHOOL POS. HT. WT. 40 BP

Chris Eberly, Palmyra RB-DB 5-11 180 4.6 225

Chris Hutton, Burlington Township WR-DB 6-5 200 4.7 230

Jason Jack, Palmyra QB 6-3 175 4.9 NA

Malachi Middleton, Burlington Township DE-WR 6-1 215 4.6 NA

Jayson Stockett, Burlington Township TB-DB 5-11 190 4.75 210

Steve Warren, Palmyra OT-NT 6-0 215 5.1 250

Greg Willis, Palmyra TE-NT 6-0 255 4.9 310

BURLCO LIBERTY

Brian Aikins, Cherokee LB-FB 6-1 195 4.7 315

Burt Chaney, Pemberton OT-DT 6-4 273 5.1 285

Paul Cundiff, Shawnee C-DT 6-1 240 5.1 260

Chris DeYoung, Cherokee DL 6-2 270 5.4 325

Wesley Ellis, Pemberton TE-DE 6-3 215 4.9 225

Jared Elwell, Holy Cross LB 6-2 220 4.7 NA

Jim Eulo, Cherokee LB-FB 6-0 190 4.8 305

Mike Garth, Pemberton C-DE 6-4 264 4.9 270

Craig Jenkins, Pemberton WR-DB 5-7 153 4.5 190

Lawson McElroy, Lenape DE 6-2 210 4.8 280

Nick Nunn, Lenape DB 6-0 180 4.7 225

Bob Orro, Pemberton WR-DB 5-10 172 4.35 195

Mike Payne, Shawnee DE-TE 6-1 200 4.8 275

Bryan Pukenas Holy Cross DT 6-4 240 4.9 NA

Ken Reid, Willingboro DB-TB 5-11 170 4.5 NA

Mark Reis, Lenape LB-TE 6-2 205 4.8 240

Justin Schaeffer, Lenape FB-LB 6-0 200 4.8 285

Ray Shuster, Holy Cross C 6-3 275 5.2 NA

Emmanuel Stinson, Willingboro QB-DB 6-0 205 4.6 NA

Ryan Vannals Holy Cross TE 6-4 235 4.8 NA

Ron Walker, Shawnee K-P 6-1 1/2 215 4.7 250

Tati White, Willingboro OT-DT 6-5 225 4.7 NA

BURLCO PATRIOT

Jim Carroll, Moorestown WR-DB 6-2 175 4.8 NA

Mike DePhilippo, Cinnaminson LB-FB 6-0 195 4.7 280

Jeff Engels, Cinnaminson K 5-10 150 4.8 200

Frank Fudala, Cinnaminson WR 6-2 175 4.5 200

Frank Gripp, Northern Burlington QB 6-3 185 5.2 NA

Mike Karwacki, Delran OT-DE 6-4 215 5.0 220

Scott Kline, Rancocas Valley FB-LB 6-1 195 4.75 NA

Craig Lambert, Northern Burlington G-DE 6-2 245 5.2 NA

Ryan Peter, Rancocas Valley TE-OLB 6-4 200 4.8 NA

Jermaine Pratt, Rancocas Valley RB-LB 6-0 188 4.54 NA

Sean Reid, Rancocas Valley OT-DL 6-6 235 5.0 NA

Ralph Sacca, Delran QB-DB 6-4 190 4.9 NA

CAPE AMERICAN

Victor Anaya, Absegami RB 5-10 160 4.8 200

Spencer Barrientos, Vineland RB-LB 6-2 225 5.0 285

Chris Bouffard, Egg Harbor Township OT 6-3 270 NA 250

Mike Cook, Millville DT-OT 6-5 270 5.2 275

Cornelius Cruz, Oakcrest LB-FB 6-1 200 4.6 300

David Dudley, Egg Harbor Township DB-QB 5-11 170 4.6 225

James Jenkins, Oakcrest RB-QB 6-2 1/2 195 4.5 350

DeAndre Jones, Vineland LB-FB 5-10 240 5.0 275

Ray Marable, Atlantic City TB-DB 5-11 175 4.6 225

Bob Mawhinney, Holy Spirit OT 6-4 1/2 275 5.5 NA

Buddy O'Brien, Atlantic City LB-FB 5-11 190 4.8 245

Otto Provenzano, Holy Spirit DB 5-10 170 4.65 NA

Robert Ridley, Oakcrest RB-S 5-11 170 4.35 250

Rich Rogers, Egg Harbor Township OL 6-3 1/2 275 NA 225

Jose Sanchez, Egg Harbor Township LB 5-11 170 4.6 220

Eric Sinone, Millville LB 6-0 185 5.0 225

Jim Sobocinski, Absegami FB-LB 5-10 210 4.8 310

Bill Sprouse, Holy Spirit TE 6-3 210 4.7 NA

Angel Vidro, Absegami OT 6-1 250 5.1 260

CAPE NATIONAL

Damon Bethune, Middle Township DB-LB 6-2 210 4.65 300

Steve Blair, Mainland RB 5-8 180 4.6 300

Andy Bodine, Bridgeton OT-DT 6-2 265 5.1 285

Ray Brown, Bridgeton RB-LB 5-7 165 4.6 215

Dan Carmichael, St. Joseph RB-LB-K 6-0 185 4.7 230

Henry Cifaloglio, Buena LB-OL 5-10 205 4.8 280

Larry Davis, Pleasantville S-TB 5-7 158 4.8 250

Edison Echevarria, Buena LB 5-11 200 4.8 300

Frank Fucetola, Hammonton FB-LB 5-11 190 NA 300

Jason Garland, Wildwood LB 6-3 218 4.8 275

Bruce Hall, Buena RB 5-9 165 4.7 225

Anthony Jacobs, Hammonton OT-DT 6-2 230 NA 275

Andrew McCall, Pleasantville OT-DT 6-1 210 5.2 260

Jamil Sanders, Bridgeton DE-FB 6-1 185 4.7 245

Dennis Smith, Hammonton WR-DB 5-10 175 NA NA

Bob Torres, Buena SE-DB 5-8 160 4.8 250

Marc Watral, Hammonton TE-DE 6-3 225 NA 265

Chris Whittaker, Hammonton QB-DB 6-1 1/2 185 NA 250

Darrell Wilder, Pleasantville C-DT 5-8 215 4.9 235

COLONIAL

Cliff Barnes, Collingswood G-LB 5-10 198 NA 300

Harry Brennan, Gateway LB-TE 5-10 205 5.1 310

Devin Carter, Sterling LB 5-10 185 NA 280

Ron Cline, Gateway OT-LB 6-1 220 5.0 275

Matt Davis, Paulsboro OT-DT 6-0 255 5.2 280

John Fox, Sterling RB 6-0 190 NA 270

Chris Gendron, Gateway G-DT 6-1 255 4.9 325

Tim George, Collingswood OT-DT 6-2 248 NA 290

Mike Iezzi, Colingswood OT-DT 6-2 240 NA 275

Matt Maguire, Haddon Township RB-LB 6-0 190 4.8 200

Joe Miller, Sterling FB 6-2 205 4.8 270

Dave Pearson, Sterling NT-TE 6-2 195 4.9 220

Joe Schramm, West Deptford C-DT 6-1 1/2 260 5.3 315

Ernie Stewart, Sterling DT 6-1 300 NA 250

Jon Yike, Haddon Township QB-DB 5-11 175 4.7 210

OLYMPIC AMERICAN

Derek Alston, Washington Township DE 6-2 225 4.9 260

Brock Atkins, Cherry Hill West LB-FB 6-1 195 4.85 290

Kevin Carleton, Cherry Hill West QB 6-1 175 5.0 185

Brian Colbert, Highland DB 5-7 150 NA NA

Art Dreher, Edgewood TE-DE 6-2 225 4.7 250

Chris Engelhart, Washington Township QB-DB 6-0 175 4.7 250

Bob Ferris, Washington Township C-LB 5-11 195 4.8 290

John Gavlick, Eastern FS-RB 6-1 180 4.7 NA

Jamie Gaymon, Cherry Hill West OT-DT 6-3 250 5.0 250

Albert Hickson, Overbrook S-TE 6-0 185 4.7 NA

Jeff Keller, Overbrook C-DE 6-2 190 4.8 NA

Jeff Kellmer, Cherry Hill East C-DE 6-1 200 4.9 300

Jim Kennealy, Cherry Hill West NT 6-2 220 4.95 250

Mike Koerner, Washington Township RB-DB 5-11 170 4.6 265

Chris Martine, Cherry Hill West WR 6-1 175 4.9 180

Ralph Medore, Edgewood FB-LB 5-11 180 4.6 270

Joe Natale, Eastern OT-DT 6-1 220 NA 250

Scott Peeler, Cherry Hill East WR-DB 6-1 195 4.6 350

Jon Schimer, Cherry Hill East OT-DT 6-2 250 5.1 300

Greg James Smalls, Edgewood RB-CB 5-10 175 4.6 220

Mike Steffen, Eastern OT-DT 6-2 245 NA NA

Ben Steinberg, Cherry Hill East QB 6-2 190 4.6 250

Lawrence Thornton, Edgewood RB-DB 6-1 185 4.6 200

Zafir Wajid, Edgewood DB-RB 6-1 180 4.5 200

OLYMPIC NATIONAL

Richard Allen, Paul VI OT-DT 6-3 300 NA 225

Charles Ashley, Camden OT-DT 6-1 265 5.0 325

Dominick Boyd, Woodrow Wilson OT-DE 6-3 250 4.95 285

Kelly Collier, Woodrow Wilson WR-DB 6-1 185 4.6 NA

Curtis Collins, Woodrow Wilson RB-DB 5-9 175 4.55 260

Kevin Corcoran, Triton DE 6-1 185 4.9 NA

Ray Covington, Camden QB-DB 5-10 170 4.8 170

Rob Cutter, Triton TE-OLB 6-3 180 4.7 NA

Roger Hamilton, Camden RB-DB 5-9 170 4.5 225

Everett Miles, Woodrow Wilson OLB 6-3 220 4.75 NA

Pat O'Connor, Paul VI RB-LB 6-1 180 4.9 190

Rickey Parker, Woodrow Wilson OLB 6-0 195 4.65 NA

Larry Sanders, Camden RB-LB 6-2 220 4.7 NA

Touisant Spratley, Woodrow Wilson OLB 6-0 195 4.7 NA

Derrick Timmons, Woodrow Wilson LB 6-1 220 4.7 NA

Nolan Walls, Woodrow Wilson WR 5-8 165 4.55 NA

Leo White, Woodrow Wilson OT-DE 6-6 380 5.4 320

TRI-CO CLASSIC

Mario Ayala, Glassboro OT-DL 6-2 240 4.9 300

Mike Bozarth Glassboro C-DL 6-1 205 4.8 325

Jason Chiodi, Gloucester RB-MLB 5-11 200 4.8 280

Tim Clifford, Schalick C-DT 6-1 220 4.9 260

Ralph Digh, Clayton C-MLB 5-10 220 4.9 250

Larry Jacobs, Schalick TB-DE 6-1 200 4.6 270

Klay Knerr, Schalick OT 6-5 260 5.2 260

Eric Mitchell, Salem RB-LB 5-10 185 4.65 NA

Milton Moore, Glassboro DB-RB 5-8 168 4.6 225

Chris Reed, Glassboro DB-RB 5-8 168 4.6 225

Jeff Rhame, Clayton G-NT 6-2 205 4.8 230

TRI-CO ROYAL

Clint Carpenter, Pennsville WR-DE 6-2 190 4.9 220

Frank Delano, Gloucester Catholic QB 5-11 165 4.9 175

John Erasmus, Williamstown QB-DB 6-1 165 4.6 200

Bob Maciejewski, Williamstown RB-LB 5-11 185 4.6 265

Kyle Penn, Pennsville QB-DB 5-9 150 4.9 180

Jason Poles, Delsea QB-DB 6-2 185 4.7 190

Sergio Rodriguez, Williamstown G-LB 5-11 230 4.9 335

Scott Senick, Gloucester Catholic LB-FB 6-0 215 4.9 225

Randy Swanson, Delsea RB-DB 6-2 180 4.7 190

Jamie Thomas, Pennsville WR-DB 6-2 200 4.8 200

Perfect Records Will Be On The Line In Region 7 Eight Unbeaten Wrestlers From The Area Are In The Tourney. Delran's Bill Duff Leads Them.

Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20160102121313/http://articles.philly.com/1993-03-02/news/25949517_1_third-seed-top-seed-first-regional-title

By Gus Ostrum, INQUIRER CORRESPONDENT

Posted: March 02, 1993

Eight unbeaten wrestlers, including defending state heavyweight champion Bill Duff of Delran, will put their records on the line when the Region 7 wrestling tournament opens at Eastern tomorrow.

Preliminary competition will start at 5:30 p.m. District champions in each of the 13 weight classes receive a bye into Friday evening's quarterfinals. The tourney will conclude Saturday.

The top three finishers in each weight class advance to the Super Regions next Tuesday at Cherry Hill East. The state tourney will be held in Atlantic City's Convention Hall on March 12 and March 13.

103 POUNDS. The top seed is Pemberton's Sean Reynolds (23-1), and the No. 2 seed is Lenape's Brad Bauer (23-1). Camden Catholic's Aaron Taylor, unbeaten at 25-0 and the third seed, will provide competition.

112. Top-seeded Mike Sferra of Shawnee (20-1) upset Lenape's Justin Hurst (23-3) to win the District 26 championship. But Hurst, a state runner-up at 103 last season as a sophomore, and second-seeded Greg Harrison (23-1) of Delran make this weight class a tough one.

119. Delran's Brett Matter (26-0) is the top seed, but will be challenged strongly by second-seeded Greg Bauer (22-4).

125. Delran's Josh Lashley (24-0), the defending regional champion, is seeded first. Eastern's Shannon Sofield (23-2) is the second seed.

130. Audubon's Jason Player (14-1), who wrestled at Highland the previous two seasons, is seeded first. Cherokee's Dave Sulkin (26-1) is the second seed.

135. Chris Carpino (28-0) of Holy Cross, a regional champion last season, is top seeded. He most likely will get his toughest competition from second- seeded Ken Merrigan (22-3) of Paul VI, Hamilton West's Vince Colucci (20-3) and Palmyra's Todd Patchel (21-3).

140. Top-seeded Merlin Gerst (20-2) of Pemberton should get tough competition from second-seeded Bill Cooper (20-3) of Haddon Heights.

Defending regional champion Josh Gannone of Rancocas Valley (19-1) was forced to withdraw from the tournament because of an injury suffered in the district tournament.

145. Kevin Farnham (20-0) of Haddon Township will defend his title, with challenges coming from Rancocas Valley's Walt Holland (19-1) and Delran's Scott Hamlet (23-3).

152. Shawnee's Mark Baraczek, seeded first with an 18-2 record, is chasing his first regional title. He will be challenged by second-seeded Angelo Carter (23-2) of Pemberton.

160. Shawnee's Chris Gromilovitz (18-2) is the top seed, while Steinert's Rich Watkins (21-4) is the second seed.

171. This weight class is up for grabs among Lenape's Joe Hummel (18-3), Camden's Shane Streater (20-4) and Haddon Township's Steve Martin (18-3).

189. Paul VI's Joe Micela will put his perfect 25-0 record on the line, but will have his hands full if he meets Kevin Landolt (27-1) of Holy Cross in the final.

HEAVYWEIGHT. The is the lone weight class with two unbeaten wrestlers. They are the top-seeded Duff (26-0), the defending regional and state champion, and Haddon Township's Steve Randazzo (19-0), the No. 2 seed.

Duff, a two-time all-area football player who is headed for Tennessee, is the clear favorite to win the region and the state once again.

Two Pairs Of Brothers Move On To Semis Bill And Pat Duff Won For Delran. Greg And Brad Bauer Led Seven Lenape Wrestlers To The Semifinals.

Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20150922104330/http://articles.philly.com/1993-03-06/sports/25950612_1_brett-matter-quarterfinals-camden-catholic

By Gus Ostrum, INQUIRER CORRESPONDENT

Posted: March 06, 1993

Bill and Pat Duff will have championship aspirations when the Region 7 wrestling tournament continues this afternoon at Eastern.

So will Greg and Brad Bauer.

The pairs of brothers were among those advancing out of last night's Region 7 quarterfinals. The semifinals begin at noon today. The finals are set for 5 p.m.

The Duffs were among five Delran wrestlers to advance, and the Bauers led a parade of seven Lenape wrestlers to move on.

Bill Duff (27-0), the defending state heavyweight champion, won his quarterfinal with a hard-earned 6-3 decision over Gloucester Catholic's John Chambers (22-2). He will meet unbeaten Dominic Cuniglio (27-0) of Steinert in the semis.

Pat Duff (22-7) cruised to a 5-0 quarterfinal win over Audubon's Tim Bolbecker (16-4) at 152 pounds. He will take on top-seeded Mark Baraczek (19-2) of Shawnee in the semis.

"It feels great to be there, especially with my brother there, too," said Pat Duff, who sat out last year's regionals with a broken foot. "I feel like I'm getting better all the time and, hopefully, that'll continue."

Other Delran wrestlers to advance include Greg Harrison (112), Brett Matter (119), and Josh Lashley (125).

Lenape's Brad Bauer (24-1), a junior, won his 103-pound bout when he scored a 17-1 technical fall over Collingswood's Bill Roseboro (11-6) in 4:43. Greg Bauer, a junior who is 23-4, won a 7-3 decision over Cherokee's Ben Easlick at 119.

Second-seeded Brad Bauer will meet Hamilton West's James Butera (25-5), an upset winner over previously unbeaten Aaron Taylor (25-1) of Camden Catholic, in a 103-pound semi. Greg Bauer, the second seed, will take on Hamilton West's James Quick (19-4) in a semifinal at 119.

Other Lenape wrestlers to advance include Justin Hurst (112), Beau Beuer (125), Sam Haines (140), Karl Eberly (160), and Joe Hummel (171).

Five defending regional champions survived their matches and advance to the semis, including Lenape's Hurst (112), Delran's Lashley (125), Holy Cross' Chris Carpino (135), Haddon Township's Kevin Farnham (145), and Delran's Bill Duff (heavyweight).

Only one top seed - Audubon's Jason Player at 130 pounds - lost in the quarterfinals.

Hurst (25-3), who was a runnerup to Shawnee's Mike Sferra in the District 126 title match, recorded a 3 minute, 54 second fall over Bishop Eustace's Mike Donato (17-7) to advance. Both he and Sferra will wrestle in separate semifinal bouts today, and barring an upset, should meet in the finals.

"I'm taking this one step at a time," said Hurst. "That's the way my coaches have prepared me all season. You can't look past anyone now. The competition is tough here."

Lashley, a defending regional champ, had a tough match against Holy Cross' Onorato (26-4) from start to finish. He used a third period reverse for the clinching points. The win raised his record to 25-0 and sets up a semifinal bout against Lenape's Beuer (25-4) this afternoon.

"I knew he was a tough kid, and that's the kind of match I got," Lashley said. "I wanted the win any way I could get it, and it's great to move on to the next round."

Delran's Lipson Repeats The Senior Successfully Defended State Titles In The 50-yard Freestyle And The 100 Freestyle.

Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20150922144546/http://articles.philly.com/1993-03-08/news/25950312_1_westfield-tom-wilkins-butterfly

By Jeff Offord, INQUIRER CORRESPONDENT

Posted: March 08, 1993

EWING — Add the name of Josh Lipson to the list of Delran's repeat champions.

Lipson became the second boy in school history to win consecutive state titles in two events last night at the Interscholastic Boys' Swimming Championships, which were held Trenton State College.

Lipson, a senior, won the 50-yard freestyle in 21.23 seconds, and rallied to take first place in the 100 freestyle in 46.79. Delran's Jason Rosenbaum won state titles in the same events in 1989, 1990 and 1991.

"Jason and I have won the 50 and the 100 for the last five years," said Lipson, who also swam a leg for a winning relay team. "To be a part of that tradition is the most important thing about this meet to me."

Ocean City's Heath Muzslay was the only other South Jersey swimmer to win a gold medal in an individual event last night. He took first place in the 100 butterfly.

Lipson outdueled Millville's Mike Johnson in both races. Johnson offered his toughest challenge in the 100 freestyle. Johnson was leading by five- hundredths of a second at the turn, but Lipson switched on the speed and beat Johnson by more than half a second.

Delran, with Lipson swimming the anchor leg, captured the 200 freestyle relay in 1 minute, 29.41 seconds. Tyler Myers, Dave Bigge and Jason Braun also swam legs in the relay.

Ocean City's Muzslay, a senior, easily outdistanced the field in the 100 butterfly, winning in 51:45.

"I felt great as soon as I got in the water today," Muzslay said. ''That's the way you have to feel if you'regoing to win in a meet like this."

THE RESULTS

200-yard medley relay: 1, Westfield (Darren Hertell, Davis Schwartz, Tom Mann, Dan Zemski), 1:37.80. 2, St. Joseph's of Metuchen, 1:42.34. 3, Holy Cross, 1:42.69.

200 freestyle: 1, Darren Bouno, Pequannock, 1:43.45. 2, Britt Smith, Ramsey, 1:45.26. 3, Billy Blomn, Clifton, 1:45.67.

200 individual medley: 1, Darren Hertell, Westfield, 1:52.27. 2, Tom Wilkins, Christian Brothers Academy, 1:55.32. 3, Scott Sherman, Somervile, 1:55.37.

50 freestyle: 1, Josh Lipson, Delran, 21.23. 2, Mike Johnson, Millville, 21.68. 3, Brian Sloan, 22.03.

100 butterfly: 1, Heath Muzslay, Ocean City, 51.45. 2, Mark Woon, St. Joseph's of Metuchen, 52.60. 3, Tom Mann, Westfield, 52.72.

100 freestyle: 1, Josh Lipson, Delran, 46.79. 2, Mike Johnson, Millville, 47.48. 3, Mike Przywozny, Seton Hall Prep, 48.13.

500 freestyle: 1, Greg Wriede, Mahwah, 4:36.28. 2, George Reimer, Livingston, 4:40.03. 3, Britt Smith, Ramsey, 4:40.12.

200 freestyle relay: Delran (Tyler Myers, Dave Bigge, Jason Braun, Josh Lipson), 1:29.41. 2, Westfield, 1:29.76. 3, Ocean City, 1:30.50.

100 backstroke: 1, Dan Hertell, Westfield, 52.38. 2, John Shelden, Moorestown, 53.08. 3, Jon Mazlow, Cherry Hill East, 53.42.

100 breaststroke: 1, David Schwartz, Westfield, 58.50. 2, Glenn Thomsen, 59.30. 3, Billy Kirby, Willingboro, 59.83.

400 freestyle relay: 1, Westfield (Tom Mann, Tim Smith, Tom Pollack, Darren Hertell), 3:15.03. 2, Moorestown, 3:16.02. 3, Delran, 3:19.94.

Delran Tops Middle To Take Crown The Bears Won The South Jersey Group 2 Title. April Pilenza Had A Big Second Half.

Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20160103230918/http://articles.philly.com/1993-03-09/news/25951637_1_bears-delran-central-jersey

By Tom Williams, INQUIRER CORRESPONDENT

Posted: March 09, 1993

April Pilenza, a 5-foot-9 sophomore forward, scored 10 straight points for Delran in the second half and hit two clutch free throws down the stretch as the Bears defeated Middle Township, 48-42, last night at Rancocas Valley to win the South Jersey Group 2 championship in girls' basketball.

Delran, the only undefeated girls' team in the state, raised its record to 25-0. The win reversed the result of the South Jersey Group 2 final last year, when the same teams met.

Delran, No. 3 in The Inquirer's Top 15, will face Central Jersey champion Allentown in the state semifinals tomorrow at 6 p.m. at Hamilton North.

No. 6 Middle Township (25-4), which likes a quick pace, ran out to a 15-4 lead in the first quarter. The Panthers made six of their first 11 shots and forced Delran into nine early turnovers.

But freshman Kim Brown nailed two three-pointers for Delran in the final minute of the first period, bringing the Bears within 15-10.

The Bears chipped away at Middle's lead and were trailing, 29-27, with two minutes left in the third period.

Then Pilenza took control.

She hit two free throws to tie the score, then gave Delran its first lead by following a missed shot.

After Middle tied the score, Pilenza hit two more free throws with 32 seconds left in the third quarter. She then stole the ball and hit a twisting layup to give the Bears a 35-31 edge entering the final period.

Pilenza scored Delran's first two points of the fourth period, and Middle never pulled even again.

She finished with 16 points, five rebounds, three steals and three assists.

"When we were able to adjust to their press and run our half-court offense, we felt pretty confident," said Pilenza. "Middle really executed their press well at the start of the game."

The Panthers did get to within 43-42 with 41 seconds left, but then Pilenza hit two free throws. With 23 seconds remaining, Middle worked the ball into the middle, but Pilenza was there to block the shot.

Nicole Johnson, who had 13 points and five rebounds, made two free throws with 15 seconds left to seal the win for Delran.

Crystal Robinson led Middle Township with 21 points.

Delran Downs Allentown To Reach State Final The Bears Remained Undefeated With The 53-32 Win. They Will Play Mahwah For The State Group 2 Title.

Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20151222125123/http://articles.philly.com/1993-03-11/news/25953193_1_allentown-bears-delran

By Tom Williams, INQUIRER CORRESPONDENT

Posted: March 11, 1993

HAMILTON TWP. — The momentum is starting to build for the Delran girls' basketball team.

Its fans have come alive and the players are attacking opposing defenses with growing confidence.

Through the season, victory after victory, the toughness of the Bears' schedule was questioned. But now the Bears are playing the best Group 2 teams in the state and showing why they are the only undefeated girls' team in New Jersey.

Delran, 26-0, routed Central Jersey champion Allentown in the second half last night at Hamilton North High School, winning, 53-32.

The Bears, No. 3 in The Inquirer's Top 15, moved into Sunday afternoon's state Group 2 final against Mahwah, which beat Jefferson, 37-35, last night. The game is at noon at Monmouth College.

It will be Delran's first appearance in a state-championship game.

Allentown finished its season 17-8.

"These kids just won't give up," Delran coach Jim Weber said. "They've worked hard since the start of the season and they keep on coming. They're so young and they've done so much more than anybody expected."

Delran had a 21-15 lead at halftime last night, but when 6-foot junior Michelle Hollister scored for Allentown to open the second half, the margin was reduced to four points.

But Delran had switched to a zone that enabled the Bears to better collapse on Allentown's inside players.

The Bears ran off 13 straight points, four each by 5-11 senior Melissa Roberts and 5-11 junior Nicole Johnson. Roberts finished with 12 points and eight rebounds, and Johnson added 15 points, seven rebounds and four assists.

After Hollister scored again for Allentown, Delran got the next 12 points to take an overwhelming 46-19 lead. Roberts scored six in that run and Johnson got four.

"I think we are playing as well now as we have all year," Johnson said. ''We don't talk about being undefeated much or winning championships. We try to stay focused on the next game."

"One thing that was tough," Johnson added, "was coming back tonight with just one day off after the Middle Township game (in the South Jersey Group 2 final). That was a very physical game and I think we're all still a little banged up."

Sophomore April Pilenza was a factor for Delran, getting 14 points, including two three-pointers. She also had six rebounds, three steals and four assists.

Johnson started Delran's run in the third quarter with two free throws. She made a basket seconds later with an assist from Roberts. Then Pilenza hit a three-pointer and freshman Allison Peirce made a short jumper. Roberts then scored off an assist from Johnson and hit two free throws to make it 13 straight points.

"In the first half the big girl (Hollister) was hurting us," Weber said, ''but the switch to zone helped neutralize her."

Looks As If Delran Has Returned To The Big Chase The Bears Were 33-19 Over The Last Two Years. Not Bad. But They Have A Tradition To Uphold.

Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20151222130821/http://articles.philly.com/1993-03-23/news/25948919_1_bears-junior-outfielder-team

By Marc Narducci, INQUIRER CORRESPONDENT

Posted: March 23, 1993

Most schools would be more than satisfied to win 33 games during the last two baseball seasons. Delran, however, isn't like most programs.

Delran, for years an annual contender for No. 1, slipped out of consideration the last two years. The Bears were 33-19 in that span, a reason to celebrate at many schools. But at Delran, where playing for No. 1 in baseball was routine through the 1980s, it wasn't enough.

But the Bears are back.

Fans got a preview last season when Delran won eight of its last 10 games and advanced to the South Jersey Group 2 championship with one of South Jersey's youngest teams. Now it could take the next step.

COACHING. Few coaches in any sport are as enthusiastic - or as successful - as Rich Bender. The only baseball coach the school has ever had, Bender enters his 18th year. His teams have won 16 or more games for 11 consecutive seasons and his career record is 263-139.

LAST YEAR. The Bears were 16-10 overall and 4-4 in the Burlington County League Patriot Division, finishing third. Delran advanced to the South Jersey Group 2 finals before losing to Kingsway, 4-0.

KEY LOSSES. Catcher Sean Donaghy, who hit .373, is playing for Mercer County College. Other losses were designated-hitter Tom Kelvey, who was second on the team with a .390 average, and outfielder Todd Knoor.

PROMISING NEWCOMERS. The biggest newcomer likely to make an impact is senior centerfielder Mike Rocatto, a transfer from Riverside. Rocatto was a first-team all-Burlington County Freedom Division choice after hitting .360 last year.

Other key newcomers include sophomore pitchers Shawn Kelli and Mike Hall, who were a combined 10-1 on the freshman team.

HITTING. Senior second baseman Dave Zierler, who led the team with a .400 average, leads an experienced offense. Zierler was tied for third on the team with 20 RBIs.

Other top offensive performers include Sean Theis, a junior shortstop and third baseman, who hit .346; junior first baseman Ralph Sacca, who batted .281; sophomore third baseman Jim Hansen, a .292 hitter; and senior shortstop Joe Olivo, who hit .296 with 20 RBIs.

Among the 15 other letter-winners who saw playing time last year were senior catcher Chad Keeports, junior outfielder Max Newill and senior outfielder Darren Lewis.

PITCHING. Olivo will be the ace. Last year the righthander was 7-4 with a 2.40 ERA. In 70 innings he struck out 45, walked 21 and had one save.

Sacca, who was 4-2 with a 4.66 ERA last year as a sophomore, and Hansen, 2-1 with a 1.71 ERA, should battle for the No. 2 spot. The lefthanded Sacca struck out 39 in 33 innings.

Newill, who was 2-2 with a 4.48 ERA, and junior Dave Graver give the staff depth. Sophomores Hall and Kelli could also figure into the mix, probably coming out of the bullpen, at least in the beginning of the year.

Delran will have to improve its strikeout-walk ratio. Last year Bears' pitchers struck out 114, but walked 112.

INTANGIBLES. Last year it appeared the Bears would struggle just to reach .500, but Delran was able to rebuild while winning. As a result, the team received valuable experience and also got a taste of winning and the opportunity to compete in a sectional final.

OUTLOOK. Delran is serious about baseball. Bender has held practice at 5:15 a.m. nine times so far this month.

"You know if they are willing to get up before 5 to practice that they want to play the game," he said. "This is a hungry group."

The key to success, naturally, is pitching. Olivo was the only pitcher who was consistent last year. Developing consistent No. 2 and No. 3 starters is a high priority. Both Sacca and Hansen showed flashes of skill, but both need to be more consistent.

With the additon of Rocatto, the offense should be improved. If the infield defense is solid, there's no reason why Delran can't win the South Jersey Group 2 title and resume its position as one of South Jersey's premier programs.

TOMORROW: Florence.

At 69, Pemberton Twp. Woman Has A Commanding Presence

Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20151220182026/http://articles.philly.com/1993-04-11/news/25979121_1_mack-credits-vice-commander-past-commander

By Patricia Quigley, INQUIRER CORRESPONDENT

Posted: April 11, 1993

Violet Mack is no land baron, but her fondest memory of the last year has to do with acquiring a piece of property.

The Pemberton Township resident, 69 and a great-grandmother, completed in March a one-year term as commander of the Disabled American Veterans' Burlington County Chapter 27 - the first woman ever elected to that post.

The chapter, which meets at Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6805 in Browns

Mills, had tried for years to acquire land to build itself a home. During Mack's tenure, the township finally sold the chapter about three acres for $1.

"The fact that I was able to be a part of a 17-year search (for) a piece of land to eventually build a home on" was the highlight of her tenure, said Mack.

Township Mayor T.C. Kay credited Mack's persistence for the land deal. Mack credits her building and land committee. "I just got the right people to work with me," she said.

Leading the post, she said, "was quite an experience. It was very enlightening. I felt like a queen (as the) first female to have all these men under me."

Among her duties, she appointed committees to handle various projects and fielded phone calls from people in distress.

No female member before her had run for commander, she said. A past commander, Arthur Jackson, and other men in the group encouraged her to seek the position. "We were long overdue," said Jackson, who left the Army as a sergeant first class.

"She was one of the better ones," said her successor, Leroy Wilkins Sr., who left the Air Force as a captain.

Mack became post commander after holding several other chapter positions. She was chaplain for five years, then second junior vice commander, first junior vice commander, and senior vice commander.

While members generally move up through the ranks, the positions are all elected. "It's not just automatic (that) you move up. You just hope you do," Mack said.

The Browns Mills chapter has close to 900 members from around the corner and around the world, Mack said. About 40 to 50 show up for the monthly meetings.

The veterans group is open to men and women who have service-related disabilities or Purple Hearts.

Mack joined the Women's Army Corps in 1944. She had graduated from Palmyra High School and received some nursing training at Thomas Jefferson Hospital in Philadelphia.

In the WACs, she trained at Fort Oglethorpe, Ga., before being sent to Valley Forge General Hospital in Phoenixville, Pa., to work as a medical- surgical technician.

From there, she went to Camp Lee, Va., where she again worked as a technician. A corporal, she received a medical discharge after injuring her back at Camp Lee.

After the service, Mack attended the Franklin School of Science and Arts in Philadelphia, where she studied to be a medical lab technician and medical secretary.

Since then, she has held a number of jobs in the medical field, including phlebotomist on both sides of the Delaware River. From 1976 to 1992, she conducted insurance physicals in homes and offices for a Haddonfield firm.

As for the future, Mack plans to stay active in the DAV. She is also involved in First United Presbyterian Church in Medford and is a champion bowler.

Still, she misses her commander's post. "I wished I was still doing it, really," she said. "I enjoyed it. I enjoyed the fact I was accepted by all these men."

*

David Bigge hopes to talk his way into a college education.

Bigge, 16, a junior at Delran High School, won the state American Legion National High School Oratorical Contest - and a $4,000 college scholarship with it - in February.

"You had to speak on the United States Constitution, paying special attention to obligations of the average citizen," said Bigge, of Delran. "I spoke specifically on the First Amendment - specifically, freedom of press and freedom of speech. I felt that we had the responsibility to protect those rights, and also we had the responsibility to assert them."

Bigge made it to the state level after winning the round sponsored by Riverside American Legion Post 146, then the county and district levels. He will travel to the regional competition April 19 in Binghamton, N.Y. If he wins there, he would qualify for the sectional stage of the contest the same day in Dover, N.H. There, he could qualify for the national level April 23 in Cary, N.C.

"I'm not looking too far ahead," said Bigge.

His speech for the state level ran 9 1/2 minutes. He had to memorize it and could not use a podium or props.

"You have no idea who the judges are," he said. "You just speak to the audience and hope that your judges like you."

Bigge completely rewrote the last paragraph backstage, said George Bozarth, past commander of American Legion Post 146 in Riverside.

"This boy is fantastic," he said. "He had it all in his head when he came out on the stage."

Bigge said he was "not totally comfortable with public speaking." One thing that helped him gain confidence in the months before the contest was rehearsing the role of Sir Lancelot in a school production of Camelot and participating in advance-placement history class.

Bigge is also the editorial-page editor for his school newspaper; a varsity swimmer; the school band drum major, and a member of the National Honor Society, chorus, jazz and concert bands, and mock trial and debate team. He is an honor roll student.

"He's an excellent student," Delran High School principal Michael Gallucci said. "We're very proud. He's a real Renaissance young man."

Bigge is planning to enter more competitions - including essay contests - to try to gain college financing.

His list of prospective colleges includes Rutgers University, the University of Virginia and several Ivy League schools.

Besides hoping to win more scholarship money, Bigge has begun to enjoy the competition.

"I have kind of caught a fever," he said.

Officer Got By With A Little Help From His Friends He Was Near Death Two Years Ago, Suffering From A Skin Disease. Now, He's Back On The Force.

Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20150921192438/http://articles.philly.com/1993-04-23/news/25980598_1_scleroderma-skin-disease-kidney-failure

By Josh Zimmer, INQUIRER CORRESPONDENT

Posted: April 23, 1993

DELRAN — Russel Aitkens looked wondrously at his fingers, then wiggled them.

Months ago, he could barely cup his hand.

"By a miracle and the grace of God, things have turned around," Aitkens said, shaking his downturned head as though it doesn't all make sense. "I'm going to start a new life all over again."

There was a point about two years ago when Aitkens, an 18-year veteran of the Delran Police Department, nearly died of kidney failure as a result of scleroderma, a rare skin disease.

In November 1991, fellow officers organized a benefit to help pay his medical bills. A few months later, he and his wife sold their house in Tenby Chase and moved to an apartment because they weren't sure when the first Social Security disability check would arrive.

But in the Aitkens household, they no longer live on the edge. Aitkens, 48, has made a miraculous recovery, rising from the depths of a ravaging illness and accompanying depression.

The Township Council reviewed his medical reports on April 7 and voted unanimously to reinstate him as a Delran patrolman. He is scheduled to return June 1.

Aitkens first became ill in May 1990. A connective-tissue disease that affects 200,000 to 250,000 people, scleroderma thickens and hardens the skin and damages the lungs, heart, intestines and kidneys in its most serious forms.

The disease rarely affects children and is four times more likely to strike women than men. There is no known cure, only treatments.

When doctors diagnosed scleroderma in December 1990, Aitkens was close to kidney failure brought on by severe hypertension, his doctors said. He stayed on dialysis for six months.

"Probably the miraculous part is after six months, you think nothing much is going to happen, but it did," said his physician, James Burke, chief of nephrology at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia. Over the last several months, Aitkens has regained his agility and can again wiggle his fingers, a skill most people take for granted.

News of Aitkens' recovery has rippled through the department, where Aitkens remains a well-liked officer.

"He's a good man," Chief Arthur Saul said. "Glad he's recovered. Everybody's waiting for his return."

Patrolman William Pfeffer can still envision Aitkens' deterioration and the hardening of the hands.

"Sometimes I would look at Russ and feel so sad," said Pfeffer, president of the 15-member Delran Patrolmen's Association. "Russ was always such a healthy-looking guy. It's just fantastic he's been able to recover."

The onset of the illness was a sudden loss of energy, which puzzled Aitkens, his wife, Barbara, and their two teenage children.

"We thought maybe because I was working so many hours it got progressively worse," Aitkens said during an interview Friday at his new home in Delran. ''I was working a day, off three, work two, off four. I was just exhausted.

"He was a workaholic, and that's what was so difficult to accept . . . going to an invalid," Barbara Aitkens said.

For half a year, six or seven doctors came up with as many diagnoses, including rare conditions such as Lyme disease and lupus and the more common mononucleosis.

When scleroderma was diagnosed, Aitkens began the first of many hospital stays, beginning around Christmas 1991, first at Zurbrugg Memorial Hospital in Riverside and then at Jefferson. By that time, his kidneys were failing and his 165-pound body bloated to 210 pounds. The dialysis treatments started - three 5 1/2-hour sessions per week. When not hospitalized, Aitkens was driven to Jefferson for the sessions by the Delran Emergency Squad.

Friends, even casual acquaintances, were supportive.

By the summer of 1991, Aitkens had exhausted his paid sick leave. Then his colleagues showed him a rare expression of caring.

Each officer received permission from the Township Council to donate up to five days of sick time to keep Aitkens on the force, allowing his health coverage to continue. His colleagues' efforts gave him 100 extra days, Pfeffer said, and then Aitkens had no choice but to retire.

A benefit was held at the township's Firehouse No. 2 and raised $7,300. All proceeds went to Aitkens.

"The medical bills were really starting to mount," Pfeffer said. "We wanted to help Russ all we could."

Barbara, who had learned to give Russ the injections that cost $500 per month, was forced to take on a second job. Though his state pension kicked in, Social Security had not.

The couple sold their house in February 1992.

Suddenly, less than a year ago, Aitkens began feeling better. Whether it was the medication he took - Vasotec and Procardia - not even doctors know for sure.

Peter Callegari, chief of clinical rheumatology at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, called Aitkens' recovery rare.

"There have been reports of people whose scleroderma has just up and left," Callegari said. "Nobody knows why."

"I don't even feel like I was sick," Aitkens says today, but it takes little effort to recall that "I had to work just to get out of the tub. I couldn't put my clothes on by myself."

The experience has turned the Aitkenses and their two children Scott, 18, and Kellie, 16, into a close-knit family of survivors.

Now that Aitkens has been reinstated, their purchase of a new house in December appears to be less of a financial gamble. Still, paying the bills is a balancing act.

"You learn to appreciate life," Barbara said. "My mother kind of taught me you take what life has to give you and make the best of it. We're thankful for it all."

Haddon Heights And Pleasantville Shine In Carnival

Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20151017075640/http://articles.philly.com/1993-05-02/sports/25964438_1_discus-jump-medley

By Gus Ostrum, INQUIRER CORRESPONDENT

Posted: May 02, 1993

Haddon Heights' and Pleasantville's boys' teams took charge in yesterday's 26th Annual South Jersey Track Carnival at Shawnee High School, winning four events each to highlight Division 1 competition.

There was no team scoring for Divisions 1 or 2.

Delran also won two events to make its mark behind Haddon Heights and Pleasantville in Division 1. Pleasantville's Desmond Micheaux was on three winning teams, including the 400-meter relay, the 800 relay and the long-jump relay.

Bridgeton led larger-school Division 2 with three first places.

Bridgeton's Romaine Lewis, William Villalonga, Terry Solorzano and Phillip Gault led the Bulldogs to first place in the 3,200 relay, and Royce Reed and Jon Griffin were first in the javelin relay. Andy Bodine and Ray Wilks combined to win the discus relay in 298-11.

Eastern won two events - the pole-vault relay and the long-jump relay - and Vineland won the sprint-medley and the 400 relays.

Willingboro, which is 4-0 in dual meets this season, fared well in Division 2 as Amani Jennings, Kenyon Reid, Scott Jones and Barry Douglas won the 800 relay in 1:29.8.

Mike Findley and Tati White also won for the Chimeras in the shot put with 101-4 1/4, and finished second in the discus relay with 267-10, behind Bridgeton's 298-11.

"We've stressed patience all season long, and these young athletes have responded well," Willingboro coach Ron Corsen said. "They're gaining a lot of confidence with the times and distances they've turned in in major meets this season."

Division 1 Pleasantville also won the all-division John Lentz 400 relay with a time of 43.9 seconds. The Greyhounds' team included William Jackson, Rahman Prescott, Micheaux and Kaream James.

In Division 1, Haddon Heights won the distance-medley and the discus relays. John Salisbury anchored the winning distance-medley team, which finished in 10 minutes, 48.3 seconds. Chris Lynn helped the Garnets win the discus relay with a total of 234 feet, 8 inches.

The Garnets' Jim Ward and Bill Cooper also finished first, in the pole- vault relay with 24 feet, and Ward and Mike Starks were first in the high jump, with 11-10.

Delran's Dan Joffe and Dave Forssell captured the javelin relay with a distance of 310-10, and Bill Duff and Jim Haines teamed to win the shot-put relay with 96-2.

Delran Students, Parents Get Lesson On Evils Of Abuse Big Al Is A Man With A Message. "Do Hugs, Not Drugs," He Says. He Only Wishes More Were Listening.

Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20150923210954/http://articles.philly.com/1993-05-30/news/25963776_1_big-al-substance-abuse-alcohol-problems

By Josh Zimmer, INQUIRER CORRESPONDENT

Posted: May 30, 1993

DELRAN — "Big Al," his taut 6-foot-5, 210-pound frame illuminated under a bright Delran High School auditorium light, was disappointed at the turnout.

"I guess this goes to show why our problems in communities and schools are (increasing) . . . because of the apathy of parents," he said to about 200 students and parents seated in the auditorium.

After two days of preaching his highly emotional "Do Hugs Not Drugs" message to Delran's middle and high school students, Big Al - his real name is Al Szolack - had invited parents to join their children in a large support- group session May 18 to air problems and bridge emotional gaps. Szolack, a Mullica Hill resident and former professional basketball player, had spoken to 900 parents and students here three years ago.

"I had to get that off my chest," he said, microphone in hand.

Then he proceeded with his talk.

The introduction embodied Szolack's aggressive style, which explodes upon a rapt audience. Honesty, confrontation and resolution are some of the bywords of Do Hugs Not Drugs, which he founded six years ago not long after overcoming his own seven-year encounter with drug and alcohol abuse.

Szolack, who gives out hugs the way professionals distribute business cards, named his one-man show Do Hugs Not Drugs because it was a stranger's hug and a compassionate ear that saved his life, he told the group.

Do Hugs Not Drugs also stresses communication, affection and self-esteem.

While school officials and students said substance abuse was not a major problem in suburban Delran, a small stream of teenagers vented their deepest pains before the group.

The night before, a frustrated 14-year-old student at Delran Middle School had learned that the father she had sought out for the last three years had been racked by drug and alcohol abuse.

"It's not worth getting into drugs, because it's going to hurt you in the long run," the eighth grader told a silent audience.

As he did with every speaker, Szolack stood behind the student and placed his large hands on her shoulders.

Delran High School junior Amy Hullings, 17, had a message for her brother John, 19, a senior who acknowledged having alcohol problems but who said he was turning his life around with the help of Big Al.

"I just want him to know I love him," Amy Hullings said before breaking down in tears.

"There's a lot of pain," Szolack said. "My program allows them to feel. That's why it's so successful."

Do Hugs Not Drugs has been presented at many New Jersey schools and places as distant as Bloomington, Ind., and Tulsa, Okla. The newly formed Community Liaison Committee, a group of residents and township and school officials, received $2,000 from Frito-Lay Inc. to bring the program to Delran.

Starting in September, Szolack will be paid from funds raised by local businesses and residents to conduct monthly counseling sessions with students as he is already doing in Hammonton, Lenape, Shawnee and Haddon Heights, committee member Barbara Clauser said.

Delran High principal Michael Gallucci said Do Hugs Not Drugs was a useful message that had to be put into perspective.

"I don't think we have any major drug or alcohol problem," Gallucci said. ''I think we're very fortunate. Perfect, no."

Mary Anne Edwards, who lost her 18-year-old son, Kenneth, to a drug overdose in 1991, was the only parent to speak.

"I never knew he was doing drugs," she said. "If any of you kids are doing drugs, please don't do them."

Audience members found the program emotionally trying but worthwhile.

"You also feel bad for them (victims) because you know what kind of pain they're in," said Delran senior Ron Vandermark.

"He gets right into your heart," Vandermark said of Szolack.

As The Leaves Were Falling, Shawnee Was Excelling

Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20160104025121/http://articles.philly.com/1993-06-08/news/25973149_1_washington-township-soccer-teams-holy-cross

By Marc Narducci, INQUIRER CORRESPONDENT

Posted: June 08, 1993

Shawnee enjoyed an outstanding fall season in several sports, both boys and girls, in 1992.

And schools like Holy Cross, Washington Township, Delran, Moorestown, Paulsboro, Egg Harbor Township, St. Joseph and Haddonfield earned championships.

But no team had more champions than did Shawnee. The Renegades won state titles in field hockey and boys' soccer, and sectional titles in girls' and boys' cross-country.

Shawnee also produced a state individual all-around gymnastics champion and qualified for the football playoffs for the first time since playoffs began in 1974.

There were, of course, individual accomplishments in the fall. But the season belonged to the top teams, especially in football, where a debate over which team should be No. 1.

South Jersey boys' soccer teams won four of the six state titles. In girls' tennis, Moorestown became only the second team in South Jersey history to win the Tournament of Champions. The list of team accomplishments could go on and on.

Here is a review of the 1992 fall scholastic sports season.

FOOTBALL. Washington Township was ranked No. 1 in The Inquirer's preseason Top 15 and never relinquished its spot. The Minutemen capped an 11-0 season with a 20-6 win over Brick Township in the South Jersey Group 4 championship game.

Coach Tom Brown's Minutemen dominated the opposition for most of the season. Only once did Washington Township fail to win by more than one touchdown - during a 14-7 first-round playoff victory over an Eastern team that the Minutemen had defeated, 41-12, the previous week.

Defensive back Mike Koerner and Jim Colongo, a linebacker and running back, were named all-South Jersey by The Inquirer.

Holy Cross didn't allow Washington Township to relax all season. The Lancers finished 11-0, extending their winning streak to 21 games, and won their second straight South Jersey Parochial A championship. Holy Cross, which defeated Monsignor Donovan, 28-7, in the sectional final, had its closest call in a 21-20 regular-season win over Cherokee.

John Knoff, the Lancers' punishing offensive tackle, became the first lineman to be selected as The Inquirer's South Jersey offensive player of the year. The 6-foot-5, 250-pound Knoff will attend Penn State.

Chris Canty, Eastern's versatile defensive back, was named the defensive player of the year. Canty, who is headed to Kansas State on a football scholarship, recorded six interceptions and 41 tackles.

Paulsboro, led by electrifying freshman Kevin Harvey, won the Group 1 title by defeating Glassboro, 32-12, in the final. Harvey, a quarterback, became the first freshman named to The Inquirer's first-team all-South Jersey squad in football.

Delran kept its reputation intact as South Jersey's best playoff team by winning the Group 2 title. Delran has won the South Jersey Group 2 championship in each of the four years it has participated in the playoffs. The Bears are the only team that has qualified more than once that is undefeated in postseason play. They are 8-0 overall and won titles in 1987, 1989, 1990 and 1992.

Junior Ralph Sacca followed older brothers Tony and John as a quarterback of a Delran title team. Delran beat Sterling, 12-10, in the final when Sacca hit Joe Olivo with a 64-yard touchdown pass with 4 minutes, 3 seconds remaining.

Egg Harbor Township overcame swirling winds and Lacey Township's home-field advantage to beat the Lions, 14-0, in the South Jersey Group 3 championship game. It was the first sectional title for EHT, which began its football program in 1983.

St. Joseph perpetuated its long history of playoff success by defeating Gloucester Catholic, 29-13, in the South Jersey Parochial B championship. It was the Wildcats' fourth straight sectional title and seventh overall. John Franchini threw three touchdown passes for St. Joe.

The 1992 season was also the finale for South Jersey's most successful football coach. Delsea's John Oberg, who started the school's football program in 1960, retired after 33 years with 230 victories. Oberg broke the old record of 223, set by Collingswood's Skeets Irvine in 1948.

Oberg gained his 224th career win in a dramatic, 12-10, victory over Williamstown. Delsea preserved the win by blocking a Williamstown field-goal attempt as time expired. Late in the season, Oberg underwent heart surgery and missed the final four games.

FIELD HOCKEY. Shawnee's 82-game unbeaten streak came to an end, but the Renegades kept two other impressive streaks alive. Shawnee (21-1-1) finished No. 1 in The Inquirer's South Jersey rankings for the fourth consecutive year and won its fifth straight state Group 4 title with a 5-0 win over Westfield.

Lori Vile, The Inquirer's player of the year, led coach Bobbie Schultz's team. Vile scored 41 goals and finished her career with a school record 104 goals.

The Renegades' unbeaten streak ended early in the season with a 3-0 loss to eventual state Group 3 champion West Essex.

It was West Essex that also defeated Rancocas Valley in the state Group 3 championship game, 6-1. The loss didn't obscure an excellent season by the Red Devils. Under Inquirer coach of the year Kathy Yeager, the Red Devils finished 17-4-2 and won their first South Jersey Group 3 field hockey championship.

Another Burlington County team, Florence, joined Shawnee as a state champion. The 19-3 Flashes won their first state Group 1 title by defeating previously unbeaten Belvidere, 4-0, behind two goals by freshman Melissa Bond.

Florence's Diane Carey was South Jersey's leading scorer with 42 goals.

Collingswood won the South Jersey Group 2 title before losing to Shore Regional, 2-0, in the state semifinals.

BOYS' CROSS-COUNTRY. Shawnee stunned favored Vineland to win the South Jersey Group 4 title. Shawnee finished first with 69 points. Vineland was second with 87.

The Renegades showed excellent balance. Aaron Totten-Lancaster finished third, but no other Renegade was in the top 10. However, Shawnee placed five runners, including Totten-Lancaster, in the top 30.

Mainland successfully defended its Group 3 title, while Cinnaminson won its fourth straight Group 2 championship.

Haddon Heights was the only South Jersey team to win a state title. Led by first-place finisher John Salisbury, the Garnets won the state Group 1 championship.

GIRLS' CROSS-COUNTRY. A familiar group continued to prosper. Shawnee, Paul VI and Haddonfield each won its third straight sectional title. Shawnee took Group 4, Paul VI won Group 3, and Haddonfield captured Group 1.

Bishop Eustace, led by second-place finisher Roxanne Hughes, defeated Kingsway, 37-39, in the tightly contested Group 2 final.

Eustace became the only area state champion by defeating runner-up Kittatinny, 66-93. It was the fourth state title in the last five years for coach Bob Kiessling's Crusaders.

Eustace placed three runners in the top 11 - Mande Melchior, who finished fourth; Liz Hertneck, who came in fifth, and Kathleen Linck, who finished 11th.

GIRLS' TENNIS. Moorestown became only the second South Jersey team to win a Tournament of Champions final, edging Marlboro, 3-2. The only other South Jersey team to win the overall Tournament of Champions title was Haddonfield in 1980.

The clincher came when Moorestown's only senior, Meighan Cutler, won at second singles, 6-3, 7-6 (7-3). The win also clinched The Inquirer's No. 1 rating for coach Bill Kingston's Quakers. Moorestown qualified for the Tournament of Champions by winning its fourth consecutive state Group 2 championship.

Haddonfield won its sixth straight South Jersey Group 1 title, beating Mountain Lakes, 3 1/2-1 1/2, in the final. Leading the way for Haddonfield was junior Kim LaMaina, who was the South Jersey singles champion for the second straight season. LaMaina, 33-4 over the season and 101-8 for her career, was named The Inquirer's South Jersey player of the year.

Her sister, Kelly, was 34-4 and was also a first-team all-South Jersey selection.

Mainland won the South Jersey Group 3 championship for the third consecutive year, and Lenape earned its first South Jersey Group 4 title.

GYMNASTICS. Cherry Hill East junior Mike Silvestro became the first South Jersey boy to win the state all-around title. He was also a state champion on the parallel bars.

Siobhan Haney of Shawnee duplicated Silvestro's feat by winning the girls' all-around title in the state meet.

Also excelling in the boys' state meet was Haddonfield's Chris Camisciloi, who earned a gold medal in the floor exercise.

BOYS' SOCCER. South Jersey produced four state champions: Group 1 Haddonfield, Group 2 Gateway, Group 4 Shawnee and Parochial B St. Augustine.

None was more surprising than Gateway in Group 2. The Gators were seeded eighth in a 10-team South Jersey field, but won that title by upsetting second-seeded Delran, 3-2.

Gateway went on to win the school's first state soccer title by defeating Harrison, 2-0, in the final. Tom Lyons and Chris Humes, who combined for 42 goals - 23 by Lyons - scored the Gators' goals in the final. Coach Joe Henhaffer was named The Inquirer's coach of the year after leading the Gators to a 20-3 record.

Haddonfield joined its Colonial Conference rival as a state champion. The 24-2 Bulldogs defeated Pompton Lakes, 2-0, behind goals from Damian Cohen and Gerrit Kemps, to win their third state title. Joe Falana has coached all three state champs.

With Andrew Bokan and Rob Fisler sharing duties in goal, Haddonfield recorded its 18th shutout of the season, one short of the South Jersey record.

St. Augustine won its second straight state Parochial B title by defeating Delbarton, 2-1, in the final. Matt Miles and Justin Abbey were the goal scorers. Mike McGuinness was in goal for the Hermits. Coach Pete Mace, who had directed both state titlists, retired after the season.

Miles led South Jersey with 65 goals, two short of the single-season record of 67, set by Vineland's Glenn Carbonara in 1983.

Shawnee lost its first game of the season, 2-0, to Cherokee and didn't lose again.

Trailing by 1-0 at halftime, Shawnee rebounded for a 3-1 win over Columbia in the state Group 4 championship game.

Shawnee's only other boys' soccer state title came when the Renegades defeated Columbia, 1-0, in the 1988 final.

Brian Gibney's Renegades also won the South Jersey Coaches Association Tournament by defeating Cherokee, 1-0. It was the third win over Cherokee following the opening loss.

Shawnee senior Joe Deily was named The Inquirer's player of the year. The versatile Deily played forward, midfield and defender, and finished with 12 goals.

GIRLS' SOCCER. No South Jersey team won a state title, but Holy Cross captured the most championships. The Lancers finished No. 1 in The Inquirer's ratings after winning the South Jersey Group 4 title, the South Jersey Coaches Association tournament and the title in the Burlington County League Liberty Division.

The Lancers solidified their No. 1 ranking by defeating No. 2 Delsea, 1-0, in the final of the coaches tourney.

Junior defender Robin Kriza and sophomore goalie Megan Lincoln were first- team Inquirer all-South Jersey selections for the Lancers.

The other South Jersey champions were Delsea in Group 3, Cinnaminson in Group 2 and Pitman in Group 1.

Delsea junior Jen Stephenson was South Jersey's leading scorer with 44 goals.

No Mistaking It: Lancers Escaped Against La Salle Holy Cross' Coach Said Something. So Did An Official. The Confusion Almost Led To A Loss.

Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20150922113109/http://articles.philly.com/1993-09-20/news/25985490_1_holy-cross-receivers-delay

By Matt Toll, INQUIRER CORRESPONDENT

Posted: September 20, 1993

That sigh of relief reverberating through Delran belongs to Holy Cross coach Tom Maderia. The No. 2 Lancers outplayed visiting La Salle of Philadelphia Catholic League all Saturday afternoon, but barely escaped with a 6-0 win after a mental lapse gave the Explorers a final chance to score from Holy Cross' 2-yard line with four seconds left.

They got that chance because Lancers quarterback Tom McKeown, told by Maderia to take a delay-of-game penalty on a fourth-down play with 31 seconds left, was told by an official that he had to run a play or take a delay-of- game penalty. Maderia wanted a delay call, but McKeown misunderstood either his coach or the official. He dropped on one knee, and La Salle took over on the 2. Brian Bartleson then saved the day for the Lancers by intercepting a pass.

Maderia was put in the strange position of preferring a 6-2 victory to a shutout.

"It's an embarrassing situation, because it looked like we didn't know what we were doing," Maderia said yesterday. "I knew exactly what we were doing. We were going to take the delay of game, snap the ball through the end zone (for a safety), and then punt the ball to them with five seconds left. The game was going to end 6-2."

The finish was a lesson for the talented but inexperienced McKeown.

"I hope they realize that from now on, they should listen to me and not to the referee," Maderia said. "But we got a win, and we deserved to win. It's not like we stole it."

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS. Before Delran High's opening 22-0 victory over Moorestown on Saturday night, Bears coach Pete Miles had several questions that could be answered only by game action. Most pressing was whether his inexperienced receivers could play to the caliber of Delran's standout quarterback, Ralph Sacca.

Miles saw mixed results. Sacca was 7 for 16 passing, but only one of those completions was to a wideout, and several other passes should have been caught, according to Miles.

"The one thing that game confirmed was that our receivers are a little questionable," he said.

Sacca's most productive target was tight end Sean Theis, who had three catches for 55 yards. The lone reception by a wide receiver was made by sophomore Adam Ullberg, a converted tailback.

Miles said that Saturday's game, which featured running back Ervin Turner's 72 yards rushing and two touchdowns, confirmed that despite an outstanding passer in Sacca, Delran's early focus will be on the backfield. That doesn't sit well with Miles.

"We're going to utilize our backs because they're the ones who can catch the ball," he said. "But that's going to be a problem. Teams will just start forgetting about the wide receivers."

A TALE OF TWO HALVES. Bordentown, 1-8 in each of its last two seasons and without a winning season since 1988, saw its opener slip away Saturday.

Hosting McCorristin of Trenton, the Scotties raced to a 16-0 halftime lead before losing four fumbles in the second half, which led to a 22-16 defeat.

Coach Larry Kipp, starting his second season, was particularly frustrated by the loss.

"I told the other coaches after the game that I felt worse than I had felt in years," he said. "(McCorristin) wasn't able to stop us all day. We had no turnovers in either of our two scrimmages, but all of a sudden we made some mistakes."

Two of the four mistakes occurred inside the Scotties' 15-yard line, and a Bordentown touchdown in the first half was nullified by a penalty.

Bordentown junior James Thomas was impressive, scoring on a 33-yard run and gaining 97 yards on 12 carries.

"McCorristin is a team we knew we could beat," said Kipp, whose team will travel to Florence on Saturday. "I still believe we're the better team. If we play like that against Florence, we will definitely be in the game."

ONE DOWN, EIGHT TO GO. Last week, Shawnee coach Tim Gushue said that Saturday's opener with George Washington was a must-win game. Coming off the team's first playoff appearance and a best-ever 8-2 record, Gushue was eager to see how his young team - Shawnee graduated 26 seniors - would respond.

The Renegades came through convincingly, shutting out the Eagles, 22-0.

"It was especially satisfying because we have so many young players," Gushue said. "We probably could have put a few more points on the board, but any time you shut out the other team, you're happy with that."

The biggest play of the game was a 72-yard touchdown pass from Paul Findelsen to Scott Mattison, who caught the first touchdown pass of his high school career.

"One of our assistant coaches said last night, 'In some ways, this may have been more meaningful than any of our wins last year.' You never know what high school athletes are going to do on the field," Gushue said yesterday. ''There were an awful lot of smiles last night (Saturday)."

ROAD WARRIORS. What to do with a Saturday off? Six days before their much- anticipated showdown on Friday, the coaching staffs of No. 1 Washington Township and No. 3 Woodrow Wilson saw plenty of each other.

The Woodrow Wilson coaches drove through the rain to Washington Township on Saturday morning to watch the Minutemen's scrimmage against Woodstown. On Saturday evening, the Tigers traveled to Highland for a scrimmage, which Washington Township coaches watched.

The two teams will see even more of each other Friday, in their first-ever meeting, at Wilson.

RUNNING WILDCATS. St. Joseph's Dan Carmichael was one of Saturday's most productive runners, averaging 14 yards per carry as the Wildcats defeated Lower Moreland, 34-13, in a nonleague game.

The 6-foot, 185-pound Carmichael started the game at quarterback, but St. Joe coach Paul Sacco shifted him to running back because the wet field took away much of the Wildcats' option offense with Carmichael at quarterback. Carmichael finished with three touchdowns, on runs of 34 and 13 yards, and an 80-yard kickoff return, and 140 yards overall.

"Our offensive line has just one senior, and they did a great job blocking for Dan," Sacco said. "He reads real well and he can cut back across the field whenever he wants to. You like to spread it around, but he's going to carry the ball about 20 times a game."

St. Joe's fullback Eric Flickenger added some impressive statistics, gaining 141 yards on 22 carries.

Delran Overtakes Kingsway

Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20151222065006/http://articles.philly.com/1993-10-23/sports/25937464_1_nonleague-football-overtakes-cap

By Joey Culligan, INQUIRER CORRESPONDENT

Posted: October 23, 1993

Chris Bullis caught a two-point conversion pass from Ralph Sacca with 3 minutes, 50 seconds to play last night as Delran defeated visiting Kingsway, 15-14, in a nonleague football game.

Delran's Ervin Turner had scored on an 8-yard pass from Sacca to cap a nine-play, 66-yard drive that erased a fourth-quarter deficit.

Kingsway then drove from its 29 to the Delran 6 with 5 seconds left, but Jamie Cristaudo was wide left on a 23-yard field-goal attempt.

Delran raised its record to 4-1. Kingsway fell to 1-3-1.

Kingsway's Gary Fauntleroy rushed for 258 yards on 30 carries. Fauntleroy carried 19 times for 213 yards in the second half. In Kingsway's last drive, which ended with the missed field-goal attempt, he carried on all nine plays.

Delran took a 7-0 lead on its first possession, driving just 19 yards in four plays after defensive end Dave Forssell blocked a Kingsway punt.

Kingsway tied the score in the third quarter on a 44-yard touchdown run by Fauntleroy.

Kingsway took a 14-7 lead on Rick Lowery's 2-yard run, capping a six-play, 82-yard drive in the fourth quarter. The key play on the drive was a 51-yard run by Fauntleroy.

Lowery scored with 8:52 left and Cristaudo's kick made the score 14-7.

Delran then embarked on its winning drive.

The Quarterback Is Used To Someone Else Being The Star. Washington Twp.'s Englehart Playing Very Well In The Shadows

Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20151225004847/http://articles.philly.com/1993-10-27/news/25938134_1_washington-township-minutemen-tom-brown

By Matt Toll, INQUIRER CORRESPONDENT

Posted: October 27, 1993

On any other team, Chris Englehart probably would be a star.

Washington Township, however, isn't any other team.

Englehart is the starting quarterback for The Inquirer's top-ranked team, a team that has roared through its early-season opponents to post a 5-0 record. Washington Township isn't flashy, though. The Minutemen have a bona fide star - running back/defensive back Mike Koerner - but, as coach Tom Brown said, ''every snap of every play of every game goes through Chris."

Englehart, actuality more than Koerner, personifies the Minutemen - quietly efficient, mistake-free and consistently productive. Through five games, he has completed 25 of 41 passes for 327 yards and four touchdowns while throwing no interceptions. And he has made umpteen successful handoffs to Koerner and others upon whom Brown relies for much of the Minutemen's ball-control offense.

For Englehart, this season represents a chance he has prepared for since he started playing quarterback as a 9-year-old. He spent last season - when Township rolled to an unbeaten record, the South Jersey Group 4 title and The Inquirer's No. 1 ranking - as a backup for starter Tim Huckel, an intense, vocal leader.

Now Englehart, a quiet quarterback who says he prefers to lead by example rather than by rabble-rousing, is finally getting his chance.

Still, Englehart's name isn't on the marquee with those of other top South Jersey quarterbacks, such as Paulsboro's Kevin Harvey, Cherry Hill East's Ben Steinberg and Delran's Ralph Sacca. That kind of thing might grate on some players. Englehart believes it's a help.

"I feel it makes it a little easier for me," he said. "Without all that stuff, it's been easier to get to work, just to do my job."

"The attention is on Mike Koerner - and deservedly so," Brown said. "But I knew (Englehart) was going to be underrated this year because he isn't at a Cherry Hill East or a Woodrow Wilson, coming out and throwing the ball a lot more. He would absolutely put up some big numbers if he was playing for a team like that, but he knows his role here and performs it very well. He's at the controls. He puts the whole thing in motion."

Comparisons between Englehart and Huckel, his predecessor, are inevitable. The 6-foot, 170-pound Englehart says the differences between the two are more obvious than the similarities.

"We're a lot different," he said. "He helped me a lot, though, in terms of leadership, even though he was more vocal and I'm more quiet. Everybody on this team can pretty much motivate themselves. They don't need anybody to holler and scream."

Brown says Englehart - who started at defensive back last season, as he does this season - could have stepped in and taken over for Huckel effectively had an injury occurred.

"To be quite honest, I think he could have moved in and maybe done a little bit better," Brown said. "This is nothing against Timmy, but Chris was ready to go last season. It's just that we started with Timmy and we wanted to have that continuity.

"Tim was kind of a volatile guy, maybe a little like me," Brown continued. "Chris is completely different, emotionally and psychologically. I think the kids relate well to a kid like that."

"He's a different kind of leader, not a rah-rah guy," Koerner said. "He doesn't have to be. He does it his own way."

Despite his on-field experience of a year ago, Englehart confessed to having some butterflies before the Minutemen's opener this season, a much publicized matchup with Woodrow Wilson. For him, it was the culmination of a couple of years of learning the quarterback position, one as the junior- varsity quarterback and one as the varsity backup. Township won, 36-20.

"After a series against Wilson, I felt like I was settled in," Englehart said. "It took just a little time, especially after the whole off-season of waiting for the season to get here."

"I don't think he had any more butterflies than anybody else," Brown said. "I think he couldn't wait. He'd been prepping for this for two years. There was no doubt that he was ready."

Since that time, Englehart has had several games against less stiff competition to get used to his new role, but he finds himself champing at the bit for the Minutemen's toughest stretch, which will begin Nov. 5 with No. 6 Cherry Hill East. After that come No. 10 Highland, a likely Group 4 playoff game and a Thanksgiving Day matchup with No. 8 Eastern.

"I can't wait," Englehart said. "We haven't had as much competition yet this year, and it isn't as much fun. But those tougher games will get here pretty soon."

When they do, Brown will have a quarterback who is ready.

"The first word that comes to mind when I think of Chris Englehart is poise," the coach said. "He's worked real hard to make himself a good football player, and he's very calm in the midst of turbulence. That's a real sign of leadership. The other players respect that."

"I just do my job," Englehart said. "I don't have to make up for anybody else. I don't have to be a superstar. We want to win, whatever it takes."

Willis Keys Palmyra's 8-0 Victory Over Delran When The Panthers Turned Him Loose, He Responded By Gaining 81 Yards And Scoring The Game's Only Td.

Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20151018140016/http://articles.philly.com/1993-10-31/sports/25937656_1_chris-eberly-fumbles-panthers

By Sam Carchidi, INQUIRER STAFF WRITER

Posted: October 31, 1993

Palmyra's Greg Willis stands 6-foot-2 and weighs 238 pounds. The senior bench-presses 325 pounds and is as easy to tackle as a bulldozer.

Yet, because he is in the same backfield as South Jersey's most dominant running back, he has spent most of his time as a blocker.

Until yesterday.

Palmyra unleashed Willis in the second half yesterday, and he carried the Panthers to an 8-0 nonleague victory over visiting Delran. Willis gained 81 yards on 17 carries - all in the second half - and scored the game's lone touchdown on a 1-yard run late in the third quarter.

In a game played in steady rain, Palmyra raised its record to 6-0 and increased its chances of qualifying for the NJSIAA Group 1 playoffs.

Delran fell to 4-2 and saw its chances of qualifying for a chance to defend its 1992 Group 2 championship all but disappear.

This was mainly because of Willis, who has been overshadowed by star running back Chris Eberly all year.

"All year, we've been Chris Eberly, Chris Eberly, Chris Eberly," Willis said. "They keyed on him and shut him down, but they forgot about everyone else."

Eberly was limited to 45 yards on 12 carries yesterday.

"They had 11 men up front keying on Eberly," Palmyra coach Bud Mauer said. "They were giving us room up the middle, and the big guy took advantage."

Willis, who plays fullback and tight end on offense, didn't carry the ball in the first half, a half in which Delran failed to score despite getting inside Palmyra's 10-yard line on three possessions.

Palmyra went on a 14-play, 65-yard drive that consumed 6 minutes, 38 seconds of the third period. It ended when Willis, on third and goal, bulled over from the 1 with 3:16 left in the quarter.

Willis carried the ball 10 times and gained 41 yards during the drive.

Marvin Bass, who has been starting at quarterback because of a knee injury to Jason Jack, keyed the march, when he gained 14 yards on a third-and-6 option run from the Delran 29.

Willis did the rest.

"I've been waiting for this game," he said. "We have lots of talent on this team, and I knew my time would come. That's what the coach told me, and today was my time.

"My job usually is to block and run people over," he added, smiling. "I just like hitting people. It's the greatest feeling in the world.

"I've never been on a team that had beaten Delran, so this feels good."

Palmyra won despite losing four fumbles, including two in the last 2:16. Palmyra barely outgained Delran in total yardage, 151-150.

Delran's Ralph Sacca completed 3 of 16 passes for 51 yards.

Early in the second quarter, Delran had a fourth-and-3 from the Palmyra 7. Coach Pete Miles bypassed a chance to kick a field goal.

"I didn't think three points would be enough in this game," he said.

Sacca dropped back to pass, fumbled, scooped up the wet ball and then was sacked by Willis and Eberly for a 12-yard loss.

End of threat.

With 2:55 left in the first half, Delran had a fourth-and-5 from the Palmyra 7, at which point Ervin Turner (who wound up with 14 carries for just 18 yards) was tackled for a 2-yard loss by Kevin Adams and Bryan Pozniewski.

Two plays later, a fumble recovery by Delran's Don Demaise gave the Bears the ball at the Palmyra 14.

Three plays later, with the ball on the Palmyra 3, Sacca fumbled and Palmyra's Leon Harris recovered with 54 seconds left in the half.

Delran Gets Moving In Time To Stop Wall

Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20160102180718/http://articles.philly.com/1993-11-16/news/25946537_1_ball-shot-chatham

By Matt Toll, INQUIRER CORRESPONDENT

Posted: November 16, 1993

After walking through the first half of yesterday's Group 2 boys' soccer state semifinal match in a daze, Delran turned on the intensity in the second 40 minutes, scoring the game's only goal to beat Wall, 1-0, at Burlington County College and advance to the state final.

The Bears will face North Jersey champion Chatham of Morris County on Thursday at Trenton State College in the final. Chatham advanced with a 1-0 victory over Newton in yesterday's other semifinal game.

Freshman Sal Cuttieta scored the game-winner for Delran (16-4) off assists from Joey Young and Mike Okupinski 1 minute, 52 seconds into the second half.

But the game was in doubt until the final 37 seconds, when Delran goaltender Ryan Orfe stopped a penalty shot by Wall's Chris Hartz.

"It's just one of those seasons and one of those teams," said Delran coach John Hughes. "(Cuttieta) made the most of his chance. He got in there and stuck it."

Delran had the first and last shot opportunities of the first half, but Wall (10-8-1) dominated the action in between, outshooting the Bears, 10-2.

"We were lagging back on defense (in the first half)," Okupinski said. ''We were just lucky they didn't score."

The second half was a different matter. A dissatisfied Hughes gave his troops a litle talk during intermission, and the Bears responded by turning up the pressure.

Early in the second half, they struck with a goal that sparked some controversy.

Okupinski, bringing the ball across midfield, went to the ground and appeared to hit the ball with his hand before passing off to Young. No call was made, however, and Young fed Cuttieta, who punched the ball into the left corner of the net past diving Wall goaltender Tom Megill.

"I don't know about that," Okupinski said when he was asked if he had touched the ball with his hand. "I think I kind of just fell on it."

"(Okupinski) handed the ball about five times," Wall coach Jim Carhart said. "But they had to bring it from midfield to the net and nobody stopped them."

The teams battled evenly for the rest of the game - both took seven shots in the second half - but Wall had a golden opportunity to tie the game with 37 seconds remaining when Delran's George Crossley made a desperation stab with his hand to block a shot from entering the Delran net after Orfe had fallen out of position.

Wall's Hartz failed to connect solidly on the penalty shot, and Orfe dove to his left to make the save.

Bears Drop Ot Decision To Chatham

Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20150929153145/http://articles.philly.com/1993-11-19/news/25947774_1_cougars-penalty-kick-overtime

By Marc Narducci, INQUIRER CORRESPONDENT

Posted: November 19, 1993

EWING TOWNSHIP — A late goal by Chatham deprived Delran of its fourth state boys' soccer championship last night, as the Cougars took a 2-1 win in overtime at Trenton State College.

Chatham tied the game with less than six minutes to go in regulation and won its second Group 2 state championship on a header by star Bill Walsh in the first of two 10-minute overtime periods. The Cougars finished 22-2 and won their last 20 straight games.

Delran finished 16-5. The Bears won a state title in 1983 and were co- champions in 1986 and 1988. Delran is No. 9 in The Inquirer's South Jersey rankings.

Walsh redirect a shot by teammate Tim Seymour into the net with 1 minute, 31 seconds left in the first overtime, giving the Cougars a 2-1 lead. Walsh redirected the ball while in midair. The goal was his 43d this season and the 128th of his career.

The defense made that score stand up over the mandatory second 10-minute overtime, and Chatham, of Morris County, went home with a state championship.

In regulation, however, Delran was less than six minutes away from a state championship. After being soundly outplayed in the first half, the Bears took a 1-0 lead on Greg Harrison's penalty kick with 33:39 left in the second half. Jason Burnside drew the penalty kick when he was taken down inside the 18-yard line.

Cougars goalie Ed Shannon didn't have a chance at saving the penalty kick, which Harrison placed in the lower right corner.

With Delran seemingly in control, Chatham tied the score when Colin Robina, who was wide open in front, scored on a tip-in with 5:56 left in the second half.

Chatham dominated play in a scoreless first half. Delran goalie Ryan Orfe made two acrobatic, diving saves in the game's first eight minutes to keep the Bears in the contest.

Following that sequence, the Cougars continued pressuring Orfe. Walsh, a midfielder who will attend the University of Virginia, misfired on a head ball from six yards out to squander another opportunity.

The Cougars' best first-half chance came when Jeff Patten hit the post on a head ball.

Throughout the second half, Delran's Mike Cooney did an excellent job marking the dangerous Walsh.

The Bears' offense seemed to get a lift from Harrison's goal. Delran played a much more aggressive second half. Tim Casale came close to giving Delran a two-goal cushion on a head ball from in front of the goal, but the shot went just wide.

After Robina tied the score for Chatham, the Cougars put furious pressure on Orfe. Following a 30-yard blast by Walsh that bounced off Orfe, Chatham's Bill McQueen failed to score into an open net on a follow with under 4:30 remaining.

That was the last good scoring opportunity of regulation, and the game went into overtime.

Delran Quarterback Commits To Rutgers

Source: http://articles.philly.com/1993-12-07/news/25941646_1_rutgers-assistant-rutgers-university-penn-state

By Matt Toll, INQUIRER CORRESPONDENT

Posted: December 07, 1993

Delran quarterback Ralph Sacca has orally committed to Rutgers University, where he will become the third Sacca brother to join a Division I football program and the first to play somewhere other than Penn State.

Sacca, 6-foot-4 and 190 pounds, follows in the footsteps of siblings Tony, now with the Phoenix Cardinals, and John, who left Penn State this fall, frustrated with spotty playing time.

"I'm excited," Ralph Sacca said last night. "I can't wait to get out on that field. They've got a lot of young talent up there (in New Brunswick), and they showed a lot of confidence in me."

Sacca, who also was recruited by UCLA, Miami and West Virginia, was a two- year starter at Delran, compiling career totals of 1,324 yards passing and nine touchdown passes.

He made a recruiting visit to Rutgers last weekend, when he informed the coaching staff there of his decision to attend the school. He cannot sign a letter of intent until Feb. 4.

Sacca said that he had discussed the choice with members of his family, including John, whose college football experience has been less than satisfactory.

"They told me to go where you feel comfortable with the school and then think about football," Sacca said. "My parents were very impressed with everything (at Rutgers), not just the football. We were just very comfortable with everything that went on."

Sacca said he would be redshirted his first year, which he will spend running the third-string offense, traveling with the team and signaling plays in from the sideline.

"I'll need to improve on everything," he said. "I talked to my brother John (on Sunday) night, and he said that your first year, you basically stink. It takes an exceptional athlete to be a freshman starter. I don't think they'll be shocked if I don't come in and break all their records. I think they'll work with me."

After leading Delran to the South Jersey Group 2 championship as a junior, Sacca endured a tougher senior season. The Bears finished 6-3 but failed to qualify for the playoffs, and Sacca's passing numbers were down. To make matters worse, the only game a Rutgers assistant saw Sacca play was a 22-0 loss at home to Buena.

"It was frustrating because I knew what I could do, but things weren't going well for the team," he said. "I was disappointed because I knew I could do better than my stats showed, but none of the schools backed off. (Rutgers) told me they ranked 40 East Coast quarterbacks and had me at the top. That told me they had a lot of confidence in me."

A Big Test For Bears' Johnson Delran Is Looking For Leadership. The Senior Point Guard Is Expected To Supply It.

Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20160103083717/http://articles.philly.com/1993-12-13/news/25940317_1_middle-township-guard-nicole-johnson

By Bob Hoffman, INQUIRER CORRESPONDENT

Posted: December 13, 1993

If Delran is able to repeat as the South Jersey Group 2 champion in girls' basketball this season, it's certain that Nicole Johnson will have had a lot to do with it.

Johnson, a 5-foot-11 senior point guard who can play any position, averaged 13 points and five assists a game last season and was named to The Inquirer's all-South Jersey third team.

"She's the player who makes things go for us," coach Jim Weber said. ''She's our point guard on offense and she always plays the other team's best offensive player on defense."

Johnson started her freshman year and never gave up her spot.

"She's improved a lot since then," Weber said. "She can drive to the basket, take the jumper, shoot the three - and she handles the ball very well. She does it all."

Johnson, the Bears' captain, will have to add a role this season: leadership. Delran lost center Melissa Roberts and guard Becky McKeen to graduation, which left Johnson as the team's most experienced player and its only senior.

"If other teams want to key on me it won't work, because on any given night, any one of us can score 20 points," Johnson said. "I see my role as seeing what's happening on the floor and getting the ball to the open person."

Johnson, a member of the National Honor Society, last month committed to attend the Maryland-Baltimore County, a Division I school in the Big South Conference.

"I really liked the people connected with the program," she said. "It's far enough away, but close enough for my parents to see me play."

Johnson said she was undecided about a major, but is interested in teaching, sports medicine and sports management.

But that's next year. This season, the goal is a second straight trip to the state Group 2 final. Or more.

"I don't think this year will be that much different from last year," Johnson said. "We could do it again. I'd love to get back, because I think we blew it last year in the final. I think we can repeat as South Jersey champion and go on from there. I'd definitely like to leave here a champion."

Delran rallied to defeat Middle Township, 48-42, to win the South Jersey title last season. The Bears eliminated Allentown, 53-32, in the state semifinals before losing to Mahwah, 34-27, in the final.

"I think our success will carry over," Johnson said. "We're looking good so far. Maybe we won't be 26-1 again because we have a tougher schedule, but going so far last year has to help us this year.

"We have a very young team, but I don't think we'll panic this year. As the point guard, I'm supposed to keep us together. We have to play as a team. If we don't, we won't win."

Johnson plays no other sports at Delran. Basketball is pretty much a full- time job.

"I play year-round," she said. "When I'm not playing, I lift weights, even though I don't look like I do. It helps my strength, endurance and quickness. I used to be real skinny and I got nudged around a lot. Each year, I've noticed a difference because of the weights."

SCOUTING DELRAN

* In charge: Jim Weber has compiled a record of 305-99 in 16 years, and guided the Bears to a 26-1 record and a berth in the state Group 2 final last season. Delran, which defeated Middle Township, 48-42, in the South Jersey final, lost to Mahwah, 34-27, in the state final.

* Comings and goings: Center Melissa Roberts (Iona) and guard Becky McKeen (La Salle) are gone, but replacements abound.

Expected to see action are juniors Joanna Dusza, a 5-foot-10 center and forward; Nicole Reiner, a 5-9 forward; Michelle Bayne, a 5-10 guard and forward; Chrissy Olivo, a 5-5 guard, and Jamie Schoeffling, a 5-7 guard. Sophomores Danielle Karpen, a 5-7 guard, and Mandy Krause, a 5-9 forward, also should get time.

* What can go right: The Bears may not open the season with a 26-game winning streak as they did last season, but they appear to have 20-victory potential. Delran has size and speed as well as excellent ball handlers and shooters.

Nicole Johnson, selected for The Inquirer's all-South Jersey third team last season, heads the list of returning starters. Johnson, a 5-11 senior who averaged 13 points a game last season, will run the team from her point-guard slot. She'll be joined in the backcourt by April Pilenza, a 5-11 junior who averaged 10 points a game in last season her second year as a starter, and Kim Brown, a 5-6 sophomore. Pilenza and Johnson form one of South Jersey's better defensive combinations.

Lynette DiLuzio, a 5-9 junior center and forward who has recovered from a knee injury suffered late last season, and Allison Peirce, a 5-9 sophomore, will set up in the frontcourt.

* What can go wrong: Delran is a young team - with seven juniors, four sophomores and one senior - and Weber expressed concern about how long it would take the Bears to emerge as a unit. Without Roberts, a second-team all- South Jersey center, rebounding could be a problem, too.

* Outlook: Delran is favored over Rancocas Valley and Moorestown in the Burlington County League Patriot Division. The Bears are a threat to win the South Jersey Group 2 title, and compare favorably with the other powerful Group 2 teams, Middle Township and Sterling. The Bears will rely heavily on Johnson. She will decide when to push the ball upcourt or set up in a half- court offense. The Bears seem able to compete either way.

* Footnotes: Delran has never won a state title, but won South Jersey Group 2 titles in 1987 and 1993. . . . The Bears walked off with Burlco Freedom championships in 1980, 1985, 1987, 1988 and 1990 before entering the Patriot Division in the 1990-91 season.

State Title 1994 Goal For Matter The Delran Junior Was 31-2 Last Season. Where Winning Is Toughest For Him? At Home.

Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20150919203615/http://articles.philly.com/1993-12-18/sports/25941819_1_patriot-division-title-state-semifinals-junior-135-pounder

By Joey Culligan, INQUIRER CORRESPONDENT

Posted: December 18, 1993

Delran's Brett Matter has a tougher time winning a wrestling match in his own home than he does against some of the best high school athletes in the state.

Which is why the junior 135-pounder - the youngest of a famous wrestling family - believes he has an excellent opportunity to win a state title this season.

Last season, as a sophomore, Matter went 31-2 at 119 pounds. He was 31-0 before dropping a 6-3 decision to Delaware Valley's Brent Conly, a two-time state champion, in the state semifinals. As a freshman two years ago, he placed third in Region 7 at 103 pounds with a 30-6 record.

Matter's father, Andy, was a Pennsylvania wrestling legend: He was a two- time state champion while at Upper Darby High and a national champion for Penn State in 1971 and 1972.

Brett Matter's older brother, Clint, had a 29-2 record as a Delran senior in 1992. Now a sophomore at the University of Pennsylvania, he had knee surery in November, but is expected to be back in the Quakers' lineup by the end of this month.

"My dad teaches me an awful lot about wrestling, but my brother Clint pounds the mental part of the sport into me, which can make the difference between placing third or winning a state title" said Brett Matter, who has a 61-8 career record. "It's really incredible, the things I learn from the both of them. We have a mat in our basement, and sometimes when I get home from school, I'll wrestle with my dad.

"He doesn't put any pressure on me at all. My dad would like to see me succeed, but if I said I wanted to quit wrestling tomorrow, he would understand.

"I have no plans to quit, though."

Brett Matter is one of 10 returning starters for the defending District 27 and eight-time Burlington County League division winners. The Bears were 16-3 last year and won their second straight Patriot Division title. Before entering the newly formed Patriot Division in 1991, Delran had won six consecutive Burlco Freedom Division championships.

Delran has won 12 divisional titles in the last 13 years, all under coach Dennis Smith.

Seniors Greg Harrison (112) and Pat Duff (150) both placed third in the Region 7 tournament last year, and junior Scott Hamlet (145) is the defending district champion.

Smith said Brett Matter has the right stuff to bring home another state title.

"Brett wasn't that far away from a state title last year, just a few points," Smith said. "He's strong on his feet, strong on top, and he doesn't give an inch. He wants to control his opponents completely, just like the way his dad and brother Clint wrestled. Clint and Brett are both aggressive wrestlers, but I think that Brett might be a little more physical.

"What some people don't realize about Brett is that he's a great kid and an outstanding athlete. Brett plays varsity tennis, and he ran a little bit for me on my cross-country team. I'm sure he could've been a cross-country star if he wanted to."

For now, Brett Matter, who is moving up three weight classes this season, simply wants to be a major contributor to his team.

"We're not invincible as a team, but I do think we have a lot of good possibilities," Brett Matter said. "If we stay healthy, I think we can go far in the Group 2 tournament.

"When I was a freshman, we had seven guys go the state tournament, and last year we had three. This year, our success will depend on how hard my teammates and I want to work. And I think we're very serious about working hard."

For Brett Matter, that means also working out at one of the few places where he's liable to lose a bout this season - at home.

SCOUTING DELRAN

* In charge: Dennis Smith, the only wrestling coach in the school's history, begins his 19th season with a 240-84-3 career record, a .734 winning percentage. The Bears had a 16-3 overall record last season. They won the District 27 championship and the Burlington County League Patriot Division title - their eighth consecutive division championship, and 12th in 13 years. Delran won South Jersey Group 2 titles in 1986 and 1992.

* Comings and goings: Ten starters are back in the lineup, led by junior Brett Matter, who had a 31-3 record as a sophomore 119-pounder and advanced to the state semifinals. Seniors Greg Harrison (112, 25-3) and Pat Duff (150, 23-9) placed third in Region 7, and junior Scott Hamlet (145, 23-2) placed first in the district. Sophomore Joe Zuccarelli (103) was fourth in the district.

The key loss to graduation was Bill Duff, the two-time state heavyweight champion who set a state career record for victories by a heavyweight (119). Duff is a redshirt football player at Tennessee. Also lost to graduation was Scott Lashley (145, 23-2), who won the Region 7 title as a senior.

* What can go right: plenty of talent throughout the well-balanced team. Matter, up to 135 pounds from 119 last year, is one of South Jersey's top middleweights and looks ready to make another strong run at the state title after reaching the semifinals last year. Matter, Harrison, Hamlet and Pat Duff give the Bears a formidable foursome in the middle of their lineup.

* What can go wrong: Smith does not have a lot of depth behind the starters. "We have some strength throughout our lineup, but we're not strong at every weight," Smith said. "I don't have a lot of depth, and I might not be able to make some moves in some matches when it comes down to a chess match."

Any injuries could end Delran's chances to defend its District 27 title and to qualify for the group playoffs.

* Outlook: The Bears are strong enough to win a ninth straight division title, to defend their District 27 championship, and to qualify for the expanded eight-team playoffs. Just how far the Bears advance in the playoffs may depend on the performances and development of some younger wrestlers in the lineup.

Footnotes: Delran will open its season today in the six-team Pine Barrens tournament at Shawnee High School. . . . Coach Smith won the 106-pound state title as a senior at Lenape in 1968. . . . Delran set a school record for victories (19) in 1992 when the Bears also won the South Jersey Group 2 title. . . . Delran will wrestle 11-time state Group 1 champion Paulsboro in their first meeting, on Jan. 19, at Paulsboro.

At St. Mary's Hall, Matt Ferrell One-of-a-kind Senior On, Off Court He's The Only Senior On The Boys' Basketball Team. He's Also The Only Male In The Senior Class.

Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20150922064020/http://articles.philly.com/1993-12-20/news/25939872_1_basketball-team-basketball-next-season-conference-selection-last-season

By Marc Narducci, INQUIRER CORRESPONDENT

Posted: December 20, 1993

Matt Ferrell enjoys a distinction. Not only is the 6-foot swingman the only senior on the boys' basketball team at St. Mary's Hall, he is the only male in his senior class.

St. Mary's Hall, in Burlington, is a small, private school, grades kindergarten through 12, that has a senior class of just 10 students. There are 59 students in grades nine through 12, according to athletic director and boys' basketball coach Pete Lasavage.

"We had a homecoming in October and guess who was the senior homecoming king?" Ferrell said, laughing. "Let's just say I didn't have much competition."

Ferrell, also a favorite to win the school's male senior athlete-of-the- year award, says he is frequently kidded about being the school's only male senior. He says, however, that attending St. Mary's has been a pleasant experience.

"People are always making jokes about me being the only guy in my class," he said. "But I love the school. My classmates are all my friends, and I love them all as sisters. It will help me later in life as to how to treat women. We all get along very well."

St. Mary's is an associate member of the NJSIAA and isn't eligible to participate in the state tournament. The Spartans, who compete in the small- school Penn-Jersey League, began their season in early December.

As the only senior, Ferrell is the unquestioned leader of the team. He is averaging 21.6 points, nine rebounds and nearly three steals a game for the 2-7 Spartans.

"He has picked his game to the point where he can play college ball next year," Lasavage said. "He is a workaholic when it comes to basketball. As the only senior, he has provided invaluable leadership."

Ferrell, a B student, hopes to continue playing basketball next season. He knows he won't be the only male in his class.

"I'd like to play on the Division III level," he said. "I love history and would love to be a history major. Of course, I will miss attending here. You couldn't meet nicer people."

SACCA TO RETURN. Ralph Sacca, Delran's 6-4 senior, is hoping to return from a knee injury by the end of January, according to his father, John. Ralph Sacca, who has made an oral football commitment to Rutgers, injured his left knee in his final football game and underwent arthroscopic surgery.

Sacca has 775 career points. If he returns in time, he could become the fourth member of his family to score 1,000 points. His brothers, Tony and John, and his sister, Tricia, were all 1,000-point scorers for Delran.

INJURY UPDATE. Robert Rone, Woodbury's 6-4 senior, played sparingly in Friday's 70-53 loss to Washington Township. Rone, a first-team all-Colonial Conference selection last season, has been slow in recovering from arthroscopic surgery to his left knee.

He injured the knee in early July and underwent surgery on Sept. 3, according to Woodbury coach Keith Wert. On Friday, Rone didn't play the first quarter and scored eight points in a reserve role.

"We think it will take him a few weeks until he gets his conditioning back," Wert said.

Woodbury can't afford that luxury. Tomorrow, the defending Colonial Conference champion will play at home against Sterling, considered this conference favorite.

UGLY WIN. Woodrow Wilson opened with a 101-74 win over New York's Paul Robeson High in what was less than an artistic success on Saturday. Visiting Robeson brought just six players to the game and ended with three after one player was ejected for fighting and two fouled out.

The tightly officiated game included 23 fouls on both teams, including six technical fouls on Robeson.. Wilson sophomore Jules Washington was tossed out of the game for a brief altercation and, according to NJSIAA rules, will have to sit out the next two contests.

"In my 12 years coaching here, this was the ugliest game I've ever been in," Wilson coach Bill Smothers said. "One of the mildest guys on the team gets thrown out. I can't remember ever having somebody thrown out in a game, and we have had some heated battles in the past. I'm glad we won, but other than that it's best that we put this behind us."

UNSUNG PERFORMER. One player who could be valuable to Camden this season is Tyrone Taylor, a 6-4 senior who came off the bench to spark the Panthers to a come-from-behind 77-73 win over New York's John Jay High on Saturday. Taylor scored 11 points and was a force on both the offensive and defensive boards.

"He was a JV player all last year," Camden coach Clarence Turner said. ''He worked all summer. I see a lot of improvement in his desire, and we hope he comes on for us this year."

RANKINGS RUMBLINGS. Willingboro, which defeated Shawnee, 66-62, switched places with the Renegades in The Inquirer's Top 15. The Chimeras moved from eighth to fifth, Shawnee from fifth to eighth.

STAT OF THE WEEK. Burlington Township coach Ken Faulkner entered the season with 473 wins. He had exactly 100 victories after the 1976-77 season. He had exactly 200 after the 1981-82 season. And he had exactly 400 after the 1989-90 season. If the team wins 27 games this season, he would end it with exactly 500.

Another Duff Stepping Forward At Delran Bill Is Gone. Younger Brother Pat Is Ready To Make His Own Name. He's 9-1 This Season.

Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20150914183303/http://articles.philly.com/1994-01-18/news/25823738_1_washington-township-upper-weight-classes-brother

By Matt Toll, INQUIRER CORRESPONDENT

Posted: January 18, 1994

Get this straight:

Pat Duff might be Bill Duff's brother, but he is absolutely not merely Bill Duff's brother.

Pat Duff, who wrestles for Delran, has a 9-1 record this season. His older brother Bill, of course, won the state heavyweight championship the last two seasons before graduating and going to the University of Tennessee, where he is a freshman.

So Pat Duff has this problem: He's proud to be Bill Duff's brother, but he doesn't want to be known by it.

"I could never be jealous of my brother," he said. "But now it's my time to shine."

"Bill's not around now," Delran wrestling coach Dennis Smith said. "Pat has emerged as one of the team leaders, and he likes that role."

He's had plenty of success this season. Duff, a senior, took his first loss Saturday, losing to Northern Burlington's Neil Bergren, 9-8, at 160 pounds. Duff promptly decided, once and for all, to move up to 171 pounds, where he won't have to make the drastic weight cuts that he said were partially responsible for the loss.

"I think I'm going to win states," said Duff, who was upended at last season's super-region, finishing at 23-6. "People look at me sometimes like I'm just some kid, just Bill's brother. But I think I'm wrestling more aggressive this year; I'm a lot bigger this year. I feel great."

But as Pat Duff goes about the business of establishing a name for himself, he also feels a responsibility - putting a stamp on the Delran team, something his brother did before him.

"This year is my team, my last year," he said. "Every senior knows we've got to do something with this team. With all the tradition here, we don't want to go down as just another Delran team."

Or as just a certain wrestler's brother.

Delran's Strong Finish Ends Rv's Streak At 7

Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20151016213015/http://articles.philly.com/1994-01-26/news/25824028_1_red-devils-shots-spread-offense

By Bob Hoffman, INQUIRER CORRESPONDENT

Posted: January 26, 1994

Delran overcame a three-point halftime deficit with a barrage of three- point shots and earned a 52-42 victory over host Rancocas Valley in girls' basketball last night.

The Bears, playing their first game since Jan. 11, improved to 5-1 overall, 3-1 in the Burlington County League Patriot Division.

Rancocas Valley, which had its seven-game winning streak stopped, fell to 7-2 and 2-2. The Red Devils, ranked No. 10 in South Jersey by The Inquirer lost to sixth-ranked Delran, 37-29, in the Dec. 17 season opener.

Moorestown (9-0, 4-0), a 49-25 winner over Northern Burlco last night, remains in first place in the tight Patriot Division race.

Rancocas Valley rode a 16-point, 15-rebound effort by 6-foot-3 center Demya Walker to a 26-23 halftime lead.

Delran responded with bombs. The Bears connected on 6 of 7 three-pointers in the third period - two each by Kim Brown, April Pilenza and Allison Pierce.

Nicole Johnson, the Bears' floor leader, had the only two-point basket of the third quarter. She also had the only miss from three-point territory - a shot from near midcourt at the buzzer that bounced off the rim.

"We had a layoff of 14 days, but the kids played great tonight," Delran coach Jim Weber said. "We were hitting our shots. We have a lot of kids who can make the three-point shot. At halftime I told them, 'You've been down by more than this, and I know you can go out there and do it.' "

They did, and so did Walker. The athletic junior fired in 10 more points in the third quarter, but Delran led, 45-38, entering the final period.

"They were penetrating and then passing the ball outside, and we weren't reacting to that fast enough," Rancocas Valley coach Jerry Dunn said. "We had too many turnovers, too. You can't give a team that can control the ball like Delran an extra 10 or 15 possessions."

It also didn't help Rancocas Valley when Walker picked up her fourth foul with 1 minute, 34 seconds left in the third quarter. Walker finished the game without fouling out, but she wasn't as effective in the fourth quarter.

Delran controlled the tempo in the fourth quarter with a spread offense and limited the Red Devils to one basket.

NOTES. Delran made 7 of 11 three-pointers in the second half. . . . Walker did not score in the fourth quarter, but finished the game with 22 rebounds and five blocked shots.

Big Schools Recruit 5 Of Region's Qbs

Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20151226032050/http://articles.philly.com/1994-02-02/sports/25857328_1_wing-t-recruits-chris-eberly

By Tim Panaccio, INQUIRER STAFF WRITER Inquirer staff writers Chuck Newman and Don McKee contibuted to this article

Posted: February 02, 1994

Five quarterbacks from the Philadephia region will sign letters of intent with Division I college football programs today, the first day NCAA football recruits are permitted to sign binding letters.

That total is rare, if not unprecedented.

The quintet is led by Penn Charter's Mike Samuel, considered by scouts to be among the nation's best quarterback prospects. Samuel threw for 1,010 yards and 10 touchdowns for Penn Charter. He will sign today with Wisconsin.

The other quarterbacks are Hatboro-Horsham's Brian Kuklick (Wake Forest), Delsea's Jason Poles (Syracuse), Pennsbury's Matt Rader (Duke) and Delran's Ralph Sacca (Rutgers).

"Kinda interesting. You have Kuklick and Samuel, who are also excellent baseball players who can throw 90-m.p.h. fastballs," said Phil Grosz, publisher of the G&W; Recruiting Report. "It was an instance where it was abnormal for that area to have so many top quarterbacks. Overall, Southeastern Pennsylvania had a good crop of football players this year."

Virtually all of the area's top recruits have made oral commitments. Among them are Palmyra running back Chris Eberly (Penn State), Olney receiver Kenyatta Carter (Temple), linebackers Brad Scioli of Upper Merion and Clint Seace of Coatesville (both Penn State) and defensive linemen Damond Neely of Abington (Miami) and Floyd Wedderburn of Upper Darby (Penn State).

Yankee Conference schools will sign 10 area players today.

West Chester East's Doug Stofflet, a 6-1, 178-pound defensive back, will sign with Richmond and likely play safety. He was recruited by New Hampshire and Rhode Island.

Chris Nocco, a 6-4, 270-pound offensive lineman from Archbishop Ryan, chose Delaware over Vanderbilt and Northwestern.

Nocco seems a natural for Tubby Raymond's wing-T with all its trapping and counter plays.

"That's very similar to the kind of plays we ran at Ryan," said Nocco, who turned down a visit to Miami. "Their offense really looks good. It was like an offensive lineman's dream. Most guys don't ask what kind of offense you run when you're being recruited, but when they showed me their wing-T and I saw that, like wow!"

Ryan coach Glen Galeone said Nocco was being sought as a guard by Delaware.

"We didn't throw a lot," Galeone said. "He was a great run blocker and we do a lot of trapping and counters, which works right up his alley."

Coatesville two-way lineman Greg Fisher will sign with Boston College. He also visited Tulsa and Rutgers and turned down visits to Maryland and Georgia Tech. Has 4.8 speed and is projected as an outside linebacker.

Cardinal Dougherty quarterback Walt Bartle will accept a grant-in-aid and attend Lock Haven, which has one of the more explosive offenses in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference.

Penn Charter running back Brandon Shepherdson still has not committed. He has been offered a scholarship to Lafayette but, according to coach Bill Gallagher, the 5-9, 180-pounder is also talking to Penn.

Running back Lance Shaw and defensive lineman Chris Hamwright are two players from St. Joseph's Prep who still have not committed. Prep coach Gil Brooks said that Shaw would likely sign with Fordham and that Hamwright has narrowed his choices to Yale and Cornell.

Wilson's Reddick Chooses Nebraska The Running Back, Like At Least Two Of His Teammates, Will Be Playing In Division I-a.

Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20160324170949/http://articles.philly.com/1994-02-02/news/25859470_1_oral-commitments-pemberton-sign-today

By Marc Narducci, INQUIRER CORRESPONDENT

Posted: February 02, 1994

Running back David Reddick yesterday became the third player from Woodrow Wilson High School to accept a scholarship to a Division I-A college.

Reddick, an Inquirer second-team all-South Jersey selection, made an oral commitment to attend Nebraska.

Today is the first day high school football players can sign NCAA letters of intent.

"I was impressed with the coaching staff, the program and the academic part," Reddick said of his choice of Nebraska.

Another former Wilson running back - Mike Rozier - ended up winning the Heisman Trophy while at Nebraska in 1983.

Reddick, a 5-foot-10, 175-pounder, said he chose Nebraska over Temple and Minnesota.

Other Wilson players expected to sign today with Division I-A schools are lineman Dominick Boyd, with Temple, and linebacker Ricky Parker, with West Virginia. Both had made oral commitments.

Other area players who recently made commitments are tight end Wesley Ellis of Pemberton, who will attend Clemson; running back Milt Moore and defensive lineman Mario Ayala of Glassboro, who will attend Bucknell and Temple, respectively, and fullback Joe Miller of Sterling, who has committed to Kent State.

The 6-4, 233-pound Ellis visited Clemson, West Virginia, Temple and East Carolina, according to Pemberton coach Bill McDowell.

Miller, a bruising 6-3, 235-pounder, said he had chosen I-A Kent State over I-AA Idaho.

"Kent State has a good criminal-justice program," Miller said. "Plus, they do a good job with job placement after you graduate.

Miller added that Kent State had told him that it didn't plan to redshirt him.

"They feel that I can contribute right away," he said.

Glassboro coach Bob Cleary said Ayala, an Inquirer third-team all-South Jersey pick, had chosen Temple over Marshall and Northeastern. He said Moore had picked Bucknell over Lafayette.

Holy Cross is the high school with the most I-A or I-AA recruits - three headed to I-A colleges and one to a I-AA college. Defensive linemen Bryan Pukenas and Kevin Landolt will sign today with West Virginia after having made oral commitments in December. Tight end Ryan Vannais, who also made a December commitment, will sign with Boston College. The I-AA recruit is linebacker Jared Elwell, who will sign with Rhode Island.

In addition to Woodrow Wilson, Delran has three players who have accepted scholarships to Division I-A or I-AA schools. Quarterback Ralph Sacca and lineman Mike Karwacki are bound for Rutgers, and linebacker Sean Theis is headed to Villanova.

Oakcrest, Glassboro, Middle Township, Pemberton and Delsea all have two players who have accepted scholarships to Division I-A or I-AA schools.

Rutgers will sign the most players from South Jersey - five. In addition to the two Delran players, the Scarlet Knights will get signatures from Pemberton wide receiver Bobby Orro, Cherry Hill East linebacker Scott Peeler and Burlington Township wide receiver Chris Hutton.

Not all players who will wind up at Division I-A or I-AA schools will sign today.

Rancocas Valley coach David Riley said that one of his players, Sean Reid, is considering William and Mary, Princeton and other schools. Reid, a 6-7, 260-pounder, was an Inquirer second-team all-South Jersey offensive lineman.

Riley also said that Penn and Holy Cross are two of the schools that wide receiver Marcus Williams is considering.

Cherokee coach John Scott said that kicker and punter Jeff Haug has visited Northeastern and may visit Delaware and Virginia Tech. Haug was an Inquirer first-team all-South Jersey pick.

Three From City Find Div. I-aa Teams Appealing

Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20151226071951/http://articles.philly.com/1994-02-02/sports/25860147_1_holy-cross-stronger-academic-reputation-division-i-aa-football

by Ted Silary, Daily News Sports Writer

Posted: February 02, 1994

Villanova helped prepare Jess Sodaski's father, John, for a brief career with the Eagles. It is also the alma mater of his mother, Susan.

Jess assures us there was no arm-twisting when it came time for him to choose a college, however.

Nevertheless, he chose what his parents chose.

Sodaski, a 6-1, 195-pound defensive back from St. Joseph's Prep, today will sign a letter of intent with the Wildcats.

Also, Bishop McDevitt defensive back Ken Arrington (6-1, 190) will sign with Holy Cross, and Episcopal Academy defensive end Ernie Lowe (6-3, 205) will sign with Connecticut. Like 'Nova, those two schools play Division I-AA football.

Sodaski, who also played quarterback at The Prep, made one other official visit, to Princeton. Dartmouth, Cornell, Delaware and James Madison were involved to varying extents.

"I try not to talk too much about the Villanova-and-my-parents thing," Sodaski said, laughing. "I always wanted to go to 'Nova. Although I visited Princeton, I can't say I really explored it. If I would have said something about going to Princeton to my parents, they probably would have doubted I meant it.

"I knew I wanted Villanova right from the start. It figured to give me the best combination of academics and football; the Yankee Conference is pretty good. You hear some crazy stories about what can happen in recruiting. Once Villanova said they'd take me, I didn't mess around."

For Arrington, who maintains a 3.4 grade-point average and has scored 1,030 on the Scholastic Aptitude Test, the decision was also pain-free. He made an official visit to Holy Cross last weekend, then canceled treks to Hofstra and Cornell.

"Holy Cross didn't pressure me. They said I could still make the other visits," Arrington said. "Cornell would have been my only other real consideration, but when I went there on an open house last August, it didn't seem like the atmosphere was very friendly.

"At Holy Cross, everybody was friendly. I was thoroughly impressed. I felt comfortable with the three major aspects you think about - social, academic and athletics."

Arrington wants to be a chemical engineer or an accountant like his father, Russell.

"Holy Cross doesn't offer chemical engineering as a major," he said. 'They said I can major in chemistry and take some engineering classes at Worcester Polytechnic right down the highway."

For Lowe, who is also a strong student, the only consternation centered on whether he preferred to play football or lacrosse in college.

He made football visits to Connecticut and Lafayette. Duke, Virginia and Johns Hopkins eyed him for lacrosse, in which he plays midfield.

"Those schools probably have a stronger academic reputation than Connecticut," Lowe acknowledged, "but I can do just as well at Connecticut. It'll be what I make of it. I plan to major in English. I want to go into environmental law. For that, I'll need a good English base.

"I liked everything about Connecticut. Plus, it's a full ride."

CITY FOOTBALL COMMITMENTS

NAME POS. HGT. WGT. HIGH SCHOOL COLLEGE

Ken Arrington DB 6-1 190 Bishop McDevitt Holy Cross

Kenyatta Carter WR 5-11 165 Olney Temple

Tom Indio DB 5-8 160 Card. Dougherty Temple

Brent Johnstone FB 6-1 220 Germantown Temple

Ernie Lowe DL 6-3 205 Episcopal Acad. Connecticut

Chris Nocco OL 6-4 270 Arch. Ryan Delaware

Mike Samuel QB 6-3 210 Penn Charter Wisconsin

Jess Sodaski DB 6-1 195 St. Joe's Prep Villanova

SUBURBAN SIGNINGS

NAME POS. HGT. WGT. HIGH SCHOOL COLLEGE

LaMar Campbell SE-DB 6-1 175 Strath Haven Wisconsin

Jon Curry K 6-1 174 Pennridge New Hampshire

Ted Daniels DL 6-4 255 Valley Forge West Virginia

Greg Fisher LB 6-4 230 Coatesville Boston College

Jason Gattuso LB 6-3 220 C.B. West Villanova

Isaac Jones WR 6-2 175 Strath Haven Purdue

Johnny Jones TE 6-5 230 Glen Mills Pittsburgh

Brian Kuklick QB-S-K-P 6-3 180 Hatboro-Horsham Wake Forest

C.J. Leeds DE 6-5 245 Cheltenham Pittsburgh

Charlie Morris DT 6-3 250 Downingtown Temple

Damond Neely OL-DL 6-5 280 Abington Miami (Fla.)

Kerry O'Brien DE 6-5 260 Upper Darby Navy

Matt Rader QB 6-5 230 Pennsbury Duke

Brad Scioli LB 6-4 235 Upper Merion Penn State

Clint Seace LB 6-3 225 Coatesville Penn State

Matt Snider TE-LB 6-2 215 Lower Merion Richmond

Todd Volitis DT 6-4 240 C.B. West Virginia Tech

Floyd Wedderburn DT 6-7 322 Upper Darby Penn State

Ron Withelder Jr. WR-DB 5-10 175 Sun Valley Villanova

SOUTH JERSEY SIGNINGS

NAME POS. HGT. WGT. HIGH SCHOOL COLLEGE

Mario Ayala DL 6-2 250 Glassboro Temple

Dominick Boyd OL 6-3 265 Woodrow Wilson Temple

Art Bryant FB 6-1 200 Highland Villanova

Cornelius Cruz FB 5-11 210 Oakcrest Rhode Island

Art Dreher DL 6-3 225 Edgewood Georgia Tech

Chris Eberly RB 5-11 190 Palmyra Penn State

Wesley Ellis TE 6-4 235 Pemberton Clemson

Jared Elwell LB 6-2 220 Holy Cross Rhode Island

Chris Hutton WR 6-5 200 Burlington Twp. Rutgers

James Jenkins RB 6-2 190 Oakcrest Clemson

Mike Karwacki OL 6-5 230 Delran Rutgers

Kevin Landolt DL 6-5 235 Holy Cross West Virginia

Frank Moore DL 6-3 275 Middle Township Pittsburgh

Milt Moore RB 5-8 180 Glassboro Bucknell

Bobby Orro WR 5-8 165 Pemberton Rutgers

Ricky Parker LB 6-0 195 Woodrow Wilson West Virginia

Scott Peeler LB 6-0 220 Cherry Hill East Rutgers

Jason Poles QB 6-3 195 Delsea Syracuse

Bryan Pukenas DL 6-4 240 Holy Cross West Virginia

David Reddick DL 5-10 175 Woodrow Wilson Nebraska

Ralph Sacca QB 6-4 190 Delran Rutgers

Ian Smith DL 6-5 240 Washington Twp. Vanderbilt

Randy Swanson RB 6-2 190 Delsea Syracuse

Sean Theis LB 6-2 215 Delran Villanova

Damon Troy DB 6-2 205 Middle Township Penn State

Ryan Vannais TE 6-4 235 Holy Cross Boston College

No Clear Winner In Football Recruiting Rutgers Corralled The Most Area Players - Five. Penn State Or Georgia Tech May Have Landed The Best Prospect.

Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20151225150758/http://articles.philly.com/1994-02-03/news/25860763_1_mike-karwacki-first-day-football-recruits-area-players

By Marc Narducci, INQUIRER CORRESPONDENT

Posted: February 03, 1994

The scoreboard lights have stopped flashing, and now it's time to count up the score to see who won.

Yesterday was signing day, the first day football recruits could sign binding NCAA letters-of-intent.

So, who got the most players? Who got the best class? Who got the best prospect from among the 29 South Jersey players who signed with NCAA Division I-A and Division I-AA colleges?

The first question is easy: Rutgers signed five South Jersey players, the most of any college. But while each of the five has solid credentials, it would be premature to crown Rutgers the area recruiting king.

Syracuse, West Virginia, Clemson, Penn State and Temple were the other colleges with Division I-A football programs that signed more than one South Jersey athlete.

Syracuse may have gotten the best package of prospects - Delsea's Jason Poles, a quarterback, and Randy Swanson, a running back and defensive back.

On the other hand, either Penn State or Georgia Tech may have landed the best prospect. State signed defensive back Damon Troy of Middle Township, and Tech got Art Dreher of Edgewood, a 6-foot-3, 225-pound defensive end who was The Inquirer's defensive player of the year in 1993.

So why isn't Rutgers the clear winner of the recruiting sweepstakes? Easy - it's too early to tell. All of the Scarlet Knights' recruits have strengths, but all carry some questions, too. And a final assessment of Rutgers' Class of 1994 probably will hinge on the development of Ralph Sacca, the quarterback from Delran.

Rutgers' four other South Jersey recruits are linebacker Scott Peeler of Cherry Hill East; wide receivers Bobby Orro of Pemberton and Chris Hutton of Burlington Township, and lineman Mike Karwacki of Delran.

But the worth of any recruiting class is increased when there is a successful quarterback. At 6-4, 190 pounds, the lefthanded Sacca has the size to compete in the Big East.

Sacca said he was told the Rutgers coaching staff expected him to compete for a starting job as a redshirt sophomore in 1996, after the graduation of incumbent Ray Lucas, who has two years of eligibility remaining.

If Sacca goes on to become a three-year starter, and the Scarlet Knights get two more future starters out of the five local players, then they certainly will have won the 1994 South Jersey recruiting sweepstakes.

Sacca is the younger brother of two former Penn State quarterbacks, Tony - now with Phoenix of the NFL - and John, who recently transferred to Division I-AA Eastern Kentucky. Ralph Sacca also was offered an opportunity to visit UCLA and Miami, but turned down the trips to commit to Rutgers last month.

The 5-8 Orro is probably among the faster players in the state - he ran a 10.7-second 100 meters during track season in 1993. He played in a Pemberton offense that didn't throw the ball much, so his catching ability is unclear.

Peeler was probably South Jersey's hardest hitter on defense. At 6-0, 218 pounds, he may not be big enough to play linebacker in college, but he has the size and coverage skill to be a strong safety.

At 6-5 and 200 pounds, Hutton has the size and leaping ability to make him nearly unstoppable on any fade pattern, but he only has the speed of a possession receiver.

The 6-5, 230-pound Karwacki has room on his frame to grow into a 275-pound lineman.

Delsea's Poles and Swanson combine to create one more reason Rutgers can't be declared the automatic South Jersey recruiting winner - the Scarlet Knights coveted both, but they went to a Big East rival.

Poles, a 6-3, 195-pound righthander, probably had the best arm among South Jersey quarterbacks. He played in an offense more geared to the run, but that shouldn't hurt him at Syracuse, which took advantage of Marvin Graves' running and passing ability the last four years.

Swanson has both toughness and speed and could eventually start on either side of the ball.

Clemson got two outstanding sleepers: Wesley Ellis, a 6-4, 233-pound tight end from run-oriented Pemberton, and running back James Jenkins of Oakcrest, who missed nearly three full games with assorted injuries in 1993. At full strength, however, the 6-2, 190-pound Jenkins combines excellent speed and power.

West Virginia signed linemen Bryan Pukenas and Kevin Landolt of Holy Cross, and linebacker Ricky Parker of Woodrow Wilson.

Landolt is 6-5, weighs 235 pounds and looks trim. College coaches told Holy Cross coach Tom Maderia that they think Landolt can carry 280 pounds.

Parker weighs only 195 pounds, but West Virginia plans to convert him from a linebacker to a strong safety. Pukenas (6-4, 240) has strong pass-rushing technique and good athletic ability.

Middle Township's Troy, a 6-2 203-pounder, is ticketed for defensive back at Penn State. The Nittany Lions also signed Palmyra running back Chris Eberly, who has been clocked at a 4.5 seconds in the 40-yard dash.

Temple, the Division I-A college closest to South Jersey, made a major effort in the area, but got minimal results. Temple signed Dominick Boyd, a 6-3, 265-pound lineman from Woodrow Wilson, and Mario Ayala, a 6-2, 250-pound lineman from Glassboro. If Boyd qualifies under Proposition 48 guidelines, he will be a quality recruit. Temple beat out I-AA Marshall and Northeastern for Ayala.

Losses Don't Shake Maple Shade Seniors Victories Are Rare, But Ed Macnamara And His Teammates Are Hanging Tough

Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20151226072748/http://articles.philly.com/1994-02-07/news/25858175_1_seniors-basketball-team-high-school-sports

By Marc Narducci, INQUIRER CORRESPONDENT

Posted: February 07, 1994

Since September, wins have been hard to come by for Maple Shade's Ed MacNamara. The 5-foot-11 senior was a two-way end and kicker for a football team that won just two games, and one of those came by forfeit.

He is a starting guard/forward on the basketball team, which is 1-11 after Friday's 56-54 victory over host Riverside.

Throughout the basketball losses, MacNamara and fellow senior starters Ray Jackson and Tony Giordano, along with reserve Khalil Dobbins, have been stabilizing forces.

Losing sometimes creates senioritis, in which the seniors either quit the program or begin just going through the motions. By all accounts, that hasn't happened at Maple Shade.

The Wildcats' main problem is that they lost six of last season's top seven players to graduation.

This season has been a difficult rebuilding one for coach Craig Ranshaw, but dealing with the string of losses has been made easier by the attitude of his four seniors.

"Our seniors have been great," Ranshaw said. "And even now, some of their minutes have been diminished because I'm working in the younger players, and they haven't complained a bit.

"It's easy for a senior to pack it in when things are going tough, but they have been outstanding leaders. Sometimes we have practice at 6 a.m. because of gym availability, and the seniors are the first ones there."

MacNamara emerged as the hero in the Wildcats' win Friday. He scored 18 points and hit two free throws to break a 54-54 tie.

"It has been a long year in both football and basketball," MacNamara said. "I felt a lot of relief by finally getting a win. It was weird, riding home on the bus with a win. I talked to Ray Jackson (another football player) before the game about how we were overdue for a win. This is a great feeling."

MacNamara said that, despite the losses, competing in high school sports has been a fulfilling experience. That's why it hasn't been hard for him or his classmates to give a maximum effort in practice and the games.

"The seniors all like to play," he said. "And I really like practice. I love the experience of playing varsity sports. Everybody wants to win more, but the chance to play at this level is very exciting."

FIELD FINALLY SET. After a few changes, the field has been set for the Atlantic Cape Classic, scheduled for Feb. 19-20 at Atlantic City High.

Four games will be played each day in this event, which won't be a tournament; no champion will be crowned. Directors Sandy and Rich Marcucci have lined up an impressive group of area and national basketball powers.

The schedule for Feb. 19 is: Episcopal (Va.) vs. Gloucester Township Tech, 1 p.m.; St. Augustine vs. Philadelphia Penn Charter, 3 p.m.; Mainland vs. Canterbury (Md.), 6 p.m., and Atlantic vs. St. Anthony of Jersey City, 8 p.m.

The next day, the schedule is: Pleasantville vs. Germantown Academy (Pa.), noon; St. Anthony vs. Philadelphia Roman Catholic, 2 p.m.; Canterbury vs. Penn Charter, 5 p.m., and Episcopal vs. Atlantic City, 7 p.m.

Episcopal of Virginia is coached by former Georgetown guard Fred Brown. Its top player is Antrick Claber, a highly regarded 6-foot-9 junior.

Canterbury is led by 6-2 junior Louis Bullock, whom Rich Marcucci calls ''one of the best guards in the country."

Atlantic Coast Conference schools such as North Carolina have called event directors and said their representatives will be at the Atlantic Cape Classic to scout Bullock, among others.

Roman Catholic and Penn Charter are two of the better teams in southeastern Pennsylvania, and St. Anthony is considered a contender to successfully defend its New Jersey Tournament of Champions title.

AROUND SOUTH JERSEY. Cherry Hill East coach John Valore said tickets will be sold only at the door for Saturday's 4:30 p.m. home game against St. Anthony. . . . Can anybody have a closer series than Gloucester Catholic and Delsea? The two Tri-County Royal Division foes have split their games, both of which ended in overtime. Gloucester Catholic has scored 119 points, and Delsea has scored 118. Delsea, which also lost to Deptford in the Royal Division, trails Gloucester Catholic by one game. . . . Tonight's 7 o'clock game between host St. Augustine and Middle Township is sold out. Middle Township won their earlier game, 54-49. It was one of five games the Panthers have won by five points or fewer.

No team made a greater playoff run than Wildwood. The Warriors won four in a row to qualify with a 6-6 record by Tuesday, when teams had to have a .500- or-better record. Wildwood had to defeat Pleasantville and did so, 73-58, in the clinching game. That was the Pleasantville team that earlier this season defeated the Warriors, 109-55. . . . Camden's Jason Adams has been on a tear. The 6-5 senior has scored at least 26 points in each of his last eight games. During that span, he has averaged 34.5 points per game, improving his average to 29.4. . . . Delran's Ralph Sacca is 40 points from 1,000 in his career.

RANKINGS RUMBLINGS. No. 13 Delsea, No. 14 Egg Harbor Township and No. 15 Washington Township have entered The Inquirer's South Jersey Top 15 rankings. Egg Harbor Township has won 10 in a row. Delsea climbed with its overtime victory on Friday against Gloucester Catholic. Washington Township enjoyed a 3-0 week.

Atlantic City, which was ninth; Woodrow Wilson, which was 12th; and Rancocas Valley, which was 14th, dropped out. Atlantic City lost to Ocean City and Williamsport during a 1-2 week. Wilson lost to Bishop Eustace and Shawnee during a 1-2 week. Rancocas Valley was upset by Moorestown during a 2-1 week.

Lenape Standout's Easy Victory Appears To Loom As A Costly One Joe Hummel Finished A Bout On Saturday With A 17-0 Record - And A Nasty Arm Injury.

Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20151223074724/http://articles.philly.com/1994-02-15/news/25857007_1_arm-victory-minuto

By Matt Toll, INQUIRER CORRESPONDENT

Posted: February 15, 1994

It was a takedown, not unlike the hundreds of other takedowns Joe Hummel had executed with ease as a Lenape wrestler. This one, however, ended differently.

Hummel was awarded two points, as usual, giving him a technical-fall victory, but instead of having an arm raised in victory, the senior 189- pounder found himself writhing in pain on the mat, that arm severely injured.

Saturday's dual meet at Cherokee resulted in a relatively unremarkable victory for the Indians (12-0), who are ranked second in South Jersey by The Inquirer, although it did earn them their fourth consecutive Burlington County League Liberty Division title. And Hummel's victory over Sean Lyall should have been equally routine.

"I just got a single leg on him, and I was lifting it up to trip him," Hummel said. "But he kind of fell sideways, and my arm got stuck between his legs, and he came down with one leg on my arm. My elbow was about a foot wide. It was scary."

Indeed, even as the takedown was giving Hummel a 22-6 victory, everyone in the gymnasium knew that something was wrong.

"When we saw him go down, it looked serious because of the pain he was in," teammate Greg Bauer, a 119-pounder, said after the match. "Our hearts were really broken."

As Hummel lay on the mat, awaiting an ambulance, his father, Wayne, fainted briefly, then recovered in the stands after speaking with his son.

"At first, I thought he got in a fight with somebody," Hummel recalled with a chuckle. "(Coach Russ) Minuto filled me in on what was going on. My mom did a great job of taking charge."

Hummel's dislocated left elbow was pulled back into joint at a hospital Saturday night, and he was released. But his immediate wrestling future is tenuous at best.

"There was so much swelling, they couldn't tell if there was anything broken," he said. "They think there might be some bone chips. I'm going back (today), and that's when I'll find out about the rest of the season. I'm pretty optimistic."

Hummel's optimism is admirable, but a comeback so late in the season from such an injury is a long shot. Hummel, whose record is on hold at 17-0, is The Inquirer's top-ranked 189-pounder and a favorite for district and region titles, but the district tournaments are just 10 days away.

Minuto, for one, thinks Hummel can be ready.

"He's been working hard for years," the coach said. "After all these years, he's been getting all the attention, and he's deserved it. All that work has paid off. He's become a man out there. He'll keep going."

For his part, Hummel, whose elbow is in a half-cast and who is still in pain, is philosophical.

"Everything happens for a reason," he said. "Maybe my being out will help the other guys suck it up and pick up the slack.

"Like they say, when it rains, it pours. Everything was finally coming together, feeling good, natural - and then something like this happens. But I can't have any regrets. I've been on one of the great teams in South Jersey. I'm just trying to rest and keep my spirits up."

KENNEY CRISIS? Jeff Kenney, a 140-pounder at Pitman, hasn't lost a match in 1994 and hasn't lost any matches at all at 140 this season.

But Kenney (17-3) has a tough task ahead. The competition will get only tougher, with Pitman competing in the Group 1 tournament and the coming district, region and state tournaments as well. And Kenney is wrestling, coach Chuck Williamson said, essentially one-handed.

"He's battling a severe wrist sprain," Williamson said. "It's at a crisis situation. When he wrestled (Paulsboro's Mike) Kappre and (Pennsville's Duane) Crockett, it was basically one-handed wrestling."

Kenney beat both of those highly regarded opponents, and he has defeated Delsea's Mike Bilinski, a 1993 Region 7 runner-up, as well.

Williamson thinks Kenney will be ready for more big matches.

"It's a mental question as much as anything," the coach said. "It'll be a true test of whether he'll persevere. People are saying he can be one of the best around, and there's some pressure that goes with that. He's shown a lot of character."

LONG TIME COMING. Also showing character last week was Camden Catholic's team, which won its first Olympic Conference National Division title with a 30-26 victory over Triton on Thursday.

(The most recent wrestling championship for Camden Catholic had come in 1976, when the Irish won the South Jersey North title.)

"It's good for the school, good for the program," said second-year coach Gary Papa, who brought a track record of success at Paul VI to Catholic. ''Even though they haven't won championships in the last few years, this school has fielded better-than-average teams. They just hadn't taken that next step.

"It's important to us. I don't think we have to prove anything to anybody else, but it was a nice step to take."

Catholic will wrestle Holy Spirit in the Parochial A quarterfinals tomorrow night, with the winner to face top seed Holy Cross in the semifinals.

QUARTERFINAL GEM. Many of this week's group tournament quarterfinal matchups figure to be less than suspenseful, but one that has the potential to be interesting is a Group 2 matchup between third-seeded Buena and sixth- seeded Haddon Township.

Buena, ranked No. 3, has lost just one match this season, suffering a one- point loss to Lenape on Jan. 3, and the Chiefs have beaten Oakcrest, Absegami, Collingswood, West Deptford and Washington Township, all Top 15 teams.

Ninth-ranked Haddon Township, despite the likelihood of forfeiting in two weight classes to the Chiefs, has come on strong. Buena's strength is in the lower weights, but if the Hawks produce a surprise or two in the early bouts, who knows?

"I would really think we're a huge underdog," Township coach Miller Preston said. "Realistically, I think it's a long shot. Really, (Buena) should be the No. 1 seed. And it's hard to pull upsets in wrestling. In basketball, there's that on-any-given-night chance. But in wrestling, you can look up and down the lineup and tell what should happen."

The Hawks and Chiefs will wrestle tomorrow night at Point Pleasant Boro, home of the No. 2 seed.

REGION-BOUND. As a rule, the only wrestlers who end the season with victories are those who win state championships. Delran's Scott Hamlet won his last match of last season, but he wasn't a state champion.

Hamlet took the District 27 title at 145 pounds. He was wrestling despite torn cartilage in a knee, however, and he opted out of the Region 7 tournament. Three weeks later, he had arthroscopic surgery.

Hamlet returned for this season as strong as ever. He is 16-1 as a junior 152-pounder and eager to progress further than the knee allowed him to a year ago.

"There are a lot of good 152-pounders out there," Delran coach Dennis Smith said. "It won't be easy. There are some good ones in our district, like (Cinnaminson's) Dave Young and (Cherokee's) Adam Barry. But one of Scott's goals is to qualify for states, and at this point, he feels he can do it."

Like teammate Pat Duff, whose brother Bill was a two-time state champion as a heavyweight, Hamlet has a well-known Delran wrestling name. Three cousins - Ed, Lance and Brian - also wrestled for Smith.

A 4th Sacca Reaches 1,000 For Delran Ralph Sacca Joins Siblings Tony, Tricia And John In Reaching 1,000 Points. Combined They've Scored 5,742.

Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20151226032620/http://articles.philly.com/1994-02-21/news/25860843_1_royal-games-final-football-game-tie-breaker

By Marc Narducci, INQUIRER CORRESPONDENT

Posted: February 21, 1994

Ralph Sacca continued an impressive family tradition when he scored his 1,000th career point last week against Burlington Township. The 6-foot-4 Delran senior became the fourth member of his family to reach that milestone.

His brother Tony is Delran's career leading scorer with 1,896 points. His sister Tricia is Delran's career leading girls' scorer with 1,711. For good measure, Tricia also scored more than 1,000 at Fairfield University, where she is an assistant coach.

The other 1,000-point Sacca scorer was John, who finished with 1,107 points. Ralph has totaled 1,028 points and counting. That's 5,742 high school points. And this is from a family that is more noted for its football prowess.

"I was kind of relieved that I finally did it," said Ralph Sacca, who will attend Rutgers on a football scholarship. "It's kind of neat to have everyone in our family reach 1,000."

Sacca injured his left knee in the final football game and underwent arthroscopic surgery. He said the knee is sound, but it forced him to miss Delran's first three basketball games.

"I wanted to get back as soon as possible to basketball," Sacca said. "I didn't want to miss many games."

Sacca is basically a low-post player who frequently goes up against bigger centers. He has no illusions about trying to play basketball in college.

"I'll be plenty busy with football, and quite frankly I don't think I could play at that level," he said. "My brother Tony could have. He was the best high school basketball player I've ever seen."

One game that would be worth watching is a two-on-two game involving the four Saccas. With all the scoring firepower, there probably wouldn't be much passing.

"With all our different schedules, I can't remember the last time all four of us were together," Ralph Sacca said. "But it would be fun if we all got together for a game."

One Exciting Season, Two State Champs

Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20151222141446/http://articles.philly.com/1994-03-23/news/25851047_1_state-finals-state-championships-rob-strickland

By Marc Narducci, INQUIRER CORRESPONDENT

Posted: March 23, 1994

There were few major surprises during the 1993-94 boys' basketball season. One of the unpredictable aspects of the season was the inclement weather, which wreaked havoc with the schedule.

It was a season in which two South Jersey teams - Middle Township in Group 2 and Glassboro in Group 1 - captured state championships. Camden and St. Augustine each lost by 65-63 in the state finals. The Panthers fell to Orange in Group 3, and St. Augustine lost to Paterson Catholic in Parochial B. Orange and Paterson Catholic went on to meet in the final of the Tournament of Champions.

Here's a look back at the season.

MOST EXCITING PLAYER. Middle Township's LaMarr Greer, a 6-foot-5 point guard, was a human highlight film. Greer was strong enough to get his shot off against anybody and quick enough to slice through the most complicated maze of defenders. He was not only a prolific scorer, averaging 30.8 points a game, but an excellent passer as well.

It's no wonder, then, that Greer became a McDonald's all-American and could be the successor to Charlie Ward at point guard at Florida State, where he will play next season.

BEST COMEBACK. Pennsauken trailed Woodrow Wilson by 23 points in the third quarter before coming back to defeat the Tigers, 86-78, in the South Jersey Group 3 semifinals. Guard Brian Streater had a career-high 40 points for the Indians.

BEST INDIVIDUAL PERFORMANCE. Glassboro's Torrey Brooks, a 6-2 junior, scored 43 points in the Bulldogs' 76-75 South Jersey Group 1 championship win over top-seeded Burlington Township.

BEST INDIVIDUAL PERFORMANCE IN A LOSS. Greer set a Tournament of Champions record by scoring 36 points in the Panthers' 69-54 loss to Piscataway in the quarterfinals. He shot 16 for 25 from the floor and 4 for 8 from the foul line, while also recording eight rebounds, two blocks and two steals.

ALL-JUNIOR TEAM. Brian Earl, 6-2 guard, Shawnee; Greg Hammond, 6-5 forward, Washington Township; Robbie Haskins, 6-6 center, Rancocas Valley; Abel Barnard, 6-6 forward-center, Atlantic City, and Glassboro's Brooks.

ALL-SOPHOMORE TEAM. Malik Allen, 6-9 center, Shawnee; Nate Johnson, 6-6 forward-center, Camden; Rob Strickland, 6-8 center, Pleasantville; Clifton Jones, 6-5 guard, Pleasantville, and Kevin Harvey, 5-10 guard, Paulsboro.

ALL-FRESHMAN TEAM. Joe Crispin, 5-10 guard, Pitman; Malik Wallace, 6-1 guard, Woodrow Wilson; Charles Stanfield, 6-4 forward, Holy Cross; Tim Bieg, 5-10 guard, Camden Catholic, and Clifton Shaw, 6-4 center, Penns Grove.

ALL-DEFENSIVE TEAM. Adrian Davis, 5-11 senior, Pemberton; Joe Docimo, 6-1 senior, West Deptford; Ray Wescott, 6-0 senior, Camden; Jamil Hafeeza, 6-2 junior, Camden Catholic, and Shawnee's Allen.

ALL-SHOOTING TEAM. Mike McCaffrey, 6-2 senior, Gloucester Catholic; Tim Bloom, 6-3 senior, Haddonfield; Matt Langel, 6-1 sophomore, Moorestown; Greg Kisshauer, 6-1 junior, Washington Township, and Shawnee's Earl.

MOST IMPROVED PLAYERS. Chris D'Angelo, 5-11 senior, Bishop Eustace; Bill Burr, 6-5 senior, Camden Catholic; Eugene Bennett, 6-2 junior, Pennsauken; Jo Mo Lyles-Belton, 6-0 senior, Atlantic City, and Cryhten Langhorne, 6-2 senior, Willingboro.

ALL-UNDERRATED TEAM. Phil Buck, 6-2 senior, Cumberland; Craig Maurer, 6-2 junior, Cherokee; Maurice Davis, 6-4 junior, Glassboro; Tasai Clark, 5-9 senior, Burlington Township, and Sam Davis, 5-9 senior, Overbrook.

BEST SERIES. No two teams could possibly have played two closer games than Gloucester Catholic and Delsea did. They split and finished as regular-season co-champions in the Tri-County Conference Royal Division.

In the first game, Gloucester Catholic won, 56-54, in overtime. The second matchup was won by Delsea, 64-63, also in overtime.

The runner-up series is Middle Township-St. Augustine. Middle Township won the first game, 54-49, in regulation and the second, 67-65, in overtime.

MOST IMPROVED PROGRAM. Pitman won a total of eight games the previous two seasons combined, and 10 over a four-year period. This season the Panthers finished with a 12-12 record and just missed qualifying for the Group 1 tournament. Pitman needed to beat Glassboro on the cutoff date, Feb. 1, to have the necessary .500 record to qualify for the tourney. The Panthers were game, but lost, 83-75.

With a solid nucleus led by Crispin and 6-3 sophomore Ashton Fritz, Pitman coach Craig Harper has built the program to the point where it should challenge for a tourney berth for the next few years.

MOST UNUSUAL ACCOMPLISHMENT. Delran's Ralph Sacca became the fourth member of his family to score more than 1,000 career points, finishing with 1,132. Sacca's brother Tony is Delran's all-time leading scorer with 1,896 points. His sister, Tricia, is Delran's career leading girls' scorer with 1,711 points. And his brother John scored 1,107 points at Delran. That's 5,846 points from one family.

BEST COMEBACK. Lenape's Todd Myers took two years off from basketball to concentrate on tennis, where he is a part of a nationally ranked 18-and-under doubles team. The 6-2 Myers got the itch to play basketball again and returned to lead the Indians in scoring, averaging 13.1 points per game.

BEST TURNAROUND. Wildwood lost to Pleasantville, 109-55, on Dec. 21. In the rematch on Jan. 31, Wildwood won, 73-58, to qualify for the South Jersey Group 1 tournament.

The second-best turnaround belongs to Camden, which lost to Camden Catholic, 70-63, on Feb. 15, and then beat the Irish, 86-60, on Feb. 26 to win the Olympic Conference National Division title.

MOST COURAGEOUS PERFORMANCE. Cherry Hill East's Brent Fisher played most of the season with mononucleosis. Fisher was told that his disease wasn't contagious, and that his condition wouldn't worsen if he played. Despite playing at less than 100 percent, he led East to a 22-2 record and its first Olympic Conference American Division title. Fisher averaged 21.8 points and 10 rebounds.

MOST AMAZING STREAK. Camden, which won its second straight South Jersey Group 3 championship this season, has won 18 sectional titles in the last 21 years.

Camden has been winning with such regularity that sometimes the succession of titles is taken for granted.

Camden's Vega Acts As Catalyst The Pitcher Hopes The Baseball Program Can Become A Winner. He Also Hopes To Be Scouted.

Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20151017215906/http://articles.philly.com/1994-04-11/news/25861488_1_college-scouts-college-baseball-baseball-program

By Marc Narducci, INQUIRER CORRESPONDENT

Posted: April 11, 1994

Heriberto Vega thinks the only way to get better at baseball is to compete against experienced players.

That's why the Camden senior pitcher/shortstop played against high-caliber competition in the adult American-Spanish League in Philadelphia last summer.

Vega was also the youngest player from the men's league selected to play in a three-game all-star tour to Puerto Rico last November. He won the game he pitched in in Puerto Rico.

Vega said the summer league and the trip was excellent preparation for this season.

"The competition was great, this summer and in Puerto Rico," Vega said.

"It was much better than I'm used to seeing. We had guys in the league who have played professional baseball."

Vega hopes to be part of the resurgence at Camden. The Panthers are 2-2, which might not sound like much for some traditional powers, but it matches last year's win total at Camden.

The Panthers beat host Paterson Eastside, 3-1, in eight innings in their opener. That was the Paterson Eastside that advanced to last year's Group 4 state final.

Vega earned the win and had the game-winning RBI.

Camden defeated Woodrow Wilson, 19-5, then looked good in its 7-5 loss to Paul VI. Camden was routed by Washington Township, 19-0, Friday in the Minutemen Classic, but the fact that the Panthers wanted to play South Jersey's No. 1 team is an indication that second-year coach Ralph Williams thinks the program is on the rise.

A big part of the resurgence is the continued improvement of Vega. Vega said he hopes to attract some college scouts.

But he realizes it won't be easy, especially because Camden has been a struggling program for so long.

"Camden High hasn't been good for so long that we don't get scouts coming to our games," Vega said. "This year, I really feel that we can make the playoffs and, maybe, some people will take notice of us. I really want to play college baseball."

Teams with a .500 or better record after the May 13 cutoff date will qualify for the playoffs.

Vega said he hopes that if this year's team makes the playoffs, it can help promote baseball in the city of Camden.

"There's not a lot of baseball in Camden," he said.

"Basketball is everywhere, but I think there are a lot of talented baseball players in the city. They just need to play more."

Playing has never been a problem for Vega. He is a four-year varsity player, playing his freshman year at Gloucester Township Tech and the rest at Camden.

"Heriberto has a wealth of experience," Williams said. "Playing in the summer American-Spanish League really helped him. In addition to being a good pitcher, he is a very good defensive shortstop. We feel with players like Heriberto and (junior third baseman) Jose Colazzo that we can be a good team this year, a real sleeper."

FATHER-SON MATCHUP POSTPONED. Wet grounds caused postponement of Friday's game between Delran and host Palmyra. It also postponed a potential family rivalry.

Palmyra is coached by John Sacca. One of Delran's top players is his son, Ralph, a senior lefthanded pitcher/first baseman. The game has been rescheduled for Friday at 3:30 p.m.

"What's most disappointing about the game being postponed is that Ralph was supposed to pitch against us," John Sacca said.

"It was something we were both looking forward to. We've had a lot of good-natured ribbing. I told him our guys would take every pitch until he started throwing strikes. He said that wouldn't be a problem."

John Sacca said he hopes Ralph will pitch Friday against Palmyra. He said one family law has been laid down by his wife, Peg.

"She said just make sure Ralph doesn't get hurt," John said with a laugh.

HARD-THROWING RIGHTHANDER. Most people have assumed that St. Augustine's 6-10 senior Jason Yoder will play basketball in college. It's a sound assumption because Yoder, an Inquirer first-team all-South Jersey selection, has been offered a number of Division I scholarships.

Yoder also is attracting some baseball interest, which will happen when you're a tall righthander who throws 90 m.p.h.

Pro baseball scouts have been calling Yoder recently as much as basketball recruiters, mostly to ask when he will pitch.

"I want to play both sports in college," said Yoder, who is 1-0 this year. "Most people think I'm only interested in basketball, but that's not so. In fact, if I got drafted (in baseball) and it was an offer I liked, I could go that route."

THE ROAD WARRIORS. Collingswood had to play its first three home games against Audubon, Paulsboro and Pitman on the road because of a wet field.

The Panthers hope to have the field ready for their next home game, Friday against West Deptford.

People attending that game might want to bring a calculator to keep score.

West Deptford (3-0) is averaging 16 runs per game. Collingswood (3-0) averages 8.6 runs per game.

South Jersey's highest-scoring team is Shawnee (3-0). The Renegades are averaging 17.3 runs.

RANKINGS RUMBLINGS. Washington Township, after winning three games by a combined 46-5 margin, has remained No. 1 for the third consecutive week in The Inquirer's South Jersey Top 15.

Cherry Hill West, which (weather permitting) will host Washington Township at 3:30 p.m. today, stayed No. 2 despite going 2-2 in the Grand Slam Tournament in Arizona. West lost two games by a total of three runs to more seasoned teams.

No. 12 Rancocas Valley, No. 13 Delsea and No. 14 West Deptford have entered the Top 15. Lenape, which was 10th; Pemberton, which was No. 12, and Glassboro, which was 13th, dropped out.

Lenape lost to Bishop Eustace, 17-8, and Pemberton, 17-5, during a 1-2 week.

Pemberton suffered losses to Shawnee, 23-2, and Burlington, 8-3, during a 1-2 week.

Glasssboro also was 1-2 this week, losing to Gloucester, 6-5, and Pitman, 5-0.

Triton's 0-2 Pitcher Doing Much Better Than Record Shows Ray Broome Has Struck Out 21 In 14 2/3 Innings. He Says The Losses Were Because Of Hard Luck.

Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20150919125723/http://articles.philly.com/1994-04-18/news/25862461_1_top-hitting-teams-triton-team-pitches

By Marc Narducci, INQUIRER CORRESPONDENT

Posted: April 18, 1994

A pitcher can't always be judged by his record. That's the case for Triton's Ray Broome, probably the best 0-2 pitcher in South Jersey.

The 6-foot-4, 180-pound junior has been overwhelming batters with a combination of a hard fastball and improving off-speed pitches.

Broome has lost to two current Inquirer Top 15 teams, No. 8 Overbrook and No. 4 Bishop Eustace. In last Monday's nine-inning, 7-4 loss to Eustace, Broome allowed just two hits and struck out 16 in 8 1/3 innings.

In two games, covering 14 2/3 innings, the lefthander has allowed seven hits and three earned runs. He has 21 strikeouts and six walks.

"It's simply been hard luck in the early going," he said. "It's been pretty rough, but I'm having fun. After the Eustace game, I took some heckling in school, but it was all in fun. My friends were asking me how I could strike out 16 and still lose."

Broome said that, despite the losses to Eustace and Overbrook, he is a much more confident pitcher than he was last year, when he was 3-4 as a sophomore.

"Those are two of the top-hitting teams around, and I definitely gained confidence from those games," he said. "It's incredible how much more confidence I have now compared to this time last year."

Most of all, Broome refuses to hang his head over the defeats. With a Triton team that at times has started as many as seven juniors, he realizes that the nucleus is there to have a winning season.

"Wins and losses are nice, but I play to have fun," he said. "If I went 0-20 and I was doing my best, I would still have a way to have fun. I'm still pumped up for the season, and I think a lot of exciting things will happen at Triton."

Broome shouldn't worry about approaching 0-20 status.

"He has been overpowering so far," Triton coach Bill Reilley said. "Ray has been pitching his heart out. Even against Eustace, he threw 127 pitches and was still throwing strong in the ninth. They scored all their runs when we took him out."

Broome, who plays outfield and first base when he doesn't pitch, said he had mixed emotions after the loss to Eustace.

"I was upset I lost, but in my heart I knew I pitched pretty well," he said. "The key was that I challenged them. Everybody said how tough they were, being No. 5 in South Jersey, but everybody is human. You can't be afraid of anybody."

The field isn't the only place where Broome stands out. He has a 3.8 grade- point average and is ranked 12th in a class of 299.

ALL-ROUND ATHLETE. Delsea senior pitcher Tim Briles is another player with an impressive combination of athletics and academics.

Briles was a football and basketball starter and is emerging as an effective pitcher and first baseman for the 4-1 Crusaders. The senior righthander is 2-0 with an 0.50 ERA. In 14 innings, he has 13 strikeouts. Briles also leads the team with 10 runs scored.

He is ranked third in a class of 214 and has scored 1,260 on his SATs. Briles said he is considering Penn, Villanova, Gettysburg and Dickinson.

"You won't find a headier guy on the mound," said Delsea coach Walt Serad, who will go for his 300th career win today against Woodstown.

GLOUCESTER STAR RECOVERING. Gloucester's program is trying to rebound from a tragic accident involving Dennis Melloro, a standout sophomore shortstop and pitcher. Away from the field, Melloro slipped, fell and hit his head on April 9. He went into a coma, and faded in and out of a coma the next few days before being released from Cooper Hospital in Camden on Friday. He will miss the rest of the season.

"It was a really scary situation," Gloucester coach Bob Barth said. "Now he is beginning to again recognize people. The most important thing is for Dennis to regain his health."

Even though he is only a sophomore, Melloro was one of the leaders this season. He was the cleanup hitter and an effective relief pitcher.

"He did everything for us," Barth said. "You couldn't ask for any more from one ballplayer."

MILESTONE APPROACHING. Eastern's Chuck Roney could earn his 200th career win today against Pennsauken. Roney has won 182 high school games as coach at Eastern, Cherokee and Pennsville. He was also 17-15 in one season as head coach at Glassboro State, now Rowan College.

SIBLING RIVALRIES. It was a one-sided family rivalry when Ralph Sacca pitched Delran to a 17-0 victory Friday over a Palmyra team coached by his father, John.

Delran could be involved in another sibling rivalry Saturday in the ninth annual Spring Classic Invitational. Delran will host Princeton in a semifinal at 9:30 a.m. At noon, Audubon will face Notre Dame. The winners will meet for the championship at 3:30.

If Delran and Notre Dame win, Bears coach Rich Bender will be matched against his son, Jason, a starting senior infielder for Notre Dame, in the championship.

Also on Saturday, Gloucester will face Gloucester Catholic in what is being billed as the battle of the Barths. Gloucester coach Bob Barth will match wits with his brother, Dennis, head coach at Gloucester Catholic.

RANKINGS RUMBLINGS. No. 7 Eastern and No. 13 Paul VI have entered The Inquirer's South Jersey Top 15 rankings. Eastern opened its season with a 7-2 victory against Overbrook, now eighth. The Vikings also beat Maple Shade, 11-8, during a 2-0 week.

Paul VI was a 6-4 winner over Cherry Hill West in its only game.

Eastern is the fifth team from the Olympic American in the Top 15. The others are No. 1 Washington Township, No. 8 Overbrook, No. 12 Edgewood and No. 15 Cherry Hill West.

West Deptford, which was 14th, and Holy Cross, which was 15th, dropped out of the Top 15. On Friday, West Deptford lost, 3-1, to Collingswood in its only game of the week. Holy Cross lost, 4-2, to Shawnee in its only game.

Delran Gets By Cinnaminson, 5-4, Behind Newill Newill Went The Distance. Ralph Sacca's Infield Single With Two Out In The Bottom Of The Seventh Decided It.

Source: http://articles.philly.com/1994-04-20/news/25862963_1_starter-ball-game-bears

By Marc Narducci, INQUIRER CORRESPONDENT

Posted: April 20, 1994

Max Newill says he would rather start games than finish them, but yesterday he got to do both.

The Delran senior lefthander, who is a converted reliever, pitched a complete game to beat visiting Cinnaminson, 5-4, in a Burlington County League Patriot Division baseball game.

Delran won the game in the bottom of the seventh on Ralph Sacca's infield single with two out and the bases loaded. The hit scored Mike Romello, who had singled. Sacca ended the day 3 for 5 with three RBIs.

Delran now is 4-1 overall and 2-1 in the division.

Cinnaminson, which fought back from a 4-1 deficit with three runs in the seventh, fell to 1-4 and 1-2.

"I never want to lose a three-run lead in the seventh," said Delran coach Rich Bender, "but, in the long run, it could be beneficial to be in a close ball game."

Delran had won its three previous games by a combined score of 48-17. Yesterday, however, the Bears needed tighter pitching.

At 5-foot-7 and 140 pounds, Newill isn't the type of pitcher who will blow away hitters with his fastball. Last year, Bender decided to use him strictly out of the bullpen. He pitched just 20 innings all season, but earned seven saves and had a 2.92 ERA with an 0-1 record.

Still, Newill wanted to be a starter. He began preparing last summer as a starter for Delran's American Legion team. Now he is 2-0 and gives the Bears a formidable starting staff, along with Sacca and Jim Hansen.

"I really wanted to solidify things in the starting rotation," Newill said. "I put on about 15 pounds in the off-season. Relieving last year was a different experience, but my main goal was to be a starter and help the team out that way."

Before the season, Newill was considered a potential No. 2 or No. 3 starter. Now Bender says he might have to reevaluate that thinking.

"He might be our number one," Bender said. "Last year we kept him in relief because it was a matter of him getting stronger. Now he is showing that he is a quality starter."

The game included a series of missed opportunities for both teams. Delran stranded 11 runners, while Cinnaminson left nine on base. Both teams had two runners thrown out at the plate - Delran twice failed on suicide-squeeze attempts, while Cinnaminson was unsuccessful on one suicide squeeze and had another runner gunned down at home after a single to right.

Cinnaminson's Jared Elias led off the game with a home run to left field, but Delran retaliated by scoring single runs in each of the first four innings. Sacca knocked in two of the runs with an RBI single and a home run; Newill drove in a run with an infield hit, and Scott Gutelius homered.

Cinnaminson tied the game in the seventh on an RBI double to deep center by Tom Shank and a two-run single by catcher Bob Meier.

"I was tiring a little," Newill acknowledged. "When you are a little tired and throw the ball over the middle of the plate, a good-hitting team is going to take advantage of it."

Cinnaminson And Shank Spoil Delran's Title Bid In Summer, Shank Calls Delran Players Teammates. Yesterday, His Two Triples Hurt Their Chances.

Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20151019104242/http://articles.philly.com/1994-05-25/news/25826421_1_patriot-title-triples-team

By Marc Narducci, INQUIRER CORRESPONDENT

Posted: May 25, 1994

Tom Shank might not be the most popular player on his team when the American Legion baseball season opens next week.

The Cinnaminson High shortstop, who plays for the Delran American Legion team in the summer, did some damage against many of the players who will be his teammates in Legion ball.

The senior went 2 for 3 with two triples, two runs scored and two RBIs to lead Cinnaminson to a 10-8 victory over visiting Delran in a Burlington County League Patriot Division game.

For Shank, it was a fitting conclusion to a fine high school career. His Cinnaminson team finished the season 6-12 overall, 2-6 in the division.

Delran (16-5, 6-2) could have clinched at least a tie for the Patriot crown with a victory. Now, Rancocas Valley, which is 6-1 in the Patriot after yesterday's 8-3 win over Moorestown, can win the Patriot title outright with a victory in a makeup game against Northern Burlington on a date to be determined.

"I play with most of these guys in the summer, and this is sweet revenge," said Shank, who recently was named first-team all-Patriot for the second year in a row. "I'm sure I'll hear it from them, but they are all good friends. I'll get to bust on them for a while."

Cinnaminson's seniors approached the game as if it were their tournament game, because it was their last high school event and because of their rivalry with neighboring Delran.

Starting pitcher Ryan James ended up also getting the save.

James pitched the first four innings, and Cinnaminson took an 8-7 lead. Lefthander Craig Henning pitched two scoreless innings before encountering control trouble in the seventh.

With the Pirates leading, 10-7, Henning walked four of the first five batters in the seventh. James returned to the mound with the bases loaded and one out. He got a popup and then, on his final high school pitch, caught Delran's dangerous Ralph Sacca looking at a 3-2 pitch.

"It really feels good to go out this way," James said. "I was a little tired, but I was glad to finish (on the mound), especially since it was my last game. And I'm glad we won for our coach (Derek Reardigan). He did a great job this year because we were such a young team. He deserves a lot of credit."

Delran had just one extra-base hit, a double by Mike Okupinski, but the Bears drew 10 walks. Max Newill's RBI single in the fourth had given the Bears what seemed to be a comfortable 7-4 lead.

However, Cinnaminson came back with four runs in the bottom of the inning to take the lead for good. The Pirates scored on an RBI fielder's choice by James, a two-run triple by Shank and a sacrifice fly by sophomore catcher Bob Meier.

Cinnaminson added single runs in the fifth and sixth off Newill, who took the loss in relief. Henning scored on an error in the fifth. Another Meier sacrifice fly scored Shank, who had tripled with one out, in the sixth.

Even though there was no title at stake, Cinnaminson played with tournament intensity, something that pleased Reardigan, who is in his first year as coach.

"This was our playoff game," Reardigan said. "We kept fighting for it, even when we got behind. It's a nice way for the seniors to go out and something our underclassmen can build on next year."

The final step for Shank will be choosing a college. Shank, an honor student, has drawn interest from Villanova.

"It's amazing that we don't have any more high school games," Shank said. ''I wish we could keep playing, especially after such a big win. I'm really going to miss it."

2 Former Top-ranked Teams Highlight Of Tourney Schedule Shawnee To Meet Washington Twp.

Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20140929160302/http://articles.philly.com/1994-06-02/news/25835287_1_audubon-sectional-title-woodbury

By Marc Narducci, INQUIRER CORRESPONDENT

Posted: June 02, 1994

A Group 4 final between former No. 1 teams will highlight tomorrow's South Jersey public school baseball championships.

Washington Township, currently No. 2 in The Inquirer's South Jersey Top 15, will meet No. 4 Shawnee. Both were ranked No. 1 by The Inquirer earlier this season. Gloucester Catholic now is No. 1.

The other two championship games featuring teams from the seven-county South Jersey area are in Group 1, in which Audubon will play Woodbury in a battle of Colonial Conference teams, and in Group 2, in which Collingswood will play Delran.

Of the six, Collingswood is the only No. 1 seed.

The Group 3 final is between two teams from Ocean County - Toms River South and Lakewood.

Here is a look at Groups 1, 2 and 4.

GROUP 1. Fifth-seeded Woodbury (14-8) will play second-seeded Audubon (16-5) at 4 p.m. at Pennsauken.

Audubon is playing in the title game for the third straight year. The Green Wave lost to Schalick in 1992 and beat Florence last year.

Woodbury is making its first appearance in the title game since winning the South Jersey Group 1 championship in 1990.

Audubon dominated the Thundering Herd in the regular season, winning by 23-1 and 9-2. Even after yesterday's 12-2 loss to Gloucester Catholic, Audubon has won 13 of its last 15 games.

Green Wave ace Dan Severino (7-0) threw a complete game in Tuesday's 6-3 semifinal win over Pitman. He won't be able to pitch because NJSIAA rules require three full days of rest if a pitcher throws more than five innings in one game. (If a pitcher pitches five innings, he needs two full days of rest, but can then pitch five more for a permissible total of 10 innings in a four- day period.) Senior righthander Sean Abrams (3-1) is the likely starter.

Woodbury coach Rick Santarone said he would start junior lefthander Adam Gawason, who is 6-2 with a 1.01 ERA. Gawason pitched five innings in Tuesday's 6-5 semifinal win over Point Pleasant Beach. He will be eligible to pitch five innings against Audubon.

GROUP 2. Third-seeded Delran (18-5) will play top-seeded Collingswood (23-2) at 3:30 p.m. at Deptford.

Delran is seeking its first sectional title since 1988, when the Bears won the Group 2 title for the second straight year. The Bears are making their fifth appearance in the Group 2 title game since 1987.

Collingswood hasn't won a sectional title since 1967, when the Panthers were Group 3 champions for the second straight year.

Delran came back to win, 18-13, over Buena in Tuesday's semifinal game. Chris Reinas homered for the second straight tournament game and catcher Kevin Jordan hit a grand slam. Delran collected 17 walks.

Bears lefthander Max Newill (7-1) was the starter, but lasted only one- third of an inning. Righthander Jim Hansen (7-2), who got the win against Buena in a 6 2/3-inning relief appearance, can't pitch because he has reached the maximum number of innings.

Delran coach Rich Bender said he would start either Newill or Ralph Sacca, who is 1-2 with three saves. Sacca, also a first baseman, is hitting .465.

Collingswood coach Ron Ross said he would start Chris Sanders. The senior righthander is 6-1 with a 2.51 ERA. Ace Fran Weikel (11-0) can't pitch tomorrow because he went seven innings in Tuesday's 6-5 semifinal win over Woodstown.

GROUP 4. Fifth-seeded Washington Township (20-5) will play third-seeded Shawnee (21-5), at 1:30 p.m. at Eastern.

Both teams have won one sectional championship. Washington Township was the Group 3 champion in 1976, and Shawnee won Group 4 in 1986.

Washington Township coach John Bush said he would start senior righthander Tim Stauss, who last pitched in Township's 12-1 tourney win over Jackson Memorial on Friday. He is 5-2 with a 1.09 ERA. In 51 1/3 innings, he has struck out 28 and walked 18.

No matter who starts for Shawnee, it is likely that Washington Township will eventually face ace reliever Ron Walker. The senior righthander pitched five scoreless innings to earn the win in Tuesday's 8-4 semifinal victory over Vineland.

Walker is 10-2. He also has 10 home runs, making him the second player in recent South Jersey history to hit 10 home runs and earn 10 wins pitching in one year. Angelo Santiago of Buena was 10-1 and hit 16 home runs in 1989.

Walker will be eligible to throw five innings against Washington Township.

Shawnee had been in a hitting slump before Tuesday's win. In their previous four games, the Renegades had scored a total of eight runs.

Washington Township second baseman D.M. Phillips is one of the hottest hitters in the tournament. Phillips hit three doubles in the team's second- round win over Jackson and was 3 for 5 with a home run and two RBIs in Tuesday's 10-3 victory over top-seeded Eastern.

Rams, Wave Out To Make Another Visit To Finals Gloucester Catholic Is The Defending State Parochial B Champ. Audubon Lost In The State Final Last Year.

Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20151002084718/http://articles.philly.com/1994-06-07/news/25833302_1_first-sectional-title-state-semifinal-senior-lefthander

By Marc Narducci, INQUIRER CORRESPONDENT

Posted: June 07, 1994

Audubon and Gloucester Catholic today will attempt to earn their second straight trip to the state baseball finals.

The day will feature sectional championship games for the parochial schools and state semifinal games for the public schools. Because there are fewer parochial schools in the state, the winners automatically earn a trip to Saturday's state finals.

Gloucester Catholic is the defending state Parochial B champion. Audubon reached the Group 1 state final last year and lost to Glen Ridge.

In addition to Gloucester Catholic and Audubon, St. Augustine, Bishop Eustace, Delran and Washington Township remain alive among teams from seven South Jersey counties.

No area teams are alive in Group 3, where Toms River South will meet Ewing in a state semifinal game.

PAROCHIAL A. Third-seeded Bishop Eustace (22-6) vs. top-seeded Monsignor Donovan (17-6) at 4 p.m. at Mercer County College.

Eustace is seeking its first sectional title since it won the South Jersey Parochial B championship in 1990. The Crusaders have earned two one-run tourney wins, defeating St. John Vianney, 13-12, and Christian Brothers Academy, 2-1.

Coach Sam Tropiano said he's leaning toward starting junior lefthander Sean Carey (6-2), who got the win over CBA, on the mound. Senior lefthander Mark Stanton (6-2) is another candidate.

Eustace, which has a .413 team batting average, has one of the area's best offenses. Leading the way are catcher C.J. Schiavino (.468)., second baseman Tom Baselice (.461), shortstop Brian Sherlock (.459), first baseman Matt Westfall (.452), centerfielder Ryan Brown (.429) and leftfielder Carl DellaBadia (.375).

Monsignor Donovan is seeking its first sectional baseball title after defeating Notre Dame, 8-7, in the semifinals. The Griffins are likely to go with junior righthander Rich Angowski, who is 8-1 with a 2.28 ERA. Angowski is also one of the team's better hitters, batting .435.

PAROCHIAL B. Top-seeded Gloucester Catholic (29-0) vs. second-seeded St. Augustine (17-6) at 4 p.m. at Mercer County Park.

The Rams, who won the state title last year, are seeking their third South Jersey title in four years, having also won in 1991.

Playing in only a four-team field, Gloucester Catholic needed just one win, Saturday's 11-4 triumph over McCorristin, to reach the final.

Coach Dennis Barth said he will start senior lefthander Jack Marcellus (11-0). Marcellus is eligible to pitch five innings under NJSIAA rules after throwing five innings and earning the win Saturday.

First baseman Bob Barth (.508) and Marcellus lead the offense, along with leadoff batter and shortstop John Yurkow and No. 2 hitter Bob Dacierno, a sophomore centerfielder.

St. Augustine, which defeated St. Joseph, 10-7, in the semifinals, is seeking its first sectional title since winning the crown in the now-defunct Parochial C in 1971. Coach Tony Iaconelli said he will start 6-foot-10 senior righthander Jason Yoder (7-0).

GROUP 1. Audubon (17-6) vs. Middlesex (17-5) at 4 p.m. at Bordentown.

Audubon won its second straight South Jersey Group 1 title by defeating Woodbury, 13-6. Coach Rich Horan said he will start sophomore lefthander Dan Severino (7-0). Senior Sean Abrams (4-1), who was the winning pitcher against Woodbury, also is available.

Second baseman Nick DelGozzo leads the Green Wave in hitting with a .514 average. Severino (.397) and centerfielder Brian Kulak are two of the other offensive threats.

Middlesex coach John DeCola is likely to go with senior righthander Matt Ianiero (9-1). Middlesex has won four of the five recent Central Jersey titles in Group 1 and won the state Group 1 championship in 1990.

GROUP 2. Delran (19-5) vs. Wall (18-9) at 4 p.m. at Mercer County Park.

Delran earned the school's fourth sectional title by beating Collingswood, 7-5, Friday in the South Jersey Group 2 final. Coach Rich Bender, who has been with the program for its entire 19-year existence, is 298-151 and would earn his 300th win if the Bears go on to capture the state title.

Bender said he will start senior lefthander Max Newill (8-1) or junior righthander Jim Hansen (7-2). Newill, first baseman Ralph Sacca, and second baseman Mike Romello, who has a team-leading 33 runs scored, lead the offense.

Wall coach Angelo Rubano said he will start senior lefthander Ryan Spillane (4-2) or sophomore righthander Brian Kirby (7-1). Wall is coming off an 8-5 loss to South Jersey Group 3 champion Toms River South in the semifinals of the Shore Conference tournament on Saturday.

GROUP 4. Washington Township (21-5) vs. Howell (21-6) at 4 p.m. at Monmouth Regional.

Washington Township defeated Shawnee, 2-0, to win its first South Jersey Group 4 title. The Minutemen, who have never won a state title, were South Jersey Group 3 champions in 1976.

Coach John Bush said he will start righthander Tim Stauss, who is 6-2 with an ERA of 0.96. Stauss pitched a one-hitter against Shawnee, and has allowed just one run in 14 tourney innings this season.

Washington Township's offense is led by its first three hitters, centerfielder Mike Koerner, second baseman D.M. Phillips and shortstop Jeff Wood. All are seniors. The LSU-bound Koerner is hitting .411. Phillips, a recent 30th-round draft choice of the Chicago Cubs, is batting .427, and Wood, who will attend Richmond, is hitting .429.

Howell was one of the biggest upset winners in the state tournament. The Rebels beat Steinert, 2-1, to win the Central Jersey title. They defeated highly touted pitcher Chris Reyas, who had been 28-0 in his career. It was the first Central Jersey title in school history..

Coach Todd Kliment said his likely starter is senior lefthander Joe Aragona (7-2). Aragona, who will attend Monmouth College, got the win over Steinert.

Three Area Teams Ready For Carpenter Cup Tourney Burlington County And Tri-cape Will Meet In The First Game Today.

Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20160101065154/http://articles.philly.com/1994-06-13/news/25831949_1_carpenter-cup-south-jersey-central-area-high-school-stars

By Marc Narducci, INQUIRER CORRESPONDENT

Posted: June 13, 1994

The rest of the world has the World Cup. The Philadelphia area has the Carpenter Cup.

The ninth annual Carpenter Cup - a tournament of scholastic baseball all- star teams from across the region - will open this afternoon at Veterans Stadium. The final is scheduled for June 22.

There is no doubt the players look forward to competing in the 16-team, single-elimination tourney. Over the years, several area players selected in the major-league amateur draft have postponed signing pro contracts so they could remain eligible to play in the Carpenter Cup. That is just what Pemberton's D.J. McCaffrey has done this season.

McCaffrey, the starting pitcher for Burlington County in today's 1 p.m. opener, was drafted in the 47th round by St. Louis.

McCaffrey's father, Dennis, last week said the family has reached an oral agreement with the Cardinals, but said his son wouldn't sign with the Cardinals until after pitching today.

"He wanted to play in the tournament, and the Cardinals said it would be all right," Dennis McCaffrey said. "When he comes off the mound (today), he will sign and then report to an instructional league."

Several other area high school stars selected in the major-league draft also have postponed signing and will participate in the Carpenter Cup. Among them are pitcher Brian Kuklick of Hatboro-Horsham (Pa.), a fifth-round draft choice of the New York Mets; Germantown Academy (Pa.) shortstop Rick Welsh, an eighth-round choice by Baltimore; Malvern Prep (Pa.) first baseman Glenn Davis, an 18th-round selection by Minnesota; Washington Township second baseman D.M. Phillips, selected by the Chicago Cubs on the 30th round, and Rancocas Valley outfielder Keeron Bradford, a 33d-round pick of the Chicago White Sox.

D.J. McCaffrey will start against another South Jersey team, the Tri-Cape, in this afternoon's opener.

South Jersey's Olympic/Colonial team will face Pennsylvania's Inter-Ac/ Bicentennial club at 9:30 a.m. tomorrow.

The winner of the first game will play again at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday against the winner of today's game between Delaware Blue and Chester County.

The Olympic/Colonial has been the most successful team in the eight-year history of the Carpenter Cup. The team, made up of players from the Olympic and Colonial Conferences, has a record of 16-4. The Olympic/Colonial has been in every Carpenter Cup final except the first in 1986. That year, there were two South Jersey teams in the tournament, the South Jersey North and South Jersey South.

The Olympic/Colonial also is the only team among the five from New Jersey to have won the tournament, and it has won a tourney-record three championships. The first was in 1989, when the team was known as South Jersey Central. Then came the only back-to-back championships in Cup history, in 1991 and 1992.

The Tri-Cape, made up of players from the Tri-County Conference and the Cape-Atlantic League, has advanced to the championship game four times.

Burlington County, with players from the Burlington County League, last year advanced to the final, where it lost to Pennsylvania's Suburban One National. It was the second time the Burlington County team had reached the final.

Both the Olympic/Colonial and Burlington County teams have lost the use of players who recently signed pro contracts.

Holy Cross' Barry Fennell, a fifth-round choice of the Cubs, signed last week. Fennell was the star relief pitcher for Burlington County in last year's Carpenter Cup. He was replaced by Cherokee senior Chris Picollo, who also can play first base.

Edgewood pitcher Roark Birsner, an 18th-round draft choice of the Cubs, also signed last week and will not pitch for Olympic/Colonial. Birsner was replaced by Ryan Bickle of Edgewood, who may be used as an outfielder or designated hitter, Olympic/Colonial manager Joe Hartmann said. Bickle caught and played second base for Edgewood.

The Olympic/Colonial also will be without Washington Township junior righthander Jim Malko (6-0). Malko has mononucleosis, Hartmann said. Malko was replaced by Eastern sophomore Kevin Dougherty, who was 7-1.

Burlington County's offense will be led by Florence outfielder Aaron Dengler, who distinguished himself with an excellent Carpenter Cup tournament last year.

The Tri-Cape will be bolstered by the addition of two teams that joined the Tri-County Conference last fall, Gloucester Catholic and Deptford. The pitching staff should be strong, led by Vineland lefthander Steve Rivera.

Rivera (11-0) will be South Jersey's first four-time Cup participant. (Ryan Luzinski of Holy Cross was selected four times, but didn't play in 1992, because he signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers.)

Other top pitchers for the Tri-Cape are Jack Marcellus, a senior lefthander who went 11-1 for Gloucester Catholic this spring, and Doug Bossert, a senior righthander who was 10-1 for Pitman and became a 76th-round draft choice of the Florida Marlins.

The Olympic/Colonial will face a formidable Inter-Ac/Bicentennial team that is led by Welsh and Davis.

Like Vineland's Rivera, Davis also will be a four-time Cup participant. Some South Jersey fans got to see his power on display May 14, when Davis hit a towering home run in Malvern Prep's 12-10 loss at Bishop Eustace.

Ben Davis, Glenn Davis' brother and the Malvern Prep catcher, is considered by many scouts to be the best junior in the region.

With Fennell signed, the marquee name of the tournament is Kuklick, who plays for Pennsylvania's Suburban One American team. Kuklick has met with the Mets, but will play in the Carpenter Cup, according to Hatboro-Horsham athletic director Dave Nause. Kuklick, a hard-throwing righthander, was 9-1 with a 1.15 ERA. In 167 innings, he gave up 41 hits. He had 106 strikeouts and 26 walks.

The rosters of the three teams from South Jersey:

OLYMPIC/COLONIAL

Pitchers: Mike Potts, Overbrook; Fran Weikel, Collingswood; Adam Gawason, Woodbury; Mark Stanton, Bishop Eustace; Matt Omiatek, Paul VI; Kevin Dougherty, Eastern.

Catchers: Brian Rotchford, Paul VI; Nick Gruber, Haddon Twp.; Chris Martine, Cherry Hill West.

Infielders: Joe Cruz, Overbrook; Jeff Wood, Washington Twp.; D.M. Phillips, Washington Twp.; Brian Sherlock, Bishop Eustace; Tom Jones, West Deptford; Mike O'Hara, Woodbury; Nick DelGozzo, Audubon; Rich Chini, Camden Catholic; Chris Krier, Paul VI; Jose Collazo, Camden; Chris Sanders, Collingswood.

Outfielders: Mike Koerner, Washington Twp.; Brian Biazzo, Eastern; Bill Tull, Gateway; Carl DellaBadia, Bishop Eustace; Ryan Bickle, Edgewood.

Manager: Joe Hartmann. Coaches: Tom Trotman, Cherry Hill West; Dave Martin, Cherry Hill East; Ron Ross, Collingswood; Dick Eastwick, Haddonfield; Rick Santarone, Woodbury.

BURLINGTON COUNTY

Pitchers: Shawn Babula, Burlington; Chris Picollo, Cherokee; Allen Giroux, Florence; Jim Hansen, Delran; D. J. McCaffrey, Pemberton; Max Newill, Delran; Ed Colgan, Rancocas Valley.

Catchers: Riley Berton, Bordentown; Ron Jensen, Pemberton; Kevin Jordan, Delran.

Infielders: Pete Chrzanowski, Maple Shade; Mike Connelly, Florence; Pete Davidson, Shawnee; Joe Heil, Bordentown; Rob Hughes, Shawnee; Tom Shank, Cinnaminson; Darren Pulito, Moorestown; Ron Walker, Shawnee.

Outfielders: Keeron Bradford, Rancocas Valley; Joe Chmiko, Florence; Aaron Dengler, Florence; Luke Goodwin, Moorestown; Brian McGee, Cherokee.

Manager: Jim Maher, Florence. Coaches: John Brida, Pemberton; Dan Dengler, Holy Cross.

TRI-CAPE

Pitchers: Jason Yoder, St. Augustine; Doug Bossert, Pitman; Jack Marcellus, Gloucester Catholic; Mark Freed, Pennsville; Steve Rivera, Vineland; Steve Adams, Ocean City.

Catchers: Gary Short, Pennsville; Andy Dougherty, Glassboro; Rhett Marshall, Buena.

Infielders: George West, Buena; Bob Barth, Gloucester Catholic; Dan Datz, Pitman; John Yurkow, Gloucester Catholic; Chris Leusner, Middle Township; Mark Lingerfield, Pitman; Dennis Bruno, Millville; Jeremy Trembley, Cumberland.

Outfielders: Bob Dacierno, Gloucester Catholic; Brad Lawyer, Deptford; Bob Torres, Buena; D'Wayne Jackson, Millville; Aaron Braunstein, Atlantic City.

Designated hitters: Matt Marsteller, Deptford; George Roane, Woodstown.

Manager: Jack Weeks, Lower Cape May. Coaches: Walt Serad, Delsea; Dave Bradley, Delsea assistant; Dan Dalesandro, Pitman; Bob Burrough, Deptford; Buddy Treen, Egg Harbor Township; Jeff Wunder, Lower Cape May.

CARPENTER CUP SCHEDULE

All games at Veterans Stadium.

TODAY

Game 1: Burlington County vs. Tri-Cape, 1 p.m.

Game 2: Delaware Blue vs. Chester County, 4:30 p.m.

Game 3: Berks County vs. Lehigh County, 8 p.m.

TOMORROW

Game 4: Olympic/Colonial vs. Inter-Ac/Bicentennial, 9:30 a.m.

Game 5: Mercer County vs. Catholic League, 1 p.m.

Game 6: Suburban One American vs. Delaware Gold, 4:30 p.m.

Game 7: Suburban One National vs. Del-Val/Central, 8 p.m.

WEDNESDAY

Game 8: Public League vs. Ocean-Monmouth, 1 p.m.

Game 9: Quarterfinal; winners of Games 1 and 2, 4:30 p.m.

Game 10: Quarterfinal; winners of Games 3 and 4, 8 p.m.

MONDAY

Game 11: Quarterfinal; winners of Games 5 and 6, 3 p.m.

Game 12: Quarterfinal; winners of Games 7 and 8, 7 p.m.

TUESDAY

Game 13: Semifinal; winner of Game 9 vs. winner of Game 10, 3 p.m.

Game 14: Semifinal; winner of Game 11 vs. winner of Game 12, 7 p.m.

Game 15: Championship game, 7 p.m.

Gloucester Football Coach Harris Taking On Another Position: Ad

Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20150919113613/http://articles.philly.com/1994-07-08/news/25845919_1_football-coach-coaching-experience-football-program

By Marc Narducci, INQUIRER CORRESPONDENT

Posted: July 08, 1994

Leon Harris will have the best of both worlds in September. He will continue to coach the football team at Gloucester High while taking over as the school's athletic director.

Harris was named Gloucester's athletic director in late June, replacing Betty Miller, who retired. Despite the added responsibility, Harris wanted to continue to coach football. Now entering his eighth year as the head coach, Harris has rebuilt what had been a struggling program.

Under Harris, whose career record is 48-18-2, Gloucester has won three Tri- County Conference Classic Division titles and has qualified for the Group 1 playoffs four times, including last year when the Lions were 7-2-1.

"I want to keep coaching football," said Harris, a 1972 graduate of Gloucester who went on to play quarterback at the University of Maryland. "If I had to make a decision between the two (jobs), it would have been impossible. There are still so many things I want our football team to accomplish."

Harris said several things about the athletic director's job appealed to him.

"Number one, I have a great love for all the sports," he said. "I also thought that down the line it would be a good career move. And in our situation at Gloucester, there are a lot of excellent coaches that I will get to work with as well as a lot of excellent student-athletes."

In addition to seven years of leading the football program at Gloucester, the 40-year-old Harris has a wealth of coaching experience. He was an assistant coach at Northern Burlington for one year before moving to Cherokee, where he was an assistant for 10 seasons.

"I feel I'm at the prime age of a football coach," he said. "I'm still relatively young, but the experience gained has helped me a lot. All that coaching experience will also help me as an athletic director. I think I'll have a good feel for what the coaches are going through."

Harris will become the second active football coach in South Jersey to also hold down an athletic director's job. The other is Ed Byrnes of Holy Spirit.

"I'm really looking forward to the challenge," Harris said. "One of the great things for me is that I live right around the corner from the school. I can look out my kitchen and I can see the field."

KNEE INJURY. Recent Delran graduate Ralph Sacca will undergo a magnetic- resonance imaging test on his left knee today, according to his brother John.

Ralph Sacca, a quarterback headed to Rutgers, injured the knee in the North-South all-star game at Trenton State College on June 30.

He was injured late in the first half and didn't return to action. Sacca was, however, able to walk on the sideline.

"They don't think it's anything serious, but Rutgers wants him to get an MRI,"said John Sacca, who will be a senior quarterback at Eastern Kentucky. ''Ralph's been walking on it, and we think it will be all right."

As for his own prospects, John Sacca says he is confident that he will be the starting quarterback for Eastern Kentucky. This will be his first and only year of eligibility at the NCAA Division I-AA school after transferring from Penn State.

WAITING. Another Sacca brother, Tony, is waiting to get picked up by an NFL team.

Sacca, who was cut in April by Buddy Ryan after two years with the Arizona Cardinals, has about six teams showing interest, according to John, but has yet to receive a firm training-camp offer.

TOUGH DUO. What's it like to have two of South Jersey's best soccer players on the same team? Shawnee coach Brian Gibney is finding out firsthand as coach of the Garden State Games boys' soccer team. Held at Rutgers University and the surrounding area, the Garden State Games are New Jersey's Olympic-style festival. They began yesterday and will conclude Sunday.

Gibney, coach of the Southwest team, which began action last night, said it's special to see John Rath of Shawnee and Craig Wicken of Washington Township on the same team. They were the only juniors named to the first team of The Inquirer's all-South Jersey squad last season.

Wicken scored 18 goals, and Rath had 14. Rath, a two-time first-team all- South Jersey selection, has led Shawnee to two straight state Group 4 titles.

Both Wicken and Rath have excelled at forward and in the midfield in their high school careers.

"Seeing in our practices what those two can do together is amazing," Gibney said. "They are both so skilled that they have a tendency to want to do too much at times, but they are great competitors. Any coach would love to have both of them."

OFF TO DELAWARE. Last year, Matt Davis played a major role in Paulsboro's 11-0 football season as a starting two-way lineman.

In earning all-Colonial Conference honors, the 6-foot-1, 260-pound Davis attracted plenty of college interest.

Davis has decided not to play football, but it didn't stop the colleges

from courting him. He has earned a full academic scholarship to the University of Delaware. Davis, according to Paulsboro football coach Glenn Howard, will major in engineering.

"He had a number of schools interested in him for football," Howard said, ''but he wanted to concentrate solely on academics."

Howard also said that he will continue to play junior-to-be Kevin Harvey at quarterback after considering moving him to running back.

"He might be a running back on the next level," Howard said. "I thought about moving him, but he'll again be our quarterback. He makes our offense go."

Another Sacca Is Finding His Place As Quarterback Of A College Team

Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20150921160736/http://articles.philly.com/1995-04-28/news/25687408_1_spring-game-older-brothers-spring-football-practice

By Rich Fisher, INQUIRER CORRESPONDENT

Posted: April 28, 1995

PISCATAWAY — Throughout spring football practice, Rutgers coach Doug Graber said that redshirt freshman Ralph Sacca showed the inconsistencies of a young quarterback.

Sacca proved his coach right at last Saturday's spring game. The Delran grad struggled the first three quarters, throwing several passes into the ground. But in the game's final two minutes, Sacca rallied the Knights to a 13-6 victory over the Scarlet.

"That kind of mirrors what he's done this spring," Graber said.

"He's correct," said Sacca, who was 5 for 13 for 92 yards and one touchdown.

Atlantic City graduate Steven Harper caught a 78-yard touchdown pass to give the Scarlet a 6-0 lead with 2 minutes, 12 seconds left. Sacca then drove the Knights 65 yards in five plays, capped by Louis Gould's 3-yard run with 1:31 left. The score was set up by completions of 20 and 23 yards from Sacca to Woodbury's Eddie Walker.

With the score tied, 6-6, the Knights got the ball back on a turnover with 1:15 left, and Sacca capped a five-play, 37-yard drive with a 25-yard touchdown pass to Bill Powell.

"I was excited for this game, but I didn't go out there nervous and having to prove what kind of quarterback I was," Sacca said. "If I put too much pressure on myself, like I did at the beginning of the spring, I'd make bad decisions. I went out and relaxed a little more, and in the second half it came together.

"I wasn't thinking about making a mistake. We didn't have a two-minute offense in, so I was calling the plays at the line of scrimmage. I didn't have time to think about throwing the ball away."

"He did a lot of things not very well at times, but he's got a lot of poise in the game," Graber said. "His strongest attribute right now is his poise. He does seem to make the play. He's done that in practice numerous times and right at the end of the game he made a heck of a play. But he's a freshman, he's got a way to go."

No one knows that better than Sacca, who is still learning his position despite having played it at Delran and having two older brothers, Tony and John, who played quarterback in college. When he first arrived at spring camp, Ralph Sacca admittedly tried to do to much.

"Every pass I missed, I was thinking, 'How did my brothers do this?' " he said. "I was battling myself; I wasn't battling the defense."

He is also battling the legacy of two brothers who led Delran to South Jersey Group 2 championships, then played at Penn State. Ralph led Delran to the South Jersey Group 2 title as a junior in 1992.

"In high school, I never felt pressure because I'm their brother," Sacca said. "I did feel it the first week of spring ball. But I put everything into perspective. I'm just trying to be a quarterback now instead of doing everything."

Sacca gives credit to Rutgers offensive coordinator/quarterback coach Stan Parrish for developing his foot speed, drops and ability to read defenses. Since starting quarterback Ray Lucas sat out the spring while recovering from shoulder surgery, Sacca was able to receive more reps than expected.

"I've learned more in three weeks of spring practice than I did in four years of high school," Sacca said. "In high school you only have two or three coaches and you're just worried about pounding the ball down other teams' throats.

"It's still hard dropping back. There's a ton to learn and I've gained a lot of respect for the quarterbacks that do that.

"I thought I did a pretty good job of learning the offense and learning what I had to do as a quarterback. I struggled with all that when I came in, but I still have one more year (playing behind Lucas) to learn everything. Hopefully, I'll make a run at the job in two years."

'nova Seeks Extra Year For Frazier The Senior, Out With A Knee Injury, Lost An Earlier Year, Too. Villanova Is Petitioning The Ncaa On His Behalf.

Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20151222042547/http://articles.philly.com/1995-10-26/sports/25695963_1_villanova-coach-andy-talley-tyrone-frazier-medical-redshirt

By Kevin Tatum, INQUIRER STAFF WRITER

Posted: October 26, 1995

Villanova University has petitioned the NCAA to grant injured all-American linebacker Tyrone Frazier a sixth year of eligibility.

Frazier, a senior, suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament and a torn lateral meniscus of the right knee in a game against Delaware on Sept. 16. He played less than six quarters before being sidelined for the season.

Since he was redshirted as a freshman, Frazier's eligibility - five years to play four - is up after this season. He is on schedule to graduate in December with a degree in sociology.

Villanova forwarded a letter of petition to the NCAA early this month regarding Frazier's situation. There is no timetable for when the school might get a response from the NCAA.

"You can't get (an extra year) for just a medical redshirt," cautioned Mary Ann Dowling, associate athletic director for compliance at Villanova. ''If (a player) misses two seasons, both times it has to be due to things beyond his control. Medical could be included."

Frazier was reshirted as a freshman by Villanova coach Andy Talley because the player's father, Ben, was ill with brain cancer. For Tyrone Frazier, it was a traumatic time, and he was often back home in Silver Spring, Md., as the 1991 season opened.

"We told Tyrone to take care of what's most important," Talley said yesterday. "We didn't want him obligated to football during that time."

Ben Frazier died in November of Tyrone's redshirt year. He had delivered Tyrone to Talley personally that summer, and asked the coach to take care of his son.

In 1992, Tyrone Frazier began taking care of the middle of the field for Talley's Wildcats. Frazier started 21 straight games over three seasons, before he suffered the knee injury while returning an interception.

Villanova is hoping that the circumstances surrounding Frazier's redshirt freshman year, together with his injury, will be sufficient for the NCAA to grant him another year of eligibility.

"If there was ever a deserving person, it's Tyrone," Talley said.

These days, Frazier is showing up at every Villanova practice, and the only game he has missed was the Northeastern game, which followed the Delaware game.

Frazier underwent knee surgery on Oct. 10. On Tuesday, he discarded the crutches he had been using since the operation. He's walking with what he calls a "big limp."

The 6-foot-2, 225-pound Frazier said that, assuming his recovery is complete, he would try to hook on with a professional team this spring if the NCAA denies his petition.

"This was a major setback," Frazier said. "I'm just looking forward to next year. I'm going to rehab and get back to playing. I know I can and I will. I want to play here, or somewhere. I'd prefer to play another year of college."

Surprisingly, Villanova has held its own in the absence of its best player. The Wildcats (2-5) are giving up 19.7 points per game, and 136 yards rushing.

In Frazier's spot at middle linebacker, Talley inserted sophomore Sean Theis. With 60 tackles, Theis is third on the team behind defensive back Curtis Dunaway (91) and outside linebacker A.J. Burawski (75).

"I wanted A.J. to do it because he's a senior and I wanted to take some pressure of myself so that I could play my game," Theis said. "To fill in for Tyrone is a lot to ask. He's unbelievable. He's the best player I've ever seen, and I've learned a lot just watching him. He was the backbone of our defense, and he was a great leader. I'm not able to fill that category yet."

Talley said that the team also missed Frazier's help in creating turnovers. The Wildcats have forced only 16 turnovers this season to rank in the bottom half of the Yankee Conference. Last season, with Frazier flying around, Villanova came up with 43.

"Tyrone creates a lot of havoc when he's out there," Talley said. "He makes the kind of hits that make things happen. And when we make a mistake up front, Tyrone fills a lot of holes."

Frazier earned Division I-AA all-America status last season by leading the Yankee Conference in tackles with 150.

Since he's not able to make that kind of contribution as he recovers from knee surgery, Frazier tries to make his presence felt another way.

"It's hard watching guys running around and you know you should be out there," Frazier said. "I just try to talk to the guys on the side and keep them focused on the game, and up. (Seeing the team struggle) is hard, just like it is for the guys playing. But, I'm on the sideline and can't do anything about it. I can scream, but I can't make tackles."

Project To Raze School 'In Limbo' In Delran Residents Say The Closed Cambridge School Is A Trouble Spot. Paperwork Is Holding Up Demolition.

Source: http://articles.philly.com/1995-12-17/news/25667640_1_new-intermediate-school-school-board-demolition

By Natalie Pompilio, INQUIRER CORRESPONDENT

Posted: December 17, 1995

DELRAN — Shawn Bennett is proud of his car - and rightly so. Since he bought the white 1989 Mustang LX a few months ago, he has added chrome exhaust tips, a sailing wing and tinted windows.

So imagine his unhappiness when he went to take his cream puff out for a spin one day and found silver spray paint along the passenger side and the hood, a slashed front and flattened back tire, and the gas tank shield removed.

His car hadn't been parked at a nightclub or a bar, but in front of his home in the sleepy Cambridge section of town, across the street from Cambridge Elementary School.

Neighborhood residents say what happened to Bennett is an example of what has been happening in the area since the school, at Third and Main Streets, was boarded up and marked in June for demolition. Besides being an eyesore, the empty building has become an unofficial hangout for young people and an invitation for trouble, ranging from fires in leaf piles to broken seesaws.

"We want it in, down and done," said Henry Shinn, a resident of the area for the last 10 years. "It's just a matter of time before someone gets hurt."

The school board originally promised that the building would be torn down by November. The underground fuel tanks were removed, the asbestos was cleared away, and the plumbing system was moved to other township schools in October. It's now December, and as a school board member told Shinn, "the project is in limbo."

"We're extremely frustrated," Shinn said. "I don't know if it's the administration, the school board, or if there's some other complication they're not telling us about."

According to School Board President Morris Burton, the board still needs to receive reports from the state Department of Environmental Protection before proceeding with the demolition. It must then wait to receive bids for the project, which is being paid for by the same $7.8 million bond issue being used to build the new intermediate school.

Burton has heard complaints about juveniles loitering and trash accumulating, but mostly what he hears are "friendly inquiries about when it's coming down."

"We've tried to get the maintenance people over there as quickly as possible and direct (complaints) to the police," Burton said. "It's not a large problem."

Delran Police Lt. George Pfeffer said he did not think the juvenile problems in the Cambridge area were related to the school.

"A particular group in that area used to hang out there even before it was boarded up," Pfeffer said. "They're not very destructive."

But resident Walt Albasi, who lives along Main Street, disagreed. He said the boarded building had become "a magnet for gangs of kids." He no longer allows his children to play there.

Letters

Source: http://articles.philly.com/1996-04-22/news/25661809_1_parents-strawbridge-clothier-big-mistake

Posted: April 22, 1996

VALUED LOYALTY LOST IN SALE I have been an employee of Clover, in Cinnaminson, for two years and I have really enjoyed working there. But it is evident that Messrs. Peter, Francis and Stockton Strawbridge do not care what happens to their loyal employees.

The owners of Strawbridge & Clothier could have worked something out so the Clover stores could remain open or we could, at least, keep our jobs. They are only concerned about their name.

Little do they know, they have lost thousands of loyal Clover customers in the process.

Noelle Reuther

Delran

S&c Sale Is One Chapter That Is Not Quite Closed Why Did The Chain's Stock Drop Before The Sale? Will The Ftc Approve? Wait, There's More.

Source: http://articles.philly.com/1996-04-24/business/25661481_1_clover-discount-stores-strawbridge-clothier-strawbridge-workers

By Jane M. Von Bergen, INQUIRER STAFF WRITER

Posted: April 24, 1996

The banner headlines have come and gone - at least for now - in the dismantling of Strawbridge & Clothier's retail legacy.

Nearly three weeks ago, Strawbridge & Clothier moved to the top of the news when it announced that the May Department Stores Co., which recently bought John Wanamaker, would purchase its 13 department stores. The Clover discount stores would be closed and sold as empty boxes to Kimco Realty Corp., a New York shopping-center developer.

But much remains to be done before shareholders meet on July 31 to vote on Strawbridge's proposal to sell its stores:

* On Wall Street, questions are being raised about why a stock that traded as high as $27.75 six weeks before the stores' sale was announced would command just $20 a share in the deal.

* In a Center City office building towering above the blossoms on the Parkway, Strawbridge's lawyers at Morgan, Lewis & Bockius are busy filing papers with the Federal Trade Commission. The FTC must decide whether May, which already operates 11 Hecht's and two Lord & Taylor stores here, would gain too much power in the market when it buys Strawbridge's 13 department stores.

* In suburban Long Island, Kimco officials, working with Strawbridge management, expect to finalize the deal for Clover this week.

* And closer to home, 10 floors above Strawbridge's bustling Food Hall, the company's personnel office has been swamped with concerns from employees who will lose their jobs when the deal is closed.

Getting the ax are all of Clover's 4,000 employees and most of the corporate administrative staff, which may number as many as 1,000. That number includes everybody from advertising copywriters to buyers to merchandising executives to clerks and bill collectors.

``The big question in everybody's mind is what we should do,'' said a member of the central administrative staff. Strawbridge workers are under strict orders not to speak to reporters. ``All of us have done this for so long, we don't have a clue about what we want to do.''

Those who may have the toughest time are buyers and merchandise managers because there are few retailing headquarters in the Philadelphia area.

Some central-office staff are transferring into department-store jobs, as vacancies arise.

Laid-off hourly workers will get one week's pay for every two years of seniority. Middle managers will get three months' pay or one week for every year, whichever is higher. Upper-level managers will get six months' pay or one week for every year, whichever is higher.

Above that, in the executive stratosphere, some 80 or 90 executives will get one year's pay.

And finally, at the very top, about 19 corporate officers and highest-ranking executives will not get severance pay, but will continue to work under their contracts, which guarantee them three years' pay and benefits.

``It is evident that Messrs. Peter, Francis and Stockton Strawbridge do not care what happens to their loyal employees,'' Clover employee Noelle Reuther of Delran wrote in a letter to the editor published in The Inquirer on Monday. ``The owners of Strawbridge & Clothier could have worked something out so the Clover stores could remain open, or we could, at least, keep our jobs.''

``We're being sold down the river,'' said one distraught worker, who was afraid to give his name.

Others, though, have described the severance as ``fair'' and ``generous.''

Most of Strawbridge's workers aren't unionized and have no contracts guaranteeing severances.

But the severances may provide at least part of the answer to what is troubling Wall Street - the difference between what May is paying for Strawbridge's department stores and what shareholders are getting.

Sources close to the deal said that the proceeds from the sale of Clover should be just enough to cover all of its liabilities - including some employee severance.

``I had heard the severance was a big issue in the price they took,'' said one Wall Street observer who followed the deal closely. ``That's the reason the price was so low.''

May's $600 million payment includes the assumption of about $390 million in debt, including severance, said sources close to the deal. That left about $210 million for shareholders, or about $20 a share. Six weeks before the deal was announced, the stock reached a 52-week high of $27.75 per share.

``It's a good deal for the family. It's not a good deal for the shareholders,'' said analyst Terence J. McEvoy, of Janney Montgomery Scott in New York. ``But this is the offer they had, period.''

Family members and a handful of non-family executives own more than one-third of the 10.6 million outstanding shares, but control more than 70 percent because they hold shares with more voting power.

``It's a tax-free deal, so they [the family members] don't have to worry about it. The price is lousy. It should be higher. May is paying a low price for an asset that has a lot of value,'' McEvoy said.

``Some of the major shareholders aren't happy about it,'' he said. McEvoy said he didn't know whether any of them would mount a fight to squelch the deal.

One of the unhappy shareholders is likely to be Fidelity Investments, of Boston. In February, it increased its stake to nearly 11 percent, after glowing reports by analysts, including McEvoy and UBS Securities' Todd Slater, now with Lazard Freres. Fidelity paid about $25 a share.

Shortly before the deal was announced, Slater pulled in the reins on his predictions, and the stock dropped.

Fidelity spokeswoman Teri Kilduff declined to comment on Fidelity's plans.

Also declining comment was Henry Jackson, who handled the Strawbridge deal for Peter J. Solomon Inc., the New York investment-banking firm Strawbridge hired in October.

But others say Solomon's representatives have been defending the deal behind the scenes.

``Yes, they are trying to defend the price,'' said one analyst who has been following the deal. ``They are thinking about the next deal, too, so they want people to think they did a good job for Strawbridge.''

Others applauded the transaction.

Among them was New York retail consultant Howard Davidowitz. ``For Strawbridge, it's a bailout,'' he said. ``I think they had a risk of losing it all.

``I think this will help May crack the market,'' he said.

And it may explain why May, which in August paid $725 million to buy 25 John Wanamaker and Woodward & Lothrop stores, was willing to pay $600 million for just 13 Strawbridge & Clothier stores.

``If you own the market, that drives the price up,'' said Howard Ross, a retail specialist at Arthur Andersen in Philadelphia.

It can also raise questions about competitiveness when the Strawbridge & Clothier deal goes before the Federal Trade Commission. The FTC will determine whether May's owning so many stores in the market will hurt consumers by reducing competition.

May has 11 Hecht's - all former John Wanamaker stores - and two Lord & Taylor stores in the region. It plans to close one Hecht's in Jenkintown.

After the Strawbridge deal is completed and nameplates are shifted, May will have 25 stores: four Lord & Taylors, and 21 Hecht's, which will change names to Strawbridge. While the Hecht's name will disappear, Hecht's management won't.

``The key question is: How do you define the market?'' said former FTC Commissioner Dennis Yao, an assistant professor of public policy at the University of Pennsylvania.

For example, if one defines Strawbridge & Clothier's competition as mid-range department stores, such as Macy's, then the deal might considerably reduce the field, giving consumers limited choices. Macy's has little more than a half-dozen stores in the region. Sears, Roebuck & Co. has slightly more than a dozen stores, but does Sears directly compete with Strawbridge?

Another way to pose the question, Yao said, would be to ask if there are other places to buy the same products Strawbridge sells. The more sources for the products, he said, the less likely that any one retailer could exert undue influence on the market and the less likely that the FTC would block the sale.

Shawnee's Ron Walker Boosts Monarchs At Third And On Mound

Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20160102104814/http://articles.philly.com/1996-06-07/sports/25630527_1_monarchs-delaware-valley-baseball-sophomore

By Beth Onufrak, INQUIRER CORRESPONDENT

Posted: June 07, 1996

Shawnee's Ron Walker helped lead the Old Dominion baseball team to the Colonial Athletic Association title and a berth in the NCAA tournament this spring.

A sophomore third baseman who also pitches, Walker was named a second-team all-East Regional player and made the Atlantic Region all-tournament team. Also a first-team all-CAA selection, he was named the national player of the week twice during the season. His second selection as national player of the week was May 20 after he led Monarchs (39-17) to the conference title by hitting .500 and posting three saves and a win.

Walker finished third on the team with a .335 batting average. He started all 56 games for the Monarchs and tied for the team lead in RBIs with 55. He was also second on the team in hits with 54, in doubles with 21, and in home runs with 11. He had seven game-winning hits during the season and walked a team-high 36 times.

As a pitcher, Walker was 6-1 with 10 saves. He appeared in 21 games, starting two, and posted a 4.05 ERA. In 46 2/5 innings, he struck out 62 and walked just 16.

The Monarchs dropped two straight games in the NCAA tournament, falling to nationally ranked George Southern, 6-0, May 23, and then dropping a 5-1 decision to Clemson, another nationally ranked team, May 24.

BASEBALL BITS * Delran's Max Newill led the Baldwin-Wallace baseball team to a 22-16 record. A sophomore pitcher, Newill posted a team-best 2.08 ERA. He had a 5-4 record and also had team highs of 65 innings pitched and 62 strikeouts. A second team all-Ohio Athletic Conference player, he was also an honorable mention all-league academic selection.

* Bill Mann and Derek Starts were freshmen on the Delaware Valley baseball team. Mann, a graduate of Collingswood, played 13 games at third base for the Aggies (7-15) and was the designated hitter in two games. He had a .143 batting average. As a pitcher Mann, a righthander, was 2-0 and did not give up an earned run. Both wins came in relief. Starts, a graduate of Triton, played three games at second base and eight at third, hitting .200.

* St. Augustine graduate Jeremy Berman had a 3-1 record and a 3.86 ERA as a sophomore pitcher for Haverford College (16-16). Berman, who also played in the infield, hit .279.

SOFTBALL SHORTS * Rayna Vause, a Haddonfield resident who attended Episcopal Academy, hit .231 as a freshman on the Haverford College softball team (4-13). Also used as a pitcher, Vause appeared in seven games and had a record of 0-4.

* Rancocas Valley's Jennifer Ward recently ended her collegiate softball career as a co-captain of the Liberty team. Ward hit .232 for the Flames, who set a school record with 38 wins. A three-year starter, Ward played right field as a senior. She started at either second base or catcher in her sophomore and junior seasons.

COLLEGE COMMITMENTS * Wilkes University recently announced that Ray Petkevis would play basketball for the school next season. The 6-foot-77 St. Joseph High standout chose Wilkes over several other NCAA Division III schools.

* Bryan Lure will play football this fall for King's College. A Shawnee graduate, the 6-3 Lure played defensive end and tight end in high school.

MISCELLANY * Amy Giello, a senior on the William and Mary women's lacrosse team, was named a first-team all-American by the United States Women's Lacrosse Association. A defender, she also contributed offensively with 10 goals and two assists. The Shawnee graduate was also a first-team all-Colonial Athletic Association pick.

* Audubon's Jennifer Wesson and Woodbury's Carmen Mirochna were members of the Rutgers University novice eight crew that won a bronze medal at the IRA Regatta held on Cooper River June 1. The Scarlet Knights also took a silver medal at a regatta hosted by Northeastern in Boston on May 12.

At Rutgers, Emphasis Is On Offense New Coach Terry Shea Has The Credentials, But Does He Have The Weapons?

Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20151226203551/http://articles.philly.com/1996-08-13/sports/25644894_1_terrell-willis-terry-shea-quarterback-situation

By Michael Rosenberg, INQUIRER CORRESPONDENT

Posted: August 13, 1996

PISCATAWAY, N.J. — Terry Shea has the resume of a top college football coaching prospect. He has the experience, having resurrected the program at San Jose State. He has the references - Bill Walsh, Dick Vermeil and Mike Holmgren rave about him.

Best known as an offensive innovator, he has written a book and produced an instructional video on how to play quarterback. Now he is trying to bring the West Coast offense to Rutgers in his first season as Scarlet Knights coach.

He might have better luck bringing the West Coast weather.

The West Coast offense is predicated on how many yards are gained after the catch, which means the quarterback must deliver the ball softly and accurately. The man who will handle this responsibility for Rutgers is, uh, well . . .

OK, that's a problem. The system starts with the quarterback, but Shea doesn't know who will start there. It's a race between two lefthanders: junior Ralph Sacca and sophomore Corey Valentine. Neither has completed a pass in college.

But Shea wore a ``Rutgers Quarterback School'' shirt to the team's media day Saturday for good reason. He is the professor. He has written the textbook - ``The Quarterback'' - published a year after the Scarlet Knights made their fabled Garden State Bowl appearance. In the last 15 years, he has tutored eight top college quarterbacks, including Bob Gagliano, Eric Hipple and Steve Stenstrom.

If Shea could morph his two current prospects, the problem would be solved. Valentine is the quicker, more mobile quarterback, and Sacca, out of Delran (N.J.) High, has the stronger arm and the better bloodlines. His two brothers played college quarterback - Tony at Penn State, and John at Penn State then Eastern Kentucky.

``My brother John said, `Don't battle yourself; battle the defense,' '' Ralph Sacca said.

In the meantime, he is battling Valentine.

``It's wide-open,'' Shea said of the Valentine-Sacca competition. ``I'll make a decision eight to 10 days before the Villanova game [Aug. 31].''

Then again, maybe he won't.

``I would not be against playing two quarterbacks,'' Shea said. ``I have no problem with that.'' Whoever lines up behind center won't have the luxury of throwing to the team's top target from a year ago. Marco Battaglia has moved on to the Cincinnati Bengals after leading the Big East with 69 receptions and earning first-team all-American honors last season.

Marco Luna, a junior-college transfer, is the front-runner to replace Battaglia. Shea described Luna as the ``fastest, strongest'' tight end on the squad.

``I know Marco Battaglia was very special,'' Shea said. ``I think Marcus Luna is cut out of that same mold.''

Even if Luna can take over for Battaglia and the quarterback situation is resolved, there is the small matter of replacing two of Rutgers' top three all-time leading rushers, Terrell Willis and Bruce Presley. Chad Bosch is expected to handle the bulk of the ballcarrying duties.

Shea, who also serves as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, obviously has quite a task on his hands. While he works on the offense, he will turn to former Virginia Tech co-defensive coordinator Rod Sharpless to install an attacking defense.

Shea and Sharpless better get along well, because they might be sharing some players. Shea said at least four or five Scarlet Knights might play both offense and defense - including Luna, who will see time at defensive end.

Adding to the troubles is the schedule. In addition to hosting Miami and West Virginia, Rutgers must travel to Virginia Tech, Syracuse and Boston College. The Scarlet Knights are 4-20-1 against those teams in this decade. Oh, yeah, Rutgers also will make a Nov. 23 trip to Notre Dame Stadium.

Shea is not letting the schedule dim his hopes. ``If I'm here to wake up the sleeping giant, then so be it,'' Shea said.

If Rutgers is indeed a sleeping giant, it makes Rip Van Winkle look as if he just took an afternoon nap. The Scarlet Knights have made only one bowl appearance, in 1978, and it wasn't exactly a trip to Miami or New Orleans. They traveled all the way to Giants Stadium for the Garden State Bowl.

``Our goal is to win a bowl championship,'' Shea said.

Don't worry, Rutgers fans - there is no Garden State Bowl this year. Shea is hoping Rutgers can finish among the Big East's top four teams, which would guarantee a bid to, at worst, the Liberty Bowl.

Sluggish Scarlet Knights Edged By Midshipmen In 10-6 Struggle

Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20151017135321/http://articles.philly.com/1996-09-08/sports/25631899_1_tim-cannada-rutgers-defense-rutgers-offense

By Kevin Tatum, INQUIRER STAFF WRITER

Posted: September 08, 1996

PISCATAWAY, N.J. — For the second straight week, Rutgers coach Terry Shea used three quarterbacks in an effort to get his team's offense going.

And for the second straight week, the Scarlet Knights (1-1) failed to move the ball consistently.

Navy (1-0), which also struggled offensively last night, still managed to score the only touchdown of the game, and the Midshipmen left Rutgers Stadium with a 10-6 victory that was witnessed by 26,834 fans.

``When you give up only one touchdown, you have to think you'd find a way to win,'' said Shea, whose team will meet Miami in a Big East game Thursday night. ``There's no question that when your offense sputters, somehow, you still have to find a way to get in the end zone.''

Unlike last week, when the Rutgers defense made big plays that led to four touchdowns and the team's 38-28 victory over Villanova, the Rutgers offense was on its own against Navy.

The Scarlet Knights put only two Nick Mike-Mayer field goals on the board and were behind, 7-6, before a 37-yard field goal by Navy's Tim Shubzda with 10 minutes, 15 seconds left gave the Midshipmen a little breathing room.

Navy had the last possession of the game after a Rutgers punt left the Midshipmen at their own 39-yard line with 4:24 to play.

``This was a great victory for us,'' said Navy coach Charlie Weatherbee. ``I think we won all three phases of the game - offense, defense and the kicking game.''

Navy, trailing by 3-0, took the lead when quarterback Chris McCoy ran 15 yards for a touchdown on the first possession of the third period.

Mike-Mayer's second field goal of the game, a 32-yarder with 5:26 remaining in the third period, marked the last time Rutgers scored.

Mike Stephans, the third Scarlet Knights quarterback in the game, threw a costly interception with 6:57 left after Rutgers had driven from its own 15 to the Navy 23.

Defensive back Rashad Smith stole Stephans' pass, which was intended for wide receiver Andy Holland, at the goal line and returned the ball 18 yards. Earlier in the period, Rutgers was stopped on a fourth-and-inches play at Navy's 41.

``I short-armed the ball and we came up a little short,'' Stephans said of his interception.

Once ahead, Navy went with a running game that was led by McCoy and fullback Tim Cannada to eat up the clock. McCoy rushed for 101 yards on 22 carries, while Cannada finished with 107 yards on 17 carries.

For Rutgers, tailback Jacki Crooks had 86 yards on 16 carries. Starting quarterback Corey Valentine was 5 for 14 passing for 97 yards, and Ralph Sacca was 5 of 10 for 34. Stephans completed 3 of 10 passes for 28 yards.

Neither team was able to sustain a drive during the first two quarters.

Mike-Mayer, who missed a 52-yard field goal with 4:20 left in the first quarter, nailed a 43-yarder with 5:05 left in the first half.

The field goal was set up when Scarlet Knights linebacker Aaron Brady broke through the line and separated McCoy from the ball at the Navy 23. The fumble was recovered by Rutgers tackle Shawn Devlin.

Navy started senior Ben Fay at quarterback and went to a passing game. But Fay played only the first two series, completing 4 of 7 passes for 42 yards. When the elusive McCoy took over the quarterbacking duties late in the first period, the Midshipmen switched to an option.

Rutgers Gives Third-string Qb Starting Job Coach Terry Shea Is Asking Mike Stephans To Pep Up The Offense.

Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20160303223337/http://articles.philly.com/1996-09-10/sports/25632126_1_villanova-terry-shea-rutgers-stadium

By Kevin Tatum, INQUIRER STAFF WRITER

Posted: September 10, 1996

Rutgers coach Terry Shea said yesterday that senior Mike Stephans will start at quarterback when the Scarlet Knights play Miami on Thursday night at Rutgers Stadium.

Stephans entered the season as the team's third-stringer.

Sophomore Corey Valentine has been the starter in both of Rutgers' games this season - a 38-28 victory over Villanova and a 10-6 loss to Navy. Ralph Sacca, a junior from Delran High in South Jersey, who was second on the depth chart, played in both games. Stephans played in the fourth quarter of each game.

``We got through camp with two quarterbacks in the hunt, and as camp wore on and arms got tired, Mike's continued to impress,'' said Shea, whose team failed to move the ball consistently against Villanova or Navy.

``Mike has a strong arm and is just what the team needs to have. He's probably the most gifted of our three passers, but he's had no chance.''

Valentine, a 6-foot-2, 185-pounder, has completed 9 of 25 passes for 129 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions. Sacca, 6-4 and 220 pounds, is 15 for 24 for 185 yards with one touchdown and one interception.

The 6-1, 215-pound Stephans is 5 for 14 for 58 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions. He is the only one of the Knights' quarterbacks to have scored a TD. He reached the end zone on a 1-yard run against Villanova.

Army Poses Difficulties For Rutgers

Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20151017204115/http://articles.philly.com/1996-10-12/sports/25665581_1_army-rutgers-wishbone-offense

By Kevin Tatum, INQUIRER STAFF WRITER

Posted: October 12, 1996

PISCATWAY, N.J. — Rutgers would like to settle its quarterback situation and put coach Terry Shea's West Coast offense into high gear today in its game against Army at Giants Stadium.

But to do that, the Scarlet Knights (1-4) must contain the Cadets' wishbone offense. And that might not be easy.

Army (4-0) is ranked third in the nation with 323 rushing yards per game, and with six backs who have carried the ball 25 times or more, it can wear down opponents.

In addition, Army has a passing game, too. Ronnie McAda, who missed Army's last two games because of an ankle injury but might see time against Rutgers, has completed 16 of 25 passes for 332 yards and one touchdown this season. His backup, Adam Thompson, is 7 for 11 for 102 yards, one touchdown and one interception.

The Cadets have defeated Ohio University (37-20), Duke (35-17), North Texas (27-10) and Yale (39-13) this season. Against North Texas and Yale, Army controlled the ball for more than 40 of the 60 minutes.

``If Army gets it going in its direction, they can chew up the clock,'' Shea said. ``But we're not inherently weak against the option because we play a balanced defense. We play an eight-man front and won't play to any one of their strengths.''

Rutgers is ranked sixth in the eight-team Big East in overall defense, but the Scarlet Knights have played better than that. They have an aggressive eight-man front and have forced 14 turnovers.

But Rutgers, besides not moving the ball consistently on offense, has committed 15 turnovers. And its defense has often been put in bad field position.

The offensive progress has been hindered first by the process of picking a starting quarterback, and then by an injury to the chosen one, senior Mike Stephans.

The third-string quarterback entering the season, Stephans took over as the starter the third game of the season. He suffered a sprained left shoulder in the first period of last week's 42-0 loss to Syracuse, and was out for the game.

After watching Stephans practice this week, Shea said Thursday that Stephans would start over sophomore Corey Valentine and junior Ralph Sacca. The same day, Valentine quit the team. Shea vowed that Sacca would get a chance if Stephans falters against Army.

Villanova Is Getting Some Good News, Too, On The Injury Front Developments Since Last Weekend Have Coach Andy Talley Feeling A Little Bit Better About Things.

Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20151018195021/http://articles.philly.com/1996-10-25/sports/25667220_1_william-and-mary-curtis-dunaway-receiver

By Kevin Tatum, INQUIRER STAFF WRITER

Posted: October 25, 1996

Villanova's 30-21 loss to visiting William and Mary on Saturday cost the Wildcats their share of the Yankee Conference lead. But coach Andy Talley seemed more concerned about the health of his team than he was about the loss.

By midweek, however, the injury picture had brightened considerably.

Sophomore linebacker Jason Gattuso, who was thought to have suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in practice last week, might not miss the rest of the season, as was originally feared. He is postponing surgery on the injured knee until after the season and could be back in two weeks.

Sophomore defensive end Chris Machovina, who has been out since Oct. 5 with a knee sprain, will be back in uniform tomorrow, when 'Nova (5-2 overall, 3-1 conference) visits Richmond (2-5, 1-4).

Also, junior linebacker Sean Theis, who was going to be redshirted after suffering a fractured kneecap during the preseason, will play this week. And junior wide receiver Brad Finneran, still recovering from a fractured left wrist suffered at Connecticut on Oct. 5, will suit up with a cast on the wrist.

All of those positives weren't known by Talley just after the William and Mary game. At that point, he was beginning to wonder if he'd have enough healthy bodies to finish the season. Five freshmen had seen extensive playing time against the Tribe.

Senior linebacker Curtis Dunaway, the Wildcats' defensive leader, had suffered a cervical sprain that is expected to limit his playing time tomorrow. And senior cornerback Kyle Helton, who had suffered a separated shoulder in the Connecticut game, was noticeably affected by the injury against William and Mary. The plan is to use him only in passing situations this week.

Meanwhile, junior wide receiver Brian Finneran, the Yankee Conference's leading receiver, played last week with a mild shoulder separation and will be at less than 100 percent for Richmond.

Villanova, trying for its first conference title since 1991, is in second place, one game behind James Madison. The Dukes took sole possession of the lead by beating Richmond, 31-27, on Saturday. Both they and 'Nova have four conference games remaining, including a regular-season finale on Nov. 16 in which the two will square off at James Madison.

``Injuries crop up at the wrong time, and if you want to be a champion, you have to rise above them,'' Talley said. ``We've had an assortment of things coming and going, and this is one of those weeks to find out whether you're going to get some guys back. I would say we're cautiously optimistic.''

Tomorrow, true freshman Shaun Lyons will line up at Gattuso's left-linebacker position. The 6-foot-1, 210-pound native of Altamont, N.Y., was in on 19 tackles last week in his first college start.

Gattuso suffered his knee injury during a light practice drill - he planted, and the knee gave - and he didn't think it was serious. But when the knee ballooned overnight, an MRI revealed the extent of the injury.

Gattuso only briefly considered undergoing season-ending surgery.

``I talked it over with my parents, and my desire was to come back,'' he said. ``I want to do all I can to get back, and if all goes well, I will be back. We have a good thing going, and I want to be part of it.''

Lyons and three other freshmen are being counted on to play significant roles on defense against Richmond.

Stephen Curry, a 5-11, 217-pound redshirt freshman, will start for the second straight week at middle linebacker after having played his way into the regular lineup.

Aaron Weems, a 6-2, 206-pound true freshman, will see playing time at outside linebacker in relief of Dunaway as the coaches attempt to maximize what Dunaway, the team's leading tackler, can contribute.

And Hezekiah Lewis, a 5-9, 165-pound redshirt freshman, will take over for Helton at cornerback.

Owls, Knights Battle In The Basement Temple And Rutgers Are Both 1-6 Overall. Today, One Of Them Will Gain Its First Big East Win.

Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20151222031440/http://articles.philly.com/1996-10-26/sports/25665543_1_rutgers-defense-temple-owls

By Kevin Tatum, INQUIRER STAFF WRITER

Posted: October 26, 1996

PISCATAWAY, N.J. — The Temple football team traveled north for about 90 minutes for today's Big East game against Rutgers. Other than the distance, there's not much that separates the two teams.

They both have lost six games in a row and are at the bottom of the conference standings. And while neither squad entered the season with any grand expectations, each has managed to fall short of respectability. Winning seasons are out of the question.

None of that will matter, however, when the teams take the field at Rutgers Stadium.

``It's a battle not to be last,'' Rutgers defensive tackle Rashod Swinger said, no doubt summing up the sentiment on both sides.

Temple (1-6 overall, 0-3 Big East) hasn't won since defeating Eastern Michigan to open the season. Rutgers (1-6, 0-4) represents one of the few games on the team's schedule that could be considered winnable.

The Owls are coming off a respectable effort against undefeated West Virginia, making the Mountaineers work for their 30-10 victory last Saturday at Veterans Stadium. The much-maligned Temple defense allowed only one touchdown, but the Owls were done in by the 23 points the Mountaineers scored on two returned fumbles, a punt return and a safety.

Temple's hopes against Rutgers rest with a similar defensive effort, and with senior quarterback Henry Burris. He's the most proficient passer and total-offense producer in Temple history, and by the time he finishes his career, his name will be prominent in the Big East record book as well.

Burris represents a challenge for a Rutgers defense that has held its own against teams that are far superior to Temple.

The Temple quarterback has completed 104 of 201 passes for 1,463 yards and seven touchdowns, with six interceptions. Wide receiver Van Johnson is a big-play threat, averaging 18.8 yards on his 26 receptions and scoring five touchdowns.

The running game hasn't been as productive. The Owls average 93 yards a game and haven't had a 100-yard rusher since Oct. 14, 1995.

On defense, the Owls are being torched for nearly 35 points a game despite strong play by linebacker Alshermond Singleton.

``Everybody says, `Man, you can beat Temple,' but they've got good athletes and they are a Division I team,'' said Rutgers quarterback Mike Stephans, a senior who began the season No. 3 on the depth chart and took over the starting position for the Scarlet Knights' 33-0 loss to Miami. ``We're both 1-6 and in the cellar, and at this point in the season, every game has got to be a big game. We have to win something.

``If we don't win soon, it's going to be disheartening for everybody. This is the biggest game of my career right now. That's the way I'm looking at it.''

Stephans, a righthander who has completed 52 of 117 passes for 645 yards and three touchdowns with four interceptions, will play against Temple after breaking the thumb on his non-throwing hand late in the first half of last week's 37-13 loss to Boston College.

Though Stephans has been effective at times, providing the Rutgers' offense with leadership, the Scarlet Knights are averaging just 13.1 points per game while allowing 31.

Backup Ralph Sacca, a junior from Delran, relieved Stephans last week and scored his first touchdown as a Scarlet Knight on an 8-yard run. If Stephans is affected by his injury, Rutgers coach Terry Shea won't hesitate to use Sacca.

But it won't be easy to get Stephans off the field. He's determined to make the most of a long-awaited opportunity to play.

``I've never broken a bone in my body,'' he said. ``Who's to say I don't break my arm this week and never be able to play again?''

Stephans said he and his teammates have had to endure unkind remarks about their play, much like their Temple counterparts.

``They say, `Who's worse, Rutgers or the New Brunswick Pop Warner team?' '' Stephans said. ``We have to listen to snide remarks from people that I know have never even been to a football game. Nobody on this team deserves that.''

Rutgers tackle Jack McKiernan could have been speaking for the Temple players as well when he discussed the frustration of failing to achieve despite months of effort.

``We haven't won in a long time, and Temple is in the same boat,'' he said. ``It's never who we're playing, it's us. If we do our jobs, then good things will come. We have to perform, no matter who the competition is. We practice and work with weights and do all this running to play 11 Saturdays. You go out there to play, and you want to get something back. You want to go out and have fun, and celebrate with your teammates after the game because that's the best time.''

Ursinus Gymnasts Settle For Eighth

Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20151221195118/http://articles.philly.com/1997-03-26/sports/25571401_1_ursinus-coach-brian-thomas-vault

By Joe Fite, INQUIRER CORRESPONDENT

Posted: March 26, 1997

Ursinus traveled to Wisconsin for the NCAA Division III women's gymnastics championships last weekend as the eighth and final school to qualify its entire team.

The Bears wanted to beat at least one team that had qualified ahead of them, but it wasn't to be. Ursinus scored 137.6 points and finished eighth. Wisconsin-La Crosse, the host school, won the national title.

``It wasn't exactly what I was hoping we'd end up with, but we did all right,'' coach Ray McMahon said. ``We had a really good meet on floor and vault and bars, but we just kind of did not do well on balance beam at all.''

The weekend wasn't a complete washout. Seniors Jen Courtney and Carrie Luka made it to the event finals in the vault, and Courtney won a medal for placing fifth. Luka missed a medal by a tenth of a point and finished seventh.

In the team competition on Friday, Courtney scored a 9.225 in the vault. In the event finals Saturday, she came through with a 9.1 for a total of 18.325 in the vault.

Luka scored a 9.1 in the vault in both the team competition and the finals. Courtney just missed qualifying for the balance beam finals. She needed an 8.925, but scored an 8.90.

The Bears picked up another honor at the meet when McMahon was selected as the NCAA Division III national coach of the year.

In December, he was named the Pennsylvania high school physical-education teacher of the year. He is on the staff at Plymouth-Whitemarsh.

``That, along with the teacher award I got - it's been an unbelievable year,'' McMahon said. ``The only thing that would have made it that much better would have been a national title. But it just wasn't to be.

``Had we kind of stuck out on beam, we had a really good shot at beating Rhode Island and MIT. But it just didn't happen. I can't say it was because the girls weren't ready.

``They had such a good meet for three events, just basically what we've done all year long. They stayed on the bars, they vaulted well, they had great floor.''

Bears rebuilding. Ursinus won the Centennial Conference baseball title last season, but with the graduation of seven seniors, the Bears will have a tough time repeating.

After a 14-9 loss to Widener last Wednesday, Ursinus stands at 4-7-2. The Bears were 28-9 overall and 16-2 in the conference last season. Coach Brian Thomas is looking for his young team to come together.

``When you graduate that much of a nucleus, you've got to find some new faces, and that's what we're trying to do,'' Thomas said. ``We have a lot of new faces and are trying to mature as quickly as we can.''

Ursinus should be strong in the infield with the return of the entire unit.

First baseman Brian McTear, the only senior on the team, is the No. 3 hitter and a returning first-team all-conference selection. He's hitting .300.

He is joined by second baseman Mike Romello, a junior who is hitting better than .300 and is solid defensively. He was a second-team all-conference pick last season.

Junior Dirk Cleveland, a Perkiomen Valley High graduate, is the third baseman. He's hitting close to .400. Jeff DeSimone, a junior from Cardinal O'Hara, is the returning shortstop.

``They're all decent hitters,'' Thomas said. ``That's nice to have coming back. We replaced our whole outfield, and a DH and a catcher and two pitchers. Having the whole infield back gives us some consistency there.''

Ben Mills, a junior football player, is playing center field and hitting .380.

Nate Smiley, a junior from Phoenixville, should be the pitching ace. He's 1-2.

``He did very well in Florida in one game,'' Thomas said. ``He lost the next two, but I'm expecting him to turn it around and get back on track.''

Johns Hopkins has returned virtually intact, and Thomas sees it as the favorite. He sees the Bears in the mix, if things come together.

Record-setting Aggies. If Delaware Valley College can get great pitching all season, the Aggies might not lose another game.

Del Val pounded the cover off the ball against Swarthmore and set several records in the process. In the first game of a doubleheader Saturday, the visiting Aggies posted a 25-12 victory. They set team records for most runs in a game and most hits with 25.

Freshman designated hitter Tony D'Amico set a single-game record with five hits, and three players tied the school record with four runs scored.

Jim Brezack chipped in with three hits and knocked in five runs, while Matt Altieri, Rocco D'Alessandro, Mike Ricci and Chad Walls each had three hits.

In the second game, Del Val grabbed an 11-6 victory, as Brezack ripped three more hits and Ricci gained his third win of the season.

The Aggies are 7-4 and have equaled their victory total of last season.

Tv Giving Rowan Football A Winning Image With Recruits

Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20150912122921/http://articles.philly.com/1997-05-26/sports/25561772_1_keeler-rowan-recruits

By Rich Fisher, INQUIRER CORRESPONDENT

Posted: May 26, 1997

By going to the Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl in three of the last four years, Rowan's football staff has lost valuable recruiting time in December. But appearing on ESPN each year has more than made up for it.

``It's amazing how many people see those games,'' head coach K.C. Keeler said. ``ESPN gave us a number of close to two million people. It's amazing when you're talking to a kid in this region how many of them saw the game and saw the notoriety we got.

``Now we have a shot at kids who might be choosing between a Division I-AA school, a Division II school or ourselves. If they're getting a full scholarship at I-AA, we're going to lose them. But if it's money from a Division II school, we can break even with those guys because their cost for out-of-state kids is fairly expensive.''

As an added bonus, Rowan finally is getting support from high school coaches who used to steer their better players away from Division III programs.

``It's taken a while to break down some barriers, but now they know what kind of kids we get because they've seen us on television,'' Keeler said. ``It's taken some time, but it's all coming together. Even though we started late, I'm real happy with our recruiting this year''

Rowan lost 11 seniors from last year's 10-3 team, only four of whom started in the Stagg Bowl.

Keeler has 11 recruits he can comment on, because their paperwork has been processed and their deposits are in. The coach estimates that there are 15 more who ``just have to get some things squared away'' before he can officially comment on them.

Leading the incoming freshmen is Frank Buckworth, a 6-foot-4, 270-pound tackle from Cedar Grove High in North Jersey.

``He's possibly the best offensive lineman we've ever recruited as a freshman,'' Keeler said.

``We got lucky with him. He had some Division I offers down South, but he wanted to stay near home and he liked our place.''

Another good find is Corey Harvey, a West Deptford defensive end.

``He'll probably be one of our safeties down the road,'' Keeler said. ``He's an athlete. They moved him around because he runs so well and makes plays all the time.''

Other local players include Pennsville linebacker Luke Carpenter, Paulsboro's Gabe Spitale, Clearview offensive lineman Rob Rick, and Ocean City receiver Scott Lipford. Spitale was a quarterback for Paulsboro but will be moved to safety ``because he's a real hitter on defense,'' Keeler said.

The Profs also have several more Division I transfers coming in.

Rutgers' Mike Karwacki, a defensive lineman from Delran, and Maryland's Julian Richardson, a linebacker from Perth Amboy, will transfer in. Richardson has three years of eligibility left and Karwacki two.

Shawn Anstey, a former Holy Cross kicker, will arrive from Widener and enable the incumbent kicker, Tim Huckel, to concentrate on either placekicking or punting. Huckel did both last year.

Junior-college transfers include Nassau County College's Joe Shin, a guard from Spotswood, N.J., and Lackawanna's Brian Wright, a 6-3, 305-pound tackle from Gloucester Catholic.

With Greg Lister having just one year remaining, Keeler hoped to bring in a standout quarterback to watch and learn for a year.

``But the studs want to play right away, so they're not going to want to come in and sit a year,'' the coach said.

Keeler, who does the brunt of the recruiting with assistant Jay Accorsi, says the Profs' success has enabled them to be choosy.

``We've always been conscious of not taking bad kids, because that's just a waste of time,'' Keeler said.

``But sometimes you have to take a kid who you've got to teach to fit into our program. The knock would be, `He's talented but a little lazy.' Some of those kids work out, some don't.

``You always want to recruit talent, but now we're recruiting more players who fit the team's personality. We're getting the better ballplayer, and we're also getting a better kid.

``Now that we're to the point of winning a lot, we've actually turned down some kids who are pretty good players who we didn't think would fit into what we wanted as far as philosophy and sacrifice. I think that's the biggest difference in our recruiting this year.''

Can Rowan win the Stagg Bowl after three straight losses in the title game? Keeler believes the talent is solid, and says it is more a matter of improving from within.

``I have to look at myself and my staff, and I ask the kids to look at themselves,'' Keeler said. ``I actually went to Northwestern to spend a week with Gary Barnett and his staff. I had full access to all their meetings.

``Nobody has done a better job of getting the most out of his talent than Barnett. I wanted to see how he does things. My goal for the off-season was to try and develop the chemistry of our team better. By recruiting a better type of kid, I think we're doing that.''

After 56 Years, A Football Team Hits The Field. Explorers Start Venturing Into A Rough, New Frontier

Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20150921111429/http://articles.philly.com/1997-08-15/sports/25567470_1_first-football-practice-bill-manlove-explorers

By Diane Pucin, INQUIRER STAFF WRITER

Posted: August 15, 1997

Luke Haggerty is 6-foot-5, weighs 339 pounds, and has an earring in each ear, and he once got into a fistfight with an assistant coach at his high school in Las Vegas.

That got Haggerty kicked off his team, and now he is running - if you can call completing a mile and a half in 21 minutes, 30 seconds running - during La Salle University's first football practice since 1941.

Chris Drazek is 5-6 and 140 pounds. At least, that's what he weighed before he did weightlifting tests and standing-jump tests and that puke-producing mile-and-a-half run. Drazek has never played football, though he watched it a lot while he was at North Catholic High School.

Drazek has decided to try out for the new Division I-AA La Salle football team, he says, because he has always been a good athlete, because his father thought it might be a good idea, and, well, just because.

Drazek aims to be a running back when the Explorers host Fairfield in their season opener at 1 p.m. Sept. 6. He is eager to take his first hit, more eager to give one.

Right now, there is room for everybody at La Salle. You aren't too big or too small. You can't be too bad-tempered or too mild-mannered.

It doesn't matter if you've played soccer for four years and just have some time to kill while you complete your final three credits. Or if you come from a family of locally famous quarterbacks and were at Rutgers last year and your name is Ralph Sacca and your arm might be too strong for any of the receivers. That's OK. Come on down anyway.

The new Explorers football players, 75 of them, arrived on campus Tuesday to check into the dorms, take a physical, fill out NCAA eligibility forms, and hear speeches from the university president, the sports information director and the coach, Bill Manlove.

After all the exams and forms and speeches, finally, yesterday morning at 8:30, these 75 guys, wearing shorts and T-shirts and shoes of their own choosing, gathered on the same field where La Salle last played a game 56 years ago to be put through their paces.

This business of starting a new football team, it isn't going to be easy.

Manlove, a quiet, unflappable man who is 64 years old and was a successful coach at Division III Widener for many years, is not at all perturbed that the shoulder pads didn't arrive until Monday. Or that the helmets weren't expected until yesterday afternoon. Or that shoes haven't come yet.

It is not a stupid question when someone wonders if there are people out here who never played football before. ``Yeah, sure, I'll get them for you,'' Manlove says.

Soon, there is a group of six students sitting in the stands: Drazek; Pat Murray, a junior from La Salle High who says he has always been a good athlete; Andy Carroll, a junior from Camden County Vocational Tech who has absolutely no doubt he will be an excellent and fearless football player; Mike Fedele, a freshman from North Catholic, like Drazek; Joe Iannetta, a junior from Bethlehem; and Chris Michalak, a sophomore from North Catholic.

They say they are doing this to feel more a part of the university, because there seems to be a special sense of accomplishment while participating in something new, and because, hey, it might be cool to be a college football player.

And, let's face it: They wouldn't be on a football field at any other school in the country.

Which isn't the case with Sacca. You can pick him out quickly. He is the one with the washboard stomach and the eyes that focus on the coach when the coach speaks. He stands back and watches these rookies with the experienced eye of a coach, or of someone who has played at Notre Dame and Miami in front of 80,000 people. He knows what it takes to play Division I football at the highest level, and he has decided that isn't what he wants anymore.

``It is so great to be out here with a bunch of guys who aren't getting a cent, no scholarships, no nothing, just because they want to play football,'' Sacca says. ``We've got coaches who are totally volunteer and who are only here because they love the game so much, and it is just so much fun to be in this atmosphere, where all your hard work will be noticed and where everything isn't like a job.''

Sacca can't stop the words from coming. He was tired of the grind at Rutgers, he said. He wanted to go to college in the area where he'd most like to get a job, where he could make job contacts that would pay off later. And because he was recruited seriously by the quarterbacks coach, Tony Sacca.

Tony was the first of the three brothers from Delran High in South Jersey to play college quarterback. He spent four years at Penn State, where he didn't do as well as people might have hoped, but where he did do well enough to play a couple of years with the Arizona Cardinals. After Tony came John, who went to Penn State for two years, then transferred to Division I-AA Eastern Kentucky. Now there's Ralph, who walked away from Rutgers convinced he was never going to earn enough playing time to make all the sweaty practices worthwhile.

Will he have anybody to throw the ball to? Sacca shrugs. Doesn't matter. He'll figure out something.

Ed Morris might help. Morris is a senior from Penn Charter. Morris played some high school football but has concentrated on track at La Salle. Morris was clocked in a 4.25-second 40 yesterday and says, ``This is going to be exciting because we'll always have four receivers on the field.''

And will Sacca be standing up long enough to throw the ball? That could be a problem. Carroll wants to be a defensive lineman. He is 5-7 and weighs 190. Matt Conville from North Catholic is listed as a defensive lineman, and he is 5-11, 180.

Only seven of the 75 players yesterday were listed as offensive linemen. Sacca might be running for his life.

That's OK, Sacca says.

``I've played in front of the big crowds on Division I teams, and it boils down to I've done that and I don't want to do it anymore,'' he says. ``Now, here, I have a chance to build something.''

Familiar Foe For Explorers Coach La Salle's Bill Manlove Will Try To Beat Delaware Valley, The Football Team He Once Guided.

Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20150924030143/http://articles.philly.com/1997-09-27/sports/25552433_1_matt-altieri-quarterback-joey-shenko-glen-leonard

By Joe Juliano, INQUIRER STAFF WRITER

Posted: September 27, 1997

The Manlove household in Doylestown has passed the time leading up to today's football game between La Salle and Delaware Valley by employing some cloak-and-dagger tactics.

Bill Manlove coached at Delaware Valley for four years and now is the head football coach at La Salle. Edna Manlove, his wife, is the secretary to the football coaching staff at Delaware Valley.

``I've been trying hard to get the game plan,'' joked Manlove, who is in his 28th season as a head coach. ``I put the trash out, and that didn't help. I made the bed, and that didn't help. I don't know what else to do.''

Said Aggies coach Glen Leonard: ``I know Bill doesn't sleep too much, but the little bit that he does sleep, we want to see if he gives away any of his secrets.''

While Manlove and Leonard are having fun with the situation, each team certainly could use a victory in the McCarthy Stadium contest.

The Division I-AA Explorers, in their first year of football after a 56-year absence, are coming off a 42-20 loss at Monmouth that was more one-sided than the final score indicates. The Hawks piled up 627 yards and 32 first downs while holding La Salle to 24 rushing yards.

If there was any good news for La Salle coming out of last week, it was that quarterback Ralph Sacca did not break a finger on his right (non-throwing) hand. Manlove said Sacca's finger was severely sprained, and that he would be ready to go today.

However, Terrence Zaahir, the team's leading rusher, still is hobbling with a strained knee and remains questionable for the game.

Delaware Valley, of Division III, won its first game since Leonard became head coach last week, defeating Salisbury State, 14-12.

Quarterback Joey Shenko threw touchdown passes of 37 yards to Matt Soncini and 25 yards to Matt Altieri for first-half touchdowns, and the Delaware Valley defense made the lead stand up.

Soncini, who has caught seven passes for 139 yards, has scored three of the Aggies' four touchdowns. He also is a dangerous return man, averaging more than 30 yards per kickoff return.

``We're really looking forward to a great battle,'' Leonard said. ``Coach [Manlove] is a great guy and a great person to have in this profession. I'm really looking forward to going up against him and his football team.''

La Salle Is Handed 43-0 Defeat By Del Val

Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20150922131538/http://articles.philly.com/1997-09-28/sports/25551696_1_matt-altieri-explorers-aggies

By Jeffrey McLane, FOR THE INQUIRER

Posted: September 28, 1997

Looking every bit a first-year football team, La Salle was clobbered by Delaware Valley, 43-0, yesterday before 3,464 somber fans at McCarthy Stadium.

Delaware Valley (2-1) flexed its muscle and imposed its size on the Explorers. It also flashed its speed and balance in winning a second consecutive game for the first time since 1995, when it was coached by Bill Manlove, who now coaches La Salle.

The Explorers (1-3) managed only one first down and 7 yards of total offense in the first half.

Sluggish on their first possession, the Explorers settled for a punt from their 13, only to see the snap sail over punter Tom McKenna's head and out of the end zone for a safety.

It only got worse for La Salle.

Sophomore quarterback Joey Shenko blistered the Explorers from all angles with precision passing and heady play in the first half. The Father Judge graduate directed two 72-yard drives, finishing them with touchdown passes of 27 and 2 yards to wide receiver Matt Altieri.

Passing and running the ball with equal efficiency, the Aggies rolled to a 22-0 halftime lead.

As it lost touch with the Aggies, La Salle proved equally inept at throwing and running the ball, at tackling and at defending against the pass. In the end, Delaware Valley amassed 469 total yards to 68 for the Explorers.

La Salle quarterback Ralph Sacca, who had a sprained finger on his right (non-throwing) hand, never produced any kind of threat, and he was pulled for the second half in favor of freshman Mike Bramowski.

Whatever chance the Explorers had of mounting a comeback all but vanished on their first possession of the second half, when tailback Terrence Zaahir was stuffed for a loss on fourth and one from the Delaware Valley 43.

La Salle Routed Again, By Central Connecticut

Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20151221185449/http://articles.philly.com/1997-10-26/sports/25537215_1_central-connecticut-receiver-keith-toolan

By Jeffrey McLane, FOR THE INQUIRER

Posted: October 26, 1997

Who says your quarterback can't be your team's leading receiver? Certainly not La Salle, a squad looking to shake up what has been for the most part a forgettable first season.

Often using two quarterbacks on the field at the same time, La Salle and its much maligned offense lost quite convincingly to Central Connecticut yesterday, 55-14.

A crowd of 3,624, including many alumni back for homecoming, witnessed what has now become the lone offensive weapon for the Explorers (1-6). It featured four players stacked on the left sideline including either quarterback, Ralph Sacca or Mike Bramowski, with a fifth receiver on the right. Several plays have one quarterback under center lateraling the ball to the other, leaving the second quarterback with an option to run or pass. Sometimes even finding his own quarterback playing receiver upfield.

On one such occasion, Bramowski found Sacca 35 yards downfield on what proved to be La Salle's only offensive score of the game.

Unfortunately for the Explorers, Central Connecticut relied on a more conventional offense. In breathtaking display, the Blue Devils ran up 619 total yards, 324 of them coming from tailback Stan House. The senior finished the day with 263 yards on the ground, a new school record, adding five touchdowns, three coming on screen passes from quarterback Keith Toolan.

Zaahir, Bramowski Honored For Football Exploits At La Salle

Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20150921164158/http://articles.philly.com/1998-01-29/sports/25748198_1_explorers-norristown-resident-graduate

By Beth Onufrak, INQUIRER CORRESPONDENT

Posted: January 29, 1998

Terrence Zaahir and Mike Bramowski recently were named co-winners of the La Salle University football team's Offensive Backfield Award. The Explorers finished the season, their first since 1941, with a 1-8 record.

A sophomore from Cheltenham, Zaahir led the Explorers in rushing with 468 yards on 109 carries and scored two touchdowns. He also caught 15 passes for 121 yards.

``He has a tremendous heart and desire,'' coach Bill Manlove said. ``He carried our running game this season. With an experienced offensive line, he could have been even better.''

Bramowski, a graduate of Plymouth-Whitemarsh, shared time at quarterback with Ralph Sacca and played some at wide receiver. He completed 63 of 142 passes for 745 yards and five touchdowns. He also rushed for two touchdowns and caught a pass for 13 yards.

``He's one of those tough, hard-nosed football players,'' Manlove said. ``Mike has the ability to run, pass and catch. He's very talented, a winner and only a freshman.''

BASKETBALL BITS * June Stambaugh, the first Hatboro-Horsham girl to score 1,000 career points, was inducted into the Big Five Hall of Fame on Saturday in ceremonies at the Palestra.

Stambaugh was a three-time all-Ivy League player at Penn and earned first-team all-Big Five honors as a senior in 1985-86.

She scored 1,017 points as a Hatter and 1,049 points in 100 games with the Quakers.

* Another Hatboro-Horsham graduate, Tricia Rudis, was named to the ECAC/Amerisuites Honor Roll for women's basketball on Jan. 10. The senior forward for Lebanon Valley averaged 18.5 points, 6 rebounds, 2.5 steals and 2 assists in games the week of Jan. 4.

Archbishop Wood's Kathy Ziga scored 17 points while Rudis contributed 12 points and 10 rebounds as the Dutchmen beat Elizabethtown by 84-80 on Jan. 14.

* Anthony Bumbry, a Norristown resident who attended Malvern Prep, was named men's basketball player of the week on Jan. 18 in the Middle Atlantic States Collegiate Athletic Conference Commonwealth League. A freshman forward at Albright, he averaged 21 points, 7 rebounds, 3.5 blocks shots and 3 steals in two games the week of Jan. 11.

WATER WORLD * Hatboro-Horsham's Dana Harrar has started her collegiate career strong. The Johns Hopkins freshman has reached the NCAA ``B'' qualifying time in the 50-yard freestyle and 100-yard freestyle. In a 123-112 loss to Navy on Jan. 14, she won the 50 in 25.35 seconds.

* Jason Sohn, a Council Rock graduate, won the 1,000-yard freestyle for West Chester University in 10 minutes, 23.4 seconds in a 139-101 win over Rowan on Jan. 14. The senior also swam on the winning 4x100-yard freestyle relay team, which finished in 3:12.83.

Classmate Andrew Bradley, from Bensalem, won the 1-meter dive with 300.60 points and the 3-meter event with 258.35 for the Rams in that meet.

* Junior Elizabeth Thoryk was named athlete of the week at Kutztown on Jan. 20 after leading the swim team to three victories. The Norristown graduate had a season-best times in winning the 200-yard butterfly in 2:21.59 and the 50-yard freestyle in 24.77 seconds as the Bears beat Shippensburg by 125-79 on Jan. 12.

Thoryk improved her butterfly time again in a 58-36 win over Lock Haven on Jan. 17, winning in 2:21.42.

* Abington's Meredith Bathgate helped the Washington College women's team claim two wins last week in dual meets. The senior cocaptain contributed to a season-best time of 3:54.67 for the winning 4x100-yard freestyle relay in a 113-92 victory over Elizabethtown on Jan. 20. She also won the 50-yard freestyle in 26.84.

In a 125-78 victory over St. Mary's College on Friday, she won the 200-yard individual medley in 2:17.67 and the 200-yard breaststroke in 2:34.96.

Shorewomen junior Katie Warwick had a season-best time of 2:48.15 in finishing sixth in the 200-yard butterfly against Elizabethtown. Warwick is a Flourtown resident who attended Springside.

MAT MATTERS * Ken Pyle, a Neshaminy graduate, is wrestling heavyweight as a sophomore for York College. His pin in 1:22 provided the margin of victory Jan. 17 as the Spartans beat Baldwin-Wallace, 24-18. He capped a 35-12 win over Scranton on Jan. 10 by pinning his opponent in 3:39. He also won by pin, in 1:02, in a 25-18 loss to Heidelberg, also on Jan. 17.

* Methacton's Rocky Pagnotta finished fourth in the heavyweight division at the Virginia Division I State Tournament, held Jan. 16-17 at James Madison. Pagnotta is a James Madison sophomore.

To submit items to ``Sports People,'' send information to Beth Onufrak, The Inquirer Neighbors, 1100 E. Hector St., Suite 100, Conshohocken, Pa. 19428.

Hawkins And Pierce Lead Ursinus

Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20150922185950/http://articles.philly.com/1998-04-03/sports/25765151_1_ursinus-college-field-hockey-megan-larkin

By Rob Quinn, FOR THE INQUIRER

Posted: April 03, 1998

The Ursinus baseball team has continued its stellar play this season, running its record to 13-5 with wins in the last 10 games.

The offensive assault in its most recent victory - a 22-4 win over Muhlenberg - was led by two players from Upper Perkiomen High. Junior first baseman Dave Pierce was 3 for 4 with four RBIs and three runs scored to lead the Bears' 23-hit attack; junior infielder Andy Hawkins was 3 for 3 with three RBIs and three runs scored.

In addition, senior Ben Mills, an outfielder and catcher from Garnet Valley, was 2 for 3 with three RBIs.

The win improved the Bears to 3-0 in the Centennial Conference and was the Bears' fifth straight, including three wins last weekend.

Ursinus spoiled Elizabethtown's home opener Monday with a 7-1 win. Cardinal O'Hara's Jeff DeSimone, a senior shortstop and outfielder, was 3 for 5 with an RBI to lead the offense.

On Saturday, the Bears opened conference play with a doubleheader sweep at Gettysburg. Ursinus won the first game, 8-4. Senior pitcher Nate Smiley scattered nine hits and struck out eight in six innings to earn the win. Junior Donny Asper, a catcher and outfielder, smacked a three-run triple in the top of the seventh, giving Ursinus a four-run cushion. Hawkins, Mills and senior Dirk Cleveland each had two hits.

Ursinus held on to win the second game, 10-9, despite giving up four runs in the seventh. Gettysburg had the winning run in scoring position when junior second baseman Mike Romello made a diving catch and throw to end the game.

Ursinus scored three runs in both the first and third innings, and four in the sixth to take a 10-4 lead. Sophomore Craig Jones went 2 for 2 at the plate, while Hawkins, Mills and Cleveland had two RBIs each. Hawkins homered in the sixth.

Fords name coaches. Haverford College named head coaches in three sports this week. Ursinus graduate Anne Livezey will coach field hockey and women's lacrosse, while HC grad Amy Taylor will coach women's basketball. Both were promoted from interim status.

Livezey, who played field hockey and lacrosse at Philadelphia's Springside School and Ursinus College, had coaching stints at her alma mater, Franklin and Marshall and West Chester before going to Haverford as an assistant coach two years ago. She has led the Fords to improved records in both field hockey (4-14) and women's lacrosse (4-1) this year.

ECAC all-star. Ursinus senior forward Megan Larkin of Gettysburg was named to the women's basketball ECAC Division III South All-Star Third Team.

Larkin, the fifth Ursinus woman to score 1,000 career points, averaged 14.8 points, 9.2 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 2.8 steals per game this season. She ended her career with 1,326 career points, third on the all-time Ursinus women's scoring list, and second in career rebounds (932), 34 shy of the record.

Player of the week. Cabrini senior tennis player Dan Dotsey, a graduate of Archbishop Carroll, was named Pennsylvania Athletic Conference player of the week. In Cabrini's 7-2 win over Widener, he posted first singles and doubles victories. After missing all of last season because of illness, Dotsey has a team-best 5-2 record.

In Softball, Andros' .359 Tops La Salle

Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20151222140647/http://articles.philly.com/1998-04-15/sports/25764215_1_sophomore-infielder-devils-freshman-righthander

By Beth Onufrak, INQUIRER CORRESPONDENT

Posted: April 15, 1998

Meghan Andros, a Holy Spirit graduate, is the leading hitter on the La Salle softball team. The senior leftfielder, a lefthanded hitter, was averaging .359 through 33 games.

During that time, Andros led the Explorers (13-20) in runs with 18, hits with 33, and stolen bases with four. She had batted first or second in the order all season.

``She consistently gets on base,'' coach Ray Perri said. ``She's a good hitter. We have her batting No. 2 now because she can bunt and has good speed.''

Cherokee's Debbie Klawiter, a sophomore righthander, was 4-1 with a 1.65 earned run average and 91 strikeouts in 114 innings.

Seeing limited action for La Salle has been Buena's Jackie Bernard. The sophomore infielder, a walk-on, appeared in nine of the first 33 games and went 4 for 10 at the plate.

Among the top hitters for La Salle's baseball team (6-20) is West Deptford's Kevin Wittmeyer. The sophomore catcher started 24 of the first 26 games and hit .292.

The Explorers' pitching staff has struggled, posting an ERA of 10.03. Woodbury's Damian Derico was 1-3 in the first 26 games, appearing in 10 and starting eight. Delran's Ralph Sacca, a junior lefthander, appeared in seven games, starting one, but had no decisions. Joe Eliasen, a sophomore righthander from Gloucester Catholic, and Ron England, a junior righthander from Haddon Township, each pitched in five games but had no decisions.

Eliasen, who also plays infield, appeared in 23 of the first 26 games and was batting .233.

GYMNASTICS STANDOUT * Chris Camiscioli will lead the Iowa men's gymnastics team in its pursuit of the NCAA national title this weekend at Penn State.

The senior captain, a Haddonfield resident who attended Pocono Mountain High, earned all-American status as a sophomore and as a junior in the rings. Last season, he was fourth at the national championships in that event with a score of 9.787. He was sixth as a sophomore with a score of 9.700.

Camiscioli helped the Hawkeyes take third as a team at the East Regional competition at Massachusetts on April 4. He was eighth in the rings at that event with a score of 9.675.

Last season, he earned the team's Holzaepfel Most Valuable Gymnast Award.

CAPTAIN LITSKY * Cherokee's Ed Litsky is a captain on the Fairleigh Dickinson-Madison baseball team. The junior outfielder leads the Devils (8-12-1) in virtually every offensive category.

He started the first 21 games and led the Devils in at-bats with 77 and average at .455. He was second in runs scored with 21, first in hits with 35 and first in RBIs with 20. He was second in slugging percentage at .649 and second on the team in steals, reaching safely on eight of 12 attempts.

Litsky was also perfect in the field, going errorless while making 43 putouts.

Andrew Weinberg, a freshman righthander from Cherry Hill West, saw time as a relief pitcher in two of those first 21 games, but did not earn a decision.

MORE BASEBALL BITS * Sean Carey had a team-leading .439 average for Allentown College (15-8-1). The Bishop Eustace graduate was among the team leaders in virtually every offensive category, including first in walks with 17. A lefthanded junior, Carey plays outfield.

* Haddonfield's Jeffrey Derham has played in seven games as a reserve infielder for Dartmouth (14-8). The sophomore, who bats lefthanded, was hitting .167.

LACROSSE NEWS * Dana Makowski and Christine Hughes started the first six games for the Susquehanna women's lacrosse team (6-0). A sophomore attack from Cinnaminson, Makowski had 13 goals and a team-high six assists, while Hughes, a junior defender from Clearview, had one goal.

To submit items to ``Sports People,'' send information to Beth Onufrak, The Inquirer, 1100 E. Hector St., Suite 100, Conshohocken, Pa. 19428.

Pair Helping Put Punch In 'Nova Attack Hammonton's Matt Longo And Cinnaminson's Tom Shank Are Starring On The College Diamond.

Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20150922075818/http://articles.philly.com/1998-04-29/sports/25764692_1_villanova-wildcats-offensive-category

By Beth Onufrak, INQUIRER CORRESPONDENT

Posted: April 29, 1998

Hammonton's Matt Longo has made an immediate impact on the Villanova baseball team as a freshman, while Cinnaminson's Tom Shank is in his fourth season as a contributor for the Wildcats.

Longo, who is starting at third base, led the Wildcats in batting through 43 games with a .405 average. As of Sunday, that was ninth best in the Big East. Long was fifth in the conference in total bases with 115.

Among the leaders for Villanova (24-18-1) in nearly every offensive category, Longo was 7 for 7 in stolen bases and was No. 1 in doubles (17) and slugging percentage (.728). He started 40 of the first 43 games and came off the bench in the other three.

Shank, a second baseman and cocaptain, is third among the regulars in batting at .333. After starting all but one game, he was second on the team in at-bats with 162.

``Tom has had a very nice career here at Villanova,'' coach George Bennett said. ``Over the past couple of years, he has been one of our best hitters in clutch situations.''

In the Liberty Bell Classic at Veterans Stadium, Shank earned tournament MVP honors as he led the Wildcats to their first title. In three games, he hit .583 while contributing 10 RBIs, four runs scored, two doubles, and a home run.

The Wildcats had lost three consecutive Liberty Bell title games to Delaware, but Shank helped end that streak in a 10-6 win April 16, going 2 for 4 with three RBIs and a run scored. He got credit for the winning RBI when, with the bases loaded in the bottom of the eighth inning and the score 6-6, he was hit by a pitch.

Shank stepped into the starting lineup last season, seeing action at second base and as a designated hitter. His .358 average was second on the team.

MORE BASEBALL * Delran graduate Mike Romello, a senior second baseman for Ursinus, was named to the Centennial Conference honor roll Monday after hitting .455 the week of April 20-26. He scored nine runs and drove in three.

* Edgewood's Michael Macrie is a junior outfielder for Cornell (15-15-1). He appeared in 22 games and hit .303 while going 7 for 9 on stolen-base attempts.

Jeff Miller, a freshman righthander from Moorestown, appeared in seven games for Cornell as a relief pitcher but had no decisions.

SOFTBALL SHORTS * Shawnee's Debbie DeJong, a sophomore infielder for Rutgers, is batting .613 against Big East pitchers and .343 overall. Starting the first 42 games, she was among the team leaders in virtually every offensive category and was No. 1 with 32 RBIs and seven triples.

DeJong helped Rutgers (24-18 overall, 5-4 league) win the consolation game of the Hudson Hokie Softball Classic at Virginia Tech, hitting .588 for the tournament with seven runs scored and 14 RBIs. She collected two home runs, a triple and three doubles.

Millville graduate Koren Melfi also started the first 42 games for the Knights. The senior third baseman hit .270 and was 7 for 10 on stolen-bases attempts. In nine Big East games, she hit .308.

* Eastern's Jodi Devine started the first 42 games for Drexel. The sophomore first baseman hit .292 and was second on the team in RBIs (15) and doubles (eight).

Jennifer Hulme, a freshman outfielder from Holy Cross, and Kelly Durand, a sophomore third baseman from Sacred Heart, saw limited action. Both were used primarily for defensive purposes.

MISCELLANY * Bishop Eustace's Amanda Eltringham, a Bloomsburg freshman, was third in the 3,000 meters at the Millersville Invitational on Saturday in 10 minutes, 54.73 seconds.

Freshman Joe Deserderio, a Glassboro resident who attended Salesianum in Wilmington, scored a pair of goals for the Cabrini men's lacrosse team in a 10-8 win over Montclair State on April 20.

To submit items to ``Sports People,'' send information to Beth Onufrak, The Inquirer, 1100 E. Hector St., Suite 100, Conshohocken, Pa. 19428.

Athletics And Academics Unite, Make Gallagher An All-american

Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20151018123733/http://articles.philly.com/1998-06-26/sports/25730892_1_athletes-field-coaches-association-ic4a

By Beth Onufrak, INQUIRER CORRESPONDENT

Posted: June 26, 1998

Brian Gallagher is one of the most decorated track athletes in La Salle University history.

The Sterling graduate recently was named an all-American by the National Track and Field Coaches Association of America and was recognized as a GTE/COSIDA Academic all-American, while also earning 1997-98 Atlantic Ten male scholar-athlete-of-the-year honors.

The last all-American male track athlete for La Salle was John Uelses, who won the NCAA championship in the pole vault in 1964.

A postgraduate student at La Salle, Gallagher won the Atlantic Ten Conference and IC4A outdoor titles in the 1,500 meter run and qualified for the NCAA meet.

Holding a dual major in psychology and Spanish, Gallagher has a 4.0 grade point average. He was named to the academic all-American spring at-large team, which includes athletes in track, tennis, and other sports.

He was the first Explorer ever to run a sub-four-minute mile at 3 minutes, 59.91 seconds in the Valentine's Invitational at Boston University.

MORE FROM LA SALLE * Glassboro High graduate Carla Camino recently was named head softball coach at La Salle University.

``I'm excited by the new challenge of being a head coach at a Division I school in such a strong conference as the Atlantic Ten,'' Camino said. ``My commitment to the balance between academics and athletics will always be a priority.''

Camino had been an assistant coach at Drexel University since her graduation from Rutgers in 1993. As a senior for the Knights she batted .487, finishing fourth among NCAA Division I batters that season.

She set career records for batting average at .368, 233 hits, 38 doubles, 16 triples , 84 RBIs and 50 stolen bases. She was a four-time all-Atlantic Ten selection and made the conference all-tournament team in 1992 and 1993.

CREW CHATTER * Audubon's Jennifer Wesson and Holy Cross High's Terry Schmidt, both seniors, were members of the Rutgers women's crew varsity-four boat that qualified for the NCAA championships May 29-June 1 in Gainsville, Ga. The Scarlet Knights failed to place at the NCAA meet but had some big victories during the regular season, including a win at the Eastern Spring Championships held in Connecticut in May.

* Dan Joffe, a Delran graduate, recently ended his rowing career at Johns Hopkins University. He served as a team captain this spring and helped the school's lightweight four make the finals at the Dad Vail Regatta.

SOFTBALL SHORT * Camden Catholic's Andi Johnson earned all-Pennsylvania Athletic Conference academic honors as a softball player for College Misericordia.

A senior physical therapy major, she played all 41 games for the Cougars (30-12) and hit .361. She ranked No. 21 in the nation among NCAA Division III players in the toughest-strikeout category with just one strikeout in 108 at-bats.

To be eligible for the all-Academic teams, student-athletes need a mininum grade point average of 3.20.

TRACK TALK * Pennsgrove's Victor Mallory was sixth in the high jump at the IC4A track meet hosted by George Mason in May with an effort of 6 feet, 10 1/4 inches. A junior at Rutgers, he won that event at the Big East championships hosted by Villanova in May with a leap of 7-0 1/4.

* Art Dreher, a junior from Edgewood, was seventh at the Big East meet in the shot put with a throw of 49 feet, 8 1/2 inches.

Kingsway graduate Celeste Battle, a senior on the Rutgers women's team, was second in the hammer throw at the Big East meet with a throw of 175 feet, 9 inches and took third at the ECAC meet, hosted by George Mason in May, with a throw of 173 feet, 3 inches.

* At the Patriot League track championships hosted by Holy Cross in May, Camden's Medinah Salaam, a junior at Lafayette College, finished seventh with a time of 13.07 in the 100-meter dash.

AT LYNCHBURG * Jen Magee, a Holy Spirit graduate, started 33 games as a freshman infielder for the Lynchburg College softball team. Playing first and third base, Magee hit .309 for the Hornets (21-17) and led the team in walks with 14.

Starting 14 games as a freshman attacker on the Lynchburg women's lacrosse team was Pennsauken's Melissa Caruso. She was fourth in scoring for the Hornets (4-11) with 17 goals and five assists.

Area Duo Stand Out For Shenandoah

Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20150919183557/http://articles.philly.com/1998-07-03/sports/25737537_1_league-honors-paul-vi-hornets

By Beth Onufrak, INQUIRER CORRESPONDENT

Posted: July 03, 1998

Mike Dlug and Bob Buchanan were big hitters this spring for the Shenandoah University baseball team.

A senior outfielder from Delran, Dlug hit .377. He appeared in all 44 games for the Hornets (22-22) of Winchester, Va., and had a team-high 175 at-bats. He also led the squad with 66 hits and was second with 52 runs scored and 46 RBIs. He had a team-high 16 doubles and belted six home runs.

A freshman from Shawnee, Buchanan appeared in 37 games, starting 32, and hit .352. He was second on the team with seven home runs, blasting two in a game against Apprentice. As a lefthanded pitcher, Buchanan had a 1-1 record. He appeared in seven games, starting two.

* Cinnaminson's Tony Ryan was a sophomore on the Shenandoah men's tennis team. He was 1-5 at singles for the Hornets and 1-5 at doubles.

MORE BASEBALL * Ocean City High's Bill Lawton had a 1-7 record as a junior pitcher for Wofford College. A righthander, he appeared in 12 games, starting seven and pitching two complete games. He transferred to the South Carolina school after playing for Gloucester County Community College.

TRACK TALK * Pat Nocito and Karl Savage each posted third-place finishes at the Atlantic Ten track championships hosted by Virginia Tech in May. The two also joined with John Williams, a junior from Paul VI, to help St. Joseph's University take second in the 4x800-meter relay in 7 minutes, 30.70 seconds.

A captain for the Hawks and a senior from Vineland, Nocito was third in the 800 in 1:52.31. A freshman from Eastern High, Savage was third in the 1,500 in 3:57.28.

Geoff Valentine, a freshman from Williamstown, was a member of the Hawks' 4x400 relay team that took second in 3:10.70.

* Shawnee's Tim Sommers placed in two field events at the America East Conference outdoor championships held in May. A sophomore at Maine, he was sixth in the discus with a throw of 129 feet, 2 inches and seventh in the shot put with an effort of 44-4 1/4.

* Mike Harte, a freshman at Maryland-Baltimore County, was second in both the shot put and javelin at the Big South outdoor championships. A graduate of Bishop Eustace, Harte won the league indoor title in the shot put.

LACROSSE NEWS * Haddonfield's Rachel Hess was a freshman midfielder on the Hood College women's lacrosse team (6-11) in Frederick, Md.

* Sean Mahon, a Medford resident, earned first team all-Catholic League honors playing boys' lacrosse this spring as a senior at St. Joseph's Prep in Philadelphia. The Hawk were 11-8 overall and 8-2 in league play.

ACADEMIC HONORS * Kelly Reynolds recently was named to the Division III Cross-Country Coaches Association national all-Academic team. A former Paul VI standout, she recently graduated from Dickinson College, where she earned Centennial Conference Runner of the Year honors as a senior. She carried a 3.40 grade point average as a Policy Studies major.

SOFTBALL SHORT * Lisa Pepe, an Eastern High graduate, recently earned first-team all-Pennsylvania Athletic Conference honors as a first baseman for the Beaver College softball team.

COLLEGE COMMITMENT * Justin Barbara, a linebacker at Holy Cross High who will be a senior this fall, has made an oral football commitment to attend East Carolina.

Barbara visited the school with teammate Jesse Sullivan, also a senior linebacker. According to Holy Cross coach Tom Maderia, Sullivan was also offered a scholarship by East Carolina but hasn't made a commitment.

Inquirer correspondent Marc Narducci contributed to this article.

To submit items to ``Sports People,'' send information to Beth Onufrak, The Inquirer, 1100 E. Hector St., Suite 100, Conshohocken, Pa. 19428.

Room To Be Cool Dorm Decor Whether Cheaply Chic Or A Big-budget Redo, Home-away-from-home Needs To Be Fun

Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20150923182138/http://articles.philly.com/1999-08-20/news/25483959_1_dorm-roommate-decor

by Ayanna K. McPhail, Daily News Staff Writer

Posted: August 20, 1999

If you're tired of having your dorm room mistaken for a prison cell, read on.

One of the best suggestions: Try to furnish it for free.

Some college students aren't only smart when it comes to their studies - their tight budgets force them to come up with innovative ideas to decorate their dorm rooms.

"The best thing is to go through your mother's house and just find things that she's not using," Kristy Hills said as she pointed out several items she managed to spirit away from her home West Springfield, in Erie County.

The Drexel University junior dug up a 27-year-old beanbag chair she covers with a blanket, a large leaning pillow her mother used in college and an Oriental rug her family had stored away. Her mother also made matching blue curtains that add color to the room and cover the windows.

Aside from electronics - alarm clock, computer, telephone, refrigerator, television and VCR - "I spent about $100, tops," said Hills, who is an international area studies major.

(Though some students wait until they meet their roommate to see what she/he has in the way of electronics before buying these higher-ticket items, Hills suggests you enter this arrangement with caution. It usually works only if the roommates get along, she said.)

One thing she purchased was a snake light that conveniently wraps around bedposts or desktops. "There isn't a lot of lighting in the dorm, so you want to be able to move it around," she said.

Her roommate, Malia McAndrew, from Bradford, Pa., uses a shop lamp she bought at Sears for a few dollars. McAndrew spent under $100 on her room gear; half of that went toward a purple cloth with a printed design that covers a large portion of one wall. She spotted it at Urban Outfitters amid a lot of other "cool stuff for dorm rooms," such as candles, picture frames and glow-in-the-dark decals. The rest went for plastic storage bins, available at Wal-Mart for $9 to $13, depending on the size.

Her secret? Garage sales, her attic - and creativity. Instead of buying a typical tack message board, McAndrew used an old pegboard and hooks from a home-supply store and - voila! - she has a practical message board her roommates share that indicates if they are in or where they are if they are out.

"If you're buying things specifically catered for college students' dorm rooms, you're going to pay more," warns McAndrew, who has a double major in history and psychology.

Colorful clocks, lamps, CD racks, pencil trays and picture frames can pump up the "cool" quotient in your dorm room. But "look throughout the entire store, not just the section designated for `back to school,' " McAndrew advised.

If you've got more cash to spend, you could consider stores that specialize in home accessories, such as Bed Bath & Beyond, Target, Pier One, Wal-Mart and Lechter's.

We gave three employees from Bed Bath & Beyond free rein to decorate two dorm rooms at Drexel. They spent about $700, and the results were extraordinary, right down to the color-coordinated pencil holders. After about five hours, Stephanie Melillo, Karen Jesunas and Susan Branco transformed the cell-like spaces, at North Hall on Drexel's West Philadelphia campus, into a college student's paradise.

Before decorating, however, they moved the furniture around to maximize the space. "It's a matter of trying to make the most of a small space," noted Jesunas.

In one room, they made more room by transforming the two twin beds into a bunk set. Then they hid storage crates under the bed and hung decorative hooks on the walls to hang wet towels or bathrobes. In the other room, they pushed the furniture against the walls to open up the center space.

The decorators used bright purple and green colors for one room and mellow blue and gray for the other.

Personal touches included beaded curtains ($19.99), a lap desk ($9.99), storage blocks ($14.99), a reversible comforter ($29.99), a carryall shower tote ($4.99), a gooseneck lamp ($9.99) and a foot locker ($19.99), which can be used as a table as well.

They completed the rooms with plush comforters ($39.99 to $59.99) with matching sheets ($13.99 to $34.99) and large fluffy pillows ($9.99), a matching purple ottoman for visitors to sit on ($19.99), a practical magnetic/felt bulletin board ($19.99), a cordless blender ($49.99), a desk organizer ($19.99) and a chrome three-tier trolley ($19.99).

One warning from students who've been there: Whether you buy lavish dorm decorations or find bargain items, don't forget the size of the room.

Another tip: "Don't bring everything you own - you don't need it," said Dana Humbert, 20, a chemical engineering major at Drexel who's from Connellsville, in southwestern Pennsylvania.

"If you bring furniture, bring very little because the room is already supplied with furniture," said Antoinette Reid, 23, a resident program director at the University of Pennsylvania.

If furniture is a must, easy-to-transport butterfly chairs ($19.99, plus the cover, $14.99-$19.99 at Target) and inflatable furniture ($14.88-$39.88, also at Target) are ideal. They're fun, but easy to store if you have to make room, and easy to pack at the end of the year.

They are "a good idea for someone who actually has to pack up and move to another state," said Debra Fritz, home decorator consultant for Target.

Margaret Owens agrees. And after living in a dorm for four years, 15 miles away from her Mount Laurel, N.J., home, she should know.

"It's amazing all the stuff you get in a year," she said, reminiscing on her days at Clark Atlanta University in Georgia. Owens is now a manager-trainee at the Wal-Mart off Woodhaven Avenue in the Northeast.

She would have liked to reuse accessories from year to year, "but some things got tossed," she said. Large objects and items that are easily replaceable are hard to hold onto. Worn-out rugs, mirrors, posters, message boards, laundry baskets and hangers tend to get thrown out. It was impossible for Owens to stuff everything in her Saturn when the school year ended.

Some students admit that buying the basics is inevitable, but most agree that the warm, homey atmosphere is created by the special items unavailable in stores.

Pictures of friends and family, beloved stuffed animals and gifts from relatives are priceless, especially when away from home.

Said Penn's Reid: "It's not so much the things you go out and buy, it's the little things you bring from home that make you feel comfortable."

DORM ESSENTIALS * Alarm clock

* Sheets (sometimes extra-long) and comforter

* Mattress pad

* Pillows

* Towels

* Laundry bag or basket

* Shower caddy to hold and transport toiletries

* Shower shoes

* Bulletin board

* Under-the-bed storage

* Mirror for the door

* Electronics (computer, printer, microwave, radio, mini-refrigerator, phone)

* Iron and ironing board

* Rug

* Stacking bins

* Lamps

* Foot locker

* Surge protectors

* Extension cords

* Light bulbs (white or colored)

It's Greek - And More - For This Embroiderer

Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20150922034612/http://articles.philly.com/2000-08-06/news/25596129_1_sorority-campus-life-college-campus

By Lauren Mayk, INQUIRER SUBURBAN STAFF

Posted: August 06, 2000

DELRAN — You may have seen Darlene Newill's handiwork if you have been on a college campus in California recently.

Or at a wedding in New Jersey.

Or a medieval reenactment in Philadelphia.

Or halftime of a football game at Delran High School.

Newill is the founder and sole artisan of the businesses Greekroom and Bridal Specialties. She embroiders sweatshirts, banners, teddy bears, pillows, napkins and just about anything a sorority sister, fraternity brother or bride-to-be can dream up.

"I just tell them, I can make anything you want," said Newill, 52.

Her Greekroom business started about five years ago when her daughter, Koryn, was pledging a sorority during her sophomore year at East Carolina University in Greenville, N.C. Koryn wanted to buy an Alpha Phi T-shirt, but her mother had other ideas.

"I was, like, '$28 for a T-shirt?' So I said, 'Let's go home and see if I can make one,' " Newill said.

Next, she designed T-shirts for her daughter's sorority sisters, and the business took off from there. What was once son Max's bedroom became Greekroom headquarters in the Newill household.

Now Newill ships Greek accessories to campuses in about 30 states. She gets some of her campus clients through e-mails to Greek organizations, she said, but many of her orders come through word-of-mouth and her Web site, www.greekroom.com

The Web site for Bridal Specialties should be up and running in about a month, Newill said.

When Koryn's sorority sisters started getting married, Newill created Bridal Specialties to fill the new requests from some of the same people.

"It's a repeat business that way," she said.

But Newill waited until the Greekroom business was profitable enough to bankroll the purchase of embroidery equipment (including computer design programs) worth $3,000 to $4,000.

"I didn't want to go into debt with this business with two kids in college," she said.

Some of Newill's projects aren't related to campus life or bridal parties.

Upon request, she has made banners for high school sports events and costumed medieval reenactments.

Geri Jordan of Delran has called on Newill to embroider hats for her son's college friends in Springfield, Mass., and a fish-themed shower curtain for a family member's house at the Shore.

"Her wares have been well-traveled by us," Jordan said.

Jordan said she also uses Newill to help turn a plain purchase into a special gift.

"You can buy something more reasonable and then have her embroider it so it's more personal," said Jordan, who has asked Newill to decorate baskets and towels, among other items.

Newill is preparing to launch a third business in what she sees as the logical next step: babies.

She already embroiders bibs, clothing and blankets from her dining room work-space. She is searching for a name for the new business.

Local newborns can be bundled in a Newill original by the time they leave the hospital. Proud grandparents are usually generous and excited, she said, and they don't mind spending $60 on a personalized blanket. The wraps are embroidered with the baby's name, weight and anything else that can be sewn on in just a few hours, Newill said.

Lauren Mayk's e-mail address is lmayk@phillynews.com

Newill pitches Delran to RVL victory

Source: https://www.burlingtoncountytimes.com/article/20110608/NEWS/306089607

Posted: Jun 8, 2011

Max Newill had 12 strikeouts and permitted five hits in Delran's 9-1 triumph over Riverside in Rancocas Valley League baseball Tuesday. The run against Newill was unearned.

Dave Kittle was 2-for-2 and scored three runs. Mike DeLellis had two hits and batted in two runs as first-place Delran boosted its record to 8-2.

Willingboro 8, Pemberton 3: Ryan Derry struck out 13 in a five-hitter, and Brett McLaughlin had three hits and three RBIs for the winners.

Jared Turner and Jamie Schwantes added two hits each for Willingboro. John Perinelli had a home run and double for Pemberton.

Burlington 8, Cinnaminson 3: Jeff Vitale had three RBIs and Garrett Mull doubled twice in support of winning pitcher Carl Taylor. Cinnaminson received a two-run homer from Bob Diepold in the first inning.

Cinnaminson 13, Mount Laurel 0: Monday night, Diepold pitched the first five innings and Bob Osborne worked the sixth and final frame, combining on a four-hitter. Diepold had three hits and two RBIs, Dennis O'Hanlen had three hits, and Gary Herron had two hits and three RBIs.

LEGION BASEBALL

Sophomore: Robby Cox pitched a two-hit shutout, and helped his cause with two hits and two RBIs in Florence's 6-0 win over Cherry Hill. Isaiah Hall also had two hits and scored a run.

RIVERTON BASKETBALL

6th grade-under boys: Andrew Tucker tallied eight points for McDonough Plumbing in a 23-12 win over Resurrection (Chris Francis, 4).

6th-under girls: Megan Waninger's six points helped Cinn City to a 14-4 win over Michaels Development (Stephanie Lesko, 2).

Kendall Heyes scored eight points, helping Sacred Heart of Riverton to a 26-24 double overtime win over the Rock Solid Riverside Rams (Liz Ford, 14).

7th-8th boys: Mike Allibone had 10 points for John Meiluta Carpet Service in a 37-19 triumph over the Mount Laurel Panthers (Nick Jackson, 6).

Max Smyth scored 13 points for Welcome Mortgage in a 54-37 win over Sacred Heart of Riverton (Gold). Chris Stewart scored six for Gold. Sacred Heart Riverton (Maroon) received 13 points from Richard Rickus in a 32-31 decision over Polar Shredding (Jay Hamilton, 6).

Eric Sobocinski scored 20 for the Duke Blue Devils in a 68-48 win over Georgetti's Pasta and Sauce (Conner Reilly, 7).

7th-8th girls: Stephanie Figueroa scored 10 for Wee Kids ELC in a 38-24 decision over Showcase Graphics/Terri Cucinotta Remax Infinity (Gianna Horsley, 8).

Zange Rucci's five helped Prestige Building to an 18-12 win over Damage Cleanup Crew & Construction (Zaniyah Lewis, 7).

Sam Andrews tallied 10 for Techno Pest Management in a 28-11 win over Sacred Heart of Riverton (Kate Shover, 4).

RIFLE

New Jersey State Service Championship: Carol Boyd of Delanco fired a 771-17X/800 to finish as the high junior and was overall runner-up by one point. Stephen Voros of Medford fired a 700-11 and Michael Kemner of Cherry Hill fired a 681-3X.

Boyd, who attends the Naval Academy, and Kemner are members of the Delran Junior Marksman organization. Voros is a member of the Central Jersey RPC.

All three will be attending the national matches in July as members of the New Jersey Junior Service Rifle Team. The match consists of 80 shots fired from 200, 300 and 600 yards with iron sights.

GOLF

JustGolf Tournament: Ken Metzger and Nick Russo of Pitman Golf Club combined for a 72 at Willow Brook Country Club, under the Stableford system, to win the inaugural tournament conducted by the JustGolf association.

Kirby Carter and Jack Sharkey (Springfield) placed second with a 71. Ron Amey and Al Buksar (RiverWinds) finished third with a 69. The Fountain Green duo of John Huda and Ed Walsh placed fourth with a 66.

Phil Chappine can be reached at 609-871-8070 or pchappine@phillyBurbs.com

Cinnaminson routs Willingboro in RVL

Source: https://www.burlingtoncountytimes.com/article/20110622/NEWS/306229642

Posted: Jun 22, 2011

Tyler Powell and Mike Osborne went 3-for-4 as Cinnaminson routed Willingboro 10-1 in a Rancocas Valley League baseball game on Tuesday.

Mike Wasko had two hits, including a double, for Cinnaminson. Nick Melchiorre was the winning pitcher. He struck out 10 in six innings of work.

Delran 9, Burlington 0: Kyle Ballay had three hits, including two triples, and Mike Delellis crushed a three-run home run to lead Delran. Max Newill was the winning pitcher. Shaun Babula, Sean Gusrang and Jeff Vitale had two hits each in the losing effort.

DELAWARE VALLEY BASEBALL

Bellmawr 6, Maple Shade 5: Maple Shade lost the back end of a home and home series with Bellmawr. Mike Byrnes, Tyler Bayley and Matt Klish of Maple Shade each had two hits.

RIVERTON BASKETBALL

6th-under girls: Angela Oliveira had 14 points for Sacred Heart Riverton in a 14-2 victory over Stout and Caldwell Engineers. Caroline Bailey had two points in the losing effort.

Maddie Ogden scored six points for Cinn City in a 21-8 win over Michaels Development Company, which received two points from Jaden Shontz.

7th- 8th grade girls: Hannah Kroberger tallied four points for Techno Pest Management in a 26-14 defeat over Showcase Graphics/Terri Cucinotta Remax Infinity (Christina Cucinotta, 2).

7th-8th grade boys: Wilson Seville had eight points for John Meiluta Carpet Service in a 42-23 win over Welcome Mortgage Corporation, which received four points from Tyler Richmond.

Delran: Win over Mets’ ace ‘just one game’

Source: https://www.burlingtoncountytimes.com/article/20110627/NEWS/306279790

By Bruce Johnson

Posted: Jun 27, 2011

RVL Notebook

The Delran bats were on fire last Tuesday at Life Center Field, lighting up nemesis Shaun Babula of the Burlington Mets for 18 hits in a 9-0 victory.

"It's just one game," Delran player-coach Rocky Petrone said. "The thing with Shaun is, he's such a good pitcher and he's such a competitor . . . you know he's gonna get you back. It's nice to get a win against him, since he's pretty much owned us lately.

"But we know he's gonna come back. This game was just fuel for his fire."

Ironically, the winning pitcher last Tuesday was Max Newill, who had been on the losing end of a 12-0 game against Babula and the Mets last July. "Two of the most competitive pitchers around, but also with a lot of respect for each other," Petrone said.

A year ago, Babula was 4-0 against Delran during the regular season, with four complete games (26 innings; one five-inning win) and allowing just 11 total hits and one unearned run. In the playoffs, he was 2-0 against Delran, allowing a three-run home run to Mike Delellis (who also had a three-run HR last Tuesday) and then throwing 14 blanks in the other innings. For the entire 2010 season against Delran, Babula's line was: 42 innings, 26 hits, 3 earned runs, 9 walks, 38 strikeouts and an 0.50 ERA.

Kyle Ballay started things for Delran last Tuesday with a triple on an 0-2 pitch, opening the flood gates. Ballay finished with a double and two triples, Delellis added a double and four RBIs, while lefty Ryan McFadden chipped in with three hits. Eight of Delran's nine batters joined in the fun.

"I can't remember being hit like that, consistently through the game, since high school," Babula said. "I guess they were due against me."

Memory lane

Getting back to Herb Anderson and his 21-strikeout game back in 1948 (see story on C1). It came in Chatsworth's 4-1 victory over visiting Vincentown.

The 6-foot-4, 240-pound right-hander had spent several years in the minor league system of the Washington Senators during the Second World War. When he was demoted in 1945, he decided it was time to come back home, get a real job and pitch in the county league. His 21 k's broke the old county league record of 19 set by Harold Vansciver, Al Diffenbaugh and Len Baker.

And the Vincentown lineup he faced that day was pretty good:

Mutt Worrell cf; Al Netzer p; Howard Scott 2b; Ed Haines 3b; Bill Netzer lf; Warren Harris rf; John Githens 1b; Hen Moore ss; Ken Nixon c

Bill Haines lf and Bob Taylor ss each entered the game midway through and got two at-bats.

Anderson was touched for eight hits, but helped his cause with a two-run first-inning homer. Losing pitcher Netzer struck out five times.

Transactions

Mount Laurel made a nice pickup last week in Jeff McGarry. The recent Lenape graduate hit .500 with 33 RBIs and eight home runs and was 7-3 as a pitcher, earning first team all-county honors.

Willingboro dropped pitcher Dave Caruso, who beat defending league champion Burlington in this season's opener, and added Matt Moceri of Florence. Moceri is a solid all-around guy who will help offensively, defensively and on the mound, now that he's recovered from Tommy John surgery. In 27 games last summer, Moceri hit .338 with a team-high seven home runs. The Boro also dropped Matt McCallister and added Kyle Reed.

Already deep in pitchers, Cinnaminson added all-county first-team selection Jeff Singer of Holy Cross. Singer, who was 9-2 and hit .476 with 35 RBIs and seven home runs, joins a staff that includes Bob Diepold, Jim Goodwin, John Meadus, Nick Melchiorre, Brett Miller, Corey Mingin and Ryan Varga.

Vincentown, knee deep in infielders, released Dan Hayduk, who was immediately picked up by Pemberton.

Games of the week

Monday: Pemberton heads to Hainesport to take on Mount Laurel, each team looking to escape eighth place.

Thursday: Cinnaminson visits Vincentown. The Millers could use a W if they want to make a run at first place, while the Merchants look to improve the league's best record.

Who are the league leaders?

Source: https://www.burlingtoncountytimes.com/article/20110718/NEWS/307189824

By Bruce Johnson

Posted: Jul 18, 2011

With 105 games down and just 35 to go, the season is at the three-quarter pole and turning for home ...

Most veteran followers of the Rancocas Valley League have Delran tabbed as the team to beat when the playoffs start on Aug. 6. And why not? The 2007 and 2008 RVL champs have a veteran group of 12, 13 guys who show up every evening, play the game the right way and have lots of talent, at every position.

But the reason most people are on the Delran bandwagon is its pitching. With Jason Ronca, Eric Gertie and Max Newill, few teams can match them. But did you know this? The winningest pitcher on the staff is none of the above-mentioned.

According to the league statistics on its website (www.rvlbaseball.com), the league's top winner is Chris Maull (tied with Cinnaminson's Ryan Varga). The Delran right-hander had six starts, six complete games and six wins.

And if you think defending champion Burlington should be considered because of its powerful 1-2 pitching punch of Carl Taylor and Shaun Babula, consider that the Mets also have the league's strikeout leader: big John Harvey.

With that in mind, what better time to take a look at the statistical leaders -- offensive and pitching -- as the season winds down? The stats are not 100 percent official, since not all the coaches have reported all their boxscores to the website. But this is the top five, plus ties, based on what's been reported.

Batting average (minimum 40 at-bats): Shaun Babula (Burlington) .494, Mike Ferrara (Vincentown) .475, Dan Graham (Burlington) .435, John Bujanowski Jr. (Vincentown) .415, Rocky Petrone (Delran) .403.

At-bats: John Bujanowski Sr. (Vincentown) 87, (tie) Babula and Petrone 77, Mark Wickersham (Delran) 73, Mike Osborne (Cinnaminson) 70.

Runs: Babula 25, Kyle Ballay (Delran) 22, (tie) Bujanowski Sr. and Bujanowski Jr. 20, Frank Sirolli (Cinnaminson) 18.

Hits: Babula 38, Bujanowski Sr. 32, Petrone 31, (tie) Ferrara and Osborne 28.

Doubles: (tie) Dave Jost (Burlington), John Montemurro (Mount Laurel) and F. Sirolli 8, (tie) Bujanowski Jr. and Joe Knazek (Riverside) 7.

Triples: Bujanowski Sr. 3, (tie) Ballay, Owen Boles (Vincentown), Justin Ely (Riverside), Jost, Mike Loffredo (Willingboro), Greg Miller (Vincentown), Kellen Peter (Willingboro) 2.

Home runs: (tie) Mike Cooper (Mount Laurel), Justin Ely (Riverside), Miller and Mike Wasco (Cinnaminson) 4, (tie) Mike Delellis (Delran), Jesse Pappler (Vincentown), Al Roach (Vincentown) 3.

RBIs: Delellis 23, M. Wasco 20, Miller 19, Jost 18, M. Osborne 17.

Walks: Dan Graham (Burlington) 23, Ballay 19, Roach 16, (tie) Babula, Dave Kittle (Delan) and F. Sirolli 14.

Strikeouts: Ian McCleaf (Pemberton) 25, Donnie Strain (Riverside) 20, Bobbie Henderson (Pemberton) 19, (tie) Mike Juckett (Willingboro), Gabe Mastrangelo Jr. (Riverside) and Roach 18.

Stolen bases: Babula 25, (tie) Pedro Perez (Burlington) and Kyle Semmel (Burlington) 9, (tie) Mike Lamola (Pemberton) and Strain (Riverside) 6.

Hit by pitch: Ed Kaminski (Willingboro) 5, (tie) Kittle, Lamola, Evan Plys (Willingboro) 4, (tie) Greg Gilbert (Cinnaminson), Juckett, Matt Mann (Riverside), F. Sirolli, Jared Turner (Willingboro) and M. Wasco 3.

Slugging percentage (minimum 40 at-bats): Miller .687, Ely .655, Roach .646, M. Wasco .638, Loffredo .603.

Pitching wins: (tie) Chris Maull (Delran) and Ryan Varga (Cinnaminson) 6, (tie) Eric Gertie (Delran) and Carl Taylor (Burlington) 5, (tie) John Harvey (Burlington) and Jason Ronca (Delran) 4.

Pitching innings: Taylor 48.1, (tie) Ronnie Krankowski (Pemberton) and Varga 47.2, Gertie 46.1, Babula 44.2.

Pitching strikeouts: Harvey 52, Ronca 47, Krankowski 46, Kevin Joo (Riverside) 45, Babula 43.

Pitching ERA (minimum 20 innings): Damon Valloreo (Vincentown) 0.26, Zeke Boren (Vincentown) 0.36, Varga 0.44, Nick Melchiorre (Cinnaminson) 0.94, Ronca 1.04.

The season of ... 1911

The old Burlington County League turned 14 years old in 1911, a year that saw the births of Josh Gibson, Sid Gillman, L. Ron Hubbard, Hubert Humphrey, Robert Johnson, Marshall McLuhan, Mitch Miller, Buck O'Neill, Maureen O'Sullivan, Vincent Price, Ronald Reagan, Ginger Rogers, Roy Rogers, Jack Ruby, Phil Silvers, Big Joe Turner, Tennessee Williams and Babe Didrickson Zaharias.

Florence R.D. Wood won the Burlington County League and then defeated Delaware River League champion Riverside two games to one in a best-of-three playoff for county supremacy. Florence played the entire series without the services of Jack Sweeney, who had broken a leg playing in Tullytown, Pa., the week prior to the series.

In the decisive third game, Doug Rhubart pitched a three-hit shutout for a 4-0 victory in the Pipemakers' clinching game, while Charlie Peacock went 4-for-4 and scored three times, including twice on steals of home.

(Next week: The season of ... 1944.)

Games of the week

This is a big week for Willingboro if the Boro Boys want to break into the Top Four. Mike Stumpf's club travels to Pemberton tonight, visits Cinnaminson Wednesday night, hosts Delran on Thursday and finishes the week with a trip to Delran on Sunday evening. Going into Sunday's games, Willingboro was 11-16-1 and trailed fourth-place Vincentown by 5.5 points.

Bruce Johnson: 609-871-8076; email:
brjohnson@phillyBurbs.com

Newill stays cool in the heat

Source: https://www.burlingtoncountytimes.com/article/20110722/SPORTS/307229755

By Dave Zangaro

Posted: Jul 22, 2011


First inning action in the RVL game between Willingboro and Delran, Thursday evening had on the mound for Delran, Max Newill.
Nancy Rokos/Staff Photographer

WILLINGBORO — It was hot, but Max Newill didn't sweat.

Newill has been around for about 15 years in the Rancocas Valley League and, while he isn't the same dominating pitcher he was back in the early 1990s for Delran High School, he's now as poised as they come. That poise paid off for Delran's RVL team on Thursday.

Newill gave up seven hits and allowed three runs, but came out on the winning end in Delran's 5-3 win over Willingboro in a five-inning game played in scorching 90-degree heat. Delran (23-6) moved within one point (50-49) of first-place Cinnaminson.

In the bottom of the fourth inning, Newill allowed two infield hits to start the inning and then gave up an RBI single to Jared Turner. After that, he induced an infield popup, made a nice play in the field to get Mike Loffredo at home and struck out Mike Stumpf to get out of the inning. Turner went 2-for-3 with three RBIs.

"They got some baserunners, they started to get a few infield hits," Newill said. "It's just important to stay composed when that happens."

Newill found himself in trouble again in the fifth inning. After getting the first out, he gave up two singles and with two outs, gave up a two-run double to Turner. But Newill didn't start to sweat, at least not more than normal on a muggy 90-plus degree day, he simply settled down and struck out Evan Plys to retire the side.

"I don't have dominating stuff anymore, I just have to pitch the way I can," Newill said. "Part of that is being able to pitch out of trouble."

Unbeknownst to Newill at the time, his strikeout against Plys was the last out he needed. Plys was ejected for arguing balls and strikes. Since Willingboro dressed only nine guys, the game was over.

"Normally, we have 20 guys," Willingboro player/manager Mike Stumpf said. "Today we only have nine and it came back to bite us."

But make no mistake, the game was frustrating for Willingboro far before the shortened finish. Willingboro (12-18-1) committed several errors and wasted another great pitching performance from Ryan Derry, who gave up only two hits. Last week Derry pitched five shutout innings at Vincentown before losing.

"It's frustrating that we lose with Derry on the mound," Stumpf said. "He was dealing today. We just made him work that much more."

The only guy who was able to touch Derry was cleanup hitter Dave Kittle, who knocked in runs with a double in the third and a single in the fifth.

"Derry always seems to have good stuff against us," Kittle said. "He struck me out in the first at-bat, so I had to adjust. Against him, you always have to stay back. He's one of the most underrated pitchers in this league."

In the beginning of the game, Newill matched Derry inning for inning, but after giving up only one hit through the first three innings, he gave up three in each of the fourth and fifth innings.

"We were starting to get to him toward the end," Stumpf said. "We were all starting to wear down in the heat. When it's that hot out there, it's hard to stay focused."

While Willingboro was committing errors and letting their tempers get the best of them, Newill was working, just like he has been for a decade and a half in the RVL.

"Whether we hit for him or not, (Newill) always has a good game," Kittle said. "He attacks the strike zone and that's why he wins so much."

The 35-year-old Newill was just happy to get a win. What made this one even sweeter, is that he did it in front of his parents, Darlene and Bill, who are moving to North Carolina next week. Bill has been helping with the team for years and will be in New Jersey until September and will be around for the playoffs.

"It's always nice to pitch in front of them," Newill said. "He'll be sticking around here and will be here for the playoffs. She'll probably come up for a game sometime to see me pitch."

Dave Zangaro: 609-871-8081; email, dzangaro@phillyBurbs.com; Twitter, @dzangaro

The best team doesn’t always win

Source: https://www.burlingtoncountytimes.com/article/20110801/SPORTS/308019763

Posted: Aug 1, 2011

With the Rancocas Valley League playoffs due to start this Saturday, each of the eight teams in the league gets to start the season anew. And if history is any judge of things, that will only make things even more interesting than the wild regular season that ends Wednesday night with defending playoff champion Burlington visiting Vincentown.

There is perhaps no better indicator of the "anything can happen" theory than the 1977 RVL season, when Cinnaminson Midwest Emery steamrolled through a 32-2 regular season, only to lose two of three in a stunning playoff loss to Mount Holly (see "The season of ... 1977" below), a .500 club during the season.

"That was one of our best teams, maybe our best," 82-year-old Ed (Red) Herron, the team's manager, said last week. "We were saving some of our players for the Bridgeton Tournament, which started the next week. And then we blew it in Bridgeton, and York, too."

Cinnaminson was a dominant team in that era, playing under various names: Midwest Emery, Kardon Auto Mall, Cinnaminson Liquors, Jay's Elbow Room, Myles Transportation.

"Anybody who would give us money, we'd use their name," Herron said. "Kardon was a great sponsor. They gave us $10,000 one year. We had home and away uniforms."

Among the players on those Midwest Emery teams from the late 1970s who Herron remembered were: pitchers Pete Scarpati, Darrell Brandon, Buddy Hull, Roland George, Paul Patsko, Larry Nickol and Bill Solomon; catchers Jack Don and Dale Woodward; infielders Rick Damush, Joe Damush, John Sandoz, John Brugler and Mike Dunn; first baseman Dave Thornton; and outfielders Bruce Carter, Mike McAlpin, Tom Piersanti, Greg Lorenz and Tom Walsh. The late Jack Bowen coached with Herron.

"I'm sure I'm forgetting people, but I hope not," Herron said. "Most of these guys played in the minor leagues or in college. The only high school kid I ever kept was from Lenape, Scott Schoenweis."

Herron, who says he coached Cinnaminson to over 600 of its 800-plus victories, doesn't get out to games much these days, although that might change when the playoffs start. But he has many good memories of "the old days."

"For maybe 10 years we used to play Delran every year on the Fourth of July holiday, and we'd get 1,000 fans out at Riverton Park," Herron said. "There used to be a tree in center field at Riverton short. (Vincentown's) Harry (Thompson) tells people he once hit one into the tree ... but he doesn't tell them it was only about 280 feet."

Do it again, do it again

Harry Thompson has been in the RVL since there was an RVL ... so when he says it's been a while since he saw a triple play, you can figure it's been a long time. And after what happened last week, the 80-year-old Vincentown Merchants was almost speechless. But that's what seeing triple plays ... in the first inning of two straight games, with the same starting pitcher, at the same field ... will do to you.

On Tuesday, Pemberton put its first two men on base against Matt Viarengo. Hard-hitting Ronnie Krankowski hit a line drive that was snagged by second baseman Zeke Boren, who flipped to shortstop Stefan Kancylarz for the second out. Kancylarz's throw to Jesse Pappler completed the triple play, a key moment in the Merchants' 4-3 victory.

About 48 hours later the opponent was Cinnaminson. Viarengo walked the leadoff batter, then was replaced by Boren, who gave up a hit. Up stepped Mike Osborne and he smashed a ball that third baseman Chris Murray fielded, stepped on third then flipped to Andrew Lydon covering second for the second out. Lydon's throw to Pappler got Osborne, who was slowed down by a hamstring injury.

"It's been a while since I've seen one of them, and it sure came at the right time," Thompson said Wednesday morning. "Krankowski hit it as hard as you can hit a ball ... and then zip, zip, zip. It was beautiful."

Understandably, the 80-year-old was almost speechless on Friday after seeing a second trifecta so soon after the first.

"It's just unbelievable ... unbelievable, babe," was all he could say.

All-Socks Team

In honor of newest Phillie Hunter Pence, and as the self-proclaimed president of the Old School Club of Burlington County, we herewith present our 2011 All-Socks Team, for players who wear (or have worn) their pants like the players in the 1950s and '60s, i.e., socks showing up to their knees. Most of these guys are "old school" players, too.

n CF: Shaun Babula (Burlington)

n 1B: Rocky Petrone (Delran)

n SS: Mike Osborne (Cinnaminson)

n DH: Mike Ferrera (Vincentown)

n RF: John Bujanowski Sr. (Vincentown)

n LF: Dave Kittle (Delran)

n 2B: Dave Jost (Burlington)

n 3B: Kyle Ballay (Delran)

n C: Owen Boles (Vincentown)

n P: Ron Krankowski (Pemberton)

n Util: Zeke Boren (Vincentown)

n Bench: Bob Osborne (Cinnaminson), Gabe Mastrangelo Jr. (Riverside), Sam Pepper (Vincentown), Jason Sabol (Riverside), Justin Binder (Willingboro)

Eye-opening grabs

Mike Juckett and Jon Wetzel could've been on ESPN for its Top 10 Plays of the day last Sunday. The Willingboro outfielders made spectacular diving catches in left and center field, respectively, in a game at Delran's Notre Dame Field. But, since they play in the RVL, nobody will see those grabs replayed over and over and over, ad infinitum, like they would have if the catches were made in the majors.

Horseshoes, anyone?

You can't blame Willingboro player-coach Mike Stumpf if, a) he's losing his hair this summer, b) his hair is turning grey, or, c) both.

Losing close games will do that do a guy. And his Boro Boys (13-20-1) have had more than their share of close losses: NINE by one run and two more by just two runs. (Reverse those decisions and they are 24-9-1.)

Do the math!

In last week's RVL Notebook, we said it was the 113th summer of adult semipro baseball in Burlington County. Several astute mathemeticians out there emailed to let us know that 1898 to 2011 is actually 114 summers.

The season of ... 1977

The RVL turned 25 years old during a year that saw the following births: A.J. Burnett, Vince Carter, Jermaine Jackson, Shakira, Randy Moss, Stephon Marbury, Floyd Mayweather Jr., Zdeno Chara, Andruw Jones, John Cena, Carlos Beltran, Roy Halladay, Elizabeth Hasselbeck, Kanye West, Kerry Wood, Manu Ginobli, Tom Brady, Plaxico Burress, Daniel Briere, Bode Miller, Luke Donald and Laila Ali.

Cinnaminson Midwest Emery was the dominant team all year, but was upset by Mount Holly in the playoff semifinals. Delran, the regular-season runner-up, then won its first championship. There have been seven other titles for Delran, the most recent in 2007 and 2008.

For the record, lefty pitcher Max Newill is the only current Delran player who was alive in 1977.

Playoff fever for the Rancocas Valley League

Source: http://www.burlingtoncountytimes.com/sports/high-school/playoff-fever-for-the-rancocas-valley-league/article_97fc8130-b83e-55de-9dd6-d27e79ecee25.html

By Bruce Johnson

Posted: Aug 5, 2011

Can Delran cap its regular-season title with a playoff championship?

Can Cinnaminson ride the league’s deepest bench and pitching staff to the title?

Can Burlington repeat as playoff champions?

Can Vincentown get its whole team to show up?

Can Willingboro, Riverside, Mount Laurel or Pemberton manage to unseat any of the “Big Four”?

Those questions will be answered over the next two weeks, when the 65th Rancocas Valley League championship playoffs are held at Southampton Memorial Park. The games start with a quadrupleheader Saturday.

The opening round (quarterfinals) are best-of-three matchups, with the semifinals and finals using a best-of-five format.

(Opening ceremonies, featuring a color guard and National Anthem singer from McGuire Air Force Base and a Gold Star Mom to throw out the first pitch, are at 9:30 a.m.)

Here’s a look at the matchups:

Mount Laurel (7-21-2) vs. Cinnaminson (25-10)

Saturday, 10 a.m.; Sunday, noon

No team can match Cinnaminson’s pitching depth: Ryan Varga, John Meadus, Nick Melchiorre, Bob Diepold, Jim Goodwin, Corey Mingin, Jeff Singer and Brett Miller. And the team is loaded in the field, too, with Matt Cann, Mike and Bob Osborne, Frank and Joe Sirolli, Mike and Tim Wasco, Dennis O’Hanlen, John Dockins, Casey Donahue, Geoff and Greg Gilbert, Gary Herron and Tyler Powell.

Looking for its sixth championship this century, having won in 2001, 2004-05-06 and 2009.

Mount Laurel has a good team, when the whole team is there, which hasn’t been often this summer. Bret Jenkins, Matt Szukics, Pat O’Reilly, Brandon Burke, Dan Rella, Kevin Diamond and John Montemurro are all solid guys. Newcomer Paul Meagher has been solid at 2B. And Ernie Covington, Mike Cooper, Sean McNeil, Dave Smith and Trevor Sotell have all had their moments pitching.

Seeking first title after finishing second in 2006 and ‘07.

Pemberton (4-30) vs. Delran (27-8)

Saturday, 1 p.m.; Sunday, 2:30 p.m.

It’s been a long season for Gerry Lamola’s Greenies, and drawing the top seed doesn’t make things any easier. But when a team has pitchers like Ronnie Krankowski and Mike Kondrath, plus Kyle Brown, Chris DelleMonache and Mike Oliver, well, anything becomes possible. Bobby Henderson, Vince and Gerald Gares, Mike Lamola, Kyle Paparteys, Mike Jewell, Frank Pierce, Tyler Veterano, Ian McCleaf, Shawn Diamond and Andrew Lugo have been contributors through the long, hot summer.

Delran has four top throwers: Jason Ronca, Eric Gertie, Max Newill and Chris Maull (plus 3B Mark Wickersham and C Mike Delellis). The Dooks have been getting by without injured SS Kyle Ballay and 2B Matt Ulmer, though Aaron MacKenzie, Chris Cooper and John Iacovelli have filled in well. Defensively, 1B Rocky Petrone, CF Ryan McFadden and RF Dave Kittle are among the league’s best, and Rex Workman is a veteran DH.

Delran won back-to-back titles in 2007 and ‘08, and has won eight titles overall.

Riverside (12-20-3) vs. Burlington (22-11-1)

Saturday, 4 p.m.; Sunday, 5 p.m.

This could be the most intriguing opening-round matchup, despite the fact the Mets won all five regular-season games. The scores of the three most recent matchups were 4-3, 1-0 and 4-1. And Riverside was 4-1-1 in its last six games, the lone loss being in nine innings to Burlington.

Riverside has a solid catcher in Joe Knazek, which is very important when you’re playing steal-happy Burlington. It also has solid starters in Jake Still, Kevin Joo and Matt Leith, and one of the league’s top relievers in Mike Hiem. Brett Knazek, Gabe Mastrangelo Jr., Matt Mount, Justin Ely, Donnie Strain, Jim Caparelli, Jason Sabol and Dave Sorrentino have all provided big plays, on offense and defense.

Riverside teams won RVL titles in 1957, 1961 and 1963.

The Mets have three of the RVL’s best starters — Shaun Babula, John Harvey and Carl Taylor — plenty of offense with Babula, Dave Jost, Dan Graham, Garrett Mull, Vinnie James, Dan Torres, Jon Reiner, Kyle Semmel and Zach Skidmore, and returning playoff MVP Jeff Vitale anchoring an infield that could include outstanding youngsters like Vince Corbi, Josh Limon, Pedro Perez and Justin Edge.

Burlington is the defending champion, having ended a 59-year championship drought last summer.

Willingboro (13-21-1) vs. Vincentown (20-9-1)

Saturday, 7 p.m.; Sunday, 7:30 p.m.

This is another could-go-either-way matchup, with two usually offense-minded teams.

The Boro Boys lost a dozen heart-breakers. Though they’re known for offense, the team has strong-armed Ryan Derry, Ace Robinson, Mike Loffredo, Nick Berardinucci and Neil DeMarco. Matt Moceri, Kellen Peter and Jamie Schwantes are the lineup’s thumpers, though it’s table-setters Mark Stumpf and Jon Wetzel who figure to be key. Jose Martinez and Mike Gulli are solid backstops, and Mike Juckett and Mike Stumpf are defensive whizzes in the outfield.

Willingboro won 3-2 in the teams’ final matchup, after losing three straight by a single run.

The big question for veteran Merchants coach Harry Thompson is simple: Who will show up? The full-strength Merchants started the season 13-1, then crawled to a 7-8-1 finish as key players stopped showing up. But when John Bujanowski Sr. and Jr., Stefan Kancylarz, Mike Ferrara, Jesse Pappler, Al Roach, Greg Miller, Chris Murray, Andrew Lydon, Sam Pepper, Owen Boles and Troy Foster are all present, the lineup is almost frightening. Especially with pitchers like Damon Valloreo, Matt Viarengo, Alan Hasher, Joe Argow and Ryan Walter.

V-town, which last won in 2003, has captured 11 league titles.

This and That

After the opening weekend, the schedule calls for single games Monday through Thursday nights at 7. Doubleheaders are planned for Friday (Aug. 12), Saturday (Aug. 13) and Sunday (Aug. 14) at times to be announced, then it’s back to single games during the final week.

Bruce Johnson: 609-871-8076; email: brjohnson@phillyBurbs.com

RVL capsules

Source: https://www.burlingtoncountytimes.com/article/20120514/SPORTS/305149784

Posted: May 14, 2012

Burlington Mets

Last year: 22-11-1; lost in semifinals of playoffs to Cinnaminson

Home: Life Center Academy, Florence

Roster: Keith Babula, Shaun Babula, James Chambers, Vince Corbi, Brandon Elliott, Matt Fischer, Dan Graham, Paul Guerrieri, John Harvey, Scott Hauber, Vinnie James, Dave Jost, Josh Limon, Carl Loadenthal, Garrett Mull, Pedro Perez, Jon Reiner, Karl Semmel, Zach Skidmore, Mike Swietanski, Carl Taylor, Dan Torres, Jeff Vitale, Ray Zarilli.

What's new?: The Mets have installed a new backstop at Life Center Academy.

Cinnaminson Reds

Last year: 25-10; won the playoff championship

Home: Memorial Field, Cinnaminson

Roster: Cameron Bahr, Tim Borek, Kevin Boswick, Matt Cann, John Dockins, Geoff Gilbert, Greg Gilbert, Jim Goodwin, Gary Herron, Matt Janulis, John Meadus, Nick Melchiorre, Brett Miller, Corey Mingin, Ryan Mingin, Dennis O'Hanlan, Bob Osborne, Mike Osborne, Tyler Powell, Jeff Singer, Frank Sirolli, Joe Sirolli, Ryan Varga, Mike Wasco, Tim Wasco.

What's new?: In addition to their new name, honoring former manager Red Herron, they've added Cameron Bahr and Kevin Boswick, while dropping Casey Donahue and Bobby Diepold.

Delran

Last year: 27-8; lost in semifinals of playoffs to Vincentown

Home: Notre Dame Field, Delran

Roster: Alfred Antuzzi, Kyle Ballay, Steve Bejsiuk, Mike Delellis, Chris Garrett, Dan George, Eric Gertie, John Iacovelli, Bobby Isopi, Dave Kittle, Aaron MacKenzie, Chris Maull, Justin McFadden, Ryan McFadden, Kevin McMenamin, Max Newill, Rocky Petrone, Andrew Priece, Jason Ronca, Matt Ulmer, Mark Wickersham, Rex Workman.

What's new?: Delran is looking for its first RVL title since winning back-to-back crowns in 2007 and 2008.

Vincentown Merchants

Last year: 20-9-1; lost in playoff finals to Cinnaminison

Home: Southampton Memorial Park

Roster:Joe Argow, Owen Boles, Zeke Boren, John Bujanowski, Johnny Bujanowski, Kevin Carty, Mike Ferrara, Shaun Flynn, Troy Foster, Alan Hasher, Dan Hayduk, Joe Juliano, Stefan Kancylarz, Andrew Lydon, Greg Miller, Chris Murray, Jess Pappler, Sam Pepper, Al Roach, Ian Thomas, Bill Thompson, Harry Thompson, Damon Valloreo, Ryan Walter.

What's new?: Recently renovated Southampton Memorial Park will be getting a new name on May 28 when it becomes Harry Thompson Field.

Willingboro

Last year: 13-21-1; lost in first round of playoffs to Vincentown

Home: J.F. Kennedy Recreation Center, Willingboro

Roster: Tyler Bayley, Nick Bernarducci, Justin Binder, Fran Caruso, Ryan Derry, Kevin Faber, Mike Gulli, Devon Hedgepeth, Dan Hill, Mike Juckett, Eddie Kaminski, Brian Lawler, Mike Loffredo, Jose Martinez, Matt McAllister, Frank Moceri, Matt Moceri, Kellen Peter, Kyle Reed, Jamie Schwantes, Dan Sieracki, Mark Stumpf, Mike Stumpf, Jared Turner, Jon Wetzel.

What's new?: Willingboro hasn't finished above fifth place since 2002, when it tied for first with Delran but lost in the playoffs.

Riverside Patriots

Last year: 12-20-3; lost in first round of playoffs to Burlington

Home: Bob Kenney Field, Riverside

Roster: Chaz Briggs, Jim Caparelli, Mark Demko, Gary DiCamillo, Justin Ely, Bill Garafalo, Mike Hymes, Kevin Joo, Brett Knazek, Joe Knazek, Dan Koneschusky, Matt Leith, Matt Mann, T.J. Mann, Steve Martin, Gabe Mastrangelo Jr., Gabe Mastrangelo Sr., Matt Mount, Matt Peak, Jason Sabol, Gary Shears, Jake Still, Dave Sorrentino, Donnie Strain.

What's new?: The third-year team has added a new nickname -- the Patriots.

Mount Laurel

Last year: 7-21-2; lost in first round of playoffs to Cinnaminson

Home: Hainesport Recreation Center

Roster: Brandon Barnes, Brian Black, Mike Cooper, Ernie Covington, Kevin Diamond, Ben Fadool, Shane Fox, Che Geer, Connor Hall, Bret Jenkins, Dean Johnson, Jeff McGarry, Paul Meagher, John Montemurro, Pat O'Reilly, Cole Pewor, Brian Romani, Trevor Sotell, Matt Szukics, Dave Smith, Jim Turner.

What's new?: The Laurels are just 42-69-3 since falling to Delran in the 2007 playoff final.

Pine Barrens Phantoms

Last year: 4-30; lost in first round of playoffs to Delran

Home: Pemberton Babe Ruth Field

Roster: Scott Bradley, Greg Brooks, Frank Canuso, Greg Cinelli, Chris DelleMonache, Bobby Henderson, Nick Henderson, Greg Hunt, Matt Hunt, Mike Jewell, Mike Kondrath, Ronnie Krankowski, Gerry Lamola, Mike Lamola, Kyle Paparteys, John Perinelli, Frank Pierce, Will Porter, Rich Powelson, Eric Selitto, John Veterano, Tyler Veterano.

What's new?: Will the new name produce more victories? Some new names on the roster may help more.

Burlington Twp. Pirates

Last year: first year in the league

Home: Burlington Township High School Field; Pinewald Field (Sundays)

Roster: Ken Brock, Dan Callahan, Brian Eifert, Eddie Eifert Jr., Ed Eifert Sr., Wayne Feret, Matt Franklin, Josh Johnson, Matt Klish, Chris Liberatore, T.J. Lovenduski, Eric McGillivray, Ryan Murtaugh, Joe Parzyck, Jason Peluso, Cameron Richardson, Ace Rivera, Jim Suessegger, Andrew Velzy, Zach Wallace, Mike Zier.

What's new?: Just about everything is new.

Delran surviving and thriving

Source: https://www.burlingtoncountytimes.com/article/20120611/SPORTS/306119753

Posted: Jun 11, 2012

Since replacing Mike Dlug as the player-coach of Delran's entry in the Rancocas Valley Baseball League before the 2009 season, Rocky Petrone has pretty much just had to play first base and write in the same lineup as the game before ... and the game before that ...

But this summer has been much different for the 2011 regular-season champs.

Cleanup hitter Dave Kittle is no longer playing, due to a job commitment.

Mike Delellis, the No. 3 hitter/catcher, has been a part-timer due to a coaching job at the University of Bridgeport, his alma mater.

Shortstop Kyle Ballay can pretty much only play on weekends because of graduate school classes at Villanova on weeknights.

Pitcher Jason Ronca had thrown just a couple innings due to working 12-hour police shifts at Rutgers-Camden.

And left fielder Andrew Priece is taking a break from baseball.

Despite all that, Delran is currently 10-3 and tied for first place with Burlington, who they play on Monday night at Life Center Academy.

"I've been doing my best Ruben Amaro imitation," Petrone said the other night. "When I replaced Mike we were pretty set with our lineup. The same eight, nine guys every night at the same position, plus the pitcher would get the ball and we'd tell him, 'It's your game.'

"It was a stressful March. There were a lot of phone calls I didn't want to get."

But Petrone has adjusted quite well, adding high school stars Danny George (Delran), Justin McFadden (Delran) and Bobby Isopi (Lenape). He signed veteran Ryan Walter and picked up infielder Kevin McMeniman, recently named ECAC Metro Rookie of the Year after a .381 freshman year at Rowan.

Veterans Mark Wickersham, Matt Ulmer, Aaron MacKenzie, Rex Workman, Ryan McFadden and John Iacovelli did return, along with pitchers Eric Gertie, Chris Maull and Max Newill.

"Getting Kevin was huge," Petrone said last week. "He's been killing the ball. He's hitting like it's (lob pitch) softball."

Defending champion Cinnaminson is in the same boat.

"Corey (Mingin), (Bob) Diepold and (Jeff) Singer is a lot of innings to not have," player-coach Brett Miller said the other night. "Singer was 12-1 (at Gloucester County College), but he's playing in a college league now. And we don't have the 4-5 hitters (Diepold and Mike Wasco). Wasco is playing up in Canada."

The Reds made a nice pickup in first baseman Chris McManus, the former Riverside High School standout and current assistant coach.

Historic night

Last Monday at Life Center Academy was a first-ever event ... the first RVL game John Bujanowski missed since he joined the Vincentown Merchants in 1993. Figuring about 40 games per year (30 regular-season plus 10 playoff), that would put Bujanowski's streak at around 800 consecutive games.

Bujanowski broke his left wrist May 30 sliding into first base, head-first of course, trying to beat out a hit during a 5-4 loss to Cinnaminson.

"The doctors say I'm gonna miss six to eight weeks. We'll be all right. I'll keep drinking lots of milk," the 44-year-old Bujanowski said. "It's better to have happened now than later in the season, nearer the playoffs."

Triple play

On May 20 at Bob Kenney Field, Riverside pulled off a triple play in the first inning against Burlington. With Shaun Babula and Pedro Perez on base, and Carl Loadenthal batting, the runners took off on a double steal. Loadenthal, a lefty batter, hit a lazer to left field, which was caught by Jason Sabol. He threw to second baseman Mark Demko for the second out, and Demko relayed it to first baseman Jim Caparelli to nip Perez.

This and that

The incorrect pitcher was reported last Sunday for Burlington Township in its 1-0 loss to Delran. It should have been Eric McGillivray, who allowed just one hit and fanned seven.

Riverside relief pitcher Mike Hynes had Tommy John surgery Saturday, so his season his over. He's helping Gabe Mastrangelo Sr. handle coaching duties with the Patriots.

Eleven of Pine Barrens' 13 remaining home games, starting Tuesday, have been rescheduled to start at 7 p.m. The only exceptions are Thursday and July 12, which will remain at 8 p.m.

Play of the week

Tuesday's Burlington-Vincentown game ended with the ol' "hidden ball trick." Sam Pepper beat out an infield single to first on a bang-bang play to keep the Merchants alive. Pitcher Shaun Babula flipped the ball back to first baseman Jon Reiner, who was still on the ground, as he slowly returned to the mound.

"I kept waiting for somebody on the Vincentown bench to yell, 'Stay on the bag,' but nobody did," Babula said. "Pep got off the bag and Reiner tug him. Luckily (umpire) Pat (Haggerty) saw it."

Local Roundup: BCC’s Flynn national leader

Source: https://www.burlingtoncountytimes.com/article/20120619/NEWS/306199742

Posted: Jun 19, 2012

Shaun Flynn of Burlington County College was the national batting champion in NJCAA Division 2 baseball.

Flynn batted .504 this spring. According to statistics posted on www.njcaa.org, he had 61 hits in 121 at-bats. The Seneca High School graduate scored 45 runs and batted in 35.

Flynn made first team All-Region 19 (Division 2) and was a nominee for All-America. He also made All-Garden State Athletic Conference.

BCC's Chris Garrett, a Cherokee graduate, made second team All-Region 19. Garrett batted .391, sixth in the region, with 34 hits. He had 18 runs batted in and scored 17.

In softball, Lisa Kosteleski and Jamie Lambe of BCC made first team All-Region 19. Courtney Dolson made second team.

Kosteleski of Cherry Hill ranked 20th nationally in hitting (.513). Lambe, a pitcher from Stratford, struck out 126 batters and had a 1.62 earned run average. Dolson, of Gloucester, was the other regular pitcher and finished 15-5 with 97 strikeouts.

RVL Baseball

Delran 6, Willingboro 0: Max Newill pitched a four-hitter, struck out five and walked three in his shutout.

Ryan Walter hit a two-run triple in the fourth inning and Bobby Isopi's triple scored a run in the fifth. Rex Workman was 2-for-2 and scored two runs, and Ryan McFadden had two hits and one RBI.

Pine Barrens 6, Riverside 5: The Phantoms, who entered this week with two wins, picked up their second victory in two nights behind winning pitcher Ron Krankowski. Justin Ely pitched for Riverside and hit an RBI double.

Delaware Valley Baseball

Maple Shade 5, CCP 2: Frank Cerami hit a two-run triple in the fourth inning Monday night, the big hit in a three-run rally that erased a 2-1 deficit. Maple Shade added a run in the fifth. Jalen Burks pitched 6 1/3 innings for the win and Cerami got the last two outs for the save.

Legion Baseball

Freshman: Nick Pingelli (triple) and Mike Yamka (two singles) scored two runs each for Mount Holly Post 11/Alaimo in a 6-2 win over Williamstown. Matthew Taylor was the winning pitcher and Post 11 is 5-2.

Riverton Basketball

6th-under girls: Cassie Forcellini scored seven points for America's Mortgage Institute in a 33-31 win over Cinn City (Grace Kenville 2).

7th/8th girls: Kara Staudenmayer tallied 10 points for Jersey Mike's in a 21-12 victory over the Rock Solid Rams (Mikayla McMahon 4).

6th-under boys: John Meiluta Carpet Service used three points by Khylei Neal in a 22-19 decision over Genesis Medical (Tahaj Little 5).

7th/8th boys: Jared Mahal scored six points for the Mount Laurel Panthers in a 41-24 triumph over Genesis Medical (Marley McDowell 2).

John Barton's nine aided Sacred Heart Gold) in a 40-29 victory over Sacred Heart Maroon (Greg Turner 8).

Varga still enjoys playing in RVL

Source: https://www.burlingtoncountytimes.com/article/20120709/SPORTS/307099803

Posted: Jul 9, 2012

Life has been one decision after another for Ryan Varga, ever since he graduated from Burlington City High School in 1998.

Where to go to college? The then-catcher picked Methodist University in North Carolina, where Tom Austin had put together the winningest Division 3 program in the country.

Change positions? With an All-American catcher and a redshirt sophomore ahead of him, he agreed with Austin's decision to become a relief pitcher.

Relieve or start? After disagreeing with Austin's decision that he would never be a starting pitcher -- "He told me with my arm angle (delivery), I'd never last more than two innings" -- he decided to change colleges.

Where to transfer? He picked Lock Haven (Pa.), because of its special education program, which is what he was looking for in his longterm goals. That, and the fact that coach Paul Stoner actually came to a Rancocas Valley League game to see him pitch. "It was at Vincentown, and Harry Thompson put in a good word for me afterward," Varga said.

Pros or real life? After a "close encounter" at a Phillies tryout camp at Bucknell, he was ready to be offered a contract to play in Batavia, N.Y., on a Monday. But the scout who was going to sign him was fired on Sunday, and the deal never happened. He then had to choose between a teaching job for $40,000 and living the potentially migrant life of Independent League player.

"It was tough to turn down that teaching position," Varga said the other night. "I could've bounced around, probably played three or four years of independent ball. But it didn't seem worth it."

In an ironic twist, he took his eighth graders down to Baltimore one day to see an Orioles game and in the "Please Touch Museum" outside Camden Yards there was a jersey that had the name "Babula" on the back. It was the former Delmarva Shorebirds jersey of Shaun Babula, a former Orioles minor leaguer who also happened to be a former Burlington City and current RVL player.

"Shaun is a way different case from me," Varga said. "He had elite status. He had been a 16th-round draft pick. He'd played at Triple A a couple times before his injuries. There's Shaun, and then maybe on the next tier down there was me, maybe two tiers down. He had some major accolades, and that's why he pushed himself (to make the bigs) like he did."

Now, all these years later, Babula and Varga are, arguably, the two best pitchers in the RVL.

"I've enjoyed playing in the RVL," Varga said. "I give Harry a lot of credit, for taking me down to play when Vincentown went to the Bridgeton Tournament. And (Mike) Dlug and (Joe) Olivo, for adding me to Delran when they went to the York (Pa.) Tournament. They not only made me feel part of their team, but they made my wife, Shelby, feel part of it, too."

Back then Varga was playing for Willingboro, where in 2002 he set a team record with 10 wins.

"After college, I wanted to play for the (Burlington) Mets, or Gary Herron at Cinnaminson. I contacted them, but they told me no, they weren't interested. Bob LePage was starting a team at Willingboro, so that's where I went. I'd still be there probably, but it looked like they weren't gonna stay together (in 2008), so that's when I switched to Cinnaminson."

He has gone 6-1, 7-3 and 10-1 the past three years, winning the Most Valuable Player in 2011, when Cinnaminson won the title and he had a 1.17 ERA.

"Without a doubt, we don't win last year without him," Cinnaminson player-coach Brett Miller said. "He won 10 games, saved a couple of others and his performance in the playoffs was huge for us."

So, how much longer for Varga, who also has a landscaping business (Lawncare 101) in addition to his teaching job at Ridgeway School in Edgewater Park (of course, he doubles as the baseball coach), playing in the RVL and being a dad.

"My wife hasn't pushed me about retiring, even though we now have two little kids (Adilyn and Lucas)," Varga said. "But it's been a challenge this year (he is currently 3-3 with an ERA over 3.30). I don't think I'm giving the team the best I can. The numbers aren't there yet. Hopefully by mid-July they'll be better."

He has given up playing fall baseball, but he has no plans right now for giving up his "summer job."

"As long as I can compete, I'll keep playing in the RVL," he said. "I want to become a (school) principal, and I've got some things working on that front. One job possibility, it's very good money and it's a 10-month job ... with July and August off."

Plays of the week

• The Burlington Township Pirates put on quite a defensive show last Monday against the first-place Burlington Mets. First there was a spectacular diving catch in left field by Mike Zier. Then an amazing double play started by second baseman Ace Rivera, who fielded a grounder up the middle, stepped on second and made a tough across-the-body throw to nip Pedro Perez by a step. First baseman Luke Cordonnier also had a slick backhanded pickup for the final out of an Eddie Eifert-to-Rivera-to-Cordonnier 6-4-3 twin killing.
• Vincentown's Greg Miller made a nice bare-handed pickup of Aaron MacKenzie's swinging bunt down the third-base line and threw him out, with first baseman Jesse Pappler adding a back-handed scoop.

Newill gives Delran edge against Mount Laurel

Source: https://www.burlingtoncountytimes.com/article/20120712/NEWS/307129757

By Gary Horvath Staff Writer

Posted: Jul 12, 2012

On the mound for Delran in Wednesday's RVL game against Mount Laurel was 3 Max Newill. -Nancy Rokos

DELANCO — Age triumphed over youth on Thursday night as Delran defeated Mount Laurel 4-3 in a Rancocas Valley League baseball game.

Thirty-six-year-old starting pitcher Max Newill pitched all seven innings for Delran to outduel Austin Papp, his 16-year-old counterpart.

When they’re not on the mound, Newill spends his time as a teacher and baseball coach for Bridgewater-Raritan High School in Somerset County, and Papp as a student at Bordentown High School.

“I’m the elder statesman on the team,” said Newill, who gave up three runs on six hits while striking out eight and walking four.

Newill was glad that on this day he wasn’t the only veteran on the field for Delran. Mark Wickersham played a rare game at catcher.

“Wick’s been with us for a while, too,” Newill said. “It was a lot of fun to throw to him. It’s funny, the guy I usually throw to, we just realized he was born the year I graduated college.”

Although the 20-year age gap between Newill and Papp was apparent from the stands, it wasn’t from the box score.

Papp stepped up to fill a need for his team and pitched four innings, allowing four runs off six hits. He struck out two batters and walked three before Mike Cooper took over.

“He didn’t know he was starting,” said Dean Johnson, the Mount Laurel manager. “At 16 years old, I’d say he did admirably. He was my relief tonight but that’s how it works.”

Cooper, who pitched three hitless innings in relief, was scheduled to start the game but when he didn’t arrive on time, Papp was called on.

Both starting pitchers had their rough spots. It took Papp an inning to settle in, giving up two runs in the first inning, but he only allowed two hits over the next three.

Newill ran into trouble in the third. After serving up a one-out solo home run to Matt Szukics, John Burns doubled to deep left, scoring two more runs and tying the game at 3.

“The home run was a fastball down the middle of the plate and the double was a hanging curveball,” Newill said. “I know I just need to avoid going down the middle.”

Kyle Ballay led off the fourth inning with a double and scored two batters later on a single by Wickersham.

Delran is now in second place at 16-9 after the win. Mount Laurel falls to 7-11-2 for the year.

Delran manager Rocky Petrone thinks his team’s playoff chances will rest on the shoulders of their younger players.

“We’re right behind Burlington,” Petrone said. “We need to keep hitting though. We’ve been a little inconsistent on offense all year. Our young guys, and we have a lot of them, need to step up.”

Johnson thinks that his team’s record does not accurately show what they’re capable of.

“Eleven of our 20 games have been tied or decided by one run. That leads me to believe we can compete with any team we face,” he said. “We’re young but confident and they’re gelling pretty well now.”

The young Mount Laurel team was one hit away from winning the game. Brian Black, who earlier doubled, had a chance to give his team the lead in the sixth inning, but flew out to center with the bases loaded to end the inning.

Ballay’s double in the fourth was the only extra-base hit for Delran. He also scored two runs.

RVL: Turner steps in to lift Willingboro

Source: https://www.burlingtoncountytimes.com/article/20120805/SPORTS/308059814

By Randy Krakower

Posted: Aug 5, 2012

SOUTHAMPTON -- Plan B turned out to be a winner.

With starting pitcher Dan Hill delayed, Willingboro manager Mike Stumpf handed Jared Turner the ball. Never mind that sixth-seeded Willingboro had dropped three of four regular-season games to No. 3 Delran this season. Never mind that winning the opener of any Rancocas Valley League best-of-3 quarterfinal series is crucial. Forget that Delran ace Max Newill was on the mound.

Turner was the next option and, after a stunning upset, the winning option.

"Jared's done a good job in relief this year. He's good for like two innings," Stumpf said. "I was trying to buy a couple of innings until Dan got here. But he was rolling. After the second inning, he settled down, we made the plays, he worked fast, and we kept scoring runs so that made it easier to leave him out there.

"When we went up 5-0, I felt more comfortable giving him a little more of a leash. He showed up today and pitched well."

The teams return to Harry W. Thompson Field at 5 p.m. for Sunday's game 2 with Jason Ronca scheduled to start for Delran against Hill.

Turner went 4 1/3 innings, yielding just four hits, walking one and striking out two. Relievers Craig Ricks and Kevin Faber gave up two hits the rest of the way to preserve the shutout. The Riverside High School graduate is about to begin his senior year at King's College in Pennsylvania, where he pitched mostly in relief this season.

"They were swinging at a lot of pitches, got themselves out," Turner said. "It was good. It was a hot day so it was nice to get up there and out quickly. I was very happy to stay out there as long as I did. It was nice to get into the fifth inning "

After a scoreless first inning, Willingboro sent eight men to the plate in the top of the second. After a leadoff walk to Matt Moceri, Turner hit a bad hop ground ball up the middle to put two on. Newill got the next two outs, but Mike Loffredo smacked an opposite-field double to right, scoring Moceri. Another walk loaded the bases and Newill walked Turner home make it 2-0.

Delran loaded the bags in the bottom of the inning, but Turner induced John Iacovelli into a comebacker that the pitcher turned into a 1-2-3 doubleplay. That would prove to be Delran's greatest threat the rest of the way.

Moceri made it 3-0 when he hammered a 1-2 fastball over the left-field fence. Willingboro tacked on a pair of runs in the fourth to lead 5-0 courtesy of RBI singles by Mark Stumpf and Jon Wetzel.

In the fifth, Newill went out to warm up, but after throwing a pitch appeared to grab his elbow. Delran player-manager Rocky Petrone took the lefthander out and Newill immediately began to ice the area. His status for the rest of the playoffs is unknown. Righthander Chris Maull came on in relief, and then came the deluge.

Willingboro sent a dozen to the plate. Moceri, who got on base five times with three hits and a pair of walks, led off with a single. When the smoke cleared, Willingboro plated six runs on four hits.

Mark Stumpf, Wetzel, and Turner had two hits apiece for Willingboro. Stumpf knocked in three runs and scored two times. Moceri scored three times, and Loffredo twice.

"They beat us three times this year but I knew with our lineup we'd score some runs," Mike Stumpf said. "I hoped our pitching came through and luckily it did. We had a couple of mistakes in the field, but we were able to get out of it. When we got out of the second inning, bases loaded, no outs, I felt comfortable that we'd hold onto it.

"I just kept telling them, 'Score more runs.' Every inning we just kept the pressure on, which we haven't done this year a lot. We'd score early and fall asleep, and they'd come back. It's good to get the win."

On a day when Riverside stunned regular-season champion Burlington in their quarterfinal opener, Willingboro provided another reminder that the playoffs are a whole new season.

"We were missing a couple of guys during some of those (regular season) games," Moceri said. "Once we have the whole team here, we usually play pretty well. (We will) try to come out and do the same thing, hopefully, tomorrow. I don't think it will be 11-0, but hopefully we can get something done, hit the ball and pitch well again."

Delran advances to RVL finals

Source: https://www.burlingtoncountytimes.com/article/20120814/NEWS/308149719

By Kevin Kolodziej

Posted: Aug 14, 2012

SOUTHAMPTON -- It's been a play-from-behind postseason for Delran. Monday night was no different.

For the second straight series, Delran (No. 3 seed) has rallied from a loss in Game 1 to advance to the next round of the Rancocas Valley League playoffs. This time, Delran earned a spot in the RVL championship series with a convincing 10-3 victory over No. 2 seed Cinnaminson at Harry W. Thompson Field.

Delran will meet No. 4 seed Vincentown in the finals, which are best-of-five. The first round and semifinals are best-of-three.

The title series is scheduled to begin Wednesday. All games are 7:30 p.m. at Harry W. Thompson Field.

"Our guys came out and hit the ball great tonight," Delran player/manager Rocky Petrone said. "We had some big plays there at the end to keep the game out of reach for them. It was a lot of fun."

One of those plays in which Petrone was referring to was when third baseman Dan George crushed a ball to deep right center for a bases-clearing, three-run triple in the seventh inning. It was his second stand-up triple of the game, both of which were hit to essentially the same spot.

It was redemption, too. In the fourth, George committed two errors, one of which eventually cost his team a run. The June graduate of Delran High School stepped up when it mattered, though, and finished 3-for-4 with three RBIs and two runs scored.

"Those were some rough plays for me early on," George said. "It's great to help these guys win, because I'm a young player. I love playing with these guys, these guys are the best, and it's great to win."

Eric Gertie took the mound for Delran and did not disappoint. He threw all seven innings, allowed just two earned runs and struck out four, including the final out to seal Delran's berth in the finals.

"I was pretty confident with (Eric) Gertie on the mound," Petrone said. "He usually pitches well against Cinnaminson for some reason. They're a good team, but he really steps it up against them."

Cinnaminson did get on the board first, however, when Mike Osborne singled to score Joe Sirolli in the bottom of the first.

The following frame, Delran's Rex Workman crushed the very first pitch over the fence in left center to even the score. Delran added two runs each in the third and fourth innings to extend their lead to 5-1.

Cinnaminson attempted a comeback in the bottom half of the fourth when Frank Sirolli hit an RBI single and crossed home two batters later on a Greg Gilbert single.

Nonetheless, Delran proved to be too tough for the Reds in the end and scored five more in the seventh to essentially put the icing on the cake.

Red-hot Vincentown awaits. The Merchants swept No. 1 seed Burlington in their semifinal series.

"It's going to be tough, but there's going to be some good games," George said. "Hopefully we'll have (starting pitchers) Max (Newill) and (Jason) Ronca back, and they'll keep pitching as well as they've been. Hopefully we'll be able to hit Vincentown's pitching, too."

Vincentown bats come alive in win

Source: https://www.burlingtoncountytimes.com/article/20120816/NEWS/308169764

By Dave Zangaro

Posted: Aug 16, 2012

On the mound for Delran in the first game of five in the RVL championship finals playoffs against Vincentown Merchants AA was Max Newill. -Nancy Rokos

SOUTHAMPTON — It was only a matter of time.

The Vincentown bats were virtually silent through five innings of play Wednesday. Delran veteran Max Newill held them to six hits and just two runs through those first five innings.

After Stefan Kancylarz led off the sixth with a single, Newill’s night was over and so was Delran’s.

Vincentown had six hits in the sixth inning, scored nine runs and turned a one-run deficit into a runaway victory in an 11-4 win in the first game of the best-of-five Rancocas Valley League championship series.

“Eventually,” said Zeke Boren, who picked up the win for Vincentown and even hit an RBI single in that important sixth inning. “I was happy we were finally able to get some hits. We just started hitting the ball. It’s been happening a lot in the sixth inning.”

Delran actually had a 3-2 lead entering the top of the sixth inning before Vincentown put up the nine-spot, mostly on relief guy Mark Wickersham. Newill gutted out a nice performance even with a bone spur in his throwing elbow.

“It’s tough,” Delran player/manager Rocky Petrone said. “I just feel like we wasted a good outing by Max.”

Boren pitched five innings, giving up five hits and three runs. He also went 2-for-4 with a run scored and an RBI. But Boren was caught up in a pitchers’ duel with Newill for most of the game.

“He knows how to pitch,” Boren said of Newill. “He just knows how to pitch.”

In the all-important sixth inning, after Kancylarz led off with a single, John Bujanowski Jr. walked. After a flyout for the first out, Kevin Carty (in the eight-hole) hit an RBI double, which was followed by Boren’s double.

Leadoff guy Dan Williams walked and was brought home on a Sam Pepper two-run triple. Later in the inning, after Vincentown had already batted around, Mike Ferrara hit another two-run double for some extra insurance.

Before the sixth inning, Vincentown had two runs on six hits. In the sixth inning, Vincentown (23-13-1) had nine runs on six hits, which included four extra-base hits.

This isn’t the first time Delran (22-16-1) has been blown out in the first game of a playoff series. In fact, it’s become all too familiar. It lost the first game in the first series 11-0 to Willingboro and came back to win the next two.

In the semifinals, Delran lost 11-3 to Cinnaminson before winning the next two games to advance to the finals. Now they’ve lost 11-4 in the first game of the championship series. Can they do it again?

“Yeah,” Petrone said. “We’ve been there before.”

Vincentown and Delran will meet for Game 2 of the best-of-five series Thursday night, again at Harry W. Thompson field, at 7:30. Game 3 will be Friday, same time, same place.

If a Game 4 is needed, Saturday will be an off day and the series will pick up on Sunday, again at Harry W. Thompson field.

Dave Zangaro: 609-871-8081;

email: dzangaro@phillyBurbs.com; Twitter: @dzangaro

Burlington Mets head to York tourney

Source: https://www.burlingtoncountytimes.com/story/sports/high-school/2012/08/27/burlington-mets-head-to-york/17377540007/

Posted: Aug. 27, 2012

Haven’t had your fill of summer baseball yet? Neither have some members of the Rancocas Valley League.

The RVL’s regular-season champion Burlington Mets will field a 27-man roster — 25 RVLers and two outsiders — when they open play Saturday morning at 9 in the 48th Tom Kerrigan Memorial Baseball Tournament in York County, Pa.

The Mets, 27-3-2 during the regular season, will face Conrads at East Prospect Ball Field in Wrightsville to kick off the tournament, which uses 10 fields in Susquehanna and York counties.

Conrads won the regular-season title in the Susquehanna League with a 28-8 mark, but fell in the opening round of their league tournament. The Mets won their first round of RVL playoffs from Riverside, then lost to eventual champion Vincentown.

The teams met last year in the losers’ bracket, with Burlington winning 3-2. The Mets had a 3-2 record at last year’s tournament.

Beginning Saturday, games are at 9 a.m., noon and 3 p.m., through Monday. When you’ve lost twice, you go home.

Delran won the York Tournament in 2003.

Here is the Mets’ tournament roster:

Shaun Babula (Burlington) p-of, Brandon Barnes (Mount Laurel) of, Brian Black (Mount Laurel) of-p, Zeke Boren (Vincentown) p, Mike Delellis (Delran) c, Andy Eggleston (Keystone) p, Brandon Elliott (Burlington) p, Mike Ferrara (Vincentown) dh, Paul Guerrieri (Burlington) c-dh; John Harvey (Burlington) p, Vinny James (Burlington) c, Kevin Joo (Riverside) p, Ronnie Krankowski (Pine Barrens) p, Brett Miller (Cinnaminson) p, Greg Miller (Vincentown) 3b-p, Max Newill (Delran) p, Pedro Perez (Burlington) ss-p, Rocky Petrone (Delran) 1b;Jon Reiner (Burlington) 1b, Eric Schlitter (Bridgeport) 1b, Jamie Schwantes (Willingboro) dh, Zach Skidmore (Burlington) dh, Frank Sirolli (Cinnaminson) of, Mark Stumpf (Willingboro) 2b, Carl Taylor (Burlington) p, Jeff Vitale (Burlington) 3b, Jon Wetzel (Willingboro) of.

Book signing

Baseball fans in Burlington County, Mercer County, South Jersey and Bucks County (Pa.) will have an opportunity to get a copy of “Covered Wooden Grandstands” during a book signing at the Oneida Boat Club in Burlington City on Sept. 5, 7-9 p.m.

The book is a look at some of the players, managers, teams and fields that are part of ball in the Garden State, Pennsylvania and other states over the past 120 years. Editor Bruce Johnson will be there, along with local writers Joe Mason and Dave Zangaro, and possibly Phil Anastasia and MaryJane Offord, wife of the late Jeff Offord.

B-Mets go 2-1 in York

Source: https://www.burlingtoncountytimes.com/article/20120901/SPORTS/309019911

Posted: Sep 1, 2012

The Burlington Mets, regular-season champions of the Rancocas Valley League, went 2-1 on Saturday as they started play in the 48th annual Tom Kerrigan Memorial Baseball Tournament.

The Mets defeated Conrads, champs of the Susquehanna League, 6-2 in their opener. After an 8-3 win over Norristown/Gildea's, they took a 12-0 drubbing at the hands of the Long Island Storm.

Burlington Mets 6,

Conrads 2: Lefty Shaun Babula pitched a complete game six-hitter and struck out five in the 9 a.m. opener. Brian Black caught a fly ball in deep right field and threw out a runner at the plate in the seventh inning.

Burlington scored all its runs in the first inning. Frank Sirolli had an RBI double, Eric Schlitter an RBI single, Jon Wetzel a two-run single and sacrifice flys by Brian Black and Pedro Perez added the last two runs.

Mets 8, Norristown/Gildea's 3: Andy Eggleston pitched a complete game, allowing one earned run, and Sirolli and Schlitter each was 3-for-4 with two runs scored.

Babula doubled, stole third and scored on Schlitter's first hit. Matt Fischer and Wetzel added RBI singles and Mark Stumpf had a two-run double.

L.I. Storm 12, Mets 0: Max Newill took the loss, but he was touched for three grand-slam home runs, two in the third inning and one in the sixth inning. Ex-pro Nick Clark hit two of the slams.

Playing first base for the Storm was Danny Almonte (0-for-3), who gained fame several years ago when he played in the Little League World Series as a 14-year-old.

Babula was 2-for-2, while Black had a double.

Perez (shortstop) and Stumpf (second base) have played well defensively for the Mets, who return to action Sunday morning at 9 a.m. against Lehigh Valley, an 8-1 winner over Reading. John Harvey is expected to start for the Mets. With a win the Mets would advance to a 3 p.m. game with Ronnie Krankowski, Carl Taylor and Zeke Boren all ready for mound action.

Local Roundup: George leads Delran to RVL victory

Source: https://www.burlingtoncountytimes.com/article/20130612/SPORTS/306129702

Posted: Jun 12, 2013

Dan George was 3-for-3 and batted in three runs for Delran in a 6-4 win over Cinnaminson in a Rancocas Valley League baseball game Tuesday.

Max Newill was the winning pitcher, going all seven innings and striking out six as Delran boosted its record to 7-4. Rex Workman had two hits and scored two runs for Delran.

Cinnaminson (5-4) received two hits apiece from Greg Gilbert and Mike Wasco.

Vincentown 4, Pine Barrens 0: Joe Argow worked the first six innings and Greg Miller got the last three outs as the Merchants won their ninth game without a loss.

The Vincentown pitchers combined for six strikeouts. Adam Goldstein hit a two-run homer in the second inning to give Vincentown a 3-0 lead. Ryan Williams had two of the Merchants' six hits.

The game between Riverside and host Mount Laurel was postponed due to unplayable conditions left over from the rain Monday.

Babe Ruth

Prep: Matt Murphy was 2-for-2 with five RBIs for Delran in a 12-4 win over Burlington Township. Winning pitcher Matt Fey had six strikeouts in four innings.

Riverton basketball

6th grade-under girls: Maggie Londregan scored eight points for the Mount Laurel Rebels in a 27-15 win over Tyme 2 Shine (Sara Coppola 2).

6th-under boys: Najae Vaughn had 12 points for Genesis Medical in a 24-17 victory over Prestige Building (Kyle Robinson 10).

Kevin Muhic tallied 20 for John Meiluta Carpet Service in a 41-23 decision over Delran FOP 230 (Sean Ahrens 3).

Jahmier Washington's nine points aided Southern United Title Agency in a 34-15 triumph over Sacred Heart, which was led by Anthony Amendolia's eight points.

7th-8th boys: Carter Wilburn scored 10 points for Sacred Heart in a 35-17 win over Southern United Title Agency (Connor McConnell 5).

Jaqwan Lester had 11 for Genesis Medical in a 52-42 victory over McDonough Plumbing (Kamron Kobolak 14).

RVL Notebook: Ronca savors first RVL no-hitter

Source: https://www.burlingtoncountytimes.com/article/20130729/SPORTS/307299759

Posted: Jul 29, 2013

In sports, one name is often all it takes to instantly identify someone. Ali, Andre, Kareem, Magic, Michael and Tiger are well known to the point that Muhammad, the Giant, Abdul-Jabbar, Johnson, Jordan and Woods are pretty much unnecessary.

So it is with Delran pitcher Jason Ronca. For nine summers now, he's mostly been known to the Rancocas Valley Baseball League's hitters by his last name -- "Ronca."

(A case could be made for his first name "Jason," which conjures up scary memories of the Friday the 13th movies.)

So it will come as quite a surprise to those many RVL hitters to find out that two weeks ago, on July 14, when Ronca walked off the mound at Patty Bowker Field, he had thrown his first RVL no-hitter.

That 14-strikeout effort in a 6-0 victory completed a long day/night for Pine Barrens, and quite a day/night for Delran, which had won the opener 4-0 on a two-hitter by Eric Gertie.

Ronca, a 28-year-old out of Rancocas Valley High School and Rutgers-Camden, has been among the RVL's premier pitchers since 2005. Earlier this season he three-hit Cinnaminson and struck out 16.

"It was mostly uneventful," Ronca said of the no-hitter. "They hit one ball decently, but it was right at the right fielder."

The 6-foot-1, 215-pounder with the Kyle Kendrick-type motion -- "I've been told it's similar, but his delivery is a little more lucrative than mine" -- can recall only twice ever having better stuff.

"Sophomore year at Rutgers-Camden I had a no-hitter for 6 2/3 innings in my second start to earn a spot in the rotation," he said. "The next year I pitched 8 1/3 against The College of New Jersey, which was nationally ranked No. 1 at the time. I finished with nine strikeouts and we won 3-2 in 12."

That was good enough to earn Ronca some "looks" by the scouts.

"I had the opportunity to play independent ball with the Jersey Jackals, but opted to finish college instead," said Ronca, who now works as a policeman at Rutgers-Camden.

His stats for the last four years show a 20-4 record, with 238 strikeouts in 160 2/3 innings. In 2010 he won 9 games and struck out a league-best 91. This year he is 3-1 with 55 strikeouts in just 29 innings and a 1.21 ERA. Given those numbers, it's hard to imagine that Ronca feels 2005-08 were his best years. During those years he was 28-3 in 31 starts with 259 strikeouts.

That would've been the glory days at Delran, when Mike Dlug's club was going 22-6-4, 24-5-1 and 23-4 to win three straight regular-season titles, and playoff crowns in 2007 and '08, with Ronca pitching the title-clinching win both years.

"Being in or just out of college with the 40 to 60 hours a week of preparation associated with the college season really helps," Ronca said. "As you get older and away from the college preparation of baseball, your ability to maintain arm strength and ability to consistently throw good off-speed pitches for strikes, in general, fades away."

Currently Delran sits in sixth place in the RVL, with just a 12-14-1 record. But, Ronca warns, don't count them out when the playoffs start Saturday.

"It's been tough, losing (Mike) Delellis, (Dave) Kittle and then this year Rocky (Petrone)," Ronca said. "It would be tough on anybody, losing their 3-4-5 hitters. They're all quality players and quality people, too."

But in addition to Ronca, Delran has 37-year-old Max Newill and 26-year-old Eric Gertie ready to take the ball.

"We've got three guys there who know what it takes to win playoff games," Ronca said. "That experience is a huge benefit during the playoffs. That's how we got to the finals two of the past three years."

This and that

• Pine Barrens suffered two doubleheader whitewashes this month at Patty Bowker Field. But the four opposing pitchers were: Delran's Gertie and Ronca, and Burlington's Shaun Babula and John Harvey.
• The gloves were out at Life Center Academy last week, when Burlington's Paul Guerrieri dove for a ball like the Phils' Domonic Brown -- except Guerrieri made the catch. In the same game, V-town's Ryan Williams made back-to-back spectacular plays in an inning he assisted on all three outs.

Friday night at Patty Bowker, Burlington first baseman Jon Reiner combined with Babula for an incredible 3-1 putout at first that just nipped Bryan Henry.

Bruce Johnson: 609-871-8076; email: brjohnson@phillyBurbs.com

Delran Hall of Fame will induct 12

Source: https://www.burlingtoncountytimes.com/article/20131016/SPORTS/310169699

Posted: Oct 16, 2013

Delran High School will hold its annual Hall of Fame induction Nov. 28 prior to its Thanksgiving Day football game against visiting Cinnaminson.

Eight former athletes, three former coaches, a contributor to the athletic program and a championship football team will be recognized during a brunch scheduled for 8 a.m. in the high school cafeteria.

Tickets are $25 and may be purchased in the Delran athletic office or by calling 856-461-6100, ext. 3222.

The inductees are athletes Tracy Bart, Brian Gorman, Kevin Jordan, Nitesh Kadakia, Tom Prairie, Melissa Roberts, Ralph Sacca and Ted Trump; coaches Mike Kennedy, Bob Reasso and Bob Surette; contributor Don Kessler; and the 1987 football team that compiled an 11-0 record and won the South Jersey Group 2 title, the school's first sectional championship.

RVL notebook: Delran drops out of the league

Source: https://www.burlingtoncountytimes.com/article/20140427/SPORTS/304279623

Posted: Apr 27, 2014

Fourteen days until the 68th season of the Rancocas Valley Baseball League opens ...

For the first time in over 30 years, there will be no Delran entry in the Rancocas Valley Baseball League this summer.

Delran captured eight RVL titles -- five as the Delran Diamonds in 1977, 1978, 1981, 1984 and 1993, and the last three as Delran, in 2002, 2007 and 2008.

In addition to those titles, Delran lost in the 2010 and 2012 finals, and in 2011 it captured the regular-season title.

The recent retirement of core players like Mike Delellis, Dave Kittle and Rocky Petrone over the past few years, and injuries to Kyle Ballay and Matt Ulmer, among others, took their toll.

The announcement came via a text message from 2013 player-coach Mark Wickersham to league president Ric Babula during an organizational meeting at the Oneida Boat Club.

"Delran has been one of the top clubs in the league for a long time," Babula said. "It's a shame. But I'm not surprised. All their 2013 players are now free agents, and can sign with anybody."

Among the top players available are Ryan and Justin McFadden, Dan George, Rex Workman, Bobby Isopi and Wickersham. Jason Ronca, Eric Gertie and Max Newill can all still pitch, although age and family obligations have entered the picture.

Miller a Rivershark

Greg Miller made a big impression on the Camden Riversharks at their tryout camp in late March, and recently signed with the Atlantic League independent team.

Miller, 27, has been among the RVL's best hitters and relief pitchers the last four years for the Vincentown Merchants.

It was his second tryout with the Riversharks, the first coming last year. Miller was a 10th-round draft pick of the Milwaukee Brewers in 2008 out of Seton Hall University.

The Shamong native graduated from Hammonton High School, where his father was the principal.

"I think I was a lot less prepared last winter. I wasn't really sure what I wanted to do," Miller said. "But this year, it helped me work harder to get back and be more prepared mentally and physically for the workout."

Pitching coach Chris Widger is happy to have Miller on board.

"Greg is a player who has done all of the right things on the field, and he has such a great attitude off of it," Widger said. "It is awesome to see a local guy fight for and ultimately earn his chance to pitch for us. I'm excited to see how he contributes to our championship run this year."

The Riversharks dropped their first two games this season to the York (Pa.) Revolution. Miller was the losing pitcher Saturday night, allowing a run and two hits in the bottom of the eighth.

No Gilder Field in '14

The Bordentown Koenig Oilers were a league power in the 1960s, playing their home games on Gilder Field, just off Route 206. While the Oilers are long gone, Gilder has been refurbished and is still used by Bordentown Post 26 American Legion.

Mike Stumpf tried to schedule some games there this summer for his Willingboro team in the RVL, but that was shot down.

"The mayor wouldn't sign off on us playing there," he said. "He said the field is over-used. There's an NJIBL team that plays there Sunday mornings. That's it. I think there are 18 games scheduled. Maybe next year."

Some of my favorite baseball memories involve a Fourth of July baseball tournament between N.J. legion powerhouses Bordentown, Brooklawn, Hamilton and Westfield (my hometown). There'd be games all day, and back then there was a picnic area in center field. So a couple six-packs, a couple of subs equaled a beautiful day.

All-Star Game

The RVL will face Pennsylvania's Pen-Del League this summer in an all-star game matching leagues that opened in 1947.

The game will take place on Saturday, July 19, at Harry Thompson Field in Vincentown. Game time is 5 p.m.

The Pen-Del League includes teams from Glenside, Horsham, Northampton, Northeast Philadelphia, Plymouth, Upper Moreland and Warminster.

Opening night

The 2014 RVL season starts May 12 when Riverside visits Vincentown for an 8 p.m. first pitch at Harry Thompson Field.

Seven of the eight teams play their first games by May 16. The last team to open up is Mount Laurel, which doesn't start until May 20 against the Burlington Mets at the Field of Spleens.

Each team plays 28 games, with the regular-season ending on Tuesday, July 29.

All playoff games will be at Vincentown -- "August in V-town" -- starting Saturday, Aug. 2, with a quadruple-header involving all eight teams.

Bruce Johnson: 215-949-4210; email: brjohnson@calkins.com

RVL Notebook: A season of change

Source: https://www.burlingtoncountytimes.com/article/20140504/SPORTS/305049667

Posted: May 4, 2014

Seven days until the 68th season of the Rancocas Valley League starts.

Nothing will be official until Tuesday night's roster meeting at the Oneida Boat Club, on the shores of the Delaware River in Burlington, but, after getting several rosters via email, one thing has become crystal clear: There's going to be a lot of new looks and a lot of old familiar faces missing when the 68th season of the Rancocas Valley Baseball League starts next Monday night.

Although there are many longtime names still on the Burlington Mets roster, gone are veterans Jeff Vitale, Dan Graham and Dan Torres. That's 45 some years of experience, with Vitale having been around since 1990. Also gone is the very talented Mike Kerns, off to an independent league.

In their place is Max Newill (and no jokes that he makes up for the 45 years experience all by himself). The veteran lefty pitcher was signed after Delran dropped out of the league. That means there will be no 70-minute, seven-inning pitching duels between Newill and Shaun Babula this summer.

This year will be the 50th anniversary of the Burlington Mets being known as the Mets.

And there were some wholesale changes on the Cinnaminson Reds. Gone are veterans Bob and Mike Osborne, Corey and Ryan Mingin, and pitcher Nick Melchiorre. Replacing them are Vitale, former Delran pitcher Eric Gertie and former Red John Dockins, who didn't play in the RVL last summer.

Coach Brett Miller may have lost two brother combinations, but he still has three others: Geoff and Greg Gilbert, Frank and Joe Sirolli, and Mike and Tim Wasco. And he's got some newcomers he expects big-time help from.

At Pine Barrens, coach Gerry Lamola returns a mostly veteran lineup, including perennial Ronnie Krankowski, whose arm problems may limit him to DHing this year. Cameron Bahr was signed after getting released by Cinnaminson.

NJAC playoffs

The RVL was well represented this week in the New Jersey Athletic Conference tournament.

Top-seeded Rutgers-Camden had Connor Hall (Mount Laurel) at first base. He started all 35 regular-season games and hit .348, with a slugging percentage of .588. Among his hits were 10 doubles and seven home runs, and his 42 RBIs were second on the team.

Rowan had seven RVLers, four of them current or former members of the Pine Barrens Phantoms -- Nick Henderson, Dylan Johannink, Rich Powelson and Eric Sellitto. Ryan Williams (Vincentown), Kevin McMenamin (formerly Delran) and Tyler Bayley (Willingboro) were the others.

And The College of New Jersey's roster included Justin Ely (Mount Laurel) and Josh Limon (formerly Burlington).

Blue Mountain expands

In Pennsylvania, the Blue Mountain League has added three teams, two from the late Tri-County League, which folded at the end of the 2013 season after a 63-year run.

Added to the eight BML teams -- defending champ Martin's Creek Creekers, Berlinsville Braves, Blue Mountain Hawks, Easton Falcons, Hellertown Royals, Limeport Dodgers, MetLife Orioles and Northampton Giants -- were the defending Tri-County champ Northern Yankees of Allentown, and Limeport Bulls. (The more games at Limeport Stadium, the better!) Also new to the BML are the Roseto Bandits.

The league opens play May 15 and will play one 11-team division. The top six teams qualify for the playoffs in late July/early August.

Bruce Johnson: 215-949-4210; email: brjohnson@calkins.com

RVL Notebook: It's 'Play ball" for RVL's 68th season

Source: https://www.burlingtoncountytimes.com/story/sports/high-school/2014/05/11/rvl-notebook-it-s-play/17514884007/

By BCT Staff Writer

Posted: May 11, 2014

The long and winding road to “August in V-town” — the Rancocas Valley League playoffs — begins Monday night when Riverside travels east for an 8 p.m. game against the Vincentown Merchants.

This will be the 68th season of the RVL, and the 117th consecutive summer of organized semipro baseball in Burlington County.

Of course, winning the regular season and winning the playoffs have not been a match recently. In fact, over the last five summers only the Burlington Mets in 2010 have won both titles in the same year.

Vincentown and Burlington finished 1-2 in the regular season last year, then flip-flopped in the playoffs with Burlington beating Vincentown.

The regular season ends July 29 and the playoffs are scheduled to start Aug. 2, when four games Saturday and four more Sunday start things with a bang.

Here are the rosters, in order of last year’s regular-season finish, with comments.

VINCENTOWN MERCHANTS

Manager: Harry Thompson

Home field: Harry Thompson Field, Vincentown

Roster: Joe Argow, Zeke Boren, Jack Bujanowski, John Bujanowski, Kevin Carty, Mike Ferrara, Troy Foster, Adam Goldstein, Greg Miller, Jon Morrow, Jesse Pappler, Sam Pepper, Vern Powell, Eric Shugars, Al Smith, Bryce Sonberg, Dave Stieg, Ian Thomas, Billy Thompson, Harry Thompson, Damon Valloreo, Danny Williams, Ryan Williams, Rex Workman.

Outlook: Losing Greg Miller to the independent Camden Riversharks leaves a monster hole at third base and the cleanup spot. But Harry Thompson returns the rest of his lineup — with Rex Workman, formerly of Delran, replacing Jesse Pappler at first.

BURLINGTON METS

Manager: Ric Babula, Keith Babula

Home field: Life Center Academy, Florence

Roster: Keith Babula, Shaun Babula, Ryan Bell, Brandon Elliott, Matt Fischer, Dominic Gallone, Ronnie Grant, Paul Guerrieri, Kevin Gunter, Marshall Harden, John Harvey, Vinny James, Matt Jolly, Garrett Mull, Max Newill, Anthony Perez, Pedro Perez, Jon Reiner, Kyle Semmel, Zach Skidmore, Carl Taylor, Dave Viselli, Jon Wilkins.

Outlook: Mike Kerns opted for independent baseball and Jeff Vitale is now with Cinnaminson, but Burlington’s deep pitching staff — Shaun Babula, John Harvey, Carl Taylor, Pedro Perez, Jon Wilkins and Kevin Gunter — got deeper with the additions of Max Newill (Delran) and Marshall Harden.

WILLINGBORO

Manager: Mike Stumpf

Home field: J.F. Kennedy Rec Center, Willingboro

Roster: Tyler Bayley, Bryan Bessinger, Justin Binder, Brian Camp, Fran Caruso, Kevin Faber, Kazon Godwin, Mike Gulli, Dan Hill, Mike Juckett, Jose Martinez, Wilbert Martinez, Connor McFarlane, Matt Moceri, Pat Moran, Sam Nocito, Craig Ricks, Jamie Schwantes, Matt Speckman, Rich Stronski, Mark Stumpf, Mike Stumpf, John Trotman, John Walls, Jon Wetzel.

Outlook: With slugger Matt Moceri back in the lineup and most of last year’s third-place team returning, this could be a big year for coach Mike Stumpf.

MOUNT LAUREL

Manager: Dean Johnson

Home field: Babe Ruth Field, Delanco

Roster: Brandon Barnes, Brian Black, Kurtis Burnett, John Burns, Niko Celia, Mike Cooper, Ryan Derry, Kevin Diamond, William Di Curcio, Justin Ely, Ben Fadool, Connor Hall, Dean Johnson, Ken Kraft, Rich Leadbeater, Ryan McFadden, Jeff McGarry, Paul Meagher, Austin Papp, Cole Pewor, Andrew Shaefer, Trevor Sotell, Matt Szukics, Mike Tobia.

Outlook: Coach Dean Johnson might have his best team since 2007, when it lost in the playoff finals. Everybody is back, and it added speedy center fielder Ryan McFadden when Delran folded. It improved to 7-21-2 in 2012 to 15-12 last year.

RIVERSIDE

Manager: Mike Hynes

Home field: Kenney Field, Riverside

Roster: Jeff Briggs, Frank Cerami, Dan Coughlin, Tyler DiPascale, Jesse Fante, Tyler Freeman, Joe Gutowski, Pat Hayduk, Dan Horniak, Alex Humes, Tim Kemmerle, Dante Keys, Brett Knazek, Joe Knazek, Matt Leith, Kevin Lovitte, Matt Mann, Kevin McAdams, Jonnie McGugan, Eric Oliver, Jason Sabol, Josh Sabol, Donnie Strain, Tyler Wolf.

Outlook: Another team that made a huge improvement, from 12-20-3 in 2012 to 13-16-1 last year. All the key players return, along with former player-coach Donnie Strain.

PINE BARRENS PHANTOMS

Manager: Gerry Lamola

Home field: Patty Bowker Field, Tabernacle

Roster: Mason Anderson, Matt Baer, Cameron Bahr, Alex Campbell, Anthony Coniglio, Matt Curry, Mike Follet, Jerry Gares, Vince Gares, Nick Henderson, Bryan Henry, Tyler Kaiser, Mike Kondrath, Ronnie Krankowski, Ryan Krupa, Gerry Lamola, Mike Lamola, Alec Marconi, Shane Pastore, Eric Sellito, Phil Shallenberger, Brandon Triantos, JT Triantos.

Outlook: The team went 4-30 in 2012 as Pemberton, then changed their name and went 10-19-1 last year. There was a massive roster overhaul, but many key guys — Nick Henderson, Bryan Henry, Mike Kondrath, Ron Krankowski, Eric Sellitto, JT Triantos — will be in Tabernacle.

CINNAMINSON REDS

Manager: Brett Miller

Home field: Memorial Park, Cinnaminson

Roster: Craig Carrol, John Dockins, Bill Dove, Dan Gavlik, Eric Gertie, Geoff Gilbert, Greg Gilbert, Jim Goodwin, Antonio Guido, Clinton Hart, Kyle Higgins, Matt Janulis, Chris McManus, John Meadus, Brett Miller, Dennis O’Hanlan, Christian Rahman, Alan Sanky, Greg Santora, Frank Sirolli, Joe Sirolli, Ryan Varga, Jeff Vitale, Tim Wasco, Mike Wasco.

Outlook: The Reds went from 25-10 in 2012 to 11-15 last year, finishing eighth and playing in the play-in game. There were some major roster losses, but manager Brett Miller expects to be in title contention.

BURLINGTON TWP. PIRATES

Manager: Ed Eifert

Home field: Viereck Field, Burlington Township.

Roster: Kyle Batie, Ken Brock, Ian Buluck, Dan Callahan, Nick Cancelliere, Joey Dash, Phil Dunbar, Brian Eifert, Eddie Eifert, Ed Eifert Sr., Wayne Feret, Zach Gould, Jazz Hendrick, Eddie Hoffman, Aaron Jones, Lucas Jones, Matt Klish, Charlie Lavin, CJ McNutt, Ryan Murtaugh, Joe Parzyck, Giancarlo Regni, Ace Robinson, Mike Zier.

Outlook: It was another long summer for manager Ed Eifert, but he has added a couple of veteran arms — Jazz Hendrick and Ace Robinson — to help Nick Cancelliere. Wayne Feret is solid.

Bruce Johnson

RVL: Ageless Newill still winning

Source: https://www.burlingtoncountytimes.com/article/20140608/SPORTS/306089620

Posted: Jun 8, 2014

Coaching the Bridgewater-Raritan High Panthers and throwing an occasional batting practice has apparently helped keep Max Newill and his arm feeling young.

The ageless lefty made his 2014 debut last Tuesday and, in his first game as a member of the Burlington Mets, shut down Mount Laurel 7-2.

Newill, of course, engaged in some memorable pitching duels when he pitched against the Mets for the now-defunct Delran entry in the Rancocas Valley League.

He struck out eight, walked two and allowed four hits while nibbling at the corners all night. He took a shutout into the bottom of the seventh.

"It was a typical Max game," Mets manager Keith Babula said. "He works fast, throws a lot of strikes and keeps the hitters off balance. He said before the game he was happy to put on blue jersey because every other team he played for -- Delran High, Baldwin-Wallace College and Delran in the RVL -- wore brown."

Newill wasn't wearing a Mets uniform for the first time. He's been on the team's roster the last few years for the Labor Day weekend York Tournament in Pennsylvania.

"He's pitched for us in York the last three years," Babula said. "He pitched a good game in the winners' bracket final last year against the Susquehanna Assault, who won the tournament."

Newill's last RVL appearance was last August, a 2-1 loss to Willingboro in the opening round.

Burlington vs. Hellertown?

It's a dream matchup: the defending RVL champion Burlington Mets vs. the Hellertown Royals, a perennial powerhouse in Pennsylvania's Blue Mountain League.

It's tentatively scheduled for July 26. The Royals currently lead the BML with a 7-2 mark. They must finish either first or second in the regular season to get a playoff bye that would allow the exhibition to be played.

Hellertown, located just south of Bethlehem, has won five of the last nine BML championships, including four straight from 2009-12.

One at a time

Yes, it was only one game, but Gerry Lamola was almost giddy after the Pine Barrens Phantoms opened their season last Monday with an 8-1 win at Riverside.

Playing without veterans Nick Henderson, Bryan Henry, Mike Lamola, Rich Powelson and Eric Sellitto, he got a complete game from Rancocas Valley High senior Mason Anderson.

"These young kids were amazing," Lamola said. "They hit the ball. And Mason Anderson threw a great game. We have a lot of arms."

Wick's back

Mark Wickersham has been signed by the Cinnaminson Reds. The former Delran third baseman had been thinking of retiring, or just playing in a weekend league.

After several decent seasons, "Wick" hit .466 last summer with 17 RBIs.

Making moves

Mount Laurel: Signed Mike Dunlap and Marty McDonald. Released John Burns.

Cinnaminson: Signed Mark Wickersham. Released John Meadus and Chris McManus.

Pine Barrens: Released Matt Baer and Jerry Gares.

Riverside: Signed Jimmy Coughlin, Jim Corbett and Alex Forte. Released Joe Breymeier and Tyler Freeman.

Vincentown: Signed Adam Collis.

Willingboro: Re-signed Brett McLaughlin and Wilbert Martinez. Signed Drew Rodriguez. Released Matt Moceri and Mike Stumpf.

Bruce Johnson: 267-307-7138; email: bj1019@aol.com

RVL: Burlington edges Mount Laurel

Source: https://www.burlingtoncountytimes.com/article/20140610/NEWS/306109641

Posted: Jun 10, 2014

Max Newill struck out eight and picked up the decision Tuesday in the Burlington Mets' 3-2 win over Mount Laurel in the Rancocas Valley Baseball League.

Newill worked the first six innings and John Harvey handled the seventh as the Mets boosted their record to 8-0.

Shaun Babula was 2-for-2, Garrett Mull had two hits and one RBI, and Vinny James also batted in a run for Burlington. Both Mount Laurel (1-5) runs were knocked in by Connor Hall. Starter Marty McDonald pitched five strong innings and Mike Cooper had a scoreless sixth inning.

Pine Barrens 6, Vincentown 4: Mason Anderson (5 1/3 innings, 1 earned run) and Anthony Coniglio combined to lift the Phantoms (3-2) over the Merchants at Patty Bowker Field.

Tyler Kaiser supplied the winners' offense with a single and a solo home run in the third off Damon Valloreo.

Ryan Williams led Vincentown (5-5) with a double and triple, and Mike Ferrara had a double.

The Cinnaminson-Willingboro game scheduled for Tuesday was postponed due to unplayable field conditions at J.F. Kennedy Rec Center.

RVL stars take on Pendel stars

Source: https://www.burlingtoncountytimes.com/article/20140713/SPORTS/307139630

Posted: Jul 13, 2014

The Rancocas Valley Baseba ll League will take on the Pendel League in an all-star game this coming Saturday, 5 p.m., at Vincentown's Harry Thompson Field.

The RVL's starting lineup is: ss Pedro Perez, cf Frank Sirolli, rf Matt Speckman, dh Zach Skidmore, 1b Dan Gavlik, 3b Marshall Harden, lf Brandon Barnes, c Joe Knazek, 2b Eddie Stiles, p Shaun Babula.

The RVL pitching staff is loaded, and (with ERA's through Friday's games) features Burlington's Babula (0.00), John Harvey (3.30) and Max Newill (2.96), Cinnaminson's Christian Rahman (2.07), Pine Barrens' Ronnie Krankowski (2.62) and Mason Anderson (2.46), Willingboro's Connor McFarlane (2.25), Vincentown's Damon Valloreo (1.72) and Burlington Township's CJ McNutt (1.40).

Some players were voted to the team -- Vinny James, Greg Gilbert, Kyle Higgins, Eric Gertie, Mike Tobia -- but are unable to attend. Other players were voted to the team as position players -- Babula and Ronnie Krankowski -- but chose to be pitchers.

Here are the rosters for both teams:

* voted by RVL managers as a starter

# unavailable to play

(r) added as replacement

(p) voted as a starter but chose to pitch

RVL ALL-STARS

Catcher

*# Vinny James (Burlington)

Joe Knazek (Riverside)

(r) Bill Dove (Cinnaminson)

First base

* Dan Gavlik (Cinnaminson)

Connor Hall (Mount Laurel)

Infield

* Eddie Stiles (Riverside)

# Kyle Higgins (Cinnaminson)

(r) Mark Stumpf (Willingboro)

* Marshall Harden (Burlington)

Tyler Kaiser (Pine Barrens)

* Pedro Perez (Burlington)

John Dockins (Cinnaminson)

Outfield

* Brandon Barnes (Mount Laurel)

(p) Ron Krankowski (Pine Barrens)

(r) Jon Wetzel (Cinnaminson)

* (p) Shaun Babula (Burlington)

Frank Sirolli (Cinnaminson)

(r) Brian Black (Mount Laurel)

* # Geoff Gilbert (Cinnaminson)

Matt Speckman (Willingboro)

(r) Dante Keys (Riverside)

Designated hitter

* Zach Skidmore (Burlington)

Jack Bujanowski (Vincentown)

Pitcher

Shaun Babula (Burlington)

John Harvey (Burlington)

Max Newill (Burlington)

Ron Krankowski (Pine Barrens)

Christian Rahman (Cinnaminson)

# Eric Gertie (Cinnaminson)

# Mike Tobia (Mount Laurel)

Damon Valloreo (Vincentown)

CJ McNutt (Burlington Twp.)

(r) Connor McFarlane (Willingboro)

(r) Mason Anderson (Pine Barrens)

PENDEL ALL-STARS

Catcher

Casey Rothwell (Huntington Valley)

Dave McInerney (Upper Moreland)

First base

Mike Janas (Upper Moreland)

Anthony Pletscher (Glenside)

Infield

Bobby Argeros (Warminster)

Mark Woltemate (LOMA)

Steve Sable (Warminster)

Brandon Roman (Warminster)

Pat Brady (Huntington Valley)

Bryan Wilde (Hunterdon Valley)

Sean Byles (Northampton)

Outfield

Darnell Muse (Huntington Valley)

Dustin Kology (LOMA)

Jesse Goldstein (Horsham)

Sean Welsh (Warminster)

Alex Bragin (Warminster)

Brady McNab (Horsham)

Pitcher

Drew Gerhardt (Northampton)

Andrew Lihotz (Warminster)

Sean McCloskey (Horsham)

Ray Malagon (Horsham)

Rob Andris (Huntington Valley)

Tom Hellwarth (LOMA)

Tom Miller (LOMA)

Kyle Waler (Upper Moreland)

Dalton Smoot (Upper Moreland)

Youth movement

Harry Thompson has seen just about every possible situtation during his almost 70 years in the RVL. The Vincentown Merchants manager simply rolls with the punches.

"We've gone from one of the elite teams to . . . " Thompson said, of his 7-13 team. "But when you take the 2-3-4-5 hitters out of the lineup, that's going to happen. We're playing six, seven high school kids now, and I'll tell you what, I like them. They come to play."

The Merchants, who won the RVL in 2012 and were runner-up in 2013, are without Sam Pepper, Greg Miller, Jesse Pappler and Troy Foster, who were huge parts of that success.

"We'll be OK, babe," Thompson said. "I like this kid at catcher, Brandon Kay. He's got a gun. And when the Williams boys, Ryan and Dan, are here, we're a pretty good team still."

7 p.m. in V-town

The league announced that Vincentown's remaining home games will start at 7 p.m., rather than the normal 8 p.m.

Semipro book in the Hall

"Covered Wooden Grandstands," a book about semipro baseball in New Jersey, has been selected for inclusion in the library at the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York. The book is in ABNER (American Baseball Network for Electronic Research), the Hall's online library catalog.

Among the many outstanding New Jersey sports writers contributing to the book were Bruce Johnson and Joe Mason of the BCT (the late Jeff Offord passed away before completing his story), former BCT writer Dave Zangaro, and Phil Anastasia of the Philadelphia Inquirer.

There are four stories involving the RVL -- on Shaun Babula, Jack Bujanowski, Rocky Petrone and Harry Thompson -- plus stories from every county in New Jersey, and some from six other states.

Exhibition still on

The Mets' July 26 exhibition game with the Hellertown Royals of Pennsylvania's Blue Mountain League is still on . . . "tentatively," according to Mets' manager Keith Babula.

The Royals are currently in first place in the BML, which means they would get a first-round bye in the playoffs and could play the Mets.

"I don't know if we'll have enough players to field a team," Babula said. "Hopefully, we will."

RVL: Burlington works OT to oust Mount Laurel

Source: https://www.burlingtoncountytimes.com/article/20140804/SPORTS/308049740

By Pete Innaurato

Posted: Aug 4, 2014

SOUTHAMPTON -- There's a reason the Burlington Mets are one of the top teams in the Rancocas Valley Baseball League. It's tough to argue that point, especially after the 2013 RVL champions pulled out a gut-wrenching 6-3 victory in nine innings over Mount Laurel on Monday night at Harry W. Thompson Field.

It took a clutch two-run single by Zach Skidmore for the Mets to sweep the opening round of the playoffs. The victory advances Burlington to the next round against Riverside, Tuesday night at 6:30. Cinnaminson-Willingboro will play the second game of the doubleheader after the first game ends.

Starter Max Newill was solid through seven innings, allowing three runs (two earned) on 12 hits, while walking one and striking out five. Jon Wilkins picked up the win with two shutout innings of relief.

"I feature the same stuff every time out: fastball, curveball, changeup," Newill said. "I don't throw hard so I try to hit my spot and change speeds. Unfortunately they got to me in the sixth even though I felt like I made some good pitches. But it feels good to wrap this up."

The offense came to work in the first inning for Burlington as Skidmore grounded an RBI single to center-field to plate Pedro Perez, who walked two batters earlier.

Mount Laurel tied the game on an RBI single by Mike Tobia in the fourth to bring home Tyler Powell, who singled to lead off the frame.

In the fifth, Burlington took a 2-1 lead on a two-out infield error.

"The one thing that has to change next season is the amount of unearned runs we give up," Mount Laurel manager Dean Johnson said. "Seriously, that is one part of our game that has to improve and I think it will."

Mount Laurel took a 3-2 lead in the bottom half of the sixth inning on four hits and a throwing error by Burlington. After singles by Powell and Brian Black, Tobia picked up a base hit to knock in Powell and tie the game. Later in the inning, a throwing error plated the Laurel's third run.

Burlington tied the game in the seventh when Shaun Babula scored from second on an infield single by Marshall Harden, eliminating the thought of a complete-game victory for Mount Laurel starter Justin Ely.

"That was a mind-lapse," Johnson said. "We should've known who was running. He's done that to us before."

Perez doubled to lead off the ninth. After a Harden single, Skidmore, who was 2-for-4 with a walk, brought home two runs on a two-run single to left-center to give the Mets a 5-3 advantage. An RBI on a fielder's choice by Matt Hill plated the fifth run.

"They scored more runs than we wanted in that sixth inning," Newill said. "We had some defensive lapses late, so we will have to clean that up."

RVL: Burlington takes lead in championship series

Source: https://www.burlingtoncountytimes.com/article/20140811/NEWS/308119701

By Pete Innaurato

Posted: Aug 11, 2014

Max Newill pitches in the 3rd inning of the Rancocas Valley League Championship Final against Cinnaminson, Monday, August 11, 2014. Burlington won 10-1. (PHOTO Bryan Woolston / @woolstonphoto)

SOUTHAMPTON — The Burlington Mets need one win to repeat as Rancocas Valley Baseball League champions.

Burlington’s 10-1 victory Monday night lifted the Mets into a 2-1 lead over Cinnaminson in the RVL championship series.

Game 4 is scheduled for Wednesday, 7 p.m. back at Harry Thompson Field. If necessary, Game 5 would be Thursday at the same time and site.

The series has featured timely hitting and crooked numbers, such as the Mets’ seven-run sixth inning that expanded on a 3-1 edge. The Burlington offense offered plenty of support to winning pitcher Max Newill.

“I featured a fastball, curveball and changeup,” the veteran southpaw said. “The guys did a good job and made some great defensive plays to keep the game where it was at early on; I didn’t throw my changeup for a strike the first four innings. The offense got me some runs in the fifth, so from there it was my job to throw a shutdown inning and close it out.”

Newill struck out four, walked one and scattered seven hits. He is completing his first season with Burlington, having joined the Mets when Delran did not field a team this season.

Burlington plated a run in the top half of the first inning, thanks to an RBI single from Marshall Harden. In the bottom of the first, the Mets escaped a bases-loaded jam as Newill induced a fly ball to retire the side.

The Reds would knot the score when Greg Gilbert brought home Bill Dove (walk) with a base hit. Cinnaminson, however, left the bases loaded once again and the score remained 1-1 headed to the fifth.

“We were talking about this being the game that we needed to come out and hit the ball hard,” Burlington’s Zach Skidmore said.

That’s exactly what the doctor ordered for the Mets in the fifth and sixth innings, as nine runs crossed the plate in the two frames.

In the fifth, Matt Hill plated Pedro Perez (walk) with an RBI single to give the Mets the lead. Skidmore followed with an RBI double to left-center to cap the scoring for that inning.

In the sixth, the floodgates opened. Garrett Mull (single) and Vinny James (walk) got aboard to start the inning. A swinging bunt from Perez and a throwing error enabled Mull to score.

A walk to Casey Donahue loaded the bases and Shaun Babula walked to send James home. Two batters later, the powerhouse, Skidmore, busted it wide open with a grand slam to deep right-center field. An RBI single from Mull finished the scoring for the night.

“I’ve been hitting the ball all series,” said Skidmore, who was 4-for-4 with five RBIs. “(Mike Wasco of Cinnaminson) has caught about eight of my balls out there. It was nice to finally get one over the fence; I’ve been waiting for it.”

RVL Notebook: Stars shined brightly this summer

Source: https://www.burlingtoncountytimes.com/article/20140817/SPORTS/308179682

By Bruce Johnson

Posted: Aug 17, 2014

A former near-miss professional prospect once said of the Rancocas Valley Baseball League: "I know it's only a beer league, but it's all we got."

Well, it's actually a little more than a beer league. The RVL is a place where top high schoolers, college players, and former players at both levels and pro ball, can play 30 to 35 games a summer, at a high level, to keep sharp.

But you get the point.

The season ended among the rain drops at Harry W. Thompson Field last Thursday with the Burlington Mets winning their second straight playoff title, and third in five years. The Cinnaminson Reds forced five games with a crazy four-in-the-seventh win in Game 4, but it was pretty much all Mets in the 6-1 deciding game.

It was the clincher on another strong summer of adult baseball in the county, the 68th season for the RVL, and the 117th year since the Burlington County League started in 1898. (The leagues merged in 1952.)

While Burlington and Cinnaminson were the elite teams, Pine Barrens (17) and Riverside (14) set team records for victories, Willingboro was a threat to anybody in the playoffs, and both Vincentown and Mount Laurel had their moments.

For the past few summers we've honored the league's top players at each position, so here's our 2014 RVL All-Star Team (based mostly but not totally on the regular season):

1b -- Connor Hall, Mount Laurel: A hit machine out of the cleanup slot, who connected for a .366 average with 26 hits, two home runs and 15 ribbies.

2b -- Mark Stumpf, Willingboro: A wizard with the glove, capable of changing the flow of a game single-handed. He also batted .420 with 37 hits, and a dozen stolen bases.

3b -- Marshall Harden, Burlington: Hitting No. 3 or 4 for the league champs, the first-year Met had a .402 average, with 35 hits, 10 doubles and four home runs, and knocked in 29 runs.

ss -- John Dockins, Cinnaminson: Could've hit .150 and he would've made my team for his glove. But he hit .397 and also scored 31 runs as the leadoff man for the regular-season champs.

of -- Ron Krankowski, Pine Barrens: The do-it-all veteran hit .376, led the league in doubles with 11, drove in 18 runs and, oh yeah, was the Phantoms' No. 2 pitcher, going 3-2 with a 2.33 ERA and 1.56 WHIP.

of -- Shaun Babula, Burlington: He is a defensive whiz in center field, and also was the regular-season batting champ (.440), led the league in runs (41), hits (45), walks (29), and was 33-for-33 in stolen bases.

of -- Frank Sirolli, Cinnaminson: As good a defensive outfielder as there is in the league, Sirolli was also a solid leadoff or No. 2 hitter for manager Brett Miller. He hit .280, but had nine doubles and a homer among his 28 hits, and knocked in 21, third on the team.

c -- Bill Dove, Cinnaminson: The newcomer was a rock behind the plate for the Reds, playing every game and providing plenty of offense -- .345 with 30 hits, including 10 doubles, and a team-best 25 ribbies.

dh -- Tyler Kaiser, Pine Barrens: the first-year player out of Rider University was a huge factor in the Phantoms' success. He hit .402 with 29 runs, 37 hits -- 15 for extra bases, including a league-best four HRs.

util -- Garrett Mull, Burlington: Over the years, Mull has played every position but pitcher for the Mets . . . and played them well. Also managed to post a .361 average, with 18 runs and 26 hits.

p -- Shaun Babula, Burlington: normally position players don't make my all-star team as a pitcher, too, but Babula is the exception, since he also led the league in complete games (10), innings pitched (70), strikeouts (73) and wins (8), while posting a 1.20 ERA and 0.97 WHIP.

p -- Eric Gertie, Cinnaminson: the big guy ate up innings in his first year with the Reds, much as he did when he was with Delran. He finished 6-1 in 44.1 innings with eight complete games, a 1.42 ERA and 1.06 WHIP.

p -- Mason Anderson, Pine Barrens: The Rancocas Valley High graduate went 7-0 in the regular season and led the league in regular-season strikeouts (51). His ERA was 1.94 and his WHIP 1.25.

p -- Christian Rahman, Cinnaminson: On a very deep staff, Rahman managed to go 3-2 with six complete games in 35.2 innings. He struck out a team-high 42 and walked just eight.

SECOND TEAM

1b -- Alex Campbell, Pine Barrens

1b -- Dan Gavlik, Cinnaminson

2b -- Eddie Stiles, Riverside

2b -- Kyle Higgins, Cinnaminson

3b -- Mark Wickersham, Cinnaminson

3b -- Brett Knazek, Riverside

ss -- Josh Sabol, Riverside

ss -- Pedro Perez, Burlington

of -- Brandon Barnes, Mount Laurel

of -- Johnny Bujanowski, Vincentown

of -- Tyler Powell, Mount Laurel

of -- Jeff Briggs, Riverside

of -- Geoff Gilbert, Cinnaminson

of -- Eric Sellito, Pine Barrens

c -- Jose Martinez, Willingboro

c -- Vinny James, Burlington

dh -- Zach Skidmore, Burlington

dh -- Dante Keys, Riverside

util -- Mike Wasco, Cinnaminson

util -- Phil Shallenberger, Pine Barrens

p -- Frank Cerami, Riverside

p -- Dan Hill, Willingboro

p -- Max Newill, Burlington

p -- Jim Goodwin, Cinnaminson

p -- Craig Carrol, Cinnaminson

p -- Ryan Bell, Burlington

Miller Time

Former Vincentown slugger/pitcher Greg Miller was a spectator at Thursday's Game 5 of the playoff finals, and visited his old manager Harry Thompson.

Miller played for the independent Camden Riversharks this summer and did fairly well before an injury ended his season and he was released.

No word on Miller's plans for next summer, but it wouldn't surprise to see him return. Thompson would love that!

Miller, by the way, could be suiting up for the Burlington Mets when they participate in the Tom Kerrigan Memorial Tournament in York, Pennsylvania, over Labor Day weekend. The Mets will be more of an RVL all-star team, taking players from the league to fill out their roster.

Another blast from the past, former Delran star Mike DeLellis, was also in attendance. He has also played for the Mets in York in the past.

Quick turnaround

The Somerville Giants won the North Amateur Baseball Association championship for the second straight year with a doubleheader sweep of the Garden State Senators from Toms River on Saturday.

Babula and Wasco, on opposing teams during the RVL championship series 36 hours earlier -- were both on the Giants. Other RVLers on the team were Hill, Mike Kerns (Burlington 2013) and Matt Speckman (Willingboro).

Other RVLers who have played for the Giants include DeLellis, Mike Ferrara, Sean Gusrang, Dan Hennigan, Mark McCouch, Sean McNeil, Jose Rodriguez, Jason Ronca, Zach Skidmore and Damon Valloreo.

Bruce Johnson: 267-307-7138; email: bj1019@aol.com

Burlington Mets stay alive

Source: https://www.burlingtoncountytimes.com/article/20140831/SPORTS/308319692

Posted: Aug 31, 2014

YORK, Pa. -- There are three teams left standing after play in the 50th Tom Kerrigan Memorial Tournament ended Sunday -- and the Burlington Mets are one of them.

The Mets won two of three Sunday -- getting complete games from Andy Eggelston, Max Newill and Ronnie Krankowski -- to advance to Monday's 9 a.m. losers' bracket final against Mount Wolf. If they beat the Wolves, the champions of the York County League, the Mets would have to twice beat the two-time defending champion Susquehanna Assault of Bel Air, Maryland, at noon and 3 p.m.

The Mets lost to the Assault 2-1 in eight innings Sunday morning, despite Eggelstone's five-hitter and zero earned runs allowed.

Frank Sirolli doubled and scored on a second-inning single by Pedro Perez. Eric Schlitter was 3-for-4 and Sirolli 2-for-2. Jay Witasick, who pitched 12 years in the big leagues, pitched 3 1/3 innings of scoreless relief for the win.

Veteran lefty Newill kept the Mets alive with a four-hitter as they beat Glen Rock, Pennsylvania, 9-2, with both runs unearned. Mike Vilardo smacked a two-run homer for Burlington, and Mike DeLellis knocked in three runs and Mike Olszyk two. Schlitter, Jon Wetzel and Marshall Harden each had single ribbies, and Shaun Babula scored three times.

In the third game, Krankowski gave up four hits in a 12-2 five-inning win over the Staten Island Brothers. Babula led off the game with a single, stole second and third and scored on Jon Wetzel's single. A seven-run second inning featured two-run singles by Vilardo and Perez, a two-run double by Wetzel and Schlitter's RBI single. Matt Hill (two), Marshall Harden and Vilardo drove in the other runs.

Wetzel and Harden were 3-for-4.

On Monday, Dan Hill is expected to pitch against Mount Wolf, with DeLellis in relief. If the Mets top the York County League champs, John Harvey will take on the Assault at noon. Babula, Newill, Eric Gertie and DeLellis would all be available for a couple innings if a decisive third game is needed.

The Mets' previous best finish in four previous trips to York was fourth place last summer. Delran won York in 2003 and was third in 2006.

Memorial to King proposed in Maple Shade

Source: https://www.burlingtoncountytimes.com/article/20150125/NEWS/301259696

By Todd McHale

Posted: Jan 25, 2015

Patrick Duff at the Maple Shade Municipal Building -Todd McHale

MAPLE SHADE — Patrick Duff has a dream.

He believes a memorial should be built in this community to mark the site that, some say, helped spark the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.’s civil rights activism.

The proposed park would show where the future civil rights leader and three of his friends were refused service from a local bartender in 1950.

“To memorialize something like this, it’s not a wound. It’s not a bad thing,” said Duff, 38, of Haddon Heights, Camden County. “It’s a good thing. If you go down to the Freedom March, every single mile is memorialized. The bridge is memorialized. Where Martin Luther King was shot is memorialized.”

Duff, a car salesman and activist, made his pitch to township officials Thursday night to create a park with benches, plaques and possibly a statue of King on a tract near Main Street and Route 73 where Mary’s Café once stood.

Since razed, the establishment, most recently known as the Moorestown Pub, was where King and some friends stopped in the early morning hours of June 12, 1950. When King tried to order beer, the bar owner refused to serve him and his friends, threw them out, and fired a gun into the air.

The incident occurred when King was living in Camden while attending the Crozer Theological Seminary in Upland, Pennsylvania.

According to the police report, the bartender “willfully refuse(d) to serve beverages of any kind, used profane and obscene language, and intimidation by weapon to (King and his friends).”

The bar owner said they were turned away because he didn’t want to violate a law prohibiting the sale of alcohol on Sunday. King said they were turned away because of their race and reported it to the police.

Even though the incident took place long before King became a civil rights leader, it’s known as a pivotal moment in the formation of the movement.

“Later, when he became very active and interested in civil rights for all people, King was testifying before a Senate committee,” the late Thomas McGann, a retired judge and lawyer who lived in Moorestown and represented the Maple Shade bar owner in 1950, recalled to the Burlington County Times in 2003.

“He acknowledged that this incident was what got him so very interested in civil rights. He indicated that he thought it was a shocking violation of civil rights, and thereafter, he became more conscious and sensitive to such behavior,” McGann said.

Sixty-five years later, Duff and others believe the time has come to formally acknowledge the site as part of history.

“I think the people would want to come and see where it started,” Duff said.

Crystal Charley, president of Southern Burlington County chapter of the NAACP, agreed.

“I was really intrigued once I found out about the history of Maple Shade,” Charley said of the incident that had such a profound impact on the civil rights movement.

“I know a lot of times when people associate civil rights, they think of the Deep South and they don’t always think of the ways the North contributed to civil rights,” she said.

The township made no decision on Duff’s proposal, but Board of Education President Charles Kauffman told him that he would do whatever he could to assist in the effort.

“It should be memorialized,” Kauffman said. “It’s history.”

Todd McHale: 609-871-8163;

email: tmchale@calkins.com;

Twitter: @toddmchale

Baseball: RVL preview, rosters

Source: https://www.burlingtoncountytimes.com/story/sports/high-school/2015/05/10/baseball-rvl-preview-rosters/17532051007/

By Bruce Johnson

Posted: May 10, 2015

The 2015 Rancocas Valley Baseball League season kicks off Monday evening with the defending playoff champion Burlington Mets playing the Riverside Patriots at Bob Kenney Field, 6:15 p.m. first pitch.

It is the 60th season for the league, and also the 60th season — as a player and manager — for Vincentown’s Harry Thompson. He started as a V-town player in 1946, two years before the building of the field that now bears his name.

The RVL lost one team during the offseason, when Mount Laurel dropped out. Surprisingly, only four of its players were picked up by the remaining teams.

With just seven teams, the league has adopted a new playoff format for its annual “August in V-town” experience. The team that finishes in first place during the regular season will get a first-round bye in the playoffs.

“There were a couple of options on the table, but that’s the one we decided to go with,” RVL president Ric Babula said. “It will make the regular season more important.”

The RVL will once again play the Pen-Del League in a midsummer all-star game. Last year’s game ended in a tie.

Rosters

In predicted order of finish

Burlington Mets

Manager: Keith Babula

2014: 22-5-1, second place; won playoffs

Home field: Life Center Field, Florence

Roster: Keith Babula of, Shaun Babula p-of, Ryan Bell p-if-of, Casey Donahue 2b, Brandon Elliott p, Matt Fischer c, Ronnie Grant of, Paul Guerrieri c-1b, Sam Guckin p-if; Kevin Gunter p, Sean Gusrang if, Marshall Harden 3b-p, John Harvey p, Matt Hill of, Vinny James c-of, Matt Jolly if, Justin McFadden of-c, Sean McNeil of-p; Garrett Mull of, Max Newill p, Andy Noga p, Anthony Perez of, Pedro Perez ss, Jon Reiner 1b, Kyle Semmel of, Jon Wilkins p.

Outlook: Dom Gallone, Dan Hennigan, Zach Skidmore, Carl Taylor and Dave Viselli are gone. But Paul Guerrieri and Jon Reiner (injured last year) and Sean Gusrang (Independent ball the last two years) return. And adding Riverside High’s Sam Guckin to a pitching staff that already includes Shaun Babula, John Harvey, Ryan Bell, Jon Wilkins, Max Newill, Kevin Gunter, Marshall Harden, Andy Noga, Pedro Perez, Sean McNeil and Brandon Elliott is almost a 15-yard penalty for piling on.

Cinnaminson Reds

Manager: Brett Miller

2014: 23-4-1, first place; lost in playoff final

Home field: Memorial Park, Cinnaminson

Roster: Kyle Ballay if, Craig Carroll p, John Dockins ss, Bill Dove c, Eric Gertie p, Geoff Gilbert of, Greg Gilbert 2b, Jim Goodwin p; Anthony Guido p, Connor Hall 1b, Clinton Hart p, Kyle Higgins 2b, Matt Janulis 1b, Brett Miller p, Dennis O’Hanlan 3b, Cole Pewor if; Christian Rahman p, Alex Sankey p, Greg Santoro p, Frank Sirolli of, Joe Sirolli of, Jeff Vitale if, Mike Wasco of-1b-dh, Tim Wasco if, Mark Wickersham 3b-p.

Outlook: Frank Sirolli will miss the 2015 season after an injury suffered in last year’s York Tournament, and the fleet center fielder is a big loss. In addition, side-armed righty Ryan Varga is not on an RVL roster for the first time since 1999, and slugger Dan Gavlik (.441, 24 RBI) did not return. But shed no tears for the Reds, because EVERYBODY else is back, and Brett Miller added Connor Hall and Cole Pewor from the defunct Mount Laurel team. Cinnaminson can nearly match Burlington in pitching depth, with Craig Carroll, Eric Gertie, Jim Goodwin, Anthony Guido, Clinton Hart, Christian Rahman, Alex Sankey and Greg Santoro.

Vincentown Merchants

Manager: Harry Thompson

2014: 11-15, tied for fifth place

Home field: Harry Thompson Field, Southampton

Roster: Joe Argow p, Jim Best of-c, Zeke Boren p-if, Jack Bujanowski of-dh, John Bujanowski of, Frank Cerami p-3b, Pat Donnelly 2b; Mike Ferrara dh, Dave Gibson p, James Hoff of, Stefan Kancylarz ss, Andrew Lydon if, Greg Miller 3b-p, Jesse Pappler 1b; Reid Pulford c, Allan Smith p, Dave Stieb p, Ian Thomas of-c, Harry Thompson dh, Damon Valloreo p, Scott Wilhelm p.

Outlook: A busy offseason saw nine players released, including veterans Kevin Carty, Troy Foster, Vern Powell, Danny Williams, Ryan Williams and Rex Workman. But Harry Thompson fully expects his 60th year in the RVL to be an improvement. The veteran manager expects the return of Stefan Kancylarz and Greg Miller to give him what could be the league’s best shortstop-third base combination. The acquisition of stud catcher Reid Pulford, who caught Merchants teammate Dave Stieb at West Chester University, will be an upgrade, too. And the pitching, with Stieb, Joe Argow, Zeke Boren, Dave Gibson, Allan Smith, Scott Wilhelm, Damon Valloreo and Riverside pickup Frank Cerami will be a strength.

Pine Barrens Phantoms

Manager: Gerry Lamola

2014: 17-10-1, third place

Home field: Patty Bowker Field, Tabernacle

Roster: Tyler Allison 2b-of, Mason Anderson p, Connor Arsenault if-of, Cameron Bahr c-1b, Kyle Brown p-of, Alex Campbell c-1b, Anthony Coniglio p, Mike Cogliano p; Matt Curry p, Ryan Derry p, Trent Fiori, Mike Follett cf, Vince Gares 2b-of, Nick Goetz, Nick Henderson p-of, Tyler Kaiser 3b; Ronnie Krankowski p-of-1b, Ryan Krupa 2b, Austin Kurey, Mike Lamola of, Alec Marconi p, Dylan Mengal, Shane Pastore if-of, Eric Sellito rf.

Outlook: The Phantoms have two new sponsors — Mall Chevrolet and American Sheds — and they have to replace key players in Phil Shellenberger (.417) and Rich Powelson, and pitchers Mike Kondrath and Louis Aikins. But Gerry Lamola returns some top players, too, like Ronnie Krankowski, Tyler Kaiser, Eric Sellito, Nick Henderson, Mike Follett, Cameron Bahr and Alex Campbell. Mason Anderson was 7-1 last year as an RVL “rookie.”

Willingboro Townsends

Manager: Mike Stumpf

2014: 11-15, tied for fifth place

Home field: J.F. Kennedy Rec Center, Willingboro

Roster: Bryan Bessinger ss, Justin Binder if-of, Nick Cancelliere p, Jorge Clavo p, Erik Danser 1b-p, Kevin Faber p, Jordan Glover of, Kazon Godwin of; Mike Gulli c, Aiden Hernandez p, Dan Hill if-p, Mike Juckett p, Jose Martinez c, Wilbert Martinez p, Connor MacFarlane p, C.J. McNutt p; Kellen Peter 1b-dh, Drew Rodriguez of, Jamie Schwantes dh-1b, Matt Speckmann ss-of, Rich Stronski of, Mark Stumpf 2b, John Walls of, Jon Wetzel of-dh.

Outlook: Change was in the air in the RVL offseason, but the Boro Boys return almost their entire starting team and most of their pitchers. That means Willingboro will be a tough opponent, especially come “August in V-town” — the RVL playoffs.

Riverside Patriots

Manager: Kodi Byrnes, Mike Hynes

2014: 12-15-1, fourth place

Home field: Bob Kenney Field, Riverside

Roster: Brandon Barnes of, Chaz Briggs 2b, Jeff Briggs of-1b, Cullen Carter 3b, Harry Cicale of, Dan Coughlin p, Tyler Dipascal ss, Jesse Fante p-1b, Alex Forte p; Joe Gutowski p, Dan Hornyak p, Kevin Joo p, Brett Knazek 3b-1b, Joe Knazek c, Brett McLaughlin c, Jon McGugan c, Eric Oliver of; Jacob Reeder 1b, Jason Sabol of, Josh Sabol ss, Donnie Strain of, Tyler Wolf of, Taylor Zackman of.

Outlook: Another basically-the-same roster, with the solid addition of Mount Laurel outfielder Brandon Barnes. The Knazek brothers, Brett and Joe, are dirty-uniform guys at third base and catcher, while 2014 saw big-time performances by cf Jeff Briggs, lf Eric Oliver and ss Josh Sabol. Pitching, as it does in baseball at every level, will be the difference, and the return of lefty Kevin Joo immediately improves the staff.

Burlington Township Pirates

Manager: Ed Eifert

2014: 1-26, eighth place

Home field: Viereck Field, Burlington Twp.

Roster: Ian Biluck c-if, Matt Chimiego p-1b, Phil Dunbar 1b-p-dh, Brian Eifert if-p, Ed Eifert of, Eddie Eifert if, Wayne Feret of, Luke Hendricks of-p; Eddie Hoffman if-p, Matt Horton p-1b, Jake Kaighn of-p, Matt Klish if-p, Eddie Kotch of, Zach Lang p-1b, Devin McDermott c-1b-dh; Eli Mireles of, Joe Parzyck c-of, Zack Schuyler p-if, Dennis Stewart 1b-of-p, Jeremy Swanson of, Dave Torres if-of, Mike Zier of-if-p.

Outlook: A busy offseason saw Eifert clear house, releasing nine players from the roster. Wayne Feret and Mike Zier return to supply the offense for the Pirates. The Eifert brothers, Eddie and Brian, are solid guys, and Burlington Township High star Zack Schuyler should provide an infusion of youthful enthusiasm.

Bruce Johnson: 267-307-7138;

email: brjohnson@calkins.com

RVL Notebook: Gilder Park deserves a place

Source: https://www.burlingtoncountytimes.com/story/sports/high-school/2015/05/17/rvl-notebook-gilder-park-deserves/17559813007/

By BCT Staff Writer

Posted: May 17, 2015

Bordentown’s Gilder Park was 9 years old when the Rancocas Valley Baseball League was created in 1946.

Built in 1937 with money from FDR’s Works Progress Administration, it is a jewel that sits just off Route 206 North, basically unused. The Bordentown High junior varsity plays there, as does the Bordentown Post 26 American Legion team. And there’s a men’s adult 25-and-over team that uses it Sunday mornings.

But the RVL, one of the best men’s adult leagues in New Jersey, hasn’t used Gilder Park in years, since the powerhouse Koenig Oilers teams of the 1960s and early ’70s.

“Gilder Park ... that’s a beautiful field, well taken-care of,” said Vincentown player-manager Harry Thompson, who has been in the RVL since its inception. “We used to play there against the Oilers. We had some great games up there.”

The Oilers were led by a tall pitcher out of Rider College named Jack Madden, who pitched in the minor leagues and later became an NBA referee.

The Koenig Oilers won the RVL playoff title in 1960, 1962, 1966 and 1970. The Merchants won in 1967-69, and Cinnaminson won the first of its 17 titles in 1971.

The question then is, if one of the best leagues in the state is in Burlington County and one of the best fields is in Burlington County, can anything be done to get them together?

Willingboro manager Mike Stumpf tried to get Gilder for some home games last summer, but the request was turned down.

Most players would prefer playing at, say, Arm & Hammer Field in Trenton or Campbell’s Field in Camden or TD Bank Ballpark in Bridgewater, with all of their amenities, to playing in some ancient ballyard with a Port-o-John in left field, concrete bleachers and no shade.

But not all of them.

“My guess is most guys would say they prefer the newer fields,” said Burlington’s Shaun Babula, the RVL’s best player the last few years, adding, “not me.”

Some people understand the allure of a field like Gilder Park. The only thing it doesn’t have is a covered grandstand, like at Harry Thompson Field in Vincentown.

This and that

• By the end of this week, the Burlington Township Pirates will have played Vincentown twice, Burlington twice and Cinnaminson once. Facing the league’s three juggernauts would be a tough schedule for anybody. But especially for Ed Eifert’s Pirates, their fourth-year manager.

“We have to play everybody five times,” Eifert said, philosophically.

The Pirates, who have been sponsored by the Lucas Auto Group since they joined the league in 2012, are coming off three long, hot summers.

Eli Mireles stroked a solo home run off Burlington’s Max Newill on Friday night — the fourth in team history, after Mike Zier in 2012, and Jazz Hendrick and Phil Dunbar in 2014.

• Thompson is very upbeat this summer, partly due to the return of Greg Miller and Stefan Kancylarz, but mostly because of his pitching staff.

“We’ve got eight starters and two relievers,” he said. “Bring it on, baby.”

One of his new pitchers — Matt Weaver — could see his first action Monday night under the V-town lights against Willingboro. The Browns Mills native is a veteran of the Atlanta Braves’ minor-league system.

Making moves

Pine Barrens: Signed Mike Daniels; released Ryan Krupa.

Riverside: Signed Henry Chou, Stevie Stevenson.

Vincentown: Signed Adam Goldstein, Eric Shugars, Matt Weaver.

Willingboro: Signed Fran Caruso, Bill Parave; released Mike Juckett, Wilbert Martinez.

RVL: Mets improve to 7-0 behind Newill, Gusrang

Source: https://www.burlingtoncountytimes.com/article/20150525/SPORTS/305259833

Posted: May 25, 2015

SOUTHAMPTON -- Max Newill pitched a complete game and Sean Gusrang provided the big bat as the Burlington Mets knocked off the Vincentown Merchants 5-4 on Monday night in the Rancocas Valley Baseball League.

Newill allowed four earned runs and walked four, striking out five as the Mets improved to 7-0. Damon Valloreo took the loss.

Gusrang had a double and four RBIs.

Andrew Lydon hit a home run for the Merchants (2-2) and scored twice."

Area activist working on two MLK memorials

Source: https://www.burlingtoncountytimes.com/article/20150610/NEWS/306109636

By Lisa Ryan

Posted: Jun 10, 2015

Patrick Duff, of Haddon Heights, peeks through a boarded-up window at 753 Walnut St. in Camden on Tuesday. -Nancy Rokos
Patrick Duff, of Haddon Heights, speaks with Jeanette Lily M. Hunt, whose family owns the home at 753 Walnut St. in Camden, on Tuesday. -Nancy Rokos
Patrick Duff, of Haddon Heights, speaks with Shirley J. Hunt and her mother, Jeanette Lily M. Hunt, whose family owns the home at 753 Walnut St. in Camden, on Tuesday. -Nancy Rokos

MAPLE SHADE — In 1950, 21-year-old Martin Luther King Jr.’s experience with a local bartender led to a police report and, some say, the influential figure’s introduction to civil rights work.

King and friends were refused service at a Maple Shade bar called Mary’s Place. King felt that the conflict, in which the bartender fired warning shots, was based on race. He filed a police report.

Almost 65 years later, last fall, Patrick Duff, of Haddon Heights, Camden County, came across the story while researching the history of Maple Shade. Since then, Duff has been trying to get the site of the incident off Route 73 turned into a memorial commemorating the birth of King’s civil rights career.

Three months of research went into proving the truth of the story, which Duff said was seen as a local legend.

A 1950 police complaint was one of Duff’s most helpful discoveries, he said. It bore a crucial piece of evidence: King’s signature.

Duff also read newspaper articles quoting Thomas McGann, the bartender’s lawyer. McGann alleged that he heard King say that the Mary’s Place incident led to his civil rights work.

These documents, Duff said, show the significance of that night: It was a turning point in King’s life and in American history.

In February, Duff approached the Township Council and proposed erecting a memorial where Mary’s Place once stood.

“Some type of bronze statue of a young King,” Duff said of his vision for the memorial, “with a sturdy plaque, maybe an engraved stone, explaining that this was King’s first civil rights action.”

After seeing proof of the land’s historical significance, the council agreed to the project. Township Manager Jack Layne wrote the New Jersey Department of Transportation requesting to use the land for a memorial.

“(You) have to do things properly,” Layne said. “That’s why it takes so much time to do something that seems so simple from the outside.”

Layne said the department told him it would allow the use of the land, but he does not plan to formally move forward until receipt of written permission.

Duff and the council are discussing the form of the memorial, he said. The Department of Transportation must approve their plan before the memorial can be placed.

Also, while researching King’s night at Mary’s Place, Duff discovered that the future civil rights leader lived in Camden at the time. The discovery led him to another King-related project.

King is believed to have lived at 753 Walnut St. in Camden as a seminarian. The building currently is uninhabited.

In February, Duff told NBC10 News that he wants to renovate King’s former lodging for use as a home base for activists.

He said he wants to create a center to teach people about economics, civil rights, and how to become politically active.

Members of the Hunt family, who own the house, are working with Duff to develop the property into this kind of facility, he said.

Haddonfield architect Jefferson Moon, who offered his help to Duff, visited the Walnut Street site with a colleague. They removed boards from the windows and assessed water damage from a leaking roof as they collected data with which to plan repairs.

Their plans are hypothetical; steps such as obtaining grant money to fund repairs must precede renovations.

Duff and the Hunts are working to put the house deed in a nonprofit’s name, as receiving grants depends on nonprofit status. Acquiring grants could be easier if the house was on a historic register, Duff said.

On Thursday, he will go before Camden’s Planning Board to formally propose restoring the house to its 1950s condition and declaring it a historical place. His research also has been sent to the National Register of Historic Places for review.

In addition to revitalizing the house, Duff hopes to build a park beside it. He proposed the idea to Frank Moran, president of the Camden City Council.

Moran said he would like to support the restoration and preservation of the house, and added that the project could attract visitors to the city should it come to fruition.

Funding, property assessment and acquisition, and other details must be discussed before the project moves forward, he said.

Although work on the Maple Shade memorial and Camden building will take time, there will be a ceremony Friday to acknowledge the Burlington County event that is said to have changed King’s trajectory.

The public is invited to the hourlong ceremony at the former site of Mary’s Place. It begins at 12:30 p.m.

Parking will be available at 853 E. Main St.; police will provide security. Attendees should RSVP Patrick Duff by email at 101etm@gmail.com.

Lisa Ryan: 609-871-8077; email: lryan@calkins.com

Ceremony held at Maple Shade site of pivotal MLK moment

Source: https://www.burlingtoncountytimes.com/article/20150613/NEWS/306139882

By Lisa Ryan Staff writer

Posted: Jun 13, 2015

Haddon Heights resident and civil rights activist Patrick Duff stands on the site of the former Mary's Cafe in Maple Shade, Friday, June 12, 2015, during a ceremony remembering 65 years ago that Martin Luther King was denied service at the cafe. -Nancy Rokos
Haddon Heights resident and civil rights activist Patrick Duff stands on the site of the former Mary's Cafe in Maple Shade , Friday, June 12, 2015, where 65 years ago, Martin Luther King was refused to be served by cafe owner, Ernest Nichols. -Nancy Rokos

MAPLE SHADE — If you don’t know where to look on Route 73, you could drive past the site of the incident that started the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.’s civil rights career without a second glance.

Once home to the demolished Moorestown Pub, formerly called Mary’s Place, or Mary’s Café, the land now looks like any other stretch along a highway: patchy grass, a dozen tiny trees.

In 1950, King and several friends stopped at Mary’s Place and ordered a meal and drinks. The bartender wouldn’t serve King or his friends, and threatened them with a gun. King filed a complaint with the police.

According to statements made after the fact by the bartender’s attorney, Thomas McGann, King credited this event with inspiring his civil rights career.

Patrick Duff, of Haddon Heights, Camden County, is working with the Township Council to have a memorial placed on the land to honor King’s first civil rights action.

Duff held a commemoration ceremony on Friday afternoon, the 65th anniversary of the historic event.

Members of McGann’s family were among the approximately 15 people who attended the ceremony, including his daughter, Joan Legath. Legath, of Moorestown, sent articles written by her father to Duff as he compiled information and researched the conflict at Mary’s Place.

“(My father) would’ve thoroughly enjoyed being there today, because he took the time to piece together all the details (of King’s involvement),” Legath said. “(My father) was a very fair-minded man and a big advocate for civil rights.”

She said she gives credit to both her father and Duff for publicizing the information about King’s life.

Duff talked about his process and progress on the memorial and said that Winner Ford, the company for which he works, will fully fund the project.

Crystal D. Charley, president of the Southern Burlington County chapter of the NAACP, was one of the event’s speakers.

“Today was a very memorable day,” Charley said after the ceremony. “I think that to bring something to life after 65 years spoke to how the way you treat someone can have a profound impact.”

During his research about the event in Maple Shade, Duff found a home in Camden where King stayed at the time while he attended seminary school. He hopes to refurbish the property and turn it into a center for civil rights activism.

Duff said he became interested in this point in King’s life after learning of racism that occurred in the United States during the Ebola outbreak. He compared certain players in that issue to the bartender in King’s conflict.

Kelly Francis, president of the Camden County branch of the NAACP, spoke mainly of issues of racial inequality that were prevalent in the past that he still sees in Camden, namely inequality in education and voter disenfranchisement.

Other speakers, such as Michael Coard, founding member of the Philadelphia-based Avenging the Ancestor Coalition, which was created in 2002 to urge the National Park Service and Independence National Historical Park to create a Slavery Memorial, also related King’s experience in 1950 to 2015.

“The more things change, the more they tend to get worse,” Coard said.

Elaborating, he said the conflict at Mary’s Place was a racist action involving a gun that could be compared with a recent conflict at a pool party in Texas that was also a racist action involving a gun.

However, he said Duff’s efforts and the predominantly white turnout at Friday’s event show positive change.

“We need more events like this,” Coard said. “If everyone takes it upon themselves to bring blacks and whites together ... the closer we come to making Dr. King’s dream a reality.”

Moorestown resident Greg McCloskey, son-in-law of McGann and second cousin of the case’s prosecutor, George Barbour, also spoke. He summarized the importance of the site where Mary’s Place used to be.

“Certain events shape our view of the world around us and shape our path in life,” McCloskey said. “For Dr. Martin Luther King, one of those events took place right here.”

Lisa Ryan: 609-871-8077;

email: lryan@calkins.com

RVL Notebook: Gusrang homecoming cause for celebration

Source: https://www.burlingtoncountytimes.com/article/20150628/SPORTS/306289618

Posted: Jun 28, 2015

Sean Gusrang was a key player in 2010 when the Burlington Mets captured their first Rancocas Valley Baseball League title since 1951.

Both Gusrang and the Mets were off to a good start in 2011 when the slugger got the opportunity to go west to play professional baseball. He spent the past 3½ summers playing infield and outfield for the Traverse City (Michigan) Beach Bums in the independent Frontier League. He hit 25 home runs during his time in Michigan and had a .249 average in 846 at-bats.

With slugger Zach Skidmore -- whose bat helped the Mets win RVL titles in 2013 and 2014 -- relocating to Chicago for a new job, Gusrang's return to New Jersey, and the RVL, this summer was well-timed for Keith Babula's club. Gusrang's bat has been a key in the team's 18-0 record -- although super-strong pitching hasn't hurt. And his defensive work at all four infield positions -- he was an all-Big East first baseman at Seton Hall -- has been sparkling.

Playing in all 18 games through Friday, according to the league's website www.rvlbaseball.com, the Burlington City High graduate leads the league in five of the nine main offensive categories: hits (21), doubles (6), home runs (5, tied with Vincentown's Jim Best), RBIs (27) and walks (11).

Three of the departments he's not leading -- average (.447), runs scored (21) and triples (1) -- he is second. Austin Kurey of Pine Barrens is tops in hitting at .486, while Mets' teammate Shaun Babula leads in runs scored with 23. Babula also leads in stolen bases with 14. Dennis Stewart of Burlington Township is tops in triples with two.

BATTING LEADERS

Average: Kurey (Pine Barrens) .486, Gusrang (Burlington) .447, Dockins (Cinnaminson) .442.

Runs: Babula (Burlington) 23, Gusrang 21, (tie) Perez (Burlington) and McFadden (Burlington) 15.

Hits: Gusrang (Burlington) 21, (tie) Dockins and McFadden 19.

Doubles: Gusrang 6, (tie) Stronski (Willingboro), Perez, E. Eifert (Burlington Twp.), Hendricks (Burlington Twp.), Ballay (Cinnaminson 4.

Triples: Stewart (Burlington Twp.) 2.

Home runs: (tie) Gusrang and Jim Best (Vincentown) 5, (tie) Kancylarz (Vincentown) and Weaver (Vincentown) 3.

RBIs: Gusrang 27, (tie) Perez and Best 13.

Walks: Gusrang 11, Stumpf (Willingboro) 10, (tie) Kancylarz, Best, Mark Wickersham (Cinnaminson) 9.

Stolen bases: Babula 14, McFadden 6, Semmel (Burlington) 5.

PITCHING LEADERS

Innings: Gibson (Vincentown) 31, (tie) Bell (Burlington) and Newill (Burlington) 28.1.

Strikeouts: Gibson 44, Newill 27, Babula 23.

Wins: (tie) Babula, Bell and Newill 5.

ERA: Bell 0.49, Babula 1.50, Newill 1.73.

WHIP: Bell 0.64, Babula 0.82, Gibson 0.84.

Fireworks Game

Burlington will face Vincentown in a Fireworks Game at Harry Thompson Field on Saturday, July 11, at 9:30 p.m.

The teams are currently first (Mets 18-0) and second (Merchants 9-4) in the standings.

Last year V-town won an 8-6 slugfest as Johnny Bujanowski and Ryan Williams belted home runs.

All-Star games

The Rancocas Valley League will face the Pendel League in an all-star game for the second straight year. The game will be Saturday, July 18, 5 p.m., at Kopper Kettle Field in Southampton, Pennsylvania.

In last year's inaugural meeting, the teams played to a 7-7 tie.

All-star teams from the Morris County Majors and the Jersey Shore League will face each other on Wednesday, July 15, 5 p.m., at FirstEnergy Park, home of the Lakewood Blueclaws.

Making moves

Burlington: Re-signed Ronnie Grant and Mike Kerns, signed Jeff Singer. Released Sean McNeil, Andy Noga, Jon Wilkins.

Burlington Twp.: Signed Vinnie Vasapoli. Released Jacob Kaighn and Jeremy Swanson.

Pine Barrens: Re-signed Gerry Lamola and Mike Lamola. Released Mike Cogliano, Ryan Derry, Nick Goetz, Brett Lyons, and Phil Shallenberger.

Vincentown: Re-signed Bryce Sonberg and Harry Thompson. Released Zeke Boren, Greg Miller, Nick Goetz and Adam Goldstein.

Willingboro: Signed Anthony Kelly. Released Trevor Kazmerowicz.

Bruce Johnson: 267-307-7138; email: bj1019@aol.com

RVL Notebook: RVL all-stars take on Pendel

Source: https://www.burlingtoncountytimes.com/article/20150712/SPORTS/307129728

Posted: Jul 12, 2015

The Rancocas Valley Baseball League will take an all-star team Saturday to Kopper Kettle Field in Southampton, Pennsylvania, to face an all-star team from the Pendel League.

The RVL and the Pendel are both in their 69th season, having started in the summer of 1947. Last summer, for the first time, they met in an all-star game with the result being an extra-innings 7-7 tie at Vincentown's Harry Thompson Field.

First-place Burlington, which is 22-1 after Saturday night's 11-7 win in the Fireworks Game at Vincentown, dominated the RVL starters. The Mets had the top vote getters at catcher (Vinnie James), second base (Sean Gusrang), third base (Matt Hill), shortstop (Pedro Perez), center field (Shaun Babula) and had the top two pitchers (Babula, Max Newill) plus Nos. 5 (Ryan Bell) and 6 (Jeff Singer).

The other starters include first baseman Tyler Kaiser and right fielder Austin Kurey from Pine Barrens, slugger Jim Best of Vincentown in left field, and Rich Stronski of Willingboro in center field (Babula opted to be a pitcher).

Here is the complete roster for the RVL:

RANCOCAS VALLEY

LEAGUE ALL-STARS

(First listed was voted a starter)

Catcher: Vinnie James (Burlington), Reid Pulford (Vincentown).

First base: Tyler Kaiser (Pine Barrens), Matt Fischer (Burlington), Matt Klish (Burlington Twp.).

Second base: Sean Gusrang (Burlington), Stefan Kancylarz (Vincentown).

Third base: Matt Hill (Burlington), Alex Campbell (Pine Barrens), Jeff Pursell (Willingboro).

Shortstop: Pedro Perez (Burlington), John Dockins (Cinnaminson).

Left field: Jim Best (Vincentown), Ron Krankowski (Pine Barrens), Connor Hall (Cinnaminson).

Center field: Shaun Babula* (Burlington), Rich Stronski (Willingboro), Tyler Zachman (Riverside).

Right field: Austin Kurey (Pine Barrens), Frank Cerami (Riverside).

Pitcher: Shaun Babula (Burlington), Max Newill (Burlington), Ron Krankowski (Pine Barrens), Dave Gibson (Vincentown), Ryan Bell (Burlington), Jeff Singer (Burlington), Joe Gutowski (Riverside), Kevin Joo (Riverside), Dan Hill (Willingboro).

* opted to pitch rather than play the field

The Pennsylvania-based Pendel League consists of: Glenside Hawks (G), Horsham Astros (H), Huntingdon Valley Athletics (HV), Liberty Bell Patriots (LB), LOMA, Northampton Orioles (N), Philly Bandits (PB), Upper Moreland Rebels (UM) and Warminster Warriors (W).

PENDEL LEAGUE ALL-STARS

(First listed was voted a starter)

Catcher: Casey Rothwell (HV), Anthony Mirabelle (LOMA), Pat Brennan (Glenside).

First base: Bobby Argeros (W), Kevin Teta (H), Kris Bornholdt (HV).

Second base: Elliot Snyder (HV), Mike Deleo (LB).

Third base: Mike Woltemate (LOMA), Steve Sable (W).

Shortstop: Eric Spiedel (W), Tim Lecompte (LOMA).

Outfield: Darnell Muse (HV), Dustin Kology (LOMA), Sean Welsh (W), Mike Koelzer (W), Corey Kramer (LOMA), Justin Forktus (N).

Designated hitter: Sean Byles (N), Joe Stoll (N).

Pitcher: James Brown (W), Josh Teson (LOMA), Drew Gerhart (N), Don Bradley (LOMA), Marty Martens (W), Jesse Leary (G), Tom Hellwarth (LOMA), Tom Miller (LOMA), Evan Gillespie (PB).

Bruce Johnson: 267-307-7138;

email: bj1019@aol.com

RVL Roundup: Burl. Twp. snaps long losing streak

Source: https://www.burlingtoncountytimes.com/story/sports/high-school/2015/07/12/rvl-roundup-burl-twp-snaps/17574567007/

By BCT Staff Writer

Posted: July 12, 2015

The Burlington Township Pirates snapped a 35-game regular-season losing streak in the Rancocas Valley League on Sunday night with an 11-7 victory over the Riverside Patriots at Viereck Field.

Township’s last win was on June 22, 2014 — 4-3 over Pine Barrens. But the fourth-year Pirates had lost three previous meetings with Riverside. Ironically, Riverside is now the only team to lose to B.T., and the only team to beat first-place Burlington.

Lefty Chase Thomas got the pitching win, going 5 1/3 innings before the heat wore him down. Righty Dennis Dennis Stewart came in to get the save.

“We got pretty good pitching tonight,” BT coach Ed Eifert said. “We’ve been giving up 14, 15 runs a game, and it’s tough to beat anybody doing that. We’ve been playing better ball lately. Hopefully, we can keep it going.”

Ed Hoffman led the BT attack with three RBIs, including a two-run single. Phil Dunbar had a two-run single and Matt Klish, who will be playing in the RVL-Pendel All-Star Game this Saturday, had a single and a two-run double.

Cullen Carter and Joe Gutowski had two-run doubles and Don Strain had three hits for the Patriots (7-11).

Vincentown 7, Pine Barrens 0: Lefty Dave Gibson tossed a four-hit shutout, striking out eight, as the Merchants (13-6) returned to the win column.

Jim Best belted his RVL-leading eighth home run, a two-run shot in the sixth. Matt Weaver and Johnny Bujanowski each had two hits.

Austin Kurey and Cameron Bahr doubled for Pine Barrens, which has lost three in a row and fell to 7-11.

Burlington 11, Vincentown 7: Saturday night was the annual Fireworks Game between Rancocas Valley League rivals Burlington and host Vincentown. And there were plenty of firecrackers and sparklers, etc., that went off from 9:12 to 9:28. But the real fireworks came later, in the fifth inning, when the Mets scored eight times and the Merchants came back with five of their own.

When the smoke finally settled, the Mets (22-1) had won a game that didn’t end until 12:45 Sunday morning.

Pedro Perez and Ronnie Grant had three hits each and scored twice, with Grant driving in two. Garrett Mull had two hits and scored twice, while dh Anthony Perez had two hits and drove in two runs. Max Newill went all seven innings, striking out seven to pick up his league-leading seventh win.

Matt Weaver had a two-run double for the Merchants in the first inning, and home runs by Jim Best and Johnny Bujanowski (with two aboard) were the fifth-inning highlights.

Classic champions

Source: https://www.burlingtoncountytimes.com/article/20150714/NEWS/307149751

Posted: Jul 14, 2015

Cinnaminson won the title in the 8U bracket of the Maple Shade Summer Classic baseball tournament, compiling a 4-0 record. Team members are (front, from left) C.J. Hunter, Gavin Prendergast, Andrew Mozi, Thomas Lorimer, Michael Kulyk, Michael Beers, Shane McDevitt, Anthony Alessandroni, Danny Stavalone, Luis Sanchez, Blaise Biello, Michael Dlug, Jude Zarnawski, (back) coach Shane McDevitt, head coach Mike Dlug and coach Steve Mozi. Absent is coach Art Alessandroni.

RVL: Playoffs start Saturday

Source: https://www.burlingtoncountytimes.com/story/sports/high-school/2015/07/30/rvl-playoffs-start-saturday/17540879007/

By Bruce Johnson

Posted: July 30, 2015

The Rancocas Valley Baseball League will decide its 2015 champion over the next 2½ weeks.

Whoever wins will be the league’s 69th champion, starting with the Indian Mills Indians way back in 1947.

The playoffs begin Saturday and Sunday with tripleheaders at Vincentown’s Harry Thompson Field. Games will be at noon, 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. both days in the best-of-three opening round.

At noon, it will be Pine Barrens facing Willingboro. The 3 p.m. game will be Cinnaminson vs. Riverside. And the 6 p.m. finale both days will be Vincentown vs. Burlington Township.

Burlington, which won the regular season with a 27-3 record, got a first-round bye. The Mets will play the lowest-seeded winner of the opening round in the semifinals next week.

Burlington and Vincentown (19-7, but 19-2 in games not against Burlington) are the clear favorites to reach the final. But don’t think an upset isn’t a possibility.

Burlington’s three losses were to Riverside, Cinnaminson and Pine Barrens, and it had close calls in wins over Pine Barrens (twice), Riverside (twice) and Cinnaminson. And Vincentown lost to Pine Barrens and Willingboro, and had narrow escapes against Riverside (twice), Cinnaminson and Willingboro. And Burlington Township, despite just one victory, has been playing solid ball the last few weeks.

So anything can, and most likely will, happen out at Harry Thompson Field over the next few weeks.

It is, after all, “August in V-town.”

BURLINGTON METS

Strengths: A deep pitching staff — Shaun Babula, Max Newill, Ryan Bell, John Harvey and Sam Guckin — and solid offensive and defensive team all around the field. Offensively, Babula, Pedro Perez, Sean Gusrang, Vinny James, Matt Fischer, Garrett Mull, Matt Hill, Marshall Harden, Justin McFadden, Paul Guerrieri and Casey Donahue provide plenty of bats. Matt Jolly, Ronnie Grant and Kyle Semmel are solid defensive role players.

Weaknesses: None.

Recent titles: 2010, 2013, 2014

VINCENTOWN MERCHANTS

Strengths: Harry Thompson, in his 50th year as manager, and 69th overall, replaced half his starting team after last year’s first-round playoff debacle, and the results have been positive. The Merchants lineup — Stefan Kancylarz, Frank Cerami, Jim Best, Jeff McGarry, Matt Weaver, Johnny Bujanowski, Jesse Pappler, Reid Pulford and either Mike Ferrara or Jack Bujanowski can be frightening, as their league-best 31 home runs shows. Pat Donnelly and Ian Thomas are solid defenders.

Weaknesses: While pitching is the team’s perceived weakness, a staff of Dave Gibson, Damon Valloreo, Dave Steig, Scott Wilhelm, Joe Argow, Eric Shugars and Adam Collis is not too shabby.

Recent titles: 2000, 2003, 2012

PINE BARRENS PHANTOMS

Strengths: A solid lineup, led by Tyler Kaiser, Austin Kurey and Ronnie Krankowski in the 2-3-4 slots. Alex Campbell and Cameron Bahr have been major bats in July. And the pitching staff of Krankowski, Alec Marconi, Matt Curry, Anthony Coniglio, Nick Henderson and Mason Anderson can be very good. Mike Follett, Conner Arsenault, Trent Fiori and Adam Goldstein round out the regulars.

Weaknesses: Depth is a concern, but the starting nine and starting pitching is not.

Recent titles: none

CINNAMINSON REDS

Strengths: Despite a series of season-ending injuries, Brett Miller can still put a solid starting nine on the field. Kyle Ballay has had a tremendous season, leading the league in doubles and walks. Bill Dove, Kyle Higgins, Connor Hall, Mike Wasco, Joe Sirolli, Geoff and Greg Gilbert, along with Mark Wickersham are all quality players. Pitching — Jim Goodwin, Clinton Hart, Christian Rahman, Greg Santora and John Bednarek — will, as it almost always is, be the key.

Weaknesses: The Reds have been devastated by injuries, starting with center fielder Frank Sirolli, who missed the entire season. Also out: John Dockins (ankle injury), Jeff Vitale (knee surgery) and pitching ace Craig Carrol (torn ligament in thumb). Dockins, a slick-fielding shortstop, was hitting .436 when he went down earlier this week.

Recent titles: 2004, 2005, 2006, 2009, 2011

WILLINGBORO TOWNSENDS

Strengths: Another team that is much improved when it puts its nine best players on the field together. Rich Stronski, Matt Speckmann, Mark Stumpf, Jon Wetzel and Dan Hill are elite players, and Bill Parave, Kellen Peter, Jose Martinez, Jamie Schwantes, Eric Danser, Mike Gulli, Bryan Bessinger, Nick Cancelliere and CJ McNutt aren’t far behind.

Weaknesses: Pitching is always a key in the RVL playoffs, and Hill and Kevin Faber are two good ones. But Connor McFarlane, Josh Machtinger and Parave will need to deliver quality innings if the Townsends are going to make a run.

Recent titles: none

RIVERSIDE PATRIOTS

Strengths: A scrappy team, and especially so when lefty Kevin Joo is on the mound. There are plenty of solid ballplayers — Henry Chou, Brett Knazek, Joe Knazek, Joe Gutowski, Taylor Zackman, Jason Sabol, Brett McLaughlin, Jon McGugan, Jeff Briggs, Taylor Steen, Josh Sabol, Cullen Carter, Eric Oliver, Stevie Stevenson, Jesse Fante, Don Strain, Tyler Wolf and Brandon Barnes.

Weaknesses: Depth of pitching behind Joo and Gutowski is a question mark. And they’ll need more timely hitting.

Recent titles: none

BURLINGTON TWP PIRATES

Strengths: The Pirates struggled once again, but they’ve been in most of their games lately, so they are resilient. Eddie Eifert, Eddie Hoffman and Eli Morales all hit around .300. And Wayne Feret, Matt Klish, Luke Hendricks and Dave Torres were close.

Weaknesses: No big masher in the middle of the order, and pitching has been shaky, although Connor Thomas, Matt Horton and Phil Dunbar have been solid down the stretch.

Recent titles: none

Burlington County business achievers

Source: https://www.burlingtoncountytimes.com/article/20160501/BUSINESS/305019755

Posted: May 1, 2016

Carl G. Willers, of Cinnaminson, was promoted to relationship manager/vice president in commercial banking for TD Bank in Cherry Hill. Willers is responsible for building business customer relationships with mid- to large-sized companies in Burlington, Camden and Mercer counties. He joined TD Bank in 2002, and has held positions including store manager for the Mount Laurel, Cinnaminson and Hamilton branches, and small business specialist in Burlington County.

Dorfner Family Medicine, which has several offices throughout Burlington County, has joined Jefferson Community Physicians, the health system's community-based primary care practice. Patients will have access to Jefferson primary care physicians and other Jefferson services and specialties, as well as Jefferson specialty physicians at Dorfner Family Medicine locations, providing convenient access to specialized care.

Erin MacDonald-Birnbaum, a senior publicist with Smith Publicity of Cherry Hill, was recently presented a Career Achievement Award by the firm. Birnbaum, a Yardley, Pennsylvania, resident and director of publicity and strategy for the firm, has managed and implemented more than 300 national book promotion campaigns that included media coverage with radio, television, newspaper, magazine and online outlets.

Garden Tour grows in Riverton

Source: https://www.burlingtoncountytimes.com/article/20160517/LIFESTYLE/305179635

By Kristen Coppock

Posted: May 17, 2016

An arrangement of petunias accent the Purple Garden at the home of Dave and Erica Polaneczky in Riverton. -Nancy Rokos/Photojournalist

Tucked on the side of a Victorian home in Riverton is a secret garden. The secluded spot is a sanctuary for its owners, hidden on a corner lot from view of passersby, it's full of plant life with a birdbath and a bench for sitting to take it all in.

The secret garden, so named by homeowners Missy and Dennis Eversmeyer, is one of the sights along a nine-stop Garden Tour hosted by the Porch Club of Riverton. The event runs Friday, 4-8 p.m., and Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Held bi-annually, the tour features a "Birds of New Jersey" theme this year.

Nine private homes in are featured on the tour, including two in Cinnaminson and one in Palmyra. Visitors can walk through front, side and backyards to explore the properties. They also have access to the Porch Club, which is hosting vendors selling garden- and bird-related items, including plants and books, as well as area organizations.

According to Carole Lang, Garden Tour Committee chairwoman for the Porch Club, representatives of the Burlington County Master Gardeners, Freedom Center for Wildlife in Cinnaminson, Palmyra Nature Cove, the Historical Society of Riverton and Wild Birds Unlimited in Cherry Hill will be available to answer questions and provide information about gardening and caring for birds.

A metal bird adorns a section of the garden at the home of Dave and Erica Polaneczky in Riverton. -Nancy Rokos/Photojournalist

An optional lunch for tourgoers also is available at the Porch Club, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday at Fourth and Howard streets. Pre-registration is required.

Tickets for the tour only, on either day, are $15 per person. The tour with lunch is $25.

Advance tickets can be purchased in the borough at the The New Leaf Gift Shop, Orange Blossom Café and the Riverton Library, or online through the club's website www.theporchclub.org. (A $1 processing fee is added to each ticket for online orders.) In addition, they will be sold on the tour days at the Porch Club.

Whimsical touches, artistic decorative pieces and salvaged materials have all made their way into these gardens, of which each is unique.

One property, on Garfield Avenue in Palmyra, offers a rain garden, designed to naturally filter rainwater, and a bog garden. The site is owned by Bridget and Robert Elmes.

"It's a lot of native plants, and its a Rutgers-certified rain garden," said Lang.

At the Eversmeyer home on Fulton Street, their secret garden takes up a small portion of their property. Garden Tour visitors can also see a koi pond and fountain in the front yard, a wraparound porch adorned with potted plants, and a poolside gazebo with a chandelier. On a recent afternoon, an antique tea set contributed to the gazebo's Victorian ambience. Meanwhile, a variety of plants, flowers and trees are blooming along the property's borders, which were landscaped by its owners.

Missy Eversmeyer said the couple's eclectic gardens were borne out of necessity. "Everywhere I couldn't grow grass, I grew a garden," she said.

The garden at the home of Dave and Erica Polaneczky in Riverton is accented with a wooden sign bearing their name. -Nancy Rokos/Photojournalist

Meanwhile, on Main Street in Riverton, the property of Erica and Dave Polanecsky features a birding theme that perfectly complements this year's tour. Visitors will walk through a purple garden to reach the backyard pool, where there is a fountain and rock garden, as well as plants. Among the flowers, there are multiple birdbaths, including one for fairies.

The family's love of gardening also is evident by a set of small, raised vegetable gardens. The growing cauliflower, lettuce and other vegetables were planted and cared for by the couple's son, Spencer.

In Cinnaminson, the Wharton home on a corner of Morgan Avenue is nicknamed "The Enchanted Glen." Known for salvaging wrought-iron fences, mirrors, drawers and other pre-used materials, Judy and Rick Wharton have multiple artistic creations throughout their yard, including two "trees" created from wine bottles and rebar. There's also a fairy garden, Celtic garden and perennials throughout the property.

In addition, a Laurel Road garden on the tour features peace poles and a re-purposed bomb shelter, while other properties offer a European-inspired garden, a Hawaiian garden and a Colonial Revival garden. Many different plants, trees and flowers also are found along the tour.

Kristen Coppock: 609-871-8073; email: kcoppock@calkins.com; Twitter: @kcoppockbct

Newill in control on mound as Burlington goes to 4-0 in RVL

Source: https://www.burlingtoncountytimes.com/article/20160526/SPORTS/305269632

Posted: May 26, 2016

Winning pitcher Max Newill struck out nine in the Burlington Mets' 7-1 decision over Riverside in tyhe Rancocas Valley Baseball League Thursday night.

Newill issued no walks, allowed three hits and the Patriots' run was unearned.

Matt Fischer and Shaun Babula had two hits apiece as Burlington improved to 4-0.

Cinnaminson 5, Willingboro 1: Pat Graham picked up the victory on the mound and the Reds improved to 4-1.

John Dockins and Kyle Higgins had two hits each for Cinnaminson.

Willingboro received two hits from Isaiah Hall.

Cinnaminson 7, Pine Barrens 0: Late Wednesday night, Jim Goodwin was the winning pitcher and Frank Sirolli had three hits and two RBIs.

Dockins also had two RBIs and Greg Gilbert reached base in all three plate appearances (double, walk, hit by pitch).

Pine Barrens' Ronnie Krankowski was 1-for-2 with a walk.

RVL: Burlington 10, Delran 0 RVL: Burlington uses simple tactic to blank Delran

Source: http://www.burlingtoncountytimes.com/sports/high-school/summer/rvl/rvl-burlington-uses-simple-tactic-to-blank-delran/article_8fdd678e-47b8-11e6-90e5-d39e857304eb.html

By Joe Tansey

Posted: Jul 11, 2016


Burlington's Max Newill throws a pitch during the RVL baseball game in Burlington Township on Monday, June 11, 2016.
Carl Kosola / Photojournalist

COLUMBUS -- When you’ve been pitching in the Rancocas Valley League as long as Max Newill has, you know how easy success can come on the mound.

Newill’s simple approach during his five-inning pitching stint helped Burlington cruise to a 10-0 win over Delran on Monday.

The Burlington trio of Newill, Dan Hill and Justin McFadden gave up one hit over seven innings.

“I was just trying to throw strikes, command the baseball, get ahead and just pitch,” Newill said.

The lone hit conceded by the Mets' pitching staff came in the top of the first inning when Tyler Melia’s pop up dropped on the right side of the infield.

After that bloop fell into the infield, Newill went to work on the bump for the Mets.

“I was just trying to execute my pitches,” Newill said. "I’ve been pitching in this league longer than some of these kids have been alive so just go at them and see what they can do. We have guys that play some good defense so just let them hit the ball and make plays and we’re fine.”

Newill induced eight flyouts, five strikeouts and one double play against the young Delran team before Hill and McFadden closed out the contest.

The Mets created more run support for Newill in each inning as five of their six at-bats produced at least one run.

Dave Viselli crossed the plate for the first run in the second on a passed ball. Matt Jolly brought in a run on an RBI single and scored on an error in the third.

In the fourth inning, Sean Gusrang received a second chance during his third plate appearance of the night.

“I check swung on the pitch before, it could’ve went either way,” Gusrang said.

With new life from the check swing and a missed catch in foul territory, Gusrang drilled a three-run shot over the right-center fence to open up the advantage.

“I was just trying to stay back,” Gusrang said. “You just try to get a good pitch to hit. Just trying to be aggressive and I was lucky enough to get one over the plate and able to hit one out.”

Two more runs were plated in the fifth and sixth innings, respectively, for the Mets.

Mark Stumpf provided two runs on a single in the fifth, and Vinny James and Paul Guerrieri knocked in runners on a single and sacrifice fly, respectively, in the sixth.

“We have a great lineup and now with the addition of Stumpf, (Jon) Wetzel and Hill along with the guys we already have, we have a strong team,” Gusrang said.

Riverside 9, Burlington Twp. 0: Devon Hedgepeth came within two outs of a perfect game as Riverside (11-9) defeated Burlington Township (6-13). He allowed just a one-out single by Wayne Feret in the seventh inning and struck out eight.

Chaz Briggs was 3 for 3 with two doubles and four RBIs. Tommy Walters was 3 for 4 and Donnie Strain added a two-run triple.

Civil rights icon Rep. John Lewis visits MLK's onetime home in Camden

Source: http://www.burlingtoncountytimes.com/news/local/civil-rights-icon-rep-john-lewis-visits-mlk-s-onetime/article_330d0560-7e99-11e6-a190-bf8ea52ea69c.html

By David Levinsky, staff writer

Posted: Sep 19, 2016


From left, local historian Patrick Duff, U.S. Rep. Donald Norcross, D-1st of Camden, Jeannette Lilly Hunt, U.S. Rep. John Lewis, a Democrat from Georgia and Camden Mayor Dana Redd stand in front of the Rev. Martin Luther King house in Camden on Monday, Sept. 19, 2016. Hunt owns the home on Walnut Street.
William Thomas Cain / For the Burlington County Times

CAMDEN — The man who marched with the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. during the 1960s is lending his voice to an effort to preserve a piece of King's legacy in South Jersey.

Rep. John Lewis, a longtime Democratic representative in Congress and the man whom King affectionately called "the boy from Troy" during their legendary Freedom Rides and civil rights marches, visited 753 Walnut St., a long-vacant row home in the city where King lived for two years while studying at the former Crozer Theological Seminary in Upland, Pennsylvania.

At the site, Lewis spoke about the importance King played in America and his own life, and how preserving the house can help inspire future generations to learn about King and the civil rights movement.

"This piece of historical real estate, it must be saved for generations yet unborn," Lewis said Monday at a news conference. "For Martin Luther King didn't just help change America, he helped change the world."

Lewis was joined by Rep. Donald Norcross, D-1st of Camden; Mayor Dana Redd; Camden NAACP President Kelly Francis and historian Patrick Duff, a Haddon Heights resident credited with discovering the home's connection to King.

Duff said he was researching Maple Shade history when he first learned about a June 12, 1950, incident in the Burlington County town that is credited with helping to spark King's activism.

King and several friends stopped at a Route 73 tavern known as Mary's Café (most recently known as the Moorestown Pub) but was refused service by the owner, who later pulled a gun and ordered them to leave.

When King refused, the police were called.

"In a sense, the first official sit-in that Dr. King had ever been involved in was in Maple Shade, New Jersey," Duff said, recounting that King was assisted in the case by Ulysses Wiggins, the late president of the Camden NAACP, and attorney Robert Burke Johnson, who later became the first black member of Camden's Board of Education.

"You're talking about people in history who helped change the world and changed the city who were directly involved in this first civil rights movement that Dr. King was ever involved in," he said.

Duff later located a police report of the incident that listed King's address as 753 Walnut St. in Camden. With Francis' help, he found the owner, Jeanette Lily Hunt, who remembered King renting a room there.

Ever since, Duff has made it his mission to see the home preserved.

"The only remaining property we can attach to Dr. King and teach about the important significance of his time in this area is 753 Walnut St.," he said, noting that the tavern was razed, along with other area sites where King lived and preached nonviolent protest.

Lewis, who was in the region to accept the Liberty Medal from the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia on Monday night, recalled his first meeting with King when he wrote to him after he failed to get accepted into a white college.

Lewis said King called him "the boy from Troy" because he was raised on a sharecropper's farm in Troy, Alabama.

"He was a wonderful, unbelievable human being. If it hadn't been for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., I wouldn't be standing here today as a member of the United States Congress. He inspired me to stand up by sitting in, by sitting down," he said.

He promised to work with Norcross, Redd and other leaders to make sure the home is preserved, even pledging to contact King's sister to help search for any old letters or papers that might list the Camden address.

"I think it's important for this city, this state and this nation to save this noble place," he said. "I say to you, don't give up. Don't get lost in a sea of despair. Keep the faith."

Norcross has personally lobbied the New Jersey Historic Preservation Office to have the home designated a historic site. On Monday, he said the designation would make it eligible for grant money to make numerous repairs and upgrades.

"The historic places not yet designated erode to nothing. We're going to make sure that doesn't happen here," Norcross said.

Preserving Camden's history was a crucial part of the city's turnaround, the congressman said.

"For too many years, Camden was known for crime and poverty. But we're seeing that change," he said. "We're here today in Camden and see Camden on the rise."

David Levinsky: 609-871-8154; email: dlevinsky@calkins.com; Twitter: @davidlevinsky

RVL: Max Newill, Marshall Harden lift Burlington past Riverside

Source: https://www.burlingtoncountytimes.com/story/sports/high-school/2017/06/29/rvl-max-newill-marshall-harden/17670238007/

BCT Staff Writer

Posted: Jun 29, 2017

Max Newill won his third straight complete-game effort Thursday as the Burlington Mets defeated Riverside 13-5 in a Rancocas Valley League baseball game.

Newill allowed six hits and struck out four as the first-place Mets improved to 13-2.

Marshall Harden had three hits and four RBIs to lead the offense. Mark Stumpf scored three runs, Kyle Semmel and Dan Hennigan had two RBIs, and Ryan Bell added two hits.

Dan Fischer and Devin Connelly each had two hits for Riverside (9-4-1).

RVL, league sponsor Stratus ip team up to establish scholarship

Source: http://www.burlingtoncountytimes.com/sports/high-school/summer/rvl/rvl-league-sponsor-stratus-ip-team-up-to-establish-scholarship/article_a2f0b0d2-673e-11e7-98fc-53a349dc985d.html

BCT sports staff

Posted: Jul 12, 2017

The Rancocas Valley League and sponsor Stratus ip have established a scholarship to be awarded to an active RVL player attending college in 2017-18.

Stratus ip, founded by former RVL player and manager Mike Dlug, is a regional sales and support organization that provides and manages voice, data and cloud services, and solutions to businesses of all sizes. Dlug is the chief executive officer.

The company has donated a scholarship worth $2,000. Any current RVL player who will attend college during the coming fall semester is welcome to apply by Aug. 1. The scholarship will be awarded in mid-August during the RVL championship series at Harry Thompson Field in Southampton.

Dlug played for Delran from 1999-2005 and was player-manager from 2006-09, earning league MVP honors in 2007. Delran won three RVL championships (2002, '07 and '08) and a Colonial York Tournament Championship (2003). Dlug retired after the 2009 season to develop Stratus ip.

The RVL established a scholarship program in 2004 and two awards each year were presented to players who were collegiate undergraduates. Dlug was involved, organizing and operating various fundraisers.

Winners will be chosen by a committee of RVL alumni organized by Stratus ip and based on the applicant’s character, scholarship, need and baseball achievements. The $2,000 will be the largest single award given since the inception of the program.

Burlington 14, Delran 4: Shaun Babula, Casey Donahue and Adrian Gonzalez had three hits and two RBIs apiece for the winners in a game Wednesday night.

Sean Gusrang (home run) and Dan Hennigan also had two RBIs each. Paul Guerrieri had three hits and scored three runs. Winning pitcher Zach Youngberg had 10 strikeouts and one walk in six innings, allowing one earned run.

Dylan Butler hit a two-run double for Delran. Tyler Malia had an RBI double and Ryan Albertson's groundout plated the fourth run.

Coaches, report scores to: BCTsports@yahoo.com

New Jersey Lottery launches new 'keno-style' game at bars, gathering spots

Source: http://www.burlingtoncountytimes.com/news/local/new-jersey-lottery-launches-new-keno-style-game-at-bars/article_78d58c36-6b31-11e7-a40b-c7341c9fcda4.html

By David Levinsky, staff writer

Posted: Jul 17, 2017

Michelle Otto, a bartender at Dadz Bar and Grill in Lumberton, fills out a New Jersey Quick Draw ticket Monday, July 17, 2017. New Jersey Lottery launched Quick Draw, a keno-style game, at 400 taverns and restaurants across New Jersey on Monday. Carl Kosola / Photojournalist Michelle Otto, a bartender at Dadz Bar and Grill in Lumberton, submits a New Jersey Quick Draw ticket Monday, July 17, 2017. New Jersey Lottery launched Quick Draw, a keno-style game, at 400 taverns and restaurants across New Jersey on Monday. Carl Kosola / Photojournalist

LUMBERTON — The numbers light up yellow on the screens at Dadz Bar and Grill until a total of 20 are selected. Bobbie King scans the paper ticket in front of her, frustration starting to show on her face.

"This is why I don't usually gamble," said the Mount Laurel resident, one of a handful of customers at the bar Monday afternoon.

Not to worry, though. The time clock on the screen was already quickly ticking down the 5 minutes before the next drawing — and the next chance to make or lose a few bucks.

Welcome to Quick Draw, the newest form of legal gambling in New Jersey.

Dubbed a "keno-style" game by the New Jersey Lottery, Quick Draw was quietly launched in 400 taverns, restaurants, bowling alleys and fraternal organizations across the state Monday, including at Dadz, one of 13 retail locations in Burlington County where customers can play.

Quick Draw is keno in every way but name. There are 80 numbers to choose from, and players select up to 10, with 20 total drawn. The more numbers a player chooses correctly, the greater the payout.

Players can bet between $1 and $10 per drawing, with maximum payouts of $1 million for customers who wager $10 and hit on all 10 of their selected numbers.

Drawings are every 5 minutes, and players can wager on up to 20 consecutive drawings at a time.

"It's another way to get bang for your buck at a bar. It's something to entertain you," Dadz bartender Michelle Otto said.

The game is being launched shortly after New Jersey lawmakers approved dedicating all state lottery proceeds to the chronically underfunded pension system.

Gov. Chris Christie and his treasurer conceived the idea as a way to immediately improve the pension system's financial standing, but the plan depends largely on lottery sales growing at a modest rate.

The New Jersey Lottery is anticipating at least $20 million in revenue from Quick Draw keno, describing it as the state's first "social space lottery game" because it's played in bars and other places where people gather for entertainment and social interaction, rather than at convenience stores, gas stations and other stores where lottery tickets are traditionally sold.

Retail locations, which keep a small percentage of sales and winnings, were selected by the lottery because they fit that criteria, and about half of the 400 locations are new lottery retailers.

Dadz owner Jim Filler said he jumped at the opportunity to offer the ticket sales. He recalled organizing a group ski trip in upstate New York, where keno was launched in 1995, and winning close to $2,500 at one of the bars.

"We had a ball. And of course we ended up buying a round," Filler recalled.

New Jersey also considered launching keno in the early 1990s.

The Lottery Commission planned to establish a trial run of the game in 1993 before Gov. Jim Florio asked the commission to hold off in favor of performing a broad study of gambling in New Jersey, including keno.

At the time, there was intense pushback from New Jersey's casinos, which considered it an expansion of legal gambling in the state. Donald Trump, who at the time owned three casinos in Atlantic City, threatened legal action if the state moved forward with the plan.

In the years since, the commission has revisited the idea, but it wasn't until last spring that it gave the green light.

Lottery Commission Executive Director Carole Hedinger presented the idea in March, telling the commission that the rules for the keno game were approved in 2007 but that there would need to be some small changes to bring them up to date, according to the meeting minutes.

Hedinger anticipated the game would launch close to August and generate about $20 million in revenue for the 2018 fiscal year.

The commission voted to adopt the rule changes the following month.

There were no public hearings and no need for legislative or voter approval before Monday's launch because the game is considered an extension of the lottery rather than an expansion of legal gambling, such as video slots.

Neva Pryor, executive director of the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey, described it as a significant "expansion" of the lottery that the council plans to monitor.

"It is a different style of lottery," Pryor said Monday, adding that her group has a close working relationship with the lottery to make sure safeguards are in place and that the group's helpline and website (800-GAMBLER and 800gambler.org) are displayed at lottery retailers and on materials.

"My mission is to make sure everybody knows where to go for help. We work very closely with the lottery. … I'm not overly concerned because I know it will be done responsibly," she said.

But Pryor was taken a bit by surprise by the quiet launch, saying she had spoken to Hedinger about the game but was unaware it was starting so soon.

"I knew it was being launched. I didn't think it would be this quick," she said.

The winning numbers for each drawing are posted on the New Jersey Lottery's website, along with information about the rules and a video explaining how to play.

The commission also plans to hold a news conference and launch party in Hoboken on Tuesday afternoon. Dadz is hosting a South Jersey launch party Thursday between 6 and 8 p.m.

Filler is optimistic the game will become a draw at Dadz and other bars.

"It makes (the lottery) more interactive and lets customers have some fun," he said. "Connecticut projected close to $80 million in revenues its first year (in 2016), and we've got a lot bigger population than Connecticut."

As of 1:30 p.m. Monday, 3,148 tickets had been sold with a combined winnings of $5,021 divided among 735 winners.

That amounts to about $7 per winner. And while that payout is far removed from the multimillion-dollar Powerball and Mega Millions jackpots that typically draw legions of lottery players, Filler and other tavern owners believe the game can be a fun diversion that helps keep customers in bars and restaurants longer.

"We've wanted to do things like video lottery terminals (a form of slot machines) for many, many years, but we've never been successful," said Diane Weiss, executive director of the New Jersey Licensed Beverage Association. "(Keno) isn't something we necessarily lobbied for, but we certainly welcome it.

"It keeps people interested so maybe they stay a little longer, eat or drink a little more," Weiss said. "It'll be interesting to see how it does."

Back at Dadz, King isn't sure she will be a loyal player after striking out on her first go. But she was confident that plenty of others would be willing to fork over a few bucks for even the slightest chance of winning a small fortune.

"I'd rather play darts or pool. But people are silly. ... If I won, I'm sure I'd be rolling around on the floor."

David Levinsky: 609-871-8154; email: dlevinsky@calkins.com; Twitter: @davidlevinsky

League leader Burlington extends advantage in Rancocas Valley League standings

Source: http://www.burlingtoncountytimes.com/sports/high-school/summer/rvl/league-leader-burlington-extends-advantage-in-rancocas-valley-league-standings/article_16cd420e-6f37-11e7-87ba-57830e646501.html

By Joe Tansey, Correspondent

Posted: Jul 25, 2017


Burlington Mets pitcher Max Newill throws a pitch against the Vincentown Merchants in Rancocas Valley League action on Tuesday, July 25, 2017.
Carl Kosola / Photojournalist

FLORENCE — There’s no panic this time of year for the Burlington Mets.

Even when they admittedly didn’t put in their best performance of the season on Tuesday, it was good enough to knock off the second-place Vincentown Merchants 4-1 in a game shortened to five innings by darkness.

The Mets (20-3) are embarking on a busy end to the regular season, like the rest of the teams in the Rancocas Valley League. The season is scheduled to end Aug. 2 with playoffs beginning Aug. 5.

After Tuesday’s win over Vincentown, Burlington holds a five-point lead over the Merchants. The Mets have 41.5 points and Vincentown (16-6-1) has 36.

“It’s always good to go in as the No. 1 seed and get a bye and a little break,” winning pitcher Max Newill said. “It’ll give us some confidence going in. But we’re a veteran team. You play the regular season to get tuned up for the playoffs.”

“It’s crunch time,” Burlington cleanup hitter Marshall Harden said. “I think we have seven games in nine days before the playoffs so hopefully we can get the bye to give some bodies a break.”

Burlington hopped on Vincentown starter Jarrad Delarso early as it pushed across a pair of runs in the first and a third run in the second inning.

Shaun Babula and Mark Stumpf scored after reaching base in their first at-bats in the opening frame. JoJo Alvarez drove in Kyle Semmel with a sacrifice fly in the second.

The early run support helped Newill, who admittedly didn’t have his best stuff.

“A little bit off tonight,” Newill said. “Effectively wild, I guess. I didn’t walk that many guys. You just have to fight through it. We got some runs early so that helps. And we played good defense.”

Vincentown was only able to push one across against Newill. That came in a fourth inning that featured two walks and an error.

The final Mets run of the game came in peculiar fashion. With runners on first and third, Harden appeared to hit a three-run home run over the left-field fence. It was ruled a ground-rule double, so only Babula was able to score.

“I hadn’t been seeing the ball well all day," Harden said. “I got an up-and-in fastball and I just got a good swing.

“I think everyone on the left side of the home field saw a home run and everyone on the right side of the field saw a foul ball.”

“That was unique, but it was getting dark and it was right in the corner there,” Newill said.

Notes

Burlington and Vincentown have one more regular-season meeting, Thursday night at Harry Thompson Field, before the two begin a potential ride to a collision course in the playoff finals.

Vincentown, the defending league champion, is on track for the second seed. After Thursday's game with the Mets, the Merchants' remaining schedule includes two games against last-place Burlington Township and one against third-place Riverside.

Coaches, report scores to: BCTsports@yahoo.com

Burlington edges Pine Barrens, advances to RVL finals

Source: http://www.burlingtoncountytimes.com/sports/high-school/summer/rvl/burlington-edges-pine-barrens-advances-to-rvl-finals/article_c5c5f540-7d37-11e7-ae78-23ef123bc179.html

By Joe Tansey, Correspondent

Posted: Aug 10, 2017


Burlington Mets' Ryan Bell shakes hands with Stratus ip CEO Mike Dlug after receiving a scholarship Thursday, August 10, 2017.

SOUTHAMPTON — They made it a little more interesting than it should have been, but the Burlington Mets still got their sweep.

Burlington advanced to the Rancocas Valley League finals with a 5-4 win over Pine Barrens in Game 2 of their best-of-three series on Thursday night.

The Mets survived a pair of late rallies by the Phantoms to advance to the best-of-five finals against Vincentown, which defeated Cinnaminson 10-6 late Thursday night to complete their own sweep.

Unlike Game 1 on Wednesday night, Burlington jumped out to an immediate lead on Thursday.

Scott Carcaise drove in Mark Stumpf on with a single in the top of the first inning and Dan Hennigan crossed home on the same play after an error.

Pine Barrens got one back in the bottom of the first when Ronnie Krankowski drove home Tyler Kaiser with a sacrifice fly to right field.

After that, the Mets started tacking on runs. Ben Youngberg's double to left in the third plated Carcaise. Two more runs scored in the fourth.

"Right now I'm real confident in my swing. I'm getting good reps before the game," Youngberg said. "At this point, I just try to stay consistent through everything."

Following a balk by Krankowski, in relief of starter Tom Giunta, that pushed runners to second and third, Matt Fischer dropped a two-run single into short left that scored Hennigan and Carcaise.

"I'm not sure if it was a fastball or changeup but I got it off the end of the bat and got it down the line," Fischer said.

Pine Barrens made it a tight ballgame in the sixth, tacking on three runs after loading the bases. Tyler Powell's sacrifice fly brought in the first run and John Szwajkowski plated two more with a line drive single to center.

Sam Guckin tossed 5 1/3 solid innings on the mound for the Mets before Ryan Bell closed out the sixth. Prior to the game, the league presented its scholarships to Bell ($2,000 Stratus ip/RVL) and Guckin ($500 RVL).

Burlington Mets' Max Newill came in as a relief pitcher against the Pine Barrens Phantoms Thursday, August 10, 2017.
Dave Hernandez / For the Burlington County Times

Lefthander Max Newill entered in the seventh to close the game out for the top seed. Pine Barrens loaded the bases thanks to consecutive errors. Newill finished the game by retiring Krankowski on a groundout.

"Max was throwing the ball real well. He didn't make a bad pitch," Fischer said. "There were a couple infield singles and an error, but he's a bulldog and he's out there to battle. He makes pitches when he needs to."

Now the focus turns to the finals that will begin Saturday night at Harry W. Thompson Field.

"We'll be ready to go," Fischer said.

Vincentown 10, Cinnaminson 6

Kyle Cichy hit a three-run double to spark a second-inning outburst that lifted the defending champions back into the final.

Cichy also came into the game in relief and ended a fifth-inning threat.

Billy Dove hit a two-run home run for the Reds.

Coaches, report scores to: BCTsports@yahoo.com; Phone: 609-871-8081; Twitter: @BCTGameOn, #BCTsports​

Vincentown powers its way to 1-0 lead in RVL championship series

Source: https://www.burlingtoncountytimes.com/story/sports/high-school/2017/08/12/vincentown-powers-its-way-to/17677392007/

By Jarrad Saffren

Posted: Aug. 12, 2017


Burlington Mets' Ryan Bell receives his Stratus ip RVL scholarship from Stratus ip CEO Mike Dlug Thursday, August 10, 2017. Dlug is a former player and manager in the RVL.

SOUTHAMPTON — It is becoming an August tradition at Harry W. Thompson Field: The Vincentown home run derby in the Rancocas Valley Baseball League championship series.

In Game 2 of the 2016 title series, Vincentown blasted seven home runs in an 18-0 win. In Game 1 of the 2017 series on Saturday night, the Merchants cranked three homers in a 9-1 victory over top-seed Burlington.

Vincentown is two wins away from a second consecutive title. Game 2 is Sunday night at 7 back at Harry W. Thompson Field.

This year’s team features many of the same players as last year. Frank Cerami hit three of the seven home runs in the 18-0 win last year. Matt Weaver bopped one of them. Both also homered Saturday night, an equally humid, equally windless evening as the one last August.

“I just love playing in August, I guess,” Cerami said, laughing. “Whenever it’s the championship or playoffs, you lock in a little more. I have a little more focus.”

“We haven’t even been hitting as many home runs this year,” said Vincentown manager Harry Thompson. “We’re a powerful team but we just haven’t been hitting them.”

All three bombs came in one inning, the top of the fifth. They turned a 1-1 tie into a 5-1 Vincentown lead and “It put them out of the game,” Thompson said.

Burlington starter Max Newill had been keeping the ball down all game. But with Weaver at the plate, Newill finally left a pitch up. Weaver, a right-handed batter, reached out and slammed it over the right-field fence into a tree.

“When I used to play all the time, most of my home runs were center field or the other way,” Weaver said. “I like to get my hands extended. I’m not a big fan of the inside pitch.”

Newill did not make the same mistake twice. He kept the ball down the rest of the inning. But Johnny Bujanowski and Cerami still golfed balls over the left-field fence.

Bujanowski rocketed a two-run tape-measure into a tree trunk. Cerami barreled a solo moonshot into the parking lot.

“It was a 2-0 pitch so I was just sitting on something good over the plate,” Cerami said. “It was low but I could get the barrel to it and golf it out of here.”

Vincentown made Newill throw a lot of pitches. By the fifth, his pitch count was already in the 80s. “And it was humid out here,” Thompson said.

Vincentown starter Ryan Kulik also threw a lot of pitches, 81 in five innings. But he avoided the blowup inning. Kulik, a short, solid, bearded left-hander, used a looping curveball to strike batters out with men on.

“I worked down in the zone and made pitches when I had to,” said Kulik said, who allowed one unearned run. “I pitched well enough to win.”

Coaches, report scores to: BCTsports@yahoo.com; 609-871-8081; Twitter: @BCTGameOn, #BCTsports

Midterm elections kick off with primary filings

Source: https://www.burlingtoncountytimes.com/news/20180403/midterm-elections-kick-off-with-primary-filings

By Staff reports

Posted: Apr 3, 2018

This year's political races got off to an unofficial start Monday as candidates seeking elected federal, county and local offices filed petitions to appear on the ballot in the New Jersey's June primary election.

The elections are expected to draw an unusual amount of interest from voters, as it marks the middle of President Donald Trump's four-year term in the White House. And while the establishment candidates running for U.S. Senate and House seats will be heavily favored to secure their respective party's nominations this summer, most of them must first face one or more challengers in the primary.

At the top of the ballot will be the race for U.S. Senate, featuring Democrat Bob Menendez, who is running for his third term representing New Jersey in Congress' upper chamber.

Menendez is expected to go up against Republican Bob Hugin, the former CEO of Celgene, a New Jersey pharmaceutical company, in the general election. But both candidates will have to survive primary challenges in order to face each other.

Menendez is being challenged by fellow Democrat Lisa McCormick, of Rahway, and Hugin will need to beat out Antonio Sabas, of Irvington, to secure the GOP nomination.

Of course, the real opponent for the Democratic incumbent is voter perception in the wake of the 2015 federal indictment that Menendez used his position and office to provide favors to a Florida ophthalmologist in return for political contributions, private flights and Caribbean vacations. Although his trial last year ended in a hung jury and federal prosecutors dropped the charges rather than retry the case, Menendez still faces a congressional ethics inquiry. And his opponents are sure to try to use the case against him, with Hugin announcing a one-minute television ad on Monday that repeats many of the accusations and charges from the indictment.

The New Jersey Republican State Committee also tweeted each count in the original indictment against the senator on Monday.

Meanwhile, in Burlington County's House races, Tom MacArthur, R-3rd of Toms River, and Donald Norcross, D-1st of Camden, are facing primary challengers, and a crowd of candidates is vying for the nominations to run for retiring Republican Frank LoBiondo's 2nd District seat.

MacArthur's district is made up of almost all of Burlington County and a large portion of neighboring Ocean County. He is expected to face Evesham Democrat Andy Kim, a former national security adviser in President Barack Obama's White House, in the general election, but will first face a primary challenge from Republican Martin Webber, of Barnegat.

Kim, of Evesham, is running unopposed in the Democratic primary.

In the 1st District, Norcross is facing two Democratic challengers, Robert Lee Carlson, of Collingswood, and Scot John Tomaszewski, of Cherry Hill. Republican Paul Dilks is running unopposed for the GOP nomination.

In the 2nd District, state Sen. Jeff Van Drew, of Dennis, is favored to win the Democratic nomination and LoBiondo's congressional seat, but three other Democrats are challenging him: Tanzie Youngblood, of Swedesboro; William Cunningham, of Vineland; and Nate Kleinman, of Elmer.

The Republican primary in the district also has a crowded field consisting of Brian Fitzherbert, of Ocean City; Seth Grossman, of Atlantic City; Samuel Fiocchi, of Vineland; Robert Turkavage, of Brigantine; and Hirsh Singh, of Linwood.

In the county races, both the Democratic and Republican slates are running unopposed in their primaries.

Former Democratic Freeholder Joanne Schwartz will be matched up against Republican incumbent Tim Tyler in the race for county clerk, and Democrats George Youngkin and Felicia Hopson will seek to unseat Republicans Kate Gibbs and Linda Hughes from their freeholder seats.

The latter contest is expected to be particularly fierce, as Republicans look to preserve their slim 3-2 majority. A single Democratic win would give the rival party control for the first time in decades.

Dozens of candidates also filed to run for offices in many of Burlington County's 40 municipalities. And while most of the primaries will be uncontested, the available filings showed there will be contests in at least eight towns: Chesterfield, Delran, Fieldsboro, New Hanover, North Hanover, Pemberton Township, Southampton and Woodland.

Th following is a rundown of the available local filings:

Bass River

Nonpartisan town with no primary election

Beverly

No municipal election this year

Bordentown City

Nonpartisan town with no primary election

Bordentown Township

Democratic nominations for two three-year terms on the Township Committee: Stephen Benowitz and Eric Holliday

Republican nominations for two three-year terms on the Township Committee: Kyle Melander and Vanessa Meades

Burlington City

No municipal election this year

Burlington Township

Democratic nomination for a four-year term as mayor: Brian J. Carlin

Republican nomination for a four-year term as mayor: Licardo B. Gwira

Democratic nominations for three four-year terms on the Township Council: George M. Kozub, Michael K. Cantwell, Joyce R. Howell

Republican nominations for three four-year terms on the Township Council: Nasir Jones, Stephen P. Riggi and Velina Marie Riggi

Chesterfield

Democratic nominations for a three-year term on the Township Committee: Shreekant Dhopte and Margaret \"Peggy\" Hallion

Republican nomination for a three-year term on the Township Committee: C. Samuel Davis

Cinnaminson

Democratic nominations for two three-year terms on the Township Committee: No petitions filed

Republican nominations for two three-year terms on the Township Committee: Paul Conda and Albert Segrest

Delanco

Democratic nomination for two three-year terms on the Township Committee: Mike Templeton

Republican nominations for two three-year terms on the Township Committee: John Browne and Nathan Mellor

Delran

Democratic nominations for a four-year term on the Township Council Ward 1: Timothy Weir and Michael Bohn

Republican nomination for a four-year term on the Township Council Ward 1: Patricia Pomeranz

Democratic nomination for a four-year term on the Township Council Ward 2: Daniel O'Connell

Republican nomination for a four-year term on the Township Council Ward 2: Anthony Ogozalek Jr.

Democratic nomination for a four-year term on the Township Council Ward 3: Michael Mormando

Republican nomination for a four-year term on the Township Council Ward 3: Shannon Stanuikyanu

Eastampton

Democratic nominations for two four-year terms on the Township Council: Dominic F. Santillo and Michelle Zeno

Republican nominations for two four-year terms on the Township Council: John Adams and Ladawna Leeth

Edgewater Park

Filings were not available

Evesham

Democratic nomination for a four-year term as mayor: Jaclyn Veasy

Republican nomination for a four-year term as mayor: Randy Brown

Democratic nominations for two four-year terms on the Township Council: Heather Cooper and Patricia Hansen

Republican nominations for two four-year terms on the Township Council: Deborah Hackman and Steve Zeuli

Fieldsboro

Democratic nominations for two four-year terms on the Borough Council: Amy Telford, Andrew Weber and Michael J. Carroll

Republican nomination for two four-year terms on the Borough Council: Megan Salvaggio

Florence

No municipal election this year

Hainesport

Democratic nomination for a three-year term on the Township Committee: James Horowitz

Republican nomination for a three-year term on the Township Committee: Gerard A. Clauss

Lumberton

Democratic nominations for two three-year terms on the Township Committee: Kendra Hatfied and Ryan Tuno

Republican nominations for two three-year terms on the Township Committee: Michael Mansdoerfer and James A. Conway Jr.

Mansfield

Filings were not available

Maple Shade

Filings were not available

Medford

No municipal election this year

Medford Lakes

Nonpartisan town with no primary election

Moorestown

Democratic nominations for two four-year terms on the Township Council: Nicole Gillespie and Brian Donnelly

Republican nominations for two four-year terms on the Township Council: Jamie Boren and Manuel Delgado

Mount Holly

Filings were not available

Mount Laurel

Democratic nominations for two four-year terms on the Township Council: Stephen Steglik and Kareen Pritchett

Republican nominations for two four-year terms on the Township Council: Dennis Riley and Richard Van Noord

New Hanover

Democratic nominations for two three-year terms on the Township Committee: No petitions filed

Republican nominations for two three-year terms on the Township Committee: Patrick Murphy, Richard Koshak, Carey Pritchett and Robert Ford

North Hanover

Democratic nominations for a three-year term on the Township Committee: Brendan J. O'Donnell and John S. Kocubinski

Republican nomination for a three-year term on the Township Committee: Mark R. Keubler Sr.

Palmyra

Filings were not available

Pemberton Borough

Democratic nomination for two three-year terms on the Borough Council: Steven Fenster

Republican nominations for two three-year terms on the Borough Council: Robin Mosher and Norma Ward

Pemberton Township

Democratic nomination for a four-year term as mayor: David A. Patriarca

Republican nominations for a four-year term as mayor: Terry Maldonado and Jack K. Tompkins

Democratic nominations for two four-year terms on the Township Council: Jason A. Allen and Gaye Burton

Republican nominations for two four-year terms on the Township Council: Alan Cantrell and Richard Koster

Democratic nomination for a two-year unexpired term on the Township Council: Elisabeth McCartney

Republican nomination for a two-year unexpired term on the Township Council: Shannon Shadman

Riverside

Democratic nominations for two three-year terms on the Township Committee: Lorraine M. Hatcher and Jason M. Frey

Republican nomination for two three-year terms on the Township Committee: Carolanne Garstka

Democratic nomination for a one-year unexpired term on the Township Committee: Michelle M. Weaver

Republican nomination for a one-year unexpired term on the Township Committee: F. Mike Hart

Riverton

Democratic nominations for two three-year terms on the Borough Council: No petitions filed

Republican nominations for two three-year terms on the Borough Council: William Corbi and Hank DeGeorge

Shamong

Democratic nominations for two three-year terms on the Township Committee: No petitions filed

Republican nominations for two three-year terms on the Township Committee: Sean Gray and Michael P. Cooney

Southampton

Democratic nominations for two three-year terms on the Township Committee: No petitions filed

Republican nominations for two three-year terms on the Township Committee: Ron Heston, Ken Sullivan, William Rafferty and James Bryan

Springfield

Democratic nominations for three four-year terms on the Township Council: No petitions filed

Republican nominations for three four-year terms on the Township Council: Denis McDaniel, Peter Sobotka and Anthony Marianello

Tabernacle

Democratic nominations for two three-year terms on the Township Committee: No petitions filed

Republican nominations for two three-year terms on the Township Committee: Joseph Barton and Samuel R. Moore III

Washington

Democratic nomination for a three-year term on the Township Committee: No petition filed

Republican nomination for a three-year term on the Township Committee: Lee Gadd

Westampton

Democratic nominations for two three-year terms on the Township Committee: Tracey L. Schultice and William Freeman

Republican nominations for two three-year terms on the Township Committee: No petitions filed

Willingboro

No municipal election this year

Woodland

Democratic nominations for a three-year term on the Township Committee: No petition filed

Republican nominations for a three-year term on the Township Committee: Mark Herndon and Tom Getz

Wrightstown

Filings were not available

Mullane: MLK’s rise to civil rights icon was launched in Burlington County

Source: https://www.burlingtoncountytimes.com/opinion/20180404/mullane-mlks-rise-to-civil-rights-icon-was-launched-in-burlington-county

By JD Mullane

Posted: Apr 4, 2018

The shot that killed the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. in Memphis 50 years ago today was heard around the world. But it was shots fired in Burlington County 18 years before that propelled King into the civil rights movement.

It's an obscure incident, but King's decision to become publicly involved in fighting racial discrimination began in a bar called Mary's Place on Camden Avenue in Maple Shade on June 12, 1950.

King, then a student at the Crozer Theological Seminary in Chester, Pennsylvania, was traveling with Walter McCall, a friend from Morehouse College, and two girlfriends, Doris Wilson, a social worker, and Pearl Smith, Philadelphia's second sworn female police officer.

They pulled into the bar near Route 73. The owner and bartender that night was Ernest Nichols, a German immigrant who fought in World War I. King went to the bar and ordered beer. Nichols said no.

"No beer, mister. It's Sunday," Nichols told King, according to an affidavit filed in the case.

King asked for soft drinks instead, but Nichols insisted they leave. King and the others sat down, refusing to leave.

Nichols retrieved a .45 caliber handgun, shouted, "I'll kill for less!" and fired several shots out the front door. He waved the gun at the two couples and shouted profanities. Fearing for their lives, King and his companions fled.

They went to the police, who returned to the bar and confiscated Nichols' gun. White witnesses said they neither saw nor heard anything. But two University of Pennsylvania students agreed to give statements to the police, confirming Nichols' violent reaction. His defense was that he thought King and the others were attempting to dupe him into selling "package goods" on Sunday, apparently illegal at the time.

The cops didn't buy it, and the bar owner was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct and violations of New Jersey law prohibiting refusal of service based on race.

"What makes this so significant an incident is that it is the first spot of a sit-in of the (mid-20th-century) civil rights movement, and the person who sat in is Dr. Martin Luther King," said Pat Duff, a Haddon Heights realtor and civil rights activist, who has researched the episode.

What Duff found is that the mainstream white media ignored the case, while the black press mentioned it three times, twice in the Philadelphia Tribune and once in the Baltimore Afro-American. The Baltimore paper headlined its story, "Irate Café Owner Routs Tan Customers."

"It was the first time King appeared in court over a civil rights issue, and the first time his name appeared in the media,'' Duff said.

King confirmed the event spurred him into the movement during a Senate hearing in the late 1950s. He discussed it again in an interview with the Tribune, published Oct. 28, 1961, before delivering a speech on integration at the Academy of Music.

"They refused to serve us," he told reporter Charles Layne. "It was a painful experience because we decided to sit in." He never forgot Nichols shouting, "I'll kill for less!"

King emerged as the most famous leader of the civil rights movement, from the Montgomery, Alabama, bus boycott of 1955, to decrying the blatant discrimination of the Levittowns in the "Jim Crow North," to supporting a strike of 1,300 sanitation workers that led him to Memphis and his assassination on April 4, 1968.

The bar changed hands several times and did business as the Moorestown Pub before it was torn down in 2011 to make room for improvements to Route 73. In 2015, Duff lobbied Maple Shade to erect a marker on the spot, for a cost of about $2,800. The township donated $1,000 and Duff raised the balance. The New Jersey Department of Transportation granted approvals for the monument.

"But nothing has happened," he said. "It just seems the project has been forgotten about. It's so sad."

Duff uncovered other pieces to the story. The court date for Nichols' hearing coincided with the wedding of King's brother.

"King called home and said he couldn't make it to the wedding because he had to be in court in Maple Shade. His brother was furious, but postponed his wedding for two days."

Duff said he stumbled onto the story in 2014 while doing research on Maple Shade.

"I thought, why don't I know about this? Why isn't this taught in schools? Why is it a mystery, too?" he said. "Something so pivotal happened here, for everyone involved."

Even Ernest Nichols, the gun-wielding barkeep. Pestered about it because of King's later fame, he sold the bar and opened Ernie's Place in Riverton.

"He died in 1976, and that incident haunted him the rest of his life. I have his obituary, and it's all about what happened that night in Maple Shade," Duff said.

Delran family recognizes first responders who helped save woman’s life

Source: https://www.burlingtoncountytimes.com/news/20180523/delran-family-recognizes-first-responders-who-helped-save-womans-life

By Danielle DeSisto

Posted: May 23, 2018

From left, Robert Yeckley, his daughter, Colleen, 20, and wife, Janet, at their home in Delran after first responders helped save Janet's life on May 4.
[NANCY ROKOS / STAFF PHOTOJOURNALIST]

The Yeckley family delivered jumbo bags of Life Savers hard candy to the first responders who helped save Janet Yeckley's life earlier this month as a token of their appreciation.

DELRAN — When Janet Yeckley got out of bed to use the restroom early in the morning May 4, she instantly fell to the floor and realized she couldn’t get up.

Yeckley had been experiencing severe bleeding for a few weeks, and felt the effects of the massive blood loss when she tried to get out of bed by herself.

“I thought I could make it. But it felt like 500 miles when I actually stood up,” Janet recalled.

Robert Yeckley and his wife, Janet, of Delran, talk about how Delran emergency personnel saved her life.
[NANCY ROKOS / STAFF PHOTOJOURNALIST]

Her husband, Bob, woke up and immediately called 911. He knew he wouldn’t have been able to pick up his wife and help her down the four flights of stairs in their Delran home with his bad knee.

“We’d never called 911 in our lives,” Bob Yeckley said.

Police arrived in less than five minutes, and the Delran Emergency Squad followed shortly after, the Yeckleys said. The first responders guided Janet to her feet and led her down the stairs and into an ambulance, all while gently explaining each step of the process.

“They were very calming,” Janet said. “Everyone was so pleasant in a bad situation.”

Once at Virtua Memorial Hospital in Mount Holly, doctors determined Janet’s red blood count and blood pressure were extremely low. She had been seeing doctors and taking medication for weeks to try to get her bleeding under control, but her husband never expected the problem to escalate so quickly.

“(Doctors) pulled me over and said, ‘Listen, she may not make it,’” Bob Yeckley said. “I never realized how close we were to losing her, but we were.”

Thankfully doctors were able to stabilize the bleeding and determined the problem wasn’t related to cancer. Janet will undergo a hysterectomy in a few weeks, which should effectively stop the bleeding caused by her abnormal uterine lining.

It was great news for the Yeckley family. After Janet came home from the hospital safely, her daughter Colleen, 20, suggested they come up with a way to recognize the first responders who played a role in her recovery.

“How can you ever thank someone for saving your mom’s life?” Colleen said.

The Yeckley family gave symbolic bags of Life Savers to Delran emergency personnel as a show of appreciation.
[NANCY ROKOS / STAFF PHOTOJOURNALIST]

The best way to thank a real life saver, the family determined, was with Life Savers hard candy. They delivered jumbo bags of candy and thank you notes to the EMS and police stations on Chester Avenue as tokens of their appreciation.

“The idea wasn’t so much to feed them, but to give them a symbolic gift of what they are. That’s life savers,” Bob Yeckley said.

Delran police officers Kenneth Howley and Nicholas Araco responded to the call, but credited the EMS squad for supplying a majority of response effort.

The Yeckleys’ call was a normal day on the job for first responders Stephanie Jernigan and Denise Begley of the Delran Emergency Squad. What felt like the end of the world to the Yeckley family was a fairly average call for them, Jernigan said.

But what would make the Yeckley incident different was not what happened during the call, but afterwards.

“We don’t get to know the end result for a lot of people we take to the hospital,” Jernigan said. “I’m glad she’s doing okay. I was worried about it.”

The candy and letters were a sweet bonus, Jernigan said.

“I strongly appreciate it. It’s nice to know they appreciate what we do,” Jernigan said.

New RVL champion will be crowned

Source: https://www.burlingtoncountytimes.com/sports/20180731/new-rvl-champion-will-be-crowned

By Bruce Johnson

Posted: Jul 31, 2018

SOUTHAMPTON — After a wild opening weekend at Harry Thompson Field, the Rancocas Valley Baseball League playoffs are down to the semifinals, which got underway Tuesday night.

With single games every night and doubleheaders on the weekend, the pairings are: top-seeded Cinnaminson (20-5) vs. fourth-seeded Delanco (13-13) on Tuesday and Thursday, and third-seeded Burlington (15-7) vs. Pine Barrens (17-9-1) on Wednesday and Friday.

Last weekend's quadruple headers culminated Sunday night in Burlington's epic win that eliminated two-time defending champion Vincentown.

Here's a recap of the opening round:

CINNAMINSON vs. RIVERSIDE

Cinnaminson broke a 1-1 tie with a three-run fourth Saturday to win 6-1. Jim Goodwin pitched the win, with last-inning relief help from Kyle Ballay. Connal Roberts had a double among his three hits. John Bednarek tossed a four-hitter in Sunday's 3-1 victory. The Reds broke a 1-1 tie with two in the sixth, when Mike Wasco singled, Roberts doubled, Cody MacNair delivered a sacrifice fly and the other run scored on Bill Dove's grounder. The Patriots (6-20-1) threw Kevin Joo on Saturday and Liam Sullivan on Sunday. They turned three 6-4-3 double plays and Eric Oliver had two hits Saturday. Oliver added an RBI single Sunday, scoring Tyler Malia, who had doubled.

PINE BARRENS vs. DELRAN

Alex Marconi tossed a two-hitter and Max Joseph delivered an RBI double and a two-run home run as the Phantoms ousted the Steelers (8-18-1). The Phantoms took Saturday's opener 3-0 behind pitcher Matt Curry (two-hitter, 14 strikeouts, 86 pitches) in a duel with Eddie Salkowski. Connor Arsenault was 3-for-3 for PB. But on Sunday lefty Robby Cox tossed a six-hitter as Delran won 4-2 to force a third game. Two-out, two-run singles by Lou Rossmer and Wilson Seville provided all the runs in the first. Then Seville and Jonas Baker chased down everything in the outfield.

BURLINGTON vs. VINCENTOWN

Max Newill was near-perfect in Burlington's 10-0 win Saturday, allowing one hit (Kyle Cichy's first-inning single) and walking one in an 80-pitch effort. He fanned eight. The Mets scored five in the top of the first. Shaun Babula was 2-for-2 with three runs scored, and Kyle Semmel and Paul Guerrieri delivered two-run singles in the first.

Sunday saw Babula win a 6-3, 10-inning duel with Ryan Kulik in a matchup of former professionals who both reached the Triple A level. Both went the entire game, with Babula throwing 143 pitches and Kulik 153. Kulik was aided by 13 strikeouts. Babula was helped by some spectacular defensive work by outfielders Semmel and Scott Carcaise, who robbed Jim Best of a home run and Frank Cerami of a possible game-winning double, and infielders Adrian Gonzalez and Stevie Stevenson, who had a SportsCenter moment with a diving catch in right field when Carcaise lost a fly ball in the lights. Jon Wetzel had four hits Sunday, Semmel added three and each drove in a pair of runs. For the Merchants (10-12), Jake Catalano had three hits and one RBI, John Bujanowski Sr. knocked in John Jr. and Stephan Kancylarz had a game-tying home run in the bottom of the seventh.

DELANCO vs. BURLINGTON TOWNSHIP

Sam Guckin (Saturday) and Seamus Brazill (Sunday), with relief from Brian Burnetich, lifted the first-year Dodgers past the Pirates (9-14-1) with 7-1 and 7-0 victories. Mickey Foytik had three hits Saturday, Tim Petrucelli had two hits in each game, and catcher Ryan Lopez had the tournament's first home run Sunday. Brian Eifert had an RBI single Saturday for Township, which got solid play from Adam Guaranto, Tyler O'Dell and Steve Cotoni.

Burlington meets Delanco as RVL enters championship series

Source: https://www.burlingtoncountytimes.com/sports/20180809/burlington-meets-delanco-as-rvl-enters-championship-series

By Bruce Johnson

Posted: Aug 9, 2018

SOUTHAMPTON — It was the Rancocas Valley League's oldest franchise Burlington against the youngest, first-year Delanco, on Thursday night when the 72-year-old baseball loop began its championship round at Harry Thompson Field.

Most of the Dodgers (16-15) weren't even born when the Mets' Max Newill, Shaun Babula, Casey Donahue and Paul Guerrieri were youngsters in the league. The Mets (18-7) won all four meetings during the regular season.

The best-of-5 matchup continues Friday and Sunday nights, with Monday and Tuesday on tap if necessary.

Here's a recap of the semifinals:

Delanco outlasts Cinnaminson

Game 1: Reds 6, Dodgers 3: Steve Melchiorre tossed a complete game five-hitter and John Dockins and Joe Sirolli each had a couple of hits. Frank Sirolli scored twice, while Matt Yanick drove in two runs.

Shane Albertson scored twice and Troy Hunter had a pair of hits for Delanco.

Game 2: Dodgers 7, Reds 2: Frankie Doelling (5.1 innings, 7 Ks) and Luke Smith held the Reds to just three hits as the Dodgers evened the series at 1-1. Brian Clark had three hits, scored twice and drove in two, Albertson had two hits and scored three times, Zach Taylor had a two-run double and Paul Woodley added two hits.

The Reds broke through in the sixth on Kyle Ballay's double, a single by Conall Roberts and three walks. Smith relieved and escaped a bases-loaded jam with a strikeout.

Game 3: Dodgers 5, Reds 3: Seamus Brazill pitched six near-perfect innings and then worked out of a four-hit, two-walk, bases-loaded jam in the bottom of the seventh. Woodley delivered a three-run home run in the third, while Albertson and Taylor each had two singles and a double.

Hitless into the seventh, the Reds bunched four singles, including a two-out, two-run hit by Bill Dove and an RBI hit by Dockins, before the game ended on a long line-drive out.

Game 4: Reds 7, Dodgers 0: Melchiorre allowed five hits, but walked none. Ballay had four hits, Dockins three hits and Mike Wasco and Joe Sirolli two each.

Ryan Lopez had three hits and Brendan Pell two for the Dodgers.

Game 5: Dodgers 9, Reds 8: The Dodgers took a 6-0 lead, withstood a five-run inning, got a two-run homer by Taylor and a key, two-out RBI single by Hunter, then held off another bottom-of-the-seventh rally to eliminate the regular-season champs (22-8).

Albertson had three hits, including a home run, while Woodley, Pell and Taylor had two apiece. Doelling earned the win, with Dan Frake earning the save. The Dodgers completed four double plays, with the slick-fielding Hunter involved in them all.

Dockins, Roberts and Cody MacNair each had two hits for the Reds.

Burlington sweeps Pine Barrens

Game 1: Mets 9, Phantoms 1: Sean Gusrang slugged a two-run home run, while Ryan Bell tossed a three-hitter. Gusrang had three hits and two RBI, Scott Carcaise and Vinny James each had two hits and a pair of RBI. Shaun Babula (3 runs), Jon Wetzel, Kyle Semmel and Stevie Stevenson each had two hits.

Max Joseph hit a home run for Pine Barrens.

Game 2: Mets 4, Phantoms 1: Lefty Max Newell allowed just three hits, while striking out seven and the Mets did all their scoring in the first. Adrian Gonzalez singled in one run and after an error scored a second run and kept the inning alive. Matt Fischer singled home the final two runs. Gonzalez, Fischer and Babula each had two hits.

Matt Curry went six innings, allowing just one earned run and fanning five. Nick Henderson scored a sixth-inning run when he singled, took second on a balk, third on a fly to right and raced home on a wild pitch.

Game 3: Mets 7, Phantoms 1: Gonzalez had two singles, two doubles, scored two runs and drove in a pair. Gusrang added two doubles and two runs, while James had two hits and two RBIs. Babula fanned seven in a complete game.

The Phantoms (17-12-1) got two hits apiece by Henderson (double), John Swajkowski and Ty Follett (double), and an RBI single by Connor Arsenault.

Burlington holds off pesky Delanco to win Rancocas Valley League title

Source: https://www.burlingtoncountytimes.com/sports/20180814/burlington-holds-off-pesky-delanco-to-win-rancocas-valley-league-title

By Bruce Johnson

Posted: Aug 14, 2018

Prior to Game 1 of the finals, STRATUSip awarded a $2,000 scholarship to Delanco Dodgers shortstop Shane Albertson, a Cherokee High graduate and rising senior at Eastern University. STRATUSip, a regional sales and support organization, was founded by CEO Mike Dlug, a former player/manager of the Delran franchise. [PHOTO COURTESY OF MARK FLETCHER]

SOUTHAMPTON — Sean Gusrang's three-run no-doubt-about-it home run in the top of the eighth inning lifted the Burlington Mets to a 6-2 victory over the Delanco Dodgers on Monday night at Harry Thompson Field.

The victory gave the Mets (21-8) the league championship as the Rancocas Valley Baseball League closed its 72nd campaign. It was their fourth championship in the last nine years, the others coming in 2010, 2013 and 2014. The Burlington Niagara Firemen won the 1951 RVL championship.

Playing way better than their record, the first-year Dodgers (17-18) and pitcher Frankie Doelling deserved a better fate. The poised lefty allowed just four hits, although he did walk six.

Delanco scored first against veteran Max Newill, who was a five- or six-year RVL veteran before Doelling was born. Paul Woodley slammed a solo home run in the second inning. The Dodgers' other run came when Brandon Pell "stole" home after Mickey Foytik got caught in (and escaped) a first-and-third pickle play. Foytik and Woodley each had two hits.

Doelling retired the first 10 Mets before Jon Wetzel doubled. Burlington then loaded the bases, but Adrian Gonzalez hit into a professional-looking 6-4-3 double play — Shane Alexander to Brendan Pell to Luke Smith.

The Mets finally got on the scoreboard in the sixth. A one-out double by Shaun Babula plus two walks around a strikeout brought Gonzalez up. His hard grounder got under the infielder as two runs scored.

The 42-year-old Newill picked up his fourth win of the playoffs and ninth in 10 decisions on the season, walking none, striking out six and getting 14 outs via fly balls or pop-ups. He got outstanding defensive help from Kyle Semmel, Babula, Gusrang and Stevie Stevenson.

Here are the early-game highlights:

Game 1: Mets 13, Dodgers 3: The well-rested Mets had 15 hits, led by Babula, Wetzel and Gusrang at the top of the order. The Nos. 1-2-3 hitters went a combined 8-for-11 with seven runs scored and eight RBIs.

Babula and Wetzel both had three hits, while Gusrang, Casey Donahue and Stevenson each had two. Babula and Stevenson scored three times, while Wetzel knocked in four runs and Gusrang three, two on a first-inning home run. Newill allowed eight hits.

Woodley, Foytik and Ryan Lopez each had two hits for the Dodgers. Woodley had the play of the night, a spectacular diving catch in right-center field. Earlier he threw out a runner at the plate.

Game 2: Mets 6, Dodgers 3: Trailing 2-1 entering the fifth, the Mets pushed across five unearned runs with the help of three errors and a two-run home run by Matt Fischer. Scott Carcaise had a two-run single a couple pitches earlier.

Babula gave up eight hits, but just two earned runs, walking none and fanning six. Babula, Fischer and Stevenson each had a couple of hits.

Sam Guckin was the tough-luck loser, allowing just one earned run and fanning four. Albertson and Guckin each had two hits, and Woodley and Guckin knocked in runs. The Dodgers got three straight one-outs in the seventh, but Babula got the dangerous Pell to ground out to Dan Hill, who started a game-ending third-to-first double play.

Game 3: Dodgers 4, Mets 2 (9 innings): Foytik singled in one ninth-inning run and Lopez's sacrifice fly plated a second as Delanco staved off elimination.

The winners scored twice in the third when Lopez was hit by a pitch, Albertson put down a sacrifice bunt and both scored when the ball was thrown away. Brian and Johnny Clark each had three hits, while Pell and Taylor had a pair.

Seamus Brazill took a no-hitter into the sixth inning, but an error, a single by Stevenson and a clutch one-out single by Wetzel tied the game. But with runners on second and third, the 6-foot-9 Brazill fanned the Nos. 3 and 4 hitters, giving him nine on the night. Smith pitched three innings of one-hit relief to earn the win.

Ryan Bell, who threw 142 pitches, was touched for 13 hits in 8 1/3 innings, but worked out of bases-loaded, no-out jams in the fifth and seventh innings. Semmel threw out a runner at the plate and Wetzel made a spectacular catch to rob Foytik of a three-run homer, both in the third. Stevenson turned Guckin's one-out, bases-filled liner into a 6-5 double play in the seventh.

Moorestown candidates battling for control of local government

Source: https://www.burlingtoncountytimes.com/news/20181101/moorestown-candidates-battling-for-control-of-local-government

By David Levinsky

Posted: Nov 1, 2018

Moorestown Council candidates Manuel Delgado and Jamie Boren, left, and Brian Donnelly and Nicole Gillespie, right, faced off during a debate at the William Allen Middle School hosted by the MooreUnity community group on Tuesday. [DAVID LEVINSKY / STAFF PHOTOJOURNALIST]

MOORESTOWN — In an election year filled with high-stakes races, one of the biggest local contests generating interest is in the township, where two council seats and majority control of the governing body are up for grabs.

Incumbent Republican Manuel "Manny" Delgado and his running mate Jamie Boren are running against Democrats Brian Donnelly and Nicole Gillespie for two four-year terms on the Township Council in the hotly contested race centered on the future direction of the local government.

Republicans hold a 4-1 majority, as Councilwoman Lisa Petriello is the lone Democrat. But if Donnelly and Gillespie sweep both seats on council, control would flip to the Democrats, who were last in the majority in 2008.

Delgado, who works as the chief operations officers for the LEAP Academy University Charter School in Camden, is seeking his second four-year term on council. His running mate, Boren, is a newcomer who was selected by the party to run in place of Mayor Stacey Jordan, who announced this spring she would not seek a third term.

Boren is the owner and operator of Ralph's Market on Main Street and is active with several community organizations, including the Lenola Volunteer Fire Co. and the Moorestown Youth Softball Association. She also serves on the Zoning Board and the Moorestown Business Association.

Gillespie is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and is executive director and CEO of the Knowles Teacher Initiative, an education nonprofit that seeks to improve science and math education nationwide.

Donnelly is an attorney specializing in business counseling and litigation involving multinational corporations. He is a Marine veteran and serves as a judge advocate in the Army Reserves.

The race is among the most high-profile local races in Burlington County this year and a debate earlier this week drew several dozen residents to the William Allen Middle School to listen to the candidates present their positions and visions.

Hosted by the nonpartisan community group, MooreUnity, the debate highlighted a fundamental difference between the two slates, with the Republicans arguing the town has benefited from Republican leadership and the current government and that drastic changes are not needed.

"I think we should continue on the path that has been successful for all of us," Delgado said during the debate, referencing the township's AAA bond rating, debt load and three consecutive budgets with municipal tax decreases.

Boren also said she considered the township's finances to be excellent, arguing that even small tax decreases during the past three years were preferable to increases.

"People who believe a $22 decrease is insignificant historically believe a $2,200 increase is not a big deal and that scares me," she said.

The Democrats argued that the town's debt load is a ticking time bomb and that a change in leadership was needed to immediately end the practices of awarding no-bid contracts and tapping reserves.

"I would say in a word that Moorestown's financial situation is 'deceptive.' Our annual revenues are just over $36 million and our debt is almost $60 million dollars," Gillespie said. "It is not a good financial situation to be in and that's exactly where Moorestown is."

Donnelly concurred and said the town needs to develop a plan to reinvigorate Main Street and other commercial shopping corridors in town in order to boost the town's ratables and improve its finances.

"We are not going to sit around and be reactive on this topic. We need aggressive attempts at hiring a professional planner to reinvigorate our Main Street and shopping corridors. I want a five-year plan on this alone," he said.

The two sides also went back and forth on the town's actions to deal with water contamination and how to meet its court-mandated affordable housing obligations.

Both issues have been controversial and difficult to navigate.

The town's water became an issue in 2014 after the town was forced to shut down two of its wells due to elevated levels of 1,2,3-trichloropropane, a man-made chemical typically found at industrial and hazardous waste sites. It had been labeled as a "likely carcinogen" by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, but until this fall was unregulated by the state and federal governments.

Other contaminants such as trichlorethylene and radium also have been detected in the town's water supplies

In response to the contamination, Moorestown was forced to spend millions to buy extra water from New Jersey American Water and develop and install a temporary filtration system at its North Church Street water treatment plant. The filtration system allowed one of the contaminated Moorestown wells to reopen last year, and the township continues to pursue installing a permanent treatment solution.

Delgado and Boren both argued the township's government has acted responsibly on the water issues and taken the appropriate actions.

Boren referenced the opinion of famed water advocate Erin Brockovich, who was contacted about Moorestown's water contamination issue in 2016.

"I do believe we're on the right track regarding water and it's not only me who believes that, Erin Brockovich believes that. Her team has said Moorestown has moved faster than average," Boren said.

Gillespie and Donnelly were critical of the town's response, arguing that the municipal government was slow to respond and continues to drag its feet on determining a source for the contamination.

"Folks, I don't believe we're on the right track because I don't believe we ever started on the right track," Donnelly said. "Council had to be dragged by informed citizens of this town kicking and screaming to even acknowledge there was a water problem. They have shown no real sense of urgency in dealing with this issue."

The Democrats offered similar criticism of the town's actions on affordable housing, arguing that the GOP-controlled government should have made plans for required low- and moderate-income units years earlier and that its lack of an updated master plan makes implementation of its current proposed housing plan impossible.

"We need an implementation plan and we need to be transparent with residents about what that plan is," Gillespie said. "This is going to affect our schools. It will affect traffic. It will affect our taxes, it's going to affect how well our fire department will keep us safe. We need to start talking about this as a community now."

Delgado countered that the town's affordable housing is mandated by state court and that orders to plan for more affordable units supersede local zoning.

"This is not subject to master plan approval and it never has been," he said. "It's literally been pushed down through the Constitution by our Legislature and ignores all zoning and planning laws."

He said the town faced the possibility of having to make plans for development of huge numbers of new homes, but that the council was able to negotiate a reasonable settlement with the Cherry Hill-based Fair Share Housing Center, which has intervened in affordable housing court cases across the state as part of a judicial takeover of housing compliance mandated by the New Jersey Supreme Court.

Moorestown's agreement specifies that the town has an obligation to create 621 low- and moderate-income units from prior years, most of which have already been satisfied through prior development and credits, and 606 units for the new round, which is expected to reflect housing needs from 2015 through 2025.

As part of the agreement, a total of 337 units are expected to be developed over the next seven years, mostly on five vacant parcels owned by the township or developers who also intervened in Moorestown's court proceedings.

"We know we have saved the town a huge amount by lowering that number," Delgado said.

Democrats Brian Donnelly, Nicole Gillespie win council seats in Moorestown

Source: https://www.burlingtoncountytimes.com/news/20181106/democrats-brian-donnelly-nicole-gillespie-win-council-seats-in-moorestown

By Lisa Ryan

Posted: Nov 6, 2018

Brian Donnelly

Democrats Brian Donnelly and Nicole Gillespie will take control of the Township Council after winning two seats Tuesday, according to unofficial election results.

MOORESTOWN — Democrats will take control of the Township Council, ending the Republicans' reign of nearly a decade.

Brian Donnelly and Nicole Gillespie defeated Republicans Jamie Boren and incumbent Manuel “Manny” Delgado for two four-year terms.

Based on unofficial results Tuesday, Gillespie received 4,652 votes and Donnelly 4,542 votes, while Delgado received 3,885 and Boren 3,819. The tally does not include absentee and provisional ballots.

Donnelly and Gillespie will join fellow Democratic Councilwoman Lisa Petriello on the five-member council. They will join Republicans Michael Locatell and Victoria Napolitano.

Gillespie is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and is executive director and CEO of the Knowles Teacher Initiative, a nonprofit that seeks to improve science and math education nationwide.

Donnelly is an attorney specializing in business counseling and litigation involving multinational corporations. He is a Marine veteran and serves as a judge advocate in the Army Reserves.

The Democrats have said they hope to attract new businesses to raise ratables while making government more transparent.

Referee made wrestler Andrew Johnson shave chin, but initially said nothing about dreadlocks, attorney says

Source: https://www.inquirer.com/news/andrew-johnson-wrestling-dreadlocks-buena-new-jersey-alan-maloney-20181229.html

By Melanie Burney

Posted: Dec 29, 2018

FILE - In this Dec. 19, 2018, file image taken from a video provided by SNJTODAY.COM, Buena Regional High School wrestler Andrew Johnson gets his hair cut courtside minutes before his match in Buena, N.J., after a referee told Johnson he would forfeit his bout if he didn't have his dreadlocks cut off. A lawyer for Johnson is suggesting the impromptu hair cut was due in part to the referee’s tardiness. (Michael Frankel/SNJTODAY.COM via AP)

South Jersey wrestler Andrew Johnson was ordered to shave stubble by the referee who raised concerns about his dreadlocks, too, minutes before a match, his attorney says.

A South Jersey referee forced Andrew Johnson to shave his chin stubble before his now controversial wrestling match, but raised no concerns about his dreadlocks until the high school student stepped onto the mat, the athlete’s attorney said.

In a video that has gone viral worldwide, Johnson, a junior at Buena Regional High School in Atlantic County, eventually decided to have his dark brown dreadlocks cut in a public shearing on the gym floor to avoid forfeiting his match against archrival Oakcrest High School.

The Dec. 19 incident ignited a firestorm in social media and a fierce debate about race and cultural bias in scholastic athletics. The incident is under investigation by the state Division on Civil Rights, and Alan Maloney, the referee at the center of the controversy, has been suspended by state athletic officials pending the outcome.

Epitome of a team player ⬇️

A referee wouldn't allow Andrew Johnson of Buena @brhschiefs to wrestle with a cover over his dreadlocks. It was either an impromptu haircut, or a forfeit. Johnson chose the haircut, then won by sudden victory in OT to help spark Buena to a win. pic.twitter.com/f6JidKNKoI

— Mike Frankel (@MikeFrankelJSZ) December 20, 2018

As details about the incident continue to emerge, Dominic Speziali, a Philadelphia attorney who represents Johnson and his family, disputed accounts that Maloney told Johnson that his hair was too long. After the referee arrived late and missed the weigh-in, Maloney, at first, did not raise any concerns about the length of Johnson’s hair or say that he needed to wear a hair covering during the inspection, the lawyer said.

“He was told to shave the stubble on his chin, but nothing about his dreadlocks,” Speziali said in an interview Friday. “He [Maloney] said nothing about the hair.”

When a question was later raised about his hair, Johnson, 16, asked Maloney to let him wear a cap under his headgear, but the referee rejected the covering because he said Andrew’s hair “wasn’t in its natural state” and referred to the dreadlocks as “braids," Speziali said. Buena coaches pleaded with Maloney to let Johnson compete, but to no avail, he said.

Speziali said Johnson did not have a headgear with a hair covering because his hair length did not require it; the school didn’t have one available. A covering must be worn if the wrestler’s hair extends past the earlobe, eyebrows, or neck, wrestling rules say.

Referee Alan Maloney in a file photo, September 2016 ( ELIZABETH ROBERTSON / Staff Photographer )

Johnson had been allowed to compete, without a hair cover, the previous weekend at a tournament in Ocean County without incident, Speziali said. Maloney did not officiate that match.

At the dual match between Buena and Oakcrest, Johnson and his younger brother, Nate, a teammate, both were told by Maloney that they would need to wear a hair covering or they would be disqualified, Speziali said. Nate does not have dreadlocks and competed without a hair covering, the lawyer said.

It was unknown why Maloney told both brothers a hair covering was needed. “What is the issue with the hair that these gentlemen have?” Speziali asked.

Maloney has not responded to interview requests. Since the incident, Maloney and his family have received at least two death threats and Berlin Borough police have stepped up patrols in his Camden County neighborhood and parked a patrol car in front of his home. No one has been charged, said Police Chief Michael Miller.

“Our detectives are pursuing it," Miller said.

Maloney’s defenders say the veteran official was simply enforcing the rules when he refused to allow Johnson to compete. The team could have forfeited his bout, substituted another wrestler, or provided headgear that met requirements with a hair covering that attached to the earguards.

With 90 seconds to decide whether to cut his hair or forfeit his 120-pound bout, Andrew Johnson appeared visibly upset in a video that showed a school trainer shearing several inches from his locks. Because Johnson was already on the mat, he could not, under wrestling guidelines, return to the locker room for the cutting. With the packed gym watching, including his father, grandfather, and an older brother, Johnson’s hair was clipped.

Johnson went on to win his bout, 4-2, in overtime. Buena won the match, too. The fallout, however, has continued. The team resumed action Thursday in a tournament in North Jersey. Andrew Johnson and Nate, 14, a freshman, skipped the competition. Both want to wrestle again, their attorney said.

Andrew Johnson in a Sept. 30, 2018, photograph. Photo courtesy of the Johnson family.

Gov. Phil Murphy is among a host of elected officials, athletes, and celebrities, including Olympian Jordan Burroughs and filmmaker Ava DuVernay, who have condemned the hair-cutting. Murphy tweeted that he was “deeply disturbed” by the incident.

Officials with the NAACP and the American Civil Liberties Union have raised concerns that the incident has racial overtones. Maloney is white; the Johnson brothers are biracial. A spokesperson for the state’s civil rights agency said it had not received any additional complaints about Maloney.

Buena Regional School Superintendent David C. Cappuccio Jr. announced Wednesday that the district’s athletic teams would not compete in any contest officiated by Maloney. The athletic association said groups that assign referees have been told not to assign Maloney to any matches pending the outcome.

In his more than 40 years as a state wresting official, Maloney, 62, built a reputation as a stickler for the rules, colleagues say. A former wrestler at then Edgewood High School in Winslow Township, Maloney is highly regarded as a referee and has been tapped to officiate some of the top matches in the state.

“The guy is a good referee. He just follows the rules to the ‘T,’ ” said Richie G. Raine of Pennsville, a retired wrestling official who was trained by Maloney. “He doesn’t bend.”

Ron Roberts, a wrestling official and a Buena graduate, has said that he visited his former high school team before the season started and advised Johnson and another athlete with dreadlocks that they would need to get the proper hair cover or cut their hair before taking the mat. Buena coach George Maxwell has not responded to messages.

Patrick Duff, who wrestled at Delran High in the 1990s with his brother, Bill, an All-American who later played in the NFL, said both had had run-ins with Maloney. Bill Duff was forced by Maloney to cut his sideburns before a match, and their father, who was often vocal in the stands, was ejected several times from their matches when he complained about Maloney’s calls, he said.

“Maloney didn’t like to be called out,” said Duff, of Haddon Heights.

Raine said his grandson, Michael Slusher, a wrestler at Pennsville High School, had his hair cut last year in order to compete at a tournament in Ewing after another referee told him his hair was too long. Slusher, 17, now a senior, did not have the proper headgear with a covering and his hair was too long, Raine said.

Michael Slusher, a Pennsville High wrestler, gets a hair cut at a tournament in 2017 after a referee said his hair was too long.

“It’s happened plenty of times,” said Raine, who was a wrestling official for about 12 years.

During competition, “all wrestlers shall be clean shaven, with sideburns trimmed no lower than earlobe level and hair trimmed and well groomed,” according to rules from the National Federation of State High School Associations. An official said the group would review guidelines for the hair covering at its annual rules meeting in April in the wake of the dreadlocks controversy.

In this 2007 file photo, 16-year-old Adeline Gray (front), a 140-pound wrestler for Chatfield High School, fixes her hair before a match at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colo., Gray was a national champion who wrestled on the boys' varsity team at Chatfield. (AP Photo/The Denver Post, Hyoung Chang)

“We don’t see it as dreadlocks. We just see it as long hair,” said Elliot Hopkins, national rules interpreter for the association, based in Indianapolis. “You’re allowed to have long hair, but it has to be put up in a cap that attaches to the earguards.”

Longtime Camden High School wrestling coach Hadley Thame, who is black and has known Maloney for about four decades, said the way Johnson’s hair was cut “was ugly” and said he believed Maloney could have better handled the dreadlocks incident. Maloney has always been tough, but fair, he said.

“He’s never openly done anything bad to me or the kids,” said Thame, a retired science teacher who has been Camden’s coach since 1976. “I may not have liked some of his scoring decisions, but I don’t think his scoring decisions had anything to do with the color of the skin of the kids.”

Maloney landed in another controversy in 2016 when he allegedly used a racial slur during a social gathering with referees after a match. Preston Hamilton, a referee who is black, reportedly slammed Maloney to the ground. Hamilton declined to comment this week, saying only about Maloney: “I feel that he should not be working.”

The New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association, which oversees high school athletics, gave both referees one-year suspensions but later overturned the decision.

Community activist Water Hudson said Maloney should be removed from officiating in light of the previous racial slur and the dreadlocks controversy. Several petitions on change.org have been signed by thousands demanding his ouster.

“We want a lifetime ban,” said Hudson, chairman of the National Awareness Alliance, a civil rights group based in Salem County.

Raine said he hopes Maloney will be reinstated.

“I just don’t understand why everyone is trying to crucify a guy who did what he was supposed to do,” Raine said.

Burlington County municipalities prepare for reorganization meetings

Source: https://www.burlingtoncountytimes.com/news/20190101/burlington-county-municipalities-prepare-for-reorganization-meetings

By Kelly Kultys

Posted: Jan 1, 2019

Moorestown Council candidates Manuel Delgado and Jamie Boren, left, and Brian Donnelly and Nicole Gillespie, right, faced off during a debate at the William Allen Middle School hosted by the MooreUnity community group.
[DAVID LEVINSKY / STAFF PHOTOJOURNALIST]

Democrats are taking control of a few municipalities and increasing their control in others this week when they are sworn in at reorganization meetings.

This week across Burlington County, many newly elected local officials will be sworn into their new seats at annual reorganization meetings. Democrats will take control in multiple towns and extend their advantage in others following the November election.

Evesham

For the first time since 2007, Evesham, the county’s largest municipality, will have new leadership. Democrat Jaclyn Veasy was elected mayor, replacing Randy Brown, a Republican who dropped his re-election bid in September for professional reasons. Heather Cooper and Patricia Hansen will take the council seats filled by Republicans Steven Zeuli and Deborah Hackman.

The female trio defeated Zeuli, who was running for mayor along with Hackman and Jay Levenson, who were seeking council seats.

Veasy, Cooper and Hansen will be sworn in 5 p.m. Wednesday with a reception at the Gibson House to follow.

Their victory gives the Democrats 3-2 control over the board.

Moorestown

Democrats Brian Donnelly and Nicole Gillespie were elected to the township Council, ending the Republicans’ reign of nearly a decade. The pair defeated Republicans Jamie Boren and incumbent Manuel “Manny” Delgado for two, four-year terms.

Donnelly and Gillespie will join fellow Democratic Councilwoman Lisa Petriello on the five-member board. They will join Republicans Michael Locatell and Victoria Napolitano.

The pair will be sworn in 7 p.m. Monday.

Lumberton

The township will seat two Democrats for the first time in 10 years after Kendra Hatfield and Ryan Tuno were elected in November.

“I'm humbled by the support I received from my friends and neighbors and look forward to working with my new colleagues across the aisle,” Hatfield said in a statement following the November election. “My priority will be bringing transparency to our local government and being responsive to the needs of every resident of our great town”.

The Republicans will keep control of the board with a 3-2 majority after Hatfield and Tuno are sworn in 7 p.m. Thursday.

Mount Laurel

Two Democrats will be joining the formerly all-Republican Council on Monday at 7 p.m. Kareem Pritchett and Stephen Steglik were elected, defeating Republican Mayor Richard Van Noord and Deputy Mayor Dennis Riley. Steglik is president of the Burlington County Young Democrats activist group, and Pritchett is a New Jersey correctional officer.

In other races across the county, such as in Chesterfield and Westampton, Democrats picked up seats in committees they already controlled.

Democrat Shreekant Dhopte defeated Republican incumbent C. Samuel Davis and independent candidate Jignesh Shah. He will be sworn in 7 p.m. Thursday.

Other municipalities

In Westampton, Democrats have full control over the township Committee again after Glynn Lee Eckart and Anthony DeSilva ran unopposed after Republican Committeewoman Maureen Smith-Hartman declined to seek re-election and former Republican Committeeman Abe Lopez resigned earlier this year to move with his family to Florida. The pair will be sworn in 7 p.m. Jan. 8.

Democratic incumbents will keep their seats in several towns, including Bordentown Township, Burlington Township and Pemberton Township and Riverside.

Reorganization meetings traditionally run through the first week of January.

Other reorganization dates across the county include:

Beverly: Thursday at 7:30 p.m.
Burlington City: Monday at 7 p.m.
Burlington Township: Wednesday at 7 p.m.
Cinnaminson: Monday at 6:30 p.m.
Delanco: Monday at 7 p.m.
Delran: Wednesday at 7 p.m.
Florence: Wednesday at 7 p.m.
Hainesport: Thursday at 7 p.m.
Lumberton: Thursday at 7 p.m.
Mansfield: Thursday at 6 p.m.
Medford Township: Wednesday at 7 p.m.
Mount Holly: Wednesday at 6 p.m.
North Hanover: Thursday at 7 p.m.
Palmyra: Monday at 6:30 p.m
Pemberton Borough: Wednesday at 7 p.m.
Pemberton Township: Wednesday at 5:30 p.m.
Riverside: Wednesday at 6 p.m.
Riverton: Wednesday at 7 p.m.
Shamong: Jan. 8 at 7 p.m.
Southampton: Wednesday at 8 p.m.
Springfield: Wednesday at 7:30 p.m.
Tabernacle: Wednesday, January 2 at 7 p.m.
Washington Township: Tuesday, January 1, 2019 at 10 a.m.
Westampton: Tuesday, January 8 at 7 p.m.
Willingboro: Tuesday, January 1 at 12 p.m.
Woodland Township: Thursday, January 3, 2019 at 10 a.m.
Wrightstown: Thursday, January 3 at 6:30 p.m.

Democrats take control of Moorestown Council

Source: https://www.burlingtoncountytimes.com/news/20190107/democrats-take-control-of-moorestown-council

By David Levinsky

Posted: Jan 7, 2019

Former Gov. James Florio administers the oath of office to Brian Donnelly as he holds his daughter Brooke at Monday's reorganization meeting.
[SCOTT ANDERSON / PHOTOJOURNALIST]

Democrats Nicole Gillespie and Brian Donnelly were sworn into office, and fellow Democrat Lisa Petriello was also elected mayor during the meeting, which attracted several dozen spectators, including some of the county’s most well-known Democratic officials.

MOORESTOWN — History was made during Monday night’s Township Council reorganization, as two new Democrats took their seats on the governing body, giving the party a majority for only the second time in the town’s more than 300-year history.

Democrats Nicole Gillespie and Brian Donnelly were sworn into office, and fellow Democrat Lisa Petriello was also elected mayor during the meeting, which attracted several dozen spectators, including some of the county’s most well-known Democratic officials.

State Sen. Troy Singleton, D-7th of Delran, swore Gillespie into office, and former Gov. Jim Florio, who now resides in Moorestown, swore in Donnelly. State Assemblyman Herb Conaway, D-7th of Delran, did the honors of swearing in Petriello to the mayor’s post.

Gillespie was also sworn in as the town’s new deputy mayor.

Gillespie and Donnelly defeated Republican incumbent Manuel "Manny” Delgado and his running mate Jamie Boren during the November election. They joined Councilwoman Lisa Petriello to give the party a 3-2 majority on the five-member council, the party’s first since it held control of the governing body for three years from 2005 through 2008.

From left, Democrats Lisa Petriello, Nicole Gillespie and Brian Donnelly take their seats at the council meeting.
[SCOTT ANDERSON / PHOTOJOURNALIST]

Republicans Michael Locatell and Victoria Napolitano remain on council.

Petriello, who had served on council since December 2015, said she looked forward to a productive year working with her colleagues on council, township staff and residents.

“We have much work to accomplish. This work will require the involvement of our community, sustained focus and our ability to constantly re-examine how we are doing things and how we can do things better for our community. I believe as a council we are all up for this challenge,” she said after taking her oath.

“I look forward to working with my all colleagues, with our staff, with residents and with our professionals through 2019 and beyond. We have lots to do, so let’s get to work."

Gillespie and Donnelly made increasing transparency and community involvement a key part of their platform and Gillespie said she looked forward to being held accountable to that pledge.

“To all Moorestown residents, whether you voted for me or not, your vigilance and ability to speak up is a fundamental part of our democracy. It made us stronger candidates and it will make us stronger public servants,” said Gillespie, who is a U.S. Naval Academy graduate and executive director and CEO of the Knowles Teacher Initiative.

Donnelly, a Marine veteran and attorney, said he appreciated the bipartisan support Locatell and Napolitano provided during the weeks leading up to their swearing in.

“I hope the bipartisanship continues because its gone well so far and I appreciate all the help you’ve given me,” he said.

Locatell nominated Donnelly to become mayor, saying he felt he would be a better choice to lead the township, but the Democratic majority opted to support Petriello for the leadership position.

Donnelly noted she’d been the lone Democrat on council for over a year.

“She’s carried the torch for a long time and she can bear under fire for as long as she has for the last few years. I think she’ll do a fantastic job,” he said.

An overflow crowd watches the reorganization meeting from the hallway at the Moorestown Municipal Building.
[SCOTT ANDERSON / PHOTOJOURNALIST]

Locatell and Napolitano said they both hoped to work collaboratively with the new Democratic majority for the betterment on the township.

“You are our new mayor and we’ll work with and wish you success because that’s in the best interest of the town,” Locatell told Petriello during his remarks.

“I hope we all get along well this year and accomplish great things for Moorestown,” Napolitano added.

While the council pledged to work together, there was some early friction during the meeting, with the Republicans questioning some of the changes in professional appointments, as well as changes on some township committees and boards, including the Economic Development Advisory Committee and the Sustainable Moorestown Committee.

Petriello defended the committee changes, noting that there are many residents interested in volunteering and limited seats.

“I thought it was an opportunity to inject new ideas and creativity to these committees,” she said.

The changes to professionals included the appointment of Kevin Aberant, of the law firm Taenzer, Ettenson & Aberant, as the town’s new attorney, replacing Mount Laurel firm Capehart Scatchard, which had served as the council’s chief legal counsel the last five years.

Capehart has enjoyed strong ties to state and Burlington County Republicans through its partner, Glenn Paulsen, who formerly served as Burlington County Republican chairman and is still considered an influential political power broker within the party.

Aberant was previously the town’s first Democratic mayor in 2005, which was the first year of the only Democratic majority on council. He served one term and opted not to seek re-election in 2008.

Capehart was also replaced as the township’s bond counsel by McManimon, Scotland & Baumann, and Capehart attorney Carmen Saginario Jr. was replaced as the town’s labor attorney by the law firm of Genova Burns.

The latter move was questioned by the two Republicans, who said township employees pushed for Saginario’s retention.

Petriello responded that she thought it was in the town’s best interest to “cut ties” with Capehart.

The new mayor also defended the decision to not reappoint Mount Laurel firm, Taylor Design Group, as an alternative engineering firm in order to continue work on the Lenola improvement plan. Locatell and Napolitano noted that the township was awarded a $1 million Department of Transportation grant based on the firm’s plans and application and that funding might be at risk by delays in the final planning and engineering work.

Petriello said there were other options and council could revisit reappointing the firm as an alternate at a later date.

Philadelphia Eagles honor Burlington County first responders

Source: https://www.burlingtoncountytimes.com/news/20191226/philadelphia-eagles-honor-burlington-county-first-responders

By George Woolston

Posted: Dec 26, 2019

Players from the Eagles coached 40 members from the Mount Laurel Fire Department, Westampton Township Emergency Services, Delran Fire Department and Riverside Fire Co. No. 1 in flag football games at the Nova Care Center on Monday. [CONTRIBUTED]

PHILADELPHIA — Less than 24 hours after the Philadelphia Eagles defeated the Dallas Cowboys to take the lead in the NFC East, they were back on the gridiron.

On Monday, however, they shared the field with a much more adored and respected adversary in the greater Philadelphia region than the Cowboys — Burlington County first responders and their families.

Players from the Eagles coached 40 members from the Mount Laurel Fire Department, Westampton Township Emergency Services, Delran Fire Department and Riverside Fire Co. No. 1 at the Nova Care Center, where the Eagles practice, in a flag football match to thank them for the sacrifice the first responders make each holiday season.

The event was hosted the the Philadelphia Eagles and BELFOR Property Restoration. [CONTRIBUTED]

The event was hosted the the Philadelphia Eagles and BELFOR Property Restoration.

"It is always a privilege and honor to celebrate our dedicated first responders who bravely protect our communities every day," said Sheldon Yellen, CEO of BELFOR. "The BELFOR team is delighted to partner with the Philadelphia Eagles in recognizing these courageous men and women, and their families, during the holiday season for their incredible sacrifices throughout the year. Not all heroes wear capes – but they do wear flags!"

Players from the Eagles coached 40 members from the Mount Laurel Fire Department, Westampton Township Emergency Services, Delran Fire Department and Riverside Fire Co. No. 1 in flag football games at the Nova Care Center on Monday. [CONTRIBUTED]

Eagles players who helped coach the teams were Nate Sudfeld, Joe Ostman, Alex Singleton, Bruce Hector, Jordan Howard, Alex Ellis and Boston Scott. In addition to the players coaching, Swoop the Eagle and Eagles cheerleaders were on hand to mingle with the families.

BELFOR Property Restoration is the world's largest disaster recovery and property restoration company with regional 24/7/365 operations located in Philadelphia and the Tri-State region. Visit www.belfor.com for more information.

Coronavirus: Rutgers alum aboard nuclear aircraft carrier with outbreak

Source: https://www.burlingtoncountytimes.com/news/20200401/coronavirus-rutgers-alum-aboard-nuclear-aircraft-carrier-with-outbreak

By Greg Tufaro and Jeanine Santucci, Bridgewater Courier News

Posted: Apr 1, 2020

Matthew Molinari, right, selects the USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) during the spring 2019 ship selection event as NROTC Unit Rutgers University. [ Courtesy of U.S. Navy by 2nd Lt. Kevin Stapleton/Released]

The captain of a nuclear aircraft carrier, on which Bridgewater-Raritan High School and Rutgers University alumnus Matt Molinari is an officer, has asked the U.S. Navy for assistance in evacuating and isolating the crew now that more than 100 sailors have reportedly tested positive for the coronavirus.

According to USA TODAY, Navy Capt. Brett Crozier of the USS Theodore Roosevelt, which is docked in Guam, wrote in a four-page letter to senior military officials that "decisive action" was required to prevent deaths of those on board.

The letter, which the San Francisco Chronicle first obtained, stated that the sailors on board, who total more than 4,000, were currently unable to comply with CDC guidelines to keep them safe because of the ship's close quarters, USA TODAY reported.

"We are not at war," Crozier wrote, "and therefore cannot allow a single Sailor to perish as a result of this pandemic unnecessarily."

The San Francisco Chronicle, citing an anonymous senior officer on board, reported the number of positive coronavirus cases on the ship is now between 150 and 200.

Molinari, who as a high school senior in 2015 captained a Bridgewater-Raritan varsity baseball team that tied a single-season school record for victories, graduated last year from the state university's Navy ROTC program.

Following his graduation and commissioning in May 2019, Molinari reported to the USS Theodore Roosevelt, a Nimitz-class aircraft carrier homeported in San Diego, as a Surface Warfare Officer, according to a press release.

"There are not enough superlatives to describe what a great young man Matt is," said Bridgewater-Raritan head baseball coach Max Newill, who taught Molinari in his Advanced Placement microeconomics class.

"Matt's an officer. I'm sure he's putting the welfare of the people in his charge ahead of him. That's the kind of young man Matt is."

Newill said he and the entire Bridgewater-Raritan community are concerned for Molinari and all aboard the carrier, adding his former player emailed assistant coach Mike Trapani on Tuesday night to inform the coaching staff he is well.

"The virus, itself, you've seen it throughout the nation, not just on the ship, grow exponentially," Newill said. "Obviously, in the closed confinement of a ship it can probably be even worse. On a ship, there's not a whole lot of space for you to hide. We are concerned about Matt and the entire population of that ship."

Citing a source, who asked not to be named because he or she wasn't authorized to speak publicly, USA TODAY reported the Navy is moving quickly to ensure the health and safety of the crew and pursuing options to address Crozier's concerns.

In an interview with CNN on Tuesday, Acting Navy Secretary Thomas Modly said the Navy is "taking all the appropriate steps."

"I know that our command organization has been aware of this for about 24 hours," Modly told CNN, "and we have been working actually the last several days to move those sailors off the ship and get them into accommodations in Guam."

FILE - In this April 13, 2018, file photo the USS Theodore Roosevelt aircraft carrier is anchored off Manila Bay west of Manila, Philippines. The captain of the U.S. Navy aircraft carrier facing a growing outbreak of the coronavirus is asking for permission to isolate the bulk of his roughly 5,000 crew members on shore, which would take the warship out of duty in an effort to save lives. The ship is docked in Guam (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez, File)

According to the Navy Times, Crozier proposed that approximately 10 percent of the nuclear aircraft carrier's crew remain on board to "operate the reactor plant and sanitize the ship, among other things," adding that the rest would be individually isolated off the ship.

"Removing the majority of personnel from a deployed U.S. nuclear aircraft carrier and isolating them for two weeks may seem like an extraordinary measure," Crozier wrote, calling it a necessary risk. "Keeping over 4,000 young men and women on board the (Theodore Roosevelt) is an unnecessary risk and breaks faith with those Sailors entrusted to our care."

Newill, and the entire Bridgewater-Raritan baseball coaching staff from 2015, including Evan Seavey and Mark Staudt, were in attendance for a 2019 ceremony on the campus of Rutgers University during which Molinari became an officer.

"It was a highlight of our career, for sure," Newill said. "When you coach, it's so much about relationships, even more than baseball."

Newill spent a day with Molinari at the Naval Base San Diego in November, at which time the two drove past the USS Theodore Roosevelt, which was docked less than 30 feet away from a service road they traveled.

"He told me all about what he was doing with his ship," Newill said. "It was a really great experience to see how far he'd come and what he was doing and how he was being a leader in our Navy."

Newill said Molinari, who was named Bridgewater-Raritan's NJSIAA Scholar-Athlete in 2015, was "not only a great player, but a great leader, as well."

Molinari saw spot duty with the varsity baseball team as a junior before earning a starting role a year later while helping lead Bridgewater-Raritan to a Skyland Conference division title.

"He's one of those kids that made the team but wasn't a superstar and kept working and working," Newill said. "For the most part, he played jayvee as a junior and had a little bit of varsity time. Senior year, he finally got a chance and he was a key contributor to one of our best teams ever."

Newill said Molinari, whose mother, Geralyn, spent more than two decades as an assistant coach with the Rutgers University women's tennis program, is "the prototype of the son you'd want to have."

In a February 2019 press release, Molinari said he was "beyond excited to fulfill (his) dream to serve in the Navy and have the chance to be a part of the team aboard the USS Theodore Roosevelt."

"Becoming a Surface Warfare Officer on an aircraft carrier, with one of the most vital mission sets in the Navy, was an opportunity I could not pass up," he said. "I cannot wait to get to San Diego and begin my Navy career."

The San Francisco Chronicle reported that, as of Tuesday, none of the sailors aboard the USS Theodore Roosevelt infected with the coronavirus displayed serious symptoms.

The Navy reported on March 24 that three crew members tested positive for the coronavirus, the first time COVID-19 infections had been detected on a naval vessel at sea.