Kinnelon 56 - Cresskill 48

Colts Advance to Sectional Finals: Kinnelon 56 - Cresskill 48

3-3-07 at Kinnelon H.S.

Colts run-and-gun past Cresskill moving on to the Group 1 - Section 1 Finals

Read the Story at the main site

Morris County Grads

(* I’ll be a little biased here *)

Co-Captain of the 2006 Morris County Champion Whippany Park Softball Team Kristie Trifiolis made her colligate debut. The freshman started at shortstop for Fairfield University yesterday against UNC. The Morris Plains resident went 0-3 at the plate, but had 5 assists and a put out. Fairfeild plays Rutgers today at Chapel Hill, NC. Lisa Meringer, a sophomore from Randolph also plays for Fairfield.

Here’s a note from www.scarletknights.com

Rutgers Softball to Compete at UNC Tournament this Weekend

PISCATAWAY, N.J. - The Rutgers softball team will travel to Chapel Hill, N.C. this weekend to compete in the University of North Carolina (UNC) Tournament. The Scarlet Knights (2-8) will open the event against Fairfield on Friday, March 2, at 2:30, followed by a match-up with Appalachian State at 7:00 p.m. On Saturday, March 3, Rutgers will play the host Tar Heels at 12:15 p.m.. Play for the remainder of Saturday and Sunday will be dependent upon the outcome of the Scarlet Knights' first three contests. Rutgers (2-8) posted a 2-3 mark at last weekend's Elon Tournament in Burlington, N.C. Rutgers defeated Campbell and Georgetown on day two of the event, to record its first two victories of the year, and the first for Jay Nelson in his first season at Rutgers and his first tenure as a head coach.

Seton Hall Baseball is also knee deep in Morris County Graduates: Matt Smedberg OF L/R 5-9 180 So. Rockaway, N.J. (Morris Hills) Marc Nigro RHP R/R 6-0 195 Jr. Randolph, N.J. (Randolph) Dan McDonald RHP/INF L/R 6-0 195 Jr. Rockaway, N.J. (Morris Hills) DJ Cunningham RHP R/R 6-6 205 Sr. Florham Park, N.J. (Hanover Park) Chris McGlynn RHP R/R 5-10 165 Fr. Rockaway, N.J. (Morris Hills) Seton Hall opened up at #2 North Carolina on February 16. Matt Smedberg started in left field and went 1 for 3 at the plate; this was Seton Hall’s only hit in the 11-0. Chris McGlynn pitched 1 inning, yielded 1 hit and an unearned run. IN the second game against the Tar Heels, Hall lost 3-2 and the Pirates fell to 0-2. Matt Smedberg in left for the second game in row, went 1-4 with an RBI and Dan McDonald DH’d, going 1-3 with an RBI.

A week later, in Tampa, Fla. (N.Y. Yankees Complex), the Seton Hall (1-4) outscored James Madison 13-9 (0-2). Junior Dan McDonald (Rockaway, N.J.) went 2-for-4 with a double, three runs, and two RBI. The Junior also went 2.1 innings in relief yielding only 1. McDonald is batting .276 and has played in 8 games. McDonald is 2-0, in 3 appearances on the mound. He has only yielded 3 hits in 5.2 innings, while fanning 6. Smedberg bats at .241.

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And now that’s springtime, home improvement will become a big part of my daily activities. I have just finished the main bathroom in my house. It feels great when the job is finally done. Above is picture of the wall lighting over the vanity. You can see so many more of the options if you decided to remodel by clicking here. It’s always fun to remodel and you can easily find any lighting needs you have at light fixtures. Purchases over $100 ship for free!

Par Hills Buzzer beater

This will go down in NJ Basketball history as "One of those calls."


I really have nothing else to add except: Human error is factor of the game. I remember the Pequannock-Whippany Park MCT Finals in 1999. With 3 Umps on the field, not one saw a ground ball to the second base side hit off the Pequannock runner's foot and into an empty part of right field. Empty because the Right Fielder was going to back up the easy grounder, which was about to fielded by the second baseman. Pequannock scores 2 runs in that inning. Granted, The Panther won 4-0 and probably would have won anyway, but you can never be so sure.

One thing for sure, the ref in the picture made the call immediately. It was a call, maybe wrong from the naked eye, but a call none the less. Great video by the way:





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Atlantic City, Live Blogging … WOW!

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You may want to take a look at this flash player that streams podcasts, music, photos, videos, and any other type of file. They are offering unlimited bandwidth with this widget, and they also will host up to 1gb of files for free.

I am considering putting this widget on my main site www.MorrisCountyHSports.net and trying it out. You can now get to the main site using www.MCHSS.net

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I just need to start with … WOW!

Joe Hofmann’s preview for this weekend is top notch. You need to take a peek: Click Here for Joe’s Coverage

You can see live coverage from the Boardwalk at www.dailyrecord.com

Daily Record Sports Editor Frank DiLeo will Blog Live the Boardwalk.

Watch the meeting of the D.R. Staff as they decided who would go to Blog at the Boardwalk (names and faces have been changed to protect the innocent and we replaced Atlantic City with Vegas.)

The Star-Ledger's video guide to the NJSIAA wrestling championships is outstanding. This is a must watch:
»Watch the video Plus: Videos by weight class » Blog: Bob Behre on weekend live coverage plan

Tell you what … I could not be happier that people are now blogging live. I hope that the Ledger can show live video, as the did with the football finals. Just remember, you are getting bigger and better sports coverage everyday … and that’s the way it should be!

Something cool worth checking out & also a great site:

BUILDING THE PERFECT BEAST – Scott Clayton – Senior Staff Writer At www.digitalsports.com

I will not be in A.C. this weekend. There seems to be this ball and chain that I carry on my legs, one says "Black Jack," the other says "Texas Hold'em." Last year I went to watch wrestling and never left the Borgata. Not to mention, no one picked me up for live coverage, so no free lance mission for me.

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Also, you may want to take a look at this flash player that streams podcasts, music, photos, videos, and any other type of file. They are offering unlimited bandwidth with this widget, and they also will host up to 1gb of files for free.

I am considering putting this widget on my site and trying it out.

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Now I'll ramble ...

I know that’s it been quiet here in the MorrisCountyVarsity.net newsroom the past two days. The Coach has not only been a little under the weather, but he’s busy finishing a paper and studying for a test for Grad School. Actually, I am here at Grad school and I will not be able to work the clock for the Hanover Park Girls Basketball game tonight! You have no idea how much that hurts. Hopefully they’ll win and that’ll give us one more home game vs. the winner of Mtn. Lakes and West Essex.

Hopefully it will not get too quiet. If you have any stories that you feel may have beenover looked this past season, shoot me an email. They'll be a month of down time starting next week.

There’s been a lot of buzz about the Shabazz violation and subsequent penalty. I have really kept my mouth shut about the issue, but here’s my two cents: First, I never thought that the NJSIAA would be bold enough to enforce the rules appropriately. But, they did. Any rules violation should be handled in this matter. Remember, it was not Shabazz, themselves, that turned themselves in … it was someone else. Right there, that screams out that there’s a lack of interest in following the rules. Violations can happen, but the NJSIAA has always been open to schools turning themselves in. Shabazz made no attempt. The coach’s comments in the paper were just as bad. Any coach that is not cognizant of the rules needs to sit down and learn them, more so when you are a high profile school such as Shabazz. People love to knock down #1, even people in your own school, even your own parents, so know what you are doing. Everyone now sees the punishment.

As a softball coach, there have been many years where the regular season is over and we (teams that have a week off because the NJSIAA ignorantly thinks softball should be on the same schedule as baseball) have searched for “pick up” games. The first thing ANY COACH looks at is the 25-game maximum. I can not tell how many times a coach has said to me, “give me five minutes, let me look at our results to make sure that we are under 25 games.”

I am just wondering what the punishment would have been if Shabazz was diligent enough to turn themselves in?

Don’t think that AD’s and coaches are immune to mess-ups. Morris Catholic Wrestlers were not able to wrestle in the Morris County Tournament. I really felt bad for kids. Morris Catholic had two matches on consecutive days before the MCT. By NJSIAA rules, all wrestlers would be allowed one extra pound per consecutive day. Morris Catholic did the right thing by withdrawing from the tournament, as not to take away from the integrity of the tournament.

I am proud of the NJSIAA for enforcing the rules. I am very, very upset for the kids that cannot complete their season because adults feel that the rules are not important. I hope that the NJSIAA will also consider looking deeper into illegal recruiting and pre-season practice violations. People need to remember that the NJSIAA’s only eyes are yours. You need proof to open up an argument or present an accusation. I for one have nothing against private school running camps to allow kids to see their venue. I do have a problem with a coach opening calling a kid at home. Going to weekend football games and asking about a kid – do not tell its not being done – don’t waste your breathe. There are some great coaches in the private school ranks, most I respect and will gladly encourage you to learn from, but others are too eager to pad their teams by bending the rules knowing full well that the NJSIAA, you and I will have a hard time proving anything.

Rules are not made to be broken. Rules are simply in place to assure an even playing field. I wonder if I went around to the batting cages the past two months, how many familiar faces I would have seen? How many volunteer assistants running captain’s practices? Do not tell me it does not happen.

Ok, there’s tons to vent about, but what it simply comes down to is this, just follow the rules. Do not attempt to bend them. The more successful you are, the more people are looking for ways to bring you down. The kids are the ones that suffer.

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A little bit of a side note, below, I have listed a few links that you may want to go to. There’s a ton of financial stuff that should interest you. The most important aspect of the site is the loans. So, go head and check out their loans and all their options.

Credit cards - http://www.nationsfinance.co.uk/credit_cards/
Car insurance - http://www.nationsfinance.co.uk/insurance/
Saving accounts - http://www.nationsfinance.co.uk/banking/
Mortgages - http://www.nationsfinance.co.uk/mortgages

Don’t be shy because it’s an over seas sight, just go and see what they have.

Now that I have gooten all that of my chest, it's time to watch some college hoops!

In the news

Link to Mennen Cup Photos - Click here

Steve Tober tells you about Shabazz breaking the rules.

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Scores from NJO:

GBB • Hanover Park 50 (20-4), Snyder 33 (11-13)
GBB • Lincoln 35 (20-5), Chatham 31 (20-6)
GBB • Mountain Lakes 58 (18-7), County Prep 23 (15-9)
GBB • Jefferson 44 (14-11), Ramsey 42 (13-14)
GBB • Ridgefield Park 59 (21-6), Parsippany 42 (12-13)

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BBB • West Orange 50 (17-8), Randolph 47 (14-10)
BBB • Bloomfield 40 (18-8), Roxbury 23 (12-12)
BBB • Ramsey 45 (12-13), Pequannock 42 (10-14)
BBB • Summit 51 (11-13), Mountain Lakes 50 (7-14)

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Wrestling State Tournament match Ups:

All Brackets: Click Here

Championship Time

It’s that time of year when sports action starts dwindling down, yet each game is more important than the next … Championship time! The Boys and Girls Basketball MCT was held Friday and Saturday. As you know, the Boys game was a thriller, with Chatham taking home the championship in overtime. Randolph the Mennen Cup with a 4-0 victory over Morris Knolls. A few readers have been on my tail about covering more sports, mentioning more sports or simply that I focus too much on wrestling. Believe me, the goal is to cover everything, but at this infant stage of this site, what you see is what you get. And remember, I’m here to compliment the papers, add a little extra, not to be a main source.

The reason why most of you may be here … Joe Hofmann was nice enough again to mention me in his “A look back at this season's districts, regions” I can tell you one thing, the wrestling internet community is huge. But no one, and I mean no one, has been more important to the wrestling community as njlineup.com. Joe has mentioned them, but this gentleman not only lists all the results for high school wrestling box scores, but also youth leagues. This guy is a savior to coaches that have to sort through their scouting reports. He’s a savior to the sports writer, but most importantly, he is a sports fan’s dream. I also thank you!

Back to Morris County Wrestling:

Steve Godine - Dave Standridge: I have had many an opportunity to watch these outstanding young wrestlers. They are just that. Watching Standridge, you realize that he way beyond his years. As a freshman, you can see him listening to every word from his coaches and his father. He’s eager to learn and get better. Watch him wrestle … he is patient, yet smart. He knows to attack and when to make a move. You will see nothing flashy, no showmanship, just a kid that loves to wrestle and is VERY good at it, and only getting better. All of Godine’s losses have come wrestlers going to A.C. Region III – 3rd Standridge (five), Region III Champion Kenny Knapp (David Brearley) and Region IV Champion Mike Demarco (St. Mary’s). When Hofmann says that Godine should be there, I am going to agree, it is a shame he’s not.

Somethings Joe missed:

The most missed coach: Mike Flammer from Parsippany. It was great to finally have a chance to talk with Coach Flammer, hopefully one day he’ll be back.

Most determined ref: Mark Sherman at Region III; For years you see ref throw a lost head gear to the side, but how often do you see a ref throw a shoe? Not any shoe, his own shoe! It was good stuff.

Wrestler on a vengeance: This is the time of year when wresting (and obviously wrestlers) really steps it up a notch. Your year, maybe your wrestling career, are on the line every match. Emotions run high and you have to leave it all on the mat. That’s why what I saw this weekend was even more remarkable. Keith Switzer from Delbarton looked like a man on a mission. I saw first hand at the MCT how tough this kid was when he lost to Herr, but made Herr work for every point. Switzer avenged a first period pin in the Districts and tech’d Anthony Johnstone from Hanover; Then wrestled one of the most exciting matches of the day against Robert Piper from Brearley. I swear I was watching Ali-Frazier in a non-stop action fight.

Region III: You have agree that’s it’s just great how well they run everything there. Four mats, non-stop action and plenty of seating. But when an announcer cannot pronounce Melde correctly, it goes right through me. Although I also never realized that Scotch Plains had dropped the “s” and is now just Scotch PLAIN. (* come one, people bust my chops for my announcing, I just couldn’t resist *). You (or I) had to love the huge three-table set up they have at Union High School for the press. They even have Internet access. Schools that host tournaments/big games should all be as press friendly. H.S. Sports writers are some of the funniest people you’ll ever meet.

It's decided on the mat: I was not the only one that thought Shelomi Hohn was going to walk through the heavyweight bracket, but Bradley Mclaren from Columbia. Mclaren won by forfeit when the two IHC-Iron teams meet earlier in the season. We were all impressed at the MCT when Hohn executed a perfect switch in the finals, not something you see from too many heavyweights. Mclaren was even more agile and it was a very good match, with Mclaren in control, when the Columbia heavyweight pinned Hohn as Hohn tried to escape and failed on a stand to a switch.

Stalemates galore: Ref’s do it right this time of year. I’ve been very lucky. I have seen nothing but great ref’ing all year. But they step it up a notch and make the wrestlers wrestle and use the time. They are quick to call a stalemate and keep the action moving. (unless you’re a Brearley fan) The Bears faithful call stalling and start pounding the bleachers when a wrestler even stops for a second. Guess they’re just used to the Bears’ style of in your face wrestling.

Thanks: To those whose sent emails and stopped me at Union to thank me for the updates. I do this so that kids get more publicity and the “live” stuff so that the fan that cannot make the game has something to keep him/her updated. So, you’re all welcome.

Not going to A.C. – Nope, I am not going. As much as I’d like to, it’s not possible. Maybe next year.