By CHRIS CHRISTOPHER Ranney School rising sophomore A.J. Gracia, a left-handed pitcher and outfielder on the Panthers’ baseball team, has verbally committed to play for the Duke University Blue Devils once he graduates in 2023. Garcia chose the Blue Devils during his freshman year. The Panthers’ 2020 season was cancelled because of the coronavirus pandemic. […]
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Ocean Football Running Back Looks Forward to College
By CHRIS CHRISTOPHER Nasir Thompson was a Classic football player for the Ocean Township High School Spartans during his senior season. He rarely came off the field. And he impressed enough coaches to earn a berth in the 43rd annual Shore Sports Network All-Shore Gridiron Classic, cancelled because of the coronavirus pandemic. “It really hurts […]
Continue readingFormer Ocean Coach, Red Bank Athletic Director Retiring
By CHRIS CHRISTOPHER Del Dal Pra has had quite the career as a coach and educator. Let’s flash back to the 2006 and 2007 baseball seasons at Ocean Township High School. Dal Pra coached the Spartans to New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association Central Jersey Group III championships. Dal Pra’s career will come to an […]
Continue readingRanney School Welcomes Head Girls Lacrosse Coach
By CHRIS CHRISTOPHER Ranney School athletics director Natalie Gorman has announced the hiring of Rachel Lasda as the Panthers’ head girls lacrosse coach for the 2021 season. “We are thrilled to be adding a coach with Rachel’s experience and expertise to our coaching staff,” Gorman said. “Rachel is a proven winner and is committed to […]
Continue readingSt. Rose High School Profile
By CHRIS CHRISTOPHER The world of sports is caught up in numbers. Statistic after statistic is used to determine the value of an athlete. However, Abby Antognoli’s value runs deeper than numbers. At least that’s how St. Rose High School girls basketball coach Mary Beth Chambers sees it. “She does a lot of work that […]
Continue readingArea Athletes Discouraged by the End of Sports for the Season
By CHRIS CHRISTOPHER There will be no home runs. There will be no strikeouts. There will be no goals. There will be no assists. There will be no sprints. There will be no jumps. There will be no birdies. There will be no pars. There will be no aces. There will be no kills. There […]
Continue readingNeptune Senior Follows Her Dream to Play College Basketball
By CHRIS CHRISTOPHER When Macy Brackett attempts a shot from the field, there’s a better than 50-50 chance it will hit its target–the bottom of the net. The Neptune High School girls basketball standout rarely misses, according to her coach, John Brown, the Scarlet Fliers’ 14th-year mentor. “She’s shooting better than 50 percent from the […]
Continue readingAsbury Park Resident to Compete in Olympic Trials
By CHRIS CHRISTOPHER When Amanda Marino laces ’em up to compete in the United States Women’s Olympic Marathon Trials, she’ll be the beneficiary of a shoe deal. The Asbury Park resident is under contract with Brooks. “As much as I love my sport,” Marino said on her Facebook page, “it’s not always easy to justify […]
Continue readingTeam Captain is ‘Formidable’ Force at St. Rose High
By CHRIS CHRISTOPHER There was no stopping Makayla Andrews. The St. Rose High School girls basketball standout turned the McCann Activities and Athletic Center into her personal playground. The senior guard erupted for 29 points, hammered for 11 rebounds and handed out three assists, powering the host Purple Roses past Rumson-Fair Haven Regional 76-50. Andrews […]
Continue readingHonoring a Coach
Members of the Asbury Park School District Board of Education and administration joined the family of William “Butch” Bruno on Oct. 4 during the official dedication ceremony for unveiling of the plaque honoring the stadium’s namesake. Bruno, an NJSIAA Hall of Fame Inductee, is credited with being the only athlete in Asbury Park sports history […]
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