The OCT, St. Rose, etc.

Heading down to Toms River today for the Ocean County Tournament semifinals as Point Boro and Pat Biserta finally reach a larger stage but Lacey and Todd Roth are also in the spotlight. Lacey has proven itself to be a worthy opponent.

If Casey Gaynor has a realistic shot at at least tying the Shore Conference record of 33 wins the Toms River East ace probably needs a win over Toms River South today. Casey has 27.


St. Rose also gets another bigger stage appearance vs. Bergen Catholic in the Shore Challenge. Purple Roes got a nice win over Randolph in the Challenge last week but not participating in the Monmouth County Tournament, I believe, was a credibility mistake. Constantly flogging Class B Central opponents proves very little. They are a defending state champion and, no doubt, a high quality club. But, in my opinion, they need to do well in the Shore Conference Tournament, in the Challenge, and later in the NJSIAA Tournament, to be considered an elite Shore Conference team.

It figures that in baseball, it doesn't figure. Freehold, one day after their dramatic win over Wall to clinch a share of the Class B North championship, falls to up and down Manasquan in the Monmouth County Tournament.

Brick Memorial, a few days after losing to scrappy Central, turns around and upends Toms River South.