Sports Shorts

Monroe Township’s U9 travel basketball team opened their Central Jersey League play with a 34-9 victory over the East Brunswick Grizzlies. Monroe’s strong defensive play created 21 steals, 39 rebounds and two blocked shots.

Chris Laino (five steals), Brian Nale (six rebounds), Peter Gulick, Mike Fitzgerald, Rob Scardilli, Ryan Genevieve (eight rebounds), Tyler Cushman, Danny Brix (four steals), Victor Sorrento and Ryan Germano, pooled their defensive talents to hold their opponent to one first-half field goal. Offensively, Genevieve, Brix and Sorrento displayed their keen shooting skills with a combined 28-point scoring effort.

Also contributing on the offensive side of the ball were Cushman, Germano and Laino as they collected six points and five assists.

Brookdale Community College’s women’s soccer team has completed the fall season, but team accolades continue as two members have been named Second Team All-Americans.

Goalkeeper Tammy Wood, a former South River High School player, recorded six shutouts and had a 1.1 goal-against average. Her teammate, freshman Kerry O’Mara, a Middletown North alumna, scored 10 goals and added four assists from her central midfield position.

"We are proud of the team’s efforts and the recognition for these two outstanding players," said Frank Lawrence, associate director of athletics.