Sports Shorts

Registration is being accepted for the Old Bridge winter ice hockey youth instructional program, sponsored by the township Department of Parks, Recreation & Social Services. The program will be held on 11 Sunday evenings, beginning Jan. 2, (except for Jan. 9 and Feb. 5) through March 27, at the Old Bridge Sports Arena.

Youngsters will be instructed on the fundamentals of hockey, including stickhandling, passing and shooting.

Participants are required to wear full equipment. The sessions are broken into two age groups: 5-8 and 9-13. The 5-8 group runs from 5:15- 6:30 p.m., the older group runs from 6:45-8 p.m.

The cost is $250 for Old Bridge residents and $300 for nonresidents.

For more information, visit the arena Monday through Thursday between 7 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. or call John Piccolo at (732) 721-5600, ext. 4025, or (732) 679-8339.

Milltown Little League will hold its 2005 baseball registration Jan. 11 and 12 from 6-8 p.m. at the senior citizens center on Violet Terrace. All kids ages 5-16 are eligible. Forms will be handed out in school in January, or are available at borough hall and the public library. If unable to attend, mail to the address on the form.

Monroe’s 10-year-old travel basketball team captured victories over Spring Lake (44-23), Scotch Plains (47-31) and Fair Haven (49-19) to improve their early season record to 6-0. Monroe’s Victor Sorrento, Ryan Genevieve and Danny Brix led the way against Spring Lake as the three travel veterans combined for 30 points, 11 rebounds and three steals. Their teammates Tyler Cushman, Ryan Germano, Chris Viani, Ahmid Williams, Chris Laino, Brian Nale and Peter Gulick contributed a combined 14 points, 20 rebounds, seven steals and two blocks to seal the victory. Against Scotch Plains, the Monroe 10s used a suffocating team defense and rebounding domination to hold back their opponent.

The offense was led by Genevieve and Brix as they generated 28 points and nine rebounds. Sorrento, Germano, Laino, Cushman, Williams, Viani, Nale and Gulick set the tone for the game by collecting 19 points and 19 rebounds. Against Fair Haven, Monroe’s team effort produced nine different scorers, 32 rebounds, seven assists and 13 steals, which helped contribute to their early season winning streak.

Monroe’s 9-year-old travel basketball team improved their early season record to 4-0 with victories over Spring Lake (25-24) and Fair Haven (34-11). Monroe took the final lead over Spring Lake on Kevin Brix’s foul shot, and then used tough team defense to seal the victory. Zach Gorman and Brix combined for 16 points, eight rebounds and three steals, while teammates Zach Pace, Matt Siemons, Nick Wolfson, Andy Dooley, Dominick Morelli, Justin Fleites, Aaron Potter, Cameron Warech, Kyle Crothers and Hector Marquez contributed nine points and 19 rebounds. In fifth-quarter play, Morelli score six points and pulled down four rebounds to help his team set the tone for the game ahead.

The Fair Haven game featured the three-prong attack of Gorham, Brix and Wolfson as they led the way with 24 points and five steals, while teammates Pace, Dooley, Morelli, Marquez, Warech, Siemons, Fleites, Potter and Crothers contributed 10 points, 24 rebounds and seven steals to seal the victory. In fifth-quarter play, Marquez scored two points and Crothers pulled down four rebounds to help establish the game’s momentum in Monroe’s favor.

Monroe’s 11-year-old travel basketball team had an exciting weekend of basketball as well. In a Central Jersey game early on Saturday, Monroe defeated a tough Bernardsville team, 39-37. Monroe’s offense was led by Matt Gorham and Mike Mahmoud, who combined for 23 points. Mike Mahmoud was 3-for-3 from three-point range and Matt Gorham was 4-for-4 from the foul line to clinch the Monroe victory. Mike Walp, Alex Vizcaino and Kashaun Stroughn did a fantastic job rebounding against a much taller team. Nick Dini made some beautiful passes and hit a key foul shot for Monroe. Mike Scarrone and Jimmy Small played their usual tough defense, forcing numerous turnovers and scoring key baskets for Monroe. Woo-Joo Han was a spark off the bench, giving Monroe solid defense in the third quarter.

In Monroe’s second game of the day, Monroe fought a determined Wall team to the end, emerging with an opening-round play-off victory, 38-34. Monroe’s offense was led by Matt Gorham and Alex Vizcaino, who combined for 24 points and 20 rebounds. Mike Scarrone and Jimmy Small combined for six steals, five points, six rebounds and four assists. Nick Dini and Mike Mahmoud did an outstanding job running the point, and combined for eight assists, four steals and five points. Mike Walp, Kashaun Strougn and Woo-Joo Han hit the boards hard, combining for 18 rebounds. Mike Walp hit a key basket late in the game to secure the Monroe victory.

Monroe advanced to the second round of the playoffs with a big win against second-seeded Howell. Monroe’s offense was on fire early, taking a 14-7 first-quarter lead. Howell fought back to take a 23-22 halftime lead. Monroe came back strong in the second half as Nick Dini, Matt Gorham and Kashaun Strougn combined for 28 points of offense. Jimmy Small, Alex Vizcaino, Mike Scarrone, Mike Mahmoud and Woo-Joo Han played exceptional defense and offense, combining for 19 points, eight steals and 20 rebounds. With this victory, Monroe heads into the final four with a big game at Brookdale Community College, Lincroft section of Middletown, on Saturday.

The East Brunswick Hurricanes U10 travel basketball team won its second straight game in the Central Jersey League with a 33-26 victory over Old Bridge. The Canes opened up a 14-2 lead, but were forced to hold on for the win. Leading the way for the Canes were Anthony Giusti with 10 points, Mike Fraass with seven points, Danny Sclafani and Zack Lublin with five points apiece, and Tyler Flood with four points. Flood also did an outstanding job defensively for the Canes. The Canes’ next game is Saturday in Branchburg at 6:30 p.m.

Olympic gold medal winner Heather O’Reilly will be recognized at an evening pep rally in East Brunswick High School’s gymnasium at 7 p.m. Dec. 16. Heather’s No. 7 soccer jersey will be retired that evening and she will be receiving commendations from the high school athletic department, the Board of Education and the mayor. Heather was the youngest member of the Gold Medal U.S.A. Women’s Soccer team. Heather scored the winning goal in overtime, after receiving a feed from Mia Hamm, in the Olympic semifinal match against the World Cup Champion German team to send the U.S. team to the finals.

Also being recognized at the winter pep rally are Felicia Massaro — state all-around gymnast; Reggie Carney — NJSIAA Hall of Fame Inductee; Marcus Borden — American Football Coaches Association Power of Influence Award; and the EBHS boys football team — NJSIAA Central Jersey Group IV State Champions. The winter athletic teams will be introduced following the recognitions.

Monroe Township Baseball Association will hold registration for the 2005 Baseball Season on Jan. 4 from 7-9 p.m., and Jan 8 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Monroe Township Community Center. If you do not register by Jan. 8, you are not guaranteed placement on a team for the 2005 spring season. MTBA is full to capacity; therefore, late registrants will pay a $100 registration fee per player, and are not guaranteed placement on a team. The 2005 registration fee is $85. Each additional player per household is $75. There is a $50 workbond requirement per family. For more information, visit the MTBA Web site at www.monroebaseball.com.