Sports Shorts

The East Brunswick/Spotswood Golden Bear Chargers Junior PeeWees won the State Championship Division 2 with a victory over Jackson, 19-0, at Rutgers Stadium on Nov. 28. Dean Vitale Jr. intercepted the first play from scrimmage to set the tone for a GBC defense, which allowed just one first down the entire game. In the second quarter, Troy Zeiger (15 rushes for 101 yards and two touchdowns) broke the ice with a 15-yard run for a 6-0 lead. On the next possession, Zeiger, who rushed 102 times for 865 yards and 13 touchdowns on the season, struck again, from 46 yards out, for a 12-0 halftime lead. The drive was set up by key runs from Vin Fusetto (77-558-7) and Mark Kukoda (32-377-5) and Rich Yura (64-307-4).

The offensive line was led by Max Cartelli, Ron Santana, Jeremy Baum, James Wittkop and Jake Krantz, many of whom also doubled up on defense, along with Frank Granito, Vito Namio, David Lyons, Chuck Bennit and Anthony Varbellow. In the second half, GBC got help from Cory Weeks, Steve Lieberman, Mike Clemente, Joe Blood, Sidney Wittkop, Jordan Mamourd and Dan Logatto.

In the fourth quarter, quarterback Dean Vitale (40-for-65 for 731 yards and 15 TDs on the season) sealed the game with a three-yard pass to Tyler Mataya (seven catches, 136 yards and four TDs). Vitale, along with Zeiger, finished the season with over 1,100 all-purpose yards each.

“What made this season even more special was the high school beating Jackson in the state final in the same year,” said head coach Dean Vitale (161-25-4). Vitale was assisted by George Rice, Roger Wait, Rich Yura, Jeff Zeiger, Bill Dubavick, Dave Dempsey and Robert Wait, who also played for the high school team. The team manager was Bob Blood.

Sean Wallace, son of Eleanor Wallace of the Kendall Park section of South Brunswick, and grandson of McKinney and Barbara Wallace of South River, received his first-degree black belt in tae kwon do on Dec. 5. Sean has been a student of Capobianco ATA Black Belt Academy in South Brunswick since joining in November 2002.

Monroe’s 10-year-old travel basketball team collected victories over East Brunswick (47-20) and Upper Makefield, Pa., (36-33, OT) in the South Brunswick Viking Classic Tournament. Against East Brunswick, Monroe used a tough team defense and an eight-player scoring attack in capturing its first tournament victory. Ryan Genevieve led the way with 13 points, while Tyler Cushman, Danny Brix, Victor Sorrento, Ryan Germano, Ahmid Williams, Chris Viani, Chris Laino and Brian Nale collected 34 points and 15 steals. The overtime victory over Upper Makefield featured Germano’s 13-rebound performance, Genevieve’s 16-point outburst and Williams’ solid defensive effort, which held their opponents’ top scorer to two points. Other game contributors included Sorrento, Brix (three blocks), Williams and Germano as they tallied 20 points.

Monroe’s 9-year-old travel basketball team continued its winning ways with victories over Upper Makefield, Pa., (18-17) and North Brunswick (19-12) in the South Brunswick Viking Classic Tournament. Zach Pace’s (five rebounds) foul shot with only seconds remaining sealed the victory over Upper Makefield. The game’s other offensive highlights include Kevin Brix and Zach Gorham’s 13-point performance along with Nick Wolfson (five rebounds), Andy Dooley (two steals) Matt Siemons (four rebounds) and Justin Fleites’ four-point contribution. Against North Brunswick, Monroe used its tough team defense to pull down 33 rebounds (Pace six, Brix six), and produce 12 steals (Siemons three). Offensively, the team was led by Kyle Crothers (three assists), while Gorham and Brix tallied 11 points and Siemons, Wolfson, Dominick Morelli, Hector Marquez and Cameron Warech collected a combined eight points and 11 rebounds to seal the victory.

East Brunswick Baseball, Softball and Buddy Ball League will have their final registration day Saturday, Jan. 8, from 9 a.m. to noon. Registration is $125 for baseball ages 12 and under and all softball programs. Baseball for age 13 and over is $140, and Buddy ball is $40. (All fees include a $35 late charge). Each additional child for any program is $40. There is no late fee for new players. The program is open to all surrounding towns. Additional information can be found on the Web site at ebbl.org or by calling (732) 254-5911 (leave a message).

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 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.