Sports Shorts

Milltown Little League will hold in-person registration for the spring season on Jan. 11 and 12 from 6-8 p.m. at the senior citizens building, Violet Terrace. Registration forms are available on the Milltown Little League Web site, (http://www.leaguelineup.com/mll) or can be picked up at borough hall. Forms will also be distributed through the Parkview and Joyce Kilmer schools.

The 2005 Northeast Perfect Game Champions baseball team is looking for players to play competitive showcase tournaments in the summer. The team will travel to Florida, North Carolina and Georgia. Contact John Wells (Brookdale Community College coach, Pirates associate scout) at (732) 895-0858 or visit the Web site at www.leaguelineup.com/baseballu.

Monroe Township’s U11 boys travel basketball team advanced to the Mid-Monmouth Basketball League Final Four for the third straight year. Monroe’s suffocating defense and efficient offense led to victories over West Long Branch (63-30) and Point Pleasant (54-37). Over their two-game playoff run, Monroe was led by Tyler Cushman (four points, one assist), Ryan Genevieve (31 points, eight rebounds), Victor Sorrento (20 points, 12 rebounds), Danny Brix (28 points, 11 rebounds, 12 assists), Ryan German (seven points, 12 rebounds), Ahmid Williams (11 points, six steals), Chris Viani (two points, two rebounds), Brian Nale (two assists, two rebounds), Peter Gulick (six points, four rebounds), Chris Tagliaferro (three rebounds, four assists), and Anthony Battaglia (eight points, two rebounds). Monroe improved their season record to 18-3 and faces Howell Township on Saturday at Rebounds, in Neptune. Tipoff is at 8:20 a.m.

Monroe’s 12-year-old travel basketball team had a busy and successful weekend, going 3-0 and improving its record to 4-1 overall. Monroe’s high-powered offense outscored opponents 140-75. In a Friday night battle with Freehold, Monroe emerged with a 54-30 victory. Monroe’s offense was led by Nick Dini, Matt Gorham and Alex Vizcaino, who combined for 35 points. Tough defense and strong rebounding was led by Kashaun Stroughn and Mike Walp, who combined for 15 rebounds, two blocked shots and nine points. Michael Mahmoud and Jimmy Small played a smothering trap defense and combined for six steals, four assists and eight points. Woo-Joo Han, Kyle Mike and Thomas Applegate contributed four assists, two steals and six rebounds to the Monroe cause.

Saturday’s contest was against a tough Westfield team. After trailing early, Monroe roared back to a 58-40 victory in Monroe. Monroe’s offense was led by Stroughn, Gorham and Vizcaino, who combined for 37 points, 20 rebounds, two blocked shots and five assists. Mahmoud, Dini and Small did an excellent job controlling the ball and combined for 16 points, six assists, five steals and four rebounds. Han, Applegate, Mike Walp and Kyle Mike played tough defense and combined for five points, eight rebounds and two steals.

Sunday’s game against an aggressive Manalapan team was a close contest throughout, before Monroe was able to pull ahead for good in the fourth quarter and cruise to a 37-25 win.

The East Brunswick Hurricanes U11 boys travel basketball team opened the 2005-06 season with a third-place finish in the St. Augustine’s Tournament. The Canes defeated Princeton (25-14) and Branchburg (24-21) and lost to Hightstown (25-15). In the Branchburg game, Dan Sclafani played a great game on both sides of the ball. Leading scorers in the tournament were Sclafani (15 points), Bobby Fullem (eight points) and Mike Fraass (eight points). The Canes successfully opened their Central Jersey League season with a victory against Perth Amboy (37-26). Leading scorers were Avi Oren (eight points), Nooch Giusti (six points) and Paul Venezia (six points). The Hurricanes opened up in the North Brunswick League season with two tough losses, one at the hands of Piscataway (52-50) and another to Hillsboro (40-34). In both games, the Canes had a large lead and let it slip away. Leading scorers in those two games were Zack Lublin (16 points), Mike Fraass (14 points) and Brandon Patton (13 points). Also contributing in the games were Tyler Flood, Joe Piegaro and Jimmy Mullen.