Have you noticed that this week’s sports section is dominated by girls’ basketball excellence? Last week it was wrestling, with Alex Shaffer winning a state title and six Hunterdon County wrestlers earning top-8 finishes. Next week? We’ll be selecting our annual All-County basketball and wrestling teams. Then on to spring sports. Hopefully, the fields will be dry by then.... Full story »

The boys’ basketball season is over with the South Hunterdon Eagles having a sensational postseason run, getting to the Central Jersey Group 1 sectional finals, losing to state power Asbury Park in the tiny Eagles’ Nest Gym in Mt. Airy. The Eagles finished at 18-8, the best record in the county and won its first three state postseason games... Full story »

Just when I thought I was on top of my game, I received an email on Monday evening from Hunterdon Central parent John Johnson, who asked: “When was the last time all four county schools had state placewinners?” Hmmm… I was up to my ears in things to do, but couldn’t help from checking that out. Fortunately, I had... Full story »

On Friday night I stood in line to attend a boy’s basketball game, with a sellout crowd waiting for the doors to open at 6:15 p.m. I have never stood in line for anything before in my 40 years covering sports in Hunterdon County and certainly not to see South Hunterdon play a basketball game just east of the... Full story »

Ten state champions will be in Atlantic City this weekend. How exciting is that! Four of them are two-timers – Frank Cagnina (130) from Queen of Peace, Anthony Baldosaro (145) from Eastern, Andrew Campolatanno (189) of Bound Brook and Jimmy Lawson (285) from Manchester. Other champs include High Point’s Nick Francavilla (112), Eastern’s Robert Deutsch (119), Brick Memorial’s Mike... Full story »

What did say about never betting against the Hunterdon Central boys’ basketball team when it comes to Hunterdon/Warren, or now Hunterdon/Warren/Sussex Tri-County Tournament time? Somebody asked me if Central was the dark horse in this tournament, and I told him that I thought they would be the guys riding the white chargers into the finals. I warned teams to... Full story »

It’s official. Toby Jefferis is the new South Hunterdon football coach. Not a shocker. I talked with Toby on Monday and he said that former Voorhees head coach Tony Maglione is on board as offensive coordinator. The wishbone at South? Not exactly. Figure that the Eagles will be running a “Spread Bone.” And the numbers?Jefferis said that he met... Full story »

One little phone call. It made all the difference and went something like this. “Hello, this is Long Branch. We’ve changed our mind again and we’re not coming to your quad.” At the time, it just seemed an annoyance. But looking back, it would likely have determined who is the number one wrestling team in New Jersey. That last... Full story »

For better or worse, the Tri-County (that’s the new Hunterdon/Warren/Sussex Boys’ Basketball Tournament) is upon us — and we just hope this thing works out. The tournament got underway this past weekend with four play-in games and it begins in earnest this coming week with the rest of the eight quarterfinal games. North Hunterdon is sitting as the number... Full story »

The Voorhees girls’ swimming team had a dream season with the team motto “Anything Is Possible,” and the kids of coach Paul Wargo made the impossible become a reality with a perfect 9-0 season. It all culminated with a big win over Somerville last week to complete the perfect season, an with a impressive fourth place finish in the... Full story »

Forfeits are never pretty. Regardless, look for a potential change in the outcome of North Hunterdon’s apparent 57-42 victory last week over the Hunterdon Central girls. That’s because the Lions did not keep tabs on one of their JV players, who wound up participating in “more than 5 quarters” in one day, an NJSIAA rule. “The Hunterdon Central Athletic... Full story »

It’s a great time of year for high school athletes and fans. Spring is still two months away (I experienced a bit of it recently) and it’s crunch time for winter athletes. Plenty of championship stuff going around… the Central swim teams won conference crowns… North’s fencing boys won the district title on Saturday…both Central bowling teams won Skyland... Full story »

Starting its 12th season, the North Hunterdon Junior Lions Football Program is among the best junior high programs in New Jersey, last year having over 180 registrants from grades 3/4 and working up to varsity 7th and 8th grade teams. North Hunterdon High School head football coach John Mattes loves it. “It is all positive,” said Mattes of the... Full story »

You’ve got to know one thing about our county boys’ basketball coaches — they all are classy guys in my eyes. Before each game they announce the starting lineup, and every one of our coaches — Eric Jacobs of Delaware Valley, Brian Glennon from Hunterdon Central, Jeff Tagliareni of North Hunterdon, Jason Miller of South Hunterdon and Sparky Nanni... Full story »

One match at a time. That’s the way the Hunterdon Central wrestling team is treating the 2010 season. It’s been a banner year so far. But there’s so much stuff just around the corner that it will be difficult to keep that mindset. The inaugural Hunterdon/Warren/Sussex Tournament on Saturday . . . a big dual at Newton Tuesday .... Full story »