Underdog coach a perfect fit for underdog team

Last Updated on Wednesday, May 22, 2013 08:43 pm Written by Brian Cunniff Wednesday, May 22, 2013 08:34 pm

Photo by Brian Cunniff/Frank Vogel Frank Vogel had dreams of becoming a Division I college basketball coach, hoping to someday lead a team into the Final Four.

Vogel never did get a job leading a college team. But he is in the Final Four.

By the time you read this, Game 1 of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals will have already been played.

In case you’ve been living under a rock, or, if you’re from out of the area and here for Memorial Day weekend, Vogel is the Wildwood Crest native and Wildwood High School graduate who is the head coach of the Indiana Pacers.

Read more: Underdog coach a perfect fit for underdog team

Spinning out some two-wheeled action at EHT BMX

Last Updated on Wednesday, May 22, 2013 04:44 pm Written by Bill LeConey Wednesday, May 22, 2013 03:42 pm

Matt Strabuk/EHT resident Brendan Dunlevy, 13, makes a jump during a moto at the Redline Cup qualifier at EHT BMX. EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP - The only time you’ll ever sit at a BMX track is the minute or so spent on the bicycle during a race.

And that is an action-packed minute, with spins and jumps and a rhythm section that will make your teeth clatter.

There was plenty of excitement at EHT BMX last Saturday, May 18, as the track hosted a Redline Cup qualifier for bikers young and old from all over the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions.

Read more: Spinning out some two-wheeled action at EHT BMX

Meyer leads Cedar Creek to playoff win over Manchester

Last Updated on Wednesday, May 22, 2013 02:14 pm Written by Mike Schultz Tuesday, May 21, 2013 09:16 pm

Mike Schultz/Cedar Creek sophomore pitcher Cheyenne Meyer unloads a pitch during the opening round of the SJ Group II playoffs. Meyer struck out 12 batters.

EGG HARBOR CITY - The fourth-seeded Cedar Creek Lady Pirates defeated No. 13 Manchester Township 11-1 on Tuesday in the opening round of the NJSIAA South Group II state playoffs.

Cedar Creek scored four runs in the first inning, three runs in the third inning and four in the sixth to earn the victory.

Read more: Meyer leads Cedar Creek to playoff win over Manchester

Egg Harbor Township beats Howell to advance in playoffs

Last Updated on Wednesday, May 22, 2013 02:15 pm Written by Bill LeConey Saturday, May 18, 2013 11:43 pm

Mike Schultz/EHT's Sal Avellino celebrates after his game winning goal against Howell. EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP – Sal Avellino used the “Canadian Switch” to propel the Egg Harbor Township High School boys lacrosse team to the biggest win in program history.

Avellino scored the game-winning goal with 44 seconds left as the Eagles beat Howell, 6-5, in a first-round NJSIAA South Group IV playoff game at EHT. It was the first playoff victory in the six-year history of the varsity program.

Read more: Egg Harbor Township beats Howell to advance in playoffs

Oakcrest boys lacrosse notches first playoff victory

Last Updated on Wednesday, May 22, 2013 02:16 pm Written by Bill LeConey Saturday, May 18, 2013 10:25 am

Jon Mitchell MAYS LANDING – The Oakcrest High School Falcons struck a blow not only for themselves but for South Jersey shore-area lacrosse Friday with a playoff victory over Red Bank.

Jon Mitchell scored three goals and had two assists, and Nick Verzicco made 23 saves as the Falcons rallied for the 10-8 win in a first-round NJSIAA South Group II playoff game. Chris Heitzer, Blake Biren and Lou Parks each added two goals, and Danny Smith scored the go-ahead goal early in the fourth quarter.

Read more: Oakcrest boys lacrosse notches first playoff victory

EHT athletes shine at home, Clark brothers fly at CAL championships

Last Updated on Wednesday, May 22, 2013 02:16 pm Written by Bill LeConey Thursday, May 16, 2013 11:25 pm

Matt Strabuk/Pleasantville's Clark brothers, Isaac and Jacob, finish one-two in the 800 run at the Cape-Atlantic League championships on May 16 at EHT. EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP - The Egg Harbor Township High School girls relay teams capped off an impressive day for the host Eagles at the Cape-Atlantic League Championships Thursday at EHT.

The EHT girls won both the 4x400 and 4x800 relays, beating Millville both times. The 400 relay of Ashley Gerald, Zahara James, Juliann Brand and Cassidy Treanor finished in 4:00.03, edging Millville by .66 seconds, while the 800 team of Abigail Shafer, Morgan Shick, Julianna Catania and Juliann Brand won their race by 13 seconds.

Pleasantville’s middle distance stars, Isaac and Jacob Clark, finished 1-2 in the 800, with Isaac edging out his twin brother by three-tenths of a second. Isaac Clark's time of 1:50.27 is No. 1 in the state this spring and No. 4 in the country. Jacob's time of 1:50.30 is No. 2 in the state.

Read more: EHT athletes shine at home, Clark brothers fly at CAL championships

Oakcrest crew teams headed to Nationals

Last Updated on Wednesday, May 22, 2013 02:17 pm Written by Charlie Pritchard Thursday, May 16, 2013 03:37 pm

Submitted photo/Women’s lightweight four members, l-r: Nicole Littlefield, Morgan Osborn, Danielle LaPergola, Rebecca Adamo and Connie Capone The Scholastic Rowing Association of America National Championship Regatta will take place at the Cooper River Park in Camden next week on May 24 and 25. Four boats, and possibly five, from Oakcrest High School will be going.

Two women’s teams and two men’s teams qualified at the Garden State Championships two weeks ago. For the women, the qualifiers were lightweight four and the junior eight. The men’s qualifiers were the lightweight eight and the junior four.

Read more: Oakcrest crew teams headed to Nationals

Absegami notebook: DellaVecchia, Khalid pace track team to third place at counties

Last Updated on Thursday, May 16, 2013 03:35 pm Written by Staff Reports Thursday, May 16, 2013 03:21 pm

Jen Marra/Absegami shortstop Buck Amend makes a throw across the diamond as third baseman Matt Branco ducks out of the way in the Braves’ 2-1 loss to Ocean City on May 10. Absegami High School track and field standouts Nick DellaVecchia and Salman Khalid raced to victory at the Atlantic County Championships on May 9 at Buena Regional.

DellaVecchia placed first in the 400-meter hurdles with a time of 56.43 seconds. Khalid won the 3,200 in 9:38.1, and he was second in the 1,600.

Read more: Absegami notebook: DellaVecchia, Khalid pace track team to third place at counties

NJSIAA playoff seedings announced for baseball, softball

Last Updated on Wednesday, May 22, 2013 02:17 pm Written by Bill LeConey Thursday, May 16, 2013 01:31 pm

The NJSIAA announced playoff seedings for its state tournaments in high school baseball and softball. Several area teams were selected for the tournaments. Games begin Monday, May 20, for baseball, May 21 for softball.

In South Group IV baseball, Egg Harbor Township is the 10^th seed and plays at No. 7 Lenape in the first round. Absegami is the 13^th seed and plays at No. 4 Williamstown. Atlantic City is the 15^th seed and plays at Vineland (2).

Read more: NJSIAA playoff seedings announced for baseball, softball

Redline Cup qualifier this weekend at EHT BMX

Last Updated on Wednesday, May 15, 2013 04:42 pm Written by Staff Reports Wednesday, May 15, 2013 04:16 pm

Photo courtesy of EHT BMX It’s a big weekend for the competitive sport of bicycle motocross (or BMX) racing out at EHT BMX in Egg Harbor Township.

EHT BMX will be hosting a Redline Cup qualifier on Saturday, May 18, in which bikers from all over the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic region will attempt to qualify for the Redline Cup East Finals, to be held in Winston Salem, N.C., in October.

Read more: Redline Cup qualifier this weekend at EHT BMX