Last Monday Of Winter

Random thoughts on the final Monday of winter…doesn’t that have a nice sound to it:

Saturday’s record-breaking crowd for the Ocean County Saint Patrick’s Day Parade in Seaside Heights was certainly a boost to the local economy. Traffic on the Garden State Parkway and Route 37 was reminiscent of a busy summer weekend and tourism officials can only help that it’s a sign of good things to come. The 25th annual parade has grown from a relatively small event to an off-season highlight and much of the credit has to go to John and Pat Sweeney, who were the driving force behind the celebration.

This was a busy weekend at the Ritacco Center in Toms River where many of New Jersey’s best basketball teams were on display in State Group Championship games. Highly-regarded St. Patrick of Jersey City was among the teams to play on Saturday and that brought out Big East coaches Bob Huggins of West Virginia, Mike Brey of Notre Dame and Rutgers’ Fred Hill to take a look at the talent. It was a very good weekend for girl’s teams from Monmouth County with St. John Vianney, Colts Neck and Rumson among the six teams to win State Titles and advance to the Tournament of Champions. Neptune almost made it four but the Scarlet Fliers dream of a perfect season ended with a loss to Malcolm X. Shabazz in a scintillating Group 3 Final. However all was not loss to Neptune as later in the day the Boys team claimed a State Championship with a win at Rutgers. The Ritacco Center will host Tournament of Champions action Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evening.

The Central Regional Alumni Association will host a Golf Tournament on Thursday, April 16th at Cedar Creek Golf Course. The day-long event begins with breakfast and their will be a 9am shotgun start and after players are done for the team they will head to Yesterday’s on Route 9 in Bayville for a buffet luncheon.