Bring On The Playoffs

Congratulations to the Jackson Memorial Girls Soccer team as they captured their first-ever state sectional title on Thursday. Dana Costello’s second-half goal, her 27th of the season and the play of freshman goalie Sydney Lavan led the Jaguars to a 1-0 win over Manalapan and the Central Jersey Group 4 championship. Next up for Jackson is a Tuesday date with Lenape in the Group semifinals. Scheduled to play for Boys titles this afternoon are Toms River North and Toms River South and because both games will be played on turf they may actually take place despite the awful weather. The Mariners will host Rancocas Valley in the Central Jersey Group 4 finals while the South Indians head to Lenape where the South Jersey Group 4 crown is on the line. If both Toms River teams win they will play one another in the group semifinals next week.

The Southern Regional Girls Volleyball team is a win away from defending their State Group 4 Championship. The Rams topped East Brunswick last night to earn a spot in Saturday’s final against undefeated Bridgewater-Raritan at William Patterson University. Southern’s 40 wins this season is a state record.

The NJSIAA Football Playoffs open tonight and weather certainly could be a major factor. 18 teams from the Shore Conference have qualified for the state sectionals, including defending champions Brick Memorial, Manasquan and Asbury Park. The Memorial Mustangs appear to have the toughest path to repeating as they visit undefeated Hunterdon Central tonight and if they get past that will probably face Howell in the Central Jersey Group 4 semifinals. Speaking of undefeated, Toms River East opens its quest for a South Jersey Group 4 crown tonight at home against Washington Township in a game that will be broadcast on the Shore Sports Network, including 105.7FM and 1160AM. In that same sectional, Toms River North visits undefeated Williamstown this evening. The hottest team coming into the state tournament is Lacey as the Lions have run off six straight wins, the last five all by shutout. Tomorrow Lacey will host Pemberton in a South Jersey Group 3 first round matchup.

Not to be lost in all this outside sports action is the fact that Monmouth University opens its Men’s Basketball season tonight in their brand new $57 million MAC against Florida International, coached by Isiah Thomas.