Happy Graduation X 5000

The first of Ocean County’s 18 high school graduation ceremonies took place last night as Monsignor Donovan’s 228 members of the Class of 2010 received their diplomas. Over the next two weeks more than 5000 young men and women from all over the county will join them as high school graduates, a significant milestone which marks the end of one journey and the beginning of another. More than just “pomp and circumstance” this is a time that should be enjoyed and celebrated by the graduates and their families. With the exception of final exams these last days of school for most seniors are filled with activities and traditions from yearbook signings to graduation practices in preparation for the big day. I’ll have more to say on the subject in days ahead as my daughter is in that group of more than
5000 so we’re experiencing the same feelings many of you are.

Most of the time I talk about the Lakewood BlueClaws it’s about the impact they make in the community. However this morning let me mention that the defending South Atlantic League Champions are close to securing a playoff spot at the end of the season. The league is broken down into two 70-game seasons and the BlueClaws have a one-game lead on Hickory in the Northern Division standings with just six games left in the first half. Lakewood opened a home stand last night by rallying for a dramatic victory over Lexington. Trailing 3-2 entering the bottom of the 9th, Anthony Hewitt tied the game with a leadoff home run and then later in the inning Jiwan James sent Claws fans home happy with a game-winning two-run blast. The BlueClaws are home all this with the first half of the season ending on Fathers Day.

It certainly has been a great spring for Toms River South senior Andrew McGee, who won all 12 of his decisions and pitched the Indians to the Class A South, Ocean County Tournament and Shore Conference Tournament Championships. The Monmouth University-bound lefty capped his season by being named the Asbury Park Press Player-of-the-Year but he’s not done yet. McGee allowed just one hit over three innings and combined with three others to pitch Jersey Shore to a 7-1 victory over Delaware North in the first game of the prestigious Carpenter Cup Tournament at FDR Park in Philadelphia.