Week in Sports

Week in Sports: First Full Week of Winter Season

All sports hit full swing in Monmouth County high schools.

Freehold Township earned their first win this week, topping cross-town rival, Freehold Boro, 3-1, to sit at 1-4 on the season. They don't play again until after 2011 has ended. Subsequently, the Colonials lost their only game of the week, to Freehold Township, 3-1. They have had an up-and-down season so far, now holding a 2-3 record throughout the first month of the season. Brad Gardner got his first win as the Manalapan head hockey coach this week when the Braves topped the first half of a home-and-home with Toms River East, 8-7. They later lost to the Raiders, 8-6, and lost earlier in the week to Southern, 4-2, holding a record of 1-7. Marlboro got off their early season slump late last week, beating Toms River East, 7-3, but that was …

• Photos (1)

Video: MHS Boys Varsity Basketball vs. Howell

Braves reign on Keegan's 1000th point parade; beat Rebels 56-50

HOWELL - Rebels (3-6) senior Ryan Keegan scored his 1,000th career point and a game-high 26 points, but it was not enough to stop the Manalapan Braves (7-3), who took home their fourth straight victory by defeating the Rebels 56-50 in Howell Friday night. With four minutes remaining and Howell trailing Manalapan by only 3, Keegan finessed past the Braves defense and underhanded the ball up into the hoop for the 1,000th point of his high school basketball career, bringing the game within a point -- and to a complete halt -- as the packed gymnasium burst into an exuberant three minute celebration. Keegan acknowledged the crowd chanting his name and posed for photo ops with his mother, father, and coach as the Braves used the extended timeout…

•  1 Comment
• Videos (1)

Video: MHS Boys Varsity Basketball at Middletown South

Braves trounce Eagles 71-42

MIDDLETOWN — The Manalapan Braves Boys Varsity Basketball team (4-3, 1-2) rebounded from a Jan. 3 tough home opener by defeating the Middletown South Eagles (0-5, 0-4) by a score of 71-42. Senior Kyle Rubbinaccio led the way, scoring a game-high 24 points and sophomore guard Anthony Firkser added 20 points. "[Firkser] had some great penetrations in the second half, they didn't have an answer for him going to the rim, and when they did, he found open shooters," said Coach Rick Garretson. "Nicky Kreiger buried a couple threes and really stretched the lead and helped us out." Garretson felt the team executed its plays well, and because of that, they found open players and open baskets. "Middletown played tough D, we played really tough D. We …

• Videos (1)