This week's edition (dated March 5) of the best publication in sports journalism has a local angle. Former Scotch Plains-Fanwood standout and Courier News girls basketball Player of the Year Hillary Klimowicz is featured in a full-page spread on Page 65 of Sports Illustrated.
The article is part of SI's "Portrait of a Powerhouse" profile on Division I athletics, and includes two photos of Klimowicz. The College of New Jersey sophomore is also featured in the bottom right-hand corner of the cover.
The story details Klimowicz's decision to transfer to TCNJ after a very successful freshman at St. Joeseph's in Philadelphia. Klimowicz made the move to pursue other academic interests that she could not have if she continued playing Division I basketball.
There is also a quote from former SPF coach Lori Gear McBride, now the coach at Colby College in Maine.
My colleague Jerry Carino first wrote about this story in his weekly column on Jan. 13. While there is nothing in the SI article that Jerry did not have, it is still worth picking up.
If you missed Jerry's story, this is the link again.
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
What you might not know about the Shabazz situation...
OK, OK. You've read about all you can handle on the top-ranked Shabazz girls basketball team getting disqualfied from the state tournament.
BUT...here is a little something you still might find interesting.
Remember the 21st regular-season game Shabazz played against Linden last Thursday? The one that put the school over the NJSIAA's limit of 20 and led to the DQ? Two reliable sources told me this week that Linden tried to cancel/reschedule that game but was told no by Shabazz officials.
Linden was coming off a Union County Tournament overtime loss to Scotch Plains-Fanwood on Wednesday and did not want to play less than 24 hours later.
That only sours the situation even more, of course. Shabazz had an out and did not take it.
BUT...here is a little something you still might find interesting.
Remember the 21st regular-season game Shabazz played against Linden last Thursday? The one that put the school over the NJSIAA's limit of 20 and led to the DQ? Two reliable sources told me this week that Linden tried to cancel/reschedule that game but was told no by Shabazz officials.
Linden was coming off a Union County Tournament overtime loss to Scotch Plains-Fanwood on Wednesday and did not want to play less than 24 hours later.
That only sours the situation even more, of course. Shabazz had an out and did not take it.
Sunday, February 25, 2007
Shabazz Shakeup & State Stuff
In case you missed it, the Star-Ledger is reporting that powerhouse Shabazz is facing possible disqualification from the NJSIAA tournament for playing too many regular-season games. Shabazz's fate will be decided at a special committee meeting in Robbinsville on Monday, according to the article.
This is HUGE NEWS.
First, my reaction is that this is a ridiculous situation. It's not like Shabazz over-scheduled to reach .500 and qualify for states. It is one of best programs in the country, has a premier talent in Georgia Tech-bound Iasia Hemmingway and is just trying to get the exposure deserved. A good thing for girls basketball. But it would be just like the NJSIAA to penalize them and hurt their own tournament. If Shabazz is DQed, whoever wins the Tournament of Champions deserves an asterisk by their title. I think the school/coach/AD needs to be punished somehow, but do not take the tournament away from the hard-working players or the fans who love to watch this team play.
Second, this changes the entire state picture. Several other teams -- none local -- become serious Tournament of Champions title contenders. On a local level, it must feel like Christmas for Voorhees and South Plainfield. The second and fourth seeds, respectively, in Shabazz-dominated North Jersey, Section 2, Group III will become favorites to win a sectional title. Both have had great seasons, but neither is capable of upsetting Shabazz. A Voorhees-South Plainfield sectional final would be a treat for all to see. They met in the state tournament last year, with South Plainfield winning a tight one. Both teams have only two losses this season.
Also, here are links to the Courier News state preview package. It includes a section-by-section breakdown, eight seniors to watch and a main story on the senior class' last chance to bring its first sectional title to the area. I was really thrilled with how the main story came out. The best stories are the ones where the quotes do the talking, and these girls did not disappoint.
Section by section
Senior resumes
Main story
Finally, I'm still loving the ongoing player and coach of the year debates. Voorhees' Carmen Cook seems to be the people's choice for coach of the year. As for my picks...I'm not telling yet. We need to sell All-Area sections.
This is HUGE NEWS.
First, my reaction is that this is a ridiculous situation. It's not like Shabazz over-scheduled to reach .500 and qualify for states. It is one of best programs in the country, has a premier talent in Georgia Tech-bound Iasia Hemmingway and is just trying to get the exposure deserved. A good thing for girls basketball. But it would be just like the NJSIAA to penalize them and hurt their own tournament. If Shabazz is DQed, whoever wins the Tournament of Champions deserves an asterisk by their title. I think the school/coach/AD needs to be punished somehow, but do not take the tournament away from the hard-working players or the fans who love to watch this team play.
Second, this changes the entire state picture. Several other teams -- none local -- become serious Tournament of Champions title contenders. On a local level, it must feel like Christmas for Voorhees and South Plainfield. The second and fourth seeds, respectively, in Shabazz-dominated North Jersey, Section 2, Group III will become favorites to win a sectional title. Both have had great seasons, but neither is capable of upsetting Shabazz. A Voorhees-South Plainfield sectional final would be a treat for all to see. They met in the state tournament last year, with South Plainfield winning a tight one. Both teams have only two losses this season.
Also, here are links to the Courier News state preview package. It includes a section-by-section breakdown, eight seniors to watch and a main story on the senior class' last chance to bring its first sectional title to the area. I was really thrilled with how the main story came out. The best stories are the ones where the quotes do the talking, and these girls did not disappoint.
Section by section
Senior resumes
Main story
Finally, I'm still loving the ongoing player and coach of the year debates. Voorhees' Carmen Cook seems to be the people's choice for coach of the year. As for my picks...I'm not telling yet. We need to sell All-Area sections.
Friday, February 23, 2007
I want more feedback
In response to some reader inquiries, I am considering more than a handful of players for player of the year. Not just 3. Not just 5. Each candidate has different strengths. Some more valuable. Some more talented. Some better scorers. Some better all-around. But I do love hearing your thoughts. Maybe something you say will stick with me. So keep those thoughts coming.
Also, what about Coach of the Year? There are not nearly as many candidates as last season when I could have picked almost any of the 36 local coaches. That was an anomaly. I don't see anyone as a lock here yet, but I do see 3-4 people who stand out. Any thoughts on this matter?
I went a perfect 7-for-7 in picking games this week. Unheard of. All it means is I'll probably go 0-4 in my county finals predictions. In case you missed it on the podcast or in the scouting reports, I picked Voorhees, Westfield, Immaculata and South Plainfield to win their respective finals.
Also, what about Coach of the Year? There are not nearly as many candidates as last season when I could have picked almost any of the 36 local coaches. That was an anomaly. I don't see anyone as a lock here yet, but I do see 3-4 people who stand out. Any thoughts on this matter?
I went a perfect 7-for-7 in picking games this week. Unheard of. All it means is I'll probably go 0-4 in my county finals predictions. In case you missed it on the podcast or in the scouting reports, I picked Voorhees, Westfield, Immaculata and South Plainfield to win their respective finals.
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
Comments Response
First, C.O., your point is well-taken. I do blog about the SCT far more than the other county tournaments for two reasons.
1) It is the furthest along -- we already know the final.
2) No matter who wins, it is local vs. local for us. That can't be said for the Hunterdon/Warren, Middlesex or Union County Tournaments.
Second, for all of you who are picking Somerset County first-team and Somerset County Player of the Year on my blog, the debate is great. I read it, and I love it. But don't forget the Courier News is All-Area. My first team could -- and likely will -- have players from Hunterdon, Middlesex and/or Union counties. Same could be said for my Player of the Year. The Star Ledger breaks it down by county.
Enough of that.
Wednesday is a monster tournament day for girls basketball. I promise to be very very busy. As requested, here are my predictions, starting with Tuesday's UCT semifinal.
Wesfield 50, Elizabeth 39: Too much Erin Miller. Too much Diana Venezia, who is becoming an inside force as a freshman. Too much under-control ball-handling by Gabby O'Leary. All of it will take Elizabeth out of its game.
Wednesday:
UCT semifinal
Scotch Plains-Fanwood 58, Linden 46: SPF has taken both regular-season meetings and I expect more of the same. Forwards Jackie Law and Kaylin Jaichon gave Linden trouble when the teams met earlier this month and -- again -- I expect more of the same.
Prep B final
Rutgers Prep 62, Gill St. Bernard's 50: This is a chance for Gill St. Bernard's to get that staple victory needed to solidify a 19-3 season. If the Knights don't get it -- and I don't think they will -- they still have far exceeded all expectations this season. Rutgers Prep pretty much owns the Prep B final, anyway. Maybe they should rename it the "Rutgers Prep B final." Bad joke.
GMCT semifinals
South Plainfield 62, Perth Amboy 60: This is an upset. Everyone is expecting to see Perth Amboy play Piscataway in the final, but veteran-laden South Plainfield is tough. The Tigers beat up South Brunswick twice this season, and are winners of 12 straight games. Perth Amboy's size could South Plainfield trouble, but one thing I've always liked about this team is that every girl plays with strength and speed well beyond what you would expect from her size. The fighters win a nailbiter.
Piscataway 66, New Brunswick 59: Piscataway needed a wake-up call and got one in the third round against North Brunswick. Now the defending champion appears destined for its third straight trip to the finals. New Brunswick has the ability to stay with almost anybody and I think this game will be close, but staying with Piscataway is easier than beating Piscataway.
Hunterdon/Warren semifinals:
Voorhees 51, Belvidere 33: The closest quarterfinal is this tournament was decided by 17 points. I've said before, this really could be a three-team tournament between Voorhees, North Hunterdon and Hunterdon Central, where the top seed gets a bye into the final against the semifinal winner. It's hard to say who will be Voorhees' top player in the game. It seems to be someone new every game, but one thing is for sure: Voorhees will do what it does best -- win.
Hunterdon Central 49, North Hunterdon 45: As you can see, I'm very close to picking North Hunterdon in this game. The Lions win against Immaculata last week was very impressive and I'll take it as a sign that this team is clicking at the right time. I've been kind of surprised by North's up-and-down play this season, but a bi-county championship and upsets of its top two rivals would be a storybook ending. I can definitely see it happening, but Central is one team not usually prone to upsets. The Red Devils always play good defense, understand the emotion that goes into rivalry games and -- most importantly -- read my paper and probably my blog. They probably want the extra motivation of me picking against them. Sorry girls.
That's a lot of picks by someone not very good at picking games. I'd be happy with 5-2.
1) It is the furthest along -- we already know the final.
2) No matter who wins, it is local vs. local for us. That can't be said for the Hunterdon/Warren, Middlesex or Union County Tournaments.
Second, for all of you who are picking Somerset County first-team and Somerset County Player of the Year on my blog, the debate is great. I read it, and I love it. But don't forget the Courier News is All-Area. My first team could -- and likely will -- have players from Hunterdon, Middlesex and/or Union counties. Same could be said for my Player of the Year. The Star Ledger breaks it down by county.
Enough of that.
Wednesday is a monster tournament day for girls basketball. I promise to be very very busy. As requested, here are my predictions, starting with Tuesday's UCT semifinal.
Wesfield 50, Elizabeth 39: Too much Erin Miller. Too much Diana Venezia, who is becoming an inside force as a freshman. Too much under-control ball-handling by Gabby O'Leary. All of it will take Elizabeth out of its game.
Wednesday:
UCT semifinal
Scotch Plains-Fanwood 58, Linden 46: SPF has taken both regular-season meetings and I expect more of the same. Forwards Jackie Law and Kaylin Jaichon gave Linden trouble when the teams met earlier this month and -- again -- I expect more of the same.
Prep B final
Rutgers Prep 62, Gill St. Bernard's 50: This is a chance for Gill St. Bernard's to get that staple victory needed to solidify a 19-3 season. If the Knights don't get it -- and I don't think they will -- they still have far exceeded all expectations this season. Rutgers Prep pretty much owns the Prep B final, anyway. Maybe they should rename it the "Rutgers Prep B final." Bad joke.
GMCT semifinals
South Plainfield 62, Perth Amboy 60: This is an upset. Everyone is expecting to see Perth Amboy play Piscataway in the final, but veteran-laden South Plainfield is tough. The Tigers beat up South Brunswick twice this season, and are winners of 12 straight games. Perth Amboy's size could South Plainfield trouble, but one thing I've always liked about this team is that every girl plays with strength and speed well beyond what you would expect from her size. The fighters win a nailbiter.
Piscataway 66, New Brunswick 59: Piscataway needed a wake-up call and got one in the third round against North Brunswick. Now the defending champion appears destined for its third straight trip to the finals. New Brunswick has the ability to stay with almost anybody and I think this game will be close, but staying with Piscataway is easier than beating Piscataway.
Hunterdon/Warren semifinals:
Voorhees 51, Belvidere 33: The closest quarterfinal is this tournament was decided by 17 points. I've said before, this really could be a three-team tournament between Voorhees, North Hunterdon and Hunterdon Central, where the top seed gets a bye into the final against the semifinal winner. It's hard to say who will be Voorhees' top player in the game. It seems to be someone new every game, but one thing is for sure: Voorhees will do what it does best -- win.
Hunterdon Central 49, North Hunterdon 45: As you can see, I'm very close to picking North Hunterdon in this game. The Lions win against Immaculata last week was very impressive and I'll take it as a sign that this team is clicking at the right time. I've been kind of surprised by North's up-and-down play this season, but a bi-county championship and upsets of its top two rivals would be a storybook ending. I can definitely see it happening, but Central is one team not usually prone to upsets. The Red Devils always play good defense, understand the emotion that goes into rivalry games and -- most importantly -- read my paper and probably my blog. They probably want the extra motivation of me picking against them. Sorry girls.
That's a lot of picks by someone not very good at picking games. I'd be happy with 5-2.
Monday, February 19, 2007
Baseball: Barnes' big break
Somerset Patriots first baseman/outfielder Larry Barnes has signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers, according to the Baseball America minor-league transactions page.
Manager Sparky Lyle first tipped me off to this move in December, saying the Dodgers had contacted him about Barnes. I tried calling Larry a few times this offseason, but he never responded.
Barnes, a California resident, told me at the end of last season that he could not return to the Atlantic League for personal reasons, so this last big break comes at a good time for the 32 year old.
Barnes hit .272 with 17 homers and 83 RBI in 122 games last season and was an Atlantic League all-star. He spent the 2003 season in the Dodgers organization and appeared in 30 major-league games.
Manager Sparky Lyle first tipped me off to this move in December, saying the Dodgers had contacted him about Barnes. I tried calling Larry a few times this offseason, but he never responded.
Barnes, a California resident, told me at the end of last season that he could not return to the Atlantic League for personal reasons, so this last big break comes at a good time for the 32 year old.
Barnes hit .272 with 17 homers and 83 RBI in 122 games last season and was an Atlantic League all-star. He spent the 2003 season in the Dodgers organization and appeared in 30 major-league games.
Sunday, February 18, 2007
Unlikely SCT final
After everything played out at Montgomery High School on Saturday, fans were left with a very traditional No. 4 Immaculata vs. No. 7 Montgomery Somerset County Tournament final.
It's certainly a breath of fresh air for a tournament which has earned a reputation for sticking to form. Only so many years in a row can the top two seeds meet in the final.
There are those who would argue that it is better to see a matchup of the top two teams during the regular season, but instead you will be getting a matchup of the hottest two teams in the county right now.
Immaculata's Lindsay Melone played a notch above everyone else in the semifinals -- and that's saying something when you consider the caliber of player on the court with and against her -- and almost singlehandedly carried her team into the final. She did get a helping hand from close friend and teammate Caitlin Bay. The leading 3-point shooter in the county drilled two timely fourth-quarter daggers.
Hillsborough's tandem of Kelsey Kutch and Ebony Jones had great days on the boards, combining for 19 rebounds, but neither was a big offensive factor down the stretch. Kutch only attempted one fourth-quarter shot.
Montgomery continues to impress me when I see the team play in person. The ball movement and unselfish play is really something unique. Sophomore point guard Marcia Voigt's range just keeps getting deeper and deeper. There is something going special going on with this team. That feeling of us-against-the-world plus an overwhelming sense of confidence has produced three straight tournament wins. Of course, I've picked against Montgomery in all three of those games. Thankfully, the girls are still talking to me.
Disappointment for Franklin. You could hear it in coach Art Tooles' voice after the game. Tooles has done a fabulous job resurrecting this program during his six years at the helm, but this one had to hurt. It's Franklin's second loss in the semifinals in three years, and the third time Franklin has lost to Montgomery this season. You just can never get an accurate read on this team.
It's certainly a breath of fresh air for a tournament which has earned a reputation for sticking to form. Only so many years in a row can the top two seeds meet in the final.
There are those who would argue that it is better to see a matchup of the top two teams during the regular season, but instead you will be getting a matchup of the hottest two teams in the county right now.
Immaculata's Lindsay Melone played a notch above everyone else in the semifinals -- and that's saying something when you consider the caliber of player on the court with and against her -- and almost singlehandedly carried her team into the final. She did get a helping hand from close friend and teammate Caitlin Bay. The leading 3-point shooter in the county drilled two timely fourth-quarter daggers.
Hillsborough's tandem of Kelsey Kutch and Ebony Jones had great days on the boards, combining for 19 rebounds, but neither was a big offensive factor down the stretch. Kutch only attempted one fourth-quarter shot.
Montgomery continues to impress me when I see the team play in person. The ball movement and unselfish play is really something unique. Sophomore point guard Marcia Voigt's range just keeps getting deeper and deeper. There is something going special going on with this team. That feeling of us-against-the-world plus an overwhelming sense of confidence has produced three straight tournament wins. Of course, I've picked against Montgomery in all three of those games. Thankfully, the girls are still talking to me.
Disappointment for Franklin. You could hear it in coach Art Tooles' voice after the game. Tooles has done a fabulous job resurrecting this program during his six years at the helm, but this one had to hurt. It's Franklin's second loss in the semifinals in three years, and the third time Franklin has lost to Montgomery this season. You just can never get an accurate read on this team.
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