Home-School Sports Plan Hits Snag in Brick

Officials debate equivalency under NJSIAA standards

It's no longer a matter of 'if' home schooled students in Brick should be allowed to play school-sponsored sports. It's 'how' they'll comply with state regulations without jeopardizing their teammates' efforts. Last month, the Board of Education voted to allow home schooled students from town to play sports on school-sponsored teams, after the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) ruled that those students could play, as long as the local school board and building principal approved, and the student in question met scholastic requirements equivalent to those that in-district high school students had to meet. That question of equivalency has left at least one student without a team on which to play this season. Karl…

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Big Spikes and Digs with Volleyball Tour in Seaside

Tournament was held Saturday and Sunday on the beach in Seaside Heights.

Getting a side out and an ace were just added to the list of things to do in Seaside Heights for the summer. The 2011 Corona Light Wide Open Volleyball Tournament was held Saturday and Sunday in Seaside Heights. Among the many things to do at the boardwalk the crowd was treated to watching some of the sport's best shine on the sand. The event was held on the beach at 500 boardwalk with the main net located in front of Spicy Cantina and JR’s. The main net marked No. 30 was in front of the stage and pro tent area. Inside the pro team area were smaller tents set up for resting, massage tables for the athletes and refreshments. The deadline for registration was Friday at 4 p.m., but walk-on teams were able to sign up at the event if space was …

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Dragons Roll Past Mustangs in Rivalry Game

Brick Township uses deep offensive game to drive past Memorial for ninth straight win.

LAKEWOOD -- With the resumption of the Ocean County Tournament still in question and not appearing to be picking up anytime soon, it was a simple decision for coach Jason Groschel as to who to send to the mound for his Brick Dragons, Sunday afternoon. Taking on cross-town rival Brick Memorial (8-10), at First Energy Park in Lakewood -- an annual tradition of Brick Day -- the Brick coach sent his ace, Tim Carney, to the hill. The decision paid off, as Carney led the Dragons (14-4) to their ninth straight win, giving up just one earned run on two hits through five innings, while striking out three batters. "Tim Carney gives us the best shot to win," Groschel said. "To have your guy is great there, and it's a big win for the seniors." The …

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Brick Clinches Share of 'B' South Championship With Win

Tim Carney goes the length in complete game shutout

With one game to decide whether Manchester would be sole Shore 'B' South champions or if Brick could clinch a share, the Dragons had all the desire they would need to come away with a win. "We wanted at least a share (of the title)," said Brick head coach Jason Groschel. "With all due respect for Manchester, we feel we are the best team in the division and we have been hot lately." In control and holding a 4-0 lead, the Green Dragons leaned on pitcher Tim Carney to lead them to victory once again. The senior went seven tremendous innings after getting the save on Monday against Pinelands Regional, which was a must-win to put Brick in position to hold a share of the title. Carney struck out eight, none bigger than his inning-ending strike …

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Brick baseball defeats Toms River North

Pitching is key for the Dragons

Good pitching -- and lots of it -- is carrying the Brick Township High School baseball team. Tim Carney, Brandon Kieslor and Jake Voorhees have led the way, allowing just three runs in the last three games. In their three starts, they have combined to pitch 18 and two thirds innings of a possible 21. On Friday, it was Voorhees' turn to step up. The junior righty tossed five-plus innings while only yielding one run off of two hits in a 4-1 victory over Toms River North – all coming after the Mariners scored 16 runs off of Toms River South the day before. "Performing that well on a stage like this is incredible," said Brick head coach Jason Groschel. "Even more when you consider it is his first varsity start." Voorhees battled all day. The …

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Brick Memorial Falls to Spirited Raiders Squad

'Stangs scratch up two runs in loss to Toms River East

TOMS RIVER -- For the Mustangs boys baseball team, things seem to be going from bad to worse. In the midst of one of the toughest stretches of the season, Memorial fell 10-2 to Toms River East, Monday afternoon. Mike Nebesne started of the mound for the 'Stangs, lasting three innings, allowing two runs, one earned, and struck out three batters. After pitching two scoreless innings, the Raiders loaded the bases without the ball leaving the infield – an infield single and two attempted sacrifice bunts that turned into hits – to fill the bases. Nebesne would walk in a run and another would score on a passed ball to give East the 2-0 lead. The Raiders would never look back, scoring all ten of their runs over the final four innings. "I can't …

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Carney's Complete Game Highlights Dragons' Win

Brick varsity baseball team defeats Lacey, 4-2, on Friday

Relying on senior pitcher Tim Carney, Brick's varsity baseball team picked up a much-needed win on Friday afternoon. Carney and the Dragons scratched out a 4-2 come-from-behind win over Lacey. Despite not having dominant strikeout numbers – only five – Carney allowed just one walk while silencing the Lions' bats. "He really battled today," said Brick head coach Jason Groschel. "He hit his spots and had a good fastball." In six of the seven innings, Carney danced around trouble as Lacey leadoff men reached base. After allowing a solo home run in the top of the first, Carney kept  the Lions off the scoreboard until the seventh. "He had his breaking balls working, as well, today," said Groschel. "The key was how he managed to throw them for …

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Brick's Young Sluggers Place in County Baseball Competition

Competition part of Major League Baseball's Pitch Hit & Run event

Some young sluggers from Brick placed well at Ocean County's Pitch Hit & Run competition, part of a larger competitive series organized by Major League Baseball. The competition, held April 5 at Ocean County Park in Lakewood, tested the baseball skills of children in several age groups. The winners, according to county officials, will advance to sectional competitions and from there can move on to national events. According to Freeholder John C. Bartlett, Jr. Chairman of Ocean County Parks and Recreation, Erin O’Neill of Brick shared the title of Girls Division champion with Brianna Topchev of Manahawkin. Mathew Ingenito of Brick shared the title of Boys Division champion with Luke Bush of Barnegat and Thomas Scuderi of Beachwood. Jared …

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This Week In Brick Sports

This Week in Brick Sports: Spring is in the Air

Spring sports kick off for Brick schools

If not for the calendar, you might not realize it was spring. That, and the fact that you might drive past Brick American Baseball League and catch a Brick Memorial baseball game, or even the Drum Point Complex to witness a Brick lacrosse match-up, of course. As the opening week of spring sports come to an end, let's take a look to see how it fared. Mustangs After an opening-day rain-out, Brick Memorial's baseball team was forced to open at home against Toms River South -- a state-wide powerhouse. The 'Stangs hung with the Indians for five innings, but were unable to hold up in a 10-2 loss. Memorial would respond nicely however, with a 5-0 home win over Toms River East with a terrific complete game from Kevin Nilsen and a 3-0 road win …

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Bats Go Silent in Dragons' Loss to Lacey

Brick Baseball falls to Lacey 7-3

The Dragons arrived in Lacey Wednesday on the heels of their 9-1 win over Central Regional on Opening Day, but despite early offensive production, Brick could not generate any runs after the second inning and it came back to haunt them in a 7-3 loss. Senior center fielder Nick Vitale opened the game with a bang, hitting a triple. Next up, Bill Berg walked, giving the Dragons runners on the corners. Tim Carney cracked a single through the hole and the Dragons took an early 1-0 lead. With two runners on base and no outs, Lacey pitcher Donovan Waller escaped with minimal damage, however, getting the next three Dragons out. Brick southpaw Cody Schnebel made quick work of the Lions, setting them down 1-2-3 in the bottom of the first, and …

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