Bouncing around a bit on a Wednesday morning, a cold Wednesday morning, with a trio of local sports tidbits.

By the way tidbit has two definitions, one being a choice morsel of food and the other which is how I’m using it is a choice or pleasing bit (as of information).  That according to Merriam-Webster.

Anthony Stolarz grew up in Jackson and spent a couple of years playing hockey at Jackson Memorial High School before his goaltending talents took him to various junior and minor league teams in places like Texas and Ontario, Canada.

At age 18 he was a second round pick of the Flyers in the 2012 NHL draft and a year later he signed with the team.  Stolarz made his NHL debut a little more than two years ago and in between injuries spent most of the past two seasons with the Flyers minor league affiliates.

He’s back in Philadelphia this season but had not played in more than a month because of a lower body injury before getting the start last night against the Rangers at Madison Square Garden.  The now 25-year old Stolarz was brilliant, making 38 saves and recording his second career shutout in a 1-0 Flyers win.  Pretty good night for the ex-Jaguar.

So this was going to be the year somebody in Class A South finally beat Toms River North on the basketball court.  Most of the Mariners big guns had graduated and while they still figured to be the favorite in the division their dominance would likely come to an end.

Well last night Coach Rory Caswell’s Mariners ripped Brick Memorial for their 57th straight “A South” victory which clinches at least a share of their fifth consecutive division title.  Jakari Spence led North with 26 points and 10 assists while Najae Hallenbeck added 17 points and 16 rebounds.

The Mariners are 14-3 overall and have won 11 in-a-row.

Some are calling this the game of the year, not only at the shore but in New Jersey.

Tonight at Brookdale Community College the Ranney School will face Roselle Catholic in a meeting of state powers that both have set their sights on winning the Tournament of Champions in March.  The game features three McDonald’s All-Americans and is the nightcap of a doubleheader as part of the Jersey Shore Challenge.

In the 5:45 opener Manasquan meets Jackson Liberty.  It might be cold outside but expect things to heat up inside.

For ticket information visit njbasketballhq.com

 

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