Random notes on the first day of spring which officially arrives at 6:45 tonight with snow in the forecast. I guess it’s only fitting considering the winter we’ve had.

A clutch 3-pointer by freshman Makayla Markham and a great all-around game by senior Jess Louro sent St. Rose to its first NJSIAA Tournament of Champions final
A clutch 3-pointer by freshman Makayla Markham and a great all-around game by senior Jess Louro sent St. Rose to its first NJSIAA Tournament of Champions final (Ray Richardson)
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Three weeks ago the girls’ basketball teams from Manasquan and St. Rose met in the championship game of the Shore Conference Tournament with the Squan prevailing rather easily.  Monday night the stakes are even larger as the two rivals will clash at the Sun National Bank Center in Trenton to decide the top team in the state.

In the Tournament of Champions semifinals last night at the Pine Belt Arena, Manasquan pulled away in the 4th quarter to beat Franklin behind Marina Mabrey’s 32pts and a terrific performance by sophomore Victoria Glavan.

The nightcap saw the Purple Roses score the game’s final 7 points and turn back St. John Vianney with Jess Louro scoring 17pts and freshman Mikayla Markham hitting the go-ahead 3-pointer with 48 seconds.

The boys TOC semifinals are scheduled for tonight in Toms River but the forecast of snow could result in the games being postponed until Saturday.

Of the five former Shore Conference wrestlers competing in the NCAA Championships in St. Louis only Penn State heavyweight Jimmy Lawson is still alive for a title.  The former Manchester Township High School star won both his matches Thursday and today will face the defending national champion in the quarterfinals.

Former Toms River South wrestlers Ken Theobold of Rutgers and B.J. Clagon of Rider are both alive in the wrestle backs and if they win this morning would face one another in the 149-pound weight class.  Also in the wrestle backs are senior Mike Morales of West Virginia (Brick Memorial) and redshirt junior Conor Brennan of Rider (Brick).

Former Southern Regional standout Kristen Sharkey saw her college basketball career end last night as Buffalo fell to West Virginia in the opening round of the WNIT.  Sharkey, a senior captain who started 84 straight games for the Bulls, scored 9pts and grabbed 5 rebounds in an 84-61 loss. Earlier this week she was named Mid-American Conference Scholar Athlete of the week

Gateway Toyota will hold their first Fair for Children tomorrow from 10am-3pm at their dealership on Route 37 East, Toms River.  The event is for children 12 and under and will include a coloring contest, K-9 demonstration, bike giveaway and more.

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