An Early Start to St. Patrick’s Day During Tournament Time

A little of this and a little of that following a glorious first full March weekend:

As usual the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Seaside Heights (and Park) did not disappoint, especially if you like bagpipes.  Sure it was a bit cool and windy on Saturday but more importantly it was sunny and dry and the parade moved down the boulevard in fine fashion.

For nearly four decades it has become the unofficial kick-off to at least the spring portion of the tourism season although Palm Sunday is still four weeks away.

Hopefully the weather yesterday and today is more than just a tease as we know March can be very unpredictable.  Sunday was simply outstanding with more of that today which will give us all a case of “spring fever” which hopefully is the only fever we have to deal with.

Toms River North’s Nick Boggiano concluded his high school wrestling career in grand fashion by winning the NJSIAA 152-pound title over the weekend in Atlantic City, one of four titles earned by Shore Conference wrestlers at Boardwalk Hall.  Boggiano is the fourth Mariner in school history to win a state title and the first since 2007 and he finishes his four-year career with 149 victories.

Not only is he a standout on the mat but Nick shines in the classroom and will be attending Stevens Institute of Technology on an academic scholarship in the fall where he will continue his wrestling career.

The Manchester “Lady Hawks” go after their fourth straight South Jersey Group 2 basketball championship tonight when they host Middle Township.  It’s the third meeting between the teams since 2017 with a sectional title on the line and the Destiny Adams-led Hawks hope to prevail again.

If Manchester wins they would face either Manasquan or Rumson on Wednesday night at Central Regional High School in the overall Group 2 semifinals with the those two Monmouth County rivals also playing one another tonight.