BlueClaws’ 6 millionth Fan Plots His Future

After a couple of days in which I talked about favorite Christmas movies and songs let me move away from the holiday stuff and bounce around a bit.

• You have to admit that the hiring of Greg Schiano has resonated in renewed optimism for the future of Rutgers football. He’s already hired a strong recruiter, received verbal commitments from several in-state players and is clearly getting support from New Jersey high school coaches.

  By the way I wonder how many people are aware that the Scarlet Knights will begin Schiano’s second tenure as head coach on September 5^th at home against Monmouth University.

• Christmas has come early for fans of both the Yankees and Phillies with the signings of free agents Gerrit Cole and Didi Gregorius. Meanwhile the Mets come away from the winter meetings with pitcher Micheal Wacha. Not quite the present fans were hoping for.
• It was five years ago that the Toms River Little League captured the state championship and advanced to the Mid-Atlantic Regional in Bristol, Connecticut. The catcher on that team was Connor Cino who not only made some headlines with his play but later that summer had the distinction of being the 6-millionth fan in Lakewood BlueClaws history on a night his team was being honored at FirstEnergy Park.

  About a year later Connor and his family moved to Charleston, South Carolina and it turns out that his Little League exploits were just a preview of things to come.  He’s now a senior at Wando High School and last month during the early national signing period committed to the University of South Carolina where he was recruited as a catcher and first baseman.

  Connor comes from a family in which his father Jeff and uncles Vinnie and Jim were all standout players at Toms River North.

• The Wall Crimson Knights have finished atop the final Shore Sports Network/Jeep Store Football Top 10 following a 12-1 championship season. Toms River North was second followed by Mater Dei Prep, Jackson Memorial and Rumson-Fair Haven.  The complete top ten can be viewed at shoresportsnetwork.com.