Kevin is currently in his 30th year with WOBM and serves as the station's Sports and Community Relations Director. His daily The Hometown View which airs every weekday morning at 7:20AM .
This popular feature has been honored in 2000, 2001, 2002 & 2004 by the New Jersey Broadcasters Association for 'Best Public Service'. An eight-time New Jersey sportscaster of the year, Kevin also coordinates high school sports broadcasts on our sister stations WOBM-AM and Fox Sports 1310.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
A little of this and a little of that this Thursday morning:
It’s usually a bad omen when you get lost on your way to a destination…just seems like often it sets a tone for the trip. I’m sure Lakewood boy’s basketball coach Randy Holmes felt that way Wednesday when the team bus got lost and arrived late at Winslow Township High School for the Piners Group 3 state semifinal against Kingsway. The game was delayed but Lakewood never really found their stride, trailing by 12 after the first quarter and eventually losing 58-38. Despite the loss the Piners finish the season with 20 wins, a South Jersey Group 3 title and plenty of optimism for the future.
The Central Regional Alumni Association will hold their First Annual Alumni Night tomorrow night at the Sawmill Café on the boardwalk in Seaside Park. All Central graduates and retired teachers are invited to enjoy pizza, pasta, wings and getting together with old friends from 6-10pm. The cost is $15 per person and you can pay at the door. Call (732) 779-0179 for more information.
A benefit spaghetti dinner and gift auction for Natalie Shepherd and her family will be held on Saturday, March 20th at the Tri-Boro First Aid Squad building in Seaside Park. Nat’s Stomping Out Sarcoma Group is organizing the event to help Shepherd, a Beachwood resident who works as a MONOC Paramedic and is a Tri-Boro First Aid Squad volunteer. A wife and mother, she is being treated for a very rare and aggressive cancer. The March 20th fundraiser from 4:30-8pm will also include live music, tarot card readings, face painting and more. Tickets are available at Bayville Auto Care on Route 9 or by calling Patrick at (732) 674-6413,
March Madness is the term usually associated with college basketball but Manchester Township’s version of March Madness is set for tomorrow night in the High School Gym. It’s a basketball game between Manchester PBA 246 and the High School Faculty and all proceeds will go to the Rodney Copeland Scholarship Fund and Sgt. Gary Lowe of the Lakehurst Police Department who was severely injured in a fall a few months ago. Admission is $5 and there will be prizes, food, contests and more with the doors opening at 6:30.
Wednesday, March 9, 2010
I will not pretend to know much about the budget crisis that has forced Governor Christie to issue dire warnings about cuts in state aid to schools and municipalities. However what does leave me scratching my head is the simple fact that schools that have been efficient are the ones being hit the hardest which simply does not make sense. Last month their so-called surpluses were taken away without any discussion with the message being that since you didn’t spend it yet you really don’t need it. That is like dipping into an individual’s savings account and taking their money because if they’ve managed to save it then they can live without it. Doesn’t seem very fair and also does not send a great message…rather it’s telling schools to spend every dime they have no matter what. However with my limited knowledge of the subject the one factor that continues to disturb me is that the money spent to allegedly educate students in urban districts like Elizabeth, Newark and Jersey City is much greater then schools of even the same size in our area. Despite the fiscal woes of the state take a look at the amount of aid that heads north and then ask the question….shouldn’t we demand those schools be just as efficient?
Congratulations to Jake Muldowney, an 8th grade student at Toms River Intermediate South. He emerged the winner of the Spelldown 2010 which was sponsored in part by the Asbury Park Press and is now on his way to the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington DC in early June.
While on the subject of congratulations. Point Pleasant Boro won the South Jersey Group 3 girls basketball championship by routing Deptford last night as freshman twins Kelly and Lauren Hughes combined for 34 points. The Panthers reward is a date with powerful Neptune tomorrow night.
Toms River South has advanced to the State Public A Ice Hockey Finals after pulling off another upset. Jay Malone scored three goals at the 16th seeded Indians stunned #4 Brick Memorial 4-3. South will play the winner of tonight’s Montgomery-Randolph contest for the state title Saturday at the Prudential Center in Newark.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
It has been an up-and-down season for the Lakewood High School basketball team but this morning all things are good because they are celebrating a championship. Monday night in their own Piner Palace they beat Neptune 59-51 to claim a surprising Central Jersey Group 3 title, their first sectional crown since 2002. Sophomore Jameer Jones scored 20 points for the fifth seeded Piners, who beat Hamilton, Monmouth, top-seeded Freehold and then the Scarlet Fliers to earn the championship. Under third-year head coach Randy Holmes, many predicted a banner season for Lakewood but they got off to a slow start and watched Monsignor Donovan claim the Class B South title. However it’s Lakewood who is the only Ocean County boys team still playing and they will face South Jersey champion Kingsway tomorrow night in the Group semifinals at Winslow Township High School. A victory there would send the Piners to the Ritacco Center this weekend for the Group 3 Final.
Point Boro and Point Beach saw their playoff runs came to an end last night with losses in sectional finals as did the Southern girl’s team. The Point Boro girls host Deptford tonight in the South Jersey Group 3 final.
Ocean County is assured of having a team in the NJSIAA Public A Ice Hockey Championship game. That’s because Brick Memorial faces surprising Toms River South in a semifinal game this afternoon (4pm) at Mennen Arena in Morris Township. Randolph plays Montgomery in the other semifinal with the winners to skate for the state title Saturday at the Prudential Center in Newark.
Toms River’s Todd Frazier has played in one of the Cincinnati Reds’ first three spring exhibition games in Arizona, going 0-2. The 24-year old former Toms River South and Rutgers University star is the top prospect in the Reds organization but the team still hasn’t decided what position to play him at. He is listed as a left-fielder but has also played shortstop, third base, first base and second base. Frazier has been spending a lot of time with former Red Tony Phillips, who is working as a special instructor. Its likely Todd will open the season in the minor leagues but it’s only a matter of time before he calls Cincinnati home.
Monday, March 8, 2010
What a weekend….back-to-back days with the temperature over 50 and plenty of sunshine. It was just what the doctor ordered and it seemed like everyone wanted to get out of the house. Between the Polar Bear Plunge in Seaside Heights Saturday and the Belmar Saint Patrick’s Day Parade on Sunday you had special events that benefitted from the nice weather plus everyone has been cooped up for much of the winter. This was also a great weekend for the local car wash industry as long lines put smiles on the faces of owners who have spent many weekends shoveling snow. Before we get accustomed to all the nice weather remember March can give us spring-like days and also ones that remind us it’s still officially winter.
Those of you with Cabelvision got a late reprieve Sunday and were able to watch the Academy Awards…that is if you found out in time. Cablevision and ABC have been in a dispute that led to the Channel 7 signal being pulled off the air just after midnight Sunday morning. The Oscars officially began at 8:30pm and Cablevision customers appeared to be shut out but 13 minutes later the signal was restored as the two sides reached a preliminary agreement.
Count me among the diehards who stayed up and watched the entire Oscar show which ended just after midnight. Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin did a good job as co-hosts and it was pretty much a night for the favorites. “The Hurt Locker” claimed six Academy Awards, including those for Best Picture and Best Director where Kathryn Bigelow became the first woman to claim an Oscar in that category. Jeff Bridges and Sandra Bullock were the night’s other big winners by claiming the Best Actor awards.
Speaking of the best, Jimmy Lawson of Manchester Township High School ended his high school wrestling career with a jaw-dropping performance at the NJSIAA Championships in Atlantic City over the weekend. The Hawk heavyweight pinned all four of his opponents in a total time of 3 minutes and 58 seconds in claiming his third straight state title. Lawson also left Boardwalk Hall with the tournament’s Outstanding Wrestler award. Two other Ocean County wrestlers lost heartbreakers in the finals with Brick Memorial’s Mike Morales falling to Region 6 rival Scott Festejo 7-6 at 135 pounds and Southern Regional 112-pounder Kyle Casaletto dropping a 3-2 decision to Nick Francavilla of High Point on a reversal with just two seconds left in the match.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Just a few notes and thoughts to share this morning:
What is it with people and yield signs? My understanding is you stop at a yield sign if the traffic conditions don’t allow you to safely merge with oncoming vehicles. More often then not I observe people who when approaching a yield sign immediately speed up so they can hopefully beat those in the flow of traffic. Others simply blow through the yield sign and then assume you will simply slow down even tough you have the right of way. It’s amazing how many violations occur at yield signs…would love to see them enforced a bit more.
I’ve mentioned this before but here’s another one that drives me crazy. Why does it seem that you always have to ask for napkins at a drive-thru? Never mind hoping your order is correct because that’s another story. Operators of these places should put a sign on the inside reminding their workers to put napkins in every bag. Plus you often get a sour look when you ask for them like, “What do you need a napkin for.”
Here’s another pet peeve. You are searching for a spot in a crowded parking lot and observe someone getting in their car to leave. They start their vehicle but rather then pulling out they go through a series of events from checking their hair and sometimes make-up to making a call on their cell phone. This while they know you’re patiently waiting for a spot. You finally lose your patience and drive away and just as you do they leave and someone right behind you gets the spot.
Now to something more positive. Toms River High School South’s “Indian Givers” are sponsoring a Fashion Show tomorrow night at 7pm in the cafetorium. Seniors will be modeling prom dresses, casual wear, summer clothing and bathing suits from local merchants. There will be a live DJ, different clothing boutiques and a fundraising auction. Tickets are $5 and doors open at 6:30 with parents and the public welcome to attend. Proceeds benefit the “Indian Givers”, a student-run organization that helps South students and families in need.
Chick Watkins
