BY WAYNE WITKOWSKI
Staff Writer
Now that sports in two of the three seasons have ended, Brick athletes will be showcasing their talents in all-star games.
Larry Cittadino, of Brick Memorial, and Dan Palma, of Brick Township, played for the South team in the Shore Conference All-Star game last night at Freehold Township gym. Ron Gerulfsen, who coached Brick Memorial to a school best 18-7 record, coached the South team along with John McIntosh, of Lacey.
All-Shore football star Garrett Graham, of Brick Memorial, headed for the University of Wisconsin on a football scholarship this fall, has been invited to play in the prestigious Governor’s Bowl for the New Jersey team against the New York stars on June 25 at Rutgers.
Gerulfsen said he is happy to see Cittadino get selected after he missed seven games late in the season because of a broken bone in his foot, after being an integral part of the team’s 18-8 season, its best ever. The point guard led Brick Memorial, which for the first time reached the Shore Conference Tournament. It also played in the NJSIAA Tournament. Brick Memorial also won a share of the Shore Conference A South title, the first time it won that title.
Cittadino came back quickly from physical rehab at the end of the season to play a few minutes in the NJSIAA Central Jersey semifinal loss to Middletown North, its farthest state tournament advance. Cittadino averaged 13 points per game (ppg).
“He deserves anything he gets,” Gerulfsen said. “He’s been a great player for us, and it’s nice to see him selected even though he didn’t have the benefit of a full season.”
Despite being moved from point guard to off guard, Palma was one of the most prolific passers in the Shore and was third in the Shore in assists despite playing on a rebuilding 5-14 team. He led the Shore in assists in the 2003-04 season. Palma, who averaged 15 ppg this season, will take his talents to Rowan University this fall.
Graham, meanwhile, has two more weeks left on an eight-week training program he received from Wisconsin, and he said he expects a new one after that, which probably will be even more challenging.
“It’s mostly plymetrics. I’m doing good and getting used to it,” Graham said. “I like doing it.”
Graham said he’ll report to Wisconsin for three weeks of lifting and running on July 10, and then return home for a few days before returning to the school for preseason practices.
Memorial basketball teams
honored
Brick Memorial boys and girls basketball teams were the Ocean County teams selected for sportsmanship awards from the Shore Basketball Officials Association.
“I’m proud of that,” said Athletic Director Bill Bruno. “A lot of times, sports represents things beyond the scope of winning. It’s what athletes personify in the scope of life.”
Two other Brick teams were honored for sportsmanship awards in Ocean County by officials in recent seasons. Brick Memorial’s girls soccer team received the award from the Shore’s soccer officials association last fall when they won their third straight NJSIAA championship. Brick Township’s girls lacrosse team also was honored with that award by its sports officials group in its first season in spring 2003.