Local high schools will ring in the New Year with a heavy dose of sporting events this week.
Boys’ basketball contains a full slate of games …
On Jan. 5, many area teams will dribble on the hardwood.
The Shore Conference features a matchup between Saint John Vianney High School and Shore Regional High School in West Long Branch. Tipoff is set for 6:30 p.m.
Christian Brothers Academy, a state power once again this winter, will pay a call to Freehold High School for a 5:15 p.m. showdown.
Also starting at 5:15 p.m. will be the Long Branch High School vs. Middletown High School North game in Middletown.
Manalapan High School will welcome its neighbor, Marlboro High School, for a 5:15 p.m. game.
Matawan Regional High School takes the short drive to Hazlet to play Raritan High School at 6:30 p.m. Meanwhile, Red Bank Regional High School hosts Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School at 6:30 p.m.
Two games of interest Jan. 5 in the Greater Middlesex Conference will be the North Brunswick Township High School vs. Edison High School game in Edison and the South Brunswick High School vs. East Brunswick High School in East Brunswick. Both tilts get underway at 7 p.m.
On Jan. 7, games to keep an eye on are the Holmdel High School at Freehold Township High School matchup at 11:30 a.m.; the Colts Neck High School at Red Bank Regional game at 1 p.m; and the Bishop George Ahr High School at Old Bridge High School encounter at 1 p.m.
Girls’ basketball is also busy …
On Jan. 5, Marlboro plays its neighbor, Manalapan, for a matinee game at 4 p.m., while Rumson-Fair Haven will serve as the host to Red Bank Regional at 6:30 p.m
South Brunswick will be home to East Brunswick at 6 p.m., and John P. Stevens High School in Edison hosts Old Bridge at 7 p.m.
Looking at the agenda Jan. 6, there are two 5:15 p.m. games of interest. Howell High School will pay a call to Matawan and Middletown North is home to Mater Dei Prep.
On Jan. 7, Allentown High School will fly to Red Bank, where the Redbirds clash with a state power in Red Bank Catholic High School for a 1:30 p.m. showdown. At 10 a.m., North Brunswick hosts Edison.
There are three 11:30 starts worth checking out. Colts Neck is home to Holmdel, Marlboro takes a trip to Middletown High School South and Ocean Township High School hosts Freehold.
At 1 p.m., Monroe Township High School takes on Sayreville War Memorial High School in Monroe and Spotswood High School meets Old Bridge in Spotswood.
On to the wrestling mats …
Greater Middlesex Conference foes Monroe and Old Bridge will grapple Jan. 4 in Old Bridge at 6 p.m.
Christian Brother Academy, which is also a force on the wrestling circuit in New Jersey, will greet Allentown for a 5 p.m. meet in Lincroft Jan. 5.
A meet to focus on Jan. 6 will be East Brunswick visiting Colts Neck at 7 p.m.
Two quality meets will be featured Jan. 7. At Manalapan, the action kicks off at 9 a.m. when Manalapan is joined in the four-team field by Colts Neck, Freehold and Jackson Liberty High School. At 9:30 a.m., Woodbridge High School hosts a quad meet that has attracted J.P. Stevens, Long Branch High School and Governor Livingston High School, which makes the trip from Berkeley Heights in Union County.
Off to the tracks …
The John Bennett Indoor Athletic Complex, which is located on Hooper Avenue in Toms River, will be the venue to two county relay track championships this weekend.
The Monmouth County Indoor Track Relays will be run Jan. 6 at 4:30 p.m., while the Greater Middlesex Conference Track Relays will be held the following day starting at 4 p.m.
Dive into the pool …
The Monmouth County boys’ and girls’ swimming championships are on tap this weekend at the Neptune Aquatic Center.
On Jan. 6, the Monmouth County girls will swim for championships starting at 4 p.m. The boys will seek county titles Jan. 7 at 9 a.m.
On the ice …
The Jersey Shore Arena in Wall will be the venue Jan. 5 when Freehold Township skates against Ocean Township at 6:30 p.m.
On Jan. 7, the battle of Middletown will take place at Jersey Shore Arena, where Middletown North takes on Middletown South at 6:45 p.m.