Author: Jimmy Allinder
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Sounds of Monroe scoring music to Tucker’s ears
By Jimmy Allinder The sweet sound of a rock-hard field hockey ball slamming against the back of a wooden goal box is one Olivia Tucker loves so much. It doesn’t happen often in a sport where 1-0 games are the rule rather than the exception, but when Tucker or one of her Monroe Township High…
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Siecinski filled with confidence on J.P. Stevens softball team
By Jimmy Allinder When Julie Siecinski walked through the door of John P. Stevens High School as a freshman, head softball coach Krystle Petty immediately recognized she was looking at a special athlete. “I hadn’t seen her play, but Julie carried herself with such an air of confidence, but not overly so,” Petty said. “Then…
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Quick-thinking Barnosky key player for Spotswood hoops team
By Jimmy Allinder MaryBeth Barnosky’s thought process when she’s on the basketball court is to always be in the moment. In other words, the rising senior year at Spotswood High School and key member of the Chargers’ girls hoops team blocks out everything around her except her very next decision, usually with the ball. “I…
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Spotswood’s Raia hopeful for breakout cross-country season
By Jimmy Allinder Cassandra Raia has been on the run as long as she can remember. It might have been earlier in her active life when Raia was consumed with soccer, cheerleading, gymnastics, karate and ballet. Or doing what she does now: competing for the Spotswood High School cross-country and winter and spring track teams.…
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Loffredo’s impact felt on and off baseball field at St. Joe’s
By Jimmy Allinder Some choose to travel through life taking detours rather than confronting challenges that often dot the road. Then there’s Nick Loffredo, who is about to enter his senior year at Saint Joseph High School of Metuchen. Born with an unquenchable drive to succeed and the intelligence to make it happen, Loffredo is…
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Spotswood’s Ciaccio focused on improving as baseball player
By Jimmy Allinder Matthew Ciaccio is 6 feet 7 inches tall and might grow a little more. But the former Spotswood High School basketball player decided his frame is better suited for pitching a baseball. Ciaccio, a Milltown native, was a starter for the 2014 Chargers, and it was thought the junior would be a…
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Granda’s skills, confidence honed at an early age
By Jimmy Allinder Even before Michael Granda learned a basketball was round, he was being instructed in the game’s fundamentals. His father, Lou, would lean over his infant son’s crib while he slept and gently whisper, “follow through.” Granda must have subconsciously heeded his dad’s admonition because as the youngster grew, so did his accuracy…
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Garrick’s determination leads to success on softball diamond
By Jimmy Allinder Mackenzie Garrick owns two career strikeout records for the South River High School softball team and has a year of eligibility left. But never did Garrick dream she would achieve such success, much less play softball, when she took up the sport as an 11-year-old. That’s when Jim Duffy, a coach for…
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Cutrone thrives under fast pace of field hockey, lacrosse
By Jimmy Allinder If the sport involves a stick, chances are Jenna Cutrone plays it. Growing up with boundless energy, the Monroe Township native tried cross-country and cheerleading but never felt a connection with either sport. When she entered the eighth grade, however, Cutrone joined the field hockey and lacrosse teams and knew she had…
