Author: Jeff Appelblatt
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Freehold wrestlers keep it close with tough CBA team
By Jeff Appelblatt The start of the season was disappointing for Freehold High School wrestling coach Matthew Shepherd, but it wasn’t because of anything he or his team could control. “We had our first tournament canceled,” the 11-year coach said. “We [were to] open up at Princeton [High School], and they canceled the tournament.” Shepherd…
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Freehold bounces back to dominate in first win of season
By Jeff Appelblatt In its first game of the season Oct. 16, Freehold High School’s boys’ basketball team was dominated by its crosstown rival, Freehold Township High School. But it was only one game, and the Colonials showed they could bounce back and do some dominating of their own. In their second game Oct. 20…
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Barrons put up fight, but fall short in Beast of the East
By Jeff Appelblatt It couldn’t have been what Bryan McLaughlin had hoped for when the 170-pound senior was dropped in the semifinals at the University of Delaware at the annual Beast of the East wrestling tournament. McLaughlin, who will attend Drexel University in the fall, has never been satisfied if he doesn’t take home the…
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Freehold falls in boys’ hoops opener to rival Freehold Township
By Jeff Appelblatt Maybe it was the energy of the home crowd, or it was the benefit of shooting on the hoops they were used to. Whatever the reason, Freehold Township High School dominated its rival from Freehold High School right from the start Dec. 16. The Patriots went up, 13-4, in the first quarter…
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Colonials look to be competitive despite rebuilding season
By Jeff Appelblatt Sierra Strong had a fantastic game in the Freehold High School girls’ basketball team’s season opener Dec. 16 against Freehold Township High School. However, the problem for Freehold was both teams expected that. Freehold Township made it clear early that it had no problem living with Strong’s top-notch performance. The 16 points…
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Colts Neck girls look to out-run, out-think opponents on court
By Jeff Appelblatt The girls’ basketball team at Colts Neck High School took care of business in its season opener Dec. 16, beating Howell High School, 42-36. But it took fewer than 24 hours for the Cougars to be bounced from the WOBM Christmas Classic and have as many wins as losses on the season.…
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Cougars look for another title with new leaders, new division
By Jeff Appelblatt Colts Neck High School boys’ basketball coach Lou Piccola wasn’t totally sure what to expect in the Cougars’ season opener Dec. 16. His entire starting lineup from a year ago graduated, and his team was making the switch from the Shore Conference’s B North Division to A North. But in the first…
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Barrons look to pick up early wins on court
By Jeff Appelblatt Last year, Woodbridge High School’s boys’ basketball team struggled out of the gate. It lost low-scoring games to Colonia High school and J.P. Stevens High School to start the season 0-2. But using the losses as motivation, the Barrons snapped into action and went on to win 20 of its next 23…
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Patriots’ swimmers look to be competitive in pool
By Jeff Appelblatt Freehold Township High School’s swim coach, Brittany Bott, has been a swimmer longer than any of her student-athletes have been alive. Once a couple of practices were in the books, Bott had both the boys’ and girls’ squads knowing how competitive she really was. “I might be the only head coach in…
