Sports Shorts

On March 10, the Old Bridge Girls Junior Knights travel basketball team capped off the 2006-07 season by going undefeated in league and playoff competition to win the North Brunswick League championship in their age bracket.

Starting their campaign off in October in the always competitive Mid-Monmouth League, the girls played well, made the playoffs, but lost to the top seed and eventual champion Point Pleasant. Encouraged by the team's progress, head coach Joe Marini and assistant coach Pete Perrotta decided to enter the Junior Knights into the North Brunswick league in December.

Playing rock-solid defense and finding their stride offensively, the team rolled off 10 straight victories to end the regular season as the league's top seed entering postseason play. With a first-round playoff bye and a second-round win over Montgomery Township, a championship showdown for the Knights was scheduled against perennial powerhouse South Brunswick. This thrilling game lived up to its billing as Old Bridge pulled out the victory in overtime, 32-28, securing their championship and undefeated run.

Coach Marini was extremely proud of his girls as he pronounced the win "A total team effort" referring to the fact that the entire squad participated and contributed in the championship finale, overcoming injuries and early foul trouble to prevail.

"They just refused to lose," coach Pete Perrotta said.

The players are Stephanie Hart, Gina Marini, Alana Perrotta, Vicky Gemignani, Kelsey Borrell, Natalie Principato, Janice Jackson, Amanda Loeffler, Sydnie Martinez and Megan Boyd.

The Raritan Bay Cougars Pop Warner will be holding registration for football and cheer for ages 5-15 on Friday, April 13 from 7-9 p.m. and Saturday, April 14 from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. at the Madison Park Field House on Cheesequake Road. Registration fees are $60 for single participant, $85 for family and $100 work bond to be refunded after 12 hours of service. Please bring a current photo of each child to play and a original birth certificate for first-time participants. For more information, call (732) 721-4375.

The Old Bridge Junior Knights Youth Hockey program will hold open tryouts April 9-11 for its 2007-08 bantam level teams at the Old Bridge Sports Arena. Bantam minor tryouts will be held from 7-8 p.m., followed by bantam major tryouts from 8:15-9.15 p.m. For more information, call (732) 727-5600, ext. 4025 or (732) 887-6384.