Sports Shorts

Embrace Kids Foundation will honor Rutgers women's basketball coach C. Vivian StringerApril 17 at a gala reception and dinner auction at 6:30 p.m. at the Pines Manor in Edison. The event, organized by the New Jersey nonprofit, is to raise funds for pediatric sickle cell.

In recognition of the need for pediatric sickle cell advocacy, Embrace Kids launched EmbraceKidswith SickleCell,whichwill be the beneficiary of the event. Proceedswill be used to expand transitional programs for pediatric sickle cell patients as theymove from adolescence to adult.

The goal is to enhance the quality of life for pediatric sickle cell patients and their families, providing increased nutrition programs, emergency financial assistance, educational programs, college preparation services, scholarships, and other resources. Embrace Kids offers programs and support services for over 200 sickle cell families.

Last year the foundation honored the Rutgers football programandDirector of IntercollegiateAthletics Robert E.Mulcahy III in an evening of celebration,which paid tribute to the achievements of Rutgers football. Also commemorated were the lifetime achievements of three distinguished individuals, legendary radio personality Vaughn Harper, former New Jersey Attorney General Peter Harvey, and Dr. DeForest B. Soaries Jr., senior pastor of First Baptist Church, Lincoln Gardens, Somerset. The 2007 dinner auction raised $175,000.

Embrace Kids supports the nonmedical needs of children and their families at the Cancer Institute ofNewJersey and theBristol Myers Squibb Children's Hospital at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, both located on the Robert Wood Johnson medical campus in New Brunswick. Embrace Kids is committed to enhancing the quality of life of children with cancer and blood disorders and relieving families of the emotional and financial pressures of caring for a child with chronic illness. For more information, visit Embrace Kids at www.EmbraceKids. org.

The East Brunswick Explosion, a U19 girls travel soccer team, is looking to add players to the roster.We have a professional trainer and play in the U19 division of MNJYSA. Most of the players are juniors and seniors in high school, with a few sophomores. If interested, contact Russ Gale at Russellgale@comcast.net.

The Monroe U14 Lady Falcons won their third straight game and improved to 6- 1 in North Brunswick League play.

Kylie Davidson and Jena Pritzlaff were the top scorers, dropping in 14 points apiece. Jackie Racine netted eight points while Alexa Carini added a basket. Samantha Clark and Christina Felice added a foul shot each. Victoria Clayton and Keriann Manziano each grabbed three rebounds while Kristen Junquet, Meghan McClaren and Fallon Regan provided some key minutes on the defensive end of the floor. The Monroe girls match up with the Clark team this coming Sunday.

Old Bridge Soccer League will be holding registration for its spring 2008 season every Tuesday and Wednesday from 6- 8:30 p.m. at theGradeNineCenter onRoute 516 inOldBridge, starting Tuesday, Feb. 12, and ending onWednesday, Feb. 20.

The programis open to all children (boys or girls) born on or before March 31, 2004; and township residency is not required.

Registration for our high school recreation league will also be held during this time.

For additional information, contact the registrar at obslregister@optonline.net or visit ourWeb site at www.obsl.com.