The Millstone Stingers U10 boys travel soccer team captured first place in their division at the Manalapan Memorial Day tournament.

The Stingers team - Connor Bednarz, David Calabrese, David Cifelli, Paul Haines, Jordon Herzog, Thomas Malik, Conor Murphy, Justin Paglia, Nick Prichard, Zack Ruetsch, Nick Sample and Kevin Towle - played on fire and at the top of their game. In a near repeat of last year's tournament, the team was on a scoring frenzy, popping in 20 goals and defeating the Arsenal Lightning, 6-2, East Brunswick Blazers, 7-4, Ramapo Wildcats, 4-0, and tying the Manalapan Bulldogs, 3-3.

The Stingers then completed their season as they first took on the Manalapan Bulldogs away last Thursday. With the Stingers looking to take out the Bulldogs on their home turf, they were also looking to put another notch in the win column and move one step closer to taking the championship. As the teams took the field the Stingers were fired up and ready to drive it home. Within minutes of the start, the Stingers would strike, when Nick Sample crossed one over the middle to Connor Bednarz, who popped one in on a beautiful jump-kick to put the Stingers on the board. As both teams knew what was on the line, the game was hard fought, with many substitutions needed, using all of the offensive players. The Stingers would keep the pressure on, but the Bulldogs would strike back and tie the game 1-1, just at the half. As the Stingers took to the field to start the second half, Bryan Walkley worked his way up, and crossed a pass to Nick Sample, who riffled it in. The "Wall," the Stingers' defense of David Calabrese, Thomas Malik, Justin Paglia, Jordon Herzog and David Cifelli, were not about to let the Bulldogs get through to score again, as they continued to hold their ground. With the Stingers up by one, they were looking for another to seal the deal. With the fight continuing and both teams pushing it to the max, the Stingers' offense would hit again, as Jack Giglia would back pass to Bryan Walkley, who pushed one out to Nick Sample for the breakaway into the net.

With the championship game on the line this past Sunday, the Stingers' fate was in their own hands as they took on the Howell Vipers at home. With the Stingers off to a sluggish start, they would finally strike, when defender David Calabrese would run the ball up the side with some nice footwork to a push up a pass to Bryan Walkley, who crossed to Nick Prichard, who then hammered it in to the back of the net. The Vipers had a plan of their own and were not about to go away quietly, as they struck and struck again to put the Stingers down 2-1 at the half.

The Stingers took to the field at the start of the second half with a new life and fire in their eyes, as they would score on a corner kick to tie the game. Midway into the half the Stingers struck again, as they put in another one in on a corner kick. Now with only minutes left in the game, they just needed to hold on. But the Stingers wanted to put one more up on the board. When the defense kicked one up past midfield, Bryan Walkley broke out and smashed one in for their fourth and final goal up on the board. Defeating the Howell Vipers, 4-2, and giving the Stingers the MOSA Premier first place championship. This is the second championship that this team has won in the past two years. They also won a MOSA National 1 championship last spring.

The Jackson All-Star Basketball Camp (developmental and intermediate camps) will be held later this month. The boys and girls grades-one-through-four camp will run from June 18-22, while the grades-five-through-eight camp will run from June 25-29. Grade is determined as the grade the camper is entering in September. The camp times are from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the St. Aloysius gym. All aspects of the game will be emphasized through individual and team instruction, lectures, stations, skills and competitions. Campers should bring sneakers with good support, a towel and water bottle. Drinks and snacks are sold at the clinic.

Camp directors are Nick Werkman (NCAA All-American at Seton Hall University and a former Boston Celtic), and Robert Helle, a camp coach for 13 years. Cost is $110 per player.

For more information, call (908) 380-0367 or contact jacksonbasketballcamp@yahoo.com.

The YMCA of Western Monmouth County's U12 boys travel basketball team won the state championship this year along with the YMCA league title. The team finished its season with a perfect 18-0 record. The members of the team were: Josh Lang, Mike Pyzik, Dylan Hroncich, David Reingold, Matthew Simonetti, Justin Giordano, Brendan Higgins, Jesse Zucker, Daniel Fox, Frank Saracena and Victor Shlafman. The team was coached by Bob Kruse and Tom Lang.

The YMCA will be having a summer basketball league for teams and individual players. Contact Jon at the YMCA at (732) 462-0464, ext. 121, for additional information. Tryouts for next year's travel teams will be held in October.