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Just about every team that is within striking distance of the playoffs, will be gearing up for a tough month of basketball.

All of the games have some meaning to them whether it’s driving for the playoffs with the new CAL playoff system, or preparing for the State Tournament. Excitement and tension is rampant around the games and fans should not miss a moment of it.


Tournaments:
Starting this weekend, weekend Invitational, Shootouts or Challenges, whatever you want to call them, will be prominent all month. Coaches like these because it gives their squads some major competition against teams they rarely see. It always makes for good hoops and the games are really competitive, plus it gets them prepared for the grueling playoff runs.

  • Feb 3-5 – Battle by the Bay in Atlantic City with AC Boys and Girls, Ocean City Girls, Holy Spirit, Linden, St. Patrick’s and St. Joe’s Metuchen scheduled. Of course the annual battle between Atlantic City and Pleasantville with a halftime show not to be missed.


  • February 11-12 – The Mainland Girls Shootout at Mainland Regional and the Olympic-Cape Challenge at St. Augustine


  • February 19-20 – The Hoop Mountain Shootout at Holy Spirit

THEN the CAL Playoffs start…big month indeed! 

Streaking:

Is Atlantic City the most dangerous team right now in the CAL? After wins over Holy Spirit and EHT, they’ve won six straight, but they’ve had lapses in the contests before realizing they are the best team on the floor. Against Spirit, they were down by 10 after the first quarter before pressing full court and forcing turnovers. A 22-7 second period put them up to stay. Against the Eagles, the Vikings were down at the half before again, running out to a 19-3 third quarter to subdue EHT. They are going to have to be more consistent and win on the road but make no mistake; they are the hottest boys team right now

CAL Basketball on 1450:
Coming up this week, Friday on 1450 ESPN Mike Gill and Tony Blum will call the Middle Twp at St. Augustine match-up.  The National Conference powers both hope to make deep runs in the new CAL tourney.  St. Augustine is already has clinched a spot.  Then on Sunday 1450 ESPN presents the Battle by The Bay finale between Pleasantville and Atlantic City.  That coverage starts around 2pm and is always a can't miss game; Mike Gill and Tony Blum will call the action live from Atlantic City.
South Jersey Sports Report, this Saturday 9-11am:

9:15 -  Stockton assistant coach – Greg Goodwin
9:30 - “Where are they now?”  Fomer Middle Twp basketball star, Garret Kerr
9:45 - Tyler Donohue, Sports editor from The Current Newspapers
10:10 - Brent Bean – Baseball Coach ACHS
10:30 - Ocean City High Boys basketball coach John Bruno
10:45 - Tom Williams from Primeevents.net

*(The South Jersey Sports report is written by John Leon, he is the host of the South Jersey Sports Report, Saturdays' from 9-11am on 97.3 ESPN and 1450 ESPN.  He can be reached at johnraiders25@aol.com)

 

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