Mike Whelan, left, and Mark Taylor kicking off their campaign in 2015. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge)
By JOHN T. WARD
Red Bank’s two remaining Republican council members won’t run for re-election this year, they said late Thursday night.
The bombshell news from first-termers Mark Taylor and Mike Whelan would appear to end a chapter of brief resurgence for the local GOP after having been frozen out of power for a generation.
Former RFH head football coach Bryan Batchler, seen here working out with college players at Red Bank’s Count Basie Fields in June. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge)
By JOHN T. WARD
Ousted Rumson-Fair Haven Regional football coach Bryan Batchler has resigned as a teacher in a secret settlement with the school, redbankgreen has learned.
In a statement issued Thursday, the school’s board of education said it had accepted Batchler’s resignation on August 9.
Former R-FH head football coach Bryan Batchler at Tuesday’s board meeting. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge)
By JOHN T. WARD
Five months after former Rumson-Fair Haven Regional football coach Bryan Batchler was cleared of criminal wrongdoing over alleged inappropriate contact with a student, several dozen supporters demanded Tuesday night that he be reinstated.
Batchler, who has been on paid administrative leave from teaching for eight months and was stripped of his coaching job in February, told redbankgreen that Superintendent Pete Righi is now trying to oust him, via a tenure-revocation case, from the job he’s held since 2008. More →
Incumbents Kathy Horgan and Cindy Burnham, above, and newcomer Erik Yngstrom, below, will vie for two open council seats in November. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge)
By JOHN T. WARD
Less than three months into a new Republican era and eight months before the next election, Red Bank’s Democrats have chosen their candidates for council.
Incumbent Kathy Horgan and newcomer Erik Yngstrom, a member of the zoning board, have been nominated to run in the Democratic primary election to be held June 7, party chairman and Councilman Ed Zipprich announced Friday night.
Separately, Republican Councilwoman Cindy Burnham, who broke the Democrats’ seven-year lock on the council with her victory in 2013, told redbankgreen that she will seek re-election.
Former R-FH head football coach Bryan Batchler. (Photo courtesy of Shore Sports Zone. Click to enlarge)
By JOHN T. WARD
Ousted Rumson-Fair Haven football coach Bryan Batchler has been cleared of criminal wrongdoing for what his attorney said were allegations of an inappropriate relationship with student.
“The evidence was insufficient to support criminal charges,”acting Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher Gramiccioni said in a prepared statement reported by the Asbury Park Press Wednesday. “However, we referred the matter to the New Jersey Department of Education Investigations Unit for any administrative investigation or other action within their jurisdiction to conduct.”
“Essentially, Coach Batchler was falsely accused of criminal conduct and the prosecutor’s office didn’t even find that there was probable cause to believe that any criminal conduct was committed,” Batchler’s attorney, Mitch Ansell, said in a statement.
New head football coach Jerry Schulte at Tuesday’s R-FH board of ed meeting, where his appointment was approved. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge)
By JOHN T. WARD
Without so much as a murmur from the sparse audience, Rumson-Fair Haven Regional’s board of education named a new football coach Tuesday night — while remaining mum on the ouster of the last one.
Jerry Schulte, who spent the last decade running the defense for the high-achieving Bulldogs, was chosen by the board to replace Bryan Batchler, who was put on administrative leave in December for unexplained reasons and was later removed as coach.
Former Rumson-Fair Haven Regional head football coach Bryan Batchler led the team to its third straight state sectional football championship in December. (Image courtesy of Shore Sports Zone)
By JOHN T. WARD
Six weeks after he was put on leave for undisclosed reasons, Bryan Batchler is expected to be replaced as head football coach at Rumson-Fair Haven Regional, redbankgreen has learned.
Batchler, who led the Bulldogs to their third consecutive state sectional title with a win over Red Bank Regional on December 5, was placed on leave by Superintendent Pete Righi just nine days later. Righi has repeatedly declined to say what prompted the suspension or provide any details about the situation, citing the confidentiality of a personnel matter.
Now, however, the school needs to find a coach for the upcoming season, Righi said in a prepared statement Tuesday.
Neptune’s Desiree Allen scored 30 points and hauled down 13 rebounds as the Scarlet Fliers scored a quality road win against Red Bank Catholic Thursday. The Caseys rallied from 11 down with a 13-0 run that gave them a 34-32 lead, but Allen took over in the fourth with 13 points. Maureen Coakley had 16 for the Caseys. Shore Sports Zone has the video highlights. (Video courtesy of Shore Sports Zone.)
Ryan Carr delivered a hat trick, including the final two goals of the third period, as Point Pleasant came back from a 4-2 deficit in the third to tie Rumson-Fair Haven Tuesday at the Red Bank Armory. Chase Dorworth had two goals for RFH. Shore Sports Zone was there to bring these highlights.
At the Albert E. Martin Classic final Wednesday night, Ranny School freshman Bryan Antoine scored 27 points as the Panthers topped Red Bank Regional, 67-51, in front of a capacity crowd in Little Silver. Antoine scored 88 points in the three games and was named tournament MVP. Shore Sports Zone has the video highlights.
Earlier in the day, RBR’s girls’ basketball team lost to Holmdel, 52-39, in the final ofthe Bayshore Classic in Holmdel. Those highlights are here. (Video courtesy of Shore Sports Zone.)
With head coach Tom Brennan out indefinitely with medical issues, Middletown South’s girls basketball squad came from behind to beat Red Bank Catholic, 46-43, to reach the WOBM Christmas finals Tuesday. Haley Dalonzo and Stephanie Karcz each scored 13 points, and Alexandra Balsamo blocked a shot in the final second to preserve the victory. Shore Sports Zone has the video highlights. (Video courtesy of Shore Sports Zone.)
Sadiq Palmer scored 22 and sophomore Matt Reardon put up 14 as host and defending champs Red Bank Regional topped Central Regional, 58-35, at the Albert E. Martin Classic in Little Silver Monday.
Meanwhile, with four freshmen on the starting squad, Ranney School, led by Bryan Antoine’s 34 points, ran away from Sayreville, 71-57 in a dunkfest. Shore Sports Zone has the video highlights of those two games and more.
RBR and Ranney are scheduled to battle for the tournament title Wednesday at 5 p.m. in Little Silver. (Video courtesy of Shore Sports Zone.)
With three scorers in the double digits, the Lady Caseys of Red Bank Catholic swamped Manchester, 57-36, in the quarterfinals of the WOBM Christmas Classic in Toms River Sunday. Shore Sports Zone has the video highlights. (Video courtesy of Shore Sports Zone.)
Sophomore Devin Cooper poured in 18 to lead all scorers as defending Albert E. Martin Classic champs Red Bank Regional busted open a 24-15 halftime advantage in Little Silver Sunday. The Bucs went on to win, 58-37, and advance to the semifinals against Central Regional Monday afternoon. Shore Sports Zone has the video highlights.
Sadiq Palmer scored 13 as Red Bank Regional beat Red Bank Catholic in Little Silver Wednesday night. The 2-1 Bucs next face Sayreville in the Albert E. Martin Buc Classic on Sunday. Shore Sports Zone has the video highlights.
Rumson-Fair Haven Regional Coach Bryan Batchler celebrates with his team after they won their third straight state sectional football championship earlier this month. (Image courtesy of Shore Sports Zone)
By JOHN T. WARD
Rumson-Fair Haven Regional football coach Bryan Batchler has been placed on administrative leave from his job, redbankgreen has learned.
Batchler, who led the Bulldogs to their third consecutive state sectional title with a win over Red Bank Regional on December 5, was placed on leave by Superintendent Pete Righi on December 14, Righi confirmed Wednesday morning. Righi declined to say what prompted the suspension or provide any details about the situation.
The action “involves personnel matters and is therefore confidential,” Righi said.
The Rumson-Fair Haven Bulldogs raced to a 5-2 lead at the end of one period before Red Bank Regional scored two straight in the second to get within one goal. An on-ice melee resulted in five ejections (3 from RFH, 2 from RBR). Robbie Garavente scored two goals in the third period including an empty netter to put the game away. Watch the Shore Sports Zone highlights from the Red Bank Armory.
Matt Reardon hit what would have been a game-tying three-pointer, but it dropped after the buzzer, leaving Red Bank Regional on the short end of a 40-37 game against Neptune in Little Silver Monday. Shore Sports Zone has the video highlights.
Councilman Mike DuPont at his final council meeting Wednesday night. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge)
By JOHN T. WARD
A 25-year run of Democratic rule in Red Bank entered its final phase at a low-key borough council meeting Wednesday night.
Councilman Mike DuPont delivered his swan song after three terms, having been defeated by a Republican, Mike Whelan, who wasn’t yet born when the Democrats attained their current majority in 1990.
Red Bank Regional’s Sadiq Palmer was among the three finalists for Zoneman of the Year as Shore Sports Zone marked the close of the 2015 high school football season with a banquet in Eatontown Thursday night. Who won? Check out the highlight reel. (Video by Shore Sports Zone.)
Quarterback Michael O’Connor, above, led Rumson-Fair Haven Regional to its third straight state football championship as the Bulldogs ended Red Bank Regional’s undefeated string 21-0 at Rutgers in Piscataway Saturday night.
Shore Sports Zone has all the video highlights. (Video courtesy of Shore Sports Zone)
Defense carried the day as Rumson-Fair Haven Regional defeated Red Bank Regional 21-0 for the NJSIAA Central Group 3 championship at Rutgers in Piscataway Saturday night.
On the offensive side, Bulldogs running back Bryan Hess scored two touchdowns and quarterback Michael O’Connor scored the third in what O’Connor later told Shore Sports Zone was a “ground and pound” campaign. But the Dawg defense also pounded the Bucs, keeping star wide receiver Sadiq Palmer out of the end zone and forcing turnovers.
For the Bulldogs, it was the third straight state championship; for the Bucs, the end of an improbable 11-0 season as they tried to capture their first state title since 1975. Shore Sports Zone was there to capture all the highlights. (Video courtesy of Shore Sports Zone)
Quarterbacks Jack Navitsky of Red Bank Regional, above, and Mike O’Connor of Rumson-Fair Haven, below, lead their teams into a “once-in-a-lifetime” championship showdown Saturday. (Photos courtesy of Shore Sports Zone. Click to enlarge)
It may be the ultimate Battle of Ridge Road, but Saturday’s NJSIAA Central Group 3 championship football game between Red Bank Regional and Rumson-Fair Haven Regional means both teams must hit the road, traveling to Rutgers in Piscataway.
Sure, “some folks will be in purple, and others in maroon,” but the game offers a chance for a “total community” event, says RBR alumnus and Little Silver resident Rick Brandt. He’s organizing a pre-game tailgate party at which supporters of both the RBR Buccaneers (maroon) and the R-FH Bulldogs (purple) are welcome to mingle and break bread.
Undefeated Red Bank Regional continued its winning ways on Thursday, taking its traditional Thanksgiving Day game at home against Long Branch, 35-12. Alim Godsey and Sadiq Palmer had two two touchdowns apiece for the Buccaneers.
Meantime, Rumson-Fair Haven Bulldogs fell to Shore Regional at home, 20-14.
Shore Sports Zone has all the video highlights of those two games and more.
The Bucs (11-0) and the Bulldogs (9-2) will meet in Piscataway on December 5 for the Central Jersey Group 3 championship.
(Video courtesy of Shore Sports Zone)
It’ll be the Battle of Ridge Road — played at Rutgers in Piscataway — in two weeks when undefeated Red Bank Regional (above against Ocean Township), and defending state champs Rumson-Fair Haven (below, against Matawan) face off for the NJSIIA Central Group 3 championship following semifinal wins by each Friday night.
Meanwhile, 2014 state champion Red Bank Catholic was dethroned on the road against St. John Vianney of Holmdel, which advances to the non-public Group 3 title game.
Shore Sports Zone caught all the action on video. (Video courtesy of Shore Sports Zone)
