JERSEY SHORE – It’s the end of an era.
The final jumpers, final layups, final points, final rebounds, final assists, final steals and final blocked shots will take place this month in the 40th annual WOBM Christmas Classic, a boys and girls high school basketball event in Toms River.
“The decision (to conclude the Classic) was mine and mine alone,” Classic director Kevin Williams said on Facebook. “I am technically retired from Townsquare Media/WOBM (an FM radio station) and as many know I am working for Jersey Mike’s Subs in marketing. Forty years of giving up Christmas week is enough, especially with two grandkids who live out of the area. My wife and I want to spend more time with them during the holidays and putting together this tournament is pretty much an all-year task, which I no longer wish to do.
“Maybe somebody will come along and try and run a similar tournament and I wish them well. It won’t be under WOBM as my superiors realize that I handle all aspects and there is nobody who could carry this on. I appreciate them allowing this to be the swan song. All good things do come to an end. The WOBM Christmas Classic has been a good thing for players, coaches and fans for 40 years. I hope we go out with a bang … and a few tears.”
Former Toms River North player Mike Ritacco said he is disappointed to learn of the demise of the Classic, which began play at Ocean County College. Ocean County’s previous major Christmas tournament was the Southern Regional Holiday Roundball Festival.
“Terrible decision!,” said Ritacco, who played in the Classic from 1992-96 and was an All-Classic selection. “This is a tourney for the ages! It was the highlight of the beginning of the season. It was an incredible experience that I will never forget. Crowd was great. Small venue at OCC so it was really loud and unique. I would be happy to support the tradition continuing.”
Central Regional boys coach Mike Clemente played in the Classic for his father, coach Mike Clemente, from 2000-03. Now the Golden Eagles’ coach, young Clemente was the Classic’s first-team senior point guard in 2003.
“When I learned of the news, my first thought was sadness,” young Clemente said. “A true Christmas tradition was coming to an end. Central Regional was one of the original teams in the tournament and with my father being the head coach it was something that had a major impact on our holiday traditions. It was and is some of my oldest memories, especially during the early years when it was played at OCC.
“It was always something we looked forward to and it was a real early season test that got us prepared to compete for championships later in the season.”
Young Clemente said the games were intense.
“There were always bragging rights among friends who played on the local teams that competed in the tournament,” he said. “The crowds and the atmosphere were always great. The fact the Classic was played so early on in the season always led to some unexpected wins and losses, which led to seasonal rivalries being developed.
“Big thank you to Kevin Williams and his entire staff for spending all the time necessary to pull this off for so many deserving student-athletes every year … so who will step up and try to keep this holiday tradition alive?”
The boys competitors are top-seeded Manasquan, coached by former Manchester mentor Andrew Bilodeau, St. John Vianney, Donovan Catholic, defending champion North, Red Bank Catholic, Colts Neck, Central, Point Pleasant Beach, Freehold Township, Brick Township, Wall, Brick Memorial, Manchester, Toms River South, Middletown North and Toms River East.
The girls aspirants are top-seeded defending champion Red Bank Regional, guided by former Toms River East and Central coach John Truhan, Manchester, Middletown South, Brick Township, Point Pleasant Boro, Middletown North, Rumson-Fair Haven Regional, Central, Brick Memorial, Donovan Catholic, Toms River South, Lacey, East, Toms River North and Point Pleasant Beach.
The boys and girls championship games will be played Monday, Dec. 30, at the 3,208-seat RWJBarnabas Health Arena on the campus of Toms River High School North, 1245 Old Freehold Road, 08753.
The boys final of the Gepp Bracket (named for the former St. Joseph and Monsignor Donovan boys basketball and baseball coach and athletics director) will be played at 5 p.m.
The boys final of the Ruhnke Bracket (named for retired Southern coach Jim Ruhnke, who led the Rams to several Classic titles) will be played at 7 p.m. Donovan’s gymnasium is named for Gepp. Southern’s 9-10 court is named for Ruhnke.
The girls final of the Snyder Bracket (named in honor of late Southern girls coach Kathy Snyder) will take place at 1 p.m. Southern’s 11-12 court is named in Snyder’s honor.
The girls championship game of the Cervino Bracket (named in honor of late Toms River North coach Ray Cervino) will be played at 3 p.m. North’s gym is named in Cervino’s honor.
For more information, visit wobm.com/wobm-christmas-classic-info-teams-tickets-more/
