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Backup QB From New Jersey Sparks Notre Dame's Thrilling Orange Bowl Comeback Win Backup QB From New Jersey Sparks Notre Dame's Thrilling Orange Bowl Comeback Win
Backup QB From New Jersey Sparks Notre Dame's Thrilling Orange Bowl Comeback Win With Notre Dame down 10-0, needing something on the scoreboard before halftime, Irish eyes turned their national title hopes to their backup quarterback from Westfield. Steve Angeli, a Bergen Catholic High School graduate, was unexpectedly called into action on the final first-half drive of the Capital One Orange Bowl on Thursday, Jan. 9. Starting QB Riley Leonard entered the concussion protocol after taking a big hit from a Penn State defender with about 1:30 left in the second quarter. Angeli was put in a tough spot in the College Football Playoff semifinal w…

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by Chris Spiker
Sports
Plane Carrying Top 25 College Basketball Team Nearly Collides With Delta Jet Plane Carrying Top 25 College Basketball Team Nearly Collides With Delta Jet
Plane Carrying Top 25 College Basketball Team Nearly Collides With Delta Jet The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is investigating a near-collision at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) involving a charter plane carrying the No. 19-ranked Gonzaga men’s basketball team and a Delta jet.  The incident occurred on Friday, Dec. 27, as the Delta aircraft was taking off for Atlanta, Georgia. According to reports, an air traffic controller urgently instructed the charter plane to "Stop, stop, stop" just before it crossed paths with the departing Delta flight. The quick action avoided a potential disaster, and no injuries were reported. “In the years I’ve bee…

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by Joe Lombardi
Sports
Boxer Paul Bamba Dies Days After WBA Title-Winning Title Fight In New Jersey Boxer Paul Bamba Dies Days After WBA Title-Winning Title Fight In New Jersey
Boxer Paul Bamba Dies Days After WBA Title-Winning Title Fight In New Jersey A champion boxer died less than a week after reaching one of his career's biggest milestones and winning a title fight in Carteret. Paul Bamba has died at the age of 35, according to an Instagram post on Friday, Dec. 27 by his manager and R&B singer Ne-Yo. The cause of his death was unknown. Bamba's death was announced just days after he defeated Rogelio Medina by sixth-round technical knockout (TKO) at the Carteret Performing Arts Center. The victory on Saturday, Dec. 21 gave the World Boxing Association's (WBA) cruiserweight gold belt to Bamba, a Puerto Rico native. "He was a fierce…

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by Chris Spiker
Sports
ESPN Legend Goes Head-To-Head With Dave Portnoy Over Hairline Roast ESPN Legend Goes Head-To-Head With Dave Portnoy Over Hairline Roast
ESPN Legend Goes Head-To-Head With Dave Portnoy Over Hairline Roast ESPN legend Scott Van Pelt wasn’t about to let Barstool Sports CEO Dave Portnoy get a head start on mocking a college athlete’s hairline. During the Pittsburgh Panthers’ Thursday, Dec. 26 game against the Toledo Rockets, Portnoy zeroed in on offensive lineman Ryan Baer’s thinning locks after a grueling six-overtime showdown.  “This 6OT game just blessed us with this hairline,” Portnoy said of the 22-year-old athlete. “How old are college kids again?” The viral tweet racked up 9.6 million views, but Brookeville, MD's Van Pelt—who has embraced his own baldness with pride—wasn’t here for…

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by Cecilia Levine
Sports
Legendary Sportscaster Greg Gumbel Dies At 78 Legendary Sportscaster Greg Gumbel Dies At 78
Legendary Sportscaster Greg Gumbel Dies At 78 Greg Gumbel, a distinguished sports broadcaster renowned for his extensive career with CBS Sports, has died at the age of 78. A cause of death has not yet been released. Gumbel's career spanned several decades, during which he became a familiar and trusted voice in American sports broadcasting.  He was particularly known for his work as a play-by-play announcer for NFL games and as the studio host for the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament. His calm demeanor and professionalism endeared him to colleagues and audiences alike. Gumbel's contributions to sports broadcasting were significan…

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by Joe Lombardi
Sports
Jersey Shore Native Could Make First Start At QB For Philadelphia Eagles Jersey Shore Native Could Make First Start At QB For Philadelphia Eagles
Jersey Shore Native Could Make First Start At QB For Philadelphia Eagles A Monmouth County native is getting ready to potentially start his first game for a team not too far away from his hometown. Ocean Township High School graduate Kenny Pickett is in line to start at quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles in their week 17 game at home against the Dallas Cowboys.  Primary starter Jalen Hurts remained in the concussion protocol after the Eagles lost to the Washington Commanders on Sunday, Dec. 22. "It’s going to be tough for him to make it this week," head coach Nick Sirianni said about Hurts at a news conference on Friday, Dec. 27. Pickett’s rise from …

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by Chris Spiker
Sports
18-Year-Old Projected To Be First Pick In NHL Draft Now On Worldwide Stage For Team USA 18-Year-Old Projected To Be First Pick In NHL Draft Now On Worldwide Stage For Team USA
18-Year-Old Projected To Be First Pick In NHL Draft Now On Worldwide Stage For Team USA A native New Yorker projected to be the first pick in this year's National Hockey League is displaying his talents on a worldwide stage. Long Island resident James Hagens had two goals and two assists on Thursday, Dec. 26 as Team USA opened play at the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) World Junior Championships with a 10-4 win over Germany in front of over 13,000 fans in Ottawa, Ontario. Hagens' second goal, which he fired in from the slot, gave Team USA a 4-2 lead with six minutes to go in the second period. Hagens, who plays center, had the primary assist on the team's sec…

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by Joe Lombardi
Sports
Super Bowl Champ Wendell Smallwood Jr. Of NJ Pleads Guilty To COVID-19, Tax Fraud Super Bowl Champ Wendell Smallwood Jr. Of NJ Pleads Guilty To COVID-19, Tax Fraud
Super Bowl Champ Wendell Smallwood Jr. Of NJ Pleads Guilty To Covid-19, Tax Fraud Former Philadelphia Eagles running back Wendell Smallwood Jr., of Mullica Hill, New Jersey, a Super Bowl champion, pleaded guilty to federal charges of wire fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and conspiracy to defraud the IRS on Wednesday, Dec. 20, in Wilmington, Delaware, according to federal court documents obtained by Daily Voice. The plea agreement outlines Smallwood's admission of guilt to defrauding COVID-19 relief programs and engaging in tax fraud schemes. Smallwood, 30, faces a maximum sentence of 50 years in prison and significant financial penalties, including resti…

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by Jillian Pikora
Sports
Livvy Dunne Cheers On NJ Devils During Holiday Visit Home Livvy Dunne Cheers On NJ Devils During Holiday Visit Home
Livvy Dunne Cheers On NJ Devils During Holiday Visit Home Livvy Dunne is home for the holidays—and cheering on the New Jersey Devils. The LSU gymnast and social media star was spotted at the Prudential Center in Newark on Monday, Dec. 23, supporting the Devils as they faced off against the New York Rangers. Dunne, a Hillsdale native who trained at ENA in Paramus growing up, showed love for the Devils on Instagram, sharing a selfie in a team jersey. She shared a video from the stands during the first period. The Devil were clearly inspired by her presence as they crushed their biggest rival 5-0, with Jack Hughes leading the way with two goals.&nbs…

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by Cecilia Levine
Sports
Landmark Deal For FIFA Women’s World Cup Marks First For Netflix Landmark Deal For FIFA Women’s World Cup Marks First For Netflix
Landmark Deal For FIFA Women’s World Cup Marks First For Netflix FIFA has partnered with Netflix to grant the streaming platform exclusive US broadcasting rights for the 2027 and 2031 FIFA Women’s World Cup.  This agreement marks the first time Netflix will fully acquire rights to a global sports event, reflecting the growing prominence of women’s soccer. FIFA President Gianni Infantino described the deal as a pivotal step for the sport. “This agreement sends a strong message about the real value of the FIFA Women’s World Cup and the global women’s game,” Infantino said. “Netflix’s commitment underscores the tournament’s importance and helps elevat…

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by Joe Lombardi
Sports
Supporters Of Central Jersey HS Football Coach Battling Cancer Plan Drive-By Event Supporters Of Central Jersey HS Football Coach Battling Cancer Plan Drive-By Event
Supporters Of Central Jersey HS Football Coach Battling Cancer Plan Drive-By Event Freehold is rallying to support a beloved football coach and history teacher battling a rare and aggressive form of cancer. An event called "Coach Mac’s KO Cancer Drive By" will be held in the Freehold Township High School parking lot at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday, Dec. 22. The drive-by was planned to show support for 44-year-old Brian McNamara as he undergoes heavy chemotherapy and radiation treatments. The special parade was organized by a close friend of McNamara's named Lenny. "Everyone has been asking to see Brian, but due to his current treatment schedule and health, this dr…

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by Chris Spiker
Sports
Who Is Hannah Hidalgo? Meet NJ Star Basketball Player Who Knocked No. 2 UConn Down Who Is Hannah Hidalgo? Meet NJ Star Basketball Player Who Knocked No. 2 UConn Down
Who Is Hannah Hidalgo? Meet NJ Star Basketball Player Who Knocked No. 2 UConn Down Thursday, Dec. 12 was a sad night for UConn women's basketball, but a great one for Notre Dame, and New Jersey. The Fighting Irish point guard, who played for Paul VI High School in Haddonfield, NJ, put up 29 points, handing No. 2 UConn its first loss of the season. It was a major upset as No. 8 Notre Dame brought the Huskies down, finishing off the game 79-68. Hidalgo helped the Irish get out to an 11-point halftime lead. Despite a third-quarter push by the Huskies and their star guard Paige Bueckers, the Irish dominated the fourth quarter and earned their third win over an …

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by Cecilia Levine