Down the Shore

Another Sunday spent at Spring Lake Beach is in the books, where the shoreline was packed with people and the waves washed up tons of shells. Mussel Beach, amirite?

This week, we thought it'd be fun to do something a little different. One of us grew up spending summer nights at Jersey Shore Basketball League games, while the other is hearing these stories for the first time, so we decided to let our resident Shore native tell our readers about it from memory. Whether it sparks nostalgia of your own or introduces you to a new Shore tradition, we hope you enjoy.

Shore Pointers: The Jersey Shore Basketball League

Growing up, one of my favorite summer traditions was going to Belmar with my dad and brothers to catch Jersey Shore Basketball League games. There was nothing better than having a slice or two at Federico’s Pizza before watching college players (and future pros) compete in the intimate confines of Saint Rose High School. 

I still remember seeing players like Seton Hall great (and the current head coach) Shaheen Holloway, New York Knicks All-Star Anthony Mason (my youngest brother even got to feed him rebounds during warmups one game), NCAA Slam Dunk Champion Horace Jenkins, as well as a variety of local stars from Monmouth University and other Northeast Conference colleges.

A Quick History of the JSBL

The Jersey Shore Basketball League has been around since 1968, beginning as pickup games at Jerry Lynch’s hotel and bar in Belmar. In the early years, games were played outdoors and eventually moved to local high school gymnasiums including Saint Rose, Wall, and now Manasquan High School. 

Over the years, the JSBL has hosted a number of college athletes, as well as professional NBA and ABA players including 

• Nate "Tiny" Archibald, NBA Hall of Famer

• Rick Brunson, former NBA player and current Knicks assistant coach (plus you may have heard of his son, Jalen)

• Billy Donovan, Hall of Fame coach of the Oklahoma City Thunder and Chicago Bulls

• Robert Horry, seven-time NBA champion

• Mark Jackson, NBA Rookie of the Year and All-Star

• Anthony Mason, Knicks fan favorite and NBA All-Star

• J.R. Smith, two-time NBA champion

• Charlie Ward, Heisman Trophy winner turned NBA point guard

Make a Night of It

For young sports fans, it was such an amazing experience to see some great basketball close to home. And best of all, the JSBL was free to attend - and still is today - which makes it a great summer activity for families.

There are two weeks of games left (you can check out the schedule here). This week, games run Monday through Thursday at 7 pm and 8:30 pm at Manasquan High School.

You can grab dinner beforehand in downtown Manasquan. Our recommendations: Squan Tavern (old school Italian), Committed Pig (burgers and rooftop), or Qua (Roman-style square pizza). We also have been wanting to check out the new Coastal Canteen — if you go, let us know what you think!  

Weekly Forecast

Mix yourself up a Dark ‘N’ Stormy because that’s how the beginning of this week is looking…

Monday 7/27 - 81°/68° Scattered Thunderstorms

Tuesday 7/28 - 76°/69° Thunderstorms

Wednesday 7/29 - 76°/67° Heavy Thunderstorms

Thursday 7/30 - 77°/66° Mostly Cloudy

Friday 7/31 - 81°/67° Mostly Sunny

Saturday 8/1 - 84°/68° Sunny

Sunday 8/2 - 79°/69° Rain Shower

And for the surfers out there, here are the weekly surf conditions in Belmar courtesy of Surf Captain:

Farmers Market Roundup

• Holmdel, 7/29: Bell Works FRESH Farmers & Makers Market

• Long Branch, 7/30: West End Farmers Market

• Wall, 7/30: Wall Twp. Farmers Market

• Allenhurst, 7/31: Allenhurst Farmers Market

• Brick, 8/1: Brick Farmers Market

• Highlands, 8/1: Highlands Farmers Market

• Asbury Park, 8/2: Asbury FRESH Farmers & Makers Market

• Howell, 8/2: Howell NJ Farmers Market

• Point Pleasant Beach, 8/2: Point Pleasant Beach FRESH Farmers & Makers Market*

• Red Bank, 8/2: The Galleria Red Bank Farmers Market

And if there are any markets we should definitely feature this season, let us know!

Happenings Down the Shore

The opportunity to watch The Sandlot ON THE SAND? You’re killin’ us, Smalls! Plus a Clam Festival in Highlands, a Fireman’s Fair in Manasquan, and a first birthday party for Skinny Flowers Brewery.

As always, if there’s an upcoming event you’d like us to cover, feel free to pass it along!

Monday 7/27

Holmdel - Complimentary Intro to Pickleball Clinic with Jersey Pickleball Club at Bell Works (9:30 am)

Loch Arbor - Trivia Night at Deal Lake Bar + Co (7:30 pm)

Oceanport - Weekly Trivia at Skinny Flowers Brewing (6:30 pm)

Point Pleasant Beach - Beach Walk with Jenkinson’s Aquarium staff (6 pm)

Red Bank - Children’s Story Time on BroadWalk (10:30 am)

Red Bank - Sam Sims at Birravino (6 pm - live music)

Tuesday 7/28

Highlands - Vlasic Classic Open Mic Night at The Chubby Pickle (8:30 pm)

Point Pleasant Beach - Beach Bingo on the beach in front of Jenkinson’s Aquarium (6 pm)

Red Bank - Steve Delopoulos at Birravino (6 pm - live music)

Red Bank - Trivia with Jenn at Jamians (7:30 pm)

Manasquan - Manasquan Fireman’s Fair (6 pm, runs Tues-Sat)

Sea Bright - The Haven at Bands on the Beach (7 pm - live music)

Wednesday 7/29

Belmar - Movies on the Beach: Freaky Friday (Dusk)

Bradley Beach - Summer Jazz & Blues: Coo Moe Jhee (7 pm - live music)

Long Branch - Tiers and Cheers Workshop (By Be Stamped by Dawn) at Beach Bee Meadery (6:30 pm - get tix)

Manasquan - Manasquan Fireman’s Fair (6 pm, runs Tues-Sat)

Red Bank - Kids Karate on BroadWalk (11 am)

Red Bank - Karaoke at Jamians (8 pm)

Sea Bright - Movies on the Beach: The Sandlot (Dusk)

Spring Lake - Spring Lake Summer Nights Block Party on 3rd Avenue in Spring Lake (5 pm - learn more)

Spring Lake - EVENT: The Parisian Heist with Author Jo Piazza at Thunder Road Books (6 pm - get tix)

Tinton Falls - Bingo & Brews at Twin Lights Brewing (6 pm)

Thursday 7/30

Bradley Beach - Summer Yoga in the Garden at The James Bradley (6:30 pm - get tix)

Holmdel - Eric LeGrand Bourbon Tasting with Joe Rinaldi Trio at Bar Bella, Bell Works (6:30 pm)

Loch Arbor - Mahjong Thursdays at Deal Lake Bar + Co (10 am)

Manasquan - Manasquan Fireman’s Fair (6 pm, runs Tues-Sat)

Red Bank - Barbara King at The Molly Pitcher Inn (6 pm - live music)

Red Bank - Gab Cinque Trio at Jamians (8 pm - live music)

Sandy Hook - Rise to Rise, Sunrise Yoga Series with Tootsie Olan (6:30 am - learn more)

Tinton Falls - Trivia on Tap at Twin Lights Brewing (7 pm)

Friday 7/31

Belmar - Friday Night Concert Series: Beach Music Rock Band (6 pm - live music)

Highlands - Annual Clam Fest at Huddy Park (6 - 11 pm, runs through 8/2)

Holmdel - Alex Owen & The New Orleans Jazz Band at Fox Hollow Vineyard (6 pm - live music)

Loch Arbor - Tim Wildeman at Deal Lake Bar + Co (5 pm - live music)

Manasquan - Manasquan Fireman’s Fair (6 pm, runs Tues-Sat)

Oceanport - Skinny Flowers Turns ONE + Jamie B. Gallagher at Skinny Flowers Brewing (6 pm - live music)

Red Bank - Marty Hoski at The Molly Pitcher Inn (6 pm - live music)

Red Bank - The ALT at Jamians (9 pm - live music)

Saturday 8/1

Asbury Park - Alex Brown & The Blue Spirits at The Asbury Lanes (8 pm - live music)

Bradley Beach - Summer Yoga in the Garden at The James Bradley (7 am - get tix)

Highlands - Annual Clam Fest at Huddy Park with fireworks display over Snug Harbor Beach (1 - 11 pm, runs through 8/2)

Holmdel - A Real Human Jazz Project at Fox Hollow Vineyard (2 pm - live music)

Manasquan - Manasquan Fireman’s Fair (6 pm, runs Tues-Sat)*

Manasquan - Todd Robbins at Harpoon Willy’s (8:30 pm - live music)

Oceanport - Skinny Flowers 1st Birthday (featuring giveaways, live music, and a stein-holding competition) at Skinny Flowers Brewing (starts at 12 pm)

Red Bank - Frank Rainey at The Molly Pitcher Inn (6 pm - live music)

Sandy Hook - Free Yoga on the Beach (8 am - learn more)

Sunday 8/2

Atlantic Highlands - Music and Food Truck Festival at Atlantic Highlands Marina Lawn (12 pm)

Highlands - Annual Clam Fest at Huddy Park (12 - 8 pm)

Holmdel - Sherrie Pie Duo at Fox Hollow Vineyard (2 pm - live music)

Long Branch - Bands by the Sand at West End Park (7 pm - live music)

Did we miss an event? Let us know.

Thanks for reading and if someone forwarded this to you, please subscribe via the link below. See you next week!