People everywhere celebrated the matriarch last Sunday.
Mother’s Day is special time set aside to pamper the person who keeps everything together with superb organizational skills, tender loving care and, when necessary, corrective discipline.
The players and coaches of the “Alumni Grizzlies” have reason to recognize “Team Mother’s Day,” in honor of the leadership and dedication shown by Katrina Born. The North Cape May resident served as the organizer and do-it-all for the Lower Cape May Hockey’s League’s 2010 Division II Champions.
Head coach Mike DeClemente has guided squads for five years and he fully understands the contribution a dedicated and skilled team mom can bring to a youth organization.
“She’s the best team mom imaginable,” said DeClemente, manager of Wildwood Crest’s Alumni Grill, the team’s sponsor. “She was so organized she was actually calling me to tell me practice is on.”
The Grizzlies won 21 of 25 contests including a thrilling best of three final series against the talented Team Instigator club.
“We lost the first game of the series but came back strong in the last two,” said Born. “Team Instigator came onto the rink to present the championship trophy to our boys. It was an outstanding display of sportsmanship on their part.”
Born credits DeClemente and Grizzlies’ assistant coaches John Temple and Joe Picolli with hours upon hours of volunteer devotion to the team.
“We had a core of players come back from last season and all of them had hockey experience,” said Born. “Those coaches worked with the kids so much. They put forth so much effort.”
It was one big and happy family with the Grizzlies as each coach echoed Born’s gratitude to the parents for their cohesive approach. As anyone who has coached or been involved in youth sports knows, having everyone on the same page is incredibly challenging and unfortunately rare.
“It was an amazing experience for these kids because they got to see true friendship and sportsmanship in action,” said Born. “The kids had a wonderful team spirit. We were truly blessed to be a part of it.”
The Grizzlies roster included Anthony Cileone, C.J. Street, Cole Blackley, Jarryd Hill, Jason Wendler, Jimmy Knox, Joe Babore, J.T. Castillo, Madeline Stango, Nick D’Alicandro, William Hubert, and Tommy Beeby.
Temple worked with Beeby, the goalie and Born’s son.
“I volunteered to help after spending 11 years in the military,” said Temple, a Villas resident. “The group really started playing like a team instead of as individuals. The best thing for me was working with the goalie. I played goalie growing up. A lot of guys who coach hockey haven’t done that so I was glad to help.”
Beeby stopped 548 of 609 shots on goal during the season for an .899 percentage. He recorded five shut outs and registered a 2.44 goals against average.
DeClemente, 33, credited “natural leaders” on the squad who brought everything together.
“It all clicked for our kids this season,” he said. “They rose to the occasion. And we had great parents. They were hockey fans to begin with so that really helps. They stood out in the cold just to watch our practices.”
The Grizzlies began drills before Christmas and won the championship in the last week of March.
“I helped them do whatever they needed to do,” said Born. “We kept it a nice, family atmosphere with great interaction between parents. Everyone put forth a lot of effort and I was proud to be a part of it.”
Reach Rossi at joerossi61@comcast.net
Cape May – Governor Murphy says he doesn't know anything about the drones and doesn't know what they are doing but he does know that they are not dangerous. Does anyone feel better now?
