Courier-Post from Camden, New Jersey • Page 35

Sunday, Juno 8, 2003 www.courierpostonline.com ft Inside Take a sneak peek at the golfers and course in this week's U.S. Open. Page 12C Coming tomorrow Coverage of the Phillies' and Riversharks' doubleheaders. Scoreboard Baseball 4-7 Varsity Extra Golf 12, 14-15 NBANHL 16-20 13 (856) 486-2420 Sports Editor Phil Anastasia panastasiacourierpostonline.cora wmj CMe loses Triple Crown bic In wet conditions, Empire Maker earns victory at Belmont Stakes ing the Kentucky Derby. And the anticipation of a Triple Crown sweep was only heightened by the fact that Funny Cide was the fifth horse in seven years who won the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes but fell short in the Belmont.

"I feel bad for all of the people who were behind him," said Funny Cide trainer Barkley Tagg. popped out in front early and seemingly pulled Santos the first half mile. Jerry Bailey, sitting on Empire Maker, could not have been more pleased with the early setup of the race. "I knew I had him (Funny Cide)," Bailey said immediately after the race. "He was so rank." It is little wonder that Funny Cide tired at the end of the lV2-mile race.

Al- brought by Sackatoga Stables, owner of Funny Cide who braved the rainy conditions to see one of their own break the Triple Crown drought. Every move the gelding made in the last five weeks has been under the microscope, including Santos having to disprove an unfounded allegation that he was holding something other than a whip in his hand dur- Funny Cide finished another 4V lengths back. Funny Cide, who blew the competition away in the stretch at the Preakness three weeks ago, did not seem to have the same energy in the Belmont. Last year, War Emblem lost his chance for the Triple Crown when he stumbled out of the gate. Funny Cide had no such difficulty.

In fact, the gelding Bobby Frankel enjoys being the villain. 22C though officially carrying only jockey Jose Santos, Funny Cide also carried a racing industry that hasn't seen a Triple Crown winner since Affirmed in 1978. The New York-bred gelding was also carrying the hopes of the 101,864 New York fans including the four busloads en favorite in the Kentucky Derby, denied Funny Cide the Triple Crown when he put his rival away on the turn for home and then held off a late charge by Ten Most Wanted in the stretch to win the Belmont Stakes by three-quarters of a length. By REID CHERNER Gannett News Service NEW YORK Five weeks ago, it was thought that Empire Maker could win the Triple Crown. Saturday, he ruined one.

Empire Maker, the beat Rfflooresimim Minus lacrosse tittle f.r AVI STEINHARDTCouner-Post James Laux of Cherry Hill hopes to become the first South Jersey native to play In the NHL Trailblazer Laux on a dream trip from S.J. to NHL Sports Spotlight JOSE F. MORENOCourier-Post Moorestown's Megan O'Malley (facing) hugs teammate Casey Cech on Saturday at Rutgers University after Moorestown beat West Essex, 15-1, to win Its fourth straight state lacrosse championship. O'Malley scored two goals In the game. By CHUCK GORMLEY Courier-Post Staff James Laux may not look, act or talk like a pioneer.

In fact, if given the choice, he'd prefer that the pursuit of his lifelong dream to become the first hockey player from South Jersey to play in the NHL be kept relatively private. And that's understandable. A 1998 graduate of Cherry Hill West High School, Laux could very easily be mistaken for the kid next door. The unassuming 6-foot-2, 212-pound defenseman spends his mornings working out with Jeremy Roen-ick, John LeClair and Mark Recchi at Skate Zone in Voorhees and his afternoons working at a local fast-food restaurant. A few years ago, Laux, now 23, was taking classes at Camden County College and working with autistic children at the Bancroft Institute in Cherry Hill.

Two weeks ago, he signed a one-year contract with the Philadelphia Phantoms, becoming somewhat of a trailblazer for aspiring hockey players across South Jersey. "James was willing to stick his neck out to pursue a dream," said former Flyers defenseman Jimmy Watson, who coached Laux in 1999 and is now his agent. "He's paid the price to get where he is, and he deserves this chance. But I can tell you he won't be the last kid from South Jersey to get a shot at the NHL." According to USA Hock- Chuck Gormley: Hockey teams turn to Coskey. 20C ey, the number of registered amateur hockey players in New Jersey rose from 15,081 in the 1998-99 season to 16,650 in 2001-02.

Flyers Assistant General Manager Paul Holmgren said the sheer number of kids playing hockey in New Jersey, along with the quality of its youth programs, has made it essential to scout local players such as Laux. "Ten years ago, there wasn't enough hockey in this area to spend much time scouting," said Holmgren, who directs the Flyers' pro and amateur scouting. "James is a good example that we all have to take notice of the players around here. "There's not a tried-and-true path to the NHL anymore. He's a unique individual in that he's chasing a dream.

He was very aggressive in getting noticed as a hockey player." An unusual path Laux's route to a professional hockey career was not the most conventional. He began skating at the Coliseum in Voorhees at age 5 and played on his first team, the Gladiators, at age 10. Two years later, he joined the Little Flyers and skated out of what was then called See LAUX, Page 20C Quakers overwhelm West Essex, 15-1 State finals TUESDAY chance. "This was the best Moorestown performance this entire season," Moorestown coach Deanna Knob-loch said. "Everything clicked today, and they executed everything perfectly.

"Nothing was going to stop them from getting what they wanted, and our main goal from day one was a state championship." The Quakers played with great purpose from the start and never let the deteriorating weather conditions become a factor. "In the beginning, you're freezing and it's pouring, but once you See LACROSSE, Page9C By CHARLIE SPRANG Courier-Post Staff PISCATAWAY They picked the perfect time to play their best game. In a contest played in a steady rain, the Moorestown High School girls' lacrosse team put on a clinic. Rare was the scoring opportunity the Quakers' offense failed to convert. Rarer still was any scoring opportunity whatsoever for West Essex.

The Quakers (21-1) dominated from start to finish, overwhelming the Knights, 15-1, to capture the NJSIAA state championship Saturday at Rutgers University. Varsitydxm Gloucester softball team loses out to rain after five innings. Gloucester Catholic baseball team plans to get in some extra practice. Shawnee sees baseball field it's been hearing about but can't play. Pages 8-11C13C It was Moorestown's fourth straight and its 11th title in 19 state appearances.

The Knights (19-2) never had a Softball at Toms River East Group 4: Jefferson Twp. vs. Hamilton West, 3 p.m. Parochial St Mary's, Rutherford vs. Gloucester Catholic, 5 p.m.

Group 1: Roselle Park vs. Gloucester, 7 p.m. at Toms River North Parochial Immaculate Heart Academy vs. St. John Vianney, 3 p.m.

Group 2: Caldwell vs. Manchester 5 p.m. Group 4: West Milford vs. p.m. Baseball at Toms River South Parochial Seton Hall Prep vs.

Christian Brothers Academy, 3 p.m. Group 4: Kearny vs. Shawnee, 6 p.m. at Toms River East Parochial St. Mary's, Rutherford vs.

Gloucester Catholic, 3 p.m. Group 2: Hanover Park vs. Raritan, 6 p.m. at Toms River North Group 3: Cranford vs. Toms River South, 3 p.m.

Group 1: Becton vs. Penns-ville, 6 p.m. These seniors won't be forgotten Courier-Post Scholar-Athlete Lisa Vermillion Arthur P. Schalick High School back-to-back-to-back, with the years 2000, 2001, 2002 and 2003 underneath to remind everyone of the Quakers' four-straight state championships they had just won. And that is what's so sweet 1 I Kevin Callahan For some Philadelphia sports history humor, Moses Malone would call it "fo-for-fo." Just threw weeks ago, however, no one around the Moorestown lacrosse program was laughing, especially not the seniors.

For them, it seemed these seniors would leave their calling card as the Moorestown class that ended the winning streak. The Quakers had rolled to 15 wins to open the season, padding their state record winning streak to 82 games, before being stabbed with a 6-5 loss to Virginia power Sts. Stephens Agnes. See CALLAHAN, Page9C PISCATAWAY Afterward, the seniors on the Moorestown High school girls' lacrosse team knelt down for sort of a class picture. It didn't matter that it was still pouring rain.

They were already drenched, and besides, there was no hurry to leave the field. Especially when it meant taking a photo that would last for all time. Then some of the seniors put up four fingers and a few others said for everyone to do it Quickly they all did, along with putting on even larger smiles. Already, many of the seniors had put on gold T-shirts with black lettering that read "back-to- Academic highlights: National Honor Society president National Merit Scholarship finalist National Council of Teachers ot English Writing award Advanced Placement scholar (11) Athletic highlights: Tennis (9-1 2) captain (12) Swimming (9-12) captain (12) about Moorestown's photo shoot and celebration after a surgical 15-1 win over a stunned West Essex team. The streak this Quakers' senior class will be and should be remembered by is winning their fourth consecutive state title Saturday.

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