It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic Havens Homestead Museum gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Brick, NJ is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
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“I just started using always best care for my dad The certified aids that came from the agency were fantastic This situation is new for myself and my dad For having no complaints from my dad is a plus So ty again for such an easy transition for my dad Much appreciated Susan”
“Such an amazing company with employees who truly care about their business and those they take care of. Caretakers are top notch and customer service is great and they are available whenever you need them.”
“It is a pleasure to work for someone that genuinely respects caregivers for the job we do!”
“I am a current client of this provider I can’t begin to tell to you how pleased I am with Always Best Care. Not only have they placed the perfect caregiver with my mother they also take care of the billing and when I need to speak to a receptionist they are always available. Thank you!!”
“I cannot thank Always Best Care enough for helping us find an ideal Assisted Living Facility for my mother. We moved to the city a month ago and had little idea about the local senior living communities. I’d like to thank the highly experienced and knowledgeable caregivers of Always Best Care for helping our family during the difficult time.”
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“I am a current client of this provider We are very happy with Always Best Care. They do 24hr care, and the caregiver is excellent. I would recommend them.”
“I am a current client of this provider We have hired Always Best Care. We have them for 5 to 6 weeks now. My mother practically does everything herself, but sometimes they might fix her her lunch, there might be a little bit of shopping, and they take her to her appointment. My mother is fine. The hours are fine. She got the hours that she requested. I know she is being billed on her credit card. They have been very helpful and very cooperative. The women always call back.”
“I am a current client of this provider We hired Always Best Care two weeks ago for my mom. The woman comes in three days a week to assist my mother with doing the wash, keeping the house picked up, and just talking to her. She’s wonderful. We interviewed several people, and there was just something about the way they were organized in their presentation and their follow up. that impressed us. They were a level above the other ones that we spoke to. They really listen to you about your needs and work very hard to match the caregiver up with what you’re looking for. We were very impressed with them.”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Hank Waltonowski Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Cordi's Italian Gourmet or visit Boxwood Hall State Historic Site, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Brick, NJ, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Brick, NJ understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Brick, NJ 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
A Brick Township shopping center has been acquired by a new ownership group and will be rejuvenated with improvements and new tenants, the company said.The Shops at Brick, which is currently anchored by Bonefish Grill and McDonald’s as its anchor tenants, has now come under the ownership of TFE Properties. The owner already has a significant footprint in the township, with ownership stakes in Starbucks, Fortunoff Plaza, the Boulevard at Brick apartment community – all along Brick Boulevard – and a medical and profess...
A Brick Township shopping center has been acquired by a new ownership group and will be rejuvenated with improvements and new tenants, the company said.
The Shops at Brick, which is currently anchored by Bonefish Grill and McDonald’s as its anchor tenants, has now come under the ownership of TFE Properties. The owner already has a significant footprint in the township, with ownership stakes in Starbucks, Fortunoff Plaza, the Boulevard at Brick apartment community – all along Brick Boulevard – and a medical and professional office building along Chambers Bridge Road.
Originally built in 1963, the 100,671 square foot shopping center has attracted numerous big-name tenants over the years, including the former Channel hardware chain, Aldi supermarket and Big Lots box store. Aldi most recently moved to the new shopping center that replaced the former Foodtown supermarket property on Route 70.
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FTE’s representatives said in a statement that they were seeking to make improvements to the 31-acre property, including attracting new flagship tenants.
“We’re excited about this addition to our portfolio,” said Carey Tajfel, President of TFE Properties. “The Shops at Brick is in the heart of Brick Township, a strong community with high income levels and great demographics. We also plan to renovate the façade to give it a fresh clean modern appearance to help the center reach its full potential and align with our high company standards.”
Tajfel said the “prime location off two major roadways,” while being within walking distance for many people, will be important factors for attracting future tenants.
“There’s a reason we keep coming back to Brick,” Tajfel said. “It’s a town that is continuously growing and evolving. It’s exciting to be a part of.”
The sale price of the property was $6,800,000, according to Ocean County deed records.
Residents urged Brick Township officials to revisit the town's ordinance on trailers after small business owners say they've been cited.Patch Staff|Updated Sat, Mar 8, 2025 at 4:49 pm ETBRICK, NJ — Owners of several small businesses in Brick Township are urging officials to revise the town's ordinances regarding storage trailers, after what they say are a slew of code violation notices issued in recent weeks.At issue are the township's ordinances governing where and what types of trailers can be parked in ...
Patch Staff
|Updated Sat, Mar 8, 2025 at 4:49 pm ET
BRICK, NJ — Owners of several small businesses in Brick Township are urging officials to revise the town's ordinances regarding storage trailers, after what they say are a slew of code violation notices issued in recent weeks.
At issue are the township's ordinances governing where and what types of trailers can be parked in town. The rules, primarily addressed in Chapter 445, Article II of the township's codes, bar parking of covered trailers used for storage on residential property. Storage trailer parking for commercial properties is addressed in Chapter 288.
The rules bar enclosed storage trailers from being parked on residential property, with some exceptions for temporary storage units rented during a home renovation. Also exempted are recreational vehicles, boat trailers and open landscaping trailers.
Enclosed storage trailers also are barred from commercial property unless they have been approved as part of the site plan.
The Chapter 445 ordinance has been on the township's books since 1974. In December, a proposal to amend the ordinance was put on the council's agenda, but it was withdrawn after a public outcry over its restrictions.
On Tuesday night, residents say a number of violation notices have been issued for enclosed storage containers in recent weeks, many of them to owners of small businesses and in some cases, after years of existing usage.
Tom Finelli, owner of Finelli's Landscaping, said he received violation notices for enclosed storage trailers on his commercial site, even though they had been on the site for years.
The trailers are not visible from the street, Finelli said, and he had checked with the township as he prepared to open his business to make sure he was in compliance and was assured by the zoning department that the storage trailers were parked legally.
Mayor Lisa Crate and township attorney Kevin Starkey said it appeared he had been cited incorrectly and would investigate.
"I feel like I've been targeted," Finelli said, and said there were 28 commercial businesses that were cited. That number could not immediately be verified late Tuesday.
Art Hasselbach, who spoke out in December against the scrapped ordinance revision, said he has been dealing with issues because someone has continuously complained about his property, and expressed frustration over what he viewed as harassment.
He noted that he uses an enclosed storage trailer for his motorcycle as he does not have room to store it elsewhere on his property, and said the ordinance as it exists creates a burden for people who have antique cars or jetskis or other craft that need to be protected from the elements when they're not in use.
Mike Kleissler, who also spoke in December against the scrapped ordinance, urged Crate and township officials to revise the ordinance, saying it hurts business owners like him who have special equipment that require trailers.
Kleissler, who is a retired New Jersey State Trooper, said he dealt with trailer enforcement and offered to assist in helping to revise the ordinance. He also urged the town to put a moratorium on trailer violations until the matter can be sorted out.
The scrapped ordinance in December drew attention to the town's rules, Crate said.
"It really wasn’t an issue until we tried to clarify to our code enforcement," she said. "People realizing it (the existence of the ordinance) are now calling and complaining."
Crate added in response to the question that she didn't have a list of names of who had been calling. '"I’m not looking at the call logs," she said.
Starkey said the ordinance revision that was presented in December was a result of questions from the township's code enforcement officials seeking clarification of the rules, and Starkey said he was the one responsible for adding it to the agenda at the last minute.
Starkey reiterated that the proposed revision that was on the December council meeting is dead and was not being brought back, in spite of social media claims otherwise. An anonymous poster on Tuesday claimed in a Brick community Facebook group that the ordinance was back on the council agenda and then removed. A copy of the agenda emailed to media outlets on Friday had no ordinance introductions listed.
Crate said town officials will revisit the 1974 ordinance.
"We’re obviously going to be looking at this," she said. "We're not here to hurt small business."
Editor's note: This article has been updated to correct the employment status of Mike Kleissler, who is retired. Patch regrets the error.
A dream thought up by Brick Township residents Anthony and Kendra Zarrilli has come to fruition, placing Brick Township among the towns that have its own playhouse and arts studio.The Zarrilli family is best known in town for their home-building business, as well as another labor of love – their purchase and rebranding of the popular Mantoloking Ale House restaurant. For years, however, the family has been involved in the Brick Community Children’s Theater (BCCT), which never had a stage of its own despite being recognized...
A dream thought up by Brick Township residents Anthony and Kendra Zarrilli has come to fruition, placing Brick Township among the towns that have its own playhouse and arts studio.
The Zarrilli family is best known in town for their home-building business, as well as another labor of love – their purchase and rebranding of the popular Mantoloking Ale House restaurant. For years, however, the family has been involved in the Brick Community Children’s Theater (BCCT), which never had a stage of its own despite being recognized as one of the most prominent children’s theater companies in the region.
After receiving approval from the township’s planning board late in 2023 for a 120-seat theater, the Zarrillis got to work renovating a non-descript commercial building at 266 Mantoloking Road that was once part of a boatyard that operated on the property. A little over a year later, the show is almost ready to go on. The Mantoloking Playhouse will open in just two weeks, and appropriately, be home to beloved theater company BCCT, which will be celebrating its 33rd season in the new venue.
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While BCCT will be the in-house resident, the Playhouse will be open for other performing arts groups and performances, such as music shows, small recitals and stand-up comedy. In the past, many of Brick’s arts performances had to be pushed to other venues in neighboring towns, Kendra Zarrilli told Shorebeat. But with the Playhouse stage open, the township now has a venue of its own.
Though its beginnings were humble in the old boathouse, the theater facility itself is state-of-the-art after receiving a dose of the Zarrilli family’s creativity throughout the renovation process. The Playhouse has features that capture the experience of a larger theater in a smaller, more intimate space. With the integration of the unused basement space in the building that provided room for theater-style seating, there comes 120-seats, 20-foot ceilings, a 20-by-40 foot stage, high-tech LED lighting and projections, and “incredible” acoustics.
While a theater in Brick Township has always been something of an aspirational notion, for members of the BCCT company, it essentially became a necessity following the coronavirus pandemic five years ago.
“Long story short, we were two weeks out from a show and a day away from one of our major fundraisers when everything closed up,” Kendra Zarrilli told Shorebeat after the theater received its approvals. “During that lockdown time, we’d sit around and ask ourselves, ‘what are we going to do?’ knowing that theater would probably not make it back until a lot of other things did first.”
The Strand Theater in Lakewood, where BCCT performed for years, remained closed even after the pandemic subsided, leaving the group to perform at Windward Beach Park outdoors with permission from the township. They were squeezed in at the Grunin Center in Toms River and a small theater in Stafford Township, but ultimately, the connection between theater, the family’s construction business, and a vacant building nearly across the street from their restaurant just seemed to fall into place.
The Zarrillis have been involved with BCCT for over 15 years, starting when their – at the time – 3-year-old daughter said that she wanted to be “in a real performance.” Soon enough, she was involved with BCCT and her identical twin would join shortly after. BCCT became a family affair and the Zarrilis say the Playhouse is a way for them to give back to a community theatre group that has become such a big part of their lives.
The first performance will be “Frozen Jr.,” performed by the BCCT, March 6-9, 2025. Only about 100 tickets remain, and can be purchased online. The second confirmed performance will be a Grand Opening Gala featuring BCCT alum and Brick Native “Remember Jones.” That performance is scheduled for March 21 at 7 p.m., with proceeds benefiting the children’s theater company.
The playhouse also hosts its own dedicated website, where opportunities for sponsorships or renting the space are available.
An epic battle ensued on Friday night in Brick Township, New Jersey when No. 16 Brick Memorial rallied for a pulsating 36-35 victory over No. 17 Cranford in the NJSIAA/IBEW Local 102 Group 3 semifinals.The key match was the long-awaited 190-pound rematch between ...
An epic battle ensued on Friday night in Brick Township, New Jersey when No. 16 Brick Memorial rallied for a pulsating 36-35 victory over No. 17 Cranford in the NJSIAA/IBEW Local 102 Group 3 semifinals.
The key match was the long-awaited 190-pound rematch between Iowa-bound Harvey Ludington of Brick Memorial and Cranford’s Rutgers-bound talent, Jordan Chapman.
It’s hard to imagine that these two future Big 10 rivals will ever top the performance they put on Friday night. Cranford was 33 seconds away from clinching victory with four bouts to go. On the mat, Cranford had its best wrestler in Chapman who was on the verge of handing Brick Memorial’s best, two-time state champion Harvey Ludington, his first loss in 65 bouts.
Chapman rode Ludington for the entire second period when, with those 33 seconds remaining, he was whistled for his second stalling tactic of the match, leaving him with a scant three-point lead. Ludington then escaped to get to within two.
The reenergized Ludington then blasted in on a powerhouse double-leg attack, recording the takedown with just 13 seconds left in the match. The pin came just 20 seconds after the second stalling call, lifting Ludington to the biggest win in his dual meet career, in his final home match.
Ludington’s victory kicked off a string of five straight wins for Brick Memorial — the final two by fall at 106 and 113 pounds.
The victory advanced Memorial to the Group 3 final Sunday at Rutgers University, where the Mustangs fell to Delesea Regional, 45-30.
When he heads off to Iowa City for his 2025-26 freshman campaign, Ludington will make a significant addition to an already formidable Iowa lineup. The nation’s top-ranked 190-pounder, Ludington reopened his recruitment in August of 2023 after giving an early verbal commitment to Arizona State.
Prior to making his pledge to the Hawkeyes in December, Ludington also considered North Carolina, North Carolina State and Oklahoma. He had been the last uncommitted top-30 prospect on Flowrestling’s 2025 big board, checking in at No. 14.
Ludington will be gunning for his third consecutive state title next month at Atlantic City, NJ’s famed Boardwalk Hall.
The Rutgers-bound Chapman also had a host of suitors from across the nation looking to secure his signature. It was a celebratory night at Cranford High School on November 21 when Jordan officially committed to the Rutgers University wrestling team. Signing his national letter of intent in front of friends, family, and teammates, Chapman joined the rare company of Cranford student athletes to commit to a Division I program.
As a junior in 202-24, Chapman made history in becoming just the 10th wrestler in Cranford High School history to reach the final round of the NJSIAA State Wrestling Championships. Heading into the 165-weight class bracket, Chapman was undefeated in the regular season, recording an 18-0 record, which included his winning the program’s first sectional title since 2017 as well as the 2024 NJSIAA Region 4 championship.
He then ran his record to 22-0 with four wins in the state wrestling championship bracket, before coming up just short of the ultimate prize, losing by a 12-7 decision to Delbarton’s Alessio Perentin in the championship bout.
Chapman, as a senior in 2024-25, galloped out to a 13-0 start, including a 6-0 mark at his natural 175 pounds, before bumping up to 190 pounds. At 190, he won seven straight matches before running into Ludington for the first time back on January 11 when he dropped a major decision, 16-6. Chapman then won his next six matches before falling just short against Ludington again in last Friday’s stirring rematch. Hiis current record stands at 19-2.
The Ludington-Chapman match that took place on Friday will have New Jersey wrestling fans buzzing until these two combatants meet up in the Big 10 as conference rivals.
It’s safe to say we have not heard the last between these two galactic New Jersey titans.
At Rutgers University (February 16)
Having overcome issues with financing, state permitting and a sudden change in the structure of the building, the indoor sports complex once notionally referred to as the “Brick Superdome” is on track for construction this year, Brick Township’s mayor said.The indoor sports complex will be constructed in the rear of the property long-known as the “Foodtown” parcel after its one-time occupant along Route 70. Though Foodtown (and its lesser-known neighbor Bradlee’s) both moved out about 25 years ago, ...
Having overcome issues with financing, state permitting and a sudden change in the structure of the building, the indoor sports complex once notionally referred to as the “Brick Superdome” is on track for construction this year, Brick Township’s mayor said.
The indoor sports complex will be constructed in the rear of the property long-known as the “Foodtown” parcel after its one-time occupant along Route 70. Though Foodtown (and its lesser-known neighbor Bradlee’s) both moved out about 25 years ago, the township’s ownership of the property has been plagued with stop-and-start projects, ideas such as a full-service hotel that fell out of favor due to market conditions, a rejected proposal to build apartments and condominiums, and bouts of litigation sprinkled in along the way.
While an Aldi supermarket opened in the front-facing commercial portion of the site, the domed sports complex that was decided-upon as the major anchor of the property had to be redesigned after fire officials cited then-unforseen safety issues with its original iteration. The developer, Peter Tasca, also found himself requiring a new round of financing in the post-pandemic era, but ultimately a fresh group of investors were found and the building’s design was converted from a soft-covered dome to a traditional structure.
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In addition to the sports complex, developer Jack Morris – who owns the front portion of the property – has promised additional stores and a restaurant. While work has slowly progressed after the Aldi was completed and opened to the public, many residents have taken notice of the long wait. It appears the wait may come to an end in the coming months, however.
“We did meet with the developers a couple weeks ago, and at this point they have the fittings poured,” for the sports complex, said Mayor Lisa Crate. “They are ready to build.”
Crate said there were no updates as to what stores or restaurants will be added near the Aldi portion of the lot, but Tasca’s team is moving ahead with the sports complex.
“They are looking to do an official groundbreaking in the early spring, and the build should go pretty quickly after that,” she said. “We’re hoping that we have something official open before the end of the year.”
The sports complex will include a basketball center, a daycare center, indoor athletic fields and wellness facilities, among a slew of other amenities.
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