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 Point Pleasant Historical 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 Point Pleasant Beach, 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 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!!”
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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 Loughran Point 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 The Poached Pear or visit Point Pleasant Beach Pavillion, 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 Point Pleasant Beach, 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 Point Pleasant Beach, 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 Point Pleasant Beach, 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.
With Memorial Day weekend in sight, seven Jersey Shore beach spots have been tested for bacteria and declared to be safe for swimming, according to state environmental officials.Throughout the summer, health officials will test more than 300 sites around New Jersey weekly, looking for high bacteria levels that could cause illness. Testing is performed each Monday and results are typically available by Tuesday afternoon.Beaches that fail for having high bacteria levels are retested daily during the week, until their microbe coun...
With Memorial Day weekend in sight, seven Jersey Shore beach spots have been tested for bacteria and declared to be safe for swimming, according to state environmental officials.
Throughout the summer, health officials will test more than 300 sites around New Jersey weekly, looking for high bacteria levels that could cause illness. Testing is performed each Monday and results are typically available by Tuesday afternoon.
Beaches that fail for having high bacteria levels are retested daily during the week, until their microbe counts fall to level considered safe for swimming.
Leaky sewer systems, animal waste and stormwater runoff are all contributors to high levels of bacteria at lakes and beaches. In large enough concentrations, these microbes can cause illnesses like vomiting, diarrhea and ear infections in swimmers. People with weak immune systems, young children and elderly adults are particularly at risk.
The seven beaches that have tested safe for swimming as of May 20, according to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, are:
Despite low bacteria levels, swimming can still be dangerous at these locations. Local officials regularly warn swimmers not to enter the water unless lifeguards are present.
Additionally, midweek rain could flush animal waste, pesticides, oil and other pollutants into streams and rivers and increase bacteria counts in some waterways temporarily, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Swimmers should avoid water that is cloudier than usual, discolored or has a bad smell, according to the Centers for Disease Control. To prevent illness, avoid swimming with any cuts or wounds, and keep sand out of children's mouths, according to the agency. If soap and water is not available, use alcohol-based hand sanitizer before eating on the beach, according to the CDC.
Amanda Oglesby is an Ocean County native who covers education and the environment. She has worked for the Press for more than 17 years. Reach her at @OglesbyAPP, [email protected] or 732-557-5701.
POINT PLEASANT, NJ – MAY 27: Kathyn S. jumps as she plays with friends at Point Pleasant Beach on the first weekend of New Jersey beaches re-opening to the public on May 27, 2013 in Point Pleasant, New Jersey. The region continues to recover and rebuild after Hurricane Sandy devastated parts of the coastline.(Photo by Kena Betancur/Getty Images)Officials in Point Pleasant Beach introduced plans to buy a prime spot on Channel Drive. The 0.29-acre lot, sitting by the Manasquan River, comes with a $2.86 million price ...
POINT PLEASANT, NJ – MAY 27: Kathyn S. jumps as she plays with friends at Point Pleasant Beach on the first weekend of New Jersey beaches re-opening to the public on May 27, 2013 in Point Pleasant, New Jersey. The region continues to recover and rebuild after Hurricane Sandy devastated parts of the coastline.
(Photo by Kena Betancur/Getty Images)
Officials in Point Pleasant Beach introduced plans to buy a prime spot on Channel Drive. The 0.29-acre lot, sitting by the Manasquan River, comes with a $2.86 million price tag.
"The total cost of the property is $2.9 million," said Mayor Doug Vitale to NewsBreak. "There is some remediation that needs to be done to the tune of about $40,000, so we were able to negotiate with the property owner to come in at $2.86 (million)."
A Cape Cod house stands on the land with a small garage. Once bought, workers will tear down both structures. The land comes from Eugene Sniezek's estate.
To offset costs, officials sought $1.5 million from New Jersey's Green Acres program. This state initiative backs outdoor spaces and nature protection efforts through the Department of Environmental Protection.
Ideas for the space include spots for kayaks, community activities, and open grounds. The final blueprint remains up in the air.
Tests showed the ground had a few trouble spots. "The environmental reports came back with isolated hotspots, but no major issues," Vitale said to Starnewsgroup.com.
The vote split the council. Four backed the first measure while Byrnes and Cortes opposed it. When voting on $2.91 million in funds, five said yes, leaving Cortes as the lone dissenter.
The town must still give final approval. Local voices can weigh in at the upcoming May 6 meeting.
POINT PLEASANT BEACH - Piecing it together pitching-wiseThat's what the coaching staff of the Point Pleasant Beach High School baseball team has been confronted with since the program's move to Shore Conference Class B South this season with the conference's realignment of its baseball divisions."I use the term 'radically creative,''' Point Beach head coach Angelo Fiore said Thursday after the Garnet Gulls used three pitchers in their 5-4 divisional win over Central Regional. "We've got to manage ourselves very smartl...
POINT PLEASANT BEACH - Piecing it together pitching-wise
That's what the coaching staff of the Point Pleasant Beach High School baseball team has been confronted with since the program's move to Shore Conference Class B South this season with the conference's realignment of its baseball divisions.
"I use the term 'radically creative,''' Point Beach head coach Angelo Fiore said Thursday after the Garnet Gulls used three pitchers in their 5-4 divisional win over Central Regional. "We've got to manage ourselves very smartly on the mound, really keep track of where we are in the pitch counts. We're trying to do those bouncebacks.''
By bouncebacks, Fiore is referring to using his pitchers several times a week An example is junior right-hander Bennett Moberg, who threw three innings and 48 pitches Tuesday night in the Garnet Gulls' 14-4 defeat at Toms River South and picked up the win by throwing two innings and 49 pitches Thursday in relief.
Point Beach (7-1, 5-0), ranked No. 5 in the Asbury Park Press Top 20, did not have these issues in recent seasons because it was in the Group 1-dominated Shore Conference Class B Central division, where it was significantly better than most of the teams.
In most of those games, Fiore and assistant head coach Joe Mazza could spot their pitchers, having them throw two or three innings and they could save their best pitchers for big nondivisional or nonconference games.
"We've really got to manage more,'' Fiore said. "Every single game we're in this division, we're really working to get those wins. I think that's a testament to the kids.
Thursday, junior left-hander Tommy Conroy threw the first four innings followed by Moberg and then junior right-hander Antonio Acevedo, who came in from shortstop, to pitch the seventh and earn his third save of the season.
The three pitchers combined for 13 strikeouts and to strand 12 Central runners on base. That included the first inning, when the Golden Eagles (7-2, 3-2) loaded the bases and nobody out and Conroy got out of it with a 5-2 force out at home, a strikeout and a pop-up to short.
Moberg, who picked up his third win of the season, got a strikeout to end the sixth with the tying run on third and the go-ahead run on second.
Point Beach, which is the three-time defending NJSIAA Central Group 1 champion and was in the Group 1 championship game last season for the first time, may not have a pitcher who one can say is going to be lights out every time he takes the mound.
"It's a staff,'' Mazza said. "Everybody brings something a little different to the table.''
Fiore said Moberg is the perfect example of the type of pitcher the Garnet Gulls have.
"He's just been in the right place at the right time,'' Fiore said.
Acevedo's role as the closer is the one role that seems to be clearly defined on the Point Beach pitching staff.
Thursday, Acevedo worked around a two-out error by his replacement at short to retire the side on a ground out, a line out to third and a fly out to left while throwing just 10 pitches.
In 3 2/3 innings in his new role, Aceveco has not allowed a run or a hit and has struck out four and walked two while facing just 14 batters.
"I knew I could do this (be a closer),'' Acevedo said. "This is something I wanted to do. In the offseason, I thought I could be used as a pitcher and I trained for it all offseason. My work paid off. I knew they had the confidence in me.
"It's just go, go, go. I love the adrenaline rush I get with that (the new role). Once, I'm in that zone, it's great.''
Fiore said Acevedo has the characteristics coaches love to see in a closer
"He's that guy. He can come in in the seventh inning and just fire fastballs,'' Fiore said.
Storch is getting on his coaches good side
Senior center fielder Daniel Storch, who admits he can try the patience of the Garnet Gulls' coaching staff at times, had a big day. He went 3-for-3 with RBI singles in the first and third innings and a double in the fifth, when Point Beach broke a 3-3 tie by scoring two runs on a two-out error.
Storch's first hit came on the final pitch of a seven-pitch at-bat in which he ran the count to 3-2.
That at-bat was part of a 42-pitch inning Point Beach hitters forced Central starter Chase Macri to throw.
POINT PLEASANT - Point Pleasant Beach High School was probably the toughest Shore Conference baseball program to get a read on the last several seasons.There was no doubt the Garnet Gulls were a good team, but nobody was sure how good they were because the Group 1 school was placed in the Group 1-dominated Class B Central Division.They simply were too good for most of the overmatched teams in that division in recent seasons, except when Ranney was in that division in the early part of this decade and when St. Rose was placed ba...
POINT PLEASANT - Point Pleasant Beach High School was probably the toughest Shore Conference baseball program to get a read on the last several seasons.
There was no doubt the Garnet Gulls were a good team, but nobody was sure how good they were because the Group 1 school was placed in the Group 1-dominated Class B Central Division.
They simply were too good for most of the overmatched teams in that division in recent seasons, except when Ranney was in that division in the early part of this decade and when St. Rose was placed back in that division two seasons ago.
Nobody will have to guess how good Point Pleasant Beach is now.
Under the Shore Conference's realignment for this season, the three-time defending Central Group 1 champion Garnet Gulls are in Class B South with Group 4 Toms River North and Central; Group 2 Manasquan, Jackson Liberty and crosstown rival Point Pleasant Borough and Non-Public B school St. Rose.
So far, Point Pleasant Beach, after its 7-3 win over Point Borough on a cold, windy and blustery Wednesday afternoon at Point Borough, has been more than up to the challenge.
It is 5-0 with two convincing divisional wins over Jackson Liberty, its first win over Point Borough since 2009 and nondivisional wins over Donovan Catholic and Group 3 Brick Township. The Garnet Gulls are ranked No. 6 in the Asbury Park Press Shore Conference Top 20.
"Our record (at the end of the season) will reflect who we are,'' Point Beach head coach Angelo Fiore said. "Corey Hamann (Donovan Catholic's head coach) said, 'All I want to do is play competitive baseball'. That's where we are right now. We want to play really good teams.''
Another area where moving to a new division should help Point Beach's players, besides the ability to show off their talents against tougher competition, is when it comes to post-season all-star teams, like the Asbury Park Press All-Shore teams.
Fiore and Garnet Gulls' assistant head coach Joe Mazza would always have to break down how their players stats against non-Class B Central opponents in order for them to get full consideration.
"I want to be able to walk into an All-Shore meeting (Fiore was the Class B Central represenative for the Asbury Park Press All-Shore meeting in recent seasons) and when I say this guy is my best player, you guys can say you're absolutely right,'' Fiore said.
The same was true when it came to the Shore Conference Tournament seeding committee trying to figure out where to place Point Beach because it was so much better than most of its divisional opponents.
"You couldn't get a read on us,'' Fiore said. "I had to be a bit of a salesman. ''
Point Beach will know it is in a competitive game most days in Class B South.
Manasquan is off to a 4-1 start and has solid pitching.
Central, with a rich baseball tradition, is off to a 5-0 start and has already surpassed its win total from last season.
Toms River North is another program with a rich history.
Jackson Liberty, which is in its final season by itself before it merges with Jackson Memorial to become one Jackson High School, has been a solid program more often than not since it began play in 2008.
Point Borough always puts out a competitive team, and had the streak of wins over the Garnet Gulls that ended Wednesday.
St. Rose and Point Beach have had a very competitive rivalry through the years.
There does not figure to be many games where Point Beach knows going into the game, it is going to win big.
"We were always a good program, but there was always that asterisk next to it,'' Fiore said. "Now, we're here in a division where we want to prove we're a legitimate program. You have to take it one game at a time, but at the end of the day, I think we're built good enough to play with anybody in the conference right now.''
The Garnet Gulls return most of the team that advanced to the Group 1 championship game last season. That was Point Beach's first appearance in the Group 1 final.
Several of those players contributed Wednesday.
Junior left-hander Tommy Conroy, who Fiore said was only supposed to serve as an opener on the mound, pitched six effective innings and got out of a base-loaded, one-out jam in the bottom of the first unscathed.
Junior catcher Daniel Lubach had a two-run single in a four-run third inning and junior first baseman Noah Banick had a run-scoring single in the fourth.
"We have a great academic program here at Point Beach, but we're also a tuition school,'' Fiore said. "With the winning comes the attractions from outside the district.
"We have had a couple of impact players come into the program who have really been instrumental like Danny Lubach, Tommy Conroy, Antonio Acevedo (a junior shortstop, who struck out the side around a walk and a single in the seventh in relief Wednesday) are all tuition kids who have come into the program.''
The pitching aspect will also be different for the Garnet Gulls. In past seasons, when it faced teams outside Class B Central, it, at times, would be able to line up its best pitchers to face those teams while facing pitchers who were not at the top of the rotation from those teams.
Point Beach was able to conserve its pitching in the Class B Central. Now, in Class B South, it will have to stretch its pitchers out in games.
"We have to be radically creative with what we have in our pitching staff,'' Fiore said. "We're going to have to work.''
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