August 11, 2010
Former Raider Brandon Granger needs your help
By TOM WILLIAMS
Sports Columnist
If you were there at the Ocean City Intermediate School on Feb. 1, 1994, you will probably always
remember the game.
Ocean City High School’s boys basketball team defeated Atlantic City, 76-61. It was the first time the
Raiders had beaten the Vikings since 1937. And one of only four wins over Atlantic City in the 51
games the two schools have played.
Brandon Granger was a big part of that historic win. He made 10 of 13 shots that night and all four
of his free throws for 24 points. He was that kind of player for John Bruno’s teams in the mid-1990s.
Today, at age 35, Brandon is in a convalescent center struggling with chronic pancreatitis, a painful
swelling (inflammation) of the pancreas that leads to scarring and loss of function. The pancreas is
an organ located behind the stomach that produces chemicals needed to digest food. It also produces
the hormones insulin and glucagon.
Chronic pancreatitis causes inflammation and scarring of tissue in the pancreas. This makes the
pancreas unable to produce the right amount of chemicals (enzymes) needed to digest fat. It also
interferes with insulin production, which may lead to diabetes.
Granger, who worked in real estate for many years and has two children, has no health insurance. They
held a fund-raising dinner for him last weekend. But, if you missed it, you can still help. Donations can
be sent to Shiloh Baptist Church, Seventh Street & Simpson Avenue. Checks should be made payable
to Shiloh Baptist Church for Brandon Granger. You can also get more information by calling 609-399-4281
or 609-335-2732.
During his three years in the lineup the Raiders won three straight division championships. Granger was
the leading scorer on that 1993-94 team, averaging 15.4 points per game. He scored 838 points in his
career. Only 14 players have scored more in the history of OCHS basketball. And, when combined with
his younger brother, Jay, they scored 1,634 points, the second highest total of any brother duo in OCHS
history, behind the 2,050 scored by Chris and Bill Rackley.
Whatever you can offer can help the Grangers – including his parents, Lavern and Marilyn – continue
Brandon’s treatment. But why not make it something appropriate. Can you send $8.38, a number that would
coincide with his career point total? Or $83.80? Or, maybe even $838.00?
For three seasons, Brandon Granger wore his OCHS uniform with pride, entertaining Raider fans with his
skills on the basketball court. He battled hard and helped bring three championship trophies to those bulging
Ocean City trophy cases. This is your chance to thank him for his efforts and help him battle the biggest
opponent of his life.
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Two more area football programs will have new head coaches when the season opens next month.
Middle Township announced that Lee Chappine will not return for his fourth season as head coach. Chappine
also was a successful coach at Hammonton. No replacement had been named as The Gazette went to
press but the position was expected to be filled quickly.
In addition, Wildwood has re-hired Jamie Peterson as its head football coach, replacing Rob Deiffenbach.
That means, counting Wildwood (a Tri-County Conference school) there will be five new area head football
coaches this season. Thomas Kelly has succeeded Bob Weiss at Atlantic City, Chuck Smith replaces Scott
Parker at Oakcrest and Josh Hedgeman replaces Ed Belfi at Vineland.
The football season begins on Sept. 10 for most teams, with many teams beginning practice this week and
scrimmaging for the first time in about 10 days.
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Tom Williams' columns