A Look Ahead

by Marc Narducci | May 21, 2025

The NJSIAA boys’ lacrosse tournament is almost upon us, with the first round for Non-Public schools beginning on May 28, and the public school tournament beginning the next day.

In the public schools, there is no state semifinal. Teams either compete for a South or a North championship and those winners meet in the state final.

New for this year’s tournament is the configuration of the Non-Public bracket. This will be a 24-team statewide bracket. The top eight seeds will receive a bye to the 2nd round.

North Jersey has long dominated in boys’ lacrosse, although Moorestown is the defending state Group 3 champion, beating Ridge, 9-8 in last year’s state final.

Here is a look at the upcoming South playoffs:

South Group 1
Middle Township has the best chance among teams from the seven-county South Jersey area, but remember, the South section in all Groups consists of many teams from Central Jersey. Middle Township began the week as the No. 2 team in the power rankings, with Shore Regional first. Shore will be the favorite, with Middle certainly having a chance.

South Group 2

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- Seizing the Moment

After the spring season was canceled last year due to the pandemic, these standout student-athletes from South Jersey are hoping to make the most of their opportunities in 2021.

- A Show of Strength

With the state ravaged by the COVID-19 pandemic, South Jersey is proving there’s more ways than one to put up a fight.

- Ready for Action

These standout athletes are holding out hope that high school sports will resume soon so they can show their stuff this spring.

The highest seeded team from the seven-county South Jersey area is No. 5 Cedar Creek, followed by No. 6 Cinnaminson. It would be a surprise if any local team emerges as champion in a Group where Manasquan is the top seed and the favorite.

South Group 3
This looks like it will come down to Burlington County rivals Moorestown and Shawnee, which begin the week being seed No. 1 and 2 respectively. Moorestown has lost to just one team from the seven-county South Jersey area, suffering a 4-1 defeat to St. Augustine. Shawnee, led by high scoring junior Thomas McAneney (37 goals, 36 assists) lost at Moorestown, 9-8 on April 10. It should be just as close for teams that figure to meet in the sectional final.

South Group 4
Kingsway began the week as No. 1 in power points and 16-0 on the season. The Dragons had a huge 12-8 win last week over Shawnee. Southern Regional is the No. 2 seed, while Washington Township is No. 3. Township has enjoyed a fine season, led by high scoring junior Robbie Finnegan. However, the Minutemen lost a 13-5 decision to Kingsway in the regular season, so it appears as if the Dragons will be the top seed the solid favorite..

Non-Public

With just one bracket consisting of all the Non-Public schools statewide, there is not more difficult competition. St. Augustine is the best Non-Public team from South Jersey (and might be the best team in South Jersey). The problem is getting past Delbarton, which began the week as No. 1 in the Non-Public power points.

St. Augustine is scheduled to visit Delbarton later this week, so that should give an indication of how the Non-Public field will go. In addition, Pope John and No. 4 seeded Don Bosco Prep remain major contenders in this deep field.

St. Augustine began the week 13-2 and had only lost to two Pennsylvania teams, Westtown, 7-6 and Episcopal Academy, 16-5. Episcopal Academy was tri-champion of the Philadelphia Inter-Ac League, which is considered among the top leagues in the country. Needless to say, St. Augustine has played a difficult schedule that should have the Hermits prepared for the state tournament.

Photo: Washington Township junior No. 1 Robbie Finnegan / Marc Narducci

Author: Marc Narducci

A Look Ahead

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