South Jersey Public School Wrestling Tournament Preview
The NJSIAA public school wrestling team tournament will all be staged this week. Monday will be the first two rounds of the sectional meet, with the South Jersey championships on Wednesday. The state semifinals are Friday at the home of the sectional champion with the highest power points. The state finals are scheduled for Sunday at Rutgers’ Jersey Mike’s Arena. Here is a look at the South Jersey public school tournament.
South Jersey Group 1
Defending champion: Paulsboro
Monday Feb. 16 at Paulsboro
(8) Buena at (1) Paulsboro, 5:30
(5) Pennsville vs. (4) Schalick, 5:30
Winners meet following first round
At Audubon
(6) Haddon Township vs. (3) Woodstown, 5 p.m.
(7) Maple Shade at (2) Audubon, 5 p.m.
Winners meet following first round
Sectional championship Wednesday at the highest seed
Outlook: This could be a tight race. Paulsboro has ruled Group 1 and this season the Red Raiders beat Audubon, 37-33, but the Green Wave had to forfeit two bouts. Audubon has a real chance, but even in a less than dominant season, Paulsboro will be difficult to unseat.
South Jersey Group 2
Defending champion: Middle Township
Monday Feb. 16 At Lower Cape May:
(8) Haddon Heights at (1) Lower Cape May, 4:30
(5) Middle Township vs. (4) Haddonfield, 4:30
At Collingswood:
(6) West Deptford vs. (3) Gloucester City, 5 p.m.
(7) Sterling at (2) Collingswood, 5 p.m.
Winners meet following first round
Sectional championship Wednesday at highest seed
Outlook: This has been quite a season for Collingswood, which earlier earned the 1,000th career win in school history. Group 2 should feature a championship matchup between Lower Cape May and Collingswood. Lower Cape May has suffered three losses, but all to powerful teams – St. Peter’s Prep, Delsea and St. Augustine. The Tigers have faced a difficult schedule and that could be the difference in the expected final against Collingswood.
South Jersey Group 3
Defending champion: Delsea
At Seneca:
(8) Barnegat at (1) Seneca, 3 p.m.
(5) Gateway vs. (4) Ocean City, 3 p.m.
Winners meet following first round
At Delsea:
(6) Moorestown vs. (3) Lacey, 5 p.m.
(7) Pinelands at (2) Delsea, 5 p.m.
Winners meet following the first round
Sectional championship Wednesday at highest seed
Outlook: Delsea has won four consecutive state championships and remains the team to beat. The Crusaders have faced a difficult schedule and are again ready to defend their sectional and state crowns.
South Jersey Group 4
Defending champion: Toms River South
At Central Regional
(8) Cherry Hill West at (1) Central, 4:30 p.m.
(5) Northern Burlington vs. (4) Williamstown, 4:30 p.m.
Winners meet following first round
At Toms River East:
(6) Shawnee vs. (3) Toms River South, 11 a.m.
(7) Clearview at (2) Toms River East, 11 a.m.
Winners meet following first round
Sectional championship Wednesday at highest seed
Outlook: Central Regional beat the top teams in the other bracket during the regular season, defeating Toms River East, 35-32 and Toms River South, 45-32. It would be a shock if this weren’t an all-Shore Conference final.
South Jersey Group 5
Defending champion: Southern Regional
At Howell:
(8) Eastern at (1) Howell, 4 p.m.
(5) Lenape vs. (4) Southern, 4 p.m.
Winners meet following first round
At Washington Township:
(6) Rancocas Valley vs. (3) Kingsway, 1:30 p.m.
(7) Cherokee at (2) Washington Township, 1:30 p.m.
Winners meet following first round
Sectional championship Wednesday at highest seed
Outlook: Southern has won three consecutive state titles, and the Rams will be difficult to unseat. Despite a 15-1 record, the Rams were seeded fourth. To show their strength, they beat the No. 1 seed in SJ Group 4 Central Regional, 62-18 and then beat four-time defending state champ Delsea, 37-31 the next meet. The tough schedule will be a boost to the Rams. While common opponents don’t tell the entire story due to matchups, (1) Howell lost to that same Delsea team, 34-29.
Collingswood wrestling / Photo courtesy of Collingswood wrestling
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Author: Marc Narducci
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