FINAL SHORE CONFERENCE WRESTLING TOP 15
The final part of the scholastic wrestling season is here.
The three weekend individual portion of the season begins Saturday with the NJSIAA’s 32 district tournaments and concludes Feb. 29-March 2 with the NJSIAA Boys and Girls Individual Championships at Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City.
But, before we turn the page to the individuals, let’s take one final look back at the team portion of the season with the final Shore Conference Top 15 of the season. The No. 1 ranking was decided on Jan. 9 when Christian Brothers Academy edged Southern 30-28.
It is the second time in the last three seasons CBA has finished ranked No. 1. Southern was No. 1 last season.
Southern (Group 5), St. John Vianney (Non Public B) and Rumson-Fair Haven (Group 2) capped the season by winning NJSIAA group championships last Sunday at Rutgers University’s Jersey Mike’s Arena.
Here is the final Shore Conference Top 15.
1. Christian Brothers Academy (14-2): Last week: No. 1.
Besides the win over Southern, the Colts won the outright Shore Conference Class A North championship for the second straight season and at least a share of the divisional title for the fourth straight season and they advanced to the NJSIAA Non Public A semifinal before they were defeated by eventual champion Delbarton. CBA finished ranked No. 4 in the New Jersey Wrestling Writers Top 20. Its defeats were to No. 1 Delbarton and No. 3 St. Peter’s Prep.
Next: Saturday at the NJSIAA District 27 Tournament at Seneca.
2. Southern (18-2): Last week: No. 2.
The Rams rolled to their second straight NJSIAA Group 5 championship with a 45-21 win over previously-unbeaten Phillipsburg. It was the third straight time over the last two seasons Southern has defeated Phillipsburg by at least 24 points. That includes two state championship matches. The Rams also won the outright Shore Conference Class A South championship for the fourth straight season. Southern finished ranked No. 5 in the NJWWA Top 20. It was the top ranked public school.
Next: Saturday at the NJSIAA District 25 Tournament at Southern.
3. St. John Vianney (14-1): Last week: No. 3.
The Lancers won the NJSIAA Non Public B championship with a 33-24 win over Camden Catholic. The result avenged a defeat from last year’s state final and was St. John Vianney’s first since 1995 and just its second overall. The Lancer also won the outright Shore Conference Class A Central championship for the third straight season. St. John Vianney finished ranked No. 6 in the NJWWA Top 20.
Next: Saturday at the NJSIAA District 26 Tournament at Rancocas Valley.
4. Rumson-Fair Haven (18-1): Last week: No. 4.
The Bulldogs rolled to their first NJSIAA group championship by winning their five Group 2 state tournament matches by a combined 199 points or 39.8 point a match. They routed Jefferson 60-15 in the Group 2 final. Rumson-Fair Haven finished ranked No. 16 in the NJWWA Top 20.
Next: Saturday at the NJSIAA District 20 Tournament at East Brunswick.
5. Red Bank Catholic (15-6): Last week: No. 5.
The highlight of the Caseys’ season came on Jan. 27 when they defeated eventual Central Group 4 champion Brick Memorial 35-28. That win was also the 150th of head coach Joe Gallagher’s career. Red Bank Catholic also advanced to the NJSIAA Non Public B semifinal before they were defeated by Camden Catholic.
Next: Saturday at the NJSIAA District 20 Tournament at East Brunswick.
6. Brick Memorial (12-5): Last week: No. 8.
The Mustangs won the NJSIAA Central Group 4 championship to extend their Shore Conference record for sectional championships to 18. They were eventually defeated 30-26 by Mount Olive in the Group 4 semifinal.
Next: Saturday at the NJSIAA District 22 Tournament at Wall.
7. Howell (21-3): Last week: No. 6.
Howell advanced to the NJSIAA Central Group 5 semifinal before they were defeated by eventual sectional champion Hunterdon Central.
Next: Saturday at the NJSIAA District 18 Tournament at Middletown North
8. Middletown North (21-3): Last week: No. 7.
The Lions advanced to the NJSIAA North Group 4 semifinal before they were defeated by North Hunterdon.
Next: Saturday at the NJSIAA District 18 Tournament at Middletown North.
9. Ocean (17-4): Last week: No. 9.
The Spartans advanced to the NJSIAA Central Group 3 championship match before they were defeated 33-32 by Hopewell Valley. Ocean also defeated Shore Conference Class B South champion Jackson Liberty.
Next: Saturday at the NJSIAA District 22 Tournament at Wall.
10. Jackson Liberty (16-5): Last week: No. 10.
The Lions, in their first season under head coach Gianni Ghione, won the Shore Conference Class B South championship with a dramatic win over Point Pleasant Borough on the 10th criteria - most near fall points. It is Jackson Liberty’s first divisional title since 2016,. The Lions also advanced to the NJSIAA South Group 3 semifinal before they were defeated by eventual Group 3 champion Delsea.
Next: Saturday at the NJSIAA District 24 Tournament at Point Pleasant Borough.
11. Point Pleasant Borough (16-5): Last week: No. 11.
The Panthers advanced to the NJSIAA Central Group 2 championship match before they were defeated by Rumson-Fair Haven. Point Borough had come-from-behind wins over Holmdel and Raritan to advance to the final.
Next: Saturday at the NJSIAA District 24 Tournament at Point Pleasant Borough.
12. Holmdel (20-5): Last week: No. 12.
The Hornets had a solid season, highlighted by wins over Raritan, Colts Neck and Long Branch. They were defeated by Point Pleasant Borough in a NJSIAA Central Group 2 quarterfinal.
Next: Saturday at the NJSIAA District 19 Tournament at Matawan.
13. Raritan (17-9): Last week: No. 13.
The Rockets, in highly-successful head coach Rob Nucci’s final season, overcame an 0-3 start to finish with a solid record. They defeated Shore Conference Class B North champion Colts Neck. Nucci finishes the dual-meet portion of his career with 474 career wins, 456 at Raritan, two NJSIAA Group 2 championships and five NJSIAA sectional titles. Raritan was defeated by Point Pleasant Borough in a NJSIAA Central Group 2 semifinal.
Next: Saturday at the NJSIAA District 19 Tournament at Matawan.
14. Colts Neck (17-4): Last week: No. 14.
The Cougars won the outright Shore Conference Class B North with an early-season win over No. 9 Ocean. It was Colts Neck’s second outright divisional title and third overall. Colts Neck also advanced to the NJSIAA Central Group 4 championship match before they were defeated by Brick Memorial.
Next: Saturday at the NJSIAA District 24 Tournament at Point Pleasant Borough.
15. Long Branch (15-8): Last week: No. 15.
The Green Wave won 10 of their last 14 matches, including a win at Class B South runner-up Lacey.