Information, analysis and predictions as Delaware Valley and Phillipsburg chase state championships in Groups 2 and 4.
NJSIAA wrestling Group finals
When: Sunday, 9 a.m. start
Where: Pine Belt Arena, Toms River North High School
Local teams involved: Delaware Valley (Group 2): Phillipsburg (Group 4)
How they got here: Delaware Valley d. Bernards 68-6; d. Point Pleasant Beach 50-15 and d. Raritan 36-23 in Central G2; Phillipsburg d. Sayreville 58-9; d. Woodbridge 51-19; and d. Middletown North 36-27 in North 2 G4
Complete schedule:
Group 2, Semifinals, 9 a.m.
Delaware Valley (21-3) vs. Collingswood (26-4)
High Point (16-5) vs. Hanover Park (16-4)
Final, 2 p.m.
Group 4, Semifinals 2:30 p.m.
Phillipsburg (14-1) vs. Kingsway (14-11)
Jackson Memorial (12-7) vs. Mendham (20-3)
Final, 7 p.m.
Non-Public A, Final, 5 p.m.
No. 1 Bergen Catholic (14-3) vs. St. Augustine (18-8)
Non-Public B, FInal, 7 p.m.
DePaul (11-4) vs. Holy Spirit (15-9)
Group 5, Semifinals 11:30 a.m.
Passaic Tech (20-1) vs. Hunterdon Central (19-2)
Howell (24-1) vs. Piscataway (18-4)
Final, 5 p.m.
Group 3, Semifinals, 9 a.m.
South Plainfield (27-1) vs. Sparta (15-8)
Delsea (22-4) vs. Cranford (21-0)
Final, 2 p.m.
Group 1, Semifinals, 11:30 a.m.
Kittatinny (18-4) vs. Point Pleasant Beach (22-1)
Paulsboro (21-0) vs. Cedar Grove (10-10)
Final, 5 p.m.
Defending champions: Emerson/Park Ridge (Group 2); Phillipsburg (Group 4)
What’s at stake: state team championships
Admission: Tickets will be sold by session and will be available at the gate. NOTE: gym will be cleared after 2 p.m. session AND after 5 p.m. session.
Parking: free
Brad Wilson’s Group 2 analysis: If you believe the New Jersey Wrestling Writers Association poll, North 2 champion Hanover Park is the favorite; the NJWWA has Hanover Park #9, Delaware Valley #11. But the Terriers have been tabbed as at least one of the favorites since December and there’s no reason to think that will change now especially after an emphatic defeat of Raritan in the sectional final. Del Val should thump South champ Collingswood in one semifinal; in the other, High Point will give Hanover Park a spirited run before the Hornets pull away. That should set up a terrific final. Hanover Park wrestles a tougher schedule than Del Val (Beast of the East, Escape the Rock, independent duals with Blair Academy, Phillipsburg, Cranford, Don Bosco Prep) and that could make a telling difference. Comparative results against P’burg, BTW – Del Val lost 35-30, Hanover Park 34-33. The Hornets have six 20-win wrestlers at 138 and below – including Escape the Rock champion and 2016 state runner-up Nick Raimo at 126 and his formidable brother Lou at 132 -- but only one above, which suggests a plan of attack for Del Val as it seeks its eighth state championship and first since 1999. If the Terriers can win the close ones up top and steal one down low, they’ll win. But it will be no easy task.
Brad Wilson’s Group 2 prediction: Delaware Valley 43, Collingswood 18; Hanover Park 33, High Point 23 (semis); Hanover Park 30, Delaware Valley 29.
Brad Wilson’s Group 4 analysis: No point in getting too involved here. Phillipsburg faced its biggest challenge en route to its 21st state championship in the sectional final against Middletown North. The Stateliners, ranked No. 5 in the NJWWA poll, passed that test thanks to their lightweights and the dependable senior duo of Drew Horun and Robert Melise up top. That formula will be more than enough to swamp South champion Kingsway in the semifinal and handle Mendham (ranked #18 by NJWWA), probably, in the finals. Phillipsburg can give up enough bonus points in the middle to make matters look interesting for a time, perhaps, but the final scores will be telling. The Stateliner seniors such as Horun and Melise will leave Toms River as 4-time state champions – a remarkable and wonderful honor.
Brad Wilson’s Group 4 prediction: Phillipsburg 42, Kingsway 22; Mendham 35, Jackson Memorial 24 (semis); Phillipsburg 40, Mendham 25 (final).
Brad Wilson may be reached at bwilson@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @bradwsports. Find Lehigh Valley high school sports on Facebook.