It’s sectional final night across the state, and JSZ has highlights from four exciting matches!
Southern 48 Kingsway 14 | Group 5 South Final
The Rams knocked off the Dragons for the second year in a row to win the sectional crown. Anthony Mason, Conor Collins, Cole Velardi and Riley O’Boyle all pinned in the victory for Southern. The Rams will now host a state semifinal against Passaic Tech on Friday night.
JSZ’s Mike Frankel has the highlights and reaction from Manahawkin:
Phillipsburg 46 Westfield 17 | North 2 Group 5 Final
The Stateliners got a huge boost from their upperweights and swept the final six bouts of the night to win the program’s 40th all-time sectional title. Tied 18-17 through eight bouts, Phillipsburg (14-2) got a pair of first period pins from 175-pounder Connor Hille and heavyweight John Wargo to help put the match out of reach. Gavin Hawk also pinned in the win for the Stateliners. Aidan Harper pinned and Michael Murphy won by major decision for Westfield (15-8) in the loss. Phillipsburg will host Howell in the Group 5 semifinals on Friday.
JSZ’s Jay Cook has the highlights + reaction from Warren County:
Jackson Memorial 40 Brick Memorial 19 | Central Group 4 Final
The Jaguars won 10 of the last 11 matches after falling behind 13-0 early to knock off the defending sectional champs. Heavyweight Ryan Fischer got the scoring started with a pin at 1:52 and the Espinosa brothers put the Jags in front for good. Luis Espinosa scored an 11-3 major at 120 followed by Jonathan Espinosa getting a huge six points with a pin in the third period at 1:26. The Jags would win the final five matches to avenge a regular-season loss to the Mustangs. Jackson Memorial will face Mount Olive in the Group 4 state semifinals on Friday.
JSZ’s Rich Chrampanis has the highlights and post-match reaction from Brick:
Jersey Sports Zone’s coverage of Jackson Memorial is brought to you by Georgian Court University
Jersey Sports Zone’s coverage of Brick Memorial is brought to you by Community Medical Center
Shawnee 46 Cherry Hill West 27 | South Group 4 Final
The Renegades trailed 27-16 with five bouts remaining then reeled off five-straight pins to clinch back-to-back sectional titles. Jackson Ray Harris broke the Shawnee single-season pins record, picking up his 23rd pin of the season at heavyweight. Chris Ahrens, Lucas Estevez, Mark Finelli, Jordan Segal, Ethan Staples, and Luke Sherlock all won by fall in the win for Shawnee (21-4). Ryan Schimpf, Nick Berckman, and Anthony Horiates picked up pins in the loss for sixth-seeded Cherry Hill West (18-11).
JSZ’s James Mooney has the highlights and reaction from Medford:
JSZ’s coverage of Shawnee is brought to you by Cooper University Health Care.