BOYS SOUTH JERSEY
Saturday, February 11 at Brunswick Zone, Deptford
New for 2017
Point Pleasant Boro, Bordentown and Pennsauken Tech entered the sectional after not participating in 2016. Medford Tech moved up from G1 to G2, Westampton Tech moved up from G2 to G3, Atlantic Tech moved up from G3 to G4, Camden Tech dropped from G4 to G3. Gloucester Catholic did not enter after participating in 2016.
Ranked Teams Participating:
#1 Brick Memorial (G4), #3 Toms River South (G3), #5 Shawnee (G4), #7 Brick Township (G3), #10 Cherry Hill East (G4), #15 Seneca (G2), #20 Central (G3), "Next 10" Egg Harbor (G4), "Next 10" Lacey (G2), "Next 10" Toms River North (G4)
GROUP I
defending champ: Cinnaminson
A repeat championship for Cinnaminson looks likely here in Group I. Sitting at 13-2 / 48-12, the Pirates have put together an excellent season, carrying the top GA and T5 in the grouping by a fair margin. Sean Harris leads the way with a 196 average, while Eddie Runquist (186) and Ronnie Runquist (181) have had good seasons as well. With a high team set of 2907, we know they can score.
If anyone can challenge Cinnaminson, it's Maple Shade. They lost to the Pirates twice in matches, but they've got strong numbers, and a star in Dan Kenny, who carries a 218 average into the postseason, and another awfully good bowler in Victor Diaz (197). The Wildcats are heavy favorites to advance to the TOC, and a win wouldn't be shocking.
Bishop Eustace's match record isn't pretty. It's also the result of an absolutely brutal schedule. It may pay off here, as the Crusaders have the best chance in the field to crash the top-two party. BE's Zach Young is legit, holding a 197 average and a 728 set a couple weeks ago. Beyond Young is a solid group that probably won't go big, but will keep them in it. Group I teams aren't always predictable.
If Collingswood is going to spring an upset and join their girls team in the TOC, it'll be a full group effort. The Panthers are one of those well-balanced teams (I think Alijah Fontanez may be their best) that can sneak up you all at once.
Gloucester City and Lindenwold have numbers in shouting range of the leaders, but would have to be considered significant underdogs.
New Egypt, Donovan Catholic, Holy Cross, Bordentown, Pennsauken Tech and Salem complete the field. Sorry, the South sectional is huge and I'm just trying to survive.
GROUP II
defending champ: Manchester Township
This is an excellent matchup that flies under the radar a bit because of the powerhouse teams in the bigger groups, but don't be surprised to see a lot of excitement here in Group II. #15 Seneca has to be considered the favorite. Their T5 (978) and Game Average (198) are outstanding, and their performance at the Snowball (4341 for four games) was one of the highlights of the season. The Golden Eagles are just loaded with talent: Eddie Cashwell (196) was the top performer at the Snowball, Spencer Eckstein has his average up to 202, Zachary Malcolm (191) has a half-dozen 600s on the season, Mitch Tippin has been very good all year, and Jacob Boris is simply one of the best in New Jersey, carrying a 215 average and posting six 700s and two tournament top fives. These guys can absolutely contend for a state title.
But Lacey is very good, too. The Shore South B champs will run five very good bowlers out there, all averaging 186+: Jordan Rensel, Clayton Humcke, John Truland, Brian Huebler and average leader Nick Striffler. The Lions have been just outside the rankings all season, but they easily have the talent to battle Seneca right to the end. Even if they come up short, they're still favorites to advance to North Brunswick.
Manchester may have a run in them. While Manchester had a good regular season (37-8, 2nd behind Lacey in SSB), the tournament results haven't been the greatest. Regardless, the Hawks have a solid lineup, a very good bowler in Justin Villano (195), and one of the very best freshmen in the state in Kenny Burdge (209). Stealing a TOC spot wouldn't take a miracle, just a very strong day for all five.
West Deptford's numbers are nearly identical to Manchester's, but the information is limited, so I'm not 100% confident in my conclusions. I do know that the Eagles' Keith Perry has thrown at least five 600s and that Brandon Parker has gone as high as 698. Barnegat has two talented guys of their own: David MacGillivray (199) and Jeremy Pilovsky (192). The Bengals have run behind Lacey and Manchester all season, but what better time to break through?
Andrew Brown is averaging 200 for Burlington Township, but his team's numbers look just a little shy of contention. Howard Lawrance of Pinelands and Terrance Cole-Woods of Lakewood are individual threats as well, but their teams are unlikely to challenge. Delran, Deptford, Pemberton, Medford Tech, and Point Pleasant Boro round out the entries.
GROUP III
defending champ: Brick Township
Speaking of great battles. #7 Brick Township boasts the #3 T5 rating in NJ and has a great chance to defend their sectional title here with a team that has just insane depth. How deep are they? Beyond superstar Jordan Malizia (228 average, 300 game), I have no idea who their other four bowlers will be. James Clayton (195) is 3rd on the team in games bowled. Nick Gross and Nick Kafarski each average 208. Top-flight freshman Kyle Chirichello carries a 206 and came in 3rd at the Brick tournament. Chris Shymanski (205), Stephen Spirio (209) and Angels Gonzalez (205) all carrying 205+ with at least 10 games. Any direction the Dragons go looks likely to result in a trip to North Brunswick, but it may take the exact right combination of five to pull out the title, because...
#3 Toms River South is a damn juggernaut. Second to #1 Brick Memorial in the Shore South A, the Indians have waves of talent. Split into two teams, they came in first AND second at Roll With the Indians. They qualified 3rd at the Snowball. They put up a 3402 true 5-man set last month. And they have bowers: late-season addition Michael Laycock (219 average in 17 games) gives TRS three guys with established averages over 210 (Kyle Oliveri 214 & Chris Swindell 213), and amazing TEN bowlers with varsity averages of 197 or higher. Jim Breslin (200), Rich Prozzo (205) Mike Brennan (199) and Nick Ventrice (199) are the others with double-digit games bowled. I don't envy the coach's position, having to decide who to send out, but I really don't envy their opponents.
The top two are significantly better than the rest of the field by the numbers, but the other SSA teams have enough firepower to make a run. #20 Central has gone as high as 3122 this year and have strength at the top with Golden Eagles Mike Eak (204), Jason Tymesko (202) and Brian Gural (198). The Toms River East Raiders are very similarly situated, having posted a set of 3154 and led by Doug Pombo (202), Dennis Carrino (200) and Ryan McIntire (209). These two will need a special day, but they're in the mix.
It's tough to envision somebody breaking that logjam at the top, but there are a few darkhorse contenders. Hammonton doesn't throw big numbers consistently, but the Blue Devils have cracked 3000 and Alex Lanutti and Thomas Mature are capable of excelling here. Cherry Hill West's solid season has included wins over Eastern and Seneca; Thomas Bottalico and Joshua Lipko lead the Lions with averages just under 200.
More good teams with good bowlers: St. Augustine's Nick Dinunzio (205) could certainly figure in the individual race, Camden Tech's Elvin Estremera is right at 200 and the Warriors have a solid group one through five, and Jackson Liberty tied for the Shore Central B title and has a good one in Josh Botteri, but this is like the World Cup 'group of death' up top.
Gloucester Tech and Westampton Tech are also unlikely to test the contenders, but watch out for Zachery Hansen (GT) and Jordan Shackleford (WT, 213 average) in the invidiual race. Pennsauken and Northern Burlington complete the entry list.
GROUP IV
defending champ: Brick Memorial
This is the big one, the most competitive and highest-level sectional battle in New Jersey in 2017. Three top ten teams for two TOC slots, and several viable darkhorse picks. I used the word bloodbath a while ago. Too extreme a word choice? Maybe.
#1 Brick Memorial has everything. The regular season record: they won the Shore South A, the toughest league in the state. The numbers: a 3320 high set, the #1 T5 and the #2 GA, behind only Woodbridge, who has the advantage of 6/5. The tournament resume: winning or being top qualifier at Indians, Brick, Central Jersey Winter Classic, Snowball and Shore. The depth: six guys over 200, including Cameron Waldheim (202), Michael Guzman (205) and Andrew Varela (203). Top level talent: Alec Hehir (213 average, 745 high set) and John Boughton (210 average, top individual at Snowball). And they have a superstar: McKendree signee, 232-average Andrew Lazarchick. The only thing they're missing is a state title. For now.
#5 Shawnee is one of the very, very few teams that can nearly match Brick Memorial in one-through-five ability. The Renegades have scored as high as 3404 in a true 5-man match, and have the #3 GA in the state. Shawnee won the Olympic tournament and did well at Snowball (7th place, 4-game 4049). Their only regular season loss was to CHE. And do they have bowlers. Chris Pagliuso leads the way with 2 tournament top 3s and a huge 228 average. He's been under 650 exactly twice in 16 matches. Andrew Abbonizio began the year with an 804 and enters the postseason sitting at 222. Evan McNally's broken 740 a couple of times and stands at 204. Tyler Gates, Aiden Cohen and Nick Simonetti have been regulars this season, and all are capable of contributing significant numbers. They'll need to be "on", but Shawnee can definitely hang with #1.
Our third top flight team is #10 Cherry Hill East. The numbers are a small step behind Memorial and Shawnee, but the Cougars have beaten Shawnee heads up, both in a fantastic regular season match and over four games at the Snowball. CHE has a top two that takes a backseat to nobody: Emerson Levy (213 average, 4 sets over 720 including 791) and NJ's top freshman, Anthony Mathis, who's carrying an impressive 219 average. Kyle Winter (195) and Adam Crognale (190) can also bring it. They'll need everyone to pull this off. I have to consider them the underdog of the three, but by soooo little.
We're not done yet, because this sectional also has probably the most dangerous unranked team in the state, Egg Harbor. I don't think I have full stats on the Eagles, but what I do have is impressive enough. Matthew Stephens is obviously one of the top bowlers in the state; the stats I have put him at 224 and he won the South Jersey Singles (again). Jason Pesce is really strong as well, averaging 208. With a top two that strong and a bunch of solid options behind them, this is a very live darkhorse.
That leaves us with several teams that would be competitive in quite a few other sectionals, but are the victims of circumstance here. In ascending order of underdogginess:
Toms River North has several strong bowlers, led by Justin Malfitano (204), James Bolish (199) and Robert Bartley (196), but the Mariners haven't quite gotten over the hump to compete with the top SSA teams. Southern has gone as high as 3116, so it's not impossible. Four 190+ averages give the Rams a lot of possibilites: Tom McCann, Steve Martin, Jack Hudson & Jeff Wilkinson all between 193-198.
Eastern's Matthew Young (223 average) is as consistently excellent as just about anyone, but the Vikings have yet to crack 3000 this season. Jackson Memorial has a pair of good ones in Brad Aumann and Steven Nicholsen, but the team numbers just aren't quite up to the standards of the contenders. Lenape has surprisingly good numbers and excellent balance, but seem a little below the level needed to contend.
Washington Township, Cherokee, Kingsway and Atlantic Tech will also be competing.
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