Wrestling – Shore Conference Tournament Final Four Preview

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Shore Conference Tournament Final Four

At Jackson Liberty High School - 125 North Hope Chapel Road, Jackson

Semifinals, 3 p.m.

1-Howell vs. 4-Jackson Memorial

2-Brick Memorial vs. 6-Toms River South

Championship match, 5:30 p.m.

Howell

Head coach: John Gagliano

Season record: 19-0

SSN ranking: 1

State ranking (NJWWA/NJ.com/MSG Varsity): 2/3/3

SCT titles: 1 (2014)

Jackson Memorial

Head coach: Aaron Gottesman

Season record: 14-3

SSN ranking: 3

State rankings (NJWWA/NJ.com/MSG Varsity): 10/10/10

SCT titles: 6 (1980 co-champs, 2000, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007

Potential matchups

Howell vs. Jackson

106: Kyle Slendorn (Howell, Fr., 21-0 vs. Matt McGowan (Jackson, So., 19-3)

113: Mikey Sisolak (Howell, Sr., 16-3) vs. Mike Spino (Jackson, Jr., 19-4)

120: Peter Dee (Howell, Jr., 16-4) vs. Fred Terranova (Jackson, Sr., 18-5)

126: Nick Ciaccia (Howell, Jr., 17-3) vs. Ryan Bohringer (Jackson, Fr., 3-8)

132: Anthony Gagliano (Howell, Jr., 16-5) vs. Mike Christie (Jackson, Jr., 9-11)

138: Kris Lindemann (Howell, Jr., 17-4) vs. Tim Hamann (Jackson, So., 19-5)

145: Jake Esposito (Howell, Sr., 10-6) vs. Hunter Reese (Jackson, Sr., 9-14)

152: David Nocks (Howell, Sr., 16-4) vs. Sean Leahey (Jackson, Sr., 16-4)

160: Anthony Pozsonyi (Howell, Sr., 13-6) vs. Jarret DiGiantomasso (Jackson, Sr., 11-5)

170: Nick Lurski (Howell, Sr., 10-4) vs. Tanner Kelly (Jackson, So., 12-5)

182: Austin Silverstein (Howell, Sr., 16-5) vs. Connor Bohringer (Jackson, Sr., 15-0)

195: Sean Silverstein (Howell, Sr., 15-7) vs. Adante Davis (Jackson, Jr., 14-5)

220: Eric Keosseian (Howell, So., 14-8) vs. Nick Shimonovich (Jackson, Sr., 14-8)

Hwt: Ryan Demian (Howell, Sr., 13-4) vs. Brody Graham (Jackson, Sr., 22-1)

Outlook: This is a rematch of one of last season's SCT semifinals where Howell 28-21 on its way to its first tournament title, and should once again be a close battle.

Howell has one of the state's best lineups from 106 through 138 pounds, but Jackson has the ability to realistically win four bouts in that stretch, which would throw a major monkey wrench into Howell's plans and put pressure on its upperweights. The counter that argument, Howell could also sweep the lowerweights and make Jackson chase bonus points up top.

The two weights were Jackson will be heavily favored are at 182 with senior Connor Bohringer and heavyweight with senior Brody Graham. Both are pinners, as well, so the Jaguars will be counting on bonus points from them. There are several toss-ups in the top half of the lineup, and it will be imperative for Jackson to win most of those to give itself a chance to win.

Brick Memorial

Head coach: Mike Denver

Season record: 13-1

SSN ranking: 2

State rankings (NJWWA/NJ.com/MSG Varsity): 4/2/7

SCT titles: 14 (1985-1991, 1993, 1995, 1996, 1999, 2001, 2012, 2013)

Toms River South

Head coach: Ron Laycock

Season record: 9-3

SSN ranking: 7

State rankings (NJWWA/NJ.com/MSG Varsity): NR/NR/NR

SCT titles: 4 (1975-1978)

Potential matcups

Brick Memorial vs. Toms River South 

106: Matt Wardlaw (BM, Fr., 5-7) vs. Joseph Venere-Coyle (TRS, Fr., 2-2)

113: Gianni Ghione (BM, So., 20-1) vs. Nick Gallichio (TRS, Fr., 12-4)

120: Luis Bocalman (BM, Sr., 12-9) vs. Zach Martin (TRS, So., 10-7)

126: Jose Bocalman (BM, Sr., 13-7) vs. Owen McClave (TRS, Jr., 15-0)

132: Luke Vescovi (BM, Jr., 12-4) vs. Cole Corrigan (TRS, Fr., 16-0)

138: Anthony Mitchell (BM, Jr., 14-4) vs. James Olivera (TRS, Sr., 2-10)

145: Alec Donovan (BM, Sr., 20-1) vs. Connor Panzarella (TRS, Fr., 7-11)

152: Rob Ruggiero (BM, Sr., 14-6 vs. Francesco LoScrudato (TRS, Jr., 7-9)

160: Cliff Ruggiero (BM, Sr., 19-3) vs. Antrez Clagon (TRS, Sr., 15-3) or forfeit

170: Joe Stowers (BM, Sr., 8-8) vs. Clagon or forfeit

182: Bob Mitler (BM, Sr., 8-8) vs. Joe Salvato (TRS, Sr., 15-0) or forfeit

195: Connor Owen (BM, Sr., 9-10) vs. Salvato or forfeit

220: Chris Hayes (BM, Jr., 8-5) vs. Quentin DeCarlo (TRS, Sr., 10-1)

Hwt: Nick Rivera (BM, So., 18-0) vs. Mike Rutter (TRS, Sr., 4-7)

Outlook: As Class A South rivals, Brick Memorial and Toms River South met on January 6 with the Mustangs taking a 45-22 victory on their way to the division title. Toms River South had some wrestlers out of the lineup early in the season, but were more or less whole for that match. The same can't be said this go-around, as senior 220/heavyweight James Kearney and junior Ajhaun Johnson are no longer on the team.

What's scary about Indians is their firepower. Junior Owen McClave, freshman Cole Corrigan and senior Joe Salvato are all undefeated, and senior Antrez Clagon is among the state's best at 170 pounds. Since returning from an injury, senior Quentin DeCarlo is 10-1. The Indians coaching staff did a great job shuffling the lineup and beating Brick, 33-27, in the quarterfinals despite forfeiting two weights and Clagon losing to Will Scott down at 160 pounds. Clagon making 160 scratch on Friday gives the Indians much more flexibility in the middle, which they'll need.

Brick Memorial's only loss this season is to state No. 1 Bergen Catholic, but the Mustangs aren't invincible. Still, they should be able to play it straight up with their lineup and be in good shape as long as they avoid unexpected bonus points. Toms River South got a technical fall from Corrigan, major decisions from McClave and Clagon and six points from Salvato via a forfeit in the first meeting, and still lost by 23, so a lot of other things will need to happen for the Indians to pull the upset.