Boys Soccer – NJSIAA Tournament Preview: Non-Public A and B

CBA looks to repeat in Non-Public A while St. Rose and Ranney hope to make noise as underdogs in Non-Public B. That, plus more while previewing the South Jersey Non-Public brackets.

South Jersey Non-Public A

Shore Teams in the Field: No. 1 CBA, No. 6 Donovan Catholic, No. 8 Red Bank Catholic, No. 9 St. John Vianney
Defending Champion: CBA
Top Seed: CBA
Favorite: CBA. Coming off a heartbreaking loss to Ocean in the Shore Conference Tournament final, CBA has its sights set on the big prize – the Non-Public A championship. Before trying to tackle a North Jersey powerhouse in the final, the Colts will have to get through a field that probably won’t be able to keep CBA out of the sectional final. Bishop Eustace had one of its better teams in its recent history last year and could not beat the junior-heavy Colts in the final. The one team that looks capable of keeping CBA out of the Non-Public A final at Kean on Nov. 11 is St. Augustine. The Hermits have just one loss against N.J. competition this season and it was against Ocean City on Oct. 17.
Darkhorse: No. 5 Bishop Eustace. Barring a major upset, Bishop Eustace is the worst seed capable of winning this section. They are unlikely to get past a strong CBA side in the semifinal, but neither the Colts nor No. 2 St. Augustine should be in any real trouble until the sectional semifinals.

CBA senior Jack Gill. (Photo by Paula Lopez)

Round-by-Round Predictions

First Round

(9) St. John Vianney over (8) Red Bank Catholic

(6) Donovan Catholic over (11) Bishop Ahr

(7) Paul VI over (10) Camden Catholic

Quarterfinals

(1) CBA over (9) St. John Vianney

(5) Bishop Eustace over (4) St. Joseph Metuchen

(3) Notre Dame over (6) Donovan Catholic

(2) St. Augustine over (7) Paul VI

Semifinals

(1) CBA over (5) Bishop Eustace

(2) St. Augustine over (3) Notre Dame

Championship

(1) CBA over (2) St. Augustine

South Jersey Non-Public B

Shore Teams in the Field: No. 9 St. Rose, No. 10 Ranney
Defending Champion: No. 4 Moorestown Friends
Top Seed: Immaculata
Favorite: Immaculata. Immaculata lost to Moorestown Friends in last year’s sectional final and could have its chance at revenge in the sectional semifinals if both teams can make it that far. No. 5 Wardlaw-Hartridge has had a strong year and will provide a challenge to Moorestown and Friends in the quarterfinal and could be a threat if it makes it out of that game. That side of the bracket appears to be the stronger one, with No. 3 Rutgers Prep and No. 2 Doane Academy looking to make a run to the final.
Darkhorse: Ranney. The Panthers will have a shot to make an impact in the tournament against a 4-9-1 Gloucester Catholic team in the first round and a Doane Academy squad that hasn’t played a lot of proven competition. That is also an issue for Ranney to a degree, but the Panthers can feel very good about their chances to go on a bit of a run. St. Rose played a good enough schedule to prepare the Roses for a solid showing, but they will have to get on track against Trenton Catholic and, if they win, top-seeded Immaculata.

Round-by-Round Predictions

First Round

(8) Trenton Catholic over (9) St. Rose

(5) Wardlaw-Hartridge over (12) Wildwood Catholic

(4) Moorestown Friends over (13) Holy Spirit

(3) Rutgers Prep over (14) Calvary Christian

(6) Holy Cross over (11) Timothy Christian

(10) Ranney over (2) Gloucester Catholic

Quarterfinals

(1) Immaculata over (8) Trenton Catholic

(5) Wardlaw-Hartridge over (4) Moorestown Friends

(6) Holy Cross over (3) Rutgers Prep