Shore Conference Wrestling Top 10 Shore Sports Network

Get our free mobile app

We have several changes to the latest Brielle Orthopedics Shore Sports Network Wrestling Top 10 this week thanks to the results of several top-10 matchups last week.

Southern holds strong as the No. 1 team in the Shore after a pair of big wins, but we have changes at eight of the nine other spots in the rankings. Let's take a look at what went down during the first week of January and where we stand as we hit the middle of the month.

1. Southern (6-0). Last week: No. 1

The Rams reminded undefeated with a 5-0 week that was headlined by a 32-22 win over Brick Memorial and a 31-30 win over Mount Olive in a matchup of top-15 teams in New Jersey. Southern also scored lopsided wins over Paramus, Passaic Tech, and Brick. Junior Conor Collins was the standout individual of the week with a 3-2 victory over No. 5 Brick Memorial's Evan Tallmadge in a rematch of last season's 113-pound state finals. Upcoming matches: Wednesday at High Point; Friday/Saturday at War on the Shore (Md.); Tuesday vs. No. 7 Jackson Memorial.

2. Howell (5-0). Last week: No. 4

The Rebels jump two spots to No. 2 thanks to its thrilling 32-31 victory over CBA on sophomore Giovanni Scafidi's walk-off overtime win in the final bout. Howell also defeated No. 7 Jackson Memorial, a solid Old Bridge team, and Freehold Township to remain undefeated. Upcoming matches: Thursday vs. Manalapan and St. Thomas Aquinas; Saturday at Henry Boresch Duals; Tuesday vs. No. 5 Middletown South.

3. Christian Brothers Academy (7-1). Last week: No. 3

The Colts fell to No. 2 Howell, 32-31, in a match that came down to the final bout, but rebounded in strong fashion by topping No. 5 Brick Memorial, 43-23, to win the Williamstown Duals. CBA also defeated West Deptford, Egg Harbor, and Gloucester City. The Colts can still claim a share of the Class A North division title despite the loss to Howell but they need to beat Middletown South and then have the Eagles beat Howell next week. Upcoming matches: Wednesday vs. No. 4 Middletown South; Saturday/Sunday at Escape the Rock Tournament (Pa.)

4. Middletown South (5-0). Last week: No. 5

The Eagles cruised to a 4-0 week with convincing wins over Marlboro, West Essex, Wayne Valley, and Kinnelon, the latter three coming during the Ramsey Duals. Middletown South has a balanced lineup with some hammers sprinkled throughout and there is a path for the Eagles to potentially finish No. 1 in the Shore. It all starts Wednesday night with a huge divisional clash. Upcoming matches: Wednesday at No. 3 CBA; Saturday vs. Delsea, Paramus Catholic, and St. Joseph (Metuchen); Tuesday at No. 2 Howell.

5. Brick Memorial (3-2). Last week: No. 6

The Mustangs went just 2-2 during the week but move up a spot because of the results of other ranked teams and also taking into consideration who Brick Memorial lost to. The 'Stangs dropped a 32-22 match to No. 1 Southern and then fell to No. 3 CBA, 43-23, at the Williamstown Duals. Also at the Williamstown Duals, Brick Memorial scored wins over Highland and Williamstown. Upcoming matches: Wednesday vs. Toms River North; Friday vs. Toms River East; Saturday at Hunterdon Central, Absegami, and Middletown North.

6. St. John Vianney (1-2). Last week: No. 2

The Lancers drop four spots after a 2-2 week that included wins over River Dell and Monmouth and losses to Northern Highlands and Gov. Livingston. St. John Vianney does not have its full lineup at the moment with transfers Kevin McBride, Jasiah Queen, Thomas Clearly yet to wrestle as they comply with the 30-day sit rule for transfers. Freshman Anthony Knox, the No. 1-ranked 113-pounder in the nation, has wrestled just four bouts and in only one of four duals so far. The Lancers have the potential to be great this year but we won't get a true read of them until they are at full strength. Upcoming matches: Wednesday at Ocean; Saturday/Sunday at Escape the Rock Tournament (Pa.); Monday at Rumson-Fair Haven.

7. Jackson Memorial (6-2). Last week: No. 9

The Jags wrestled seven matches over the last week and move up two spots thanks to their 35-32 win over Lacey, which was ranked seventh last week. Jackson also defeated Ramsey, Wayne Valley, Freehold Township, and Central while suffering losses to No. 2 Howell and West Essex. Can the Jaguars wrestle their way into the top five or are they entrenched in the six through 10 range? Upcoming matches: Friday at Jackson Liberty; Saturday at No. 9 Raritan, South Brunswick, Marlboro; Tuesday at No. 1 Southern.

8. Lacey (6-1). Last week: No. 7

The Lions fall one spot because of their 35-32 loss to Jackson Memorial. They bounced back with a 30-point win over Central and then an impressive 45-22 win over Ocean. The Lions have a big seven days ahead of them, headlined by a Class B South showdown with No. 10 Point Boro that will likely decide the division title. Upcoming matches: Wednesday at Donovan Catholic; Saturday at Henry Boresch Duals; Monday vs. No. 10 Point Boro.

9. Raritan (6-2). Last week: No. 8

Raritan went 4-0 last week but with Lacey owning a win over the Rockets and Jackson then beating Lacey, the Green Machine drops one spot. Raritan was mainly untested in wins over Holmdel, Middletown North, Matawan, and Old Bridge but did suffer one big loss when freshman standout Alex DeLaurier was lost for the season with a leg injury. Upcoming matches: Thursday vs. Ocean; Saturday vs. No. 7 Jackson Memorial, Marlboro, and South Brunswick;

10. Point Boro (6-0). Last week: not ranked

It was a banner week for the Panthers, who went 4-0 and give the program 700 wins and head coach Pat Brady his 200th career win. Point Boro rolled to wins over Freehold Township, Neptune, Donovan Catholic during a quad and then topped Toms River North, 51-24, in a dual. The battle for the Class B South title will be fought on Monday to highlight the next seven days for the Panthers. Upcoming matches: Wednesday vs. Lakewood; Friday vs. Colts Neck; Saturday at Hamilton North, Matawan, Hightstown; Monday at No. 8 Lacey.