Shore Sports Network Wrestling Top 10, 1/9/19
The Shore Sports Network Top 10 will be getting an overhaul this week after a wild past seven days that saw five ranked teams suffer in-conference losses.
Only one team occupies the same spot as last week as despite all the changes Howell remains the clear No. 1 team in the Shore. Toms River North earned a big Class A South win to climb to No. 2 while Manalapan, Brick Memorial and Shore all jump into the rankings.
1. Howell (8-0). Last week: No. 1
The Rebels did their thing this week with a 39-20 win over Middletown North followed by sweeping a tri-meet with a 66-8 win over CBA and a 63-9 triumph over Bound Brook. This week: Thursday vs. Marlboro; Saturday at Pascack Valley with Clifton and New Milford.
2. Toms River North (7-1). Last week: No. 4
The Mariners earned 32-28 win over Jackson Memorial to take over first place in Class A South and also jump two spots into the No. 2 slot. Toms River North then went 2-1 at the Henry Boresch Duals, defeating Caldwell, 66-6, and Newton, 36-29, after falling to Hanover Park, 41-35. This week: Wednesday vs. Toms River South; Saturday vs. Brick; Sunday vs. Point Boro at Rutgers.
3. Jackson Memorial (4-2). Last week: No. 2
The Jaguars drop one spot after falling to Toms River North, 32-28. The Jaguars then finished fourth at the Sam Cali Memorial Battle for the Belt, headlined by junior Kyle Epperly winning the 195-pound title and being named Most Outstanding Wrestler. This week: Wednesday vs. Toms River East; Saturday at Moorestown with Paulsboro and Pemberton.
4. Southern (6-2). Last week: No. 3
The Rams fall one spot due to Toms River North’s ascension, and since the Rams also lost to Jackson they have to be ranked behind the Jaguars. Southern went 4-0 this past week with a 64-10 win over Brick, a 52-15 win over Mt. Olive, a 63-12 win over Paramus and a 55-11 win over West Morris. This week: Thursday at No. 8 Brick Memorial; Saturday vs. Middletown North and Timber Creek; Tuesday at No. 2 Toms River North.
5. Raritan (6-3). Last week: No. 8
The Rockets didn’t wrestle a Shore Conference match last week but went 2-2 out of conference with a 45-21 win over Wayne Valley and a 40-31 win over West Essex. The Rockets fell to Phillipsburg, 37-24, and lost to North Hunterdon, 38-24. This week: Wednesday at Red Bank Catholic; Friday vs. Council Rock South at Rutgers; Saturday at CBA with Ocean.
6. Manalapan (10-1). Last week: not ranked
The Braves jump into the Top 10 thanks to a 37-25 over district rival Colts Neck, which ended a four-year losing streak to the Cougars. The Braves also posted a 63-3 win over Freehold and a 51-9 win over Marlboro to remain undefeated against Shore Conference teams this season. This week: Friday at No. 10 Shore; Saturday at Dumont with Old Tappan and Wayne Hills.
7. Colts Neck (7-1). Last week: No. 10
The Cougars started the week with a 40-26 win over Ocean that put them in the driver’s seat for the Class B North division title. They then swept a quad with a 59-8 win over Brick, a 67-10 win over Lakewood and a 54-15 win over Holmdel. Colts Neck suffered its first loss of the season, however, when it lost to district rival Manalapan, 37-25, in a nondivisional match. This week: Wednesday at Neptune; Saturday at Freehold Township with Central and Red Bank Catholic.
8. Brick Memorial (8-0). Last week: not ranked
The Mustangs had a big week with six wins to remain undefeated and jump into the rankings. After a 52-18 win over Central, the Mustangs went 4-0 to win the Williamstown Duals. Brick Memorial defeated Delsea, 41-22, had a 48-24 win over Oakcrest, a 43-25 win over Williamstown and finally a 35-21 victory over West Deptford in the championship match. The closed out their week with a 56-12 win over Brick. This week: Thursday vs. No. 4 Southern; Saturday vs. Cedar Grove, Delran and Highland.
9. Long Branch (3-1). Last week: No. 6
The Green Wave have not competed since the Mustang Classic on Dec. 28 and have not wrestled in a dual since Dec. 22. This week: Wednesday at Ocean; Saturday at Middletown South with No. 6 Manalapan and Matawan; Monday vs. Freehold.
10. Shore (10-0). Last week: not ranked
The Blue Devils surge into the Top 10 for the first time in program history thanks to a 34-33 walk-off win over Ocean, which was the first win over a ranked team in program history. Shore was 6-0 during the week, including a 40-27 win over Point Beach that likely wrapped up the Class B Central division title. The Blue Devils also had a 48-21 win over Neptune, a 53-18 win over Red Bank, a 43-30 win over Red Bank Catholic and a 48-9 win over St. Rose. This week: Friday vs. No. 6 Manalapan; Saturday at Buc Classic Tournament; Monday vs. Pinelands.
Dropped out: Middletown North (No. 5 last week), Ocean (No. 7 last week), Lacey (No. 9 last week).
Managing editor Bob Badders can be reached at bob.badders@townsquaremedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @Bob_Badders. Like Shore Sports Network on Facebook and subscribe to our YouTube channel for all the latest video highlights.