Jackson ended its memorable run to the Last Dance championship game by becoming the latest high-profile team to fall victim to Cranford's run-scoring machine.

They may have lost their high-school seasons, but Jackson and Cranford find themselves with an unusual opportunity in Friday's Last Dance Final: a definitive state championship.

Carmine Petosa and Tom Cartnick keyed Jackson's come-from-behind win that crowned the Jags as the Last Dance World Series South Jersey champions.

Matt Potok turned in another gem on the mound and Tom Cartnick highlighted more early Jackson fireworks at the plate as the Jags rolled through St. Joseph of Metuchen and into the Last Dance Final Four.

Jackson advances to the South Jersey final behind a pitching gem and some more key hitting.

Frank Malta has led Jackson Memorial to an overall state championship and is hoping his Jackson Jags can add a Last Dance World Series title to the resume.

Nick Beetel threw five no-hit innings, Bill Petrina and Tom Cartnick supplied big hits and Dan Greenwood shut the door vs. Washington Township Wednesday to propel Jackson into the Last Dance South Region semifinals.

Junior right-hander Matt Potok fired a three-hit shutout in a 4-0 win over Middlesex that propelled Jackson to the South Jersey quarterfinals in the Last Dance High School World Series.

Kingsway rallied for four runs in the last two innings to deny Howell's Blue and Grey a trip to the Region quarterfinals.

Ryan Rozinski and Dan Frontera continued their standout pitching, but Brooklawn's Tyler Parks cooled off Middletown North's hot bats in a 1-0 Lions loss.

The Last Dance World Series moves into its knockout round Tuesday, with Jackson, Howell and Middletown North carrying the torch for the Shore.

The Last Dance World Series resumes Tuesday with three Shore-area teams left in the field of 32.