The best 2023 division race in the Shore Conference could be even better in 204, with Toms River East joining Southern, Brick Memorial and Jackson Memorial in the battle for A South.
Saint John Vianney's Anthony Knox, Rumson-Fair Haven's Sonny Amato, Southern's Matt Henrich, and Brick Memorial's Harvey Ludington won boys state titles while Howell's Kylie Gudewitz, Middletown South's Thea Rowland, and Central's Liliana Alicea won NJSIAA state titles on Saturday at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City.
The Shore Conference has eight NJSIAA state finalists after Southern's Anthony Mason, Saint John Vianney's Anthony Knox, Donovan Catholic's Kurt Wehner, CBA's Alex Nini, Rumson's Sonny Amato, Southern's Matt Henrich, Brick Memorial's Harvey Ludington, and Hudson Skove won their semifinal matches on Friday night at Boardwalk Hall.
Red Bank junior Kevin Ruland advanced to the quarterfinals as the No. 24 seed and Howell freshman Tanner Hodgins showcased his skills and smarts to upset the No. 6 seed and reach the quarterfinals on Thursday at Boardwalk Hall.
Christian Brothers Academy senior Alex Nini, Southern Regional senior Matt Henrich, and Saint John Vianney junior Anthony Knox each won their third region title as the Shore Conference had 10 champions and 31 state qualifiers out of the NJSIAA Region 7 Tournament.
A pin in the opening bout by senior Bradford Birch sent the Rams on their way to a dominant win over Phillipsburg that secured the NJSIAA Group 5 state championship on Sunday at Rutgers.