Here's a closer look at all of the sectional semifinals involving teams from the Open Mike area.
Winners advance to Friday's championship round.
North 1 Group 2
4-Jefferson (19-5) at 1-High Point (13-4)
Wrestlers to watch: J, Fr. Mark Bohn (25-6), 113; Sr. Bryan Damon (28-2, D1, R2, S5), 120-126; Sr. Matt Tripodi (25-6, D2) 132; Jr. Luke Bohn (22-3, D1, R3), 152; Sr. Tyler Zimmerman (23-8, D3), 195; Sr. Robert Hajnos (24-6, D3), 220. HP, Jr. Dom Gallo (22-5, D1, R4), 120; So. Jared Kobis (3-1, D1), 126; Jr. Mike Derin (23-6, D1, R1, S8), 132; Jr. Jason Gaccione (25-4, D2, R1, S4), 145; Sr. Kyle Stoll (25-5, D1, R1, S6), 195; Sr. Bobby McDonnell (15-14, D2, R2), 220.
Sectional titles: Jefferson 7 (1991, '92, '93, '94, '95, '96, '00); High Point 23 (1984, '86, '87, '88, '89, '90, '91, '92, '94, '95, '96, '97, '01, '02, '03, '05, '06, '07, '08, '10, '11, '12, '13).
Breakdown: High Point seeking its 24th sectional title -- the most in Sussex County -- and a second straight Group 2 title. The 'Cats will open against a former SCIL rival, as the No. 4 seed Falcons rolled to a 40-24 win over No. 5 Parsippany Hills on Monday. Teams have not met since 2012, when High Point swept a pair of division contests -- 40-19 and 41-13. This one doesn't figure to be close and the biggest question is whether we will see Kobis back in the lineup after the sophomore sustained a broken hand in early January at the Cheesehead Tournament. A matchup with Damon, who recently dropped to 120, would be a tough one out of the gate.
Prediction: High Point, 41-17.
North 1 Group 1
4-Lenape Valley (9-10) at 1-Kittatinny (16-2)
Wrestlers to watch: LV, So. Zach Merkey (14-10, D4), 106-113; Jr. Glenn Haines (4-1, D1, R2-12), 138-145; Sr. Dominic LaBell (22-6, D3) 152; Jr. Joe LaBell (19-7, D3) 160; Jr. D.J. Barrett (24-4, D2), 182; K, So. Nick Klinger (25-4, D3) 120; Sr. Christian Silva (19-11, D2) 126; So. Austin Scrivani (23-6, D1) 132; Sr. Nick Romyns (16-3, D1, R2) 152; Sr. Kieran Gerrity (27-3, D1, R2) 170; Sr. Dylan Wunder (22-8, D2, R4) 182; Sr. Garrett Armstrong (25-5, D1) 195.
Sectional titles: Lenape Valley 4 (1985, '98, '99, '09); Kittatinny 18 (1991, '93, '94, '95, '96, '98, '00, '01, '02, '03, '04, '05, '06, '07, '08, '11, '12, '13).
Breakdown: Patriots haven't been full strength all season and it's a credit to them and coach Doug Vetter that they's gotten this far -- posting a 47-21 win over Cresskill on Monday. Junior Glenn Haines (shoulder) has not wrestled most of the season and is questionable to return. With or without him, the Cougars are heavy favorites to win their 19th sectional title under veteran coach John Gill, who picked up his 500th win earlier this season. Kittatinny rolled to a 58-15 win when these teams met in Hampton on Jan. 8. Kittatinny is 6-0 vs. Lenape in postseason meetings and holds a 32-13 edge in the series dating to 1976. Cougars have won six in a row since a 38-32 loss to the Patriots in 2009. Senior Nick Romyns is two wins shy of 100 for his career.
Prediction: Kittatinny, 52-15.
North 2 Group 4
3-Hunterdon Central (18-5) at 2-North Hunterdon (17-2)
Wrestlers to watch: HC, Fr. Peter Nace (25-6) 106; Sr. Dylan Nace (30-1, D2, R3), 132; Sr. Collin Boylan (29-2, D2, R3), 145; Sr. Gary Dinmore (29-1, D1, R1, S2), 152; Jr. Joe Scerbo (24-7) 170. NH, Jr. Paul Robinson (21-7, D1), 106; Jr. Ryan Pomrinca (28-1, D1, R3, S7-12), 126; So. Derek Ciavarro (18-10, D2) 138; So. Brian Smolinsky (23-7, D4) 145; Sr. Mike Ciavarro (26-3, D1, R4), 152; Jr. Mike Sicola (23-7, D3) 160; Sr. Joe Guzzo (26-4) 170.
Sectional titles: Hunterdon Central 19 (1980, '81, '82, '83, '84, '87, '88, '89, '93, '94, '95, '97, '98, '99, '00, '03, '10, '11, '13); North Hunterdon 13 (1980, '82, '84, '93, '94, '95, '96, '97, '99, '00, '02, '03, '09).
Breakdown: This is a rematch of a nail-biter from earlier in the season -- a 28-27 win for North Hunterdon at the Field House in Raritan Township. Lions won four bouts decided by two points or fewer, including a key win from Tim Bartlett at 220 pounds. Dinmore knocked off Mike Ciavarro, 5-0, while North was able to get Smolinsky away from Boylan at 145. So the flip could be huge again for coach Tim Flynn's squad -- 3-3 overall in the sectionals during his five seasons at the helm. Central will likely keep Peter Nace down at 106 this time -- losing both 106 and 113 with him up in the last matchup. North is riding a 13-match win streak since a 42-13 loss to Phillipsburg on Jan. 9. Speaking of the Stateliners, the winner of this one likely travels to The Pit on Friday night for the title.
Prediction: North Hunterdon, 27-24.
4-Watchung Hills (13-7) at 1-Phillipsburg (14-0)
Wrestlers to watch: WH, Jr. Max Meyers (25-4), 106; Sr. Alex Pollera (22-5, D2, R4), 126; Sr. Mike Magaldo (24-1, D2, R2, S3), 132; Jr. Alex Murray (24-6, D2-12, R4-12), 138; Sr. Anthony Carbajal (26-4, D3) 285; P, So. Brandon Paetzell (26-1, D1, R1, S5), 106; Jr. Steve Friedman (14-11, D4) 132; Jr. Corey Zinsmeister (19-5) 138; Jr. Jimmy Schuitema (19-4, D1, R1) 145; Jr. Max Elling (25-4, D1, R2), 152; Sr. Broderick Bupivi (20-9, D1, R4) 160; Sr. Jake Kocsis (27-2, D2, R3) 170; Jr. Joe Maso (17-6, D2) 195.
Sectional titles: Watchung Hills 0; Phillipsburg 32 (1980, '81, '82, '83, '84, '85, '86, '87, '88, '89, '91, '92, '93, '94, '95, '96, '97, '98, '99, '00, '01, '02, '03, '04, '05, '06, '07, '08, '09, '10, '11, '12).
Breakdown: Phillipsburg is itching to atone for last year's loss to Hunterdon Central in the final -- just the second time that the Stateliners did not win a sectional title in 34 possible opportunities. Coach Dave Post's squad is eager to get back to Toms River and reclaim the Group 4 crown -- winning its 17th title in 2012 --but first thing's first as the Warriors roll in fresh off a 33-29 win over Edison on Monday. P'burg is 20-0 overall in the series dating to 1996, including an 11-0 mark at home, when the Warren County school joined the Skyland Conference. Teams have wrestled three other times in the postseason, the last meeting a 45-22 win for P'burg in the 2012 North 2, Group 4 semifinals.
Prediction: P'burg, 46-18.
North 2 Group 3
6-Mendham (11-10) at 2-Warren Hills (10-10)
Wrestlers to watch: M, Jr. Eric Friedman (27-3, D2) 138; Sr. Sam Button (29-1, D1, R2) 182; Jr. Aaron Flitcroft (19-7, D3) 195. WH, Fr. Matt Valli (20-7) 113; Jr. Max Nauta (22-5, D1, R1), 138; Sr. Steve Cleaver (17-6, D3) 182; Jr. Andrew Pacheco (25-2, D1, R2), 285.
Sectional titles: Mendham 0; Warren Hills 5 (1982, '90, '97, '98, '07).
Breakdown: Warren Hills entered the season as the favorite in this section, but the Blue Streaks are the No. 2 seed, while Roxbury earned the top spot. Those two waged a classic semifinal battle a year ago -- a match decided with the deduction of a team point -- in Washington, but coach Jarrett Hosbach's squad will likely be on the road for the duration of its postseason stay after this one. Warren Hills is 7-6 overall in sectional matches in Hosbach's nine seasons, including a title run in 2007. Mendham, which also competes in District 1, is coming off a 43-18 thumping of No. 3 seed Morristown. The Minutemen will be up against it in this one, though they do present some matchup problems and have one of the best wrestlers in Region 1 with senior Sam Button at 182. He could match up with Cleaver. We also could see Friedman-Nauta at 138, a feature bout all the way.
Prediction: Warren Hills, 38-22.
North 2 Group 2
3-Voorhees (20-5) at 2-South Plainfield (21-5)
Wrestlers to watch: V, So. Harley Sacks (20-8) 106; So. Kyle DiNapoli (25-4, D3) 113; Sr. Cody Ihling (26-4, D1), 120; Sr. Christian Okulicz (21-6, D3), 145; Sr. Jordan Juliano (22-7) 170. SP, Jr. Ryan Walsh (23-6, D1, R4), 120; So. Daniel Hedden (24-4, D1, R2), 126; Sr. Raymond Jazikoff (27-2, D2), 145; Sr. Inan Sikel (26-2, D1, R3), 152; Jr. Jordan Handwerger (24-6, D2) 160; Sr. Collin Lynch (16-9, D1), 182.
Sectional titles: Voorhees 15 (1980, '81, '82, '83, '85, '86, '87, '88, '89, '91, '95, '96, '98, '04, '13); South Plainfield 11 (1997, '98, '00, '01, '05, '06, '07, '10, '11, '12, '13).
Breakdown: Voorhees has won just six sectional titles in the last 23 years after winning nine in the span of 10 seasons from 1980-89 under former coach Bob Hall. His son, Eric, a star wrestler for the Vikes, is now at the helm and guided the program to a record-tying 22 dual meet wins last season and the program's 15th sectional crown. Hall is 4-3 overall in sectional matches following the Vikes' 37-30 win over Brearley on Monday -- a match that saw the Hunterdon County school win eight of the first nine bouts before hanging on for the win after dropping the final five. Tigers, who won the Group 3 title last season, are seeking a fifth straight sectional title under coach Kevin McCann, whose team matches up very well in this one. Key bouts look to be 106, 120, 132 and 152 (Okulicz-Sikel). Voorhees also has been missing senior 132-pounder Thomas Beishke (13-4), a District 17 runner-up. Figure a split of the key bouts, but the Tigers' ability to rack up bonus is the difference, while the Vikes will settle for three-pointers in their wins.
Prediction: South Plainfield, 38-15.
Central Group 2
3-Long Branch (20-3) at 2-Delaware Valley (21-6)
Wrestlers to watch: LB, Jr. Jason Hernandez (18-3), 113; Jr. Andy Hernandez (24-1, D3), 120; Jr. Michael Jones (14-6, D3), 120; Fr. Austin Cannon (10-0), 138; Sr. Nicholas Menkin (23-6, D3) 145; Sr. Connor Mullan (25-4) 170; Sr. Arturo Rios (22-6) 170; Sr. TJ Covin (21-4), 195. DV, Fr. Matt Kolonia (22-8), 113; Sr. Nour Mays (22-8), 160-170; Sr. Kody Eichlin (25-0, D1, R4), 182; Sr. Marek Tomanek (26-3, D3, R4) 285.
Sectional titles: Long Branch 5 (2008, '09, '10, '11, '13); Delaware Valley 14 (1983, '84, '85, '87, '88, '89, '90, '93, '94, '99, '01, '02, '05, '06).
Breakdown: It's hard to believe, but Del Val has not won a sectional title since 2006. Andy Fitz captured four as a wrestler, but is 5-6 in sectional matches, including 0-4 in the finals, as the head coach of his alma mater. Long Branch has denied the Hunterdon County school twice in the finals -- 31-23 in 2008 and 31-23 last season. The hosts are not at full strength and have been without senior 160-pounder Luke Zehnbauer, who left the team a few weeks back. Del Val is coming off a 44-15 win over No. 7 Delran on Monday. Long Branch took care of Robbinsville, 49-11, in its first-round match. The addition of Austin Cannon -- a transfer from Christian Brothers Academy -- has helped solidify a lineup that has few stars but is balanced. Two critical bouts that Del Val absolutely needs in this one are 170 (Rios-Mays) and 285. Getting both while avoiding bonus points in spots could spell a victory. Several weights down low are tough to call, but the Green Wave seem to have a bit too much, even on Del Val's big "Gold Rush" Night, where it usually puts forth a strong effort.
Prediction: Long Branch, 34-18.
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