Wrestling: Group 4, 2, 1 semifinals previews (HWS)

It's not often the Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex area gets shut out when it comes to winning team wrestling state championships. But that's exactly what happened last season for the first time since 2019, when Phillipsburg and Delaware Valley fell in the Group 5 and 1 finals, respectively.

Both seek redemption when the state semifinals commence on Friday. Phillipsburg will host Long Branch in one of the Group 4 matchups, while Delaware Valley takes on New Milford in a Group 1 contest at Daniel Hutchins Memorial Gym.

High Point celebrates its 31st sectional title

North Hunterdon (Group 4) and High Point (Group 2) will also represent the area in semifinal clashes, while Pope John already earned a spot in the Non-Public B state final on Sunday at Rutgers University's Jersey Mike's Arena.

"I think our kids are loose," said Billy Smith, who's the first High Point head coach to win 19-plus matches and only the second (Jan Michaels in 1994) to win a sectional title in his first season at the helm. "Everything is a bonus for us at this point."

High Point (19-5), which won the last of its seven state titles in 2023, is the only local viewed as an underdog and forced to travel for its semifinal clash against Caldwell.

Let's take a closer look at all public semifinals involving HWS area schools: 

Group 4

Titles: Phillipsburg 23 — (Group 5) 2022. (Group 4) 1986, '87, '88, '97, '98, '99, 2000, '12, '14, '15, '16, '17, '18. (Group 3) 1983, '89, '91, '92, '95, '96, 2003, '04, '09. North Hunterdon 6 — (Group 4) 2020, '23. (Group 3) 1982, '84, '94, 2002. Long Branch 3 — (Group 3) 2008, '09, '10. Toms River South 0.

North Hunterdon Lions (15-6)

NH seeks its 3rd state title in 5 seasons

So. Cayden Wadle (23-8) 106; Fr. Owen Fol (19-14) 113; Sr. Joseph Celentano (18-13) 120; Jr. Reid Buzby (24-8) 126; So. Aidan Yarussi (28-4) 132; So. Kieran Raley (17-16) 138; So. Matthew Esposito (12-9) 144; So. Dylan McGuinness (10-16) 150; Sr. Vincenzo Darrow (12-9) 157; Sr. Joshua Joubert (20-13) 165; Sr. Evan Kinney (26-3) 175; Jr. Owen Dandeo (18-11) 190; So. Anthony DeSimone (8-16) 215; Sr. James Turner (5-10) 285.

Toms River South Indians (19-1)

Fr. Vincent Pedalino (20-4) 106; So. Jonathan Correa (11-11) 113; So. Alex Park (14-3)/So. Ronan Lindemann (1-4)/Jr. Yahir Cordero (0-2) 120; Sr. Ian Torres (15-8) 126; Jr. Owen Beneciuk (22-6) 132; Fr. Cullen Burr (16-9) 138; Sr. Aiden Hanlon (17-7) 144; Fr. Jake Gallagher (18-7)/So. Jeffrey Hare (6-4) 150; Sr. Caden Langan (22-3)/Jr. William Logan (2-4) 157; Sr. Shane Smith (11-10)/So. Julian Martinez (0-3) 165; So. Finn Devrous (15-9) 175; Sr. Mike Devivi (22-6) 190; Jr. Brett Rankin (17-3)/Sr. Chris Farrant (12-4) 215; Jr. Austin Reed (8-1) 285.  

Long Branch Green Wave (14-8)

So. Jordan Vieira (18-8) 106; So. Justin Ramos (3-12)/Jr. Dominic Lugo (3-17) 113-120; Sr. Aiden McVey (11-12) 126; Fr. Tristen Hepburn (13-11) 132; Sr. Matthew Munson (16-11) 138; Sr. Pedro De Souza (17-8) 144; Jr. Javier Guzman (19-7)/Sr. Nehemiah Lambert (4-6) 150; Sr. Devon Smith (23-7)/So. Diego Mota (4-9) 157; Sr. Evan Tracey (14-14) 165; Jr. Tornick Kajala (27-1) 175; Sr. Tyler Taylor (25-3)/Sr. Jesus Marino-Quionones (6-7) 190-215; So. Nickolas Soria (15-11) 285.   

Phillipsburg Stateliners (16-3)

Fr. Zack Swingle (23-6) 106; So. Anthony Pettinelli (26-6) 113; Fr. Matthew Velez (11-17) 120; Jr. Massimo Gonzalez (24-9) 126; So. Owen Garriques (22-8) 132; Sr. Anthony Ashford (8-12) 138; Sr. Luke Geleta (28-1) 144; Jr. Gavin Geleta (24-5) 150; Sr. Gavin Hawk (28-1)/Sr. Benny Mendoza (10-7) 157-165; Sr. Derek Stone (20-8) 175; Jr. Kevin Buonocore (16-10)/Sr. Jesus Alfaro (15-16) 190-215; Jr. Ben Ellis (18-12) 285.

Breakdown

P'burg is 23-12 all-time in state title matches

: North Hunterdon squeaked out a 32-31 win over Middletown North in the North 2 final with Raley's clutch major decision in the final bout, while Phillipsburg, which dropped to Group 4 this season after a 45-21 loss to Southern in the Group 5 final a year ago, scored an impressive 31-29 victory over Mount Olive in North 1 to capture the program's 42nd sectional title. P'burg matches up very well against Long Branch, which had some epic battles against High Point during the Wildcats' run to state titles in 2008 and '11. The Green Wave are coached by Billy George, who was a member of all three Long Branch state championship teams and a junior on the squad that dropped a 28-21 decision to P'burg on Jan. 17, 2009. During the match, Long Branch was penalized a team point for unsportsmanlike conduct and a huge melee ensued after the heavyweight bout at Easton (Pa.) Middle School Gym. Phillipsburg also scored a 30-23 win at Long Branch in 2011. The 'Liners will have plenty of chances for bonus points in this one, particularly down low, and will be favored against some the Green Wave's better wrestlers through the middle. As for North Hunterdon, coach Dave Bell's team will need to pick it up in order to reach Sunday's title match and the anticipated rematch with P'burg, which fell, 34-24, in the Lions Den on Jan. 11. North will be big favorites down low and a few spots up top, but Toms River South could present problems in the middle weights (144, 150 and 157). But the Lions should do well in the bonus points department.

The picks: North Hunterdon over Toms River South, 38-20; Phillipsburg over Long Branch, 50-10.

Group 2

Titles: High Point 7 — (Group 2) 2013, '14, '18, '20, '23. (Group 3) 2008, '11. Caldwell 0.

High Point Wildcats (19-5)

Fr. Logan Takach (17-9)/Fr. Thomas Jaust (4-2) 106; Jr. Brady Conklin (8-9) 113; So. Carter Drouin (22-10) 120; Sr. Colton Jaust (18-12) 126; Sr. Sean Licata (19-13) 132; Sr. Michael Tidona (18-15) 138; Sr.. Jesse Huelbig (19-9) 144; Sr. Nick Clayton (24-3) 150; Fr. Gerard Empirio (10-4) 157; Jr. Jayden Ruplall (17-12) 165; Jr. Giovoughni Dureny (15-9) 170; Jr. Jack Kithcart (18-13) 190; Sr. Donald Weiss (25-6) 215; Jr. Gavin Mericle (26-3) 285.

HP and Kittatinny (8) have won 15 of Sussex County's 23 titles

Caldwell Chiefs (23-1)

So. Matt Ruane (25-7) 106; Jr. Carmine Sipper (31-2) 113; Sr. Dom Holler (25-4)/Jr. Yankee Mabee (18-8) 120-126; Fr. Anthony Barrett (28-4)/Jr. KJ Lissenden (6-13) 132; Jr. Solomon Soriente (25-6) 138; Jr. Rocco Conforti (20-11) 144; So. Nicco Capaldo (23-7) 150; Sr. Andrew Fonseca (23-9)/Sr. Ben Lattimer (26-7) 157-165; Sr. Jake Simone (28-3) 175; Fr. Triston Belton (0-7)/Jr. Nick Mignone (12-5) 190; Sr. Michael Mignone (23-2) 215; Sr. Anthony Capaldo (7-5)/Jr. Qays Rabah (7-5) 285.

Breakdown: This looks like an intriguing matchup on paper. Caldwell, which captured its eighth sectional title on Wednesday, enters as the favorite and has consistently been ranked all season in the New Jersey Writers Association Top 20. But High Point, which is fresh off winning its Sussex County- record 31st sectional championship, is certainly capable of pulling off what would be a mild upset here. The teams have four common opponents -- each with wins over Kittatinny (57-15 for the Chiefs and 56-14 for the 'Cats), West Morris (47-20 for the Chiefs and 52-18 for the 'Cats), Morris Hills (76-4 for the Chiefs and 56-12 for the 'Cats). Caldwell beat West Essex (30-29), while High Point lost to the Knights (34-26) without Clayton in the lineup. High Point will need to win its share of the close ones against Caldwell, particularly 106, 126, 138, 144 and 165. Both teams also competed in the Mustang Classic and the Chiefs won four head-to-head matchups (Holler md. Drouin, 15-6; Soriente md. Licata, 9-0; Conforti d. Tidona, 6-2; p. M. Mignone p. Weiss, 1:33). High Point will need to win at least two from 106-126, plus capitalize on potential bonus opportunities at 150 and 285, all while limiting the damage in losses. I also think it takes eight victories for the 'Cats to come out on top and that may be a tough task barring at least one upset. A lot needs to go their way, but it's not improbable. 

The pick: Caldwell, 34-26.
  

Group 1

Titles: Delaware Valley 10 — (Group 2) 1984, '85, '87, '88, '89, '90, '99, 2017. (Group 1) 2022, '23. New Milford 0.

New Milford Green Wave (18-1)

Fr. Stelios Psarianos (17-5)/So. Jacob Maldonado (7-10) 106-113; So. Aramis Hernandez (14-5) 120; Sr. Devin Ryan (27-2)/Sr. Matthew Mulligan (13-8) 126-132; Sr. Jerzey Ryan (19-2) 138; Sr. Sutter Totaro (21-1) 144; Sr. Joseph Langschultz (19-3) 150; Jr. James Collins (0-8)/Fr. Kyle Dunne (1-4) 157; Jr. Robert Bianchi (9-10) 165; Sr. Asher Yu (6-11) 175; Sr. Cole Totaro (11-8) 190; Sr. Kristoffer Dunne (15-4) 215; Jr. Thomas Cebe (9-8) 285.

Delaware Valley Terriers (17-3)

DV's (10) titles rank 4th among public school titles

Jr. Tristan Fawthrop (15-9) 106; Fr. Tanner Donaruma (8-5) 113; Jr. Julian Bednar (16-4)/Sr. Lucas Beyers (14-10) 120; Sr. Jaden Perez (28-1) 126; Jr. Tye Falkenstein (21-8) 132; Jr. Michael Hasson (23-7) 138; Jr. Sebastian Dobak (17-5)/Jr. Jacob Edwards (9-2) 144; Sr. Jackson Bush (25-4) 150; Sr. Luke Sinkewicz (23-5) 157; Jr. Olivier Paul (20-7)/So. Marcus Gary (9-5) 165; So. Matthew Sencher (7-9) 175; Sr. Branden Sozanski (13-4) 190; Sr. Oren Nahum (7-13) 215; Jr. Luken Alberdi (22-7) 285.

Breakdown: Delaware Valley has been the prohibitive Group 1 state title favorite all season and the Terriers should be in good shape here as they've been motivated all season to avenge a 33-25 loss to Paulsboro in last year's championship match. New Milford may just be glad to be here after a 38-31 upset of Kittatinny in the North 1 final to capture the program's first sectional title. There is one common opponent in Pompton Lakes, which dropped a 70-11 decision on Jan. 28. New Milford won two meetings with Pompton Lakes (39-37 on Jan. 9 and 42-35 in the North 1 semifinals). The highlight vs. Del Val would be Devin Ryan vs. Perez in a matchup of returning state medalists. Ryan was seventh at 120 last season, while Perez finished fifth at 126. Jerzey Ryan vs. Hasson also could be a good one. Del Val senior Jackson Bush is sitting on 98 career wins as he looks to join Perez in the program's century club. The Terriers should also win big up top so look for the uppers to carry the day. 

The pick: Delaware Valley, 45-17.