24-25 Sectional and Group Predictions

Group 1
North 1 – Kittatinny
North 2 – Hanover Park
Central – Del Val
South – Paulsboro

Paulsboro goes into sectionals as the number 2 seed after a loss to Audubon during the season. I like them to get some revenge and make the final four, but the best team in Group 1 is Del Val, and everyone else is a few wrestlers short of beating them.

Group 1 champs – Del Val

Group 2
North 1 – High Point
North 2 – Caldwell
Central – Rumson-Fair Haven
South – Lower Cape May

Rumson-Fair Haven is easily the best team in Group 2 and is currently the best public school in New Jersey. I don’t see anyone beating them in this field to change that.

Group 2 champs – Rumson-Fair Haven

Group 3
North 1 – Wayne Valley
North 2 – Cranford
Central – Brick Memorial
South – Delsea

Cranford and Brick Memorial are good teams, but neither has enough horsepower in their lineups to beat Delsea. Delsea will win convincingly.

Group 3 champs – Delsea

Group 4
North 1 – Phillipsburg
North 2 – North Hunterdon
Central – Long Branch
South – Williamstown

Group 4 is the most competitive of all the groups, making it hard to predict the winner. North Hunterdon beat Phillipsburg a few weeks ago, but look for Phillipsburg to get some revenge and win. Like Paulsboro, Phillipsburg gets it done when it counts most.

Group 4 champs – Phillipsburg

Group 5
North 1 – Passaic Tech
North 2 – Bridgewater-Raritan
Central – Old Bridge
South – Southern

Old Bridge versus Hillsborough in the central finals could be interesting, but this Group is all Southern, even with a couple of wrestlers missing from their lineup.

Non-Public A
Non-Public A is, without a doubt, the bracket to watch early on if you like great wrestling matches. There are many quality matchups in the first round and every round afterward. Look for Delbarton to dominate to the finals. St. Joe’s Montvale can make it interesting if they are completely healthy. Delbarton is the best team in NJ not just in the NJSIAA.

Non-Public A champs – Delbarton

Non-Public B
A Camden Catholic versus Pope John final will be interesting. Camden Catholic won the regular season match 43-24, but Pope John might be able to keep the score closer. Closer does not win matches, so look for Camden Catholic to come out on top again.

Non-Public B champs – Camden Catholic