Jonathan Yardley, webmaster
Shore Conference | Holiday Tournaments
What a week! The top eight remain unchanged due to lack of action, but Bishop Eustace went down hard to TRS. Randolph, Toms River North, Paramus, and Nutley all won tournaments. Delbarton-Bergen Catholic looms as the Game of the Year on Friday, but there’s going to be plenty of other great action too.
Finally, check out the new Top 20 ranking for second-tier teams in New Jersey.
Top 20 (records as
available through 12/28/02)
1 — Bergen Catholic (5-0, 3-0 Gordon Conference)
Just killing time before Delbarton in an off-week.
2 — Delbarton (5-0, 4-0 MCSSIHL Mennen)
Don Bosco game cancelled after sudden death of a Delbarton teacher.
3 — Seton Hall Prep (4-2, 3-2 Gordon Conference)
Two-week holiday break from games until Monday the 6th.
4 — Hudson Catholic (4-1-1, 3-1-1 Gordon Conference)
Completed sweep of St. Joe’s, now faces Mayor’s Cup.
5 — CBA (6-2, 3-2 Gordon Conference)
Cruised at Hap Matthews Tournament in Rhode Island.
6 — St. John Vianney (3-3, 2-3 Gordon Conference)
Ripped Red Bank Catholic 6-0 to become favorite in Shore A.
7 — Brick Township (2-1-2, 1-1-1 Gordon Conference)
Winning ways return against TRE, but Mayor’s Cup is more important.
8 — St. Joseph’s Metuchen (2-5, 1-5 Gordon Conference)
Can’t penalize them for losing to Hudson, but St. Peter’s game is big.
9 — Randolph (6-1, 3-1 MCSSIHL Mennen)
Better team in two full games against Montclair, but offense has slowed.
10 — Montclair (4-3-1, 4-1-1 Central Red)
Preparing for Central Red clash with divisionally unbeaten Clifton.
11 — Pope John (6-0-1, 5-0-1 Northern Red)
Just miss the Top 10 again, but St. Joseph is no longer a glamour win.
12—Morris Knolls (6-1, 2-1 MCSSIHL Mennen)
CVC stock plummets, and MK will face one of the toughest schedules.
13 — West Windsor/Plainsboro North (5-1-1, 5-1-1 CVC Valley)
Jan. 2 clash with Morris Knolls is a chance to prove themselves.
14 — Don Bosco Prep (4-0-1, 4-0-1 Northern Red)
Secaucus Tournament is a definite proving ground.
15 — Toms River North (6-1-3, 3-1-1 Southern Red)
Uninspired Bayonne Tournament, but Southern Red stock is up.
16 — Bishop Eustace (2-3-2, 0-2-2 Gordon)
Quite simply lucky to stay in the Top 20.
17 — Paramus (7-2-1, 4-2-1 Northern Red)
Wish they had played a more competitive tournament (hint: Montclair!)
18 — Tenafly (7-0, 4-0 Northern Red)
Still haven’t beaten anyone, but have St. Joe and Pope John this week.
19 — Ridge (8-0, 5-0 Central White)
First White Div. team to crack the Top 20 after 5-3 win over Wessex.
20 — Hightstown (7-2, 6-1 CVC Valley)
Can’t slip up against Steinert; no more big tests until late January.
Best of the Rest (ranks
21-35, alphabetically)
Brick Memorial — Back in the fold after blowing out Hopewell Valley.
Bridgewater-Raritan — Must get revenge on division doormat Bernards.
Clifton — Passaic County title a must to get title run on track.
Hopewell Valley — Embarrassing loss; Bulldogs need depth.
Middletown South — If they get through North, face a test in Brick Memorial.
Morristown-Beard — Maybe they’ll come back with some offensive ingenuity.
Notre Dame — Beat Steinert after close loss to Brick Memorial.
Old Bridge—Tied a lot of games, but they’re tied for second in Southern Red.
Roxbury — Still a one-line team that should’ve done better against TRN.
St. Augustine — Need more games against Northern opposition.
St. Joseph Mont.—Keeping it close doesn’t cut it at such a prestigious name.
St. Peter’s Prep — Hopefully they will hit their tournament healthy.
South Brunswick—Waiting for some better non-league games.
Toms River East — Secaucus tourney should be a gimmee.
West Essex — Knolls, Bayonne, Bernards…gotta win the last two.
White/Blue Poll: Dec. 29