NJ High School State Finals Preview
The New Jersey High School State Championships start up at 11:00 AM Monday morning! Get caught up before heading to the Prudential Center or watching online.
Non-Public
#1 Delbarton vs #7 St Augustine
8:00 PM
#1 seed and Gordon Cup champion Delbarton fought through some adversity enroute to the final, defeating Gloucester Catholic 7-3 in the semifinals, but fueled by a 5-goal 3rd period. The Green Wave opened their state playoff run with a 10-0 win over #16 Montclair Kimberley Academy, followed by a tough 5-1 win vs the Handchen Cup champions and #9 seed, St John Vianney.
Delbarton’s Trip Pendy has had himself quite a last couple of weeks - 6G 6A in 3 state playoff games, plus scoring the game winning goal at the U18 Atlantic Districts for Rockets Hockey Club in a 4 overtime thriller vs New Jersey Colonials.
Seniors Nick Faccone and Duncan Stewart have been forces throughout the regular, and post season runs, with Steward scoring in each state playoff game, totaling 5G 7A in 3 games, including 2 goals in the semifinal win vs Gloucester Catholic. Max Pendy also had himself a night in the semifinals, with 2 goals and 2 assists.
St Augustine has become the lowest seed to reach the Non Public final since 1995, and faced some of the top programs in the state to get there. After defeating #10 Seton Hall Prep 4-0, #2 CBA was next on deck for the Hermits.
The defending state champion Christian Brothers Academy have been one of the top teams in the state, and most recently defeated St Augustine 2-0 en route to the Gordon Cup final, eventually falling to Delbarton 4-2. Freshman Dale Curtis would score the game winning goal, breaking a 0-0 tie with seconds left in the 3rd for the Hermits, in one of the games of the tournament.
The heroics were not done for St Augustine, as they next defeated #3 ranked Bergen County champions Don Bosco in overtime to reach the Non Public finals. Kai Ackerman would be the hero for St Augustine, scoring late into the first overtime period.
Notes & Key Performances
Gloucester’s Mike Hoffner - 6 pts vs Princeton Day, finishes state tournament with 4G 6A
#11 Pingry upsets #6 Bergen Catholic 5-3 behind Brice Crosby’s 2G 1A
#19 Paramus Catholic upsets #14 St Peter’s Prep 2-0 behind Madison Kata’s 34 saves
Past Champions - 2022 : CBA, 2020 : CBA, 2019 : Don Bosco
Public A
#2 Ridge vs #5 Hillsborough
5:45 PM
The two Skyland conference rivals split their regular season series in late January, with a 9-2 Hillsborough win followed by Ridge returning the favor with a 9-4 win days later. The Raiders have won tight games to get to the finals, first defeating a tough #12 ranked Watchung Hills 3-2, coming back from a 2-0 with 3, 2nd period goals.
Senior goaltender Louis Bizzoco stole the show in the Raiders’ next matchup with Hunterdon Central, who recently knocked Hillsborough out of the Skyland Cup playoffs with a 7-3 semifinal win. Bizzoco would stop all 31 shots and Nate Blenstock would score the game’s only goal on the powerplay late in the 2nd to help Boro advance with the 1-0 win.
In the semifinals, Bizzoco was strong again vs #1 seed Westfield, stopping 35 shots on 38 shots in another overtime thriller. Logan Behrje’s 3rd goal of the game half way through overtime would lift Hillsborough over Westfield 4-3.
Ridge returns to the Prudential Center to defend their title, following a dominating playoff run. The Red Devils first defeated #15 West Orange 11-1, followed by #10 Princeton 9-2, having at least 8 different goal scorers in each game. The semifinals vs #3 Livingston was closer than the first 2, but Ridge again opened the scoring 1st with a Zach Alvin goal early in the 2nd period. Collin Ward was quick to respond after Livingston tied the game in the 3rd, regaining the lead less than a minute later. The Red Devis would hang onto the lead, finishing with a 3-1 win.
Senior Jamie Zimmerman has a point in each game of Ridge’s run to the finals, including a 5 point night vs West Orange. Other forwards to watch for Ridge include Niccolo Evangelista (2G 2A) and Denis Kuzmenkov (1G 2A), both were top producers during the regular season. Along with Senior defenseman Zach Alvin, Junior Alex Helgeson has been an offensive producer from the backend, with 2G 4A in the state playoffs.
Notes & Key Performances
Just 1 upset in opening round, #10 Princeton defeating #7 Passaic Tech 8-5.
Livingston’s Ryan Zales scored in each of 3 games, finishing with 3G 2A
Past Champions - 2022 : Ridge, 2020 : Morris Knolls, 2019 : Morris Knolls
Public B
#2 Middletown North vs #4 Chatham
3:30 PM
Chatham took out the defending champions and #1 seed Northern Highlands 4-1 in a strong defensive game to reach the Public B finals. The Cougars opened their state run with a 7-0 win over #13 West Morris before a tight 3-2 win vs #5 Summit, with Isaac Sun scoring from a sharp angle with less than 20 seconds left in the game.
Middletown North is back to The Rock after falling last year in the final 3-1 to Northern Highlands. After defeating #15 Montville 10-0 in their opening round, round 2 would repeat the rivalry of Middletown, with Middletown North facing #7 seed Middletown South after splitting their regular season series. Ryan Cook and Jimmy Mullarney would each score twice as Middletown North would continue their run with a commanding 5-1 win.
Goaltender Luke Chrzan was steady in the first 2 games, but was the driving force in the semifinals vs #6 seed Ramapo, stopping 37 shots in a nail biting 2-1 win. Ramapo reached the semifinals after upsetting #3 seed Randolph 3-2.
Middletown North has experience of last year, plus the offensive firepower to constantly bring offensive pressure. Multiple players are over a point per game through the first 3 rounds, including Seniors Andrew Gross (4G 4A), Jimmy Mullarney (4G 4A), and Juniors Ryan Cook (2G 1A), and Joseph Wall (3G 2A).
Notes & Key Performances
Top 8 teams win first round matchup
Brent Beswick’s 4G 2A and Vincenzo Capano’s 3G 3A leads Northern Highlands in 11-1 opening round win over Scotch Plains-Fanwood
Cooper Snee’s 1G 2A lifts #6 Ramapo over #3 Randolph 3-2 in quarterfinals
Past Champions - 2022 : Northern Highlands 2020 : Randolph 2019 : Ridge
Public C
#1 Governor Livingston vs #3 Colonia
11:00 AM
The defending champions are back as the #1 seed Governor Livingston has strung impressive wins together after their 1st round bye, beginning with a 6-0 win vs #16 Paramus, followed by 4-1 wins over #8 Toms River East and #5 Verona. Senior Brian Kramer led the Highlanders in scoring during the regular season, and has been relied upon throughout the state tournament, tallying 3G 2A in 3 games, including a 2 goal performance in the semifinal vs #5 Verona. Sophomore Scott Capan has been strong between the pipes for the Highlanders, and will need to continue against the scoring power of Ryan Lukko and Colonia.
The #3 seed Colonia also had a bye before jumping into action, but had no slow start, defeating #19 seed Bernards 12-2, before defeating #6 seed Brick Township in the quarterfinals. Entering their semifinal matchup with #7 Pascack Valley, Junior forward Ryan Lukko had 6G 3A vs Bernards, and 1G 1A vs Brick, and would again be the driver offensively, finishing with 5G 2A and delivering Colonia the 10-4 win.
The St Lawrence commit and arguably one of the top prospects playing on Monday, has totaled 115G 79A in just 2 seasons at Colonia.
Pascack Valley’s Zach and Austin Groves, as well as Erik Wrynn, each had 3 points in the 10-4 loss to Colonia. The Groves brothers were drivers for Pascack Valley throughout their 4 games, including 2 pts each in their 5-2 upset win over #2 West Essex. Zach, a junior, finished with 4G 5A, and Austin, a freshman, finished with 5G 5A.
Notes & Key Performances
Pascack Valley upset #2 West Essex 5-2 to reach semis
Eli Gottlieb stopped 50 shots in #5 Verona’s shootout win over #4 Knolls to reach semifinals vs #1 Gov Livingston
#18 Lakeland first defeats #15 Jackson 6-3, and almost shocks #2 West Essex in a tight 2-1 loss. Tristan Davison - 3G 2A in 2 games.
Past Champions - 2022 : Governor Livingston 2020 : Summit 2019 : Summit
Girls - Statewide
#1 Morristown Beard vs #2 Pingry
1:15 PM
The state’s top 2 teams meet again after meeting in the inaugural Librera Cup final a couple weeks ago. Mo-Beard would take that matchup, their 3rd victory over Pingry this season, 3-2 on a late 3rd period goal by Kailin Kane.
Both teams had to get through tight games after their first-round byes, with Morristown Beard defeating #8 Trinity Hall 2-1, and Pingry defeating #7 Kent Place 3-1. The Crimson reach the final behind stellar play in net from Gracie Meyers, who shutout #4 Princeton Day 5-0 in the semifinals, and has stopped 35 of 36 shots in 3 games of the state tournament.
Alexis Glasofer, Charlotte Diemar and Charlie Bush led Pingry in scoring through the regular season, and that has not changed in the state tournament. Bush would tally a hat trick, and Diemar would add 2 more goals in Pingry’s 5-0 win over #7 Immaculate Heart in the semifinals.
Junior Camps : Which One Do I Attend?
With spring and summer camps open to registration for most junior programs, our family advisors provide some tips for players and their families.
ICYMI - Tier III Junior Highlight Videos
Included With Subscription
Full access to catalogue of articles on the TSA Scouting Journal
Full access to all TSA Central scouting reports and Data Packs
USHL, NAHL Draft prospect reports and draft analysis
College spotlights and analysis
Information from our team of family advisors
Have questions on the junior hockey or college hockey process ? Summer teams or highlight video needs ? We are here to help.
Contact us today with any questions - info@Tri-StateAthletic.com
Thousands of viewers monthly - contact us today for monthly or long term options.