October 8, 2023
Let’s take a look at some of the interesting data points from our ranking of the group and sectional seeds:
Central 1: NJP currently sees both Dayton and Hoboken in a dead heat for the top spot in the group. We have Arts ranked 7th in the group despite their dominance in Power Points. This may set up a Dayton vs. Hoboken semi-final which would be unfortunate but we still have plenty of time for movement in these numbers. Dayton and Hoboken are 4 full rating points above the rest of the field.
Central 2: Governor Livingston is 5 rating points ahead of the Central 2 field with Raritan 3 points better than the rest of the group. We would see these two teams battling in the final.
Central 3: Every once in a while you have a truly lopsided group. C3 has Princeton 9 rating points ahead of second ranked Woodbridge. That is an expected margin of 25-16 in each set. This one would appear to be a breeze for the Tigers.
Central 4: OK now we get into one of the most competitive grouping in the state. Monroe is far ahead in Power Points but NJP has #6 Old Bridge as the top ranked team. This grouping features 5 teams in the top 25 including Hunterdon Central, Hillsborough, and East Brunswick. This will be competitive but we expect the young Ashley Markle to lead the Knights to the top of Central 4.
N1-1: Kinnelon and Bogota are clear favorites in this group with Glen Rock, Park Ridge, Cresskill, Waldwick, and Saddle Brook all looking for upsets. Saddle Brook currently has the highest PP total but is 7th in our rating system. Bogota has slide back just a bit in their overall prowess but will still have plenty of opportunity to come out with a sectional title. Kinnelon has Millis and Pogodin in their senior years which gives them a solid chance.
N1-2: This grouping boast 3 top 10 teams as well as 7 teams in the top 50. Sparta remains undefeated, has the most power points, and has the highest NJP ranking and rating. But with Demarest and Old Tappan in the group, it will be a wild final 4. River Dell, Pascack Valley, Pascack Hills, and Jefferson are capable of jumping up and surprising. Sparta remains #3 in the entire state in the NJP rankings.
N1-3: A very competitive grouping with Morris Knolls holding a slight edge over Northern Highlands in the NJP rankings. But many teams can jump up here and excel in the grouping. Roxbury, Ramapo, Mount Olive, Cliffside Park and Fort Lee are all statistically close enough to make a run and you have teams like Wayne Valley, Tenafly, and Garfield that can upset. This one is wide open.
N1-4: Livingston holds an edge over both Morristown and Bergen Tech. Then you have Fair Lawn, Hackensack, and PCTI right behind them with West Orange still in the mix as well. The SEC seems to struggle a bit in closing out sectional and group titles so this could be another upset target. Morristown has just the one loss and Bergen Tech has gotten better and better over the last few weeks. You can never count out Fair Lawn at the end of the season tournaments.
We will look at the rest of the matchups in N2, South, and Non-Public, in tomorrows blog…