BOYS
With county tournaments now in the rearview mirror, the focus across boys fencing shifts squarely to the stretch run of the regular season. The postseason cutoff date of Feb. 9 is fast approaching, and urgency is beginning to show in results around the state as teams battle for position and playoff inclusion. This week’s notebook takes a look at the programs heating up at the right time, along with key storylines and matchups to watch as the race to the postseason tightens.
Who’s Heating Up?
As the postseason cutoff draws closer, several programs have begun to find their rhythm at just the right time. Whether it’s stringing together dual meet wins, getting healthier, or seeing key weapons surge, momentum is starting to separate contenders from the bubble teams. This next segment highlights the squads that have caught fire over the past week and are making a late push as the regular season winds down.
NORTH
West Orange
West Orange has won two straight games, knocking off Bayonne and West Essex to extend its record to 4-6. West Orange is just outside of the top 16 in the North classification, currently slotted in at No. 19.
West Milford
West Milford has won three straight games going back to Jan. 22, as it has defeated Pompton Lakes, Northern Highlands, and Lakeland. West Milford has a 5-8 record, and is closing the gap on its quest to reach .500 since an 0-6 start to the season.
Montclair
Montclair finds itself in the thick of a postseason race, and has won two straight games, defeating Oratory, 15-12, and later knocking off St. Peter’s Prep, 14-13 this past Monday.
Kinnelon
Kinnelon earned a big win over Morris Knolls, snapping its previous four-game losing streak. The Colts have had many individual standouts this season, most notably Sam Baldino, who has a record of 30-9, Juan Jaramillo who is 35-4, and Dillan Castellano-Smith who has a record of 31-2.
SOUTH
Montgomery
Since leaving the Top 10 rankings, Montgomery finds itself on a redemption tour, and has won two straight games – defeating Bernards and Somerville, while doing so efficiently. Montgomery was on a three-game losing streak, and during that time, was struggling to get back to its identity, but has made quick adjustments to right the ship, and has done so in a big way.
St. Peter’s Prep
St. Peter’s Prep has won two of its last three games, and even though the program has cooled off quite a bit since its 5-0 start to the season, it has a 7-4 record and is fighting to maintain position in the power points rankings.
West Windsor-Plainsboro North
After a rough stretch in January, West Windsor-Plainsboro North has completely flipped the script to begin the new month, as it has won three straight games (including Jan. 29 match against WW-PS), and has looked like a brand new team. Although two of the matches ended in a 14-13 advantage, it took care of business against a struggling Immaculata team.
GIRLS
As the regular season nears its final stretch, attention on the girls side begins to shift toward championship events that can shape momentum heading into the postseason. This notebook opens with a preview of the Bergen County Tournament, where several of the county’s top programs will square off in a high-stakes setting. With seeding, bragging rights, and late-season form all on the line, the event offers an early glimpse at which teams are peaking at the right time.
BERGEN COUNTY TOURNAMENT PREVIEW
Who’s Competing?
-Northern Highlands
-Indian Hills
-Ramapo
-Teaneck
-Holy Angels
-Fair Lawn
-Bergen Tech
Who’s the favorite?
Holy Angels is coming into the Bergen County Tournament as a team to watch, and has also been exceptional in both sabre and epee. In sabre, Cecelia Alphonso-Vallego has been a bright spot as a rookie, and senior Martine Therese Alvarez continues to shine for epee.
Fair Lawn took down Holy Angels towards the end of January, and its foil squad is notably one of the best weapons in all of the state. Fair Lawn has won five of its last six matches, and looks like a serious contender.
Bergen Tech is coming into the Bergen County Tournament as one of the hottest teams in the state. The Knights have won six straight matches, and during the winning streak it has knocked off four programs competing this Sunday (Teaneck, Holy Angels, Indian Hills, Ramapo).
Holy Angels will serve as host of the Bergen County Tournament, as it will be held on Sunday, February 8, at 9:00 a.m.
