BHPRSD Sports: Week in Review, Look Ahead

It was a big week in local sports as the Timber Creek High School wrestling team captured a Group 3 title, thanks in part to a dramatic win from the team’s . Meanwhile, five basketball teams found out their playoff seeds.

Below is a look at the week that was in the local sports scene, as well as a glimpse at this week’s schedule.

WRESTLING

Two days after , Timber Creek saw its state title aspirations dashed as it fell to South Plainfield, 41-18, in the Group 3 semifinals. The Chargers started the match off competitive, winning three of the first six matches. Bryce Shade (18-5), Robert Shade (13-4) and John Amato (13-1) each scored major decisions to give the Chargers a two point lead after six bouts. However, South Plainfield won the next seven matches to eliminate Timber Creek from the competition. South Plainfield went on to edge Ocean Township, 30-27, in Sunday’s Group 3 state final.

Highland got the better of Triton in a local showdown, recording a 43-19 win on Friday. Brian Ceaser (113), Zach McCafferty (132), Ryan Wade (138) and Jordan Warren (182) won by pin for the Tartans, while Kyle Ulerick recorded a pin at 106 and Dave Palmer had a major decision at 145 for the Mustangs.

BOYS' BASKETBALL

The NJSIAA released its playoff brackets last week, with Timber Creek and Triton each earning a shot to compete in the postseason. Timber Creek, which qualified thanks to a tiebreaker over Highland, will have its hands full as a No. 16 seed. The Chargers will face No. 1 Lacey, which is 18-2 out of the Shore Conference.

The Chargers will need to turn things around in a hurry to stick with Lacey. The team dropped three games last week to run its losing streak to seven games.

The news is a little better for Triton, which garnered a No. 11 seed and will take on No. 6 Clearview. The Mustangs should match up well against the Pioneers, who play out of the Tri-County Conference. Triton went 2-1 on the week, picking up wins against Washington Township and Oakcrest.

Highland had a rough week, finding out it missed out of the playoffs while suffering losses to Pitman, Penns Grove and Delsea.

GIRLS' BASKETBALL

All three Black Horse Pike Regional School District teams will be competing in the playoffs in two weeks, led by Timber Creek, which earned a No. 9 seed in Group 3. The young Chargers will take on No. 8 Lower Cape May, out of the Cape-Atlantic League. The Chargers went 2-2 last week, scoring wins against Cherry Hill West and Cherokee.

Also out of Group 3, Highland enters the playoffs as a No. 14 seed. The Tartans will travel to face No. 3 Seneca. Highland scored its sixth win of the season on Saturday against GCIT. Shannon Keeley scored 16 points to lead Highland to the 48-20 victory.

Triton, which won five straight games after starting 0-12, garnered a No. 16 seed in the Group 4 playoffs and will take on No. 1 Shawnee. The teams met twice this season, with the outcome of each game never in doubt. Shawnee scored wins of 81-28 and 74-33, with the latter coming last Thursday. The Mustangs went 0-3 on the week, also falling to Cherry Hill West and Washington Township.

THIS WEEK

- Timber Creek, Highland and Triton will compete in the District 30 Wrestling Tournament Friday at 5 p.m. The tournament will continue Saturday, with the semifinals scheduled for 11 a.m. with the consolations and finals set to begin at 3 p.m.

- The Triton girls’ basketball team will host Timber Creek Thursday at 5:15 p.m.

- The Timber Creek boys’ basketball team will host Triton Thursday at 5:15 p.m.

- The Highland girls’ basketball team has a pair of home Tri-County games slated. The Tartans take on Deptford on Tuesday and Schalick on Thursday.

- The Highland boys’ hoops team hits the road for two games. The Tartans face Glassboro on Tuesday and Gloucester City on Thursday.