Spring 2013 Regular Season Has Concluded

First, a big thanks to all our team leaders and organizers who took the several steps: 1) to help register their players; 2) organize their team rosters; 3) recruit chaperons; and 4) register their teams with the league.

NJ HS Regular Season

The spring 2013 "regular season" has concluded.   All scheduled games and their results have been posted on the league website.  There was a little excitement in at least one of our sectional championship races.  All team standings (as of Monday, April 15) have also been posted on the league website. 

South Section

The three teams for whom we have contact info (Bishop Eustace, Camden Catholic and St. Jospeh's Hammonton) all elected not to participate in the NJ HS Spring League this year.  Therefore, the South's auto-bid to States is up for grabs as a Wildcard bid.

North 1 Section

There is greater activity in our North 1 Section, with new teams emerging in recent years.  However, only three teams elected to officially register with the league; one less than the required four to constitute a section.  Thus, the North 1 sectional bid is also up for grabs as a second Wildcard bid.

Central Section

With a 4-0 record West Windsor Plainsboro-North is our first-ever Central Sectional Champion.  WWP-North earns the Central section's automatic bid to NJ Division 1 States (May 25/26).  Congrats to Coach Grover and the WWP-North squad.

North 2 Section

In the North 2 Section, it got hot!.  Columbia A went 3-1 with a win over Westfield A and Watchung Hills Varsity, as well as a loss to Watchung Hills. Westfield also went 3-1 with a win over Watchung Hills.  Watchung Hills went 2-2 with a win over Columbia A.    

Columbia A earns the inaugural North 2 Sectional Championship with their head-to-head win over Westfield A.  Columbia A receives the North 2 section automatic bid to NJ D1 States.  Congrats to CHSVFT.  

Wildcard #1

The South section's automatic bid was up for grabs.  Factors for consideration were, in the following order: 1) head-to-head results; 2) team's sectional standing; and 3) team's USAU national ranking.

This year's Wildcard Race was competitive.  Westfield A, with their head-to-head win over Watchung Hills and a 3-1 sectional record, earns Wildcard #1 and an automatic bid to NJ D1 States.  Watchung Hills was very close with the better national ranking, as of April 15 (WH's 2404 to Westfield's 2352).  

Wildcard #2

The North 1 section's automatic bid also went up for grabs.  Watchung Hills was second in the overall Wildcard Race and earns Wildcard #2 and an auotmatic bid to NJ D1 States.  West Windsor Plainsboro-South was a close third also with a 2-2 record.  Watchung Hills, however, had the head-to-head win over WWP-South back on March 16 at Bring the Huckus.  

NJ Division 1 States

So we have our first four teams for NJ D1 States (Columbia A; Watchung Hills; Westfield and West Windsor Plainsboro-North) to be held on Memorial Day weekend (May 25/26).

NJ State Qualifiers (April 27/28)

The final four teams to receive bids to NJ D1 States will be determined at NJ State Qualifiers (April 27/28).  2013 will be the third year we have organized a Qualifying tournament.  This event has grown each year, from seven teams in 2011 to 10 teams in 2012.  It is one of the most exciting events of the year.  We hope to field at least 10 teams in 2013.

The following teams are invited to NJ State Qualifiers 2013:

Bishop Eustace

Camden Catholic

Columbia B

Cresskill

Delbarton

Dwight-Englewood

East Brunswick

Highland Park

Livingston

Manalapan

Millburn

Paramus Cathollic

Princeton HS

Ridgewood

St. Joseph's (Hammonton)

Watchung Hills Junior Varsity

Westfield B

Westfield Middle School

West Windsor Plainsboro-South

NJ Division Two States (May 25/26)

After our final eight teams for NJ D1 States is determined, the remainder of the field is invited to attend NJ D2 States (also on Memorial Day weekend).  East Brunswick won the first-ever NJ D2 State Championship in 2012.

Registration for Qualifiers, D1 States and D2 States will open this week.  Stay tuned for updates.  Bring the questions, comments and your concerns, if any.

Finally, it is important to note that although the "regular season" has concluded, teams can (and definitely should) continue to schedule and play games with local teams.  Play, have fun, get more experience and get pumped for upcoming events.

Keep 'em flying!