Ritacco reflection

The No. 1 question after Sunday's state group finals at the Ritacco Center was - what would happen if Jackson wrestled South Plainfield? How about a wresting tournament of champions like basketball has? From what I heard from New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association officials Sunday, that won't be happening anytime soon. Jackson looked dominant in beating Southern 38-22 in the State Group IV final, while South Plainfield routed Hackettstown 42-9 in the state Group II championship.

Jackson is No. 1 in the Gannett New Jersey Poll. South Plainfield is No. 2. There were over 5,000 folks at the Ritacco Center Sunday. Could you imagine what a Tournament of Champions would draw?

South Plainfield looked terrific in winning 11 out of 14 bouts. The one thing that has really impressed me over the last three years is how the Tigers refuse to give up bonus points. South Plainfield just doesn't do it and that's one of the reasons why it has won three straight group titles.

The Tigers allowed just one bonus point victory Sunday and that was wiped off the board after South Plainfield's Billy Ashnault beat Taylor Ulm in overtime at 135. Officials took one team point away because of how Ulm acted after the four overtime epic. South Plainfield didn't allow any bonus points against Hackettstown in January when it won 27-21.

South Plainfield coach Kevin McCann laughed when it was suggested to him that his team hasn't had a bad match this year. I wasn't at the Bergen Catholic loss, but it came early in the season and geez, a team should be allowed one poor performance.

The Tigers lost three matches in Minnesota at the Clash Tournament in late December, then lost to Bergen Catholic. It's interesting to note that the Tigers were 6-4 at one point this season. That means they'll bring a 16-match winning streak into the 2007-08 season.

Now it's time for the districts. I'll be at District 17 for the weekend and my colleague Sim Pincus, who's been off the wrestling beat for a couple of years, will take in District 18.

More on the districts in the next few days.