Wednesday

Montgomery is out. But not without effort -- an 8-6 loss at Immaculata Tuesday. The Cougars needed a 4-0 week to make the North 2, Group III tournament. Cutoff day is Friday and schools need at least a .500 record.

Phillipsburg loses to Voorhees Saturday in the Hunterdon/Warren Tournament quarterfinal, but rebounds to beat Somerville 4-3 and Hunterdon Central 5-3. The win over Central gave the Stateliners a 1 1/2 lead over the Red Devils for the Skyland West Division. Makes me wonder. What was bigger for Phillipsburg? The Hunterdon/Warren Tournament or beating four-time divisional champion Hunterdon Central? They beat Central on opening-day as well.

I don't like the word devastating when it applies to high school sports, but North Plainfield suffered what could be described as devastating loss to Bernards Tuesday. North Plainfield could have clinched a spot in the CJ Group II playoffs, but the Canucks are now 10-11 with a very good North Warren team up Thursday.

Piscataway has lost three straight and is now 8-7. The Chiefs have clinched a berth since they have only game left before the cutoff -- today against North Hunterdon at home. After a 0-6 start, South Plainfield clinched a playoff berth. The Tigers are 9-7. Delaware Valley has won 10 straight.