Beyond the Scoresheet

Rankings, Vers. 2.0 (Dec. 16)

December 17, 2007 on 9:30 am | In analysis | 4 Comments

Alright, I’ve always said I needed two weeks to rank teams, so I guess it’s that time again.

I’m putting these out there for discussion and debate, not because I think they’re infallible or because I’m particularly attached to any comparisons. I’m also splitting public schools into their Public A and Public B classifications, as we will for the state tournament.

Read on for the njhockey.org Top 10s:

Overall
1. CBA – (4-1) No surprise here. A split with Don Bosco and wins over Delbarton and St. Augustine Prep lifts Ryan Bogan’s Colts to the top spot.
2. Delbarton (5-1-1) – Lost to CBA on a shorthanded goal, 1-0-1 vs. Bishop Eustace. Still pretty sturdy defensively.
3. St. Augustine Prep (1-1-2) – Disappointed a bit in 4-4 tie with Don Bosco Prep, but still a heavyweight.
4. Bishop Eustace (3-1-1) – Pleasant surprise in this spot thanks to season-opening win over Seton Hall Prep, tie against Delbarton.
5. Bergen Catholic (3-2) – Sure are a lot of losses already in the Gordon Conference. Impressive 4-1 win over Seton Hall, but I’m still trying to figure out the 11-2 loss to St. Augustine.
6. Seton Hall Prep (1-2-1) – Could be another ho-hum year in the Gordon for Seton Hall Prep.
7. Don Bosco Prep (1-3-2) – There’s a lot of potential here; the Ironmen are the only team to beat CBA.
8. St. Peter’s Prep (2-2) – Lost 8-1 to Seton Hall Prep? Tough to figure out.
9. St. Joseph (Metuchen) (3-0-1) – Veteran, veteran team that I certainly overlooked earlier in the year.
10. Ridge (2-1) – A top public despite the loss to St. Joseph Metuchen.
11. St. John Vianney (4-0) – Shore Conference life is kind to the Lancers.
12. Red Bank Catholic (3-1) – Only loss to SJV, and they play again this week.
13. Montgomery (4-1) – Lurking just behind the top duo in the very tough Central Red.
14. MKA (3-1) – Seton Hall Prep, Ridge games will be interesting this week.
15. Kinnelon (4-0) – I’m as surprised as you are. The Colts play Mo-Beard this week.
16. Morris Knolls (3-1-1) – Underwhelming so far, but Rideout’s performance against Beard was huge.
17. Morristown-Beard (4-1) – Looked good until Knolls loss. 9-2 win over Chatham was impressive.
18. Randolph (3-0-2) – There’s no panic in the Rams. They’ll move up before long.
19. Pingry (3-0-2) – Nothing ultra-impressive so far, but ties with Randolph and Chatham.
20. Fair Lawn (5-1) – My pick of the NBIAL litter. Talented squad.

Public A
1. Ridge (2-1)
2. Montgomery (4-1)
3. Morris Knolls (3-1-1)
4. Randolph (3-0-2)
5. Fair Lawn (5-1)
6. Watchung Hills (2-0)
7. Brick Memorial (3-1-1)
8. Toms River East (2-1-1)
9. Brick Township (1-2)
10. Clifton (1-3)

Public B
1. Kinnelon (4-0)
2. Chatham (2-1-1)
3. Northern Highlands (5-1)
4. Ramsey (4-1-1)
5. Indian Hills (4-2)
6. Wall (3-1)
7. Manasquan (3-1)
8. Hopewell Valley (2-0-1)
9. Verona (2-3-1)
10. Jefferson (1-1-1)

Some teams that almost made it
Glen Rock, Middletown North, Hillsborough, Pequannock, Roxbury, Tenafly, Toms River South.
Gloucester Catholic, Notre Dame, Paramus Catholic, St. Joseph (Montvale).