Beyond the Scoresheet

Rankings, Vers. 4.0 (Jan. 20)

January 21, 2008 on 1:10 am | In analysis | 3 Comments

I’ve been putting off these rankings for a while. And I don’t think I did myself any favors. These were really hard to come up with, and I’m sure some people (Northern Conference, Shore Conference) won’t like them a whole lot. That’s the nature of the beast.
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. Delbarton (13-1-1) – Nobody is playing better, and that loss to CBA seems like forever ago.
2. CBA (12-1-2) – It’s tough to drop a team for a tie, but Delbarton seems to beat everybody by more.
3. Seton Hall Prep (6-4-2) – Where did these guys come from? As young as the Pirates are, watch out.
4. St. Augustine Prep (6-4-2) – Playing the Gordon schedule will make Hermits tougher in March.
5. Bergen Catholic (7-5-3) – Broke five-game winless streak this weekend.
6. Bishop Eustace (6-5-2) – Playing well but still just a step behind.
7. Don Bosco Prep (5-6-3) – Talented enough to cause some trouble.
8. Kinnelon (12-0-1) – I don’t know if I’ll ever get used to this. Jan. 30 Ridge game matchup of public favorites.
9. Ramsey (12-2-2) – NBIAL leader has earned plenty of respect.
10. Northern Highlands (13-2) – Win over Randolph has Highlanders rolling along.
11. Fair Lawn (11-2) – I still say they’re the most talented NBIAL squad.
12. Watchung Hills (10-1-1) – Since they won the season series with Ridge, they get a mulligan for the loss to Johnson.
13. Ridge (11-2-2) – Still leading the Central Red with one loss and one tie.
14. St. Joseph Metuchen (7-1-2) – One loss, two ties in Central Red play.
15. Notre Dame (10-0-1) – Too high? We’ll get an idea Monday against St. Augustine Prep.
16. Morristown-Beard (9-2-1) – With the help of a transfer, the Crimson are on the rise.
17. St. Peter’s Prep (6-9) – Lost to Knolls but beat Ramsey.
18. Montgomery (8-5-3) – They’re in every game, and they’ll be dangerous come tourney time.
19. Gloucester Catholic (6-2-1) – Not likely to do much postseason damage, but they have impressed.
20. St. John Vianney (10-1-1) – I tried Morris County teams here, but I’m throwing the Shore a bone.

Public A
1. Fair Lawn (11-2)
2. Watchung Hills (10-1-1)
3. Ridge (11-2-2)
4. Montgomery (8-5-3)
5. Randolph (7-2-4)
6. Morris Knolls (8-5-1)
7. Hillsborough (7-7)
8. Brick Memorial (7-3-2)
9. Brick Township (7-4-1)
10. Steinert (10-3)

Public B
1. Kinnelon (12-0-1)
2. Ramsey (12-2-2)
3. Northern Highlands (13-2)
4. Jefferson (9-3-2)
5. Hopewell Valley (8-3-1)
6. Indian Hills (10-5-1)
7. Wall (9-5-1)
8. Chatham (7-5-1)
9. Pequannock (5-6-1)
10. Glen Rock (10-6-1)

Almost made it
Cranford, Johnson, Middletown North, Montclair, Roxbury, Verona.
Montclair-Kimberley, Monsignor Donovan, Paul VI, Red Bank Catholic.