As New Jersey’s winter high school sports season hits mid-January, excitement is building across boys and girls basketball, wrestling, winter track, ice hockey, and swimming. From major upsets to record-breaking individual performances, athletes statewide are making headlines, shaping state rankings, and delivering memorable moments for their schools and communities.
Boys Basketball continues to feature standout programs and intense matchups. Plainfield holds the top spot in state rankings, followed closely by Bergen Catholic, St. Peter’s Prep, Christian Brothers Academy, and Seton Hall Prep. The week saw a thrilling upset as first-year coach Erick Loften-Harris led Union to a dramatic 60-58 comeback victory over #5 Seton Hall Prep on January 8, putting the undefeated team’s ranking on notice. Conference leaders Bergen Catholic solidified their dominance in North Jersey with a win over rival Don Bosco Prep, while Cresskill and Cherry Hill East maintain perfect records. Individual milestones also highlighted the week: JT Graham of Midland Park surpassed 1,500 career points on January 7, while Matt Mikulka of Shore extended his school-record total to 1,585 points.
Other notable boys basketball results include West Windsor-Plainsboro South’s 51-47 victory over Steinert, giving the Pirates their first win of the season, and Princeton’s narrow 44-42 win over Notre Dame despite the Irish missing their leading scorer. Hamilton West, Robbinsville, Lawrence, Thrive Charter, North Burlington, Hun, and Phelps all recorded significant victories, showcasing the depth of talent across New Jersey programs and the competitiveness of local conferences.
Girls Basketball also delivered exciting matchups, particularly in South Jersey. #1 Red Bank Catholic defeated #2 St. John Vianney by 11 points in a top-ranked showdown, with a rematch already scheduled for January 22. Paul VI continues to dominate the South Jersey “Mean 15” with a perfect 6-0 record, followed by Gloucester Catholic and Lenape. Manasquan, Westfield, and New Providence remain undefeated in their campaigns, demonstrating strong depth across the state.
Wrestling remains a focal point with Delbarton holding the #1 ranking and Christian Brothers Academy climbing to #2 after defeating St. Joseph (Montvale) in the Catholic Duals. The postseason schedule is set, with district competitions on February 28, regional events on March 6–7, and the NJSIAA State Championships taking place March 12–14 at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City. New scoring guidelines have been implemented this season to align more closely with NCAA rules, speeding up match play. High-profile recruits like four-time state champion Knox from St. John Vianney have officially signed with Rutgers, adding excitement to the state’s wrestling future.
Winter Track & Field highlights include West Orange sprinter Corbin Raston, who currently holds the state’s fastest 55-meter dash time at 7.07 seconds. Key meets this week include the SEC Indoor Championships and the Jersey City Championships on January 12, with NJSIAA Group Championships kicking off January 14 at the John Bennett Indoor Athletic Complex.
Ice Hockey and Swimming continue to deliver surprises. Middletown North stunned #16 Manasquan on January 8 in a major ice hockey win. In swimming, boys #6 Cherry Hill East defeated #18 Haddonfield, while in girls swimming, #16 Haddonfield edged out #10 Cherry Hill East, signaling competitive depth in aquatic sports statewide.
These developments reflect the intensity, talent, and unpredictability of New Jersey high school sports this winter. From breakthrough performances and record-setting achievements to thrilling upsets and playoff positioning, student-athletes across the state are elevating the excitement and pride of their schools and communities. For fans, families, and prospective athletes, Explore New Jersey’s high school sports guide offers comprehensive coverage, rankings, schedules, and updates to follow teams and individual stars throughout the season.
With state tournaments approaching in basketball, wrestling, and winter track, the coming weeks promise more standout performances, defining games, and memorable moments that showcase why New Jersey remains a hub of high school athletic excellence.
