New Jersey’s winter sports landscape is delivering one of its most compelling storylines in years, stretching from the college hardwood in Newark to packed high school gyms and wrestling rooms across the state. At every level, programs that were once overlooked or underestimated are now reshaping expectations—and in doing so, reinforcing New Jersey’s reputation as one of the most competitive high school and collegiate sports environments in the region.

New Jersey high school sports are entering a pivotal “Championship February.” Here is the latest update on the teams and athletes dominating the headlines as of February 9, 2026:

Boys Basketball: Bergen County Jamboree & Statewide Rankings 

Bergen Catholic remains the undisputed No. 1 team in the state, recently cruising into the Bergen County Jamboree semifinals after a 77–39 quarterfinal win over Northern Highlands on February 8. 

Statewide Top 10 (as of Feb 9, 2026):

• Jamboree Matchups: The semifinals are set for Sunday, February 15 at FDU. Undefeated No. 2 Tenafly—who just knocked off powerhouse Don Bosco Prep—will face No. 3 St. Mary (Ruth.), while No. 1 Bergen Catholic takes on No. 4 Teaneck. 

Wrestling: State Tournament Seeding

The road to Atlantic City is intensifying as the NJSIAA prepares to release official Team State Tournament seeds on February 10, 2026. 

• Key Standouts: Nick Garreffi (Vineland) remains a top contender in South Jersey at 120 lbs, recently going 3-0 with two pins. Jayden James (Delbarton) is currently regarded as the top-ranked wrestler in the state at any weight.
• Team News: Mount Olive is the projected top seed for the North 1, Group 4 section, while Delbarton is the heavy favorite for the Non-Public A title.
• Milestone: Junior Logan Forgatch (Parsippany Hills) became the fastest wrestler in his school’s history to reach 100 career wins on February 8. 

Winter Season Milestones

• Swimming: Longtime Mainland Regional coach Brian Booth announced his retirement effective March 2026, ending a legendary 33-season career that included 12 sectional and five state titles.
• Indoor Track: Westfield maintained its dominance by winning the North 2, Group 4 title this past weekend. 

At the center of the collegiate conversation sits NJIT’s men’s basketball program, which has emerged as one of the most surprising and impressive teams in the America East Conference this season. After being projected near the bottom of the league in preseason evaluations, the Highlanders have authored a dramatic reversal of fortune. With an 8–2 conference record, NJIT has surged into first place, delivering a statement season that has redefined both internal expectations and how the program is viewed nationally.

The significance of the turnaround cannot be overstated. Being selected to finish eighth in the conference before the season began placed NJIT firmly outside the projected championship conversation. Instead, the team has produced a disciplined, defensively committed style of basketball built on ball movement, pace control, and late-game execution. Their rise is not the product of a single breakout player or short-lived scoring run, but rather a cohesive identity that has allowed them to close out tight games and maintain consistency against a wide range of opponents.

Equally important is what this moment represents for the broader athletic profile of the university. In a conference where continuity and experience often decide standings, NJIT’s climb to the top reflects a program that has matured together and learned how to win on the road, protect home court, and handle the pressure that comes with being a target instead of a sleeper. For student-athletes and recruits watching from across the state, the message is clear: meaningful, competitive Division I basketball is thriving in Newark.

While NJIT’s success highlights New Jersey’s growing collegiate footprint, the heartbeat of the state’s sports culture continues to pulse through its high school programs.

In North Jersey, Bergen Catholic remains the standard-bearer on the boys’ basketball scene. The Crusaders enter the Bergen County Jamboree semifinals holding the top ranking in the region, reaffirming a reputation built on depth, physicality, and relentless defensive pressure. Year after year, Bergen Catholic produces teams capable of competing with the best programs not only in New Jersey, but across the Northeast, and this season has been no exception.

The current roster reflects the program’s longstanding commitment to development and structure. Veteran leadership, disciplined shot selection, and an ability to control tempo have once again placed the Crusaders in position to contend for county and postseason honors. Their continued dominance also reinforces why Bergen Catholic remains a proving ground for players seeking collegiate opportunities and national exposure.

The excitement surrounding Bergen Catholic’s run is mirrored throughout the state, where high school athletics continue to drive community engagement and rivalries that define winter sports in New Jersey. Coverage of programs like these remains central to the broader conversation around youth development and competitive balance highlighted across Explore New Jersey’s high school sports reporting.

While basketball headlines dominate gymnasiums, wrestling rooms across South Jersey are producing their own stars—and doing so with a level of consistency that speaks to the depth of the region’s programs.

At Vineland, junior Nick Garreffi has emerged as one of the area’s most reliable and technically sound competitors. His performances this season have showcased a blend of positional discipline, mat awareness, and physical endurance that has allowed him to separate himself during tight matches. As the postseason approaches, Garreffi’s steady progression has positioned him as a legitimate threat in a field that grows deeper every year.

Just a short distance away, St. Augustine’s Chase Sudano has been building a résumé that belies his youth. The sophomore enters the postseason carrying a 24–9 record, an accomplishment made even more impressive by the level of competition he has faced throughout the season. Sudano’s development has been marked by a growing confidence in neutral positions, improved transition defense, and the ability to dictate match tempo—traits that often define elite high school wrestlers long before they reach their junior and senior campaigns.

Together, Garreffi and Sudano represent the next wave of South Jersey wrestling talent, continuing a regional tradition that has long produced state champions and collegiate competitors. Their success is not isolated. It reflects a broader ecosystem of dedicated coaches, youth programs, and offseason training cultures that keep wrestling deeply embedded in New Jersey’s athletic identity.

What connects these stories—NJIT’s unexpected conference dominance, Bergen Catholic’s sustained excellence, and the emergence of standout wrestlers in South Jersey—is a shared commitment to development over hype. None of these programs relied on preseason projections or reputation alone. They have earned their place through preparation, competitive scheduling, and an understanding that success in New Jersey is rarely accidental.

This winter has also reinforced how closely connected the state’s athletic pipeline has become. High school gyms and wrestling rooms remain the foundation for collegiate success, and college programs like NJIT increasingly draw attention back to the local talent base that feeds them. The relationship is reciprocal, and its impact is visible in the way communities rally around both campus teams and hometown schools.

As the postseason approaches across multiple sports, New Jersey’s athletes and programs are positioned not merely to participate, but to contend. From first place in a Division I conference to county semifinals and state-bound wrestling brackets, the Garden State continues to demonstrate why its competitive culture remains one of the most demanding—and most rewarding—in the region.

This season is not defined by a single headline or championship chase. It is defined by momentum, by emerging leaders, and by programs that are rewriting expectations in real time. For New Jersey sports fans, the winter calendar has become a showcase of what sustained investment in youth and collegiate athletics can achieve—and why the next generation of standout performers is already stepping into the spotlight.