A packed winter Saturday delivered exactly what high school sports fans across New Jersey have come to expect in late January: postseason urgency on the wrestling mats, eye-opening results on the hardwood, and momentum-shifting performances on the ice. From county tournament brackets tightening to rivalry games reshaping conference races, January 24, 2026, underscored just how deep and competitive the Garden State’s scholastic sports landscape has become.

Wrestling took center stage as tournament season accelerated statewide, with elite programs and rising individuals making their presence felt. In the Shore Conference Tournament, Christian Brothers Academy once again demonstrated why it remains a perennial power. Brendan Boyer and Brock Oizerowitz advanced emphatically, each ending their semifinal bouts with pins that brought the crowd to its feet. Howell’s Tanner Hodgins delivered one of the day’s most dominant performances, overpowering his opponent with a 19-4 technical fall at 190 pounds, a result that sent a clear message to the rest of the bracket.

Up north, the Passaic County Tournament produced a series of decisive quarterfinals, highlighted by first-period pins from Nick Nguyen of Passaic Tech and Isaias Hernandez of DePaul. Their efficiency on the mat reflected a growing depth in the county’s wrestling programs, where aggressive styles and conditioning are paying dividends. Meanwhile, Morris County competition tightened as Mount Olive emerged as the early leader after the opening day, positioning itself as a legitimate contender as the tournament heads toward its final rounds. In South Jersey, the Burlington County Open resumed at Lenape High School with a strong field returning to action, signaling another long day of hard-fought matches and bracket-shaping results.

On the basketball courts, Saturday delivered a mix of blowouts and hard-earned wins that will resonate deep into February. Gloucester opened the day with a commanding performance, overwhelming Lindenwold and setting the tone early. Haddonfield followed suit with a dominant showing against Penns Grove, continuing its run as one of South Jersey’s most disciplined and efficient programs. Cedar Creek and Oakcrest provided a contrast, battling through a tight, physical contest before Cedar Creek created separation late to secure the victory.

North Arlington’s win over Garfield stood out for its offensive firepower, as Elijah Zaldivar poured in 25 points in a performance that showcased both scoring touch and poise. Down the Shore, New Egypt leaned on Nolan Arnold’s 20-point outing to pull away from Lakewood, reinforcing its grip on the Shore Conference C race and reminding opponents that consistency often matters more than flash at this stage of the season.

Girls basketball offered some of the weekend’s most compelling storylines, beginning with a marquee matchup between St. John Vianney and Red Bank Catholic. In a highly anticipated rematch between two of the state’s top programs, St. John Vianney evened the season series with a narrow victory that lived up to its billing, delivering postseason-level intensity well before tournament play begins. Immaculate Heart Academy edged DePaul in a thrilling North Jersey contest, while Gloucester leaned on Corinne Kelly’s 16-point effort to hold off Camden Tech.

Several notable results unfolded across Mercer and Burlington counties as well. Hightstown earned a statement win over Allentown behind a standout performance from Hayley DeKok, who filled the stat sheet with 23 points and five three-pointers, blending perimeter shooting with confident floor leadership. Hopewell Valley rallied late to slip past Lawrence, using a decisive fourth-quarter surge to flip the game and showcase resilience. West Windsor-Plainsboro South asserted control against Trenton with three players reaching double figures, while Nottingham, Notre Dame, Florence, and Cinnaminson each added victories that could prove pivotal as league standings tighten.

Ice hockey added its own layer of drama to the day, highlighted by Clifton’s emphatic shutout of Paramus Catholic. Trevor Rascher was unstoppable, recording a hat trick and adding an assist in a performance that set the tempo from the opening faceoff. Mendham delivered one of the night’s most impressive results, upsetting Kinnelon in overtime behind Brandon Eigner’s two-goal effort, including the game-winner. Bridgewater-Raritan continued its strong run with a win over Hunterdon Central, powered by an exceptional 45-save outing from goaltender Justin Madison. Howell capped the night with a high-scoring victory, as Andras Nagy-Melykuti recorded his first varsity hat trick in a confident team performance.

Taken together, the results from Saturday illustrate the depth, unpredictability, and regional pride that define New Jersey high school athletics. Whether it is a wrestler grinding through a county bracket, a guard catching fire from beyond the arc, or a goaltender standing tall under pressure, these moments shape seasons and create legacies. As tournament play expands and conference races intensify, the coming weeks promise even higher stakes and sharper competition.

For readers tracking the evolving landscape of scholastic competition, ongoing coverage through Explore New Jersey’s high school sports reporting continues to highlight the performances, programs, and athletes driving this remarkable winter season forward.

Wrestling: Tournament Season

• Shore Conference Tournament: Semifinal results are in, with Brendan Boyer (CBA) and Brock Oizerowitz (CBA) securing pins to advance. Tanner Hodgins (Howell) earned a dominant 19-4 technical fall in the 190-pound class.
• Passaic County Tournament: Quarterfinal highlights include Nick Nguyen (Passaic Tech) and Isaias Hernandez (DePaul) advancing with first-period pins.
• Morris County Tournament: #12 Mount Olive leads the field after the first day of competition.
• Burlington County Open: The tournament resumes today at Lenape High School starting at 10:00 AM. 

Boys Basketball

• Gloucester 63, Lindenwold 17: Gloucester dominated today’s early matchup.
• Haddonfield 76, Penns Grove 6: Haddonfield cruised to a massive victory this morning.
• Cedar Creek 41, Oakcrest 33: A tightly contested South Jersey battle saw Cedar Creek pull away late.
• North Arlington 79, Garfield 52: Elijah Zaldivar exploded for 25 points to lead North Arlington.
• New Egypt 66, Lakewood 34: Nolan Arnold scored 20 points in a Shore Conference C South victory. 

Girls Basketball

• St. John Vianney 2, Red Bank Catholic 1 (Season Series): In a high-profile rematch, #2 SJV defeated #1 RBC to even their season series.
• Immaculate Heart 52, DePaul 50: A nail-biter in North Jersey saw IHA edge out the Spartans.
• Gloucester 38, Camden Tech 30: Corinne Kelly led the way with 16 points for Gloucester. 

Ice Hockey

• Clifton 6, Paramus Catholic 0: Trevor Rascher recorded a hat trick and an assist in the shutout win.
• Mendham 4, #18 Kinnelon 3 (OT): Brandon Eigner scored two goals, including the game-winner in overtime, to secure the upset.
• #12 Bridgewater-Raritan 4, Hunterdon Central 1: The Panthers extended their win streak to three games behind a 45-save performance from Justin Madison.
• Howell 9, Freehold Township 3: Andras Nagy-Melykuti tallied his first career varsity hat trick.