Jags fall short in SCT final against Toms River East
Controversial
takedown gives
TR East the title
JERRY WOLKOWITZ Jackson’s Jeff Pascarella pins Toms River East’s Robert Coppola at the 3:47 mark of a 103-pound bout at the Shore Conference Tournament final at Southern Regional on Saturday.
STAFFORD — Three seconds separated the Jackson High School wrestling team from a Shore Conference Tournament championship.
Jaguars’ heavyweight John Loff was engaged in a battle with Toms River East’s Paul Sternlieb. It appeared Loff got the better of the Raiders’ senior for the first five minutes and 57 seconds. However, a controversial takedown by Sternlieb with just three seconds remaining in the bout lifted Toms River East to a dramatic 33-28 victory before a packed house at Southern Regional High School.
Loff was winning the bout by a single point when Sternlieb managed to register what the officials scored as a takedown. The final-second heroics gave Sternlieb a 3-2 victory and set off a wild celebration by Toms River East wrestlers and fans.
It marks the third time Toms River East, seeded No. 3, has captured the Shore Conference Tournament title. The Raiders have now won nine straight matches to increase their record to 11-4 overall.
The top-seeded Jaguars are now 15-3 overall.
"It was a very exciting final match," Jackson coach Scott Goodale said. "John Loff controlled that match for five minutes and 57 seconds. We thought we had it won, but the referee felt Sternlieb took Loff down in the final seconds, and we’ll live with that decision."
The last time Jackson captured an SCT crown was two years ago. Last year, the Jaguars finished runner-up behind Brick Memorial.
Earlier in the season, Jackson defeated Toms River East, 38-24, in a dual meet. This time, however, the Raiders won the coin toss and made the most of it.
"The kids were crushed to lose that match," Goodale said. "We were very disappointed. We lost the coin toss and they got the matchups they wanted. They made that work in their favor. Our kids did a great job. The title came down to one bout. You can’t get any closer than that."
Jackson got off quick by winning the first three bouts. Joe Pascarella (103 pounds) and Joe Eurell (112) won easily. At 119 pounds, Jay Koonts edged Mark Lee 6-5 in double overtime in one of the most exciting bouts of the day. Giro Borgia (130) and Adam Berking (135) both were winners. Jeremy Edwards won at 189 pounds.
In the semifinals, Jackson topped Brick Memorial 31-26. It marked the second time this season the Jaguars beat Brick.
"It’s the first time anyone has beaten them twice in the same year," Goodale said. "It goes to show you how solid our young team is. Anytime you knock a team like that off twice in a season is a major accomplishment."
Jackson now prepares for a dual meet at home Saturday against Lacey Township before entering the South Jersey Group IV Tournament Feb. 12. Jackson could meet Washington Township in the first round, Goodale said.
The Jags might even get another shot at Toms River East with a first-round victory.
"If we can get past our first-round opponent and get a shot at Toms River East, that would be great," Goodale said. "I think it would make for another great match. Our kids would be looking forward to it."