Lee, Melton advance in Region VII action

By: Sean Moylan
   Early Tuesday afternoon Bordentown High wrestling Coach Joe Sprague talked openly about the toughness of his 189-pounder Thomas Lee.
   Well, on Tuesday night in Region VII opening round tournament action, Lee exhibited some of that toughness on the mat as he pinned Collingswood’s Mark Diliberto with 4 seconds left in the third period to advance to Friday’s regional quarter-finals.
   Northern Burlington’s 215-pound grappler R.J. Melton nearly walked away with a District 25 title in his match versus Hightstown’s Kenny Amponsa on Saturday. On Tuesday night, however, Melton had a much easier time in defeating Camden Catholic’s Matt Posch 5-2 to move on to the next Region VII round.
   Unfortunately, Tuesday night was the end of the line for a few Bordentown and NBC wrestlers. At 125, Seneca’s Vince Catalani edged Bordentown’s Jason Cassidy, 7-6. Then at 140, Cinnaminson’s Justin Pennock slipped by NBC’s Brian VanSciver, 4-3.
   With just 18 seconds left in the third period, Rancocas Valley’s Jimmy Masar pinned Bordentown’s 145-pounder Tyler Sheehan. Then at 160, Seneca’s Bobby Carroll posted a first period fall over Bordentown’s Wayne Pullen.
   In the heavyweight division, Cinnaminson’s Justin Embler pinned NBC’s Johnny "Let’s Get Ready To Rumble" Humble. Humble, who wrestled with a shoulder injury much of the season, lost to a couple of very tough opponents recently. Often the heavyweight division can be fairly weak, but not this season.
   Lee will join his teammate Josh Slezak, a District 26 champion 171-pounder, in Friday’s Region VII quarterfinals. Meanwhile Melton will join his NBC teammates Phil Bowen, the District 25 135-pound champ, and Geoff "All Day" Bauma, the District 25 160-pound title holder in Friday’s action at Moorestown.