Timber Creek Trips Up Toms River South Again

The gym at Toms River South was reverberating with noise, the excited cheering of the home crowd as James Kearney took his shot.

The Indians' freshman heavyweight grabbed Timber Creek's Joe Morett around the waist and caught him off-balance, throwing him to the mat for a takedown to tie their bout at 7 with just 10 seconds left, sending the crowd into a frenzy.

If the first-year wrestler was able to pull off a victory, it would have a big impact on Toms River South's chance to win the NJSIAA South Jersey Group III wrestling championship. 

Unfortunately for Kearny and the Toms River South team and fans, the upset was not to be, as 25 seconds into overtime Morett returned the favor, putting Kearny to the mat and pinning him.

The pin gave Timber Creek a 17-point lead, and from there the Chargers displayed why they're bidding to be the Group III champion, winning three of the last four bouts to defeat Toms River South 38-18.

"This match was a reflection of our whole season," Toms River South coach Ron Laycock said, "where we come close but can't quite finish," a problem he attributed in part to the youth of his squad, and in part to injuries.

"We are very young and inexperienced up top," Laycock said. "You don't mind having a lot of freshmen in the lower weights, but at the upper weights it's difficult."

Despite the differences in experience -- Timber Creek's squad is loaded with Region VIII and district placewinners -- Chargers coach Nick Cottone said he didn't consider any of the bouts to be easy victories for his team.

"I thought we could outwork them and outcondition them, and that would be how we would beat them," Cottone said.

The highlights for Toms River South included a 13-4 major decision for Anthony Ravallo over Khari Turner at 170, and Kevin Corrigan's pin of Joe DiMartino in 3:23 at 113.

The best bout of the night came when Timber Creek sent state-ranked Brandon Keller out at 138 to face South's BJ Clagon. Clagon handily recorded a 17-5 major decision fueled by three first-period takedowns.

"BJ is a beast," Laycock said. "When you're a state-ranked wrestler and a state-ranked wrestler moves up to challenge you, you have to show him what you're about. BJ did that."

"It was just like a regular (bout)," Clagon said. "I've been wrestling well this year, getting mostly majors. I'm definitely aiming for a state championship."

Blow by blow:

132: Nick Virgilio (TC) p. Charlie Carrero, 1:52
138: BJ Clagon (TRS) md. Brandon Keller, 17-5
145: Isaiah DeGuzmn (TC) d. Garrett Applegate,  8-4
152: Ken Theobold (TRS) md. Dom Ruggiero,  9-1
160: Bryce Shade (TC) p. Antres Clagon,  1:59
170: Anthony Ravallo (TRS) md. Khari Turner,  13-4
182: Robert Shade (TC) d. Nick Osborn,  8-1
195: Matt Kountz (TC) d. Mike Rutter,  7-3
220: Schalor Blackshear (TC) d. Marvin Hayden,  6-3
Hwt: Joe Morett (TC) p. James Kearney,  6:25 (OT)
106: John Amato (TC) d. Brandon Murray,  8-3
113: Kevin Corrigan (TRS) p. Joe DiMartino,  3:23
120: Brandon Virgilio (TC) d. Zach Maikisch,  4-3
126: Ricky Carter (TC) d. Matt Theobold,  6-4