What conference/division really is the best and most competitive in New Jersey? I’ll keep track of the results all the way through the state tournament to find out. The Big North Liberty, after a perfect 5-0 Monday, jumped out to an early lead after pulling off two upsets while taking care of business as the higher seed in the other three. The Mennen Division and Skyland Conference each went 2-0 on Monday, though four teams in those divisions (two in each) had first-round byes, so it’s really as if each are 4-0 since all four teams are already in the Round of 16.
Statewide Conference/Division Standings
(Through games played on Monday, Jan. 23)
Big North Liberty Division  —  5-0
(Wayne Hills W; Indian Hills W; Mahwah W; Lakeland W; West Milford W)
MCSSIHL Mennen Division  —  2-0 **
(Chatham W; Kinnelon W; Morris Knolls and Randolph had first-round byes)
Skyland Conference  —  2-0**
(Hunterdon Central W; Watchung Hills W; Bridgewater-Raritan and Ridge with first-round byes)
UCIHL A Division  —  2-0
(Cranford W; Westfield W)
Shore A North Division  —  2-0
(Howell W; Freehold W)
Big North Patriot Division  —  2-1
(Ridgewood W; Paramus Catholic W; Passaic Valley L)
Shore A Central Division  —  2-2
(Point Pleasant Boro W; Donovan Catholic L; Rumson/Fair-Haven W-L* — win was play-in game)
NJIHL Essex Conference  —  1-1
(Nutley W; Verona/Glen Ridge L)
Shore B Division  —  1-0
(Wall W* — win was play-in game)
Big North Freedom Division  —  1-2
(St. Joseph W; Northern Highlands L; Pascack Valley L)
MCSSIHL Haas Division  —  1-2
(Madison W; Sparta L; Park Regional L)
Shore A South Division  —  1-2
(Southern W; Brick Township L; Toms River North L)
UCIHL B Division  —  0-1
(Dayton/Brearley L)
Greater Middlesex Conference  —  0-1
(Old Bridge L)
Gordon Conference National Division  —  0-1
(Seton Hall Prep L)
MCSSIHL Charette Division  —  0-2
(Vernon L; Jefferson L)
CVC Colonial Division  —  0-2
(Hopewell Valley L; Robbinsville/Allentown L)
MCSSIHL Halvorsen Division  —  0-4
(Montville L; Roxbury L; Mendham L; West Morris Central L)
Independent  — 0-1
(Bayonne L)