Garnet Valley, Upper Darby remain class of Central League
Garnet Valley and Upper Darby remain on a collision course for the Central League title. Both teams won easily Wednesday to remain as the only undefeated teams in the league.
Garnet Valley’s 68-12 victory over Strath Haven and Upper Darby’s 67-4 romp over Harriton also served as a tune-up for the District 1 Class AAA Dual Meet Tournament, which begins Thursday.
The Jaguars are seeded fifth and take on No. 12 West Chester Henderson at West Chester Rustin High School at 5:30. The winner of that match gets the winner of the match between No. 4 Owen J. Roberts and No. 13 Coatesville in the quarterfinals Feb. 3
The Royals are the No. 9 seed and face eighth-seeded Rustin at Rustin at 7 p.m. the Royals finished fourth in the District Duals last year. The winner of that match takes on either top-seeded Boyertown or No. 16 Neshaminy in the quarterfinals.
Penncrest also earned a spot in the District Duals. The Lions are seeded 14th and visit No. 3 Methacton at 7 p.m. The winner takes on the winner of the match between No. 6 Downingtown West and No. 11 Upper Perkiomen in the quarterfinals.
Garnet Valley 68, Strath Haven 12 >> Consecutive pins by Salvatore Pizzuto at 138 pounds and Nick Pulitti at 145 broke the match open and helped the Jaguars improve to 16-3 overall and 6-0 in the Central League.
Matt Flicker (113), Ryan Mortimer (182) and Ryan Rushton (195) also won by fall for Garnet Valley. Joe Andrjaos (120) and Devon Moore (152) both won by pin for the Panthers.
Upper Darby 68, Harriton 4 >> Nazmul Islam set the tone for the Royals with a 12-1 major decision at 113 pounds to start the match.
Thomas Reif (132), Colin Cronin (145) and James O’Hara (170) both won by fall for UD (11-1, 6-0).
Haverford High 39, Marple Newtown 34 >> The Fords won six of the first eight matches, but still needed a pin by Mike Greenwald at 120 pounds to seal the victory.
Consecutive wins by Alex Ramos (160), Alex Mong (170), Matt Weir (182) and Allesandro DiProspero (1950 gave Haverford a 33-9 lead. However, Eric Hulsey (220), Anthony Goodman (285), Shane Benedict (106) and Anass Elfernani (113) won the next four matches for the Tigers to cut Haverford’s lead to 33-28 before Greenwald pinned Cameron Leone in 5:53 to clinch the win.
Episcopal goes 1-2 at Hill >> Blair Orr, Alex Bendinelli and Alex Sladek went undefeated as Episcopal Academy went 1-2 at the Hill School quad meet. The Churchmen knocked off the host Hill School (48-36), and fell to Peddie (42-36) and Wyoming Seminary (54-21).
Orr won two of his three matches at 106 pounds by fall. Bendinelli picked up three wins by pin at 120 pounds. Sladek had two wins by fall and one by forfeit at 126 pounds. DeeWil Barlee was 2-1 at 170 pounds for the Churchmen.
