Major Changes To The Non-Public Brackets

ROBBINSVILLE, NJ–On Wednesday morning, the Newark Star-Ledger reported that the NJSIAA has made significant changes to the Non-Public Brackets for soccer, tennis, basketball, baseball, softball, and football.  Many of the changes will have a big impact on the GMC teams in boys basketball.

Citing more teams in the non-public school brackets in North Jersey as well as enrollment and geographic location, the NJSIAA decided to switch St. Patrick’s as well as Gill St. Bernard’s, Marist, Roselle Catholic, and St. Mary’s of Elizabeth to the Non-Public B South bracket.  Meanwhile, last year’s Non-Public B South finalist, Gloucester Catholic moved up to Non-Public South A along with St. Rose of Belmar and Holy Cross of Delran.  Immaculata of Somerville also switched to Non-Public A South after being in Non-Public A North for years.

These changes have a big impact on the GMC teams, especially Cardinal McCarrick, which won the Non-Public B South Championship over Gloucester Catholic this past season.  The Eagles, which have won three sectional titles since 2003, will now have to go through a much tougher field.  In addition to having to compete with Trenton Catholic, Cardy Mac will now have to battle with St. Pat’s and Gill, two of the Final Four from Non-Public B North last season along with an improved Roselle Catholic, St. Mary’s of Elizabeth and Marist.

St. Joseph’s, which will begin play in football this coming fall, was placed in the Non-Public Group IV field with the likes of powerhouse programs such as Bergen Catholic, Don Bosco Prep, Notre Dame, and St. Peter’s Prep.  The Falcons and Bishop Ahr will now have to contend with the likes of Immaculata in basketball along with CBA, Camden Catholic, and T of C semifinalist, St. Augustine.  Read more about these changes in the Star-Ledger article.