NJSIAA softball playoffs: The 7 storylines to follow for Shore teams in sectionals

The seeds are set and the NJSIAA softball postseason is finally here. And after producing two state champions last season, the Shore is looking even more potent as arguably the state's best conference for softball in 2024.

Despite producing the Non-Public and Group 4 state champs, the league found itself disrespected under the state's Power Points system to determine seeding. The Shore Conference did not have a single top seed in any of the sectional brackets despite producing one-third of last year's state champions.

But for a league with immense talent and depth, the players and teams know that projections and rankings are irrelevant. The only thing that matters is what happens on the field. With that in mind, these are the seven storylines to follow as the Shore aims to stake its claim as the best place in New Jersey for softball talent.

1. Can the Shore's trio of Non-Public powers knock off Notre Dame?

The South Jersey Non-Public A section is a gauntlet, but it's a gauntlet that a Shore team has won in each of the past two seasons. This year, the Power Points system bizarrely favors a Notre Dame team that saw their coach resign in the first few weeks of the season.

Meanwhile the previous two section champs, St. John Vianney and Donovan Catholic, are seeded behind them in the two and three spots with Red Bank Catholic as the four-seed. The Irish were nearly upset at home by mid-level Shore team Jackson Memorial during the regular season, but prevailed 9-8. Notre Dame did beat Donovan and RBC last season, but lost to St. John Vianney in the postseason.

More: St. John Vianney softball finds way in marathon Shore Conference final: 'No words for it'

Notre Dame has not faced any of the Shore powers this spring, which is especially key for a resurgent RBC team that has improved to 20-3 this season from a 22-7 record last season. SJV pitcher Madison McDougall shut down the Irish offense in last year's matchup, and has performed even better on the mound in her sophomore campaign. This doesn't appear to be a matter of if one of the three teams can win the section, it's who will actually do it.

More: VOTE: Softball Shore Conference Tournament MVP, sponsored by Larson Ford

2. Can Marlboro (or another Shore team) make another postseason run?

The Mustangs shocked everybody with their remarkable run to the Group 4 state title in 2023 and have followed that up with an encore of upsets in the Shore Conference Tournament over Red Bank Catholic and Colts Neck. The return of sophomore pitcher Emily Gaudio has been huge for Marlboro in addition to the team's ability to string together offense across the lineup.

It's not clear if that's replicable this season, but the Mustangs can't be counted out. The brutal schedule in the Shore's A North Division could also be beneficial for seven-seed Freehold Township. Aforementioned Jackson Memorial can't be counted out either given the explosive offense and the Jaguars ability to rise to the challenge against high-level opponents.

The Central Group 4 section might be even more challenging this season given the strength at the top. The top two seeds, Old Bridge and Northern Burlington, are tough matchups for any aspirational underdog.

3. Colts Neck and Middletown North look to restore former glory

The first thing that must be acknowledged about the Central Group 3 section is top-seeded Robbinsville is a legitimate powerhouse. The Ravens were the only team to beat Notre Dame, although they lost the rematch and fell to Northern Burlington.

Robbinsville would pose a tough matchup for second-seeded Middletown North and star pitcher Madi Boyce, as both teams are comfortable grinding out low-scoring victories. That was the story last year as well, when the Ravens beat the Lions 1-0 in the section semifinal. Midd North will be hungry to win the rematch if given the opportunity, but the team will also likely have to knock off a formidable Steinert squad to get there.

Colts Neck is the wild card of the group. The Cougars deliberately exposed themselves to a very challenging schedule to prepare for the postseason, but they're stuck in a rut recently as they've lost four of their last six games. This is a very talented young group of players but they might be a year away from a serious postseason run.

4. Disrespected Shore teams look to earn respect in Central Group 2

Of course the Power Points system is the real culprit, but the seeding in the Central Group 2 section is completely incoherent. The good news is that the bracket could provide an opportunity to multiple feisty Shore underdogs, although the ridiculous seeding ensured two of those teams face off in the opening round.

First let's address the vulnerable teams at the top. Spotswood was inexplicably given the top seed after going 18-8 with no real quality wins. They were 23-5 last season before losing to Wall, who was given a seven-seed in this year's bracket despite going 15-8 in a much harder division. Spotswood is also coming off a loss to Jackson Memorial as the section playoffs begin.

With so many quality Shore teams, one appears likely to emerge as a contender. Point Pleasant Borough hosts Manasquan in an absurd six-seed versus 11-seed matchup, as both teams are undervalued. Point Boro won the Ocean County Tournament and has the best record of any team in the bracket at 16-3. Manasquan played a hard schedule and lost close games to St. John Vianney and Red Bank Catholic. They're also coming off a win over Colts Neck.

Elsewhere in the bracket, 12-seed Raritan will try to pull off the road upset against a hot Delran team that has won seven straight. 13-seed Holmdel will try to do the same against Bound Brook. And aforementioned Wall, a seven seed, would have to pull off a second round upset against Gov. Livingston if they can prevail in the opening round. Given the depth and quality of competition in the Shore, all these teams are capable of making a run to the section title.

More: VOTE: Who's the softball Shore Class of 2024 senior Player of the Year?

5. Shore Regional could be the ultimate sleeper team

With all due respect to the B Central division, the most dangerous team in the Central Group 1 section is Shore Regional. Taken at face value, the Blue Devils' 9-12 record may not seem impressive. But add the context that all of those games came against teams at higher levels as the team battled against powers within the A North division, and suddenly it's clear that Shore is more than adequately prepared for a postseason run.

The key factor is whether the team's pitching can hold up, but the dangerous offense of Riley Lawrence, Olivia DeFonce, Ayden Kempf and Angela Christopher is far beyond that of most teams competing at the Group 1 level. The Blue Devils last year fell in the first round to Point Pleasant Beach, but they are much more well-suited to compete in this year's bracket

Top-seeded New Egypt was dismantled by Point Pleasant Boro 13-3, a small taste of the capability of the Shore Conference. If Shore is able to limit opposing scoring and their bats stay hot, they can win the section as a nine-seed.

6. Can one of the Ocean County powers steal the South Group 4 section?

It has been a breakthrough year for the teams of Ocean County in the Shore this season. Central Regional went toe-to-toe with St. John Vianney for eight innings before losing 1-0 in the SCT semifinal. Before that, the Golden Eagles beat Midd North 2-0. They have the best record of any public team in the Shore at 17-3, but they were given a three-seed in their section.

Unfortunately, that was probably appropriate given the incredible resumes of top-seeded Kingsway and second-seeded Vineland. But Central has shown its capable of competing with anyone with star pitcher BethAnne Doderer on the mound, and the depth of the lineup is getting hot at the right time.

Toms River East and Southern are two other strong teams with the chance to make a run, and both should at least win their opening round playoff matchups. It's a daunting task, but the teams of A-South may have one more surprise in store in their incredible 2024 campaign.

7. Could there be a shocker from the remaining sections?

The Shore is represented in three other sections in this year's NJSIAA playoffs, and each section has a team with at least a puncher's chance at making some noise this postseason.

In the South Non-Public B, St. Rose has put together a great bounce-back season to go 11-8 and earned a six-seed. But that was in B Central, undeniably a less competitive division than any other in the Shore. They face 1-9 Bishop Eustace in the opener, which should be a manageable matchup. After that, the Roses would face Holy Spirit, who was 10-10 against tougher competition.

In South Group 3, the Shore has Toms River South and Pinelands. It seems unlikely that South would pull off the 15-over-2 upset against Ocean City, but six-seed Pinelands is in a great position to win their opening round playoff matchup at home. Going further than that would require great performances from Hannah Theuret and Elianna Meola, the team's top two offensive threats.

And lastly, Barnegat is another sleeper team in South Group 2. The Bengals lack a signature win, but competed closely with Raritan, Donovan Catholic and Point Pleasant Boro at different times this season. Senior pitcher Jamison Hogan has been great on the mound, and if she keeps it up then Barnegat will have a chance.

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: NJSIAA NJ Shore softball playoffs: 7 storylines for Shore teams