Bayonne Battles Into Group 5 Sectional Finals

by NJ Athletics February 10, 2025

coverage by: Antonio Morales

Bayonne put together a strong showing in the North Jersey, Section 2, Group 5 tournament, securing their spot in the sectional finals with back-to-back victories. They first took down a tough Newark East Side squad in a hard-fought 44-21 win before facing off against Union, who came in off a dominant first-round victory over Piscataway. In Round 2, Bayonne kept their momentum rolling, winning key matchups and pulling out a 45-27 victory to advance.

Bayonne jumped out to an early lead with some clutch performances in the upper weights.

- Xavier Paulino (175) got the team rolling with a pin in 3:08.
- Mohamed Boudib (190) followed up with a big pin at 2:33, a crucial swing match that set the tone for the dual.
- John Guirguis (215) kept things moving with a tight 3-2 decision over Mark Belfleur.
- Cassius Velasquez (285) capped off the stretch with a pin in 1:41, pushing Bayonne’s early lead to 21-0.

Union started to inch at a comeback between 106-126 as the picked up three wins. Gabriel Hargrove (126) ended their scoring stretch with a dominant 16-0 tech fall despite looking for the pin. One of the most exciting moments of the night came at 132 pounds, where Karim Gerges was trailing for most of the match before turning things around and securing a pin at 4:43. His win helped shift the momentum back in Bayonne’s favor after Union had started to climb back into the match.

With the score a little closer, Bayonne's middle weights looked to seal the victory for the Bees.

- Moises Viera (144) dominated with an 18-3 technical fall, extending the lead to 35-21.
- Peter Sadek (157) followed with a 14-1 major decision, putting Bayonne on the brink of victory.
- Hamza Kelany (165) finished the job with a pin at 4:29, ensuring Bayonne’s trip to the sectional finals.

With their 22-3 record and a trip to the sectional finals locked in, Bayonne has proven they belong among the top teams in North Jersey. Their ability to secure key falls and battle through tough moments will be essential in the final round. If they can carry this momentum forward, they’ll have a strong shot at bringing home the sectional title.