KYLE-DRIVER: Princeton High wrestler Kyle Angelucci, top, takes control in a bout at 182 pounds against Paul Milo of Robbinsville last Wednesday. Junior Angelucci ended up pinning Milo but it wasn’t enough as PHS lost 48-33. The Little Tigers, who went 2-1 in a quad meet last Saturday, are slated to host Steinert on January 20. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

With the Mercer County Tournament just around the corner, Rashone Johnson believes his Princeton High wrestling team could do some damage in the competition.

“We haven’t done badly; I feel like we can still do better,” said PHS head coach Johnson, whose team went 2-1 in a quad meet last Saturday, topping Notre Dame and Hamilton while falling to Gloucester City as it preps for the county tournament, which is slated for January 29-30 at Robbinsville High.

“I feel like we are still a work in progress, we are hitting our stride. We will be better in the long run. All the guys are getting better and we are trying to have everybody wrestle their best match at the same time. I think we can perform well as a team in the county tournament and do a lot more than what people think we possibly can.”

PHS is getting a lot on a daily basis from his core of veterans that includes junior James Verbeyst at 145 pounds, senior Dave Beamer at 170, junior Kyle Angelucci at 182, junior Ethan Guerra at 195, and senior Noah Ziegler at 220.

“They have been very reliable for the most part; I think they all have been stepping up and trying to wrestle better each match,” said Johnson.

“I feel that we do have some guys who are consistently majoring people and getting bonus points for us which is very good for us.”

A pair of freshmen, Daniel Monahan at 113 and Alec Bobchin at 120, have made an immediate impact for the Little Tigers.

“They have come in and have hit the ground running as freshmen,” said Johnson.

“It is not too often where you can get freshmen who can come in and you can count on those guys to win for the most part. They just keep on going and going. I would say that as freshmen they come in with their experience and they have wrestled like veterans.”

With PHS hosting Steinert on January 20, Johnson is looking for his wrestlers to keep up their good work collectively.

“The guys are definitely working hard everyday, they are just trying hard,” said Johnson.

“I would say we need a little more confidence. As the competition gets better and improved, so does your confidence and your ability to deal with that.”