Timber Creek wrestlers made with the Shades

GALLOWAY, N.J. - Blaze Shade sometimes gets frustrated watching his brother Bryce on the wrestling mat.

Bryce Shade sometimes gets nervous watching his brother.

But they didn't need to worry much during last night's Region 8 pre-quarterfinal action at Absegami High School.

The Timber Creek wrestlers took care of business to advance to Friday's quarterfinal round.

Blaze Shade, a sophomore, registered a pin at 152 pounds. Bryce Shade, a freshman, scored a 15-2 decision at 140.

The brothers were among five Timber Creek wrestlers who won bouts. The others were C.J. Sawyer at 125 pounds, Kevin Birmingham at 130, and Chad King at 171.

They will be joined in the quarterfinals by five Timber Creek wrestlers who won District 30 titles Saturday.

Paulsboro and Kingsway each advanced four wrestlers. Cody Croce (103), Sean DiEmma (119), Matt Cosgrove (160), and Jamar Bussey (189) won for the Red Raiders, while Kurtis Becker (140), Joe Renard (152), Mike Contarino (171), and Kyle Lloyd (215) triumphed for the Dragons.

Washington Township and West Deptford each advanced three wrestlers. Matt Salera (119), Steve Swayze (145), and heavyweight Karch Connors won for the Minutemen, while Don Dennis (125), Sean Bonner (140), and Mike Pacitti (215) prevailed for the Eagles.

The regional semifinals and finals take place here Saturday. The top three finishers in each weight class advance to the state championships, which begin March 5, in Atlantic City.

"They are the future of our program," Timber Creek coach Nick Cottone said of the Shade brothers. "They are future captains, future leaders of our team."

The brothers have combined for 52 victories this season. They were consistent winners for a Timber Creek team that went 22-4, winning the South Jersey Group 3 title as well as the District 30 crown.

But regional competition was a big step for the young wrestlers.

"I wasn't nervous," Blaze Shade said. "I wanted to do well, but I got off to a slow start."

Blaze Shade (27-8) fell behind Woodstown's Brandon Sulik by 4-2 but rallied to take command by the end of the first period.

"He makes me nervous when I see him rolling around out there," Bryce Shade said of his brother.

Bryce Shade (25-9) was in control of his match against Clayton's A.J. Cucinotta.

"I get frustrated watching him," Blaze Shade said of his brother. "I see moves that he could be making, and sometimes he doesn't make them."

Lindenwold junior Gabe Cisneros was an impressive winner at 125 pounds, beating St. Augustine's Zach Burgin by an 8-2 decision.

"I'm trying to get up there with the best wrestlers," said Cisneros, who is 20-6.

Cisneros was a junior-varsity wrestler at Eastern as a freshman and sophomore. He transferred to Lindenwold this year and has been one of the Lions' top wrestlers.

"He's the hardest-working kid in our room," Lindenwold coach Paul Maggi said. "He was a little nervous, but he wrestled tough."