It’s gotta be AB!

Camden, New Jersey is in the midst of a scholastic sports renaissance. High major college football and basketball coaches make their way to the small city nestled against the Delaware River on a regular basis. Woodrow Wilson HS and Camden HS continuously pump out D1 level athletes every year… Temple, Texas A&M, Rutgers, Michigan, etc. come to looking for left tackles, defensive backs and Quarterbacks. Clemson came and got a shooting guard for their women’s team a few years ago. Last year, Kentucky Coach John Calipari flew the private jet up on multiple occasions while courting power forward Lance Ware.

Camden is producing elite student-athletes by the bushel… There is no end in sight…

The challenge for the Camden City Board of Education, the Principal and the Athletic Director at Camden High School is to NOT fumble.

Camden High’s basketball team is once again nationally ranked by virtually every major publication covering High School basketball. Last year, Camden’s season abruptly came to a halt… It took the coronavirus to accomplish what no NJ High School opponent could do… With the pandemic looming over the state of New Jersey, scholastic sports came to halt while the Camden High squad was literally a few miles away from an important playoff game.

Under the leadership of Head Coach Rick Brunson, Camden finished the year 29-1 and with a 25 game winning streak intact.

“You want da High? You got da High!”

This year’s squad is led by the best available high school big on the east coast. Taquan Woodley comes in at 6’8″ 240 lbs. He is an old-school traditional power forward… A relentless rebounder and a superb low-post defender, he has greatly improved his offensive repertoire and passing over the past year. Since decomitting from Penn State, SEC, Big East and A10 programs have been clamoring for his services.

The biggest name in the program belongs to a 3rd generation heir to the Camden Basketball throne. DJ Wagner is a 6’3″ 175 lb combo guard that has established himself as the number 1 player in the class of 2023. Wagner’s approach to the game belies his youth. He is a cerebral player, a thoughtful player, a patient player right now. Each day, his athletic gifts unfurl themselves more and more leaving fans wondering if there is a ceiling.

Yet another headliner for the Camden High program is Jerome Brewer. Standing 6’8″ and coming in at 220, Brewer has a smooth and accurate stroke that extends well beyond the 3 point line. An excellent rebounder, especially on the offensive end of the floor, Brewer may be Camden’s most consistent contributor.

Cornelius Robinson and Cian Medley are two sophomores with D1 offers and tons of interest. Senior Devin Benson is yet a nother scholarship level player in the program.

With all of that talent and one of the strongest Basketball traditions in America, Camden High will have it’s 4th Boys Basketball Coach in 4 years this season.

It’s time to hire THE Camden High Basketball Coach. It’s time to hire a guy that will see the freshmen graduate from Da High. This is a 4, 5, 6 year hire. The new school (and gym) opens next year. Think this through and make sure you’ve got the right guy.

It’s really not a complicated call…

Rick Brunson leaves the program 1st and goal at the 2 yard line. Whatever happens from here is on the Camden City Board of Education, the Principal and the Athletic Director at Camden High School.

Keep it simple…

No fumbles… No interceptions…

That’s why we feel like it’s gotta be AB…

First and foremost, Aaron Burt is a long-time member, in good standing, of the Camden Basketball community. Burt was a three year starter. He also played on a State Championship team. His Camden roots are extremely deep. Camden basketball is unique. The Camden basketball community is unlike any other in the area. The fans, boosters, families, alums and supporters embrace this program with a fervor unmatched in other communities.

That’s a gift and a curse. Those well-versed in the culture can successfully harness the energy and passion of the community and ride it in conquest of New Jersey scholastic basketball. An uninitiated coach may crumble under the weight of lofty expectations carried by a city of 75,000 hungry for it’s first state championship in twenty years.

Aaron Burt played at Camden High. He understands Camden basketball.

Aaron Burt has coached elite nationally ranked players. As Coach of the Team Final 17U squad on the Nike EYBL circuit, Burt coached NBA players such as Cam Reddish, Donta Divencenzo and Mikail Bridges.

Aaron Burt is very familiar with the South Jersey Scholastic basketball scene. He’s been the Head Coach at Cherry Hill West for several years.

Aaron Burt is an educator. Burt has spent his professional career carving out an impressive resume as a high school administrator. He would bring a full set of skills to bear on the multitude of issues that face the Camden high school basketball coach.

It’s gotta be AB!

Or, you could be like Pete Carroll…

In Super Bowl XLIX, Carroll and the Seahawks had second-and-goal at the 1 with 26 seconds remaining. Seattle was 1 yard away from securing a second consecutive championship — but instead of handing the rock to Marshawn Lynch, the strongest running back in football, Carroll called a pass play…

What the fuck?

And when Russell Wilson’s goal-line slant was picked off by Malcolm Butler, Carroll looked like a complete dickhead…

Don’t be Pete Carroll…

Darkhorse candidate… Jason Harrigan… Not sure Harrigan would place his hat in the ring. Harrigan has been with the Camden program as an assistant for a couple years. He was the Philadelphia Daily News HS Coach of the Year at Delaware Valley Charter High School. He was recently hired as the Head Coach at St. Joseph’s Prep.

If the Camden City Board of Education, the Principal and the Athletic Director at Camden High School chooses to stay within the program Harrigan makes sense. They must understand that Wagner and his parents as well as the other parents have options.

Doesn’t make sense to start over. Nationally ranked 2 consecutive years. Twenty-five game winning streak. No fewer than 5 legitimate Division 1 basketball prospects on the roster. The Camden basketball program is a community asset. Every effort should be undertaken to maintain the highly competitive program left by Vic Carstarphen and Rick Brunson.