Over the past 4 years, Camden High has produced numerous Division 1 basketball players. Lance Ware (Kentucky/Villanova), Taquan Woodley (South Carolina/UMass), Jerome Brewer (Texas A&M Commerce), Cornelius Robinson (Monmouth), Cian Medley (St. Louis), Dasear Haskins (St. Joseph’s), Rasheer Fleming (St. Joseph’s), Aaron Bradshaw (Kentucky) and DJ Wagner (Kentucky) all played scholastic hoops at THE HIGH. They are all very good and highly capable athletes. Wagner and Bradshaw were universally ranked among the top 5 players in the nation. With these players on the roster and patrolling the hardwood, Camden has been incredibly dominant in South Jersey and highly competitive nationally for the past 4 years. Fifty, sixty point ass whuppins have become the norm.
All of those guys are gone… The current Panther squad is led by the most explosive and athletic Camden player since DeJuan Wagner. Meet Billy Richmond ‘24, the epitome of explosive athleticism, agility, and a fierce competitive spirit at the high school level. As a high school basketball wing, Richmond possesses an exceptional set of athletic gifts and skills that set him apart from his peers. Standing at an impressive 6 feet 7 inches tall, he dominates the court with his sheer physical prowess and an insatiable hunger for victory.
Billy Richmond ’24, The HIGH (Photo: Gavin Bethell)
Originally from Memphis, Tennessee, Richmond is a different kind of athlete. He ain’t from ’round here!
Richmond’s most captivating feature is his extraordinary leaping ability. He jumps higher and remains airborne significantly longer than his peers in the mid-Atlantic region. He’s on some SEC shit… Dudes playing at Kentucky, Alabama, Florida, Tennessee and Arkansas move and leap like Richmond. He defies gravity with every jump, effortlessly soaring through the air with remarkable hang time. His ability to elevate above defenders and throw down thunderous dunks is a spectacle that leaves audiences in awe and opponents demoralized.
One hand dunks… Check. Left hand dunks… Check. Right hand dunks… Check. Two hand dunks… Check. Alley Oop dunks… Check. Off one foot… Check. Off two feet… Check. However the fuck you want it… Real rap.
In addition to his extraordinary leaping skills, Richmond possesses a lightning-fast agility that allows him to swiftly maneuver through the court. His full speed eurosteps easily cover 15-20 feet. He possesses exceptional footwork, enabling him to blow past defenders and slash to the basket with remarkable speed. This combination of agility and athleticism makes him nearly an unstoppable force at the high school level.
Being highly competitive by nature, Richmond thrives on the intensity of the game. After serving as one of the “other” guys on a star-studded powerhouse Camden team last season, Richmond has fully accepted the leading actor role. He now has top billing in the show at THE HIGH. It is obvious that he relentlessly pushes himself to achieve greatness, constantly seeking ways to improve his skills and elevate his team’s performance. He has an unyielding desire to win, and this mindset fuels his boundless energy and determination during every game.
Richmond is a pleasure to watch. Just ask the scores of SUPAHIGHMAJAH Head Coaches that crowded the perimeter of the court every time Camden laced ‘em up at Philly Live. Richmond was directly responsible for a couple hundred thousand dollars of private jet spending the past two weekend.
Offensively, Richmond’s main weapon is his ability to dunk the ball with breathtaking authority. He takes immense pleasure in posterizing opponents, rising above them and throwing down thunderous slams that reverberate throughout the gym. His dunks are not only aesthetically pleasing but also serve as a psychological advantage, demoralizing opponents and igniting his teammates’ spirits.
Defensively, Richmond is a formidable presence. His leaping ability allows him to block shots with ease, swatting away opponents’ attempts at the rim. He possesses quick reflexes and excellent anticipation, enabling him to disrupt passing lanes and generate turnovers. His relentless defensive efforts inspire his teammates to match his intensity and elevate their own defensive performances.
Off the court, Richmond’s dedication to basketball is evident in the results his disciplined training regimen have produced. He migrated from Memphis, Tennessee to Camden, New Jersey for a reason. He spends countless hours in the gym, honing his skills, improving his strength, and perfecting his craft. Despite his athletic prowess, like the aforementioned Panther athletes that came before him, Richmond remains humble and approachable, serving as an inspiration to aspiring young athletes in Camden and beyond.
Billy Richmond is a super athletic, bouncy, and fiercely competitive high school basketball wing. His jaw-dropping dunks, remarkable leaping ability, relentless drive to win make him a formidable force on the court. He the unquestioned STAR of the show playing this winter at Camden High. With his exceptional skills and unyielding work ethic, he’s destined to leave an indelible mark on the high school game this year and inspire a new generation of basketball players.
In a world where dreams are often considered unattainable for those born into less fortunate circumstances, the story of Seth Lundy, from Paulsboro, New Jersey (population 6,276), who was drafted into the National Basketball Association (NBA) stands as a testament to the power of perseverance, talent, and the unyielding human spirit. Here I explore the extraordinary journey of a supremely confident young man who defied the odds, overcoming adversity to pursue his passion and achieve greatness on the grandest stage of basketball.
Lundy hails from a modest small town tucked away in Southern New Jersey. Growing up in an environment marked by economic struggles and limited opportunities, Lundy faced numerous obstacles from an early age. With little access to resources, he found solace and inspiration in basketball, which he played passionately on the neighborhood courts.
Josh Townsend, Mike Green and John Harrar representing Penn State
Despite the scarcity of training facilities and the absence of professional coaching, Lundy’s unwavering dedication and natural athletic ability did not go unnoticed. Word of his exceptional talent spread beyond the confines of Paulsboro, catching the attention of scouts and college coaches who saw glimpses of his potential during shoe company circuit tournaments and high school games. Lundy’s journey to the NBA was far from smooth sailing. He encountered financial hardships, grappling with the inability to afford quality equipment, training programs, and even nutritious meals.
Howard Hudson, Seth Lundy and Mike Scott
Nevertheless, he refused to let these obstacles extinguish his dreams. Lundy sought every opportunity to improve his skills, often sacrificing sleep and comfort to practice late into the night. Fortune smiled upon Lundy when he was offered an opportunity to play at Roman Catholic High School in nearby Philadelphia. His mentor, Stephen Pina, a Roman Catholic alum facilitated his enrollment and opened doors to better training facilities, top notch scholastic, and exposure to top-tier competition. Lundy embraced this chance with unwavering determination, determined to make the most of it and transcend the limitations of his small town basketball background.
Rodney Veney, Philly Pride
Lundy’s hard work, resilience, innate talent and consistent development caught the attention of high major college recruiters. He continued to excel academically, making the most of the educational opportunities presented to him. Graduating high school with strong grades, Lundy accepted a full athletic scholarship to play in the prestigious Big 10 Conference for then Head Coach Pat Chambers and Penn State University.
At the collegiate level, Lundy honed his skills even further, quickly becoming a key player and capturing the national spotlight. He started 96 out of 122 career games for the Nittany Lions. His stellar performance in the Big 10 Conference Championship Tournament, the NCAA Tournament and remarkable sportsmanship drew the attention of NBA scouts, who recognized his potential to make a significant impact at the professional level.
Lundy’s story reached its pinnacle when he was drafted into the NBA in front of over 100 friends and family members at Empire Sports Bar in Brooklawn, New Jersey. When the Atlanta Hawks selected Lundy shortly after midnight it marked the culmination of years of hard work and sacrifice. His selection serves as a beacon of hope, inspiring countless other Philadelphia and South Jersey youth who faced similar struggles to believe that their dreams are within reach, regardless of their backgrounds. Seth Lundy’s rise from Paulsboro to prominence in the Big 10 and being drafted into the NBA exemplifies the triumph of human spirit and the power of unwavering determination. Lundy’s remarkable journey demonstrates that with talent, perseverance, and access to opportunities, anyone can defy the odds and achieve greatness. His story stands as a testament to the potential that lies within individuals from all walks of life, serving as an inspiration for generations to come.
A free and independent press is a necessary condition for the intellectual freedom and democracy that supposedly exists in the United States. In America, we supposedly have access to a wide range of competing news sources. In reality, we have a press that is far from free and unbiased. Control of mass media outlets is concentrated in a few privileged hands with clear agendas. How we perceive the world is largely determined by those who control the means of mass communication and their agendas can often be easily revealed with just a few scratches on the surface of their spurious arguments.
Take for example the recent intentional, premeditated effort to undermine the reputation, credibility, and character of the coaches, parents and players in the Camden High School basketball program. New Jersey Advance Media conducted a six-month investigation of the Panther high school basketball program. The finished product, a so-called “Special Report” was published on June 21 at 10:00 am with the following headline: “Camden celebrates a hoops rebirth. But critics wonder: Did they cheat their way to a championship?”Kevin Armstrong is the investigative reporter responsible for the malicious piece.
Camden HS, Group B State Champions, Photo Credit: April Saul
According NJ.com, Armstrong joined the NJ Advance Media staff in January. His arrival coincided with the onset of the six-month investigation. Seems like, maybe, he was hired specifically to perform the task of taking down Camden High basketball.
The special report reads like a smear campaign targeting Dajuan Wagner, the Wagner family, Camden school district administrators, basketball coaches, players and parents. Supposedly the free press matters because it uncovers the truth. Investigative journalists are trained to analyze and explain complicated issues. They play an important role. Without mass media outlets such as newspapers, radio shows, blogs, etc, the average American would have little to no knowledge of what’s going on around them. Most people lack the time and resources to investigate issues and stories that affect them and impact their communities. In theory, that’s where journalists come in.
So exactly what was the issue affecting New Jersey residents and impacting New Jersey communities that Armstrong spent six-months investigating?
After reading his piece several times, I have concluded that the core issue is as follows:
How has a HS basketball team hailing from what Armstrong describes as “a city of violent crimes and vacant lots after decades of factory abandonment, economic stagnation, corruption, white flight and arson” beat the shit the down the legs of NJ opponents for 3 straight years?
Aaron Bradshaw ’23, ranked 11th in the nation by Rivals.com
For some, the excellence and dominance Camden High has displayed on the hardwood the past three years is a problem that must be resolved.
Armstrong’s detailed descriptions of Camden City paint what can only be described as a decidedly dreary and gloomy picture. In his special report, he highlights “boarded-up houses” and “derelict brick edifices scheduled for demolition.” He seems to be preparing his readers for the question at the core of his report: Why would elite HS basketball players from six towns spread across five counties venture to Camden to play high school basketball for the Panthers?
For Armstrong, these decisions are not rational. Indeed, he goes so far as to openly question if these transfers were legal. It’s a two-fold assault… On one level, he’s arguing the parents are neglectful. By emphasizing the deteriorated state of some of Camden’s infrastructure, Armstrong implies parents are sacrificing their child’s educational development and, perhaps, placing their physical safety at risk. Moreover, and more importantly, he is unfairly labeling everyone associated with the meteoric rise of the Camden basketball program over the past three years a cheater.
So, exactly, how does he formulate his assertion that Camden cheated? Armstrong argues that “school officials seemingly made sports-driven enrollment decisions en route to the championship.” The “evidence” he provided included the fact that “five of Camden’s top six scorers do not reside in the city of 73,000 people… and are the only out-of-district students in the school.” Now, at first glance, these may appear to be unconventional and unique circumstances. But, the plain and simple fact is they are neither unconventional nor unique.
DJ Wagner ’23, member of USA National 17U team
Indeed, the NJ Department of Education (NJDOE) sponsors an “Interdistrict Public School Choice Program.” According to the NJDOE website, “New Jersey’s Interdistrict Public School Choice Program enables approved choice districts to enroll K-12th grade students who do not reside within their districts without cost to their parents. The program increases educational opportunities for students and their families by providing students with school options outside of their district of residence and giving parents the power to select a school program that best serves their child’s individual needs.”
So… Every year, the state of New Jersey provides students with out of district school options and gives parents the power to select a school that best serves their child’s individual needs. That’s good stuff… Really good stuff… No one objects out of district placements unless the students happen to be elite Black basketball athletes and their parents happen to determine that Camden public schools best serve their child’s needs. If that happens… It’s a BIG fuckin’ deal… So much so that a huge media outlet, like NJ.com which had an average of 12.1 million unique monthly visitors consuming a total of 70 million page views per month in 2018, must identify and retain the services of a journalistic “hitman” like Kevin Armstrong and provide him with the resources necessary to conduct and exhaustive six-month investigation.
Fuck outta here…
According to the NJDOE, “The Public School Choice Program benefits students and parents, as well as the choice districts. Choice programs might have smaller class sizes, increased instructional time, and a school culture more conducive to a student’s success in school. Many choice districts have established specialized and innovative programs and courses that focus on areas such as the arts, math and technology, and are open to students who meet the eligibility requirements of the special programs. Opening enrollment to students outside the district can bring in more students interested in taking advantage of these special programs and courses, allowing both the programs and students to grow and flourish.”
I agree with the NJDOE. I am a staunch supporter of school choice… While the Camden School District is not part of the DOE program, I assume the logic underlying the decisions of the parents of young men on the Camden basketball program is the same as that underlying the decision of parents taking advantage of the school choice program.
Cornelius “Boog” Robinson, holds 9 Division 1 scholarship offers
However, Armstrong, NJ Advance Media and NJ.com made very different assumptions when assessing the decision-making of Camden basketball parents. Instead of assuming the out of district transfers “benefit [Camden basketball] students and parents, as well as choice districts” like the thousands of other students exercising similar options, Armstrong presented this information to Colleen Maguire, Executive Director of the NJ State Interscholastic Athletic Association. Upon receiving Armstrong’s report, Maguire “said she will begin a review to determine whether rules have been broken.”
Here comes the bullshit…
From my perspective, Armstrong appears to be a “hitman” hired to use the byzantine set of NJSIAA rules to have the Camden High State Championship vacated and prevent the Panthers from an almost inevitable repeat next year. Camden has lost exactly one (1) game to a New Jersey opponent over the past three years. As noted by Armstrong, they beat NJ public school opponents by an average of nearly 40 points per game.
They can’t take it anymore. They are tired of getting the shit beat down their legs.
They can’t do anything about it on the court. So, they have resorted to smear campaigns disguised as special reports and NJSIAA investigations.
Powerful voices have chimed in and publicly sullied the name and reputation of Camden’s administrators, players, coaches and parents. Armstrong cites a quote from former NJ governor and youth sports advocate Richard Codey where he emphatically states, “All the adults are cheating, everybody knows it and nobody seems to care.”
After getting the shit beat down his legs by 41 points (93-52) in the Group 2 state final, Central High coach Shawn McCray exclaimed, “Are there really rules? You find the loopholes and get it done. That’s too much work for me.”
Rasheer Fleming ’22, now a freshman at St. Joseph’s University in the A10 Conference
Armed with a rather weak case in their effort to eliminate Camden from NJSIAA competition, the hitman mades a concerted effort to besmirch the reputation of Dajuan Wagner and the Wagner family. There can be no other logical reason for including a recap of fight Dajuan was involved in 21 years ago. It seems Armstrong wants his readers to internalize and adopt a perception of Dajuan as violent and menacing. This depiction is a far cry from the quiet, unassuming and gentle man known to everyone in Camden.
The hitman also chose to refer to a night 22 years ago when William Wesley took Wagner to a strip club after he scored 100 points in a game. Again, this incident took place 21 years ago. What is the relevance to the 2022 state champions? There is none… But, the goal is create a distorted perception about Dajuan and his family… Sucka shit… That’s what it’s called ’round my way.
Cognizant of the fact that many will remain ambivalent and some will view teenage fights and a visit to a strip club as a something akin to a right of passage, Armstrong decided to include references to the trial and conviction of Dajuan Wagner’s stepfather Leonard Paulk. The hitman noted that “Paulk was convicted and sentenced to life in prison.” What he failed to do, however, was to explain how the legal troubles of Wagner’s stepfather from 18 years ago are related to the 2022 Camden High School basketball team.
Paulk’s arrest and conviction are included as part of the hitman’s sustained effort to shape and reinforce a decidedly negative perception of Dajuan and the Wagner family… Period.
After attempting to painstakingly disparage Wagner and his family, the hitman set his sites on Rick Brunson, coach of the Panthers for the past three seasons. The hitman wrote that, “In 2014, [Brunson] was accused of sexual abuse but was acquitted.” Why… What purpose does the inclusion of this allegation serve? Judge James Booras ruled the state was “unable to meet the burden of proof required” to convict Brunson for the April 2014 incident. Furthermore, during the trial Brunson’s defense team questioned why the woman waited 10 days before contacting police and claimed the woman was seen on video laughing with Brunson after leaving the massage room.
He beat the case… In America, you are innocent til proven guilty. Right? Brunson is innocent… Period. This incident is a non-incident and is included as a salacious sidebar.
Nonetheless, the hitman understood that inclusion of this allegation could further his effort to characterize the Panthers as a lawless program.
Rick Brunson, former Camden HS coach
Next up on the hitman’s list was Pervis Ellison. His “crime”? Pervis “fundraised aggressively” according to the hitman. The hitman also took quick shots at William Wesley and John Mirenda, CEO of Greentree Mortgage. Mirenda is called into question because he’s “listed as treasurer and financial director for Scholars Elite.” Why is that problematic for the hitman? Because right after Dajaun was drafted and signed a $7.4 million dollar rookie contract Greentree provided him with a $258,000 mortgage for a West Deptford house for his mother.
What da fuck does a 20 year old mortgage deal for an NBA lottery pick have to do with the 2021-2022 Camden HS basketball team?
Nothing… Absolutely nothing…
The hitman was just throwing a whole lotta shit on the wall and hoping some of it sticks.
Hitmen are noted for their persistence and Armstrong is no different. He carefully stalked his prey. He described what he witnessed while on a stakeout, “on a Tuesday in May. Two schoolchildren dribbled until their yellow bus picked them up around 8 am. Soon after, Bradshaw walked out of Juanny’s house and Perkins followed him. They got in a red Chrysler, which Perkins drove to school.”
Da’ fuck? The hitman’s staking out the homes of HS basketball players…
His six-month detail completed, the hitman submitted his special report, NJ.com published it.
The investigation has commenced…
Unable to beat ‘em on the court. Governor Codey and a few competing coaches have retained the services of NJ Advance Media and NJ.com to knock the mighty Camden Panther program out of contention. Armstrong’s defamatory piece was just the first public salvo in what will surely be a relentless campaign to prevent the Black kids from the poor, but exceedingly, proud city of Camden from beating the shit down the legs of their New Jersey opponents.
I can’t wait to see next season’s versions of the mighty Panthers…
U want Da High?
“Hell no” is apparently the response from some influential folk in NJ scholastic athletics.
The Cahillites traveled about 20 minutes from Center City Philadelphia to meet the upstart Camden Panthers in a contest played in the supposedly neutral Cherry Hill East Gymnasium. Camden came into the game with a HEAVY reputation. Their main piece is, Lance Ware, a versatile 6’9” senior power forward headed to play for John Calipari and the Kentucky Wildcats. Alongside Ware is the incredibly strong and determined, TaQuan Woodley, a junior 6’8” 230 lb power forward that relentlessly rebounds and protects the rim. Woodley is a high major prospect with South Carolina, Temple, Saint Joseph’s and Penn State in hot pursuit. On the wing, the Panthers feature Jerome Brewer an athletic 6’7” wing with a sweet shooting stroke from 3 point range.
DJ Wagner, Camden’s Freshman Guard
In the backcourt, DJ Wagner has arrived. Heir to the throne of Camden basketball, Wagner is the son of DuJaun Wagner and Grandson of Milt Wagner. He has already been anointed the messiah for the proud Camden High basketball program. Rounding out the rotation are 4 or 5 highly talented freshmen that display skill and athleticism that will one day result in college basketball scholarships at some level.
This group of uber-talented scholastic players is led by a former McDonald’s All-American and 9 year NBA Veteran point guard. Rick Brunson is a disciple of Temple’s legendary John Chaney and this matchup with mighty Roman Catholic was his first BIG game at the helm of the Camden High basketball program.
Rick Brunson, Camden Head Coach
In preparation for this matchup, the Panthers have been plundering and pillaging small communities in New Jersey. They had piled up 4 victories with final margins ranging from 20 to 37.
But this would be different… This was HIGH MAJOR HS basketball... Coaches from Auburn, Temple, Penn State and several other high major programs were present. Saint Joseph’s brought their entire staff out to see the match up. Several former NBA players were present. Well over 2,000 spectators crammed into the hot gym designed to hold about 1,500. There were fans in every nook and cranny of the space not used for the actual contest itself. Jeremy Treatman, once again, put together a Play-by-Play Classics event that hoop heads could not resist.
Pat Chambers, Penn State Head Coach & Hansel Canon, Black Cager Sports
Roman Catholic, on the other hand, is trying to find an identity. The Cahillites suffered massive losses of key warriors… Seth Lundy and Hakim Hart have moved on the the Big 10 playing for nationally ranked Penn State and Maryland, respectively. Louis Wild a key member of Roman’s last two Catholic League Championship squads is prepping at Olympus.
Throughout the summer and fall, the Cahillites have struggled to find a new way to win big games. The road has been filled with potholes. They have looked really bad in several performances against elite competition.
Not the last two games…
Facing the very best the Public League and South Jersey has to offer, Roman Catholic has found a new path to victory… They have convincingly vanquished two of the strongest teams (Imhotep Charter and Camden High) in the region.
How are they getting it done?
Of course, there’s the fact that they have the most athletic, most explosive, most powerful big man in the nation. Jalen Duren’s game really defies adequate description. Some shit you just have to see first hand to grasp. But… I will try…
Jalen Duren
He dunks ON you! He dunks OVER you! He dunks THROUGH you! He dunks AROUND you!
On this night he had no fewer than 9 or 10 dunks… while these plays only resulted in 2 points each on the scoreboard, everyone in the gym will attest to the fact that they were worth at least 4 points each!
Jalen Duren
His dunks are like the body shot that Bernard Hopkins landed to end his fight with Oscar De La Hoya. The contest literally STOPS for a standing 8 count after each dunk. These are not regular high school dunks… These are FUCK YOU… FUCK your family dunks…. These are FUCK YOU give me your lunch dunks…
Rysheed Jordan, PUB Legend and Stan Laws, Head Coach of Camden Monarchs
Yeah… Yeah… His offensive repertoire is limited… He continues to take ill-advised jump shots… He really hasn’t developed a picture perfect turnaround jumper like former Cahillite Marc Jackson… He doesn’t have a feathery touch like Roman legend Eddie Griffin… So what?
That’s like complaining that a prime Mike Tyson lacked Ali’s lateral movement… Right now, he don’t need none of that shit. Why? Because…
Jalen Duren
He dunks ON you! He dunks OVER you! He dunks THROUGH you! He dunks AROUND you!
But… we all knew that… and on many nights, we all know that will be enough for the Cahillites to eek out victories… But what about when they face the big boys? Will the other guys show up?
Well… For the second BIG GAME in a row Lynn Greer, III has displayed the leadership, poise, judgement and selflessness that one would expect from a HIGH MAJOR point guard prospect. His handle is beyond tight… LG3 has the ball on a string… He puts in front of defenders and yanks it back with precision… He’s able to go wherever he wants with the ball… He is big enough and strong enough to challenge BIGS at the rim… He finishes through contact… Most importantly, he has become very, very good at choosing the right time to impose himself of the game.
While Jalen Duren is an NBA athlete playing high school basketball, there is no doubt that this is Lynn Greer’s team. He has become an exceptional leader… Greer’s play is allowing the incredibly gifted Justice Williams to show his ASS this year. Lynn sets up the offense and gets guys in position. He gives it to Williams on the wing and Williams is doing things that other 10th graders simply cannot do. He was deep in his bag tonight. His in and out moves… His crossovers… His hesitations were simply majestic.
Camden was right there… They played solid defense, and on many occasions Justice’s offense was just better… If you want to know what a HIGH MAJOR wing looks like, watch the soon to be released Raw Sports video of this contest and focus on Justice Williams offensive performance tonight.
But… as noted in Isaiah 11:6 “a little child shall lead them.”
When Woodley was able to wrestle, bump and push Duren away from the rim… When Brewer’s and Ware’s length was giving Greer problems… When the Roman offense was stalling… It was the pubescent Xzayvier Brown that made big shot after big shot. Brown is very slight in stature… One can easily envision him sitting at middle school lunch table just a few short months ago… Then… The game begins and he is ALWAYS among the calmest, coolest and most collected players on the court. This kid has BIG BALLS!
Brown never gets sped up… He has a profound understanding of floor spacing… He makes himself available to Greer and Williams for skip passes… He gives them a clear target… And, when the pass is made, he is ready to squeeze! A freshman… A FUCKIN freshman is already one of the most reliable knock-down jump shooters in the Greater Philadelphia region. If his feet are set and he catches and shoots in rhythm… Count that shit! Put three on the board for Roman.
Brown is going to be a problem for four years down at Broad and Vine.
Another key piece for Roman is Nasir Lett. Like Brown, Lett understands floor spacing and he understands his role. If he is open, “Lett it fly!” Rarely does Lett catch rim… far more often than not… splash!
Impressive… Very impressive… It took a while for these guys to identify and GROW into their respective roles. One has to credit Head Coach Matt Griffin for switching defenses at key moments and constantly instilling a high level of confidence in this version of the Cahillites.
Justice Williams, Roman Catholic, defends an inbounds pass
Yes… They have the BEST big man in the land… But they are much more than that… Greer has evolved into a maestro on the court. His tendency to play solos at inopportune moments is gone. He has clearly grasped the fact that he as to CONDUCT the orchestra. He’s allowing his young virtuosos to shine at precisely the right moments. Greer is a leader…
After finishing a tough layup, Brown took an ugly and violent spill. He thought he was hurt… I thought he was hurt… Everyone in the gym thought he was hurt… Greer knew he wasn’t injured! He made sure that Brown knew he wasn’t injured. After sitting one series, Brown immediately returned to the lineup and the Cahillites finished off the Panthers in front of about 2,000 despondent Camden fans.
This is Lynn Greer’s team… They will go as far as he takes them… The car fully loaded with all the options… The tank is full of 93 octane and the GPS is set for the Palestra…
Can they be stopped?
The Roman Empire is seeking to capture their 5th Catholic League title in 6 years and 33rd overall… The Cahillites ended Neumann-Goretti’s string of six straight in 2015. Their recent run was interrupted by only Sir Colin Gillespie of Warminster’s incredible romp through the Catholic League in 2017. Other than that… It’s been all Roman for 5 years…
Well… I gotta go for now gotta get to work… I owe Boo Farmer another Chicken Cheesesteak from Iskabibble’s!
My man J-Rock threw another banging party… He’s been having some GREAT parties lately… Shit, a couple weeks ago he threw a party in Ohio and LeBron and Savannah James showed up… That night he had over 14,000 partygoers and the joint was rocking.
Tonight, I expected nothing less than another banging party… See, last year I went to a party right off 17th and Spring Garden and these two BAAAAAD jawns were there… These jawns were HOTTT!
One was from Center City… Her name is Romona and she’s a little stuck up… You know the bourgeoisie type… but I understand… She know she’s a BAD jawn! She was a BAD jawn waaay back in the 80’s… She had the big bamboo earrings and she was rocking cazals way back then… Her shit was fly… In fact, she always had the fly shit… She never lets up…
Very rarely will you catch her off her game… In fact last year, her shit was on point… The weave was tight… edges and all… She had the brand new Birkin Bag and the Loubitin pumps… The jeans was fitting just right… The make up was flawless… The manicure was perfect… This jawn was FLAT OUT fine… And, she knew it.
The other jawn was from uptown… Imhotesha is what they call her… She’s still kinda new to town… Her history doesn’t extend all the way back like Romona… Her pedigree is a lil’ questionable…
In fact, when she first came to town she lived in a trailer… But she got her shit together fast… Next thing you know she had a brand new crib… Yeah… She built it in the hood, but it’s a nice crib… She’s been getting all the attention for the past 6 or 7 years…
She’s not as polished as Romona… Now… Let me be clear, she’s a BAD jawn too! Don’t get it twisted… But she more likely to sport a pair of fresh Tims than Loubitin pumps… She is definitely all about the culture… Romona has crossover support… Imhotehsa is decidedly BLACK and ALL BLACK all the time for sure… She tends to pass on the weaves and wears her hair in braids or a natural style… In fact, almost every time I’ve seen her she’s wearing a Dashiki…
Last year, I went to a party right off 17th and Spring Garden and they both were there… Man those jawns were fine as shit… Niggas was sweatin’ both of ’em… They were on top of their game… You couldn’t take your eyes off of them, not even for a second… And they knew they were fine as hell… That was the party of the year.
That was last year…
The Party was packed!
Tonight, the party was live… It was packed… Indeed, they had to stop letting people in… But it wasn’t a raucous as it was last year… It was a nice party though…
Truth be told, both Romana and Imhotesha fell off a lil’ bit…
The weave has been in a little too long… Romona’s manicure looks about 2 weeks old… You can see the little gaps where the nails have grown… The Birkin bag has a few stains on it… The make up looks like she was in a hurry and she has those weird extra long eyelashes…
Imhotesha has gained a lil’ weight, the love handles are hanging over the yoga pants… The braids have been in at least a week too long… The colors are faded on the Dashiki…
But damn… when they walked across the floor together, there can be no doubt… They are still two bad jawns!
Rudy Davis, Marty Bibbs and Lewis Leonard at J-Rock’s Party
They still draw a crowd… They still make the party pop…
They just not as fine as they were last year.
Nor are they as fine as this chick I saw over the bridge last week… Mannnn… Listen that muthafucka is gorgeous… I heard Romona is going to a party with her on Monday… She better go to the hairdresser, go shopping and get that face painted…
That chick Cammy ain’t playing no games… Niggas is sayin’ she a dime!
Got there about 6:10 pm…. My Bro, Gene Lett came through! He made sure I had a ticket for the game… You had to have a plan or a hook up… Couldn’t show up and buy a ticket… Naaah…Not that night…
The South Jersey Group 2 title game between Camden and Haddonfield on Monday night at Cherry Hill East High School was HUGE!
The line to enter the game was a couple hundred deep over an an hour before tip-off… Keep in mind, these were people with tickets in their hand…
There were ABSOLUTELY no tickets available for purchase… Every square inch of the gym was accounted for… Here is a quick pan of the energetic and considerably swollen crowd…
Literally, this was the hottest ticket in town…
The meager number allotted to the respective schools were swallowed within minutes of release. And then… Shit got a lil’ weird.
At Haddonfield High School, you had to present a driver’s license with a Haddonfield address to purchase a ticket to a basketball game… If you had an acceptable address, you were allowed to purchase exactly one ticket…
RULES… Conceived, drafted and implemented in a day… Intended to advantage some and disadvantage others…
Some complained… strongly… Haddonfield, clearly, wanted to ensure that it’s fans were taken care of… I don’t blame them… With a suitable venue, between the two schools, they could have easily sold in excess of 4,000 tickets for this contest.
The Camden and Haddonfield communities support their basketball programs in a very big way!
Haddonfield also has a Championship team. Now… Here is where you say predictable things about a predominantly white basketball team… Shit like, they are well coached and unselfish… They play a structured, disciplined and patient brand of basketball. They avoid turnovers.
All true… The team possesses those characteristics… and more. They can really fuckin’ play…
They entered the game with a record of 28-1. They defeated Camden last year for South Jersey Group 2 title… Haddonfield ain’t new to this.
As Camden faithful perform the autopsies, various causes of defeat are bandied about… For example, the Xs and Os of first year coach Vic Carstarphen have been openly discussed as the reason for the loss. Some question his decisions to switch defenses at key junctures. Others point to a perceived lack of focus among the high talented core group of players and fault the head coach.
It is worth noting that Lett, Brewer and Woodley never wore purple and gold before this season. Carstarphen had to integrate these players into a lineup featuring established starters Lance Ware and Ethan Tarte. On top of that, the volatile Woodley was unavailable for a couple stretches. Overall, Carstarphen did a solid job of blending disparate parts into a functioning unit over the course of the season. They just ran into a well-prepared and determined Haddonfield squad.
With his rookie campaign under his belt, one would expect to see Carstarphen continue to evolve and improve as a head coach.
Another frequently cited reason was the referees. Objectively speaking, the refs must bear some weight… In my estimation, over the first three quarters, the refs missed a LOT of calls… but they – more or less – missed ‘em on both ends.
As the game wound down to crunch time, they started calling fouls away from the basket…
Huh? What the fuck?
You didn’t see that aggravated assault under the other basket ’bout 7 minutes ago. There’s no denying it… There were some very bad calls. Nakedly so… More significantly, in the latter stage, the whistle was only blowing one way. The refs were a factor in the game… The refs did not determine the outcome.
There were other factors of equal or more significance.
For Camden, Nasir Lett cramped up and Ethan Tarte fouled out.
Subsequently, several Camden players repeatedly made poor decisions with the ball… They were in a hurry… They wanted the game to be over… There was no effort to milk the clock. Camden almost played as if they were down 10 instead of up 10.
Also, missed free throws were very costly. Especially by your best players… your stars.
All of the aforementioned played a role… But, what stood out to me was the fact that these white boys could play.
Haddington’s Mike DePersia ’19 (committed to D1 IUPUI) effectively dealt with relentless full court defensive pressure applied by El-Khana Hidalgo ’19. DePersia was heady and savvy while controlling the offense for Haddonfield. His leadership kept them together and within striking distance.
DePersia kept coming and coming… Behind, but determined.
Haddonfield hung around all night… While it felt like Camden was in control for three quarters, Haddonfield never let them out of their sight. More importantly, Haddonfield was “long” enough, “athletic” enough and competed hard on every play.
Lance Ware ’20, TaQuan Woodley ‘21 and Jerome Brewer ’21 give Camden a formidable Division 1 front court. These guys are skilled, long and very extremely athletic.
Didn’t matter… Haddonfield matched ’em…
So… What happened? How do we explain IT?
Camden was up by 11 with less than two minutes to play and lost the game.
Was it Carstarphen’s coaching? Was it the refs? Was it Tarte fouling out?
I watched every minute of the game… Here’s what I saw… This is what I will remember going forward…
Haddonfield’s Dan Fleming “bussed dey ass!”
Straight up… His fifth 3-pointer with eight seconds left in regulation forced the overtime. Fleming scored 16 of Haddonfield’s final 20 points.
Please… Take a moment and view some the highlights of Fleming’s magnificent performance…
That said… Camden still had multiple opportunities to win the game. Good clean shot attempts to win and or tie the ball game. They just wouldn’t fall.
Here you can watch the final minute of the game. It was a memorable and intense high school game.
I heard a lot of the chatter about Vic’s coaching… I’ve also heard how the refs “stole” the game from the Panthers.
Truth be told, if anyone asks me what happened… I’m gonna say Dan Fleming bussed dey ass…
The Black Cager 