EVESHAM - The 9th annual Jimmy V Classic took place at Cherokee High School on Saturday. 26 teams participated in the yearly, first class event with several teams earning their first win of the new campaign. Without any further ado, let’s take a look at Saturday’s top performers as seen in action by South Jersey Sports Zone’s Kevin Emmons.
Pemberton 68, Williamstown 46: Senior Cameron Downs led the Hornets with a career-high 36 points in their season opener. Downs showcased his athleticism with a series of dunks in transition and when penetrating the basket parallel with the baseline. He also went 9-for-10 from the free throw line. Isham McClain poured in 18 points and showed off his improved long distance shooting ability. The senior dialed up four 3-pointers and used his speed at times to beat defenders to the rim.
Sean Gallagher was a bright spot for a young Braves team. Gallagher shot the ball with confidence and finished with a team-high 16 points. The junior scored 12 (four 3-pointers) of his 16 from beyond-the-arc.
Cherry Hill East 54, Westampton Tech 49: Senior Deon Sanders tallied a game-high 16 points in the Cougars’ win on Saturday. Mulhenberg commit Drew Greene and sharpshooter Jake Green added 11 points each.
Lonnie Mills led the Panthers with a team-high 11 points and Khamani Wade added 10.
Paul VI 73, Overbrook 51: Senior Logan Clark led a balanced Paul VI attack with a team-high 18 points. Clark exhibited his ability to move into open space on the interior and dive towards the basket as the defense collapsed. Cairo Rivera added 17 and showed his potential as a corner specialist. Rivera knocked down four 3-pointers. Emmanuel Joe-Samuel provided strength on the inside and tallied 16. Veteran point guard Jaden Arline emerged in the second half and finished with 11. Arline utilized his quickness to explode past defenders and get into the lane.
Overbrook’s Devon Johnson was nearly perfect from the field. The junior shooting guard poured in a game-high 24 points and sank six 3-pointers. Johnson possessed a smooth shooting stroke and showcased his ability to beat defenders to a spot and open up catch-and-shoot opportunities. Johnson was also perfect (4-for-4) from the free throw line.
Camden Catholic 60, Moorestown 48: Camden Catholic's Andrew "Duce" Prete scored 17 of his game-high 22 points in the first half. The senior proved to be a threat from the wing with three 3-pointers and displayed his ability to get into the lane and score in traffic. Prete also proved to be a good passer, leading teammates on back door cuts with accurate, timely passes. Freshman Tobe Nwobu scored 11 points and showed how comfortable he is with the ball in his hands. The freshman also showed his ability to shoot off the dribble and make good decisions when tasked with conducting the offense in the halfcourt. Junior Andrew Crawford added seven points and also exhibited his ability to direct the offense and put teammates in position to score.
Moorestown’s Nick DiMarino scored eight of his team-high 14 points in the second half. DiMarino exhibited fearlessness when attacking the basket and showcased his underrated bounce when exploding towards the rim.
Kingsway 75, Pennsauken 66: Sophomore Jahaan Green provided 28 points in a nine-point win over Pennsauken on Saturday. Green also collected 13 rebounds and two blocks, per coach Aaron Crispin.
Lenape 59, Linden 44: Rutgers commit Derek Simpson overcame an uncharacteristic sluggish start and tallied a game-high 18 points in the win. He also utilized his athleticism to grab five rebounds and swipe six steals. More importantly, Simpson was able to get his teammates involved and finished with nine assists. The Rutgers commit also amazed the audience with his vertical bounce that led to a trio of thundering dunks. Simpson’s quickness paired with his lethal shot off the dribble makes him a matchup nightmare for opposing guards.
Aidan Anderson added 16 points. The southpaw showed his ability to get into the lane and knock down mid-range jumpers. Anderson also played with an increased level of toughness that led to an uptick in rebounds. The senior picked up an offer from Lincoln in early December and has generated interest from Arcadia, Lycoming and Adelphi. Sophomore Tye Dorset contributed 13 points and shot the ball from long distance with confidence. Dorset drilled three 3-pointers.