Eastside High School senior Jahaan Green delivers a right-handed dunk in the D2 Sports Network senior boys' basketball all-star game dunk contest at Holy Cross Preparatory Academy in Delran, New Jersey on Saturday, April 6, 2024. Green is committed to Army. Collin Conway/D2 Sports Network
DELRAN - The first annual D2 Sports Network South Jersey all-star basketball showcase took place at Holy Cross Preparatory Academy last Saturday. The event featured four all-star games including an eighth-grade boys' all-star game, a high school girls' all-star game, an underclassmen boys' all-star game and a senior boys' all-star game.
Players were selected from the five South Jersey conferences (Burlington County Scholastic League, Cape-Atlantic League, Colonial Conference, Olympic Conference and Tri-County Conference) affiliated with the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association. Eight counties were represented in the event.
Former players that coached in the event included former Atlantic City and Canisius star Frank Turner, Woodrow Wilson alum and former Temple guard Semaj Inge, and Schalick graduate and former Seton Hall defensive ace Paul Gause. 2023-24 Burlington County Scholastic League Coach of the Year Antoine Miller and 2022 New Jersey Coach of the Year Kenny Avent also coached in the event. Camden's Annie Payton and Highland's J.W. Senft guided the girls' teams in the showcase and Zhaire McCormick coached in the eighth-grade boys' all-star game. McCormick directed KIPP Lanning Square Middle School to a perfect 22-0 record and the Camden City championship this season.
Three out of the four games were decided by four points or less. A three-point shooting contest and skills competition took place at halftime during each of the four games. Two dunk contests were also held ahead of the underclass boys' game and senior boys' game. Trophies were awarded to the winners of each contest and a Most Valuable Player was selected for each of the four games.
Here are 16 standouts (two from each team, four from each game) from last Saturday's showcase: