City of Basketball Love

Kevin Troilo (@kevin_troilo)
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(Ed. Note: This article is part of CoBL's "Prepping for Preps," our series of articles previewing area high school teams for the 2015-16 season. For the complete list of schools previewed so far, click here)

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Most high school players don’t get the chance to play in one state championship game let alone three before they even reach their senior year. Camden’s Brad Hawkins and Jamal Holloway have already done just that.

The Panthers are the two-time defending South Jersey Group 2 Champions, with a Group 3 title coming in 2012. In each of the last three seasons, they rode this wave all the way to the state finals. In the past two seasons they’ve lost to Newark Tech, by a combined 10 points.

Head coach John Valore is beginning his third season at Camden. The 70-year-old spent the prior 35 seasons leading the Cougars of Cherry Hill East, where he won 549 games; the court at East is now named in his honor.

Now he’s leading the Panthers in their pursuit of a third straight Group 2 title.

“It’s a matter of having the lead in the fourth quarter and maintaining that lead. Before we start thinking about the last two seasons, we have to take care of business down here in South Jersey,” Valore said.

Camden comes into the 2015-2016 with a roster loaded with talent. The aforementioned Hawkins, a 6-foot-1 guard, and Holloway, a 6-4 big man, are both three-year starters with masses of experience. They’ve both already eclipsed the 1,000-point mark in just three seasons.

Both players are also football standouts. Hawkins has already committed to play wide receiver at Michigan next season. Holloway will travel north to join the Orange of Syracuse, where he will play defensive end.

“Those two understand each other,” Valore said. “They complement each other. They’re both very good offensive players and exceptional defensive players. They both really know how to play the game. They’ve been around the block.”

Joining Hawkins and Holloway is sophomore Myles Thompson. Thompson started in every game as a freshman, averaging 6.9 points and 5.4 rebounds.

“Myles is about 6-5 or 6-6, now. He’s looking really good, I was more than impressed with it,” assistant coach Vic Castraphen said. “He lost some weight and got himself in better shape. He’s going to be coming into his own.”

Perhaps the biggest surprise for this Camden team is the addition of transfer Cory Greer. Greer left Middle Township High School for MetEast Charter School following his freshman season. MetEast students receive eligibility for Camden High School athletics.

Greer averaged 11.9 points per game and was unanimously voted an all-star in the Cape Atlantic League following the 2014-2015 season. The backcourt of Greer and Hawkins will be a tough assignment for opposing defenses throughout South Jersey.

Valore knows this is a deep team and that playing time will come at a premium.  

Other transfers include junior guard James Hines, wingman Jaylen Robinson, and Quincy Wright. Wright and Robinson played together last season at Pennsauken High School.

“It’s going to be competitive with guys pushing for playing time,” Valore said. “There’s no question about it. It really depends if all the guys really buy into what we’re trying to do.”

Both Valore and Carstarphen cited foul shooting as something the team must improve on if they want to win close games, especially at the state level. The Panthers missed 17 free throws in the state final last season.

During the regular season, Camden will once again face New Jersey powerhouse St. Anthony’s in the second half of a home and home, this time at the Friars’ home court in Jersey City. St. Anthony’s beat Camden 50-46 last season in a game played in late January.

They’ve struggled with rival Camden Catholic over the past few years, losing four straight and five of six overall. The team did lose first-team all National Division standout Rasool Hinson and second-teamer Will McCants. This leaves the door open for players to step up and prove their worth at the varsity level.

“We’ve got a lot to do. I want to build this foundation,” Carstarphen said. “All the kids have to understand what we’re trying to do. People need to understand their roles. I love the quality of kids we have this year. Some people might say we’re a little inexperienced but we have two of our best players coming back. I’m excited.”