But it's better to focus on what Walton-Moss is: a clutch Camden player in the classic fashion of South Jersey's most fabled program.

With legends in the stands - spectators Milt Wagner, Kevin Walls and Dajuan Wagner accounted for around 8,200 combined points in their careers at Camden - Walton-Moss carried on the tradition yesterday during an Olympic Conference National Division showdown with rival Camden Catholic.

Walton-Moss scored 27 points, grabbed 10 rebounds, and dealt five assists as Camden scored a 63-52 victory before a near-capacity crowd that included La Salle coach John Giannini in the Irish's gymnasium.

"People say my game is Atlantic 10," Walton-Moss said when told of Giannini's presence. "I don't have the perfect shot. But I'm working hard to try to improve all of my game."

Walton-Moss' college prospects are an interesting question because he's such a distinctive player. He's just 6-foot-2, but he's really not a guard, although he often handles the basketball for the Panthers.

He's a scorer who slashes to the basket for most of his points. He shoots jumpers and free throws with his right hand, but almost always shoots with his left hand when he gets close to the basket.

He's the team's leading rebounder. He also jumps center.

"He's a gift," Camden coach Mike Stargell said. "He's matured tremendously. He's showing outstanding leadership. I can't say enough about him."

Walton-Moss was there for Camden during the tough stretches. He led a 12-0 surge after Camden Catholic opened a 4-0 lead, scoring the Panthers' first nine points and dishing to sophomore guard Takwail Bailey for a three-point jumper.

Walton-Moss took command of the game in the fourth quarter, especially after Camden Catholic closed within 41-37 with a basket on the first possession of the period.

Walton-Moss led Camden on an 11-2 run, scoring six points on three drives - and lefthanded layups, natch - and finding Vincent Walls, Kevin's son, open in the corner for a crucial three-point jumper.

"He can dominate a game," Stargell said. "You're talking about coming into Camden Catholic, against a Jimmy Crawford-coached team, and taking over. Not many players can do that."

Camden Catholic junior forward Tim Crawford, the coach's nephew, said Walton-Moss was the difference in the game.

"He's one of the best, if not the best, players in South Jersey," Tim Crawford said.

Walton-Moss left Camden in late August to enroll in Life Center, a non-NJSIAA school in Burlington with one of the strongest basketball programs in the state. His plan was to repeat 11th grade, to work on his academics, and to improve his game.

He lasted about six weeks, returning to Camden in early October.

"I just didn't feel comfortable," Walton-Moss said. "It wasn't a fit. You have me in one place [Camden] for three years and then I have to go somewhere else and make all these changes, it just wasn't right for me.

"I just feel more comfortable here. I'm more laid back, able to focus on doing better in my schoolwork and improving my game."

In talking about his brief time away from the Panthers, Walton-Moss might have best described himself. He's not a sweet shooter, a silky ball-handler, a typical guard, or a standard forward.

He's an athlete who wants the basketball in the heat of the game.

"I'm a Camden kid," Walton-Moss said.

or panastasia@phillynews.com.