Basketball: Preseason All South Jersey teams
By Phil Anastasia
With the basketball season set to start on Friday, here's a look at first-, second- and third-team All-South Jersey in the preseason:
First Team
Kyle Green Camden Catholic 6-5 Senior: He's a natural scorer who signed with Temple. A gym rat from a basketball family who plays the game the "right way," as coaches like to say. He averaged 22.7 last year and likely will become Camden Catholic's all-time leading scorer. That's something given the rich history of that program.
Jah-leem Montague Atlantic City 6-8 Senior: He's a shot blocker with improved skills. His coach, Gene Allen, said he had a big summer with his AAU team and has shown an improved offensive game. He's a monster at the defensive end. The major inside force for the defending Group 4 state champions.
Xavier Lundy Paulsboro 6-5 Senior: He's the returning Player of Year. He averaged 22 points and 11 boards for a team that went 30-1 and stood up to the best competition. Defensive demon in the Red Raiders' 1-3-1 halfcourt trap. He hasn't signed with a college but James Madison was in the gym the other day.
Devon Bell Eastern 6-1 Senior: He averaged 14 points for 24-4 team. Silky swingman whose athleticism allows him to excel in open floor and against man-to-man defense. Will see a lot of time at point guard this season as the Vikings lost their veteran ball-handlers to graduation.
Paul Moore 6-0 Holy Spirit Senior: He averaged 15.8 points and made big shots. He was clutch down the stretch. Will team with emerging junior swingman Junior Saintel to form one of the best 1-2 punches in South Jersey.
Second Team
Tim Delaney Pitman 6-9 Sophomore: He's a rising star with great skills. Can face basket, shoot from distance and dish. Might still be growing, too. He's already drawing major recruiting interest from programs such as St. Joseph and Penn State among many others.
Cedric Elleby Delsea 6-2 Senior: This crafty lefty is a double-double machine. Worked on his ball-handling and outside shot. Has led Crusaders' resurgence as a program in a football/wrestling school.
Josh Borrelli Shawnee 6-1 Senior: He's a four-year player who can score and dish. Smart, savvy player who can dial long distance. One of nine seniors for a Shawnee team that will make a serious run at SJ and state 4 titles.
Amir Maddred Camden 6-7 Senior: This big man has body control and soft touch. If his motor gets revved, he can dominate games. He has helped pushed the Panthers back into prominence in SJ basketball.
Elijah Cain Medford Tech 6-2 Junior: He's a rangy point guard with silky moves. Probably will look to score a little more this season. He can do that.
Third Team
Stefano Okoro Gloucester 6-0 Senior: He's a serious leaper who averaged 20.5 points. Worked on handle and outside shot in off-season. Likely will finish as the Lions' No. 2 all-time leading scorer behind Keith Gorman.
Jay Howard Paul VI 6-1 Junior He's stepping into the spotlight for a team that could be the most talented in SJ when all the pieces are in place. He's a terrific finisher in the open floor. Part of a loaded junior class -- which includes three talented transfers -- that likely will have the Eagles in the Top 5 for the next two seasons.
Rashaan Armstead-Holloway Schalick 6-9 Junior He averaged 17 points and 12 boards. Drawing major recruiting interest. Soft hands and good skills for a big man. Like Maddred, needs to continue to develop every-possession intensity.
Rodney Williams Cherry Hill West 6-1 Junior He's a top athlete who averaged 19 points. One of four returning starters for a Lions team that could make some noise. Deep range on his jumper and can get to the rim.
Mike Greenman St. Augustine 5-9 Senior He's a playmaker with deep range and a great feel for the game. Clutch free-throw shooter. Leader of a deep and talented Hermits squad that will challenge AC, Spirit and Middle for Cape supremacy and will be a factor in South NP A.
-- Contact Phil Anastasia at panastasia@phillynews.com or @PhilAnastasia on Twitter.