Sapp, Timber Creek edge Winslow

George Sapp's high school athletic career seems more suited to the baseball field than the basketball court.

Sapp has made four stops -- rounding the bases, as it were -- and landed back home.

"I pretty much live across the street," from Timber Creek High School, Sapp said on Tuesday.

The 5-7 senior guard led Timber Creek to a 48-45 victory over Winslow Township in a hotly contested Olympic Conference Patriot Division game in the Eagles' gymnasium.

Sapp scored a game-high 17 points with three assists. He scored four in the fourth quarter, when Timber Creek held off a late Winslow Township surge.

"He's the point guard we didn't have last year," Timber Creek coach Rich Bolds said after his team improved to 5-3 overall and 1-1 in the Olympic Patriot.

Senior guard Chris Williams scored 13 and junior guard Masner Beauplan added 11 for Winslow Township (3-8, 0-1).

"All in all, my guys played hard," Winslow Township coach Norm Ingram said. "We didn't execute at the end. But the effort was there."

Sapp attended Paul VI as a freshman, St. Augustine Prep as a sophomore and Trenton Catholic for most of his junior year. He transfered to Timber Creek in April.

"People don't know what I've been through," Sapp said. "Catholic school is expensive. It's been a financial struggle for my family. I decided I wanted to go to a public school."

Sapp said he has bonded with his Timber Creek teammates.

"I feel like I've been with these guys for five years," Sapp said.

As the team's primary ball-handler, Sapp runs the Chargers' offense and is responsible for distributing the basketball. It's a critical role for a newcomer.

"He's been tremendous for us," Bolds said. "I told him, 'This is your last stop. You might as well try to go out on top.'"

Sapp has scored in double figures in every game. He leads the Chargers in scoring with a 17.6 average.

Sapp believes Timber Creek could be a major factor in the South Jersey Group 3 tournament, especially with the addition of 6-3 senior forward Sameen Swint, a transfer from Paul VI who will become eligible next week.

The Chargers also are hoping for the return of 6-7 senior Dominique Reid, who has been out all season with a knee injury. Reid, who averaged 20.1 point last season, could be back by mid-February, according to Bolds.

"I love these guys," Sapp said of his teammates. "They took me in like I was a brother to them. Without them, none of this would work."

Timber Creek 17 13 6 12 -- 48
Winslow Twp. 19 9 6 11 -- 45

TC: George Sapp 17, Joel Grant 2, Keith Washington 9, Jeff Lewis 7, Wesley Primas 3, Brandon Cornelius 2, Juan Hemingway 8.

WT: Masner Beauplan 11, Mike Cubbage 2, Chris Williams 13, Adonis Melvin 5, Ollicee Jones 4, Devon Jones 4, Shonray Greene 6.

Contact staff writer Phil Anastasia at panastasia@phillynews.com or @PhilAnastasia on Twitter.