Camden edges Camden Catholic
While their coach was hoping for help from a higher power, the Camden boys' basketball team got down to more earthly pursuits.
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While their coach was hoping for help from a higher power, the Camden boys' basketball team got down to more earthly pursuits.
Such as game-deciding defense.
Camden lifted three steals in the frantic final 70 seconds to rally for a 57-55 victory over Camden Catholic on Wednesday in a clash of Olympic Conference National Divison rivals.
Sophomore Myles Thompson, junior John Evans, and senior Brad Hawkins each made a crucial steal down the stretch for Camden (10-1 overall, 3-1 in the division), the No. 4 team in The Inquirer's Top 25 rankings.
"I wasn't coaching. I was praying," Camden coach John Valore said.
The victory was Camden's first over its longtime rival since February 2013.
Camden Catholic (4-7 overall, 1-3 division) had won four in a row and five of six over Camden.
"This is what you get when you play Camden Catholic," Valore said. "They scout you, they prepare for you, they control the game.
"We were fortunate."
Senior lead guard Jamal Parker led all scorers with 21 points and also dished out five assists for Camden Catholic.
Parker controlled the game with his quickness and ballhandling, consistently driving into the lane and collapsing Camden's defense.
"It was a heartbreaking loss, but we're coming together as a team," Parker said. "This is very frustrating, but it's a learning experience."
Camden was down, 53-51, when Thompson ripped the basketball free at midcourt and fed Jamal Holloway for a dunk to tie the score at the 1-minute, 10-second mark.
Parker gave the Irish the lead with two free throws at 0:46, but Panthers sophomore Corey Greer tied the score again with a strong drive and reverse layup with 36 seconds to play.
"I knew my team needed me to make a play and I had to deliver," said Greer, who led Camden with 16 points.
Evans came up with another steal during a scramble at midcourt and fed Holloway for another slam and a 57-55 Camden lead at the 0:18 mark.
After a Camden Catholic timeout, Hawkins denied the Irish's last possession with another steal, using his strength to muscle past Parker for possession with around four seconds to play.
"He fouled me," Parker said with a smile. "He'll be hearing about it tonight."
Camden 7 19 14 17 - 57
Camden Catholic 11 7 23 14 - 55
C: Brad Hawkins 14, Corey Greer 16, Jamal Holloway 11, Myles Thompson 9, John Evans 2, Deaquan Williams 2, Dustin Singleton 2, Ethan Tarte 1.
CC: Terrance Harris 8, Jamal Parker 21, Dominic Dunn 11, Baba Ajike 5, Chris Okafur 4, Ian McCarthy 6.
@PhilAnastasia
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