Sam Carchidi | Answering those frequently asked questions

Along the scholastic sports beat, there are always questions, questions, questions. . . .

Which South Jersey teams have the best chance to bring home NJSIAA state wrestling championships?

In order: Paulsboro (well, duh) in Group 1, Camden Catholic in Non-Public Group A, and Kingsway in Group 3.

Eastern is a dark horse in Group 4, but has the misfortune of being in the same section as Jackson, arguably the state's best team.

What's going on in the recruiting war for Absegami running back Steve Hevalow, The Inquirer's South Jersey offensive player of the year?

Not much.

Hevalow, who rushed for 1,456 yards last fall and led the Braves to the South Jersey Group 4 title, will probably go to a prep school before eventually transferring to a Division I college. That scenario could change, however, when he receives the results of his January SAT.

And Absegami's other Division I prospects?

Mark Schenauer, who was a second-team all-South Jersey quarterback but is being recruited primarily as a wide receiver, has offers from Monmouth, West Chester and Charleston, and is also considering being a preferred walk-on at Delaware or William and Mary, according to Absegami athletic director Scott Lodgek.

Absegami all-South Jersey defensive lineman Brandon Bullock is leaning toward Marshall, while his teammate, defensive lineman Matt Bartling, is favoring Temple, Lodgek said. Syracuse and New Mexico are also in the mix for Bullock, a 6-foot-3, 305-pounder who caused eight fumbles last season.

Wednesday is the first day recruits can sign binding letters of intent.

Is there a better point guard in South Jersey than Paul VI's Will Campbell?

If there is, I haven't seen him.

Campbell, a sturdy 5-foot-91/2 junior, can shoot, penetrate, pass, defend, and handle the ball with the best of them.

Oh, and he has two speeds: Fast and faster.

Which boys' basketball teams have the best chance to win state titles and advance into the Tournament of Champions?

Here's a vote for Shawnee in Group 3 and Collingswood in Group 2. St. Augustine is a dark horse in a loaded Non-Public A field that should feature North Jersey powers Seton Hall Prep and St. Joseph of Montvale. (P.S.: Keep an eye on Rancocas Valley, which is listed in the Central Jersey bracket this year, and Winslow Township in Group 4.)

By the way, Collingswood will be a South Jersey top seed for the first time since 1997, the year it lost to fourth-seeded Moorestown in the sectional semifinals.

In other words, despite an outstanding regular season, there are no guarantees in the usually wacky NJSIAA tournament.

In the unlikely event that Indianapolis linebacker Gary Brackett was named the MVP of Sunday's Super Bowl, would he be the first South Jersey player to ever win the award?

Negative.

In Super Bowl IX in 1975, Pittsburgh Steelers running back Franco Harris, the pride of Rancocas Valley, was named the MVP.

Brackett, a Glassboro graduate, will have to overcome long odds to win the award.

A linebacker has been selected as the MVP in only two of the 40 previous Super Bowls: Dallas' Chuck Howley in 1971 and Baltimore's Ray Lewis in 2001.

Why are some high school basketball coaches still using a full-court press and leaving in starters when they have a 30-point lead in the final minutes of a game?

Good question, but I've seen too much of it this year. Whatever happened to sportsmanship and common sense?