CAMDEN, N.J. – The season is over for Camden, No. 13 in the latest Blue Star Media Elite 25 boys’ basketball rankings. Both teams were involved in a game-ending melee during the second quarter of the Camden County Tournament final ion Feb. 16.
It was announced today Camden and crosstown rivals Eastside won’t be competing in the upcoming New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association state tournaments that tip next week.
The decision was swift and handed down by Katrina McCombs, State District Superintendent of the Camden City School District, less than 24 hours after the incident at nearby Cherry Hill East High School.
The game was suspended midway through the second quarter with Camden leading 30-17 when a player from each team exchanged blows. It triggered players, coaches and fans storming the court creating a toxic situation.
There was no turning back and no recourse. Camden notified the state governing body that both teams would be eliminated from the postseason.
Camden’s statement read:
“In the Camden City School District, we pride ourselves on sculpting scholar-athletes and students that understand the importance of character and integrity. Our number one objective at the district is to raise students that meet the standards that we set for society and that we want our very own children to embody.
“Nevertheless, last night, at the Cherry Hill High School East gym those standards were severely undermined by an incident between Camden High School and Eastside High School during the championship game of the Camden County Basketball Tournament. Let me be clear, I am saddened and disappointed with the conflict from last night, but I believe we need to make this a learning experience for our student body.
“Furthermore, we know meaningful action must be taken and it must be done swiftly which is why the District will be withdrawing both teams from NJSIAA tournament play. This initiative is being taken to ensure that our scholar-athletes know that accountability for their actions is paramount not only in basketball but also in the larger game of life. In short, the district and the students fully understand the infractions that took place at last night’s game.
“The students involved in the incident from both schools have had a tremendous season and have worked incredibly hard to be successful. We are not taking away any of the prior successes they have had this year, but we want them to know their actions have consequences.
“That said, even though we will be making this a growth opportunity for our students, we will also continue to contest the unfounded allegations being investigated by the NJSIAA.”
The NJSIAA statement did not mince words:
“The NJSIAA welcomes the decision by the Camden City School District to remove both its teams – Camden High School and Camden Eastside High School – from the boys basketball state tournament. This decision, which follows an altercation involving both teams, is consistent with established NJSIAA rules that would have eliminated the two teams from tournament play.
“Moving forward, Lindenwold, which was set to face Camden, and Clearview, scheduled to play Eastside, will both receive forfeit wins and advance to the next round.”
Camden, which will end the season 23-2 and on a 13-game win streak, captured a league title and was in position to defend its Group 2 state championship.
That quest is over. So, is the Panthers’ season.
It’s not the first time Camden is out of the state tournament. The program was most recently banned from the 1999 state tournament and in 1992 and 1973.
Additionally, will guard D.J. Wagner and center Aaron Bradshaw, a pair of Kentucky commits and McDonald’s All-Americans, be removed from the senior all-star game next month in Houston? Earlier this week it was announced Wagner was named to the Nike Hoops Summit. The Hoops Summit features the top American high school athletes facing off against World Teams of top international players 19-and-younger on April 8 in Portland, Oregon.
Could that be in jeopardy for Wagner, too?
Those postseason all-star games are yet to be determined but two Camden schools have played their final games of the season. — Christopher Lawlor
