Sam Green, Cherokee Boys Track
Green discovered a love and talent for the high jump as a freshman at Cherokee and has been getting better every year since. Last year as a junior, he placed fourth at sectionals, third at states and fifth at the Meet of Champions during indoor season, and he went on to excel in the spring outdoor season as well. He has lofty expectations for his final year with the Chiefs.
SJM: Do you have any certain goals in mind for this season?
SG: I want to break the school record and hopefully just get closer to the 6-10 and 7-foot mark. My baseline is the school record, which is 6-8 ½. Ed Kramer [has it]—I think he set it in 2011 or 2012.
SJM: What is your personal record?
SG: It’s 6-4 as of junior year.
SJM: You’re kind of new to the sport, right?
SG: Kind of. I started in the spring of my freshman year. Some people start in middle school.
SJM: What made you want to try the high jump in the first place?
SG: There’s this guy, Mike Pascuzzo, who went to the Olympic Trials and was a really good high jumper. He was there for [my first] practice and they said, “You can either do a hills workout or go high jump.” And I was like, “Well, I’m not doing a hills workout.” So I went with high jump and it worked out pretty well.
SJM: Did you know you had that talent?
SG: No. It was brand new for me, but I caught on pretty quickly and I really enjoyed it. I wasn’t amazing that first year, but I knew it was worth going into.
SJM: So Mike Pascuzzo was a big influence on you?
SG: Oh yeah, for sure. He has a building in Southampton and I still go and do private coaching with him. He graduated from the University of Maryland.
SJM: What are some of the keys to being successful?
SG: A lot of it is just natural—some people have it and some people don’t. That sounds a little arrogant, but the mental part is also huge. The worst thing you can do is get in your own head about it. It’s important to lift and get stronger, but it’s really about consistency.
SJM: Is there a big difference between jumping indoors and outdoors?
SG: Not for me, no. Personally, I like the indoor environment a little bit more, and that might just be because of the venues, like Ocean Breeze in New York. There’s also a new one at UPenn and I’m excited to go there.
SJM: Is there a friendly competition among you and the other top high jumpers you see at the big meets?
SG: For sure. The group is awesome and I love it. It’s kind of sad because a lot of the main ones from last year were seniors so they’re gone, but I’ll have new people this year and it will definitely be fun.
SJM: Are you hoping to compete in college?
SG: Oh yeah, I would love to. I’m hoping to go to the University of Maryland—that’s my biggest school right now for academics and track. I’m in contact with coaches and going through the recruiting process.
SJM: Do you know what you want to study in college?
SG: Yes, hopefully biomedical engineering. Honestly, engineering just kind of grabbed me, and I think the biomedical field is great. It’s not going away anytime soon and I would love to contribute to health care technology.
SJM: What do you do to get ready for a big meet? Is it more about pumping yourself up or clearing your head?
SG: It’s a bit of both. I definitely like to get in the mood for it. On the bus ride there, I’m not talking; I’m either listening to music or taking a quick nap. When I get to the meet, all I’m focused on is my jumping. I have limited social time, and I try to stay out of my own way, if that makes sense. I don’t want to think about it too much, but I want to be in the right mind path to be able to do what I want to do.
SJM: Do you compete in any other events?
SG: I hurdle now, starting last year. I was trying to just be straight up high jump and an occasional triple jump, but we don’t have any hurdlers this year so I’m going to do that.
SJM: What is the secret to Cherokee’s success in track and cross country over the years?
SG: The coaches are great. In distance, [coach Steve Shaklee] gets everybody where they need to be. There’s a lot of talent too, though, so when you have that and great coaching, it makes for a great team all around.
SJM: What do you like about going to school at Cherokee?
SG: I like the social time. I can do my schoolwork and all the teachers are great and I know I’m getting a good education, but I can also have time with my friends during the day.
SJM: What do you like about growing up in South Jersey?
SG: I’ve been here all of my life … and it just feels like where I’m supposed to be. We’re close to the Shore, close to Philly, and it’s a good middle spot. I like being around this area.
SJM: Do you have a favorite Shore town?
SG: Probably LBI.
SJM: What else do you do for fun?
SG: These days it’s just a lot of track. I try to play volleyball with my friends. I can’t do it for the school because it’s the same season as track, but volleyball was my thing before I started track. It’s definitely a fun thing to do.
Analyse Intenzo, Moorestown Girls Basketball
Just halfway through her high school career, this junior has already amassed 720 points, 326 rebounds and 167 assists. She averaged a team-high 14.1 points per game as a sophomore to help the Quakers set a school record for wins in a season and reach the sectional semifinals.
SJM: You have had two really good seasons already at Moorestown. Were you surprised at all by the success you were able to have right away?
AI:
SJM: What goals do you have this year for yourself and the team?
AI: I’m excited because I’m almost at 1,000 points, so I would like to join the 1,000-point club. My team is pretty good this year and I think we can win a Group 3 championship.
SJM: The 1,000-point milestone is always special for a high school player. Is that something you dreamed about growing up?
AI: Yes. When I was little, me and my dad would shoot at the high school and we would see the posters for the girls’ and the boys’ [all-time scoring leaders]. My goal is to beat the highest boys’ record, which I think is 1,500.
SJM: How would you describe your game?
AI: Shooting is definitely one of my big features, but I also like going to the basket and cutting too.
SJM: Did you work on anything in particular this offseason?
AI: My pull-up jump shot. I think it’s really important, because you can shoot and you can drive, but you have to have a middle game too.
SJM: How did you first get into basketball?
AI: I used to sit at my brother’s travel practices, and my dad would be coaching and they would have this trainer. I just sat and watched from the sidelines and that’s how I got into it.
SJM: Have you started the college search yet?
AI: Yes. It’s going good; I’m talking to a few schools. I’m looking for a good education and a nice location. I don’t want to be too far from home—I feel like two or three hours is a good distance.
SJM: What stands out when you look back on last season?
AI: I definitely learned a lot. With all of the fans and [the gym being] so loud, I learned how to stay calm and work with my teammates. We never turn on each other, we always have each other’s backs and I think that’s really important. Some teams we play will start yelling at each other, but my team doesn’t do that. We all work well together and I think it shows.
SJM: Who is your biggest rival?
AI: Cherry Hill West: They’ve been good since my freshman year. We’ve beaten them every time we’ve played them, but last year we beat them on a buzzer-beater. … We always look forward to that game.
SJM: Do you play AAU basketball as well?
AI: Yes. This year, I’m playing for the Philadelphia Belles. The competition is way better: The girls are faster, bigger and stronger, and I’ve learned to keep up with them. Moving the ball and playing as a team is very important. It’s not just one against five.
SJM: Do you like to watch basketball?
AI: I usually watch college basketball; not too much WNBA. I like UConn—Paige Bueckers is one of my favorite players.
SJM: Women’s basketball has come a long way in recent years. Do you feel like the sport is being appreciated more?
AI: It definitely got big because of Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese. That’s how it kind of started, and I think it’s important to show people that girls can play basketball too. They might not be dunking, necessarily, but their games are entertaining to watch, just like the boys’ are.
SJM: What do you like about growing up in Moorestown?
AI: Growing up in Moorestown is definitely fun and the community is very welcoming. I know a lot of people think we’re rich and snobbish, but I think we’re humble and the people are nice.
SJM: What do you do for fun away from basketball?
AI: Basketball usually takes up most of my time, but if I’m not playing basketball, I go to the gym or hang out with my friends and family.
Maya Pasternak, Cherry Hill East Wrestling
In just her second season of wrestling last year as a sophomore, Pasternak took third place at regions to earn her first trip to states, and she went on to reach the podium in Atlantic City in eighth place for the 100-pound weight class. It will be exciting to see what she has in store for an encore in the coming months.
SJM: How did you become interested in wrestling?
MP: I heard about it one day on the announcements at school. There was a girls wrestling interest meeting and I said, “OK, that sounds interesting. I might as well try because I’m not doing any sports.”
SJM: So you had no background in the sport before then?
MP: No. I did jiu-jitsu for a little bit in eighth grade, but the sport of wrestling was new to me. I actually thought you had to hold someone down for three seconds [to secure a pin] when I first heard about it, which is not true. I had no idea what the rules were and I didn’t know anyone who wrestled either.
SJM: Did it come naturally once you got out on the mat?
MP: I wouldn’t say it came naturally, but I was inclined to keep trying and keep fighting. I wanted to learn how to get out of bad positions and learn new things. I had the drive to keep going, so that came naturally and it helped me progress.
SJM: There is not a separate girls team at Cherry Hill East yet, correct?
MP: Well, we go to tournaments and events, but we don’t have a separate girls team. We only have a few—maybe four girls—so we wrestle the guys in practice sometimes, and sometimes we will wrestle a match with the boys.
SJM: Are you trying to recruit more girls to the team?
MP: Oh yeah, we really want to recruit more girls. It would be great to grow girls wrestling at East. It’s a very fast-growing sport for girls and it’s a great opportunity to get in now. I started not knowing anything, and I really like it now. There are a lot of opportunities that come with it and it can teach you a lot about life too, like time management, persevering and advocating for yourself, all of that.
SJM: You have made great strides in a short time. What did your success last year mean to you?
MP: It showed me in general not to doubt yourself, because you can come a long way, from knowing nothing to having pretty good success in the sport. Not only that, it taught me that you should keep trying new things, because you never know where it’s going to take you.
SJM: What was the atmosphere like at states?
MP: It was really exciting. There was a sense that everyone earned their way there. There was some pressure to perform your best, but really the work was already done and it was just the last part of those final matches. It was exhilarating.
SJM: What are your goals for this year?
MP: I’m just going to try to keep improving. I want to learn as much as I can, expose myself to more matches and give it my all, all of the time.
SJM: Who has helped you get to this point in your wrestling career?
MP: My coaches are really helpful with technique and pushing the whole team to be our best. My practice partner last year, Kiersten [Costello], and my practice partner now, Regan [Borrelli], have also helped me a lot and hold me accountable.
SJM: Aside from wrestling, do you enjoy going to school at Cherry Hill East?
MP: Yeah. There are a lot of opportunities there, a lot of clubs, and a lot of diverse things to do.
SJM: Have you started thinking about college yet?
MP: A little bit. I’m open to finding my path; I don’t have a clear-cut path to what I want to do yet.
SJM: Do you want to wrestle at that level?
MP: I’m thinking about it but I haven’t decided. Either way, the things I’ve learned in wrestling about pushing through, trying new things and discipline, they’re going to be with me anyway.
SJM: What else do you do for fun?
MP: I’m in Girl Scouts, I like cooking, I like volunteering and just traveling and trying new things.
SJM: Where do you volunteer?
MP: I volunteered at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia in the summer: I was bringing things to patients, [doing] laundry and just doing different tasks for in-patient kids.
SJM: What stands out among your favorite travel destinations?
MP: I went to Ecuador and that was really fun—the Galapagos [Islands] was probably one of my favorite places I’ve been. But you can send me anywhere and I’ll have fun.
SJM: How did that trip come about?
MP: It actually started with wrestling, because I tore my UCL at practice freshman year. I kept wrestling but I had to get surgery to repair it that April, so I couldn’t wrestle and I was doing rehab and physical therapy. I was pretty upset that I couldn’t wrestle, so we found an opportunity where you could go on a trip to Ecuador and volunteer and do conservation. I thought that sounded amazing and it gave me something to do in the meantime.
SJM: What’s at the top of your list for places you haven’t been?
MP: I want to go to Thailand. It’s really pretty there, they have elephants, and it sounds like fun.
Riley Smith, Eastern Boys Swimming
Smith, a senior, placed eighth in the state in the 100 breaststroke last year with a time of 57.43 seconds and also shines in the 500 freestyle. After helping the Vikings go 11-3 with a trip to the sectional semifinals, he has high expectations for himself and the team this season before moving on to The College of New Jersey.
SJM: Are you excited for your senior season?
RS: Absolutely. I’m definitely excited.
SJM: What personal and team goals do you have for this season?
RS: I want to make All-American for the 100 breaststroke and I want keep my team in the top division.
SJM: Do you enjoy high school swimming as compared to club swimming?
RS: I love it; it’s really fun. My club team is more strict with practices. With the high school team, I feel like I can relax a little bit and have fun on the bus rides. My mom is my coach too, so it’s awesome to share the wins together.
SJM: Has your mom been a big influence on you in regards to swimming?
RS: Oh yeah. She helped coach me when I was really little, and gave me tips and suggestions that definitely helped me.
SJM: Do you practice with the high school team?
RS: No, I practice with Wahoos, before school and after school.
SJM: How long have you been swimming with Jersey Wahoos, which is a renowned local club team?
RS: Ever since 2020, so four years now. I think it’s definitely shown colleges that I’m a competitor. It’s very competitive and they’ve produced a ton of good swimmers, like Henry McFadden and Maddie Waggoner. It’s helping me prepare for college.
SJM: How did you first get into the sport?
RS: I started when I was 6 but I only swam in the summers. When I was around 12, I fully committed to swimming and started practicing and working out every day, multiple times a day. I did baseball and a variety of sports before that, and baseball lasted until I was 12, but then swimming took over.
SJM: Do you have days when the alarm goes off in the morning and you dread going to the pool?
RS: Oh, for sure. There are definitely days like that, but I just remember that if you want to be the best, you have to train to be the best. I just put my head down and get in the pool. No matter how hard it seems or how tough the practice is going to be, it’s all about mindset.
SJM: You did well at states last year. What’s it like swimming in that environment?
RS: It’s very competitive. I know a couple of the other kids, so it helps ease the nerves a little bit. It’s nice competing against the best and it’s a little humbling, for sure. Seeing all of those people and swimming against them makes you want to prepare, work out and swim more so you can compete against them in the future.
SJM: Does your mind wander during the distance races?
RS: Oh yeah, absolutely. I just sing a song in my head and that helps it go by quickly.
SJM: Have you started looking at colleges?
RS: Yes, I’m committed to TCNJ. I have a friend who’s there and as soon as I got on campus, I immediately loved it. On my official visit, the team was awesome, the coach was awesome and their practices were amazing. I just knew that I had to go there.
SJM: Do you know what you want to study?
RS: Business, finance and investments. I want to be an investment banker. It seems pretty interesting—numbers and stocks definitely interest me, and I’m taking a few classes right now.
SJM: What else do you do for fun?
RS: I fish, I go to car shows and I cook once in a while with my mom.
SJM: Are you in the band as well?
RS: I used to be, my freshman and sophomore year. I was in the jazz band but swimming kind of got in the way. You have to practice a lot for band and I just didn’t have the time to do band and swim, so it was one or the other.
SJM: Do you ever play for fun anymore?
RS: Sometimes, if there’s a saxophone lying around I’ll play it, but I don’t have one at home.
SJM: What do you like about growing up in South Jersey?
RS: It’s a very close community. I think everyone is friendly and inclusive. All of my friends are here and all of my teachers are very kind people.
Quinn Gibson, Cherry Hill West Boys Basketball
A senior forward, Gibson poured in 21.2 points per game as a junior to go with 7.5 rebounds and 2.4 assists to lead the Lions to a 20-8 record. The four-year varsity contributor enters his final season with 1,108 career points and is expected to be among South Jersey’s top players before moving on to the college level.
SJM: What goals do you have for yourself and the team this year?
QG: For myself, I definitely want to average more points than I did last year, I want to be better defensively and I want to be one of the top scorers all-time [in school history] by the time I’m done. For the team, I want to win a championship for Group 3 and win every game possible without coming off the rails. My coach helped instilled [the idea] that if we win every single practice, we’ll win all of our games. We need to lock in on every little detail.
SJM: Who is your top competition in Group 3?
QG: Shawnee just moved into Group 3 and they’re always pretty good. Moorestown is pretty good too. Ocean City beat us last year but they lost a lot of their starters. I think Timber Creek is pretty good, and there are a bunch of teams I don’t know much about. I’ll have to see once we get into the season.
SJM: How close are you to the school record for points?
QG: The record is like 1,800 points. I would have to average a lot to get there, like 28 or 29. But I’d rather spread the ball around than just focus on me and the scoring record.
SJM: Did you play a lot in the offseason?
QG: I did. I play AAU year-round, and I go into West every night to try to get better. I have a court at my house too, so I play there. I used to play baseball but I quit to focus on basketball because I wanted as much time as I could on the court.
SJM: Who do you play AAU for?
QG: The Sure Shots, they’re out of Neptune. It’s mostly guys from the Shore Conference, but Elijah [Crispin] is on the team. That’s my guy—I’ve been playing AAU with him since like sixth grade.
SJM: If I could give you any four players from South Jersey to play with, other than your Cherry Hill West teammates, who would you pick?
QG: I played with Luke Kennevan from Camden Catholic in an all-star game and he’s a good player. Definitely Elijah [Crispin]. … I’d take one of the Harveys [Drew or Noah] from Cinnaminson as the point guard, and then also Colin Parrish from Cinnaminson. Gevon [Conrad] from Washington Township is another one who’s really good. We played them last year and he’s a good scorer.
SJM: Was basketball always your favorite sport growing up?
QG: Definitely. Basketball and baseball were always neck and neck, but as time went on I enjoyed high school basketball a lot more than baseball.
SJM: How is the recruiting process going?
QG: It’s going well. It was a lot busier in the summer because obviously teams are playing now. I have an offer from West Chester and I’m trying to stay consistent with the recruiting but not just focus on that, because I don’t want to stress myself out. I feel like everyone lands where they’re supposed to land. No matter the level, I just want to go out there and compete, because things can always change.
SJM: Do you watch a lot of basketball?
QG: I do—mostly college. I’m a Sixers fan but [Joel] Embiid doesn’t really play, so they’re hard to watch. But I love watching college basketball. March Madness is always fun and I love to see the underdogs, but also the guys who do everything in addition to scoring, like come off the bench and bring energy. When I first get to college, I won’t be able to score as much, so doing all of those little things is important.
SJM: Do you enjoy your school’s rivalry with Cherry Hill East?
QG: Yeah, it’s always fun playing them. We play them early this year—in a Christmas tournament. They’re good—they have some good young players and they have a transfer from Paul VI.
SJM: What else do you do for fun away from basketball?
QG: I like to hang out with my friends a lot. I have a big friend group—like 12 or 13 kids. We all live in the same neighborhood and we’ve been riding bikes since we were little. I play video games a little bit, and I also like watching football with my dad and my brother. I like watching TV too and binging shows, like Breaking Bad, Suits and a bunch of other intriguing shows.
SJM: How old is your brother?
QG: He’s in fifth grade. He had a basketball game last weekend and he played good.
SJM: I know your sister, Kirsten, is also playing basketball at Cherry Hill West. Are you two close?
QG: My sister is really good. She had a good freshman year—she scored a lot more points than I did as a freshman. We play together a lot and we’re competitive, but it’s gotten to the point where she doesn’t want to play me as much because I’m so much taller. We argue but she always gives me pointers on my game and I always give her pointers. We just want to see each other get better.
SJM: What do you like about growing up in South Jersey?
QG: I don’t think a lot of people think South Jersey is good at basketball, but every game you play is going to be competitive. There’s always good coaches and good players out there and I feel like it’s underappreciated sometimes. Everyone talks about Philly basketball, but the kids who stay home and win a championship for their town instead of transferring to a prep school, sometimes that’s more valuable. I was thinking about private school in middle school, but my coaches brought me to West, and what’s better than playing with all of your friends who you grew up with?
Alexa Henry, Lenape Girls Basketball
A senior guard, Henry has been playing varsity since she was a freshman and is already a member of the 1,000-point club. She is coming off a memorable junior campaign in which she averaged 14.2 points and helped Lenape go 26-7 and win the Group 4 state championship.
SJM: What a ride it was for you and the team last year. What stands out when you look back on it?
AH: Definitely the teamwork we had throughout the whole season. Compared to other seasons, we played together more than anything, and I think our chemistry on and off the court pushed us to get to that point.
SJM: Did you see it coming?
AH: We definitely had confidence in ourselves in the beginning of the season. Once we got deeper in the playoffs and won the sectional [title], our team was very confident going into the next few games.
SJM: Do you have similar goals this year?
AH: We would love to go back-to-back and win the whole thing again, but we’re really just focused on the little things right now. We’re going step by step.
SJM: What are your individual goals?
AH: I would say the same thing. I want to put my team in the best position to win the sectional championship, the SJIBT tournament and hopefully the state championship again.
SJM: Did you work on anything in particular in the offseason?
AH: One thing that I want to focus on this season is getting my teammates involved: passing and putting them in the right positions to score. I know if we’re ever in a tough time that I can always score to help my team, but I want my teammates to have the same confidence as me.
SJM: Do you have chemistry with El-Anita Joe-Samuel?
AH: She’s definitely a great player and it was great seeing her come in [last year as a freshman]. I’m really excited to see what she can do this year. She has a lot of expectations on her but I think she’s going to handle it well. She has a lot of confidence.
SJM: How long have you been playing and how did you get interested in the sport?
AH: I would say maybe since I was 6 years old. My dad [got me interested]. We used to do camps and work on passing and shooting. … I’ve played ever since then and I just love the game.
SJM: Do you play year round?
AH: Yes, I play with the Philadelphia Belles. I would say it’s faster because AAU doesn’t have as many set plays. We work on scoring more and transition. It’s definitely cool to play people from different states and traveling to places like Chicago and Ohio, and just getting to experience different levels of talent.
SJM: Do you know what you’re doing next year?
AH: I hope to go to Syracuse and major in visual communications and sports media. I want to work with sports teams and brands—maybe teams in the NFL or other highly known brands. I like to create videos and content for social media, or pretty much anything I can do with a camera.
SJM: Are you looking to play basketball in college?
AH: I’m not looking to play. I’m definitely going to miss it and miss my teammates and coaches, but I’m excited to see what’s next.
SJM: Do you watch a lot of basketball?
AH: I watch a lot of college basketball, more during the NCAA Tournament.
SJM: Have you enjoyed seeing how far the women’s game has come?
AH: Yeah, they’re definitely more exciting than the men, I would say. I think it’s grown a lot, even since when I was little. I hope it continues to grow and maybe [becomes popular in] the WNBA as well. A lot of people don’t realize those same people move onto the WNBA—it doesn’t have to stop at March Madness.
SJM: What else do you do for fun?
AH: I obviously like to hang out with my friends, but I spend a lot of my time editing videos, taking pictures and helping other players, teams and companies with their social media content.
SJM: How did you get interested in that hobby?
AH: I love to watch videos whenever a team or player drops their highlight video on Instagram. I’m even more interested in how it was made than what’s going on in the video. Once I started looking into it and doing research, I wanted to get a camera and start myself.
SJM: What do you like about growing up in South Jersey?
AH: I love the opportunities that it gives me. We are in close proximity to cities and we can also go to the beach whenever we want. I wouldn’t want to grow up anywhere else, to be honest.
SJM: Do you like going to school at Lenape?
AH: I do. It’s a very good school and I love my coaches, my teammates and all of the friends I’ve made at Lenape.
Camryn Tilger, Shawnee Girls Swimming
Tilger, a junior, has played a major role in Shawnee winning back-to-back sectional championships in her first two years with the Renegades. As a sophomore, she also placed third in the state in the 200 IM and fifth in the state in the 100 butterfly. She is committed to Notre Dame.
SJM: After a special sophomore season, what goals do you have in mind for this year?
CT: I’m definitely looking to get more records for our school. I’m shooting for the 200 and 500 free records at [the South Jersey] Invitational because we don’t exactly know if we’re going to states yet. It’s kind of up in the air because of club—we have a meet the same weekend, so I’m still deciding.
SJM: That’s tough. If you do stay and compete at states, what do you hope to accomplish?
CT: I’m hoping to match or do even better than I did last year. I’m more looking at times—states is very competitive, so each year you’re going to have someone different to race. I’m just trying to improve myself and do my best for the team.
SJM: You helped Shawnee win the sectional title for the first time ever as a freshman. What was it like to be part of school history?
CT: It was great. We all went into it not knowing what was going to happen. It was up in the air and we were all just trying to be positive and hoping for the best. It was really exciting.
SJM: And then you did it again last year. Do you think you have the same potential this season?
CT: We can definitely do it again. We only lost three seniors, so that’s not bad. We lost our main sprinter, so that’s going to hurt, but I think we’ll be close to the same level as last year.
SJM: Is the individual medley your favorite race?
CT: I like it but I wouldn’t say it’s my favorite. I probably like the 100 fly better than the 200 IM. I like being able to sprint; I don’t get to do that too much in club because I do a lot of mid-distance and distance, so it’s nice to do sprinting during high school season.
SJM: Who do you swim club for?
CT: I was part of Wahoos and then I left to go to GPAC, and then GPAC and Wahoos combined, so now it’s all Wahoos.
SJM: Did you first get into the sport at a young age?
CT: I wasn’t super young. I started at 7 because my mom just threw me in summer swim as something to do since I used to annoy her all the time. I didn’t like it at first. I played a lot of sports and tried everything—soccer, basketball. But my mom made me stick with swimming and it ended up being my favorite. I quit all of the other ones and stuck with it.
SJM: What do you love about it?
CT: I would say the team. I guess that’s a pretty generic answer but they keep on motivating me every day, and it’s nice to do hard work with other people.
SJM: Do you dread hearing the alarm clock go off some mornings?
CT: [Laughs] All the time. But it’s worth it in the long run.
SJM: What led to your decision to commit to Notre Dame?
CT: For me it was pretty easy. It had the perfect mix of academics and athletics, and I just fell in love the second I got there. The campus was so nice and the team was unlike any other that I visited.
SJM: Was Notre Dame always on your radar?
CT: My dad is a huge Notre Dame fan, so it was definitely on his radar. Not so much mine, but it definitely shot up as soon as I got there. We actually went to the game they lost this year [in football]. We were unlucky, but we got to go to the student section and it was so cool.
SJM: Do you know what you want to study?
CT: I’m thinking about nursing or something along those lines. I’m not exactly sure yet.
SJM: Was it important to you to get your college decision out of the way early?
CT: I wasn’t trying to rush it, but it was on my mind to get a spot early, because I know they fill up fast. It helped that they were the school I wanted to go to and checked all the boxes.
SJM: How far do you want to go with swimming?
CT: I haven’t really thought about the long run. I don’t have a point where I want to be done, I just want to see where it takes me. It’s definitely a goal of mine to be at the next Olympic Trials.
SJM: We’ve seen some swimmers from South Jersey get there.
CT: It’s really nice to see that people from our town can go and do big things, and it shows that I can be just like them.
SJM: Do you like to watch the Olympics?
CT: Yeah, me and my mom always watch it together. I don’t have any favorite swimmers, I just like the close races or the ones that are unexpected.
SJM: What do you like about growing up in Medford?
CT: It’s a nice town; I really like Medford. It’s pretty quiet but there’s a lot to do.
SJM: Do you like going to school at Shawnee?
CT: Yes. I grew up with the people I go to school with now, so it’s nice having childhood friends who are still in my friend group now.
SJM: What do you do for fun in your free time?
CT: In the summer, I like to go to the beach. We go a lot after practice. We usually go to Ocean City but sometimes Cape May because my friend has a house down there. I just like hanging out with my friends in general.
SJM: How do you get ready for a big race?
CT: I don’t really have a certain routine. I try to distract myself so I don’t get too stressed out, because it never works out that way. So I walk around and talk to people, and sometimes I listen to music if my Beats aren’t dead. I play whatever I feel like that day—sometimes it’s country, which is random.
Michael Lamb, Haddonfield Wrestling
Just a junior, Lamb is already a two-time district champion after claiming his second at 106 pounds last year. He also placed fourth at regions and earned his first trip to Atlantic City for the state championships, and has his eyes on even bigger accomplishments this season.
SJM: What are your goals for your junior year?
ML: Honestly, just to get on that podium [at states]. I’m hoping for whatever place I can get, but I’m going for top three.
SJM: What did you work on this offseason to get to that level?
ML: Just the grind part of it. I’ve been at practice almost every day and lifting every day.
SJM: What was the experience like at states last year?
ML: It was definitely fun and a little nerve-wracking, but once I finished my first match, I was fine. I was ready to roll.
SJM: Did you get any advice heading into it?
ML: To just wrestle and not worry about anything else. Just go out there and do you.
SJM: Did you get into the sport at a young age because of your dad [Mike, a former standout wrestler and coach]?
ML: Yes. I wanted to follow in his footsteps. I felt like I was good at it and I wanted to stick with it?
SJM: How has your dad impacted your wrestling career?
ML: He’s impacted me a lot because he’s pretty much my year-round coach. He’s always said the right things and they seem to work.
SJM: Do you play any other sports?
ML: I played lacrosse but not anymore.
SJM: Have you started thinking about college?
ML: Yes. [The recruiting process] is going pretty good and there’s a couple of places I would like to go to—definitely the University of North Carolina, and Virginia is also up there. I’d be cool with anything I can get.
SJM: Do you know what you want to study?
ML: No, not yet. Maybe business or real estate.
SJM: How is the team looking this year?
ML: We’re definitely looking young, but the team works hard, for sure. I think we can go far, but everybody has to do their part.
SJM: Are you more of a leader now that you’re an upperclassman?
ML: Yes. I just tell them to keep working hard because it’s all going to pay off in three months.
SJM: Have the new scoring rules this year made a big difference?
ML: Not to me. I don’t know about the rest of the team, but I’ve been wrestling with [the new rules] in offseason tournaments, so I’m pretty used to it.
SJM: What tournaments are you competing in this year?
ML: I’ve got the Beast of the East, the Egg Harbor Marinelli Tournament, and I think that’s it until districts. I went last year [to Beast of the East] and it’s definitely fun, but I think I can do better. I didn’t get the outcome I wanted.
SJM: How do you prepare for a big match? Is there a certain routine you go through?
ML: I don’t really have a routine. I just go out there and wrestle my hardest, pretty much. That’s all you have to do. A lot of people listen to music or warm up in different ways, but that’s not really me.
SJM: What else do you do for fun away from the mat?
ML: Wrestling is what I do pretty much every day. I do like golf. I haven’t played that much, but I got to play at Trump National and that was really nice.
SJM: What do you like about going to school at Haddonfield?
ML: A lot of the kids are nice and the teachers all help me out when I need it. They’re good people.
SJM: What do you like about growing up in South Jersey?
ML: Just the overall environment. I like the rivalries and it’s fun to be around. I’d rather be in South Jersey than any other part.
Gevon Conrad, Washington Township Boys Basketball
Conrad, a senior, established himself as one of the most explosive guards in South Jersey last year, when he averaged 22.1 points per game and had five games in the 30s. A perimeter threat who can also get to the basket, he enters his final season with 843 career points and is looking to lead the Minutemen to a division championship.
SJM: What are you looking to accomplish this season?
GC: I’m looking to accomplish a medal. We look good this year and I really want a championship.
SJM: You had a breakout season as a junior. What stands out when you look back on it?
GC: It was really my team and my coaches that helped me. I do everything through them.
SJM: Were you surprised by how much success you had?
GC: Yeah, I didn’t know I was going to do all that.
SJM: What have you been working on this offseason?
GC: Mainly just my shooting. I got up a lot of shots.
SJM: Did you play AAU?
GC: I did. I played for the South Jersey Titans and the Jersey Legends. It was good but we only won one tournament, the first one that we were in.
SJM: Are you looking to play in college?
GC: Yes. I have some coaches texting me about coming to my games. I’m looking to go somewhere far—I don’t want to be around here.
SJM: What’s it like playing for coach [Todd] Powers, who was new to the program last year?
GC: He’s funny. He yells a lot, but coach [Andy] Thies is even worse. [Laughs] He can shoot though.
SJM: Are a lot of the players back from last year?
GC: Yes, and we have some new guys too: We have a kid from Italy, a transfer from Bishop Eustace and a transfer from St. Augustine.
SJM: Is there a certain game you’re looking forward to the most?
GC: Kingsway. They beat us last year for the division so I’m looking to get it this year. I think Kingsway is our biggest rivalry.
SJM: Do you watch a lot of basketball?
GC: I watch a lot of college, not the NBA. I like to watch Cooper Flagg and Isaiah Evans [from Duke] and Elliot Cadeau [from North Carolina]. Mostly I’ve been watching Tahaad Pettiford [from Auburn] though—I like the way he plays. He’s from North Jersey.
SJM: How far do you want to go with basketball?
GC: I want to go to the NBA. [It’s going to take] a lot of hard work.
SJM: What else do you do for fun?
GC: I just play basketball mostly.
Star Watch
BOYS BASKETBALL
Elijah Crispin, Pitman: Crispin, a four-year starter who entered his senior campaign with 1,314 career points, led the Panthers to their first sectional championship since 2014 last season.
Judd Holt, Cherokee: A senior forward, Holt is one of the top 3-point shooters in the area and is closing in on the 1,000-point milestone for his career.
Luke Kennevan, Camden Catholic: A four-year varsity player who has averaged double figures in points every season of his career, Kennevan is one of the area’s most reliable scorers.
Isaiah Thomas, Paul VI: Not to be confused with the Hall of Famer or another former NBA All-Star, this senior forward is making a name for himself. He averaged a team-high 14.7 points as a junior to help the Eagles capture a sectional title and reach the state final.
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Brielle Alaba, Cherokee: Alaba, a junior sharpshooter, came into the season with 60 3-pointers and 613 points for her career. She averaged a team-leading 14.8 points as a sophomore to help the Chiefs post a 20-8 record.
Jahzara Green, Gloucester Catholic: A dominant force at forward, this junior already had 879 career points entering this season after pouring in 17.9 as a sophomore. She is the latest in a long line of standouts to suit up for the Rams.
El-Anita Joe-Samuel, Lenape: All Joe-Samuel did as a freshman was knock down 52 3-pointers and average a team-high 15.2 points for the Group 4 state champs. It will be exciting to see what she has in store for her sophomore season.
Macie McCracken, Wildwood: McCracken is proof that the Shore is a hotbed for basketball. The West Chester commit has led Wildwood to a pair of sectional titles, including last year, and is on pace to become the fourth girls player in Cape May County history to score 2,000 career points.
WRESTLING
Jamar Dixon Jr.: This Delsea senior reached the podium at states last year for the third time, placing seventh at 150 pounds. He will look to spark the Crusaders to their fourth state crown in a row and has a chance to become the prestigious program’s all-time leader in wins.
Colton Hagerty, Washington Township: A two-time district champion who also has a region title on his resume, Hagerty took seventh in the state at 113 pounds last year. He is closing in on 100 career wins.
Chase Hansen, Lower Cape May: Hansen entered his junior season with 88 career wins after securing his second district and region crowns and placing third in the state at 132 pounds last year.
Kage Jones, Camden Catholic: Just a junior, Jones already owns two district and region titles and was the lone South Jersey wrestler to reach the state finals last year, dropping a 2-1 decision to Southern’s Matt Henrich at 157 pounds.
Jordan Segal and Luke Sherlock, Shawnee: These teammates were both state place winners last year, as Segal took fourth at 106 pounds and Sherlock finished seventh at 126. They will continue to push each other and be team leaders for the Renegades.
GIRLS WRESTLING
Jada Pichardo, Pennsauken: Pichardo is eyeing a state championship in her senior season after placing fourth as a sophomore and second as a junior.
Ari Tyson, Cherry Hill West: After becoming the Lions’ first state champion as a sophomore, Tyson fell just short of repeating last year as she returned to the state final. She will look to end her remarkable career with another memorable season.
Shaelie Young, Gateway: Young entered her senior season with 80 career wins, 74 of them by pin. She has reached the podium at states twice, including a third-place finish at 185 pounds last year.
BOYS SWIMMING
Tre Cottrell, Haddonfield: Cottrell, a senior, placed second in the 200 free and fourth in the 100 breaststroke at last year’s Meet of Champions.
Jake Greenleaf, Moorestown: This senior clocked a time of 4:38.70 to place sixth in the 500 free at the Meet of Champions.
GIRLS SWIMMING
Audrey Derivaux, Haddonfield: In her phenomenal rookie season, Derivaux set a meet record with a time of 1:55.73 in the 200 IM to win the state title, and she also took first in the 500 free. She went on to compete in the U.S. Olympic Trials last summer along with her older sister Lilly.
Alyce Lehman, Bishop Eustace: Lehman, a junior, had a year she’ll remember forever in 2024. After finishing second in the 100 butterfly and fourth in the 200 IM at the Meet of Champions, she headed to Indianapolis this summer for the U.S. Olympic Trials and won her opening heat in the 200 fly. She also committed to Stanford.
BOYS INDOOR TRACK
Jonathan Harris, Delsea: One of the best shot putters in New Jersey, Harris was the Group 3 state champion last year as a junior and took second at the Meet of Champions.
GIRLS INDOOR TRACK
Natalie Dumas, Eastern: Dumas was the Group 4 sectional and state champion in the 400 as a sophomore, and she also excels in the 800 and the 55 hurdles.
Sianni Wynn, Pennsauken: Wynn, a junior, is coming off a terrific sophomore season in which she set a state record of 6.81 seconds to win the 55 meters at the Meet of Champions. She was also the Group 3 state champ in that event and the 400
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Published and copyrighted in South Jersey Magazine, Volume 21, Issue 9 (December 2024)
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