Down to the Wire`

by Marc Narducci | Jan 27, 2025

One of the most competitive high school boys’ basketball divisions in South Jersey is the Olympic Conference National.

It annually has several of the top teams in South Jersey and this year is no exception.

Camden has usually been the team to beat, evidenced by the last three years, when the Panthers won the title each season, going a combined 28-0 in National Division play.

Even with Camden’s past dominance, this was still a competitive conference.

This year, the race is truly up for grabs among four teams.

There are only five teams in the division this year and entering the week, Paul VI and Bishop Eustace were both 3-1, with Camden and Camden Catholic, both 2-2. (The fifth team, Camden Eastside, was 0-4, but was 6-3 against its other opponents).

Here is a look at the teams and their chances*.

Bishop Eustace (3-1)

On Dec. 19, the Crusaders showed they would be contending by winning 50-49 at Camden.

Dillon Adomanis, a 6-6 junior, led the Crusaders with 17 points. Eustace has also defeated Camden Catholic at home, 42-36, lost at Paul VI, 54-47 and beaten Camden Eastside, 57-47.

Remaining Division Games: Tuesday (Jan. 28) vs Camden; Feb 6: at Camden Catholic; Feb. 11 vs. Paul VI and Feb. 13 at Camden Eastside.

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Paul VI (3-1)

The Eagles’ one division loss entering this week was 68-56 at Camden on Jan. 9. This was the first game that three transfers became eligible for Camden and it made a major difference.

Paul VI’s wins were 54-47 at home against Bishop Eustace as Clinton Suggs scored a team-high 15 points. The other wins were 51-26 at home against Camden Eastside and 54-53 at Camden Catholic.

Remaining Division Games: Jan 30 at Camden Eastside, Feb 10 vs Camden, Feb 11 at Bishop Eustace and Feb. 13 vs. Camden Catholic

Camden (2-2)

The Panthers lost their first two division games, 50-49 vs Bishop Eustace and 61-34 at Camden Catholic. With the aforementioned transfers the Panthers beat Paul VI, 68-56 and won at Camden Eastside, 77-50. Even before the transfers, this was still a talented Camden team, led by 6-4 senior Emmanuel Joe-Samuel, who entered the week averaging 21 points per game and was a big part of last year’s NJSIAA Group 2 state championship.

Remaining Division Games: Tuesday (Jan. 28) at Bishop Eustace, Jan. 30 vs. Camden Catholic, Feb. 10 at Paul VI and Feb. 11 vs. Camden Eastside.

Camden Catholic (2-2)

The Irish won their first two division games, winning 55-42 at Camden Eastside and 61-34 at home against Camden.

The Irish then lost two close games, 42-36 at Bishop Eustace and 54-53 at home against Paul VI, despite 18 points from junior Seamus Bieg.

Remaining Division Games: Tuesday (Jan. 28) vs. Camden Eastside, Jan. 30 at Camden, Feb. 6 vs. Bishop Eustace and Feb. 13 at Paul VI.

*Records are through Sunday (1/26)
Photo: Camden Catholic Basketball X/Twitter

Author: Marc Narducci

Down to the Wire`

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