By Ross Wilson

Camden Catholic has enjoyed a stellar 2000-2001 campaign. Since losing the season opener on the road to Shawnee back on December 15th, the Fighting Irish have lost only twice more, both to nationally ranked Camden in highly competitive games.

Camden Catholic coach Jim Crawford is arguably the best coach in New Jersey. Year in and year out, Crawford takes a group of guys resembling a swim team, and molds them into one of the best units in South Jersey. This season however, Crawford may have the tools to make the Irish the Parochial A champion.

"We've really come together as a team this year," said coach Crawford after a 48-47 victory over rival Bishop Eustace. "The kids are maturing and are working hard to do what's being asked of them."

The Irish have a young, veteran team with 6'4" sophomore twins Nick and Eric Cangelosi leading the attack, and 6'8" Will Bakanowsky scoring, rebounding and protecting the basket. Senior point guard Pete Adams runs the floorshow for coach Crawford, and Brian Gallagher is a forward who adds a great deal of cohesion to the Irish troop.

Bakanowsky has been the most surprising of the Irish players. The junior center has gotten the better of Camden's 6'9" Eric Davis and Woodrow Wilson's 6'10" big man Marcus Gantt in each meeting. He has developed into the most dependable center in South Jersey and has improved game after game.

"The kids are playing well right now. I think we've learned from our losses and become a better team because of them. We've had some very good wins versus St. Augustine, Eastern and Woodrow Wilson among others, and those wins, as well as our losses, will help us when we go into the post-season," said Crawford. "But Group A is filled with strong teams. Christian Brothers Academy will be there, Holy Spirit is tough, St. Joe's of Metuchen, and then there's Holy Cross, so we know there are formidable teams out there waiting for us."

Camden Catholic received the #3 seed and will play at home versus #6 seed Holy Cross in the first game of the South Jersey NJSIAA playoffs on March 1st. If they are victorious versus the Lancers, a date with powerful Christian Brothers Academy in the quarterfinals is likely.

"There's a lot of basketball left to be played," said Crawford. "We hope that what we've learned as a team will carry us. Win or lose, I'm proud of what we've accomplished."

 

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