“If you really do the right things, you can really get to where you want to go. Know your purpose. When you give back, it goes a long way.”
Coaches, college players and administrators weigh in on Jonathan Taylor’s commitment to give back to his community.
Alabama safety Keon Sabb (
@keon_sabb
) takes photos with participants at his youth football camp in Glassboro. Sabb recorded 28 tackles, two interceptions and four passes defensed at Michigan last season. He won a national championship.
@SJSportsZone
🏈
@AlabamaFTBL
@AntoineSabb
Rutgers commit Derek Simpson (
@derek_simp
) talks about the Scarlet Knights becoming the first unranked team in
@NCAA
history to defeat four consecutive ranked opponents. He also talks about how excited he is to join Steve Pikiell’s program.
@SJSportsZone
🏀
Player of the Game: Boston College commit Kahlil Ali scored a pair of receiving touchdowns and returned an interception to the house in Pennsauken’s 47-30 win over Cherry Hill West on Thursday night. The Indians scored 33 fourth-quarter points.
@SJSportsZone
🏈
Here’s a look at
@Colts
All-Pro running back Jonathan Taylor (
@JayT23
) observing a drill and encouraging campers at his third annual camp at Rowan University. Taylor led the NFL in rushing yards (1,811) and rushing touchdowns (18) in 2021.
@SJSportsZone
🏈
#Colts
RB Jonathan Taylor is a prime example of it doesn’t matter where you come from. Taylor attended Salem — a small high school — before playing in the Big Ten. From a small South Jersey city to one of the best, young running backs in the
#NFL
. Never give up on your dreams.
Baker Mayfield owns a QBR of 19.7 in the second half and the game within one possession (31st in the NFL), per
@PaulHembo
.
Ladies and gentlemen, football is deeper than what you read in the box score.
.
@Colts
running back Jonathan Taylor (
@JayT23
) takes a moment to take photos with camp participants at his third annual football camp at Rowan University. Great running back and an even greater person. Taylor is all about providing the youth with a memorable experience.
Player of the Game:
@Jefferson_WBB
commit Gabby Recinto exploded for a game-high 28 points as No. 2 Cherokee cruised past No. 11 Cinnaminson, 54-30, in the South Jersey Invitational Basketball Tournament semifinals in Voorhees on Friday night.
@SJSportsZone
🏀
Boston College commit Kahlil Ali (
@kahlilali21
) talks about his official visit to Chestnut Hill and his connection with the coaching staff that prompted him to commit to
@BCFootball
. Ali scored three touchdowns in
@PennsaukenFB
’s 47-30 win over Cherry Hill West on Thursday night.
Well, this concludes my first full-season covering HS girls basketball for the BCT. I had so much fun. The entire girls basketball community — coaches, players, administrators, parents, etc. — was so welcoming and supportive all season long. Thank you Burlington County!
Lenape’s Derek Simpson is the 2021 Burlington County Player of the Year. Simpson led the Indians to a 10-4 record and the No. 5 spot in the final
@SJSportsZone
Top 15. The junior currently holds offers from St. Joseph’s and Rider. Simpson averaged 20.6 points per game in 2021.
This is the best moment I’ve ever captured on video.
@HERD_ATHLETICS
coach
@CoachNom
gives his team a heartfelt message and calls upon senior
@LockhartTeddy
, who’s crying tears of joy following the win, to tell him how much he’s meant to the program over the last four years.
Four-star Jaylan Hornsby reeled in four catches for 121 yards in Camden’s 41-0 win over Paulsboro on Friday night. Hornsby told me he will be at the Carrier Dome for Syracuse’s ACC showdown against N.C. State on Saturday. I’ll have Hornsby’s story posted soon.
@SJSportsZone
🏈
FINAL: St. John Vianney 63, Paul VI 61.
@SJSportsZone
🏀
Zoe Brooks. Oh my goodness. Instant classic.
The No. 1 ranked team in New Jersey rallies from a 12-point halftime deficit to improve its record to 31-0 and win the South Jersey Non-Public A title at Seneca High School.
Player of the Game:
@Jefferson_WBB
commit Gabby Recinto scored a game-high 18 points in Cherokee’s 44-30 win over Camden Catholic on Tuesday. The senior cuts purposefully in the half court, plays through contact, and, above all, is an encouraging, vocal teammate.
@SJSportsZone
🏀
Read: Keon Sabb commits to Clemson, continues rich tradition of football in Glassboro
@Keon_sabb
, the seventh ranked player in the nation via
@247Sports
, committed to Clemson at Landmark Americana in Glassboro on Saturday.
My story for
@SJSportsZone
:
Cherokee’s Alexa Therien is the 2021 Burlington County Player of the Year. Her 1,283 career points rank third all-time in Cherokee history.
#FlashbackFriday
: An ecstatic Therien celebrates the Chiefs’ 45-34 win over Shawnee in last year’s SJ Group 4 final with her teammates.
Sharpshooting southpaw Dylan Harper exploded for a game-high 37 points in Don Bosco Prep’s 79-68 setback to Roman Catholic.
The son of five-time NBA champion Ron Harper received an offer from Auburn on June 15, 2022.
@SJSportsZone
🏀
@IronmenAthletic
@PhillyHSLive
It��s official! I have concluded my final semester at
@KeanUniversity
with a 3.6 GPA and Dean’s List honors.
I am blessed to be the first college graduate in my family. Thank you everyone — family, friends, colleagues, etc. — for supporting me throughout this long journey!
Camden athletic director Will Hickson presents the Central Jersey Group 3 trophy to Camden coach Rob Hinson following the Panthers’ 47-14 win over Cedar Creek on Saturday afternoon. Camden has won back-to-back sectional titles.
@SJSportsZone
🏈
Congratulations to Gloucester Catholic’s Damon Suriani. Suriani has been named the 2023
@SJSportsZone
Baseball Player of the Year. The Rams captured their 20th state title behind Suriani’s team-high 44 hits, 36 RBIs and .463 batting average.
STORY HERE:
2021 South Jersey Sectional Final Matchups (Public) 🏈🏈🏈🏈🏈
Group 1: Woodstown at Woodbury
Group 2: Willingboro at Point Pleasant Boro
Group 3: Delsea at Cedar Creek
Group 4: Ocean City at Millville
Group 5: Kingsway at Toms River North
Tomorrow, I begin a new career path. However, this isn’t a final goodbye. I hope to still be active in the SJ sports world and remain a notable figure. I love it too much! I cannot thank you all enough for the constant support. I’m very excited to see what the future holds!
Utah State commit Jaden Allen capped his HS football career with a memorable performance for Washington Township in its 37-29 win over Eastern. Allen finished with 5 catches for 125 yards, TD, a FF and forced a safety. Allen is one of the most underrated players in South Jersey.
2021 Burlington County All-County First Team (Boys) 🏀
Jr. Derek Simpson, Lenape
Sr. Ethan Stith, Cherokee
Sr. Logan Jagodzinski, Moorestown
Sr. James Byrd, Moorestown
Jr. Tayvon Gaither, Lenape
Congratulations to Glassboro’s Timmy Breaker. Breaker is the 2023
@SJSportsZone
Coach of the Year.
Glassboro secured its first sectional title since 2013 and won nine games for the first time since 2012 to reach the Group 1 state championship.
STORY:
2021 Burlington County All-County Second Team (Girls) 🏀
Jr. Iris Azcona (Florence)
So. Avery Kessler (Shawnee)
Jr. Adriana Agosto (Rancocas Valley)
So. Gabby Recinto (Cherokee)
So. Kaitlyn King (Lenape)
2022 NJSIAA Boys Basketball South Jersey Sectional Champions (Public):
SJ Group 1: Gloucester City
SJ Group 2: Camden
SJ Group 3: Woodrow Wilson
SJ Group 4: Lenape
@SJSportsZone
🏀
Six years ago, I joined Twitter as a sports media student at Rowan College at Burl. County. I’m beyond blessed to see how my life has evolved. Many people didn’t know I do this on top of working full-time. I appreciate each and every person that has read my work.
#MyXAnniversary
Player of the Game:
@AF_Football
/
@AF_TFXC
commit Malachi James scored three touchdowns, accumulated 228 yards from scrimmage and intercepted a pass on defense in Burlington City’s 41-7 triumph over Bordentown on Thursday night.
@SJSportsZone
🏈
A special thanks to the entire Pemberton Township HS community for granting me the opportunity to come back and be a guest commentator for the Hornets homecoming game against Ewing — the school’s first ever home night game under the lights! It was truly an honor.
#HornetPride
Player of the Game: Declan McCarthy scored a quartet of touchdowns (two passing, two rushing) in Haddonfield’s 28-6 triumph over Woodbury on Friday night.
@SJSportsZone
🏈
Willingboro teammates Chris Long (left) and Ah-Shaun Davis (right) celebrate the Chimeras’ 50-14 win over Penns Grove in the South/Central Group 1 Regional Championship. Davis finished 14-20 for 324 yards and 5TDs. Long finished with 7 rec for 213 yards and 3TDs.
@WHSChimeras
That’s a wrap for our H.S. basketball coverage this winter. Selfishly, I tried to span out postseason coverage for as long as possible to make it feel as if the season wasn’t so condensed.
Coaches, players, ADs, parents and colleagues: Thank you for making this job one I love!
Haddonfield’s Keegan Douglas scored a team-high 16 points in a 47-37 win over No. 3 Middle Township. The Loyola (MD) commit was 8-for-8 from the free throw line in the closing minutes to help the Bulldogs improve their record to 13-1.
@HMHSathletics
@HMHSgirlsbball
@HaddonfieldHS
Kentucky commit D.J. Wagner warms up ahead of top-ranked Camden’s matchup with West Catholic (Pa.). Wagner is the No. 1 ranked player in the Class of 2023 according to ESPN.
@SJSportsZone
🏀
Congratulations to Mainland’s Billy Kern. Kern has been named the 2023
@SJSportsZone
Coach of the Year. The Mustangs went from an 8-13 record in mid-May to a SJ Group 3 title followed up by their first appearance in a state final since 2014.
STORY HERE:
Congratulations to Cherry Hill West’s Jon Young, Jr. The
@AlabamaBSB
commit is the 2024
@SJSportsZone
Player of the Year.
Young, Jr. had 44 hits and scored 37 runs with 7 home runs and 47 RBIs. His .458 batting average and .854 slugging percentage led the Lions (24-5 record).
"She's just special that way.”
North Carolina State commit
@zoebrooks35
delivered a game-high 33 points and the game-winning basket in St. John Vianney’s 63-61 come-from-behind triumph over Paul VI in the South Jersey Non-Public A final on Wednesday.
Cherokee’s Alexa Therien was phenomenal in the Chiefs’ 44-26 win over Montclair Immaculate on Saturday afternoon. Therien finished with a game-high 23 points and 13 rebounds. Therien is committed to Boston University.
@ChiefsAthletics
@LadyChiefsBskt
@alexatherienn
@BU_Tweets
Girls basketball: Since the 2015-16 season, Cherokee is 143-18 with at least one Therien sister in the starting lineup (sometimes two). The Lady Chiefs are averaging slightly over 23.8 wins per season and only 3 losses per season over the past six seasons. Impressive.
KaRon Ali, a class of 2026 ATH from Pennsauken (N.J.), dazzled coaches with a 4.6-second finish in the 40-yard dash drill at the
@D2_Athletics
South Jersey Future Bowl Game Youth Combine. Ali is the younger brother of current
@PennsaukenFB
standout
@kahlilali21
.
@SJSportsZone
🏈
Congratulations to Mainland’s Stephen Ordille. Ordille is the 2023
@SJSportsZone
Player of the Year.
He rushed for 1,841 yards, 30 TDs and had several signature performances as Mainland finished 14-0. 63 tackles, 11 TFL and 4 INTs on defense, too.
STORY:
Kevin Emmons, a washed up 6’0” stretch forward, exploded for 17 points in the South Jersey Floor Runners’ 64-57 win last Thursday at Peak Skills.
I hope you all find this as funny as I did typing it out. On a serious note, I do enjoy being back out on the basketball court again!
VIDEO: Woodrow Wilson QB
@DevinKargman
talks about the Tigers’ expectations for the 2021 season:
“That’s our only goal every year we play — just to win a championship. If you don’t play for a championship, then I don’t know why you play at all. That’s just what we strive for.”
#Colts
LT Julien Davenport was one of the coaches at the First Down Performance Camp & Combine on May 22. He talked to me about having a positive impact on the youth, his journey as a player and his optimism for the upcoming
#NFL
season. I’ll have his story available this week.
I interviewed WR/DB Keon Sabb, a five-star recruit, after Williamstown’s 21-0 win over Timber Creek on Saturday night. The junior scored a rushing TD in his Williamstown debut. For the complete interview and more coverage, make sure to follow
@SJSportsZone
.
@keon_sabb
@247Sports
Alabama safety
@keon_sabb
signs autographs at his first annual youth football camp.
I talked to Keon, his father Antoine Sabb, current Glassboro coach Timmy Breaker and a few Glassboro players at today’s inaugural camp. The story will be available soon.
@SJSportsZone
🏈
Pemberton Township High School graduate Jhasiah Tuitt, a swimmer for the Deerwood Tritons, was named the 2019 Suburban Swimming Association Memorial Award winner. Tuitt will be continuing his swimming career at Saint Peter’s University.
#BCTSports
Jordan Derkack, a ‘22 guard from SPIRE Institute (OH)/SJ Hoops Elite (NJ), was a standout performer at the AC Jam Fest. Derkack poured in 17 points in a 66-56 setback to Team Melo EYBL and was a major reason why SJ Hoops Elite rallied back in the final minutes.
@SJSportsZone
🏀
DJ Wagner and TaQuan Woodley are the heart and soul of the Camden High School boys basketball team. I had the chance to talk to the both of them on Saturday and will have their respective interviews/stories available shortly.
@YouGotTheHigh
@PurpleNGold_AD
@SJSportsZone
My sixth year as a full-time South Jersey high school football correspondent is completed. A special thank you from
@SJSportsZone
and
@D2_Athletics
for another fantastic season. The players, coaches, parents, athletic directors, officials & administrators deserve ALL the credit.
Player of the Game: Trenton Catholic’s Braxton Jones notched a game-high 22 points — including five 3-pointers made — in the Iron Mikes’ 73-59 victory over Don Bosco Prep on Saturday. TCA improved its record to 1-0.
@TCABBALL
@TrentonCatholic
A few South Jersey guys are primed to make an impact for
@RFootball
this season:
J.D. DiRenzo (St. Joseph)
Taj Harris (Palmyra)
Chris Long (Willingboro)
Aaron Lewis (Williamstown)
Tyreem Powell (Vineland)
Deion Jennings (Timber Creek)
Max Melton (Cedar Creek)
@SJSportsZone
🏈
Each season I make my selections for preseason All-South Jersey. The criteria is a combination of production from previous seasons and projections for the upcoming season. College coaches should follow along. A lot of underrated talent is included.
Congratulations to Winslow’s Jalen Parker. Parker is the 2023
@SJSportsZone
Rookie of the Year.
In only seven games, he threw for 1,511 yards and 21 TDs, rushed for four TDs, and helped the Eagles earn statement wins over Delsea and Cedar Creek.
STORY:
Kingsway’s Landon Edwards, left, and Steve Maiers, right, collaborated to deliver a 6-0 shutout over Northern Burlington on Thursday. Edwards surrendered only two hits and two walks in five shutout innings. Maiers struck out three batters in two innings of work.
@SJSportsZone
⚾️
Player of the Game: Tayvon Gaither exerted his physicality in the second half and notched a game-high 21 points to lift Lenape past Egg Harbor Township, 66-52, in the South Jersey Group 4 semifinals on Friday night.
@SJSportsZone
🏀
@LenapeAthletics
@LenapeHoops
@LenapePride
The
#Saints
select OT Trevor Penning with the 19th overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. The powerful mauler from Northern Iowa earned a 99.9 run-blocking grade in his final collegiate season — the highest charted run-blocking
@PFF
grade ever.
#NFLTwitter
@UNIFootball
@Saints
Player of the Game:
@PennWarriors
/
@CHWestHoops
2025 guard Quinn Gibson tallied a game-high 20 points in Cherry Hill West’s 50-48 triumph over Moorestown on the road. The 6-foot-5 guard shot with precision, scored off the dribble and finished strong at the rim.
@SJSportsZone
🏀
NJSIAA Girls Basketball South Jersey Sectional Championship Matchups (Public):
SJ Group 1 - Woodbury at Wildwood
SJ Group 2 - Sterling at Haddon Heights
SJ Group 3 - Timber Creek at Mainland
SJ Group 4 - Shawnee at Cherokee
@SJSportsZone
🏀
Congratulations
@tmaderia
on being named the 2018 Burlington County Times Coach of the Year. Maderia led Burlington Township to a 10-1 record and led the Falcons to a WJFL Liberty Division title.
@BTHS_FB
My story below: