Paulsboro's Burgess: "Gotta sing, gotta dance"

By Phil Anastasia

Inquirer Staff Writer

Paulsboro senior guard De'Shaun Burgess scored 10 points in the Red Raiders' 90-65 victory over Bergenfield in Wednesday's quarterfinals of the Tournament of Champions.

Burgess said he won't play in the semifinals Friday night against top-seeded Roselle Catholic.

He plans to participate in the school play.

"I'm the lead," Burgess said. "The woman who runs it said if it wasn't for me, they wouldn't have done this play. They would have done Cinderella or something like that."

Burgess said he sings and dances in the play, "Bring It On."

He said he nearly skipped Wednesday night's game for the last dress rehearsal but decided to accompany his teammates to Toms River North.

He said the plays runs Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights.

"We're a small school so there really isn't an understudy," Burgess said.

Paulsboro coach Sean Collins indicated he was OK with Burgess' decision to attend the play.

Burgess is a starter but the Red Raiders usually go 8- or 9-men deep in a regular rotation.

If Paulsboro were to upset Roselle Catholic, which is No. 1 in the state in the nj.com rankings and features Kentucky-bound guard Isaiah Briscoe, Burgess would be available for the title game on Monday night.

And all the Red Raiders would likely be signing and dancing.

-- Contact Phil Anastasia at panastasia@phillynews.com

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