South Jersey boys' basketball playoffs wide-open

The playoff seedings are out in boys' basketball, and other than Non-Public B, where Trenton Catholic is a solid favorite, the groups involving South Jersey teams should be up for grabs.

Here are some quick observations:

No group is as wide-open as South Jersey Group 3. Deptford, the 15th seed, has already beaten top-seeded Kingsway. There might be a dozen teams that feel they have a shot.

Top-seeded Collingswood is the team to beat in South Jersey Group 2, but lower seeds such as No. 6 Pleasantville and No. 13 Camden are among the teams that bear watching.

Pitman is the top seed in South Jersey Group 1 and a viable contender, but nobody is playing as well at the moment as seventh-seeded Woodbury, the defending sectional champion. Woodbury has won six in a row.

Cherokee is top-seeded in South Jersey Group 4 and favored, but the Chiefs' offensive inconsistency lately could open the door for several other teams, including the defending state champion, Lenape.

Camden Catholic is the top seed and favorite in South Jersey Non-Public A, but fourth-seeded St. Joseph Metuchen and fifth-seeded Christian Brothers Academy, which should meet in the second round, could have a say.

Both ninth-seeded Pennsauken and fifth-seeded Rancocas Valley could make serious noise in Central Jersey Group 4.

Willingboro is the top seed in Central Jersey Group 2 and the clear favorite.

Stepping up. Tramaine White is making the most of his lone varsity season at Burlington Township. The 6-foot-1 combination guard is averaging 16.3 points for the 13-7 Falcons, who are among a long list of potential contenders in the South Jersey Group 3 tournament.

White attended Burlington Township as a freshman, and transferred to Life Center and then Living Faith Academy before returning in December 2008. He had to sit out a year because of NJSIAA transfer rules and thus saw his first varsity action this season for the Falcons.

"He's been an excellent scorer and all-around player for us," coach Scott Kupersmit said.

Expected back. Elijah Bonsignore, a 6-foot-4 Kingsway senior who is averaging 14.7 points, missed Saturday's 57-53 win over Haddonfield with a stomach flu, according to coach George Passante.

Bonsignore is expected back for tonight's Tri-County Royal Division showdown at Williamstown, the two-time defending champion. Kingsway has already won a share of the title and would be the outright champion with a victory.

Williamstown has two losses and would win a share of the title by beating Kingsway and then Highland in its final Royal Division game

Red Raiders better. After going 9-18 last season, Ocean City (13-6) is among the improved teams in South Jersey.

"To say I'm surprised to be here at this point is an understatement," coach John Bruno said. "This team's chemistry is the best I've seen."

The Red Raiders, who have played a challenging schedule, are among many teams that can't be discounted in the South Jersey Group 3 tournament.

Tyler Reich, a 6-4 senior headed to Villanova to play baseball, has provided an inside presence.

Tough opponent. Holy Spirit coach Jamie Gillespie is excited to be playing St. Patrick of Elizabeth, a national power, at 5 p.m. Sunday in the Cherry Hill Invitational at Cherry Hill East.

"You know you are playing a great team when you can scout them on TV," Gillespie said. "I saw them twice on ESPN."

"This is a once-in-a-career opportunity, to play a team like this," Gillespie said. "I couldn't pass it up."

Falconiero to Drew. Bishop Eustace starting point guard Bob Falconiero has committed to Drew University in Madison, N.J., for basketball. Falconiero has been a steadying force.