Schalick hosts Jimmy V Classic

Eric Cassidy hopes that the Jimmy V Classic at Schalick High will become a feature of the start of the South Jersey boys' basketball season.

Cassidy, the Schalick boys' basketball coach, has put together a seven-game, 14-team showcase to begin the season with an all-day event Saturday at the Salem County school in Pittsgrove.

The event is special to Cassidy, who lost his mother, Debbie, to cancer in October 2011.

This will be the second year of the showcase. At the initial event in 2012, organizers raised $3,000, Cassidy said.

The proceeds go to the Jimmy V Foundation for cancer research in the name of former North Carolina State basketball coach Jim Valvano, who died in 1993.

This year's event will feature four teams in The Inquirer's preseason top 10 in South Jersey.

The 7 p.m. nightcap of the showcase will be a game between Paul VI, the No. 1 team in the top 10, and Philadelphia Catholic League power Archbishop Wood.

Paul VI will be led by seniors Jay Howard and Matt Risse, a James Madison recruit.

Archbishop Wood will be led by senior swingman Pat Smith, a Cornell recruit.

Another interesting game will match No. 8 Rancocas Valley and No. 5 Haddonfield at 4 p.m.

Rancocas Valley will be led by senior guard Vince Anfield and senior center Nick Davidson, a Bloomfield recruit.

Haddonfield features twins Nick and Rob DePersia, who are junior guards.

Other teams in the top 10 include No. 9 Paulsboro, which will face Gloucester Catholic, and No. 10 Camden, which will meet Medford Tech.

Tickets are $5 for the full day.

Tournament Schedule

Washington Township vs. Delsea, 10 a.m.

Haddon Heights vs. Woodstown, 11:30 a.m.

Medford Tech vs. Camden, 1 p.m.

Gloucester Catholic vs. Paulsboro, 2:30 p.m.

Rancocas Valley vs. Haddonfield, 4 p.m.

Schalick vs. Kingsway, 5:30 p.m.

Paul VI vs. Archbishop Wood, 7 p.m.