Basketball: Pitman's Delaney wins silver in Germany

The international rules, he said, were "crazy."

But Tim Delaney came home from Germany with a suitcase full of memories - and a silver medal.

"It was an awesome experience," said Delaney, a Pitman junior who played for the USA Select 18U team April 16-26 at the 27th annual Albert Schweitzer Tournament in Mannheim, Germany.

Delaney was struck by the differences in the game under international rules, which allow for goaltending and soccer-like inbounds plays as well as two free throws for all fouls after the fifth infraction of each quarter.

"We were looking at each other trying to figure it out," Delaney said of himself and the other USA players. "It was crazy."

Delaney helped Pitman to the Group 1 state title in March. He has committed to Villanova.

The 6-foot-9 Delaney said he played mostly strong forward and center for the USA squad. He scored 12 points in the team's victory over Chile.

Delaney played on a USA Select team that featured Wisconsin recruit Ethan Happ, the tournament's MVP, as well as Rutgers recruit Mike Williams and St. Joe's recruit Shavar Newkirk.

"It was great to play with different guys, get to know them," Delaney said.

Delaney said the players didn't practice before arriving in Germany and actually got to know each other at the airport.

Delaney said many of the teams from other countries had been together for two years.

USA Select lost the title game to Italy.

The tournament is a 16-team international competition that has been held every two years in Germany since 1958.

Delaney said the team was taken on a sightseeing tour of Heidelberg and its famous castle as part of the experience.

"It was a ton of fun," Delaney said. "It was great to be playing overseas, playing with different guys, representing your country."

Silpe's star rising. Cherry Hill East junior guard Jake Silpe has been picking up scholarship offers after a strong showing early in the AAU season.

Playing for the Jersey Shore Warriors, Silpe said he received offers from Rider, Penn, Dartmouth, Boston University, and Bucknell after his performance at the Pittsburgh JamFest last weekend.

"It's been a lot of fun and very exciting," Silpe said. "When you play in these games and you see all these coaches there and you play well and get these offers, it builds your confidence."

As a junior, Silpe led Cherry Hill East to the South Jersey Group 4 title, the Cougars' first sectional crown.

Silpe also has offers from Colgate, Yale, Columbia, and Quinnipiac and has received interest from Harvard. He said he likely will narrow his list at the end of the July evaluation period and hopes to make a decision by the fall.

Cherry Hill West junior Can Oztamur also is a member of the Jersey Shore Warriors team.

Holloway emerges. Paulsboro junior Theo Holloway has drawn major recruiting interest for his standout play on the AAU circuit with South Jersey-based Team Speed.

"He's getting looks from a lot of big schools," said Robert DePersia, who coaches Team Speed.

DePersia also said Haddonfield junior Luke Leverick has made great strides this spring and recently measured at 6-11.

Camden Catholic juniors Courtney Cubbage and Brendan Crawford also have played well, DePersia said. Camden Catholic junior Demola Onifade also is a member of the team, but has not yet played as he recovers from January shoulder surgery.

DePersia said one of his sons, Haddonfield junior Rob DePersia, has drawn recruiting interest from Army and Navy.

Eastern coaching search. Athletic director Phil Smart said interviews will be held in May in the search to find a successor to Eastern coach Joe Murphy, who resigned after last season.

Given the importance of summer workouts, it's likely Eastern will have a new coach before the end of the school year.

Camden events. Camden High School will host two showcase events next season, Panthers coach John Valore said.

The High Invitational will be held Feb. 21 and will feature six games: Paulsboro vs. Paul VI at 11 a.m., Medford Tech vs. Cherry Hill West at 12:30, Pemberton vs. Bishop Eustace at 2, Camden Catholic vs. Haddonfield at 3:30, Camden vs. Woodrow Wilson at 5, and Delsea vs. Rancocas Valley at 6:30.

The Camden High School Christmas Showcase will be held Dec. 27, 29, and 30 and will feature Camden, Pennsauken, Cherry Hill West, and Pleasantville. Each team will play three games, facing each of the other squads once.