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In celebration of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence just across the river in Philadelphia, the Courier-Post sports staff has compiled an wide-ranging list of the top 250 South Jersey athletes of all time.
Our staff scoured the Courier-Post, Burlington County Times and Daily Journal archives, spoke to countless South Jersey athletic luminaries and argued endlessly on the final list of 250 names.
To be eligible for this list, an athlete must have attended a South Jersey high school, lived their formulative years in South Jersey or gained their notoriety from their connection to South Jersey.
In the coming weeks, we will present the names in reverse order until we get to No. 1.
201-250 | 151-200 | 101-150
51-100 | 26-50 | 1-25
This week, we bring you the athletes from 50-26:
The most decorated swimmer in South Jersey history and one of nation’s best in the butterfly, she won a gold medal at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro in the 4x100 medley to go along with 15 gold medals during the World Championships. While competing at Rancocas Valley High School, she was a three-time All-American, a three-time state champion and a four-time Burlington County Swimmer of the Year. Dahlia went on to star at Louisville University where she won four individual NCAA titles (two 100 fly and two 200 fly). As a junior in 2015, she set an American and NCAA record in the 100 butterfly with a 49.81.
An immediate starter as a freshman at Shawnee, Earl helped put the Renegades onto the statewide basketball map. Earl led Shawnee to the 1992 NJSIAA Tournament of Champions title. He finished his career with 2,006 points.
Earl went on to start as a point guard at Penn State University, which stretched over six injury-plagued seasons. He led the Nittany Lions in assists in each of his four full seasons. Earl played professionally overseas and domestically, twice joining the Newy Jersey Nets during training camp. Earl is in his fourth season as head coach at Tennessee-Chattanooga after a seven-year stint at Virginia Military Institute.
The definition of a pure athlete, Bell was a three-sport standout with the Bulldogs before moving on to play football at Florida A&M and the National Football League. Bell was the No. 4 football recruit by ESPN and a two-time All-South Jersey selection. In track and field, Bell had the state’s best high jump in 2016 with a leap of 7-0 and was the Meet of Champion’s titlist in 2015. Bell signed as an undrafted free agent with the Dallas Cowboys, playing the last four seasons with the team.
Few could fly like Flipper. Anderson was a standout football and track athlete at Paulsboro before becoming a standout wide receiver at UCLA and in the National Football League. After catching passes from Troy Aikman in college, Anderson went on to play 10 seasons in the NFL, seven with the Rams, who drafted him in the second round of the 1988 draft. He was a Super Bowl champion with the Denver Broncos and set the NFL record for receiving yards in a single game (336). At Paulsboro, Anderson had 24 interceptions as a defensive back but split time at wide receiver as a junior and quarterback as a senior. He had 34 touchdowns in his final two scholastic seasons. After a standout senior season in basketball, Anderson capped an incredible season on the track. A two-time All-South Jersey selection, Anderson was unbeaten in all South Jersey meets in the 100 and 200 and placed second and third, respectively, in the state for those two events. According to a Courier-Post file story, Anderson got his nickname from his grandmother Pearl who thought he sounded like the dolphin from the TV series.
No one grew more as player than Thompson did in his years at Lenape. A 6-foot-1 freshman was 6-8 as a senior before topping out at 6-11 as an NBA pro. Thompson led the Indians to the 2004 NJSIAA Group 4 championship with an undefeated regular season. Choosing to stay nearby at Rider University, Thompson brought the Broncs to national prominence scoring 2,040 career points with 1,171 rebounds, averaging 20-plus points and 10-plus rebounds as a junior and senior. Thompson was the 12th pick in the 2008 NBA Draft, eventually playing 541 games for the Sacramento Kings over seven seasons before splitting an eighth season between Golden State and Toronto.
The 1996 Shawnee graduate scored 1,595 career points and ushered in the second wave of the Renegades’ state championship run. Allen led Shawnee to two state championships before moving on to a Villanova Hall of Fame career across the river. Allen led the Wildcats with a 14.2 average as a senior, earning All-Big East honors.
Despite being undrafted, Allen played 10 seasons with eight teams in the National Basketball Association, including four with the Miami Heat. He is currently in his 10th season as an NBA assistant coach and fifth with the Heat.
A post player, who would eventually top out at 6-foot-3, Walker ended her scholastic career as Rancocas Valley’s all-time leading scorer with 1,546 career points. At the University of Virginia, Walker added 1,583 points to her resume as an All-American as a Cavalier’s senior. Walker played internationally in Italy for a season before an 11-year stint in the WNBA, playing for five teams, including the Sacramento Monarchs for seven seasons.
One of the most exciting basketball players to ever hit the hardwoods in South Jersey, Crispin made his name with breathtaking offensive runs and long-distance 3-pointers. Crispin scored 2,654 career points, averaging more than 32 points per game as a senior, when the Panthers won an NJSIAA state title. At Penn State, Crispin led the Nittany Lions to their highest scoring seasons ever, alongside brother, Jon. Crispin played for the Lakers and Heat during the 2001-02 NBA season. Crispin spent seven years as head coach at Rowan University before returning to Happy Valley as an assistant. He is currently the head coach at the Air Force Academy.
A native of Atlantic City, Ford put Holy Spirit basketball on the map. As a senior he averaged 33 points per game and scored 1,507 career points. His high school accomplishments drew the attention of Villanova University, where he averaged 15.8 points per game, leading the Wildcats to three NCAA tournament appearances. In 10 NBA seasons, with Detroit and Boston, Ford finished with a 9.2 career scoring average Ford coached for 10 seasons in the NBA, five with the Boston Celtics.
There was never a doubt about Gause, who made his scholastic debut averaging 25 points per game as a Schalick freshman. Gause finished with 3,144 career points, which remains second in South Jersey career scoring. Gause also led the Cougars’ football teams to state championships in 2003 and 2004, setting then-South Jersey records with 39 touchdowns and 236 points. Gause set his sights on defense at Seton Hall University. As a Pirates’ sophomore he led the Big East in steals and led Seton Hall in three of his four years.
After setting the standard for South Jersey running backs during his time at Salem High, Mitchell went on to star at Penn State before playing nine seasons in the National Football League. Running alongside Mount Holly's Franco Harris, Mitchell helped lead the Nittany Lions to an undefeated season and No. 2 ranking in 1969. Two years later, Mitchell finished his senior season with 1,567 rushing yards and 26 rushing TDs, including a record five in one game, and placed fifth in the Heisman Trophy voting. A second-round pick by the Baltimore Colts, Mitchell rushed for 6,534 yards, had 3,203 receiving yards (leading the league twice) and was a three-time Pro Bowl selection.
A standout football, basketball and baseball player for the Hornets, Smith went on to play on Sundays in the National Football League, logging seven seasons and 15 touchdown catches as a tight end with New Orleans, San Francisco and Cleveland. Smith was an All-South Jersey selection in football in his senior season, staring at safety and tight end. Smith played college football at Notre Dame, scoring five TDs in 38 career games with the Irish. He would be a first-round draft pick (20th overall) in the 1993 NFL Draft by New Orleans.
Doolittle did a lot even before he reached the major leagues. As a junior at Shawnee, the southpaw struck out a whopping 23 batters against Kearny in a nine-inning state Group 4 final, leading the Renegades to the state title in 2003. He went 12-1 with 137 strikeouts and 18 walks during that season. As a senior in 2004, he was the Courier-Post’s Player of the Year, batting .506 and tying the school’s single-season home run record with 10. He finished 30-3 as a pitcher at Shawnee. He played collegiately at the University of Virginia, setting a then-program record for career wins (22). Doolittle was drafted in the first round by Oakland as a position player. After two injury-riddled seasons, Doolittle returned as a reliever pitcher. He would become a two-time All-Star and won a World Series title with Washington in 2019.
In the entire history of South Jersey’s most storied basketball program, Smith’s name stands above all of them. Smith scored 1,276 career points in just three seasons, leading the Panthers to unbeaten seasons in both 1959 and 1960 and a 47-game win streak. After playing at Tennessee State University, Smith returned to his native Camden, where he owned a candy store in the town’s Centerville section. Smith No. 44 was the first number retired by the school, which renamed the street bordering the school after Smith.
The Haddon Heights native was a two-time All-Star and an American League Rookie of the Year with the Oakland Athletics. He pitched eight years in the majors, including 33 games with the Philadelphia Phillies in 2016. In his first three seasons in Oakland, Bailey recorded 26, 25 and 24 saves. He finished his career with 95 saves.
A tragic ending to one of the most impressive athletic careers. After attending Edgewood High, Covington transferred to Overbrook for his senior year. In wrestling, he was a two-time district and region champion with 80 career wins and was part of South Jersey lore with his bouts with Ocean City’s Patrick Lynch. Covington won his second region title by knocking off three-time champion Patrick Lynch, of Ocean City, ending his 99-match winning streak. He beat Lynch again a week later to finish 31-0 with a state title and the Outstanding Wrestler Award. Covington’s physicality shined even brighter on the gridiron where he played 33 games and was a two-time All-Atlantic Coast Conference selection at North Carolina State. He was a third-round selection (95th overall) in the 1995 NFL Draft by Buffalo. He played three seasons before a serious knee injury in practice ended his career. Covington was killed during an attempted robbery incident in 2002. He was 33.
A second-team All-South Jersey selection as a senior at Bishop Eustace Prep in 2013, Gallen played three seasons at the University of North Carolina before being selected in the third round of the 2016 MLB Draft by the St. Louis Cardinals. The right-hander has produced a solid career in the majors, currently in his eighth season. After making his MLB debut with Miami, Gallen has found a home in Arizona where he has won 12-or-more games in four straight seasons. He was an All-Star in 2023.
One of the true fireballers from South Jersey, Narleski’s heater allegedly reached 100 mph during his days at Collingswood High School where he was also a standout football player. Narleski went on to play in Major League Baseball where he played for six seasons, including the first five for the Cleveland Indians. During his rookie year, the Indians’ starting staff feature three future Hall of Famers (Bob Feller, Bob Lemon and Early Wynn), the team elected to put Narleski in the bullpen where he thrived. He was a two-time All-Star for the American League (1956 and 1958) and had 58 saves, including a league-best 19 in his second season. His father, Bill, and brother, Ted, also played professional baseball.
While better known as a manager including a stint with the Chicago White Sox in the infamous 1919 World Series scandal, Kid was a solid Major Leaguer as a player too. He logged close to 2,000 games over his 22-year career, batting .261 with 1,946 hits, Gleason played for the Philadelphia Phillies twice, including the start of his career in 1888.
After playing at Rancocas Valley and Nebraska, Fryar was the top overall pick in the1984 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots. He played 17 seasons in the NFL, including three with the Philadelphia Eagles, posting 12,875 career receiving yards and 84 career TD catches. He was a five-time Pro Bowl selection and is a member of the Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame.
Thompson will always be remembered as a winner, leading the Panthers to the 1982 NJSIAA Group 4 championship and the consensus No. 1 team in America. Upon graduation, Thompson won 107 games at the University of Louisville. Thompson scored 1,685 career points and led the Cardinals to two Final Fours and the 1986 NCAA championship. The 19th pick in the 1986 NBA draft, Thompson played five seasons in the NBA, winning the 1987 NBA championship with the Lakers.
The patriarch of South Jersey’s first family of high school basketball, Wagner was a silky smooth 6-foot-5 scoring guard with unlimited range before the 3-point era. Wagner was the first in a long line of Camden players that played at the University of Louisville. Wagner led the Cardinals to three Final Four appearances and the 1986 NCAA championship. Wagner played in 144 career games, starting his final 111. A second-round pick of the Los Angeles Lakers, Wagner was a rookie for the 1988 NBA champions.
There are no limits on Hidalgo. Still active at Notre Dame University entering her senior year, Hidalgo has earned worldwide renown for her frenetic, irresistible style of play. Hidalgo scored 2,135 career points despite losing most of a high school season to COVID-19. She concluded her scholastic career as the MVP of the McDonald’s All-America Game. Hidalgo announced her transition to college basketball with a 31-point debut against South Carolina and hasn’t slowed down since. After her junior season, Hidalgo is 100th in NCAA scoring history with 2,460 career points. The three-time Consensus All-American was the National Defensive player of the year in 2026 and won the Nancy Leiberman Award as the nation's top point guard. After winning the 2023 FIBA Under-19 World Cup, Hidalgo was named USA Basketball Female Athlete of the Year. Hidalgo made her USA Basketball senior National Team debut in the 2025 FIBA AmeriCup championship.
Known for his speed and powerful running style, “Pop” was a two-time Super Bowl champion with the Kansas City Chiefs and played four seasons with the organization. In 10 career playoff games, the Chiefs went 9-1 with Pacheco, who ran for 547 yards and four touchdowns in those games, advancing to the Super Bowl three times. He rushed for 2,537 yards and 14 touchdowns in the regular season. He recently signed with the Detroit Lions. Pacheco was a four-year captain at Vineland High, rushing for over 3,100 yards and throwing for 1,400 more during his time as quarterback. He went on to star at Rutgers where the running back amassed 2,442 rushing yards, seventh on the program’s all-time list.
One of the best pure high school athletes in South Jersey history, Harvey led Paulsboro to a 43-1 record over his four-year career. He set a South Jersey scoring record with 656 points, accumulated over 8,000 yards of total offense and had a then-South Jersey record 101 career touchdowns. He later played at Temple and the Arena Football 2 League. On the hardwood, Harvey was a 2,000-point scorer in his career with Paulsboro, helping lead the Red Raiders to a state championship during his senior season in 1996. Harvey was also a standout in track and field at the scholastic level. He returned to his alma mater where is the school's head football coach.
Tom McGurk is a regional sports editor for the Courier-Post, The Daily Journal and Burlington County Times, covering South Jersey sports for over 35 years. If you have a sports story that needs to be told, contact him by email at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter at @McGurkSports. Help support local journalism with a digital subscription.
Tom Rimback grew up reading the Burlington County Times and Courier Post sports sections and began writing for the BCT in 1996. He has covered everything from Super Bowls and Final Fours to Tri-County Swimming but he’s happiest on a sideline interviewing South Jersey scholastic athletes. Follow him on twitter @Rimbacksports. Email him with story ideas at [email protected] and, most importantly, support local journalism with a subscription to the Courier-Post.
This article originally appeared on Cherry Hill Courier-Post: Ranking South Jersey's Top 250 greatest athletes, see Nos. 50-26
Continue reading...
Our staff scoured the Courier-Post, Burlington County Times and Daily Journal archives, spoke to countless South Jersey athletic luminaries and argued endlessly on the final list of 250 names.
To be eligible for this list, an athlete must have attended a South Jersey high school, lived their formulative years in South Jersey or gained their notoriety from their connection to South Jersey.
In the coming weeks, we will present the names in reverse order until we get to No. 1.
USA 250 South Jersey Athletes of All Time links
201-250 | 151-200 | 101-150
51-100 | 26-50 | 1-25
This week, we bring you the athletes from 50-26:
50. Kelsi (Worrell) Dahlia, Rancocas Valley
The most decorated swimmer in South Jersey history and one of nation’s best in the butterfly, she won a gold medal at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro in the 4x100 medley to go along with 15 gold medals during the World Championships. While competing at Rancocas Valley High School, she was a three-time All-American, a three-time state champion and a four-time Burlington County Swimmer of the Year. Dahlia went on to star at Louisville University where she won four individual NCAA titles (two 100 fly and two 200 fly). As a junior in 2015, she set an American and NCAA record in the 100 butterfly with a 49.81.
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49. Dan Earl, Shawnee
An immediate starter as a freshman at Shawnee, Earl helped put the Renegades onto the statewide basketball map. Earl led Shawnee to the 1992 NJSIAA Tournament of Champions title. He finished his career with 2,006 points.
Earl went on to start as a point guard at Penn State University, which stretched over six injury-plagued seasons. He led the Nittany Lions in assists in each of his four full seasons. Earl played professionally overseas and domestically, twice joining the Newy Jersey Nets during training camp. Earl is in his fourth season as head coach at Tennessee-Chattanooga after a seven-year stint at Virginia Military Institute.
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48. Marquese Bell, Bridgeton
The definition of a pure athlete, Bell was a three-sport standout with the Bulldogs before moving on to play football at Florida A&M and the National Football League. Bell was the No. 4 football recruit by ESPN and a two-time All-South Jersey selection. In track and field, Bell had the state’s best high jump in 2016 with a leap of 7-0 and was the Meet of Champion’s titlist in 2015. Bell signed as an undrafted free agent with the Dallas Cowboys, playing the last four seasons with the team.
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47. Flipper Anderson, Paulsboro
Few could fly like Flipper. Anderson was a standout football and track athlete at Paulsboro before becoming a standout wide receiver at UCLA and in the National Football League. After catching passes from Troy Aikman in college, Anderson went on to play 10 seasons in the NFL, seven with the Rams, who drafted him in the second round of the 1988 draft. He was a Super Bowl champion with the Denver Broncos and set the NFL record for receiving yards in a single game (336). At Paulsboro, Anderson had 24 interceptions as a defensive back but split time at wide receiver as a junior and quarterback as a senior. He had 34 touchdowns in his final two scholastic seasons. After a standout senior season in basketball, Anderson capped an incredible season on the track. A two-time All-South Jersey selection, Anderson was unbeaten in all South Jersey meets in the 100 and 200 and placed second and third, respectively, in the state for those two events. According to a Courier-Post file story, Anderson got his nickname from his grandmother Pearl who thought he sounded like the dolphin from the TV series.
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46. Jason Thompson, Lenape
No one grew more as player than Thompson did in his years at Lenape. A 6-foot-1 freshman was 6-8 as a senior before topping out at 6-11 as an NBA pro. Thompson led the Indians to the 2004 NJSIAA Group 4 championship with an undefeated regular season. Choosing to stay nearby at Rider University, Thompson brought the Broncs to national prominence scoring 2,040 career points with 1,171 rebounds, averaging 20-plus points and 10-plus rebounds as a junior and senior. Thompson was the 12th pick in the 2008 NBA Draft, eventually playing 541 games for the Sacramento Kings over seven seasons before splitting an eighth season between Golden State and Toronto.
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45. Malik Allen, Shawnee
The 1996 Shawnee graduate scored 1,595 career points and ushered in the second wave of the Renegades’ state championship run. Allen led Shawnee to two state championships before moving on to a Villanova Hall of Fame career across the river. Allen led the Wildcats with a 14.2 average as a senior, earning All-Big East honors.
Despite being undrafted, Allen played 10 seasons with eight teams in the National Basketball Association, including four with the Miami Heat. He is currently in his 10th season as an NBA assistant coach and fifth with the Heat.
44. DeMya Walker, Rancocas Valley
A post player, who would eventually top out at 6-foot-3, Walker ended her scholastic career as Rancocas Valley’s all-time leading scorer with 1,546 career points. At the University of Virginia, Walker added 1,583 points to her resume as an All-American as a Cavalier’s senior. Walker played internationally in Italy for a season before an 11-year stint in the WNBA, playing for five teams, including the Sacramento Monarchs for seven seasons.
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43. Joe Crispin, Pitman
One of the most exciting basketball players to ever hit the hardwoods in South Jersey, Crispin made his name with breathtaking offensive runs and long-distance 3-pointers. Crispin scored 2,654 career points, averaging more than 32 points per game as a senior, when the Panthers won an NJSIAA state title. At Penn State, Crispin led the Nittany Lions to their highest scoring seasons ever, alongside brother, Jon. Crispin played for the Lakers and Heat during the 2001-02 NBA season. Crispin spent seven years as head coach at Rowan University before returning to Happy Valley as an assistant. He is currently the head coach at the Air Force Academy.
42. Chris Ford, Holy Spirit
A native of Atlantic City, Ford put Holy Spirit basketball on the map. As a senior he averaged 33 points per game and scored 1,507 career points. His high school accomplishments drew the attention of Villanova University, where he averaged 15.8 points per game, leading the Wildcats to three NCAA tournament appearances. In 10 NBA seasons, with Detroit and Boston, Ford finished with a 9.2 career scoring average Ford coached for 10 seasons in the NBA, five with the Boston Celtics.
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41. Paul Gause, Schalick
There was never a doubt about Gause, who made his scholastic debut averaging 25 points per game as a Schalick freshman. Gause finished with 3,144 career points, which remains second in South Jersey career scoring. Gause also led the Cougars’ football teams to state championships in 2003 and 2004, setting then-South Jersey records with 39 touchdowns and 236 points. Gause set his sights on defense at Seton Hall University. As a Pirates’ sophomore he led the Big East in steals and led Seton Hall in three of his four years.
40. Lydell Mitchell, Salem
After setting the standard for South Jersey running backs during his time at Salem High, Mitchell went on to star at Penn State before playing nine seasons in the National Football League. Running alongside Mount Holly's Franco Harris, Mitchell helped lead the Nittany Lions to an undefeated season and No. 2 ranking in 1969. Two years later, Mitchell finished his senior season with 1,567 rushing yards and 26 rushing TDs, including a record five in one game, and placed fifth in the Heisman Trophy voting. A second-round pick by the Baltimore Colts, Mitchell rushed for 6,534 yards, had 3,203 receiving yards (leading the league twice) and was a three-time Pro Bowl selection.
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39. Irv Smith, Pemberton
A standout football, basketball and baseball player for the Hornets, Smith went on to play on Sundays in the National Football League, logging seven seasons and 15 touchdown catches as a tight end with New Orleans, San Francisco and Cleveland. Smith was an All-South Jersey selection in football in his senior season, staring at safety and tight end. Smith played college football at Notre Dame, scoring five TDs in 38 career games with the Irish. He would be a first-round draft pick (20th overall) in the 1993 NFL Draft by New Orleans.
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38. Sean Doolittle, Shawnee
Doolittle did a lot even before he reached the major leagues. As a junior at Shawnee, the southpaw struck out a whopping 23 batters against Kearny in a nine-inning state Group 4 final, leading the Renegades to the state title in 2003. He went 12-1 with 137 strikeouts and 18 walks during that season. As a senior in 2004, he was the Courier-Post’s Player of the Year, batting .506 and tying the school’s single-season home run record with 10. He finished 30-3 as a pitcher at Shawnee. He played collegiately at the University of Virginia, setting a then-program record for career wins (22). Doolittle was drafted in the first round by Oakland as a position player. After two injury-riddled seasons, Doolittle returned as a reliever pitcher. He would become a two-time All-Star and won a World Series title with Washington in 2019.
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37. Ron 'Itchy' Smith, Camden
In the entire history of South Jersey’s most storied basketball program, Smith’s name stands above all of them. Smith scored 1,276 career points in just three seasons, leading the Panthers to unbeaten seasons in both 1959 and 1960 and a 47-game win streak. After playing at Tennessee State University, Smith returned to his native Camden, where he owned a candy store in the town’s Centerville section. Smith No. 44 was the first number retired by the school, which renamed the street bordering the school after Smith.
36. Andrew Bailey, Paul VI
The Haddon Heights native was a two-time All-Star and an American League Rookie of the Year with the Oakland Athletics. He pitched eight years in the majors, including 33 games with the Philadelphia Phillies in 2016. In his first three seasons in Oakland, Bailey recorded 26, 25 and 24 saves. He finished his career with 95 saves.
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35. Damien Covington, Overbrook
A tragic ending to one of the most impressive athletic careers. After attending Edgewood High, Covington transferred to Overbrook for his senior year. In wrestling, he was a two-time district and region champion with 80 career wins and was part of South Jersey lore with his bouts with Ocean City’s Patrick Lynch. Covington won his second region title by knocking off three-time champion Patrick Lynch, of Ocean City, ending his 99-match winning streak. He beat Lynch again a week later to finish 31-0 with a state title and the Outstanding Wrestler Award. Covington’s physicality shined even brighter on the gridiron where he played 33 games and was a two-time All-Atlantic Coast Conference selection at North Carolina State. He was a third-round selection (95th overall) in the 1995 NFL Draft by Buffalo. He played three seasons before a serious knee injury in practice ended his career. Covington was killed during an attempted robbery incident in 2002. He was 33.
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34. Zac Gallen, Bishop Eustace
A second-team All-South Jersey selection as a senior at Bishop Eustace Prep in 2013, Gallen played three seasons at the University of North Carolina before being selected in the third round of the 2016 MLB Draft by the St. Louis Cardinals. The right-hander has produced a solid career in the majors, currently in his eighth season. After making his MLB debut with Miami, Gallen has found a home in Arizona where he has won 12-or-more games in four straight seasons. He was an All-Star in 2023.
33. Ray Narleski, Collingswood
One of the true fireballers from South Jersey, Narleski’s heater allegedly reached 100 mph during his days at Collingswood High School where he was also a standout football player. Narleski went on to play in Major League Baseball where he played for six seasons, including the first five for the Cleveland Indians. During his rookie year, the Indians’ starting staff feature three future Hall of Famers (Bob Feller, Bob Lemon and Early Wynn), the team elected to put Narleski in the bullpen where he thrived. He was a two-time All-Star for the American League (1956 and 1958) and had 58 saves, including a league-best 19 in his second season. His father, Bill, and brother, Ted, also played professional baseball.
32. Kid Gleason, Camden
While better known as a manager including a stint with the Chicago White Sox in the infamous 1919 World Series scandal, Kid was a solid Major Leaguer as a player too. He logged close to 2,000 games over his 22-year career, batting .261 with 1,946 hits, Gleason played for the Philadelphia Phillies twice, including the start of his career in 1888.
31. Irving Fryar, Rancocas Valley
After playing at Rancocas Valley and Nebraska, Fryar was the top overall pick in the1984 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots. He played 17 seasons in the NFL, including three with the Philadelphia Eagles, posting 12,875 career receiving yards and 84 career TD catches. He was a five-time Pro Bowl selection and is a member of the Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame.
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30. Billy Thompson, Camden
Thompson will always be remembered as a winner, leading the Panthers to the 1982 NJSIAA Group 4 championship and the consensus No. 1 team in America. Upon graduation, Thompson won 107 games at the University of Louisville. Thompson scored 1,685 career points and led the Cardinals to two Final Fours and the 1986 NCAA championship. The 19th pick in the 1986 NBA draft, Thompson played five seasons in the NBA, winning the 1987 NBA championship with the Lakers.
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29. Milt Wagner, Camden
The patriarch of South Jersey’s first family of high school basketball, Wagner was a silky smooth 6-foot-5 scoring guard with unlimited range before the 3-point era. Wagner was the first in a long line of Camden players that played at the University of Louisville. Wagner led the Cardinals to three Final Four appearances and the 1986 NCAA championship. Wagner played in 144 career games, starting his final 111. A second-round pick of the Los Angeles Lakers, Wagner was a rookie for the 1988 NBA champions.
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28. Hannah Hidalgo, Paul VI
There are no limits on Hidalgo. Still active at Notre Dame University entering her senior year, Hidalgo has earned worldwide renown for her frenetic, irresistible style of play. Hidalgo scored 2,135 career points despite losing most of a high school season to COVID-19. She concluded her scholastic career as the MVP of the McDonald’s All-America Game. Hidalgo announced her transition to college basketball with a 31-point debut against South Carolina and hasn’t slowed down since. After her junior season, Hidalgo is 100th in NCAA scoring history with 2,460 career points. The three-time Consensus All-American was the National Defensive player of the year in 2026 and won the Nancy Leiberman Award as the nation's top point guard. After winning the 2023 FIBA Under-19 World Cup, Hidalgo was named USA Basketball Female Athlete of the Year. Hidalgo made her USA Basketball senior National Team debut in the 2025 FIBA AmeriCup championship.
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27. Isiah Pacheco, Vineland
Known for his speed and powerful running style, “Pop” was a two-time Super Bowl champion with the Kansas City Chiefs and played four seasons with the organization. In 10 career playoff games, the Chiefs went 9-1 with Pacheco, who ran for 547 yards and four touchdowns in those games, advancing to the Super Bowl three times. He rushed for 2,537 yards and 14 touchdowns in the regular season. He recently signed with the Detroit Lions. Pacheco was a four-year captain at Vineland High, rushing for over 3,100 yards and throwing for 1,400 more during his time as quarterback. He went on to star at Rutgers where the running back amassed 2,442 rushing yards, seventh on the program’s all-time list.
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26. Kevin Harvey, Paulsboro
One of the best pure high school athletes in South Jersey history, Harvey led Paulsboro to a 43-1 record over his four-year career. He set a South Jersey scoring record with 656 points, accumulated over 8,000 yards of total offense and had a then-South Jersey record 101 career touchdowns. He later played at Temple and the Arena Football 2 League. On the hardwood, Harvey was a 2,000-point scorer in his career with Paulsboro, helping lead the Red Raiders to a state championship during his senior season in 1996. Harvey was also a standout in track and field at the scholastic level. He returned to his alma mater where is the school's head football coach.
Tom McGurk is a regional sports editor for the Courier-Post, The Daily Journal and Burlington County Times, covering South Jersey sports for over 35 years. If you have a sports story that needs to be told, contact him by email at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter at @McGurkSports. Help support local journalism with a digital subscription.
Tom Rimback grew up reading the Burlington County Times and Courier Post sports sections and began writing for the BCT in 1996. He has covered everything from Super Bowls and Final Fours to Tri-County Swimming but he’s happiest on a sideline interviewing South Jersey scholastic athletes. Follow him on twitter @Rimbacksports. Email him with story ideas at [email protected] and, most importantly, support local journalism with a subscription to the Courier-Post.
This article originally appeared on Cherry Hill Courier-Post: Ranking South Jersey's Top 250 greatest athletes, see Nos. 50-26
Continue reading...
