In celebration of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, the Courier-Post sports staff has compiled a list of the top 250 South Jersey athletes of all time. The staff scoured archives, spoke to luminaries, and debated endlessly to create this comprehensive list. The criteria for eligibility included attending a South Jersey high school, living in South Jersey, or gaining notoriety from a South Jersey connection. This article showcases the top 25 athletes, with a focus on their impact and achievements in sports.
Kevin Walls (Camden): One of the most prolific scorers in Camden basketball history, Walls set South Jersey records for single-season and career scoring. He led Camden to an undefeated season and was named Player of the Year in 1984. Walls played at Louisville and was part of the national championship squad.
Glenn Carbonara (Vineland): A standout soccer player, Carbonara set a New Jersey record with 67 goals in his senior season. He played professionally in the Major Indoor Soccer League and National Professional Soccer League, scoring 97 goals in 506 games.
Mary Scharff (Paul VI): A pioneer in girls' basketball, Scharff was one of the first 1,000-point scorers in South Jersey. She excelled at Immaculata University, winning a national championship. Scharff later became an assistant coach and head coach at various schools.
Bobby Joe Esposito (Riverside): A three-time All-South Jersey selection with a record 150 scholastic goals, Esposito was named Player of the Century in 1999. He played professionally in the Major Indoor Soccer League, including a stint with the Philadelphia KiXX.
Marie Gimmi (Haddonfield): A standout field hockey and basketball player, Gimmi helped Temple University to a 31-1 record. She played for the United States Field Hockey team and umpired for 50 years after her playing career.
Joe Callahan (Holy Spirit): A successful quarterback, Callahan became the first Division III player to throw for over 5,000 yards in a season. He played in the NFL, including for the Philadelphia Eagles and Green Bay Packers.
Avon Cobourne (Holy Cross): A top running back, Cobourne set rushing records at West Virginia. He played professionally in the NFL and CFL, rushing for nearly 5,000 yards in three years with Saskatchewan and Winnipeg.
Anthony Averett (Woodbury): A two-time national champion at Alabama, Averett excelled in the NFL. He started 14 games for the Baltimore Ravens in 2021 and recorded three interceptions.
Jack Crawford (St. Augustine): Crawford, from England, played basketball at St. Augustine and American football at Penn State. He was a fifth-round pick in the 2012 NFL Draft and played for several teams.
Liz Tchou (Shawnee): A star field hockey player, Tchou won two state championships at Shawnee. She excelled at the University of Iowa, earning All-Big Ten honors and an All-American title.
Gerald Hodges (Paulsboro): A three-sport star, Hodges was a standout linebacker at Penn State. He played six seasons in the NFL, drafted by the Minnesota Vikings.
Tara Vittese (Camden Catholic): Perhaps the most decorated South Jersey field hockey player, Vittese scored 166 career goals. She played for the University of Virginia and the US junior national team.
Eli Apple (Eastern): A top cornerback, Apple played for Ohio State and the New York Giants. He has played 10 years in the NFL, including with the San Francisco 49ers.
Cheryl Reeve (Washington Township): Reeve led Washington Township to a state finals appearance and later became a successful coach. She won WNBA titles and coach-of-the-year awards.
Rod Streater (Burlington Township): One of the top wide receivers in South Jersey football, Streater played six seasons in the NFL. He helped the Owls win the New Mexico Bowl.
... (and so on for the remaining athletes)
