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. Athletes must have attended a South Jersey high school, lived formative years in South Jersey, or gained notoriety from their connection to the region. This article profiles the top 250 athletes, highlighting their achievements and impact on South Jersey 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 their national championship squad.
Glenn Carbonara, Vineland: A standout at Rutgers, Carbonara played 15 seasons in the Major Indoor Soccer League and National Professional Soccer League, scoring 97 goals in 506 games. He also represented the US national futsal team.
Mary Scharff, Paul VI: A pioneer in girls' basketball, Scharff was one of the first 1,000-point scorers in South Jersey. She played at Immaculata University, the 1974 national champion, and later coached at Villanova and two Philadelphia Catholic League schools.
Bobby Joe Esposito, Riverside: Named the Courier-Post's Player of the Century in 1999, Esposito set records with 150 scholastic goals. He played professionally in the Major Indoor Soccer League, including for the Philadelphia KiXX.
Marie Gimmi, Haddonfield: A standout field hockey and basketball player for Haddonfield, Gimmi helped Temple University to a 31-1 record. She played for the US Field Hockey team and umpired for 50 years before retiring in 2008.
Joe Callahan, Holy Spirit: Callahan became the first Division III quarterback to throw for over 5,000 yards in a season. He played for Wesley College and was a member of seven NFL teams, including the Philadelphia Eagles.
Avon Cobourne, Holy Cross: Cobourne set rushing records at West Virginia and played professionally in the NFL and CFL. He rushed for nearly 5,000 yards during a three-year stint with Saskatchewan and Winnipeg, winning two Grey Cup championships.
Anthony Averett, Woodbury: A two-time national champion at Alabama, Averett played five seasons in the NFL. He started 14 games for the Baltimore Ravens in 2021 and recorded three interceptions.
Jack Crawford, St. Augustine: Crawford played basketball at St. Augustine and American football at Penn State. He started 33 times over three seasons and was a fifth-round pick in the 2012 NFL Draft.
Liz Tchou, Shawnee: Tchou was a star defender at the University of Iowa and represented the US Olympic Team in 1996. She was a four-time All-Big Ten midfielder and a 1987 All-American.
Gerald Hodges, Paulsboro: A three-sport star at Paulsboro, Hodges played six seasons in the NFL. He was a fourth-round pick in the 2013 NFL Draft by the Minnesota Vikings.
Tara Vittese, Camden Catholic: Vittese is the most decorated South Jersey collegiate field hockey player. She scored 166 career goals and was the first-ever three-time National College Player of the Year.
Eli Apple, Eastern: Apple, known as Eli Woodard in high school, played at Ohio State and was a first-round pick in the 2016 NFL Draft. He has played 10 seasons 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 led the La Salle Explorers to 88 wins and two NCAA appearances.
Rod Streater, Burlington Township: Streater played six seasons in the NFL and helped the Owls win the 2011 New Mexico Bowl.
Ed Douglas, Moorestown: Douglas led the Quakers to three state championships and an undefeated season. He set a program record with 84 points in one game.
Bernadette McGlade, Gloucester Catholic: McGlade was a pioneer in female athletics, scoring over 1,000 points and rebounds for the Rams. She played at UNC and became the first head coach at Georgia Tech.
Mel Sheppard, Almonesson: Sheppard competed in two Olympic Games, winning four gold medals and a silver. He held several world records and later coached the US women's track and field team.
Art Still, Camden: Still was a member of the College Football Hall of Fame and played 12 seasons in the NFL. He was named to the All-Rookie Team in 1978 and the Pro Bowl four times.
Darren Drozdov, Oakcrest: Drozdov was a star quarterback and defensive end at Oakcrest. He played in the NFL and CFL, and is known for his career in professional wrestling.
Steve Rammel, West Deptford: Rammel led West Deptford to two state soccer championships and three Courier-Post Cups. He was Parade Magazine's National Player of the Year in 1986.
Wesley Hills, Wildwood: Hills rushed for 452 yards and eight touchdowns in one game, tying a South Jersey record. He starred at Delaware and Slippery Rock before playing in the NFL and CFL.
Mike Devlin, Cherokee: Devlin was a two-time All-South Jersey selection at Cherokee. He played in the NFL, appearing in Super Bowl XXVIII with the Buffalo Bills.
Alonzo Spellman, Rancocas Valley: Spellman played nine seasons in the NFL, starting as a true freshman at linebacker for Ohio State. He was an All-Big 10 selection and drafted in the first round.
Alex Silvestro, Paulsboro: Silvestro was a Super Bowl champion in the NFL and a state champion wrestler. He played defensive end at Rutgers and signed with the New England Patriots.
Donovin Darius, Woodrow Wilson: Darius played his junior and senior seasons at Woodrow Wilson and was an All-Big East safety at Syracuse University. He was drafted in the first round by the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Kareem McKenzie, Willingboro: McKenzie played two years of varsity football at Willingboro and was drafted in the third round by the New York Jets. He played seven seasons with the Jets and Giants.
Shonn Greene, Winslow: Greene combined for 2,643 rushing yards and 34 touchdowns in his junior and senior seasons. He played at Iowa and was the 85th pick in the 2009 NFL Draft.
Pat Lynch, Ocean City: Lynch was one of the winningest high school wrestlers in South Jersey, with 133 victories. He won two state titles and was an All-American for Arizona State.
Albert Young, Moorestown: Young rushed for a state record 5,411 yards and played at Iowa. He was signed by the Minnesota Vikings as an undrafted free agent.
Labe Black, Absegami: Black dominated wrestling at Absegami, finishing his career with a 142-3 record. He wrestled at the University of Buffalo.
Sophia Bordi, Haddon Heights: Bordi was a dominant player in New Jersey softball, with 78 hits, 71 RBIs, and 23 home runs in three seasons. She played at Rutgers and Texas.
Bryan Dobzanski, Delsea: Dobzanski was a two-time state champion wrestler and played seven seasons in the minor leagues. He won 21 games and struck out 309 batters.
Gordie Lockbaum, Glassboro: Lockbaum was a three-sport star at Glassboro, leading the Bulldogs to football championships. He played as a two-way star at Holy Cross and was drafted by the Steelers.
Adam Taliaferro, Eastern: Taliaferro combined for 62 touchdowns and a 9.4-yard rushing average. He was paralyzed while making a tackle but recovered and became an inspiration.
Lotzeir Brooks, Millville: Brooks is the most accomplished wide receiver in New Jersey high school history, scoring 63 touchdowns and catching 4,233 yards. He played at Alabama.
Chris Widger, Pennsville: Widger played 10 seasons in the MLB, starting 426 games behind the plate for the Montreal Expos. He hit 55 home runs and batted .238.
Bob Sebra, Gloucester Catholic: Sebra led the Rams to a state championship with an overpowering fastball and curveball. He played at Nebraska and was drafted by the Texas Rangers.
Larry Milbourne, Millville: Milbourne hit .439 as a senior at Millville and played in the MLB for the Orioles, Astros, and others.
Brett Matter, Delran: Matter starred at Delran and the University of Pennsylvania, winning a national title at 157 pounds. He was an inductee in the school's Hall of Fame.
Mark Manchio, Sterling: Manchio was a four-time state finalist and champion, finishing with 93 straight wins. He wrestled collegiately at Northern Iowa.
Rawly Eastwick, Haddonfield: Eastwick was a tall, overpowering right-hander who played eight major league seasons. He led the NL in saves twice and won the World Series.
Scott Schoeneweis, Lenape: Schoeneweis was a dominant left-hander at Lenape and Duke University. He won 12 games as a freshman and played in the MLB.
Kenie Wright, Lenape: Wright was a strong defender and part of the 2011 Lenape state championship team. She played for Gotham FC and is an assistant coach at Temple University.
Harold Gould, Bridgeton: Gould was an icon of the Negro Leagues, playing for the Philadelphia Stars. He won 14 games as a rookie in 1947.
Tonya Lee, Rancocas Valley: Lee won state championships in multiple events and scored every point as the Red Devils won the 1987 NJSIAA Group 3 indoor state title.
Gloria Byard, Woodstown: Byard was a pioneer in South Jersey field hockey, playing for Rowan University and the US National Team. She coached at multiple schools and won 271 games.
Christina Foggie, Lenape: Foggie was a prolific scorer at Lenape and Vanderbilt University. She was a second-round pick in the 2014 WNBA Draft and serves as an associate director.
Bryan Warrick, Burlington Township: Warrick quarterbacked Burlington Township to unbeaten seasons and later played basketball at Saint Joseph's University. He was drafted in the 1982 NBA Draft.
Joe Melchiore, Highland: Melchiore was the Courier-Post's Wrestler of the Century, setting a state record with 99 consecutive wins. He wrestled at Oklahoma and Iowa, and represented the US at the Senior World Wrestling Championships.
