What is the meaning of the word asterisk?….a small starlike symbol (*), used in writing and printing as a reference mark or to indicate omission, doubtful matter, etc.

(3-10-24) The NJSIAA will need to put an asterisk next to its 2024 Group 2 Boys Basketball State Championship Game.

RELATED:

On Saturday Camden celebrated the Panther’s 13th state title with a 69-50 win over Newark Arts in the Group 2 game inside Jersey Mike’s Arena on the campus of Rutgers University.

It was the 30th appearance in the championship game for Camden, which owns more state crowns than any public-school program in Garden State history. They now own the asterisk championship game.

Camden school officials know they lost…yet they showed no remorse or concern on how they got to this final. It is a game won by a team who actually lost a game during tournament play. Yet they celebrated without regards to the team that was cheated from playing in the title game.

In wake of buzzer beater controversy, Camden H.S. basketball team wins championship

CBS New York – You Tube Video

Camden coach Maalik Wyans told the Philadelphia Enquirer after the game —

“I’ve been through a lot of adversity in my life, people telling me I should not do this or that, so I had an idea what my team was going through. My goal was to be the leader of these young men and get them through this. I needed to let them know life is not always going to be easy. I was frustrated. I’ll admit it, especially when your character and integrity are questioned by people who don’t know you — and especially these kids.

“This had nothing to do with them. These kids are amazing. They are important parts of the Camden community. They volunteer and do a ton of things no one sees. It’s unfortunate for them, because they did not need to be dragged through the mud like that — nor did the city of Camden. I’m glad the way these kids held themselves up.

“I feel bad for Manasquan and those kids. I’m sorry it happened to them. I told their coach that after the game. But I’m happy this week is over. For our season to be remembered by one crazy play, no one talks about us coming back against Manasquan. No one talks about how we were down by 17 and held them scoreless [in the fourth quarter]. I come from some great coaches. I learned from them. This adversity made us come together stronger.”

It is a sad day for high school sports...let’s keep an eye on the NJSIAA (if they ever come out of there offices) and how they handle the discipline of the officials and the association rep who was involved in the call, updating to what is available to them in the year 2024…instant replay and buzzer backboards.