By: Sean Moylan
Cedric "The Entertainer" Jackson is not an Average Joe.
He works out religiously with a professional nutritionist and body builder. On an average day, he probably plays more basketball than most 40 year-old men do in a year.
Three years ago, Jackson came here from Washington, where he naveraged 15 points a game as a freshman, and revolutionized Northern Burlington County Regional High School boys’ basketball.
His star shined so brightly that by his junior season (last year) rumors were swirling that he would leave NBC to play for a private school.
Yet nothing that ever came from Jackson’s mouth ever perpetrated such rumors. It was his jump shot and uncanny passing ability, which led people to make up all kinds of stories. They, mistakenly, thought that such a "big fish" should be swimming in a bigger pond. What they failed to realize was that by his mere presence alone, he was turning NBC into a basketball ocean.
"I never really thought about leaving," said Jackson, who knew he’d stay at NBC because of the academic commitment it made to him.
This past season, despite having three new starters and a bench full of new players, NBC was picked by many to dominate in the Liberty Division. Instead, the Greyhounds had a solid 14-10 campaign and lost a tough first-round playoff game to a talented Freehold Boro squad.
"If you have that type of player (Jackson), you’re expected to win," remarked NBC head coach Herman Johnson. "There was a tremendous amount of pressure this year with us just wanting to be successful."
Jackson, however, didn’t let the pressure ever get to him. Because, he is first and foremost a leader on the court, he is too busy thinking about his teammates to ever get rattled by outside pressures.
"(This year) I knew it was my responsibility to help the other guys," noted Jackson, who almost immediately developed an on-court bond with Cornel Jones, a transfer from Pemberton this season. It was Jones’ passes which set up many of Jackson’s most dazzling dunks.
"(Playing with Jones) It was all right," laughed Jackson, with Jones standing nearby. "He took a load off of my hands."
Jackson played his whole career at NBC alongside Anthony Barksdale, a junior. And no NBC duo ever worked better together. "I hope he (Barksdale) does his thing," said Jackson, who fully appreciates Barksdale’s court savvy.
Always a D-1 prospect, Jackson took his game to a new level this season and played more aggressively than ever. His weight training made him a force inside on offense and defense. "I started going to the glass more," said Jackson, who averaged 13.9 boards this year.
Furthermore, Jackson’s father Bobby taught him new post up moves which added yet another dimension to his game.
Jackson led the area in scoring with a 26-point average. He also became NBC’s all-time leading scorer with well over 1500 career points. Moreover, he hit 36 three-pointers this season.
On March 26, he’ll be playing in the North-South All-star game. Furthermore, he’ll also play in the Al Carino All-Star Game. Yet for all of his accomplishments, he still looks at last year’s playoff run the most fondly. In it, he averaged 37.5 points, 13 rebounds, seven assists and three steals (he’s a great defender too) and almost led NBC to a South Jersey title. And he did all of that while still recovering from a serous ankle injury.
That team had the likes of Nick "Bibby" Nelson, Barksdale, Eric Milanowicz, Joel Campbell and Darnell Smith on it. They were an especially close unit, and Jackson still keeps in touch with all of them. This year, Jackson wanted so desperately to bring that elusive title to NBC but it was not to be.
"It (the loss to Freehold) was tough but we did everything we could," noted Jackson, who scored 21 points and played a great overall game in the loss.
Hopefully, NBC will build on the legacy that Jackson has left and it will continue to pack its gym for years to come. Coach Johnson thinks that the situation might be an easier one for the other players because the expectations will not be as overwhelming without Jackson there.
Nevertheless, "The Entertainer" made every player he ever played with betterbecause he’s a team player cut out of mole of Magic Johnson and Oscar Robertson. Moreover, his older brother, Bobby, may play professional basketball overseas.
Currently, Jackson is entertaining offers from dozens of D-1 colleges to play basketball. He’s narrowed his choices down to Saint Joes, Michigan, West Virginia, George Washington and LaSalle. A good student, Jackson will most likely major in Computer Programming in college.
Of all the people at NBC, Jackson will probably miss Coach Johnson most of all. The two have been nearly inseparable since each came on the scene three years ago.
"(Johnson) He’s a good guy. I’ll miss playing for him," said Jackson. "But he’ll still be coaching me."
Next year the post Cedric Jackson Era will begin at NBC. It should be a successful onebut it will never be quite the same.
