Thompson was a force under the boards

Billy Thompson, boys' basketball player of the century, Modern Era Page 1

Courier-Post All-Century
He had many a battle with Cherry Hill East. Cougars coach John Valore remembers most of them, including one in particular that involved Thompson's ability to intimidate.

``I remember as if it happened yesterday,'' Valore said. ``Billy had turned around in the lane and jammed the ball through the net. One of my players immediately called timeout.

``I asked him why he had called timeout, that we were losing by 30 points, and you know what he said? `Coach, he scared the hell out of me.'

``That was one of Billy's attributes, his ability to dominate and intimidate under the basket.''

Valore made a further observation.

``He was the player that helped Camden really establish itself at the national level,'' Valore said. ``He was very versatile, he could post up inside, and he was a dominant force as a shot blocker.

``Billy was a player who made you adjust your offense. He pushed you a little further from the basket with his intimidation.''

Thompson was tall, strong, intimidating and unselfish. He could run the floor and easily fit in with the rest of his teammates because of his belief in team play.

Washington Township coach Steve Selby, who previously coached at Paul VI, saw Thompson revolutionize area basketball.

``Billy was an exceptional player,'' Selby said. ``He was one of the early big men to handle the perimeter, one of the first big men to play outside.

``He didn't go outside that much because of his responsibilities to rebound and score inside, but he had the talent to do it. He was very impressive."