Don Juan
Page 3 After recovering from a broken finger that kept him out of the first four games of his junior season, Dajuan returned to the Camden High lineup. He was focused, realizing there was one last hurdle to clear before his coronation was complete. As soon as Juanny hit the floor, the Panthers went on a tear, scorching their opposition during the regular season and preliminary rounds of the playoffs on their way to capturing the Group 3 state tournament. It was nice, but Dajuan knew he wasn’t finished. The 6-foot-2, 210-pound junior was averaging 32 ppg, 6 rips and 4 swipes on the year. Against Pennsauken Tech, during the regular season, Juanny hung 80 to become only the fifth player in New Jersey state history to reach that mark. He scored 40 points during three of the six games of the Group 3 state tournament. His legend was growing. Even as a junior, Dajuan was regarded by most as the best high school baller in the nation. Camden rolled into the semi-finals of the Tournament of Champions against a strong St. Patrick squad. With five seconds left on the clock, the run was knotted at 62. In perhaps the most memorable play in Jersey state history, Dajuan took an in-bound pass from Arthur “OG” Barclay with 5.3 ticks left on the clock and raced the entire length of the floor before laying in a buzzer-beating lay-up. "That’s a play we worked on all year,” said Camden’s Coach Glen Jackson. “We decided we weren’t going to call a time-out – just get the ball into Dajuan’s hands because we knew he could get down the floor in 3 or 4 dribbles.” He had gone over his allotted two bounces, but Milt forgave him this time. Days later, through eyes half clouded with sweat and emotion, Dajuan Wagner gazed into the familiar faces of his people, his community. They rose in unison, a thunderous mass paying homage to their savior; the boy wonder who had led them to the promised land. OG appeared at his side, like always. The two who share everything but blood clutched each other in an embrace of brotherhood. Dajuan looked across at his proud teacher, his toughest opponent, his dad. A knowing salute was exchanged. Camden had just defeated Seton Hall Prep to capture the Tournament of Champions title. ***
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