The year 2009 brings an end to the first decade of the 21st Century. And that is a good time for a series of all star teams recognizing the outstanding performers of the First Decade.

Beginning this week and continuing into February, on this blog and in editions of The Current in Atlantic County we will publish all-decade teams for the 10 seasons from 2000-09. They will include athletes from Absegami, Atlantic City, Egg Harbor Township, Holy Spirit, Mainland, Oakcrest and Pleasantville. Stats, Cape-Atlantic League all star teams, All-South Jersey selections, input from coaches and more will be used to help shape the final selections.

Boys tennis will start this string of 19 all-decade teams and will be followed by the rest of the spring sports. Only sports that are championship sports within the CAL will be included. After the 2009 fall season is completed, we will begin to review the 10 seasons in those sports. Then, in early 2010, it will be time for the winter sports.

At the end, there will be a SportsPerson of the Decade and the top coaches, male and female athletes and the best boys team and girls teams of the decade will be named.

The last 20 years of the 20th Century was a special time for sports in the Cape-Atlantic League. As new sports were added to the programs, the success grew. In the next six months, the coaches, athletes and teams from 2000-09 who continued the great success of previous eras will receive one more congratulatory salute.

The Cape-Atlantic League has had success in sports since its creation in 1949. But that success has never been greater than it is now. And against the best in competition.

We will recognize those most responsible for that success during the next six months.