Spring Training at the Magic Kingdom [PODCAST]

With temperatures still unpleasant going into April, some of South Jersey's local baseball programs have headed south for spring training.

Mainland's baseball team is at the "most magical place on Earth" this weekend, trying to shake off the winter rust for the upcoming season. Mustangs head coach Billy Kern explains what the goals are for the team on their Florida trip, and which Cape-Atlantic League teams pose as the biggest threat in 2013.

The Middle Township Panthers aren't just in Orlando with the Mustangs, but they're actually staying in the same hotel. Senior leader Doug Schwartz joined us on the South Jersey Sports Report to recap their trip so far, why his position change will help the team, and his future at the next level.

They're probably the baseball team to beat in the Cape-Atlantic-League, and will surely have a target on their backs to start the season. We spoke with Joe Gatto, Zach Warren, Chris Oakley, Mike Elfreth, and Barry Buchowski of the St. Augustine Prep Hermits, to find out how high the ceiling really is in 2013.

A family dynamic is going a long way in Millville, as a legendary lacrosse coach is guiding her granddaughter to success from the sidelines. Thunderbolts head girls lacrosse coach Claudia McCarthy, and her granddaughter, junior attack Corrine Etter, joined us on the South Jersey Sports Report to explain their special relationship on and off the field.

La Salle may have been bounced from the NCAA Tournament, but that doesn't make the Explorers' incredible journey any less sweet. From a play-in team to the round of 16, coach John Giannini's squad excited local basketball fans, and likely busted a few brackets along the way.

Before La Salle, Giannini patrolled the sidelines in Glassboro for Rowan University. We spoke with the man who eventually replaced him as head coach, Joe Cassidy, about his old friend's tournament success, and how Giannini has left a lasting imprint on the Profs current basketball program.

And "what can a guard do for you?" One man knows the answer better than most; he was an assistant coach at two top Division I basketball programs in the nation, and now owns several 5-Star basketball camps. Leigh Klein explains how one guard's play single-handedly willed his team to the Elite 8, which school overcame the most adversity this season, and which four teams will ultimately have a date at the Georgia Dome next weekend.

Listen to this week's show:

Mainland Mustangs baseball

Joe Cassidy, Rowan University head mens basketball coach

Middle Township Panthers baseball

Jason Mazda, Press of Atlantic City sports writer

Coach Claudia McCarthy & Corrine Etter, Millville Thunderbolts girls lacrosse

Leigh Klein, Former assistant basketball coach at Univ. of Texas & Univ. of Rhode Island

St. Augustine Prep Hermits baseball

We’d also like to congratulate the South Jersey Athlete of the Week:

Khari Harley

Basketball, Egg Harbor Township

The Egg Harbor Township standout scored 18 points and pulled down nine rebounds in the Prime Events All-Star Saturday senior boys basketball game at Ocean City High School. Harley earned MVP honors as “Team Feraco” topped “Team Allen” in double overtime.

It’s all right here, on The South Jersey Sports Report. Listen every Saturday, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. on 97.3 ESPN-FM or 973espn.com, and now catch the expanded edition every Thursday night at 6 p.m.

Follow Tyler Donohue on Twitter @TDsTake