All Hail the Champs!

The St. Joes Wildcats and Holy Spirit Spartans wrapped up impressive 2012 campaigns on 'Championship Saturday', and now stand alone as State Champions in their respective groups. St. Joes captured their fourth straight title with a dominating 36-0 win over St. Mary's, while Spirit earned their third straight crown with a 30-6 victory over Immaculata.

With the winter break looming and each team taking some time off before getting back into offseason training, it was only fitting to have representatives from each school live inside our Admiral Nissan Studios.

One of those men: head coach Paul Sacco. The icon behind St. Joes proud football program has added another championship to his legendary resume, and soon he may need more fingers and toes to count his titles on. We asked him how his team always semmed to find the will to win, despite being outsized in some of their biggest matchups.

He also breaks down how two of his most dynamic players overcame adversity all year, why the school and his program have become so successful, and what St. Joes' potential role could be in the latest West Jersey Football League merger negotiations.

Holy Spirit was also in our house, as five proud Spartans paid us a visit to talk about their third straight Non-Public Group II State title (the first for head coach John Iannucci). Joining the first year head-man on the mics were D'Andre Dennis, Steve Domonoski, Tyler Flynn and Jeff Steeb.

We asked the five Spartans what their "constant" was all season, where the leadership came from after losing so many seniors the previous year, and what the team's mindset was after starting 0-2. Find out what else made this 2012 Holy Spirit squad so special, and how next year's team has a chance to do something unprecedented at the school.

High school basketball is already underway across South Jersey, and 97.3 ESPN-FM has you covered. Philadelphia Inquirer sports reporter Phil Anastasia previews what we can expect to see this season, including which local teams have the best chance to bring home a state title.

And one former Cape-Atlantic League basketball player is making headlines at the next level. University of Sciences in Philadelphia sophomore Garret Kerr has already earned Conference Player of the Week honors, and has his sights set on even loftier goals in 2013. We asked the Middle Township alum about some of his most memorable high school moments, how he's perfecting his craft early in his college career, and what impact coming from an athletic family has on his game.

 

Listen to this week's show:

Phil Anastasia, Philadelphia Inquirer sports reporter

Garret Kerr, Middle Twp. Alum & Univ. of Sciences sophomore basketball star

Paul Sacco, Head football coach of the 2012 N.J.S.I.A.A. Non-Public Group I State Champion St. Joseph Wildcats

Holy Spirit Spartans football team, 2012 N.J.S.I.A.A. Non-Public Group II State Champions

 

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

Miles Pease

Football, St. Joe

St. Joe secured its fourth straight state title with a 36-0 victory over St. Mary’s and it was Pease who paced the Wildcats. He rushed for 201 yards, including an 80-yard touchdown burst. Pease also hauled in an 18-yard scoring pass.

It’s all right here, on The South Jersey Sports Report. Listen every Saturday, 9-11 a.m. on 97.3 ESPN-FM or 973espn.com

Follow Tyler Donohue on Twitter @SouthJerzSports.

 

loading...

The South Jersey Sports Report would also like to extend our prayers and deepest sympathies for the victims of two tragedies this week. Our hearts go out to the victims, families and those affected by what took place in Clakamas County, Oregon and Newtown, Connecticut.

More From 97.3 ESPN