New Year, New Season [PODCAST]

2013 is here, and not only is the high school winter sports season heating up, but new icons in our area are set to be immortalized.

The South Jersey Basketball Hall of Fame will soon welcome eight new inductees, among them former Wildwood legend Monica Johnson. Cape May County Gazette sports editor Brian Cunniff joined us on the South Jersey Sports Report to break down the standout in this year's Hall of Fame class. He also explains how she sold out gymnasiums across the region, why she could easily keep up with the boys, and where she ranks among the greatest players in South Jersey basketball history.

Our local sports insider heard his name called in last year's South Jersey Basketball Hall of Fame induction ceremony. Tom Williams explains what stands out about the new group of inductees, and reveals which local basketball teams are the top contenders for "wildcard" spots in this year's playoffs.

The Atlantic City Vikings are off to one of their best starts in school history, staying undefeated after a huge blowout victory over Middle Township. Find out what's behind their early season dominance, and how the non-traditional "fast start" has coach Gene Allen's squad looking like a title contender again.

One South Jersey senior athlete already has a State Championship under his belt, and now has his sights set on a return to the promised land in 2013. Not only is Xavier Lundy is the 6'5" pride of Paulsboro High School, but he's also the active leading scorer in South Jersey, and quickly approaching 2,000 career points. We asked the reigning Gloucester County Player of the Year about his offseason training, the college recruitment process, and what makes his Red Raiders so dangerous this season.

And from the gridiron to the mat, one local sports writer is making the transition and gearing up for another exciting high school wrestling season in South Jersey. Press of Atlantic City high school sports writer John O'Kane breaks down some of the early season wrestling headlines in our area, and reveals some of the best wrestlers and teams to watch in 2013.

Listen to this week's show:

Leigh Klein, former Division I assistant coach & top recruiter

Brian Cunniff, Cape May County Gazette sports editor

Xavier Lundy, Paulsboro High School senior basketball star

John O'Kane, Press of Atlantic City sports writer

Tom Williams, South Jersey Hall of Fame sports reporter

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

Dennis White

Basketball, Atlantic City

The Vikings emerging play-maker scored 19 points and pulled down eight rebounds in a victory over Middle Township. His performance helped push Atlantic City past the Panthers in a rematch of the 2012 Cape-Atlantic League championship game.

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 @TDsTake