The South Jersey Sports Report

The South Jersey Sports Report with John Leon can be heard every Saturday from 9-11am on 97.3 ESPN and 1450 ESPN AM.

The CAL Report with John Leon can be read right here at 973espn.com with news and notes about the Cape-Atlantic League, Stockton sports and local sports leagues.

Technology

With all of the schools using some sort of technology, wouldn’t it be prudent to have the students learn how to keep statistics during games? I believe it would be a huge benefit to the schools, the teams and most of all the students.

Dak Stats and Stat Crew programs are easily attainable, very cost effective and would make a great learning tool. It also would get more students involved in the statistical side of sports programs and provide valuable feedback to coaches and players.

My feeling is that the more the students are involved with the school’s sports programs the more invested they become in the school.

Streaking

On the boys’ side, Holy Spirit is on an eight game unbeaten streak while Wildwood catholic and Pleasantville have won five straight. Spirit faces a tough test next Monday as they travel to St. Augustine after facing EHT who gave them an overtime thriller on opening night.

For the girls, Sacred Heart (11 consecutive wins), while Middle Township and Spirit have won five in a row.  The Lady Lions have a shot at running the table as they only have three tough tests before the playoffs. They play at Cedar Creek, and then take on Washington Township and Moorestown in February. Spirit has the roughest road with Atlantic City at home to end January, then Middle, Ocean City, Winslow Twp. and Willingboro, all within a space of nine days to finish the regular season.

Milestones

Congratulations all around to Richard Stockton College. First, Men’s coach Gerry Matthews earned his 500^th career victory in 26 seasons at the helm of the Ospreys. A tremendous feat considering the constant turnover many Division III programs face. Next up for Matthews, the New Jersey record for wins by a coach, held by Princeton’s Pete Carill at 514. He has a shot at it this year.

Women’s coach Joe Fussner garnered his 300^th win last week and counting his years as the Boys and Girls coach at Atlantic City High School, he too has well over 500 victories in his coaching career.

DiAndre Brown broke the 1,000 point barrier for his career and LaTonya Oliver continues to break career records for the Ospreys.

She broke the career rebounding record previously held by Alicia Morris (2003-07) of 810 and continues to put that mark out of reach. Should the Ospreys go deep into the playoffs (NJAC, NCAA or ECAC) she would have a chance to become the first player in SCHOOL HISTORY, Men OR Women, to break 1,000 boards for her career. She already holds the single season marks for rebounds and blocked shots, the career marks for rebounds and blocks and by the way, went over the 1,000 point barrier this season.

Somewhere along the line, she may have her number retired at the school. Currently, only Carl Cochran and Val Brown have earned that distinction.

(John Leon is the host of the South Jersey Sports Report heard Saturday's from 9-11am on 97.3 ESPN and 1450 ESPN AM.  His CAL Report runs here on 973espn.com.  You can e-mail John at johnraiders25@aol.com)