High School Sports

Gloucester Catholic

Five Gloucester Catholic High School seniors signed national letters of intent Nov. 9 to play baseball at NCAA Division 1 universities. They are Robbie Alessandrine, Monmouth University; Joe Brooks, East Carolina University; John Brue, St. Joseph’s University; Patrick Kane, Old Dominion University; and Brett Tenuto, Stony Brook University.

The 2011 Gloucester Catholic baseball team captured the NJSIAA Non-Public B State crown, their 15th title, extending their state record, and finishing among the top teams in the country in two national polls. The Rams won an astounding 20 games by the 10-run mercy rule, including three of their final four post season games. Their 31-2 overall record gave Coach Dennis Barth’s team honors as “Team of the Year” by two separate publications.

St. Joseph

Prior to the start of their Oct. 15 football game against Lower Cape May, the St. Joseph’s High School (Hammonton) school administration presented Coach Sacco with a 250th Win Football. He reached the 250th win goal after their previous win, the week before.

One of the St. Joseph field hockey team’s star players last year was Megan DeMarco, a 1st Team All Parochial; 1st Team Atlantic City Press; 1st Team All Conference; 1st Team All South Jersey; 1st Team All Group 1 All State; Leading scorer in South Jersey with 45 Goals; Leading scorer in school history season with 45 goals and career with 126 Goals; Fall Female Athlete of the year Atlantic City Press; Female Athlete of the Year Cape Atlantic League; Old Grad Award, the Best Female Athlete in Atlantic County; and MVP of her team. She helped her team achieve a 23-1 record.

Paul VI

At Paul VI High School in Haddonfield on Nov. 9, two high school senior athletes signed Letters of Intent to play for Division I NCAA schools. Senior Ron Curry committed to play basketball at James Madison University in Virginia, while Pat Petrongolo committed to play baseball at Jacksonville State University in Alabama.

In Paul VI girls’ varsity volleyball, the team qualified for the state tournament with a record of 12-8, in only their second season as a varsity program. After winning only four games in their inaugural season, the girls made an incredible improvement and played competitively in every match. The team was led by the consistent play of their junior setters, Kelly Duphorn (1st team) and Allison Calabria (2nd team). At the net, sophomores Katie Underwood (2nd team) and Brenna Jones led the team in kills. The girls lost a hard fought match to St. Joe’s Hammonton in the state tournament; however, the future is bright as the team only graduates two seniors, Alyssa Pierson and Allison Caruso.

Mike Burkeitt, a senior at Paul VI, has been nominated for a Parade Magazine Rudy Award.

Camden Catholic

The Camden Catholic High School (Cherry Hill) Girls’ field hockey went to the championship game for Group 2 after winning the Central Jersey title. They lost 4-3 to West Essex. Tara Vittese, a sophomore, was the 3rd leading goal scorer in South Jersey and 4th leading scorer in New Jersey with 73 goals and 32 assists. The Fighting Irish football team went undefeated into the playoff run as 8-0. Last time an Irish football team went undefeated going into playoffs was in 2003. They play Holy Cross in the 2nd round of playoffs. Senior Marcus Coleman, team captain, has signed with Syracuse University.