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The Philadelphia Phillies were the hot topic of 2008 as they finally ended the city’s 25-year wait for a world championship. They dominated the news from early September all they way up to their Oct. 31 parade down South Broad Street.
Several high school squads made some noise with the loudest coming from the Neumann-Goretti baseball team, who made the Catholic League semifinals for the first time in more than a decade. The High School for Creative and Performing Arts softball squad achieved a first when it advanced to the Public League championship.
The news wasn’t totally upbeat as South Philly lost one of its beloved heroes in John Marzano.
Here is a look back at ’08:
January
The undefeated Southern boys’ basketball team hit a bump in the road when it fell out of first in a loss to Bartram.
Raven Jones and Prep Charter girls’ basketball were defeated once again by rival Engineering & Science in a regular-season meeting.
In other girls’ basketball news, Furness dropped its program due to lack of interest, while Bok was fighting for a playoff spot.
At Neumann-Goretti, coach Chip Reitano recorded his 100th career win over Hallahan.
Neumann-Goretti grads Rick Jackson and Scoop Jardine were back in South Philly playing for Syracuse men’s basketball. They faced Villanova at the Wachovia Center.
La Salle University senior Carlene Hightower, of 33rd and Reed streets, ranked fourth in the Atlantic 10 with 16.9 points per game.
Kyle Eckel, who once called 17th Street and Packer Avenue home, was chasing history as his New England Patriots headed to the Super Bowl with an 18-0 record. In the end, his team would suffer one Giant loss.
February
Southern boys’ basketball advanced to its first Public League semifinal under George Anderson thanks to a 76-60 victory over Simon Gratz. Frankford shattered the championship dreams when it eliminated the Rams in the semifinals.
The Bok boys’ basketball team opened the playoffs with a thrilling 58-57 win over E&S. Even with 22.9 points per game from Stefan Thompson, GAMP basketball came up short in its playoff goal, losing to Freire Charter in a District 12 Class A semifinal.
There would be no repeat performance for defending-league and state-champion Prep Charter as Strawberry Mansion ended its season.
The Furness boys’ basketball team had four wins, matching its combined win total of the previous three seasons.
At Bok, 6-foot-6, 315-pound Ryan Murray was ready to continue his football career at Temple University.
South Philly’s own Louis "Red" Klotz and his Generals came to the Wachovia Center to face the Harlem Globetrotters.
March
On the high school basketball scene, South Philadelphia High made some noise in the PIAA playoffs. The Rams advanced to the state quarterfinals for the first time in school history before losing 71-44 to Norristown Area High. The squad opened the tournament with a 45-44 victory over Downingtown West.
Prep Charter girls’ basketball was eliminated by Northeastern in the first round of states.
Southern grad Ramone Moore enjoyed the celebration at Atlantic City’s Boardwalk Hall when his Temple Owls defeated St. Joe’s Hawks for the Atlantic 10 championship. Prep Charter grad Rodney Green played in the event as a starting guard for the La Salle Explorers, who were eliminated by Temple in the quarterfinals.
In Catholic League baseball, the old North/South format was replaced by the Red/Blue alignment with schools grouped by enrollment.
Local soccer coaches and youth organizations were excited about Philadelphia landing an MLS franchise for the 2010 season.
April
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The Phillies were ready to defend their National League East crown. The big question was "how far will they go?"
In a shocking turn of events, South Philly icon and former Major League catcher John Marzano died at age 45.
It was off to Tampa, Fla., for Philadelphia Big 5 Player of the Year Carlene Hightower, who was one of 40 athletes participating in the WNBA Pre-Draft Camp.
Southern grad Demetrius Tillman was off to Lincoln University, which was resurrecting its football program for the first time since 1960.
In other college news, Neumann-Goretti’s Shane Irwin selected Albright for basketball.
Pugilist Paul Koon was heading to Grand Rapids, Mich., for the National Golden Gloves.
May
Playing in the Catholic League semifinals, the Saints fell to eventual champs St. Joe’s Prep. Sophomore Mark Donato was named Blue Division MVP.
The 13-1 CAPA softball team enjoyed a magical spring by playing for the Public League championship, where it fell 10-5 to Central.
The Furness baseball team, following a 0-11 season, turned things around with a 9-1-1 record.
Former Neumann baseball coach Bobby Santore was inducted into the Pirate Club Hall of Fame following nine winning seasons and three Catholic League championship appearances.
June
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The GAMP baseball team closed the season on a sour note, falling 16-1 to Christopher Dock in a state tournament opener. Prep Charter and Philadelphia Electric also made first-round exits.
Female Athlete of the Year Bianca Lewis.
Male Athlete of the Year honors went to Bok running back Luke Lassiter, CAPA’s Bianca Lewis claimed a Female Athlete of the Year nod and Neumann-Goretti’s Lou Spadaccini was named Coach of the Year.
On the CYO scene, Our Lady of Mount Carmel won the Region Six baseball championship.
U.S. Olympic Team Trials-Gymnastics, which helped decide the ’08 Olympic athletes, came through the Wachovia Center.
A group of Neumann-Goretti lacrosse players packed their bags for a two-week journey through England.
July
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The Knights, a 12-and-under baseball team based at Seventh Street and Packer Avenue, traveled to Massachusetts for a regional Amateur Athletic Baseball Conference tournament.
Right-handed pitcher Mike Koplove was one of 24 players named to Team USA baseball, heading to Beijing, China, for the Summer Olympics.
In American Legion baseball, the Delaware Valley Senators 19-and-under team won its first city championship in 16 years.
Thousands of supporters attended the pep rally at City Hall to celebrate the Philadelphia Soul winning ArenaBowl XXII.
August
Neumann-Goretti standout Tony Chennault announced his intentions to attend Wake Forest on a Division I basketball scholarship.
Temple University’s Carmen Del Mastro made the most of his summer by being named MVP of the Mountain Collegiate Baseball League, where he hit .415 with 43 runs.
Koplove helped Team USA bring home the bronze in baseball at the Summer Games.
The NFL season was fast approaching and all eyes were on the Eagles and whether or not they had enough to be a playoff team.
September
After failing to score a point through their first three games, Neumann-Goretti quarterback Anthony Mastrando led his Saints to a 35-14 victory over Prep Charter.
At Southern, the Rams football team opened with a 2-1 record with Chris Pennington and his 48 points leading the charge.
Sam Byrd, an All-Public pitcher, decided to give football a try at Furness and recorded four tackles in a 20-6 victory over Fels.
Prep Charter’s football team improved to 1-1 with a 28-6 victory over Esperanza.
October
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The Flyers said goodbye to the Wachovia Spectrum by playing two preseason games there, which brought back a lot of former teammates.
The Phillies were heading to their first World Series since 1993 after eliminating the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League Championship Series.
The School District of Philadelphia held an opening ceremony for the multimillion-dollar super site at 10th and Bigler streets.
A world championship parade finally returned to South Broad after the Phillies defeated Tampa Bay in the World Series. The team thanked its fans during a grand ceremony at Citizens Bank Park.
November
In high school football news, Bok fell 55-0 to West Catholic in the PIAA District 12 Class AA championship. The Wildcats finished the season 10-1.
South Philly High and La Salle University basketball standout Lionel Simmons led the class of inductees heading into the Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame.
The 74th annual holiday meeting between the Neumann-Goretti and Southern football teams was a low-scoring affair as the Saints took a 7-6 victory.
Fullback Kyle Eckel saw his first game action as a member of the Philadelphia Eagles, and received a standing ovation following his third-and-one conversion in a Thanksgiving win over the Arizona Cardinals.
December
High school basketball arrives and South Philadelphia High prepared to host a showcase tournament.
Meanwhile, the Prep Charter girls’ basketball team packed its bags for the KSA Basketball Tournament in Walt Disney World.
Koplove agreed to terms with his hometown Phillies that included an invitation to Spring Training.
Neumann-Goretti standout Kadeem Custis announced he would continue his football career at Temple University.
Contact Managing Editor Bill Gelman at bgelman@southphillyreview.com or ext. 123.
