Congratulating the St. Joseph's Prep Basketball Team for winning the 2003 Philadelphia Catholic League Championship on March 8, 2003.

WHEREAS, Before a turn-away crowd that packed the Tom Gola Arena at LaSalle University on March 8, 2003, St. Joe’s Prep defeated Cardinal Dougherty 77-70 in a classic confrontation between the top ranked teams in the region, thereby securing its first Catholic League Championship since 1971; and

WHEREAS, Both teams shot over 50%

from the field in an excellent display of clutch shooting for a championship game but the Prep also made 19 of 22 free throw attempts to seal the victory; and

WHEREAS, St. Joseph’s was led by its 6’5”

senior center, Mark Zoeller, who scored 31 points and collected 14 rebounds but each member of the team contributed to this great victory as the Prep played excellent team basketball throughout the championship game; and

WHEREAS, St. Joe’s is coached by the legendary Bill “Speedy” Morris, who led his team to the championship in just his second season at the Prep while compiling a record of 28 wins and only one defeat; and

WHEREAS, The remaining members of the Prep Varsity Basketball Roster include John Griffin, Chris Clark, T.J. Valerio, John Oberlies, Kyle Eisenman, Mike Kearney, Jared Black, Brett Novielli, Mark Meehan and Pat O’Toole. Team managers included Dan Timby, Greg McKeever, Colin Curtin and Ned Dillon; and

WHEREAS, Coach Morris was assisted by a capable array of assistant coaches, including Keith Morris, Joe Fox, Mike Lally, Joe Franco, Joe Donahue and Omar Richburg; now therefore

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That we congratulate the St. Joseph’s Prep Basketball Team for winning the 2003 Philadelphia Catholic League Championship on March 8, 2003.

FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to the St. Joseph’s Prep Basketball Team and to Coach Bill “Speedy” Morris, further evidencing the sincere sentiments of this legislative body

End