Al Carino
Boys Basketball Club
The Basketball Club of South Jersey, a long-time dream of founder Al Carino, was organized in the fall of 1962 with the help of Courier-Post sportswriters Charlie Schuck and Walt Burrows.
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During the first year, men such as Al Mattern, Sam Strauss, Bob Kenney, Dick Carpenter, Ben Mark, John Kling, Bill Thomas and the Rev. William Hart added their support. An All-South Jersey team and the Coach of the Year were honored at the first post season banquet and the Suburban Newspapers presented the Suburban Cup. State Champion coaches were feted.
In 1964 the Courier-Post started the Top Ten Award and in 1966 the Club selected the first South Jersey Collegiate Player of the Year and held its first South Jersey Invitational Tournament. In addition, the International Association of Approved Basketball Officials (IAABO), Camden District Board 34 presented the initial Sportsmanship Award in memory of Kenneth E. Smullen. |
Al Carino
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In 1970, the Al DiBart Memorial Foundation began the top scoring award and named it the “Bob Elder” Award.
That year the Club held its Unsung Heroes night for seniors who contributed to the team.
1971 saw the best foul shooting award. It now honors Tom Bowe and is presented by IAABO Board 34. In 1973 the Club honored its first woman coach for winning a state championship.
In the fall of 1974, the Club began honoring girls at the regular meetings and the 1975 banquet cited the girls’ scoring champion in addition to the girls’ Coach-of-the-Year.
The Courier-Post added the girls Top Ten Award. Charles Nash began honoring the South Jersey girls’ scoring champion and named it the Sara J. Taylor Memorial Award in 1975. In 1976, the first Female College Player of the Year was honored by the Club with the aid of the women officials of West Chapter 5 honoring Ginny Whitaker, the former long-time Athletic Director at Cherry Hill East.
Charles Nash began honoring the South Jersey girls’ scoring champion and named it the Sara J. Taylor Memorial Award in 1975.
In 1976, the first Female College Player of the Year was honored by the Club with the aid of the women officials of West Chapter 5 honoring Ginny Whitaker, the former long-time Athletic Director at Cherry Hill East.
In 1977, the first Small College Player-of-the-Year was honored. A player from a Division 2 or 3 college is recognized.
1978 saw the first All-Star games featuring senior boys and girls from South Jersey.
The Major College Player-of-the-Year Award was named in memory of Samuel Strauss in 1980.
Hall-of-Famer Tony Caracci began to sponsor an annual award to the Outstanding Guard in South Jersey in 2000.
2004 was the inaugural year the William G. Thomas Award. This award is named after long-time President Bill Thomas and sponsored by the Carino Club. It is presented to the individual who had the most successful 3-point shots during the season.
The “Most Courageous Award was renamed in memory of the late popular coach from Haddon Heights and Triton, Albert “Butch” McLean, who passed away in 2012.
December, 2019 saw William G. (Bill) Thomas, one of the few original founders of the Club, becoming President Emeritus and long-time officer Jack Mongulla being named President.
That year the Club held its Unsung Heroes night for seniors who contributed to the team.
1971 saw the best foul shooting award. It now honors Tom Bowe and is presented by IAABO Board 34. In 1973 the Club honored its first woman coach for winning a state championship.
In the fall of 1974, the Club began honoring girls at the regular meetings and the 1975 banquet cited the girls’ scoring champion in addition to the girls’ Coach-of-the-Year.
The Courier-Post added the girls Top Ten Award. Charles Nash began honoring the South Jersey girls’ scoring champion and named it the Sara J. Taylor Memorial Award in 1975. In 1976, the first Female College Player of the Year was honored by the Club with the aid of the women officials of West Chapter 5 honoring Ginny Whitaker, the former long-time Athletic Director at Cherry Hill East.
Charles Nash began honoring the South Jersey girls’ scoring champion and named it the Sara J. Taylor Memorial Award in 1975.
In 1976, the first Female College Player of the Year was honored by the Club with the aid of the women officials of West Chapter 5 honoring Ginny Whitaker, the former long-time Athletic Director at Cherry Hill East.
In 1977, the first Small College Player-of-the-Year was honored. A player from a Division 2 or 3 college is recognized.
1978 saw the first All-Star games featuring senior boys and girls from South Jersey.
The Major College Player-of-the-Year Award was named in memory of Samuel Strauss in 1980.
Hall-of-Famer Tony Caracci began to sponsor an annual award to the Outstanding Guard in South Jersey in 2000.
2004 was the inaugural year the William G. Thomas Award. This award is named after long-time President Bill Thomas and sponsored by the Carino Club. It is presented to the individual who had the most successful 3-point shots during the season.
The “Most Courageous Award was renamed in memory of the late popular coach from Haddon Heights and Triton, Albert “Butch” McLean, who passed away in 2012.
December, 2019 saw William G. (Bill) Thomas, one of the few original founders of the Club, becoming President Emeritus and long-time officer Jack Mongulla being named President.
Meet Our Team
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JACK MONGULLAPresident |
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ROBERT DEPERSIA II1st Vice President |
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TONY CARACCI2nd Vice President |
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Bob DeLambilySecretary |
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Bob ByattTreasurer |
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Russ WinsettScholarship Chairman |
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Bill HiltnerHall of Fame Chairman |
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Jason LewerDirector |
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Bill LangeDirector |
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Harold LittleDirector |
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Dave TroianoDirector |
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Brian TurnerDirector |
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Ernie TroianoDirector |
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William G. ThomasPresident Emeritus |
