Speedy Morris Ends His Career Philadelphia High School Basketball
Speedy Morris' Wonderful Career
On March 7, 2020, St. Joseph's Prep lost to Reading, 57-45, in the first round of the PIAA Class 6A state playoffs, thus bringing to an end the marvelous, 52-year coaching career of William "Speedy" Morris (counting high school boys and college men/women.)
Click here for a photo set from the 2018 season, when Speedy notched career win No. 1,000.
Posted at Bottom of Page . . . Recaps of Wins Nos. 100 Through 700 at the High School Level; Names of Speedy's Players at Roman, Penn Charter, La Salle University (Men & Women) and SJ Prep; Rotations of Championship Teams.
Late in Speedy's final season, SJ Prep named the court to honor his legacy. | Lookin' Dapper . . . Speedy Morris' official photo for Penn Charter in 1983, his first season
as the Quakers' coach.
Speedy in 1968 First Roman Season Speedy's All-League players: ROMAN CATHOLIC, 1968-81 FIRST TEAM 1969: Mike Bantom 1970: Jim O'Brien 1971: John Beecroft 1973: Chico Singleton, Donald Kelly 1974: John Griffin, Donald Kelly 1975: Zane Major 1976: Mike Morrow 1977: Reggie Jackson 1978: Reggie Jackson 1979: Lonnie McFarlan 1980: Lonnie McFarlan 1981: Randy Monroe, Glenn Welton SECOND TEAM 1968: Keith Coady, Steve Collins 1969: Mike Moody 1971: Ed Hoban 1972: "Chico" Singleton, Frank Sykes 1976: Reggie Jackson 1978: Larry McGill 1979: "Yosh" Siorek, Rakph Mack 1980: Glenn Welton, Gerald Roberts THIRD TEAM 1976: Steve Compton 1977: Larry McGill 1978: Charlie Robbins PENN CHARTER, 1983-84 FIRST TEAM 1983: Andy Vye 1984: Carl Arrigale SECOND TEAM 1983: Carl Arrigale 1984: Marv Dunmeyer, Joe McGarvey, Drew Meyers LA SALLE WOMEN, 1985-86 FIRST TEAM MAAC 1985: Linda Hester 1986: Linda Hester, Jill Crandley SECOND TEAM MAAC 1985: Jill Crandley LA SALLE MEN, 1987-2001 FIRST TEAM MAAC 1987: Lionel Simmons, Tim Legler 1988: Lionel Simmons, Tim Leger 1989: Lionel Simmons, Doug Overton 1990: Lionel Simmons, Doug Overton 1991: Doug Overton, Randy Woods 1992: Randy Woods, Jack Hurd MCC 1993: Kareem Townes 1994: Kareem Townes 1995: Kareem Townes A-10 2001: Rasual Butler SECOND TEAM MAAC 1988: Rich Tarr 1989: Craig Conlin MCC 1994: Paul Burke 1995: Paul Burke A-10 1999: Donnie Carr 2000: Donnie Carr 2001: Victor Thomas THIRD TEAM A-10 1996: Romaine Haywood 1998: Donnie Carr 1999: K'Zell Wesson 2000: Rasual Butler ST. JOSEPH'S PREP, 2002-20 FIRST TEAM 2002: Mark Zoller 2003: Mark Zoller, John Griffin 2004: Chris Clark, John Griffin 2005: Reggie Redding 2006: Reggie Redding 2007: Matt Griffin 2008: Jim Mower 2009: Joe Nardi 2010: Joe Nardi 2011: Stephen Vasturia 2012: Stephen Vasturia, Miles Overton 2013: Stephen Vasturia, Miles Overton 2014: Chris Clover 2015: Chris Clover 2017: M. Kyle Thompson 2018: Darius Kinnel SECOND TEAM 2002: John Griffin 2003: Chris Clark 2004: Reggie Redding 2005: Corey O'Rourke, Joe Fox 2006: Dave Stefanski 2007: Larry Loughery, Jim Mower 2010: Gene Williams 2011: Gene Williams 2012: Gene Williams 2016: M. Kyle Thompson 2017: Darius Kinnel, Edward Croswell 2018: Ed. Croswell, M. Kyle Thompson 2019: Trevor Wall 2020: Trevor Wall THIRD TEAM 2002: Chris Clark 2003: T.J. Valerio 2004: Mike Kearney 2006: Matt Griffin, Larry Loughery 2009: Pat Stewart, Dan Fitzpatrick 2011: Miles Overton 2014: Kyle W. Thompson 2015: James McGovern 2016: Pete Gayhardt | ST. JOSEPH'S PREP, 2002-20 | FIRST TEAM | 2002: Mark Zoller | 2003: Mark Zoller, John Griffin | 2004: Chris Clark, John Griffin | 2005: Reggie Redding | 2006: Reggie Redding | 2007: Matt Griffin | 2008: Jim Mower | 2009: Joe Nardi | 2010: Joe Nardi | 2011: Stephen Vasturia | 2012: Stephen Vasturia, Miles Overton | 2013: Stephen Vasturia, Miles Overton | 2014: Chris Clover | 2015: Chris Clover | 2017: M. Kyle Thompson | 2018: Darius Kinnel | SECOND TEAM | 2002: John Griffin | 2003: Chris Clark | 2004: Reggie Redding | 2005: Corey O'Rourke, Joe Fox | 2006: Dave Stefanski | 2007: Larry Loughery, Jim Mower | 2010: Gene Williams | 2011: Gene Williams | 2012: Gene Williams | 2016: M. Kyle Thompson | 2017: Darius Kinnel, Edward Croswell | 2018: Ed. Croswell, M. Kyle Thompson | 2019: Trevor Wall | 2020: Trevor Wall | THIRD TEAM | 2002: Chris Clark | 2003: T.J. Valerio | 2004: Mike Kearney | 2006: Matt Griffin, Larry Loughery | 2009: Pat Stewart, Dan Fitzpatrick | 2011: Miles Overton | 2014: Kyle W. Thompson | 2015: James McGovern | 2016: Pete Gayhardt | Speedy Morris Celebration Page This story, which perfectly captured Speedy's career and his impact on so many, was written after he coached his final Catholic League regular season game By Kevin Callahan WYNDMOOR – Before the last regular season game for Speedy Morris , his former assistant coach Rich Prendergast smiled. Although the ending of the legendary career of Morris is truly sad, the memories will always bring a smile. And, the memories … “We met on this court,” Prendergast said, shaking his head to the circle of life he was experiencing Sunday afternoon at La Salle College High School. “It was 1965 and Speedy was coaching St. John the Baptist (Manayunk) and I was coaching Saint Timothy (Mayfair) and we played in the second round of the CYO tournament here. “I knew he was a good coach and demonstrative, but what I remember most is when we were shaking hands after the game, he said to me, ‘my scouts didn’t tell me how good your press was,” Prendergast said laughing. “I was thinking, ‘you have scouts, I was just hoping to find my station wagon to drive the team home,’ and we stayed close all these years.” The story by Prendergast really punctuates the success of Morris as a coach and a person. As a coach, Morris did what other coaches wouldn’t at every level to prepare his team, to give his team an edge. As a person, once you were a friend of Morris, you were a friend for life. “It’s really been overwhelming, everybody saying so many nice and warm things,” Morris said before the Hawks defeated La Salle 59-56 as the Prep improved to 12-10 overall. “I wish we were winning a few more games but …” “It’s really humbling,” Speedy added quickly. “I’m seeing so many people and I’ve met so many people in basketball, it’s been a blessing.” Morris, 77, announced in December his retirement at the end of his 19th year at the Prep and 52nd season coaching on the high school and college levels due to health issues. Thankfully, the end isn’t here yet as the ninth-seeded Hawks move into the first round of the Philadelphia Catholic League playoffs on Wednesday at 5 p.m. at Archbishop Carroll. “It definitely is in the back of our minds,” said senior forward Chris Arizin after scoring eight points, admitting not wanting the career of Morris to end this week. “He is such a legendary coach and this could be his last game, our last game, and we don’t want either of those so we are going to play our hearts out every game.” Only the hearts of the many who played for Morris at Roman Catholic, Penn Charter, La Salle University men’s and women’s teams, and St. Joseph’s Prep can tell how his 1,000-plus wins doesn’t do justice of the impact the kid from Manayunk has had on the Philadelphia basketball community. “The last four yeas I have worked my way through the ranks and it has been the best experience,” said Arizin, whose father Chris played at Drexel and his grandfather Paul starred at Villanova and is one of the NBA’s all-time greatest. “He pushes us and the little things are the most important, even the way we pivot, he coaches that, and it carries over to so many other aspects of life. “He is a really caring guy and is very personable and everything he teaches really carries over.” Mike Keenan , a senior guard, drained five 3-pointers and scored 18 points for the Prep in front of a packed gym that gave Morris a standing ovation before the game while players on both teams wore t-shirts with “52 Seasons - Philly Legend, One of a Kind” on the backs. “We love him, he is a Philly original,” La Salle coach Mike McKee , who played at Roman Catholic, said. “There is Rocky, there are soft pretzels, there are cheesesteaks and there is the Liberty Bell and there is Speedy Morris. “He is just an unbelievable person and I’ve always admired him and it means a lot to just be a part of this. “He is the best, he is a great role model,” McKee added before La Salle dropped to 10-12 overall . “We are trying to get our guys to understand, this is about 52 years. It is a beautiful day.” Keith Morris played for his dad at La Salle and has been by his side on the Prep bench. “I think the greatest thing about him is the older he has gotten, some of the stuff he would have been harder on the kids about, he has a softer approach,” Keith said. “I think one of the things that strikes me most about him and he has said it multiple times, is the greatest gifts he has ever been given is invitations to former players weddings, invitations to their children‘s christenings. Some of his former players are his best friends. He takes more pride in seeing them go out and be a hard working family man than anything, it is beyond basketball. continued right below . . . | SEASON BY SEASON ROMAN 1968: 9-5 / 17-7 1969: 14-2 / 26-4 1970: 8-8 / 15-9 1971: 11-5 / 17-8 1972: 11-5 / 19-6 1973: 13-3 / 24-6 1974: 15-1 / 31-3 1975: 15-1 / 28-6 1976: 11-3 / 28-5 1977: 11-3 / 24-8 1978: 13-1 / 32-4 1979: 13-1 / 31-5 1980: 13-1 / 31-3 1981: 14-0 / 24-8 PENN CHARTER 1983: 6-4 / 20-7 1984: 9-1 / 21-7 LA SALLE WOMEN 1985: 9-3 / 22-8 1986: 10-2/ 21-9 LA SALLE MEN 1987: 10-4 / 20-13 1988: 14-0 / 24-10 1989: 13-1 / 26-6 1990: 16-0 / 30-2 1991:12-4 / 19-10 1992: 12-4 / 20-11 1993: 9-5 / 14-13 1994: 4-6 / 11-16 1995: 7-7 / 13-14 1996: 3-13 / 6-24 1997: 5-11 / 10-17 1998: 5-11 / 9-18 1999: 8-8 / 13-15 2000: 5-11 / 11-17 2001: 5-11 / 12-17 SJ PREP 2002: 11-3 / 24-6 2003: 13-1 / 30-2 2004: 13-1 / 27-4 2005: 13-1 / 26-5 2006: 11-3 / 24-5 2007: 11-3 / 22-8 2008: 8-6 / 16-11 2009: 8-6 / 14-9 2010: 9-5 / 17-8 2011: 8-5 / 14-9 2012: 11-2 / 21-6 2013: 11-2 / 24-6 2014: 8-5 / 16-7 2015: 10-3 / 18-5 2016: 7-6 / 13-10 2017: 8-5 / 15-8 2018: 7-6 / 19-9 2019: 7-7 / 13-11 2020: 6-8 / 13-12 TOTAL RECORD ( High School ) 366-122 / 754-237 1968-81: Roman, 171-39 / 347-82 1983-84: Penn Charter, 15-5 / 41-14 2002-20: SJ Prep, 180-78 / 366-141 ( College ) 281-220 1985-86: La S. women, 19-5 / 43-17 1987-01: La S. men, 128-96 / 238-203 League/Conference ( 513 - 223 ) ( Overall ) 1,035 - 457 -- CATHOLIC LEAGUE TITLES 1969: 14-2, 26-4 1973: 13-3, 24-6 1974: 15-1, 31-3 1978: 13-1, 32-4 1979: 13-1, 31-5 1980: 13-1, 31-3 2003: 13-1, 30-2 2004: 13-1, 27-4 INTER-AC TITLE 1984: 9-1, 21-7 MAAC TITLES 1988: 14-0, 24-10 1989: 13-1, 26-6 1990: 16-0, 30-2 1992: 12-4, 20-11 -- 1,000-POINT SCORERS (Coached by Speedy; All or Part of Career) SCHOOL Pts Sr. Yr. ROMAN "Chico" Singleton 1,127 1973 Reggie Jackson 1,861 1978 Lonnie McFarlan 1,842 1980 Glenn Welton 1,323 1981 PENN CHARTER None LA SALLE WOMEN Linda Hester 1,490 1986 Jill Crawley 1,451 1986 Suzi McCaffrey 1,011 1986 Allison Hudson 1,138 1987 Tracey Sneed 1,486 1989 LA SALLE MEN Larry Koretz 1,382 1987 Tim Legler 1,699 1988 Rich Tarr 1,004 1988 Craig Conlin 1,159 1989 Lionel Simmons 3,217 1990 Doug Overton 1,795 1991 Randy Woods 1,811 1992 Jack Hurd 1,693 1992 Kareem Townes 1,925 1995 Paul Burke 1,368 1995 Romaine Haywood 1,083 1996 Mike Gizzi 1,319 1998 Donnie Carr 2,067 2000 Victor Thomas 1,765 2001 Rasual Butler 2,125 2002 SJ PREP Mark Zoller 1,317 2003 John Griffin 1,488 2004 Chris Clark 1,239 2004 Reggie Redding 1,568 2006 Stephen Vasturia 1,764 2013 Miles Overton 1,133 2013 Chris Clover 1,247 2015 Kyle Thompson 1,074 2018 Darius Kinnel 1,046 2018 Trevor Wall 1,109 2020 | 1,000-POINT SCORERS | (Coached by Speedy; | All or Part of Career) | SCHOOL | Pts | Sr. Yr. | ROMAN | | | "Chico" Singleton | 1,127 | 1973 | Reggie Jackson | 1,861 | 1978 | Lonnie McFarlan | 1,842 | 1980 | Glenn Welton | 1,323 | 1981 | PENN CHARTER | | | None | | | LA SALLE WOMEN | | | Linda Hester | 1,490 | 1986 | Jill Crawley | 1,451 | 1986 | Suzi McCaffrey | 1,011 | 1986 | Allison Hudson | 1,138 | 1987 | Tracey Sneed | 1,486 | 1989 | LA SALLE MEN | | | Larry Koretz | 1,382 | 1987 | Tim Legler | 1,699 | 1988 | Rich Tarr | 1,004 | 1988 | Craig Conlin | 1,159 | 1989 | Lionel Simmons | 3,217 | 1990 | Doug Overton | 1,795 | 1991 | Randy Woods | 1,811 | 1992 | Jack Hurd | 1,693 | 1992 | Kareem Townes | 1,925 | 1995 | Paul Burke | 1,368 | 1995 | Romaine Haywood | 1,083 | 1996 | Mike Gizzi | 1,319 | 1998 | Donnie Carr | 2,067 | 2000 | Victor Thomas | 1,765 | 2001 | Rasual Butler | 2,125 | 2002 | SJ PREP | | | Mark Zoller | 1,317 | 2003 | John Griffin | 1,488 | 2004 | Chris Clark | 1,239 | 2004 | Reggie Redding | 1,568 | 2006 | Stephen Vasturia | 1,764 | 2013 | Miles Overton | 1,133 | 2013 | Chris Clover | 1,247 | 2015 | Kyle Thompson | 1,074 | 2018 | Darius Kinnel | 1,046 | 2018 | Trevor Wall | 1,109 | 2020
ST. JOSEPH'S PREP, 2002-20
FIRST TEAM
2002: Mark Zoller
2003: Mark Zoller, John Griffin
2004: Chris Clark, John Griffin
2005: Reggie Redding
2006: Reggie Redding
2007: Matt Griffin
2008: Jim Mower
2009: Joe Nardi
2010: Joe Nardi
2011: Stephen Vasturia
2012: Stephen Vasturia, Miles Overton
2013: Stephen Vasturia, Miles Overton
2014: Chris Clover
2015: Chris Clover
2017: M. Kyle Thompson
2018: Darius Kinnel
SECOND TEAM
2002: John Griffin
2003: Chris Clark
2004: Reggie Redding
2005: Corey O'Rourke, Joe Fox
2006: Dave Stefanski
2007: Larry Loughery, Jim Mower
2010: Gene Williams
2011: Gene Williams
2012: Gene Williams
2016: M. Kyle Thompson
2017: Darius Kinnel, Edward Croswell
2018: Ed. Croswell, M. Kyle Thompson
2019: Trevor Wall
2020: Trevor Wall
THIRD TEAM
2002: Chris Clark
2003: T.J. Valerio
2004: Mike Kearney
2006: Matt Griffin, Larry Loughery
2009: Pat Stewart, Dan Fitzpatrick
2011: Miles Overton
2014: Kyle W. Thompson
2015: James McGovern
2016: Pete Gayhardt
1,000-POINT SCORERS
(Coached by Speedy;
All or Part of Career)
SCHOOL | Pts | Sr. Yr.
ROMAN | |
"Chico" Singleton | 1,127 | 1973
Reggie Jackson | 1,861 | 1978
Lonnie McFarlan | 1,842 | 1980
Glenn Welton | 1,323 | 1981
PENN CHARTER | |
None | |
LA SALLE WOMEN | |
Linda Hester | 1,490 | 1986
Jill Crawley | 1,451 | 1986
Suzi McCaffrey | 1,011 | 1986
Allison Hudson | 1,138 | 1987
Tracey Sneed | 1,486 | 1989
LA SALLE MEN | |
Larry Koretz | 1,382 | 1987
Tim Legler | 1,699 | 1988
Rich Tarr | 1,004 | 1988
Craig Conlin | 1,159 | 1989
Lionel Simmons | 3,217 | 1990
Doug Overton | 1,795 | 1991
Randy Woods | 1,811 | 1992
Jack Hurd | 1,693 | 1992
Kareem Townes | 1,925 | 1995
Paul Burke | 1,368 | 1995
Romaine Haywood | 1,083 | 1996
Mike Gizzi | 1,319 | 1998
Donnie Carr | 2,067 | 2000
Victor Thomas | 1,765 | 2001
Rasual Butler | 2,125 | 2002
SJ PREP | |
Mark Zoller | 1,317 | 2003
John Griffin | 1,488 | 2004
Chris Clark | 1,239 | 2004
Reggie Redding | 1,568 | 2006
Stephen Vasturia | 1,764 | 2013
Miles Overton | 1,133 | 2013
Chris Clover | 1,247 | 2015
Kyle Thompson | 1,074 | 2018
Darius Kinnel | 1,046 | 2018
Trevor Wall | 1,109 | 2020
“The Jimmy O’Briens, the Mike Bantoms, the Lionel Simmons’ and the Steve Vasturias are all great friends, but it is everybody, there are guys who come around who were last men on the bench, there are managers that just love him.”
Matthew Morris is the son of Keith and the grandson of Speedy. He is a 6t h grader who plays for his Plymouth-Whitemarsh town team and St. Genevieve school team.
“Until 5 th grade, I was like that is just my Pop-Pop,” Matthew said. “And, then all of a sudden, one of my buddies said, ‘hey, I looked up Speedy Morris and he is all over Google,’ and I was like, “oh my gosh, everybody knows him.’
“And, I will be stopped at my basketball games and people will say, ‘you’re Speedy Morr is’ grandson’ and it is a shock to me, everyone knows him as a basketball legend and that is my Pop-Pop.
“So it is really cool to be able to go to his Hall of Fames and to be able to say my Pop-Pop is a Hall of Famer,” atthew gushed, “and for people to recognize me as his grandson.
M ike Brophy also enjoys a unique and close perspective of Speedy Morris since not only did his son, Sean, play for him at the Prep, he played against Morris’ Roman Catholic teams in the mid-1970’s when he starred in Archbishop Carroll’s backcourt with Butch Lynam and Greg Webster , who both went on to play for La Salle.
Brophy recalled trailing the Cahillites at halftime by 10 points and he could hear Morris through the walls at Carroll.
“It didn’t matter they were up, Speedy was a perfectionist and he wanted everything done right no matter what the score,” said Brophy, who scored 1,000 points and captained Ursinus’ Final Four team in 1981 along with Springfield coach Kevin McCormick .
Brophy also was a Division I official and reffed one of Morris’ La Salle games at the Carrier Dome, so he might have heard Speedy on the sideline, too.
But Brophy recalled Morris softer side off the court, which has endeared the veteran coach to so many over the years as well, telling the story when his son had his wisdom teeth removed and Speedy showed up at their house with a milk shake for Sean.
“And, Sean was only a sophomore,” Brophy said.
Brophy admired how Morris was able to install offensive sets and systems to maximize the talent of his teams and top players.
“He had good players everywhere he went, but he made those players pretty spectacular and highlighted them,” Brophy said. “Obviously, he has been a winner anywhere he has gone.”
Steve Vasturia , the all-time leading scorer at St. Joseph’s Prep School, crossed the Delaware River to play for Morris from South Jersey where Speedy’s legacy reached.
“I was so lucky to have played for Speedy at the Prep where I was able to grow immensely as a player and as a person, " Vasturia said when contacted over the weekend in Germany where he is playing professionally with Rasta Vechta . “ I learned so much from him and he really helped to shape me into the person I am today.”
The leading scorer in the Prep’s prestigious history with 1,764 points, Vasturia was the Prep’s first player to be named team Most Valuable Player and All-Catholic League for three consecutive years.
“He has made such a major impact on the Philadelphia basketball community and countless players and families, " Vasturia said.
Vasturia, who had his No. 32 retired at The Prep, was a four-year starter at the University of Notre Dame.
“Today, I’m lucky to call him a friend and am extremely proud to have been a part of his program, " said Vasturia, who was the Gatorade Pennsylvania Player of the Year as a senior for Morris,
Donnie Carr is one of only six players in La Salle history to top 2,000 points (2,067) in his four-year career playing for Morris.
“He was a guy that was before his time,” Carr said. “The way he played in the late 1990’s and early 2000’s is the way veryone is playing now,” Carr said.
The four-time First Team All-Big 5 honoree, who ranks second in school history with 308 three-pointers and sixth with 404 assists, is in his third season as an assistant coach for the Explorers.
“He is the one who put the idea of one day coaching in my head,” said Carr.
Carr was star guard at Roman Catholic where Morris’ legacy started in the PCL.
“Everyone knows about his unbelievable career, his Hall of Fame career as a coach, but he is also a Hall of Fame person,,” Carr said. “He is an unbelievable guy, and I was just blessed to play for him and learn from him for four years of my life.”
Randy Monroe also played at Roman Catholic for Morris and is a former assistant coach under him at La Salle. He is currently an assistant coach with the Hawks and a dean at the Prep.
“He’s a man who has put his whole heart and soul into coaching the game of basketball and nurturing young men and when it is time to say good-bye so to speak,” Monroe said.
“I do recall my days playing for him at Roman Catholic and if I could turn back the hands of time, I would go right .”
Former La Salle University coach John Giannini noted how Morris was a mentor to several generations of coaches.
“Fran Dunphy is the winningest Big 5 coach and he learned to coach under Speedy Morris, Joe Mihalich is having an incredible career (at Hofstra) and beat UCLA at Pauley Pavilion this year and he learned under coach Morris and you can go on and on,” Giannini said. “Then you have coaches who are a little bit younger like myself and for me he was a friend and a role model.
“He was a friend because he always encouraged me and he wanted me to succeed and he was a role model because he was a good coach and a family man.
“I got really close with his family over the years and everyone talks about balance in life, how can you be great at your profession, but also have a good family life and he does both of those as well as any coach I’ve been around.”
Current Explorers head coach Ashley Howard and sophomore forward Ed Croswell , who played for Morris, sat behind he Prep bench after playing a tough Atlantic 10 Conference game on Saturday night against rival Saint Joseph’s.
“It was an honor to play for Coach Speedy,” Croswell said. “He just taught me so much about the game, how to slow down, he was very technical about how he wanted us to run his plays and he has been a great mentor to me.
“He is just a great person to be around and people don’t know that he is hilarious off the court and I just love to be around him.”
And, some like Prendergast have been blessed to be around Speedy Morris for over 50 years, but no matter how long anyone has shared the court with him, they have been touched by the man.
“The Prep’s motto is ‘men for others’ and I don’t know of any man for others more than my dad,” Keith Morris said, “and, that is quite a blessing.”
And, legacy. --
Coach Speedy Morris (front, R) with Penn Charter's 1984
Inter-Ac League champs. No. 32 (front) is Carl Arrigale, the league MVP and long-time, highly-successful coach at
Neumann/Neumann-Goretti.
--
Below are recaps for wins Nos. 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600 and 700 in Speedy Morris' lengthy career as a high school coach. . . No. 100 Dec. 15, 1972 - Friday night Catholic South At O'Hara Roman 46, O'Hara 44 O'Hara scored 11 of the game's first 13 points. Jim "Chico" Singleton finished with 18 points and Donald Kelly scored 11 of his 17 in the last quarter. Steve Oristaglio (17) led O'Hara. O'Hara's star in the previous season (first team All-City) had been Michael Arizin, the son of NBA all-timer Paul Arizin. Michael's son, Gabe ('19), was a starter for SJ Prep (see recap for No. 700.) No. 200 Feb. 13, 1976 - Friday afternoon Catholic South At Roman Roman 58, Neumann 51 Soph Reggie Jackson saved 14 of his 18 points for a 32-25 second half and Mike Morrow added 15 points overall. Afterward, Roman stat man Bob Beecroft joked, "We're calling it 198 and a half. Speedy got thrown out at Carroll last week and was sick for a game last year." No. 300 Dec. 11, 1979 - Tuesday night Non-League At Kenrick Roman 72, Kenrick 58 Lonnie McFarlan shot 21-for-30 and 3-for-4 for a school-record 45 points. He also collected 12 rebounds. Glenn Welton added 18 points and 11 rebounds while '81 grad Randy Monroe -- he's now in his first season as Speedy's assistant at SJ Prep -- grabbed nine boards. Kenrick's coach was Phil Martelli, who's now an assistant at Michigan after 24 seasons as the boss at Saint Joseph's University. One of Phil's assistants was Geno Auriemma, who has enjoyed wild success as the women's coach at the University of Connecticut. No. 400 Jan. 6, 2002 - Sunday afternoon Catholic South At SJ Prep SJ Prep 54, O'Hara 38 Mark Zoller and John Griffin contributed 15 points apiece and Ryan Lynch hit three treys en route to 11 points. Griffin's brother, Matt ('07), also played for Speedy at the Prep -- he was a starter in win No. 500 -- and is in his third season as Roman's coach. Their dad, John ('74), was a star for Speedy at Roman. No. 500 Dec. 14, 2005 - Wednesday afternoon Non-League At Malvern SJ Prep 43, Malvern 39 Reggie Redding offered 14 points, seven rebounds and four assists. Larry Loughery had 11 points and eight boards. Dave Stefanski -- his dad, Ed, a Bonner product, has long held front office jobs for NBA teams -- also scored 11 points. The best pre-game line came from Malvern assistant Joe Redican, in reference to interim coach Kurt Ruch. Mindful that the Friars would be entering play with one win, Joe said playfully, "Kurt has a chance to do something today that Speedy will never be able to do -- double his win total." No. 600 Jan. 31, 2011 - Monday night Catholic League At West Catholic SJ Prep 70, West Catholic 31 The Hawks created major distance with a 25-5 run to start the second half. Gene Williams (23), Stephen Vasturia (15) and Miles Overton (11) paced the romp. Overton's dad, Doug, enjoyed a lengthy NBA career and is now the coach at Lincoln University. No. 700 Dec. 30, 2016 - Friday afternoon Showcase At Widener University SJ Prep 67, St. Georges (DE) 48 Juniors Kyle Thompson (21), Darius Kinnel (17) and Ed Croswell (12) scored in double figures. Soph Gabe Arizin snagged 13 rebounds and Croswell was right behind with 12. Counting Morris' stints with the women and men at La Salle University, this was his 1,400th game as a head coach (981-419).
Below are the players who helped Speedy Morris accumulate 1,035 wins at the high school/college levels. Year indicates the player's final season. Most were seniors. Some transferred and some were underclassmen who did not play in the following season. The '81, '84, '86, '01 and '20 teams include multiple underclassmen. (Note: In the '82 season, Speedy was an unofficial assistant at Bonner.) ROMAN CATHOLIC 1968-81 Seasons LA SALLE WOMEN 1985-86 Seasons ST. JOSEPH'S PREP 2002-18 Seasons Charles DiCicco 1968 Patty Fallon 1985 Evan Pierce 2002 Dan Avington 1968 Trish Giordano 1985 Jim Good 2002 Dennis Mathews 1968 Gina Tobin 1985 Matt Stefanski 2002 John Proud 1968 Kelly Briar 1986 Mike Haubrich 2002 Keith Coady 1968 Mary Coyle 1986 Ryan Lynch 2002 Larry Avington 1968 Jill Crandley 1986 Brett Novielli 2003 Steve Collins 1968 Linda Hester 1986 John Oberlies 2003 Bill Braunsberg 1969 Allison Hudson 1986 Kyle Eisenmann 2003 Bill Medina 1969 Suzi McCaffrey 1986 Mark Meehan 2003 Bob Giballa 1969 Cheryl Reeve 1986 Mark Zoller 2003 John Pindynski 1969 Suzy Springman 1986 T.J. Valerio 2003 Larry Storm 1969 Linda French 1986 Antoine Joseph 2004 Lorenzo Hough 1969 Kelly Greenberg 1986 Chris Clark 2004 Mike Bantom 1969 Tracey Sneed 1986 Jared Black 2004 Mike Moody 1969 Jenniger Snyder 1986 John Griffin 2004 Bob Zakrzewski 1970 Sheila Wall 1986 Mike Boyle 2004 Charles Gardner 1970 Mike Kearney 2004 Dennis Carr 1970 LA SALLE MEN 1987-2001 Seasons Pat O’Toole 2004 Jim O'Brien 1970 Paul Lynch 2004 Rich Giusti 1970 Corey O'Rourke 2005 Ed Hoban 1971 Larry Koretz 1987 Joe Fox 2005 John Beecroft 1971 Ron Barnes 1987 Oscar Griffin 2005 Marty Corcoran 1971 Len Robinson 1987 Sean Barker 2005 Tony Smith 1971 Gary Jones 1987 Charlie Schrier 2006 Bob Blumber 1972 Tim Legler 1988 Dave Stefanski 2006 Charlie Rumsey 1972 Rich Tarr 1988 James Oberlies 2006 Dave Henderson 1972 Ken Palczewski 1988 Kevin Fox 2006 Ed Jones 1972 Eric Lee 1988 Kevin Funston 2006 Fran Sykes 1972 Marvin Woods 1988 Kevin Gallagher 2006 John Murphy 1972 Craig Conlin 1989 Matt Beck 2006 Mike Cannon 1972 Steve Wriedt 1989 Mike Lombardi 2006 Mike Foster 1972 Ralph Flowers 1989 Mike McCauley 2006 Rich Maguire 1972 Sam Rines 1989 Reggie Redding 2006 Bob Cahill 1973 Derek Brown 1989 Chris Farrell 2007 Chico Singleton 1973 Lionel Simmons 1990 Drew Horgan 2007 Jim Harrington 1973 Bobby Johnson 1990 Larry Loughery 2007 Rocco Piliero 1973 Doug Overton 1991 Matt Dolan 2007 Adrian Moody 1974 Broderick President 1991 Matt Griffin 2007 Donald Kelly 1974 Lamont Carter 1991 Mike Mifka 2007 Jack Kelly 1974 Mike Stock 1991 Rob Coney 2007 John Griffin 1974 Randy Woods 1992 Sean McNulty 2007 Marcellus Pringle 1974 Jack Hurd 1992 Casey Convery 2008 Mike LaPera 1974 Milko Lieverst 1992 Jim Mower 2008 Ike Robertson 1975 Bron Holland 1992 Joe Meehan 2008 Ira Brown 1975 Keith Morris 1992 Matt Williams 2008 Jeff Marcial 1975 Blitz Wooten 1993 Mike Bradley 2008 Joe Garrett 1975 Don Shelton 1993 Phil Giordano 2008 Keith Green 1975 Jeff Neubauer 1993 Rich Hofmann 2008 Rich Smith 1975 Ray Schultz 1993 Sean Dooley 2008 Terry Christian 1975 Luteke Kalombo 1993 Brandon Robinson 2009 Tom Griffin 1975 Chris Donato 1993 Dan Fitzpatrick 2009 Tony Rapone 1975 Mike Bergin 1993 Drew Valerio 2009 Zane Major 1975 Terquin Mott 1994 Kevin O'Neill 2009 Bob Alessio 1976 Quincy Lee 1994 Mike Leithead 2009 Greg Flannery 1976 Kareem Townes 1995 Pat Stewart 2009 Jim Benincasa 1976 Paul Burke 1995 Pete Buzby 2009 Jim Dougherty 1976 Derick Newton 1995 Tom Griffin 2009 Mike Morrow 1976 Romaine Haywood 1996 Bryan Bacskai 2010 Rich Blasetti 1976 Chris Copeland 1996 Connor McIntyre 2010 Steve Compton 1976 Everett Catlin 1997 Joe Nardi 2010 Frank Ward 1977 Travar Johnson 1997 Joe Oberlies 2010 Fred Braunsberg 1977 Mike Melchionni 1997 John Hrabrick 2010 Jim Parson 1977 Jasper van Teeseling 1997 John Regan 2010 Kevin Eagan 1977 Matt Comey 1997 Sean Brophy 2010 Mark Dugan 1977 Steve Fromal 1997 James Stewart 2011 Ray Finney 1977 Ronnie Braxton 1997 Matt Stahl 2011 Tyrone Dent 1977 Mike Gizzi 1998 Mike Fee 2011 Warren Catlett 1977 Shawn Smith 1998 Mike Levy 2011 Charlie Robbins 1978 Olof Landgren 1998 Gene Williams 2012 Chris Kelley 1978 Sid Catlett 1998 Joe Kane 2012 Greg Hayden 1978 Brian Flickinger 1998 Kevin Oberlies 2012 Jim Braunsberg 1978 K'Zell Watson 1999 Matt Gorman 2012 John Siorek 1978 Jermaine Peebles 1999 Tom Stewart 2012 Larry McGill 1978 Deon Jones 1999 Trevor Johnson 2012 Reggie Jackson 1978 Bobby Collins 1999 Wes Hackman 2012 Roosevelt Prescott 1978 Donnie Carr 2000 Dan Nedbal 2013 Bill Dillard 1979 Alexsandar Pavlovic 2000 Dan Sherry 2013 Kevin Copes 1979 Mike Pidhirsky 2000 Kyle MacWilliams 2013 Leonard Stubbs 1979 Mike Sidebotham 2000 Mark Hueber 2013 Mike Lally 1979 Rasual Butler 2001 Miles Overton 2013 Ralph Mack 1979 Victor Thomas 2001 P.J. Kelly 2013 Ray Gorham 1979 Julian Blanks 2001 Stephen Vasturia 2013 Darryl Williams 1979 Garrett Bragg 2001 Alex Stewart 2014 Gerald Roberts 1980 James Jordan 2001 Chris Hoffner 2014 John Ross 1980 Rasheed Quadri 2001 John Luciano 2014 Lonnie McFarlan 1980 Anwar Wilson 2001 Kyle W. Thompson 2014 Steve Scheier 1980 Jackiem Wright 2001 Malik Macon 2014 Alex Staranowicz 1981 Dwayne Jones 2001 Rick Slusarczyk 2014 Anthony Abron 1981 Joel-Jean Baptiste 2001 Ryan Wall 2014 Craig McClellan 1981 John Clark 2001 Tom Fox 2014 Dallas Comegys 1981 Austin Gallagher 2015 Glenn Welton 1981 Billy Kramer 2015 Jim Capella 1981 Billy Kramer 2015 Jim Parrella 1981 Brendan Burns 2015 Marc Jones 1981 Chris Clover 2015 Marc Jones 1981 Jack Henkels 2015 Mike Morris 1981 James Leible 2015 Randy Monroe 1981 James McGovern 2015 Steve Dangerfield 1981 Mark Scarlett 2015 Steve Pettit 1981 Zach Talke 2015 Alim Kamara 2016 PENN CHARTER 1983-84 Seasons Anto Keshgegian 2016 Chris Montie 2016 Evan Wall 2016 Andy Vye 1983 Fintan O'Toole 2016 Art Duff 1983 John Kueny 2016 Dennis Foley 1983 Keith Williams 2016 Joe Doherty 1983 Pete Gayhardt 2016 Abe Dunmeyer 1984 Temi Aiyegbusi 2016 Brian Duffy 1984 Vincent Luciano 2016 Carl Arrigale 1984 Mike Barton 2017 Drew Meyers 1984 Matthew Cruz 2017 Ed Small 1984 Brian Griffin 2017 Hank Weiss 1984 Matt Hartz 2017 Joe Gleason 1984 Joseph Paparone 2017 Joe McGarvey 1984 Askia Hamilton 2017 Marv Dunmeyer 1984 Max Frantz 2017 Tom Burke 1984 Vincent Busico 2018 Riley Burns 2018 Edward Croswell 2018 Mike Hagan 2018 Darius Kinnel 2018 M. Kyle Thompson 2018 Christian Tomasco 2018 Gabe Arizin 2019 Jacob DeAnnuntis 2019 Dan DiSandro 2019 Aiden Hartey 2019 Jacob O'Connell 2019 Michael Wusinich 2019 Chris Arizin 2020 Reese Clark 2020 John Egan 2020 Ryan Gaffney 2020 Brian Geatens 2020 Colin Hagan 2020 Austin Hodgens 2020 Michael Keenan 2020 Jimmy King 2020 Chad McMonagle 2020 Liam O'Neill 2020 Richard Thomas 2020 Jaiden Vargas 2020 Trevor Wall 2020
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ROTATIONS FOR SPEEDY'S CHAMPIONSHIP TEAMS
1969 | 1980 | 1990
ROMAN | ROMAN | LA SALLE MEN
Starters | Starters | Starters
Mike Bantom | Lonnie McFarlan | Lionel Simmons
Mike Moody | Gerald Roberts | Doug Overton
Larry Storm | Glenn Welton | Randy Woods
John Pindynski | Randy Monroe | Jack Hurd
Jim O'Brien | Steve Scheier | Milko Lieverst
Key Subs | Key Subs | Key Subs
Bill Medina | Steve Pettit | Bobby Johnson
Lorenzo Hough | Marc Jones | Bron Holland
1973 | 1984 | 1992
ROMAN | PENN CHARTER | LA SALLE MEN
Starters | Starters | Starters
Jim "Chico" Singleton | Carl Arrigale | Randy Woods
Donald Kelly | Marv Dunmeyer | Jack Hurd
John Griffin | Drew Meyers | Milko Lieverst
Adrian Moody | Joe McGarvey | Bron Holland
Rocco Piliero | Ed Small | Jeff Neubauer
Key Subs | Key Subs | Key Subs
Mike LaPera | Abe Dunmeyer | Paul Burke
Marcellus Pringle | Joe Gleason | Blitz Wooten
Jim Harrington | Tom "Sleepy" Burke | Luteke Kalombo
| | Ray Schultz
1974 | 1988 | 2003
ROMAN | LA SALLE MEN | SJ PREP
Starters | Starters | Starters
Donald Kelly | Lionel Simmons | Mark Zoller
John Griffin | Tim Legler | John Griffin
Zane Major | Rich Tarr | Chris Clark
Mike LaPera | Craig Conlin | T.J. Valerio
Adrian Moody | Doug Overton | Kyle Eisenmann
Key Subs | Key Subs | Key Sub
Marcellus Pringle | Bobby Johnson | John Oberlies
Jack Kelly | Ken Palczewski |
1978 | 1989 | 2004
ROMAN | LA SALLE MEN | SJ PREP
Starters | Starters | Starters
Reggie Jackson | Lionel Simmons | John Griffin
Larry McGill | Doug Overton | Chris Clark
Lonnie McFarlan | Jack Hurd | Reggie Redding
Charlie Robbins | Craig Conlin | Mike Kearney
John "Yosh" Siorek | Milko Lieverst | Jared Black
Key Subs | Key Subs | Key Subs
Ralph Mack | Bobby Johnson | Corey O'Rourke
Mike Lally | Steve Wriedt | Mike Boyle
| Don Shelton |
1979 | |
ROMAN | |
Starters | |
Lonnie McFarlan | |
John "Yosh" Siorek | |
Ralph Mack | |
Mike Lally | |
Glenn Welton | |
Key Subs | |
Ray Gorham | |
Kevin Copes | |
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Author
Published
March 5, 2026
Updated
March 5, 2026