THIS WEEK: NJSIAA approves removal of restriction on state football championships—The general membership voted to amend the Constitution, allowing for true public school state title games. Not all the way there yet, a proposal needs to officially be made as to how to structure things and then that needs to be approved, but looks like beginning in 2022, there will be state championship games. Winter teams preparing—St. Joseph’s basketball teams began workouts last week, and Hammonton started preparing on Tuesday (January 19). Season-openers are next week. St. Joe’s teams will play at Millville in a boys-girls doubleheader. Wildcats will play all their games on the road this season. Hammonton postponed their opener on January 26 and will now host St. Joe on January 29, again a doubleheader. No fans at the games for now, but that could change. Bowling also opens next week. Local pair earns Maxwell recognition—Jaiden Abrams (Hammonton) and Chase Lomax (St. Joseph) were chosen as Maxwell Award Mini Max High School Award winners. INTERVIEW: HHS Grad and Ocean City assistant football and baseball coach Frank LaSasso III NATIONAL SPORTS: Eagles/NFL Playoffs—Birds fire Doug Pederson, searching for a new head coach. Recap the playoffs and preview the conference championship games. Sixers/NBA—Sixers lost to Atlanta, beat Miami twice, then lost to Memphis before game Sunday at OKC. Flyers/NHL—Start season 2-0 by sweeping Pittsburgh. Lindblom and Patrick look sharp as does goalie Carter Hart. All this great sports talk plus the “Final Five” questions for Dan on “Gazette Sports Week!” AND REMEMBER: You can watch “Gazette Sports Week” 24/7 at www.hammontongazettem.com

Gazette Publisher Gabe Donio offers the latest local and county COVID-19 numbers, news from Hammonton including Sam Mento retains board presidency; remembering Ross Restuccio and an interview with Mullica Twp.'s new mayor.

THIS WEEK: High School teams begin workouts—Basketball and bowling teams across the state began preseason practices on January 11, with the season slated to begin on January 26. Locally, Hammonton’s teams will not begin until January 19, when the school is scheduled to return to hybrid learning, while St. Joseph’s teams are expected to start up sometime this week. NJSIAA moves closer to true state championships for public school football teams—A proposal to eliminate a line in the constitution that bans state championships was passed and now will be voted on today (January 13) by the full membership. Regular season would be eight games, followed by three rounds of sectional playoffs, a state semifinal weekend, Thanksgiving and then five public state championship games in early December. If the measure passes, state champions could be crowned as early as the 2022 season. INTERVIEW: St. Joseph Academy’s Ja’son Prevard NATIONAL SPORTS: NFL—Playoffs began last weekend, recap the games and preview this week’s divisional round. NBA/Sixers—Rough week for the Sixers as they battled COVID issues and lost two of four games. NHL/Flyers—Flyers open shortened NHL season on January 13 at home against Pittsburgh. Fans have been encouraged by the return of Oskar Linbom to the lineup, and reports are he has looked good in camp. All this great sports talk plus the “Final Five” questions for Dan on “Gazette Sports Week!” AND REMEMBER: You can watch “Gazette Sports Week” 24/7 at www.hammontongazette.com

Gazette Publisher Gabe Donio offers the latest localand county COVID-19 numbers, news from Hammonton including   remembering Emanuel "Sonny" Sanfilippo, downtown grant, William Olivo returns to council and more.

THIS WEEK: Governor Murphy lifts restriction on indoor sports—Murphy’s executive order banning indoor sports expired on January 2 and he opted not to extend it. For local high schools, that means practice can begin as scheduled by the NJSIAA on January 11 (although Hammonton will hold off until January 19 when in-school instruction is slated to resume). Basketball and bowling can begin playing games on January 26. Indoor track is scheduled to start later this month, with wrestling and girls volleyball beginning workouts in March. INTERVIEW: Adrenaline fitness coach Amanda Kilgore. NATIONAL SPORTS: Eagles/NFL—Eagles wrap up season against Washington. Defensive coordinator Jim Schwarz will not return next season. Decisions need to be made at many positions including coaching staff and front office. Playoffs set with games to begin this weekend. Sixers/NBA—Sixers continue to play well as new players are mixing in well with established stars, will the team make a move?Phillies/MLB—Padres continue to make major moves, add Yu Darvish. Phils and new GM Sam Fuld have been pretty quiet so far this winter.College football—Championship game is set as Ohio State will take on Alabama on January 11. All this great sports talk plus them”Final Five” questions for Dan on “Gazette Sports Week!” AND REMEMBER: You can watch “Gazette Sports Week” 24/7 at www.hammontongazette.com

Gazette Publisher Gabe Donio offers the latest local and county COVID-19 numbers, news from Hammonton including indoor sports updates, Year in Review, teachers of the year.

THIS WEEK: Year ends—Kind of a slow time in local sports as the local teams are all holding virtual workouts as they await news if indoor activities can begin after January 2. LOOKNG BACK: Reviewing the last 12 months, it hasn’t been what anyone expected. All-in-all not a bad year. INTERVIEW: HHS basketball coach Joe Martino. IN NATIONAL SPORTS:Eagles/NFL—Recap Dallas game, how did Hurts perform, a look at the season finale against Washington this week.Sixers/NBA—Sixers open with wins against Wizards and Knicks; new system under Doc Rivers is working.Phillies/MLB—Hot Stove report, could JT Realmuto be headed back to Philly? All this great sports talk and the “Final Five” questions for Dan on “Gazette Sports Week!” AND REMEMBER: You can watch “Gazette Sports Week” 24/7 at www.hammontongazette.com

THIS WEEK: Several signings of high school athletes by colleges. AND: NSJIAA to vote on creating true state football champs—On January 6, the NJISAA will vote to eliminate Article IX from its constitution, which restricts state football champions for public schools. The measure is expected to pass, meaning in 2022, public programs will play to state finals in all five groups. Currently, only sectional titles are awarded. INTERVIEW: New HHS girls basketball coach Mike Velardi. IN NATIONAL SPORTS: Eagles/NFL—Recap of the Cardinals game and preview this week at Dallas. How did Jalen Hurts perform and should he be the starter next season? Sixers/NBA—Philly prepares for season opener against Washington Wednesday night. Phillies/MLB—When will the hot stove heat up? All this great sports talk plus the “Final Five” questions for Dan on “Gazette Sports Week!” AND REMEMBER: You can watch “Gazette Sports Week” 24/7 at www.hammontongazette.com