Athletics News

2023-24 season preview -- Holy Ghost Prep basketball

Tom Heston ’12 moves over one chair on the bench to replace his mentor Tony Chapman ’71, who retired after 45 years of coaching Holy Ghost Prep basketball with a mind-boggling 928-351 record. Heston will build his first Firebirds squad around two returning starting guards, 6-2 junior Adrien “Ace” Varella (pictured) and 6-foot senior Gavin McLaughlin. 

Tim Devine’s Division One dream comes true

Holy Ghost Prep senior Tim Devine has been the starting varsity soccer goalie for the Firebirds for the past four years. And like anyone who has played the game, Devine has dreamt of playing collegiately at the Division One level. On Nov. 15, Devine saw his Division One dream become a reality as he signed a national letter of intent to attend the University of South Florida (USF). (photo courtesy of Catalano Studio) 

HGP’s cross-country team wins fourth straight District One title  

The Holy Ghost Prep cross-country team captured a fourth straight PIAA District One Class 2A cross-country team title on October 27 at Lehigh University. The Firebirds had four top-10 finishers in the District One race and all four were district medalists: senior Papakojo Danquah (fourth place), junior Daniel Perez (fifth place), senior Maurece Jean-Brian (ninth place), senior Brendan DiEnna (10th place).

HGP announces 2024 Athletic Hall of Fame inductees

Nine former Holy Ghost Prep student-athletes will be inducted into the HGP Athletic Hall of Fame on Saturday, January 27, 2024 at the Bensalem Township Golf Course, joining this exclusive group of people (and others) as Hall of Famers. 

 

HGP celebrates Tony Chapman Day

Holy Ghost Prep celebrated its legendary basketball coach Tony Chapman ’71 and the many lives he impacted on Thursday, Sept. 28 with an all-day celebration. Chapman is pictured here with all of his former players who attended the evening celebration. (photo courtesy of Catalano Studio)

2023 season preview -- Holy Ghost Prep golf

With five returning varsity players, led by 2022 district qualifier Eric Holt, third-year Holy Ghost Prep head coach Norm Muller has high hopes for Ghost golf this fall. 

Holy Ghost Prep's Acosta is putting out fires on, off baseball field

Isaac Acosta is a three-year starting first baseman on the HGP baseball team. He is also a volunteer fireman nearing the end of a six-month fire academy course that will enable him to become an interior firefighter upon graduation in late June. Read more about Isaac in this excellent Bucks County Courier Times profile by Tom Moore. 

Tom Heston ’12 is named HGP’s new basketball coach

After an extensive search, Holy Ghost Prep realized that the best man for the job was already on campus and hired Tom Heston ’12 to be HGP’s next head varsity basketball coach. Heston has taught chemistry at Ghost and has been a varsity assistant basketball coach at his alma mater under the legendary Tony Chapman. 

Seven HGP student-athletes sign on the dotted line

On April 25 in the Chapman Arena, seven members of HGP’s Class of 2023 officially signed with colleges to continue their academic and athletic careers at the collegiate level. (photo courtesy of Catalano Studio)

HGP’s track and field team continues to improve

On April 15, the HGP track and field team competed in the Bensalem Invitational and continued to improve with 12 personal records out of 18 individual performances. The sprint relays fared well, with the 4x400 meter relay—composed of junior Papakojo Danquah, senior Jack Evans, senior Jack Frain, and junior Maurece Jean-Brian (pictured)—placing second. 

Conlin gets his call to the Hall

Holy Ghost Prep athletic director Craig Conlin was one of 15 new inductees into the City of Philadelphia chapter of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame on April 18. 

Holy Ghost Prep receives $1.25 million RACP grant

On April 4, Holy Ghost Prep president Gregory J. Geruson '79 announced that the school will receive $1,250,000 in state funding from the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) to aid in the cost of the construction of the school’s new Duaime Athletic Complex.

Gump Whiteside retires as HGP’s ice hockey coach 

Gump Whiteside, the head ice hockey coach at Holy Ghost Prep for the past 15 years, has decided to retire from coaching. He will remain at Holy Ghost Prep as the assistant director of facilities and assistant director of athletics. (photo courtesy of Robert Barnes) 

Holy Ghost Prep coach Tony Chapman ’71 retires from coaching

Holy Ghost Prep’s legendary coach Tony Chapman, one of only six high school basketball coaches in Pennsylvania history to reach the 900-win plateau, has decided to retire from coaching. Chapman finishes his illustrious coaching career at Holy Ghost Prep with an impressive 928-351 record.  

Holy Ghost Prep officially partners with YMS Soccer

Holy Ghost Prep has entered into a multi-year partnership with Yardley Makefield Soccer (YMS), allowing the highly recognized Bucks County soccer club to run some of its youth programs on the school’s brand-new Duaime Athletic Center synthetic turf field beginning in the fall of 2023. 

Peter Cerenzo hired as HGP’s new athletic trainer   

Peter Cerenzo MS, LAT, ATC, CES, became Holy Ghost Prep’s new athletic trainer, effective February 6. In addition to working in clinical settings, Cerenzo’s professional experience includes working with student-athletes at the Division I and Division III college, high school, and junior high levels.

Mel Lindsey is leaving his legacy at Ghost

The Northeast Times profiled HGP senior basketball player Mel Lindsey, the son of a high school coach who hits the books as hard as he hits the glass for the Firebirds. A Maguire Scholar, Lindsey maintains a 3.16 grade point average in the classroom.

HGP ice hockey edges Malvern Prep in APAC Outdoor Classic  

On Jan. 11, the Holy Ghost Prep ice hockey team scored three times in the first period and went on to a 6-5 win over Malvern Prep in the Atlantic Prep Athletic Conference (APAC) Outdoor Classic at Spring Mountain in Schwenksville, Pa.

Holy Ghost Prep hoops team is playing its best basketball

The Holy Ghost Prep varsity basketball team is now 8-6 on the season—thanks to its current four-game winning streak. With seven games left in the regular season, the senior-laden Firebirds are seeded seventh in the current PIAA District One Class 5A rankings. 

Early riser Ian Hendrix set for his senior year

The Northeast Times profiled HGP senior basketball player Ian Hendrix, who arrives at school at 6 a.m. to get up extra jump shots before school starts. A true scholar-athlete, Hendrix maintains a 4.25 grade point average in the classroom. (Photo courtesy of Douglas Benedict/Academic Image)

2022-23 season preview -- HGP swimming

The 2022-23 HGP swim team should be strong, led by returning swimmers like Aidan Sloan, TJ Farrell, Brian Chewning, Liam Halligan, and Peter Patrick. 

2022-23 season preview -- HGP basketball

Holy Ghost Prep head coach Tony Chapman ’71 enters his 45th season with 914 career victories. With a 16-man roster that includes 13 seniors who clearly know the Ghost way, Chapman’s impressive win total should continue to grow. (photo courtesy of Douglas Benedict/Academic Image)

2022-23 season preview -- HGP ice hockey

The 2022-23 Holy Ghost Prep ice hockey team will be led by its 10 seniors, including this year's captains Landon Stout, Brady Baehser, and John Seravalli. 

Labrant "Deuce" Davis is right at home at Ghost

The Northeast Times profiled Holy Ghost Prep senior Labrant "Deuce" Davis, the starting left wing on the Firebirds' soccer team who is excelling on the field and in the classroom. (photo courtesy of Robert Barnes/Pro Action Sports)

HGP cross-country team three-peats as District 1 champs 

HGP's cross-country team captured a third straight PIAA District 1 Class 2A cross-country team title on October 28 at Lehigh University. The Firebirds had five top-20 finishers in the District I race: Ciaran Chambers (second place), Papakojo Danquah (third place), Daniel Perez (fourth place), Brendan DiEnna (11th) and Jack Evans (18th).

HGP to build a new turf field and significantly increase its endowment

At the Mass of the Holy Spirit on Sept. 11, Holy Ghost Prep president Gregory J. Geruson ’79 delivered his annual state-of-the-school address—announcing a “Tradition Rising” capital campaign that will result in a new Duaime Athletic Complex and a $3 million increase in the school’s endowment.

HGP athletics officially partners with Under Armour

Holy Ghost Prep has entered into a five-year partnership with Under Armour, naming the global performance brand as the official outfitter for HGP athletics. (photo courtesy of Douglas Benedict/Academic Image)

Getting the call to the Hall

Six former Holy Ghost Prep student-athletes and one longtime coach (Bruce Simon) were inducted into the HGP Athletic Hall of Fame on Saturday, January 29 at the Bensalem Country Club. (photo courtesy of Catalano Studio) 

 

 

 

  

2021-22 winter season preview -- Holy Ghost Prep bowling

Third-year HGP bowling coach Norm Muller is excited about his team—and with good reason. Led by senior Tyler Muller, the Firebirds are off to a 2-0 start, defeating both Devon Prep, 3-1 on Dec. 6 and Dock Mennonite, 4-0 on Dec. 7.

2021-22 winter season preview -- Holy Ghost Prep basketball

Tony Chapman enters his 44th season at the helm of the Firebirds with 901 career wins. His eye-popping win total figures to grow considerably this winter—given Chapman’s X-and-O acumen combined with the overall skill level of the 2021-22 Firebirds. 

2021-22 winter season preview -- Holy Ghost Prep swimming

Co-head coaches Ed Roussel and T.J. Farrell have an exciting team with several strong returning seniors in PIAA state swimmer Patrick Lichtner (pictured), PIAA District 1 swimmer James Samuel, and PIAA District 1 qualifier Kamil Rozanski.