Crispins highlight Hall class in Gloucester County

Brothers Joe and Jon Crispin, who combined to lead Pitman to back-to-back state titles in basketball, head the latest class to enter the Gloucester County Sports Hall of Fame.

The Crispins, who sparked Pitman to Group 1 state championships in 1997 and 1998, will be among 16 inductees at the organization's 34th annual banquet March 25 at Auletto Caterers in Almonesson.

The other inductees will include Marilyn Stetser Bennette (Clearview), Mel Carter (Kingsway), Chuck Lamson (Woodbury), Colleen Kelly Kolb (Washington Township), Patricia Reiners Duer (Gloucester Catholic), Chris Ianacone (Delsea), and Vince Nestore (Deptford).

Also, Fred Swartz (Gloucester County College), Bill Hunt (Williamstown), William Kneller (Paulsboro), Joe Cugini (Clayton), Scott Wagner (Clearview), Dino Hall (Glassboro State College), and Kim Lockbaum Briles (Glassboro).

Joe Crispin, a 1997 Pitman graduate, led the Panthers to the state title as a senior. He was a standout guard at Penn State who led the Nittany Lions to a berth in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA tournament. He played briefly in the NBA for the Los Angeles Lakers and Phoenix Suns and fashioned a long career as a pro player overseas.

He still ranks as Gloucester County's all-time leading scorer with 2,651 points during his career at Pitman.

Jon Crispin was a sophomore standout alongside his brother for Pitman's 1997 state-championship team and led the Panthers to another state title as a junior. He scored 45 points in a Tournament of Champions game against Rancocas Valley that 1998 season.

Jon Crispin was limited by injuries as a high school senior. He finished his Pitman career with 2,319 points and once scored 62 points in a playoff game against Penns Grove.

He played at Penn State, alongside his brother, and also at UCLA.

Ticket information for the banquet is available through Gus Ostrum at 609-502-0424.