Camden Courier-Post – January 9, 2005
By Lavinia DeCastro
Anthony Alfano, a legendary boys’ basketball coach who taught at Camden High School from 1942 to 1976, died Thursday.
“He was a very personable gentleman,” said Camden school board member Elmer Winston, who taught at Camden High School during Alfano‘s last years there.” He seemed to have a really good relationship with the students he coached. I’ve talked to a lot of fellows who played for him over the years and they all seemed to have lots of positive things to say about him.”
The team never had a losing season in Alfano‘s 27 years of coaching from 1944-70. Under Alfano, the school – then nicknamed the Purple Avalanche – went 428-129 and won back-to-back state championships in 1959 and 1960 with unbeaten records. His 1959 team was named the Courier-Post All-Century Team of the Classic Era (1900-68).
“We weren’t big, but we were well-coached and had a good shooting team that played good defense,” guard Golden “Sunny” Sunkett told the Courier-Post in 2000.” Tony was the best coach I ever had.”
“He was a great coach,” said current Camden coach Clarence Turner, South Jersey’s all-time winningest coach who was an assistant coach under Alfano.” He knew basketball completely. Some of the things he did I still use today.”
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Monday in the Annunciation BVM Church in Havertown, Pa. HOW TO HELP
Memorial contributions may be made to The Crossings, Attn: Resident Council Fund, 217 East Ave., Minoa, N.Y., 12116.
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