The St. James Chargers’ 8th-grade boys basketball team closed one of the most dominant runs in the Savannah Parochial Athletic League (SPAL) basketball history. The Chargers won their third straight SPAL Big Schools championship and finished the last three seasons with an astonishing 38-1 record. The Chargers also won every division they entered and captured the Shamrock Basketball Tournament in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Members of the St. James 8th-grade boys basketball team pose with the SPAL Big Schools championship trophy after completing a three-year run that included three straight titles. (Courtesy St. James School Athletics)
“It’s surreal. I’m just very thankful, and God is good, because these kids didn’t have to, they wanted to. I’m just highly appreciative of these kids. To say they’ve done a good job might be an insult. They have done a great job. And they understand that, too: good is not good enough, and ‘Almost’ doesn’t count. They live by that,” said Chargers’ Coach Kareem Wall.
“I have the best kids in the world, and let’s not forget about the parents, our fans. We have the best support system that Savannah has to offer. Those boys leave me speechless. These last 3 years have been remarkable. What a great 3 years.”
Maintaining that standard was not easy. With a target on their back for three seasons, the Chargers relied on positivity and resilience to stay on top.
“Those boys know I always will have their back, no matter what the outcome is. I never took the fun out of the game. Whether they make a mistake or not, they keep the same smile on their face. I’m a next play guy, and I think that was very beneficial for all 3 seasons. They were able to go out and make a mistake, you know, versus making a mistake and looking at the coach and thinking they were going to get subbed out.”
Beyond dominating the Savannah middle school basketball scene, the Chargers also made their mark by winning the Shamrock Basketball Tournament in Charlotte, which features Catholic middle school teams from across the Southeast. The tournament win in Charlotte was especially meaningful to the Chargers, given the unique opportunity to make their school and their city proud on a bigger stage.
St. James’s Athletic Director Darin Goka said the trip to Charlotte provided added motivation for the program, as the Chargers embraced the opportunity to represent Savannah against larger, more established schools.
“We took pride in representing Savannah. Going to a bigger city like Charlotte, they tend to not always give us the flowers and underestimate our basketball program. So we play with a chip on our shoulder. St. James isn’t really the biggest school, so every time we stepped on the court with these more recognizable names, we played with that edge,” Goka said.
This run for St. James was more than just on-court dominance, it was also about building lifelong memories and connection for the players, families, and coaches.
“What a time to be alive. It was everything. Those kids had all the fun, which I did too. I really enjoyed coaching these boys, and I can assure you that I’ll follow these kids for the rest of their lives. Whether it’s basketball, baseball, their education, no matter what the circumstances are, I’m going to be right there. Those kids are like my godchildren, like my nephews,” Wall said.
On top of the dominance that the 8th-grade squad has had, the St. James 7th-grade boys also won the SPAL Big Schools Championship. After a 4-6 regular season that left them as the 5 seed in the SPAL playoffs, the Chargers caught fire.
“Three teams beat us twice in the regular season. In the playoffs, there was an urgency and a toughness. These guys play all sports, and they’ve played together since Dawgs football and the Jenkins Boys Club. They’re gamers, and they’re tough. They came together and got on a heater at the right time,” Coach Lee Rose said.
This championship was especially sweet for the team after having fallen short in the championship game a year ago.
“There’s a trust and accountability. They can count on each other, and they have each other's backs. Everybody found their roles at the right time, and there was a mentality of ‘we’re tired of being beat,” Rose said.
The seventh-grade team will now look to go on a run of their own, matching the dominance of the eighth-grade team.
“Maybe it’s contagious amongst the boys in school, maybe slightly competitive,” Rose said.
Members of the St. James 7th-grade boys basketball team pose with the SPAL Big Schools championship trophy after winning the league title. (Courtesy St. James School Athletics)
Together, the 7th- and 8th-grade teams delivered a championship season built on culture, continuity, and strong community support at St. James.
St. James Chargers Championship Rosters
8th Grade Boys
Kareem Wall (0)
Will Wallace (1)
Grady Pace (2)
Colton Goka (3)
Wyatt Harvey (4)
Garret Woelbler (5)
Grayson Bruce (10)
Blake Grayson (12)
Zack Corsetti (14)
Ben Parsons (22)
Head Coach: Kareem Wall
7th Grade Boys
Reese Rose (1)
Pierson Smith (3)
Sam Thorpe (5)
Jackson Gulle (10)
Tripp Gill (24)
Charlie Stappenbeck (25)
Jack Walker (32)
Rives Jue (45)
Head Coach: Lee Rose
Photo credit: Courtesy of St.James School Athletic Department
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Optim Orthopedics supports local athletes’ health and safe return to play.
They keep Savannah’s athletes healthy and ready to compete all season.
Team physicians include Dr. Don Aaron (Bryan County), Dr. David Sedory (Benedictine, Bradwell Institute, Liberty County), Dr. David Palmer (Calvary Day, Richmond Hill, South Effingham), and Dr. Thomas Alexander (Savannah Country Day, St. Vincent’s Academy).
