By TOM WILLIAMS

Here it is, that time of year when people focus on gifts and giving. And this is the month that most of those gifts are distributed.

The sports community, after continuing to battle through COVID-19 and its various strains, is active this December. So, let us take a few moments of your time to offer the annual wish list.

These are the gifts that should be given during this holiday season. Some are in fun, others quite serious. A few are even repeat gifts from previous lists that may keep showing up until they materialize. And there are even a few wishes that are contradictory.

Strangely, even though they are offered purely for enjoyment, some of them actually work out. For example, in recent years the wishes included Frank Vogel in the NBA finals, a NJ Sportscaster of the Year Award for Mike Frankel, Matt Szczur an All-American selection, the South Jersey win record for Paul Rodio, Chris Curran a starting spot with Ursinus, a turf field at Carey Stadium for Mike Lenhardt, George McNally a school in the Northeast for Lauren, a spot in the South Jersey Hall of Fame for Coach Joe Fussner and a 21-team CAL Basketball Tournament for Mike McGarry.

They all happened after appearing on the gift list.

Wonder which ones will come true this year? Regardless, hope you enjoy them.

PAUL SACCO: continued contributions in high school football as he puts St. Joseph Academy in his rear view mirror.

DAVE TALARICO: World Series tickets at Camden Yards (or Super Bowl tickets to watch the Ravens).

BOB HOFFMAN: great success with his first book.

MIKE WILLISCROFT: World Series championship No. 28.

AL EMENHEISER: a trip to Atlanta to see Georgia in the Peach Bowl.

FRANK RIGGITANO: another playoff season in 2023.

CHUCK SMITH: a turf field for the Mustang Corral.

LEON HART: his own radio show.

DAVE PFEIFER: The Pfeifer Indoor Track in Absecon.

AARON BOGUSHEFSKY: another South Jersey title – and a mural of the game-winning goal.

FRANK BASILE: dinner at the diner (an out of state diner, so his son can fly him there).

STEPHANIE GAITLEY: a rewarding return home.

MATT SZCZUR: his painting of Lance Bailey hanging in the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

RILEY GUNNELS (the grandfather): see Al Emenheiser, above.

RILEY GUNNELS (the grandson): 1,000 yard seasons in college.

JIM GINN: a few more video cameras.

MATT PURDUE: improvement on his remarkable 134-3 cross country record.

TRISH HENRY: lots of frequent flyer miles.

CAPE-ATLANTIC ADs: press box elevators.

TORI VLIET: basketball success like her all star soccer season.

WALT TUCKER: NASCAR’s Tucker 200 in Millville.

JOE REPETTI: All-American seasons at Muhlenberg.

ANDREW BRISTOL: World Series championship No. 28.

ANASTASIA & GENE: a home closer to home.

GANNON BRADY: first round draft pick by the Yankees.

KEVIN SMITH: a tougher schedule in 2023 (maybe including the Kansas City Chiefs).

JIM QUINN: a personal chef.

MATT ULMER: indoor football in the WJFL.

BRUCE BEAVER: good tickets in Jacksonville to see the Irish play South Carolina in the Gator Bowl.

JOE FUSSNER: a schedule of NCAA games in softball.

KAREN BRUNO: More heart-thumping wins.

JOSH HENNIG: a salad bar at 950 Tilton Road.

DUKE McCARRON: A great final high school season leading to success at Maryland and in MLB.

WILL MORRIS: his own scoreboard repair company.

HANNAH CAPPELLETTI: 100 threes.

The NFL officials: decide clearly what constitutes pass interference.

JACK BRESLIN: his comic character, Chip, picked up by Disney+.

DYLAN SCHLATTER: 1,000 points.

DENNY DiORIO: assurance that Mike’s Bar & Grill will succeed in his retirement.

JOHN RODIO: even more games in the Seagull Classic.

TORI RHODES: continued happiness in Virginia.

MIKE TROUT: a shot at some post-season action.

GUY GARGAN: outdoor high school swim meets.

YOGI HILTNER: decades more of his dedication to local sports.

DEAN MICHALSKI: a bay-front home in Ocean City.

JON MOYER: A super football season in 2023.

FRED DALZELL: a return of the REAL Steelers.

JOE LaROSA: his own podcast.

MIKE FRANKEL: another NJ Sportscaster of the Year award..

DAN TOWN: a pain-free year.

PAUL BARUFFI: Lots more golf.

TONY BLUM: the Giants in the Super Bowl, Knicks in the NBA finals and Mets in the World Series.

AL SACCO: World Series championship No. 28.

GENE ALLEN: a quiet holiday season.

RILEY FORTNA: success in college soccer after her first team, All-State senior year at OCHS.

CHALIE McLAUGHLIN: a fishing trip with Frank Campo.

RICH VAN NOORD: three more decades broadcasting Millville football.

BOB ADAMS: a reserved seat on the aisle in the Dixie Howell Gym.

TRISTAN BISIGNARO: a dozen varsity letters over the next decade.

BUDDY TARBOTTON: another great season with Brian.

FRANCO HARRIS: A special place in the history of South Jersey football.

DASHAWN HENDRICKS: His own morning sports talk show.

BOBBY BARR: a chance to watch Isiah Pacheco in the Super Bowl.

DOUG COLMAN: a return to high school football.

KORI SEGICH: a quick recovery.

GINNI SZCZEPANSKI: a vacation home in Oregon.

MATT JAMISON: a network sportscasting gig.

DAVE WEINBERG: a $2M contract with LIV Golf.

BUD RINCK: a lightning-fast electric car.

GEOFF HAINES: a quick recovery and healthy 2023.

PAUL RODIO: win number 1,000.

HARRY SACHS: no more Baker Mayfield.

FRANK CAMPO: see Chalie McLaughlin, above.

ANDREW DONOGHUE: a great career as a sports announcer.

KENNY SMITH: more 1500-yard seasons.

RICH TOLSON: A one-on-one basketball win over John Huff.

JOHN LEON: his next book made into a movie starring Jim Gaffigan.

GREG DONAHUE: more OCYAA Little League champions.

RON MORETTI: delivery from Marcello’s.

BILL SHALLCROSS: an Emmy Award.

STEVE PARKER: a broken finger on his right hand so he can get another hole-in-one.

JOHN BRUNO: a 20-win season.

SAVANNA ROLLS: unlimited mac & cheese.

MIKE PELLEGRINO: lots of banners.

TOM PARK: new speakers at Carey Stadium (and in the Dixie Howell Gym).

TIM WATSON: an NCAA championship by the Irish.

MIKE McGARRY: an eight-day week.

TONY SURACE: World Series championship No. 28.

JACK HOAG: A full recovery & great college career.

MIKE GILL: the Phillies play-by-play gig.

JAY GILLIAN: The Carey Stadium of his dreams.

BRENDAN MCGONIGLE: an NFL kicking gig.

TOM & LESLIE JAMISON: a suite on the 50 yard line at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami on December 30th.

DANIELLE DONOGHUE: another championship season.

JIM SCHAFER: breakfast with Nuncie Sacco.

GEORGE McNALLY: A few more college sweatshirts.

BRIAN CUNNIFF: a NJ Sportscaster award to go with his Sportswriter award.

DAVE DeWEESE: a relaxing retirement after his highly successful coaching career.

MIKE CAPPELLETTI: continued respect for his talents as a teacher and coach.

TO THE REST OF YOU: have a very happy holiday season and hope 2023 can be full of more great high school sports moments.