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It’s a year Prep Charter will never forget. When the players and coaches look back at 2006, they’ll talk about becoming the first Philadelphia school to win a Pennsylvania Interscholastic basketball title. Hey, it might even be a trivia question some day.
It also was a memorable year at 10th and Moore streets, as the Neumann-Goretti boys’ basketball team captured a second-straight Catholic League crown, while its female counterpart advanced to the big game for the first time in more than two decades.
Bok’s football team was one of many others to qualify for states.
January
For the Neumann-Goretti boys’ basketball team, the month was highlighted with a weekend trip to Springfield, Mass., to participate in a High School invitational. The getaway included a visit to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and a victory over Montrose Christian, 67-64, in a nationally televised game. The Saints’ Rick Jackson, a Syracuse University recruit, walked away with MVP honors after tallying 15 points, nine rebounds and five blocks. Classmate Antonio "Scoop" Jardine, also heading to Syracuse, was recognized as one of the top-50 players in the 2007 class.
The Prep Charter girls’ basketball team lacked size and experience, but no one could tell from its record. The squad opened the season 10-3 overall and 6-2 against Public League squads.
Furness boys’ basketball ended a 27-game Public League losing streak with a 54-46 win over Franklin Towne Charter.
Things also went well for Girard Academic Music Program boys’ basketball, which won of five of its last eight games, including a 72-57 victory over World Communications Charter.
February
The Public League basketball playoffs got under way with three area teams making the cut. The Prep Charter boys were top contenders for the Public League crown, but lost in the quarterfinals to Communications Tech, 72-69. The Huskies then switched their focus to the PIAA AA state title. The Prep Charter girls were also eliminated in the quarterfinals, losing 68-32 to Engineering & Science. The Southern boys’ team’s Public League playoff run ended with a 73-44 loss to eventual-champ Simon Gratz.
The Neumann-Goretti girls’ basketball team proved it had the talent to contend for a Catholic League crown, finishing third in the Catholic League South standings with an 8-3 record and 17-6 overall. The Saints opened the postseason with a 52-44 quarterfinal victory over Archbishop Carroll. Senior Shante Cummings led the way with 14 points. By defeating Archbishop Wood in the semifinals, the girls put the program back on the Catholic League map by making their first championship appearance in more than 20 years. Unfortunately, the month would end with a 45-41 loss to defending champ Cardinal O’Hara.
The Neumann-Goretti boys’ basketball team opened its title defense with a 55-35 win over St. Joe’s Prep. Jackson led with 10 points, 15 rounds and five blocks.
On the college scene, Carlene Hightower, of 33rd and Reed streets, enjoyed a great sophomore season with the La Salle University basketball squad, averaging 10.8 points and 6.8 rebounds a game.
March
Call it a good news-bad news situation for the Neumann-Goretti boys’ basketball team. The good came in a 44-41 victory over Roman Catholic in the Catholic League title game. Senior Derrick "D.J." Rivera sealed it by hitting a three-pointer at the buzzer.
Unfortunately, instead of celebrating, everybody jumped for cover as a melee broke out immediately following the game. Police quickly arrived to get matters under control. As a result, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia Office of Catholic Education issued several sanctions, including Neumann-Goretti coach Carl Arrigale being suspended for the first four games of the ’07 regular season.
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The Prep Charter Huskies made up for their disappointment by becoming the first Philadelphia Public League basketball team to win a PIAA AA state title. The crowning moment took place in Hershey with a convincing 82-51 victory over Beaver Falls. Senior Rodney Green delivered a strong performance with 25 points, eight rebounds and six assists, while the juniors Marcus and Markieff Morris combined for 18 scores, 19 rebounds and seven blocks. The Huskies advanced with wins over Reading Central Catholic, Southern Columbia, Trinity and York Catholic.
Neumann-Goretti sophomore Gina Stankiewicz also had an exciting month in bowling, walking away with a second-straight All Catholic championship and a 533 series.
In track, senior Dane Davis of Neumann-Goretti captured the Catholic League indoor tile in the 400-meters.
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April
Baseball and softball were in full swing. The GAMP softball team put together another strong season, winning the Public League’s AA Division with an 8-1 record.
The girls from High School for Creative and Performing Arts won the Public League’s AAA Division with a perfect 10-0. The Bok Wildkittens also qualified for postseason play for the first time in school history, finishing 5-5.
A.J. Vagliani, of 10th and Porter streets, was especially happy spring had returned, as it meant the 14-year-old catcher could finally play baseball again. He spent two months at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and went through 14 rounds of chemotherapy fighting a rare form of cancer in the lungs and liver.
Other area athletes had the opportunity to internationally compete. Fresh off their Catholic League championship, Jackson and Jardine of Neumann-Goretti were off to Germany to represent the United States in the Albert Schweitzer Basketball Tournament. The roster featured the country’s top high school juniors. Andrew Bielen, of the 1000 block of Carpenter Street, traveled to South Korea to compete in the ’06 World Under-20 Championships in men’s sabre as America’s top-rated junior fencer in the event.
May
A few area teams made their marks by winning District 12 titles and qualifying for states. In softball, GAMP won the AA title with a 16-13 win over Communications Tech and faced AAA champs CAPA, who advanced with a 12-0 victory over Bok, in the Public League quarterfinals. The second-year squad moved on to the semifinals after defeating GAMP, 14-0. The magic ended in the semifinals at La Salle University where the Pegasus lost 3-0 to Northeast.
On the baseball diamond, the GAMP Pioneers enjoyed a successful spring, finishing the regular season 8-5. In the postseason, the Pioneers defended their District 12 AA crown with a 14-1 win over Saul. After beating Washington, 12-2, in the quarterfinals, they headed to Campbell’s Field on the scenic Camden Waterfront to face Frankford. The great run would come to an end with a 10-2 loss.
Two area squads made marks on the volleyball courts. Furness finished fourth in the league with a 12-3 record and advanced to the semifinals before falling to defending champ Masterman. CAPA defeated Central in the other semifinal contest, setting up a rematch of the ’05 title. Masterman was crowned victor once again with a 3-0 score.
After missing the entire ’05 season with a dislocated right shoulder, Neumann-Goretti senior Albert DiDomenico, of the 1700 block of Moymensing Avenue, was back, hitting .467 with 21 connections in 45 at bats. The 18-year-old was rewarded for his efforts with First Team All-Catholic and Catholic League South MVP honors.
June
It was one and done for South Philly teams in the PIAA state tournaments. CAPA made the best showing of the city schools, losing 4-0 to Allentown Catholic. GAMP was eliminated by St. Pius X, 15-0.
In baseball, the Pioneers didn’t fare much better in the AA bracket, losing 7-1 to St. Pius X.
Chris DelBrocco, of 12th and Bigler streets, spent part of the month in France and Spain as one of 15 Division III basketball players selected to represent Team USA overseas.
Furness High School added football to its fall schedule and will become an official Public League member in ’07.
The Philadelphia Senators, based at 3501 Moore St., won the United States Speciality Sports Association state championship with an 8-3 victory over Central Pennsylvania.
As the school year came to a close, it was time to hand out the Review’s yearly athletic awards. Prep Charter senior Rodney Green was named Male Athlete of the Year after leading the Huskies basketball squad to a AA state title. Neumann-Goretti junior Gloria Brown took Female Athlete of the Year honors, as she helped the Saints make a strong championship run. Bok’s Tom DeFelice earned Coach of the Year, thanks to his 9-1 record that included guiding his Wildcats to a second-straight state tournament appearance.
Neumann-Goretti’s Earl Pettis, of the 1500 block of South 15th Street, decided to attend prep school at Patterson School in North Carolina. He would later accept a Division I basketball scholarship to Rutgers University, where he’ll enroll in fall 2007.
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July
The Philadelphia Senators made their first of two trips to Florida, playing in the Perfect Game Baseball Championship Series. The squad finished 4-2, with both losses by one run.
In other baseball news, Carmen DelMastro, of Eight and Catharine streets, was rewarded for his strong summer season by being selected to play second base in the American Legion East vs. West all-star game as Philadelphia’s lone representative.
Ashley Pasquarello, of the 2400 block of Bancroft Street, and Shara Borelli, of the 2700 block of Colorado Street, spent time in Virginia competing in the PONY Nationals with their Fillies fast-pitch team.
In memory of one of South Philly’s great boxing legends, a historical marker was unveiled for former light heavyweight champion Tommy Loughran at 17th and Ritner streets. He compiled a career record of 94-20-10, 17 KO’s.
August
The Senators were back in Florida for the USSSA Elite 24 World Series, where they finished a disappointing 3-4.
Fourteen-year-old Dave Weissinger, formerly of Third and Winton streets, took his baseball skills to Holland for the Youth Friendship Games where his Pythons finished fourth.
Mike Koplove, formerly of Packer Park, made his long-awaited return to the Major Leagues, appearing in two games for the Arizona Diamondbacks.
On the pro-boxing scene, USBA featherweight champ Rogers "The Tiger" Mtagwa, of the 1800 block of South Taylor Street, successfully defended his title with a fourth-round knockout of Alvin Brown.
September
Jim Smith, of 18th and Johnston streets, returned from the Little League World Series where he was an umpire and made the calls at third base in the championship.
The Labor Day weekend win over North Catholic was a preview of better things to come for the Saints football team. It started 2-0 in league play, which included beating Archbishop Carroll, 32-14, for the first time in at least a decade. Quarterback Mark Hatty passed for 150 yards and four touchdowns, while fullback Mark McPhearson rushed for 127 yards and a touchdown.
In the Public League, Bok started off 3-0, while Southern struggled at 0-3.
A benefit was held at Barry Playground for Michael Ciallella, of the 3000 block of South 16th Street, who was having his right leg amputated below the knee due to cancer. The event was to raise funds for a special prosthetic so he could continue being a multisport athlete.
October
Neumann-Goretti standout Gloria Brown made headlines when she verbally committed to Division I basketball scholarship to North Carolina State. The First Team All-Catholic selection passed on several other schools including University of Pittsburgh and University of Central Florida.
The Bok girls’ volleyball team finished 9-2, but lost in the District 12 AAA quarterfinals to Mastbaum, 3-0.
The results turned out a little better for the school’s football team, as it clinched a third-straight District 12 AAA title with a 26-14 victory over Ben Franklin.
The CAPA girls’ volleyball team also qualified for states by beating Engineering & Science, 3-2, in the District 12 AA title game.
November
Neumann-Goretti’s football team was in playoff mode after finishing third in the Catholic League Blue standings, 5-2. The big question was, could they beat Carroll twice in the same season? With a 13-12 victory, the question was answered, and the squad advanced to the semifinals for the first time since ’03. The run ended with 16-6 semifinal loss against defending champ Archbishop Wood.
Of course, November wouldn’t be complete without the annual Thanksgiving Day game between Neumann-Goretti and Southern. The Saints won their 51st in the series, 26-0. The Rams made a strong first-half by holding the opposition to six points, including a scoreless first quarter.
Bok’s football season came to a close with a 26-8 loss to Garnet Valley in the PIAA AAA state tournament.
Prep Charter’s twin towers of 6-foot-8 Marcus and 6-foot-9 Markieff Morris ended the month on a high note, announcing they would be heading to University of Memphis on basketball scholarships. The duo passed on Indiana, Kentucky and La Salle.
December
Excitement was in the air with the arrival of basketball season. The Neumann-Goretti boys’ team was once again in the national spotlight, cracking the top-25 of the USA Today poll. Its tough schedule included a game against Towson Catholic in Syracuse, N.Y. Despite losing, 70-65, the Saints got strong performances from Syracuse University recruits Rick Jackson, 19 points and 16 rebounds, and Antonio "Scoop" Jardine, 10 points and seven assists.
The Prep Charter boys fared well in Miami, winning the AROD Basketball Classic with an 87-83 victory over the WPB Dwyer Panthers.
After sitting out junior year, Southern senior Robert "Elevator Man" McKee entered the new season with a winning attitude. It showed in a 63-61 victory over Imhotep Charter, where he finished with 26 points, 16 rebounds and three blocks.
The Prep Charter girls’ team was off to a 3-0 start, outscoring opponents 207-29. Bok also started strong with wins over Parkway and Mastbaum. The Saints opened the year 4-2 before heading to Myrtle Beach, S.C., for the Crecent Bank Holiday Invitational.
The Neumann-Goretti bowlers hoped to get back on the winning track after a disappointing ’05-06 season.
South Philadelphia native Paul Arzin, a member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, passed away at age 78.
