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It might still be football season, but last week the Neumann-Goretti boys’ basketball team was the one making all the headlines.
Thursday morning, before even playing the first game of the 2009-10 season, seniors Tony Chennault, Tyreek Duren, Mustafaa Jones and Daniel Stewart gathered in the school’s conference room to announce their respective college decisions. Duren, a 6-foot guard, is heading up North Broad Street to La Salle University. Jones, a 6-foot-1 guard, has made an verbal commitment to the University of Hartford. Stewart, a 6-foot-6 forward, has selected Rider University. Chennault, a 6-foot-2 guard, announced prior to his junior year North Carolina-based Wake Forest University was his choice.
During Monday night’s practice inside the gymnasium at 10th and Moore streets, each of the athletes shared in the excitement, as well as the sense of relief.
Coach Carl Arrigale said Thursday was "an overall good day."
"To have all of them sign on the same day was definitely a proud moment for the program as well as myself," he said. "They were committed to doing it together. They’re so committed to this year that they didn’t want any distractions and also were going to commit before we started practicing so we could just concentrate on the season."
Duren, a Yeadon resident, said he picked La Salle over Temple and the University of Massachusetts because of its need for backcourt help. Earl Pettis, a 6-foot-5 guard and fellow Neumann-Goretti product, also will be on the roster after transferring from Rutgers University. He is sitting out the current season due to NCAA transfer regulations. Playing home games at Tom Gola Arena will be an added bonus.
"[Staying in Philadelphia] wasn’t too much of a factor, but at the end of the day it’s a good thing because all of my family and friends can come watch me play," Duren, 18, said.
Chennault, 18, has a bright future ahead playing in the Atlantic Coast Conference against powerhouse programs like Duke and North Carolina. The reigning Catholic League Blue MVP passed up offers to Villanova, Pittsburgh, St. Joe’s and other top Division I programs. But last week, the Logan resident was extremely happy about sharing the spotlight with his good friends.
"That was cool because all of us accomplished our goals. All of us wanted to come [to Neumann-Goretti] and be Division I basketball players," he said. "This will bring us together more as a team."
Stewart, an Upper Darby resident, said he went with Rider because it seemed "like the best fit."
"I had a good relationship with the coaches, so it made it a real easy decision," Stewart, 17, who passed on Robert Morris and Fairfield universities, said.
Jones, who resides in West Philly, said the University of Hartford’s coaching staff made the school a winner over New Hampshire and Howard universities.
"I felt comfortable with [assistant coach] Rick Brunson and [head coach] Dan Leibovitz," the 17-year-old said. "I know Rick played the point and he can teach me a lot about the position."
Now, with basketball season set to begin next month, which includes a trip to Hawaii for a national tournament, the focus shifts to defending their Catholic League and District 12 Class AAA City titles, as well as making a deeper run in States. Last winter, the Saints were eliminated in the quarterfinals by eventual champs Archbishop Carroll.
"We’re going to take it one game at a time and hopefully accomplish all of our goals," Jones said.
Winning a state title would be a fitting final chapter for Arrigale and his four Division I athletes.
"A state title is a long ways away but it’s definitely on our minds," the coach said. "Right now, we’re going to try and concentrate on getting better every day."
