Unstoppable

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When the Catholic League boys’ basketball schedule was released last year, many fans, former players and coaches were left scratching their heads. Why weren’t Neumann-Goretti and Roman Catholic playing each other?

Call the change a victim of PIAA realignment, where schools are grouped based on enrollment. It meant the only possibility of a meeting would be in the postseason. Fittingly, this highly anticipated showdown took place Monday night with the Catholic League crown being the grand prize.

It was no surprise these institutions were the final two left standing for the fifth time this decade, with each previously winning two times apiece. Heading into the latest round, the Saints were the hotter of the two, riding an 11-game winning streak.

Roman was 17-7, but without the services of McDonald’s All-American and Villanova University signee Maalik Wayns, who was still recovering from knee surgery.

But on this night, with close to 7,000 watching, there was no stopping Neumann-Goretti, who snipped down the Palestra nets with their convincing 86-53 victory. Yes, a 33-point win.

Senior Andre "Scooter" Gillette, who tallied 14 points, nine rebounds and four blocks, was quite pleased with the outcome.

"We worked hard all season to get here. When it was game time we went hard and took the game," he said.

The forward was one of four Saints to tally double figures. At the front of the pack was junior Tyreek Duren, who led all scorers with 26 points to go along with six rebounds and five assists. Classmates Tony Chennault (19) and Daniel Stewart (16) were the others.

"It feels really good to beat Roman in the championship," Duren said.

With the victory, the 23-2 Saints claimed their fifth league crown this decade and 15th overall. But the boys from 10th and Moore streets are far from finished as they’re in the hunt for city and state titles. Saturday, the squad will play Franklin Learning Center at Temple’s Liacouras Center for the PIAA District 12 AAA crown. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m., following the AAA girls’ title tilt between Prep Charter and Archbishop Carroll. Neumann-Goretti also qualified for states, which open March 6. The focus now is on completing step two of the championship trifecta, and coach Carl Arrigale is liking his team’s chances.

"This is a great group of guys that are very talented that accepts coaching," he said. "I really like the way we are playing right now. We can play with anybody right now."

In other boys’ basketball news, Roman, by virtue of winning the Catholic League’s AAAA title, will be back in action 1 p.m. Sunday against South Philadelphia High vying for the PIAA District 12 Class AAAA crown.

Review intern Anthony Love contributed to this story.