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When he enrolls at the University of Miami, Ja’Quan Newton might find studying the works of William Shakespeare compelling, as the senior guard at Ss. Neumann-Goretti High School, 1736 S. 10th St., experienced history, tragedy and comedy last week. The Catholic League MVP enjoyed the last element Friday in Hershey, as he and his Saints gained a 64-57 overtime win over Susquehanna Township to win the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association Class AAA title.
“He was so composed and handled everything better than all of us,” coach Carl Arrigale said of his star, who lost mother Lisa Brown to cancer the previous day. “He’s been a model of consistency and for him to come through under those circumstances amazes me.”
Arrigale, of the 2900 block of South 15th Street, and his charges have likewise proven consummately constant, as the championship, the East Passyunk Crossing school’s fourth in five seasons, gave them a sweep of the Catholic League, City and State crowns. Newton, unavailable for comment as he mourns his matriarch, cemented his statistical legacy in the state tournament, but no matter his output Friday, he had long secured his peers’ admiration.
“Whenever he is on, which he was most of the time, we played better as a unit,” senior Tony Toplyn said of the fellow All-Catholic honoree. “We had extra motivation to be there for him, and it was great for us to get it done and even greater for Ja’Quan to battle through.”
As senior guard Troy Harper especially considered Newton, Toplyn and the other starters, senior forward Jamal Custis and junior guard Lamarr Kimble his brothers, the loss of Brown means they all have parted with a family member. Arrigale, who invited his charges to dine at his home the day she died, cared far more about their sustaining perspective than playing a game.
“This year, we went through some interesting challenges,” the 2014 South Philly Review Readers’ Choice winner as top high school coach said of what amounted to a 27-4 campaign that included their sixth straight parochial and District 12 city coronations. “In the long run, we had to see to it that we were understanding the severity of the situation and realizing just how much Ja’Quan needed us.”
“We definitely look up to him,” Kimble added of the sharpshooter. “This program is what it is because of guys like him.”
Having fallen in last year’s state quarterfinal matchup versus Donegal, 55-50, the Saints entered this season not with pessimism but admirable optimism that they could continue to further their portfolio as a powerhouse.
“It was important to take each game one at a time,” Custis said of the march to majesty. “We knew we have talent, but there has to be effort, too.”
“We wanted to make history again,” Toplyn said of earning frequent mentions in the institution’s annals. “We’d been through enough battles to know we were ready for tough games and times.”
The confident ballers played a difficult nonleague slate, generating a 6-3 mark that included victories against perennial powers Chester and King, the Public League titlist. A 12-1 run through the Catholic League, which Arrigale noted is always the source of their biggest investment of energy, emotion and time, set them up for another great postseason experience, with triumphs over Roman Catholic and Phila. Electric, respectively, kickstarting their travels toward a trifecta of trophies. Winning their first three state affairs easily, they faced Phila. Electric in March 18’s semifinal at South Philadelphia High School, 2101 S. Broad St., with Newton making history in the second quarter.
With just over four minutes remaining in the frame, he deposited his 1,924th and 1,925th points off a layup to become the league’s all-time leading marksman. The Saints’ 65-53 win sent them to Hershey’s Giant Center, where Newton would prove colossal.
“His will to win is infectious,” Arrigale said while reflecting on the star’s tallying a career high 33 points. “To have that in him one day after his mother passed away, it’s so admirable. Like all these guys, he’s been a joy to be around. His resumé speaks for itself.”
Indeed. Newton, who last night received the Markward Club’s Catholic Player of the Year honor, finished his career with 1,972 scores, ninth best in city history, and 11 out of a possible 12 titles. He undoubtedly factored into Harper’s estimation that this is “the best senior class to walk through here.” As Kimble will be the lone returning starter, he made predictions on next year’s bunch, classifying it as a scrappy team that will not suffer any letdowns and will add more merit to the program. No matter what the future bears, Arrigale deems the present an unmatched present.
“They’ve given me a great understanding of having a second family,” he said. “For that and much more, this group will never be forgotten.”
Contact the South Philly Review at editor@southphillyreview.com.
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