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Upon accepting the boys’ varsity basketball coaching position at Archbishop Wood High School in August, John Mosco immediately imagined bringing to the Warminster site a culture akin to that of Ss. Neumann-Goretti High School, 1736 S. 10th St., where he had helped to transform the Saints into a national powerhouse. Hoping to prove his players’ receptivity to his message and to make the Vikings’ playoff picture look glossier, the eager leader will oversee his first game against the East Passyunk Crossing-based behemoths tomorrow.
“I feel they’re the best team in the league, so that in itself is enough to prepare for,” the 48-year-old product of the 1700 block of Fernon Street said Sunday shortly before his charges traveled to Drexel Hill to throttle Bonner-Prendergast High School 70-42 for their 11th overall victory and seventh Catholic League triumph. “It’s going to be an emotional night, and I’m looking for it to be a great opportunity for us to continue to show we can compete at the highest level.”
The Point Breeze native, who resides in the Northeast with wife Diane and their sons, John III and Nicholas, joined the Bucks County institution because he felt it would serve as a great spot to take chances, meet challenges and engineer a program that, like Neumann-Goretti, the five-time defending league champion, could become a perennial contender. Having applied for the same duties at Father Judge High School four years ago, he has come to appreciate even more his knack for nurturing youths.
“I have to say that I never really wanted to leave,” Mosco said of having parted with longtime friend and varsity coach Carl Arrigale, of the 2900 block of South 15th Street, with whom he shared numerous insights and hundreds of wins in his roles as the junior varsity head man and consummate assistant. “The administration, from [president] John Murawski to [former athletic director] Pat DiPilla and many others, was so enthused about helping everyone to grow scholastically and athletically. That’s a huge part of the mentality here, and I enjoy being among people who think that way, too.”
When pondering acquiring a head coaching job, Mosco never thought of forsaking the Catholic League because of its stellar reputation for producing great competitors and greater senses of an all-in mindset. Based on his background and allegiance to preparedness, he encountered little difficulty in putting his wits up against those of other likewise passionate mentors.
“I thought I’d do well with the kids because I knew I’d make it pretty obvious early on that I care,” Mosco said of his summer arrival. “They have to know you care. As long as they know that, they’re going to trust you and believe in what you’re selling.”
Just as in his Neumann-Goretti days, the tenacious teacher devised a difficult nonleague slate that included Dec. 28’s trek to Boston for a Shooting Touch Shootout matchup against Maryland’s DeMatha Catholic and Dec. 30’s trip to the Wildwoods Convention Center for a Boardwalk Classic Showcase tilt versus Wildwood Catholic. Emerging with a 3-5 mark, they opened their parochial schedule Jan. 6 in Springfield, drilling host Cardinal O’Hara 66-36. The Vikings would assail four more league foes before dropping their next two contests by a combined four points. They have fallen in their last two marquee games, suffering double-digit losses to Archbishop Carroll and Roman Catholic. Those setbacks have endowed tomorrow’s affair with additional intrigue, as the regular season ends Sunday, and every game influences the postseason process.
“Along with what the game will mean for me, it’s going to be senior night, and it’s been a plus to have seven guys, many who’ve contributed to the team their whole time at Wood, being a big part of my first year,” Mosco said. “I’m ready to get the ball thrown up in the air and expect us to give our all.”
In addition to calling himself an ex-employee of Neumann-Goretti, the motivation molder proudly bears the title of alumnus, graduating in 1983 when the facility was dubbed St. John Neumann High School and educated learners at 2600 Moore St. Fond of various sports as a boy, he developed more awareness of basketball and football when coaching for St. Monica School, 2500 S. 16th St. Having known Arrigale since childhood, he intensified his friend’s commitment to committing players to excellence 18 years ago, eventually snaring the junior varsity coach post, a nine-season endeavor that yielded his assistant stint.
“We gained a great profile there, and I’m thankful for all the experience I got under Carl and the chances I had to help some fantastic players,” Mosco said of his South Philly sojourn. “When I came to Wood, I really believed that along with having the same sort of athletic clubs that I was a part of there, we could also believe we could stand out among very talented teams.”
With Neumann-Goretti and last year’s league runner-up, St. Joe’s Prep, as their final battles, the Vikings would love to secure a high seed for next week’s playoff rounds. Because of the emotions and the significance of when they will duel with the Saints, Mosco knows a victory would resonate but also realizes the season finale has similar importance and will likely engender a playoff atmosphere, too.
“I have tried not to get too far ahead in thinking about facing them,” he said. “After Bonner-Prendie, they’re our next game, so my focus will quickly shift. I look forward to it, most definitely.”
Win or lose, shaking hands with Arrigale and his colleague’s players, many whom he has known for years, will present a chance for him to intensify his basketball fraternity. If his Vikings shoot lights out, the PECO employee will be beaming.
“I hope we pull it off,” Mosco said. “We’re going to give them our best.”
Contact Managing Editor Joseph Myers at jmyers@southphillyreview.com or ext. 124.
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