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Catholic schoolchildren learn heavenly saints never sought revenge. Earthly saints, especially those clad in sneakers, are not as forgiving.
Monday at the University of Pennsylvania’s famed Palestra, the Neumann-Goretti boys’ basketball team won its second-straight Catholic League crown, downing last season’s state champions, the Archbishop Carroll Patriots, 75-59.
In avenging the loss to Carroll in last year’s state quarterfinals, the senior-laden squad nabbed its fourth title in six years, sixth in coach Carl Arrigale’s 11-year tenure at the school at 10th and Moore streets, and the 16th overall since 1935-36. Among all Catholic League teams, Neumann-Goretti trails only Roman Catholic’s title haul.
The team used a 15-1 start to deflate Carroll’s chances of ending its 37-game winning streak in Catholic League competition. It also showed its might in overcoming the loss of star guard Tony Chennault in a third-quarter ejection.
Prior to the tip, Arrigale stressed defense, intensity, rebounding and teamwork, a quartet that garnered last year’s team the Catholic League and City titles.
Gaining retribution, however, was novel. Carroll defeated the Saints in last year’s state quarterfinals, stalling their quest for a trifecta of titles. Arrigale mentioned the result as a warning, even though the Patriots already had fallen twice to Neumann-Goretti in league play, 96-73 on Jan. 13 and 66-58 on Feb. 14.
The Saints entered play with a 23-1 record — including a 16-0 mark in division play — with their only blemish coming against Houston-based Yates, the top-ranked high school team, according to rivals.com. The third-ranked Saints, however, cared only about being numero uno on this night.
Arrigale stressed playing at their pace, and his Saints responded.
“We should be able to get this into the 80s,” he said prior to the game.
Early on, the Saints seemed poised to reach that by halftime. Carroll used a timeout only 90 seconds in, as Neumann-Goretti, before an evenly divided crowd, used its quickness on the perimeter and strength in the paint to confuse the Patriots’ defensive schemes.
Chennault, the Catholic League Blue Most Valuable Player, drained two 3-pointers, taking the Saints to a 24-18 lead after a quarter. The future Wake Forest Demon Deacon also used tight defense to force turnovers. He led all scorers with a dozen points in the first half.
The Saints relied on the versatility of senior Danny Stewart, a Rider University signee, and the accuracy of future star Billy Shank to build a 41-27 halftime lead. Stewart scored nine in the half, with sophomore Shank adding eight, including six from long distance. Senior Mustafa Jones, destined for the University of Hartford, added one of the team’s six first-half threes and played relentless defense on Carroll’s sharpshooters.
During the break, Arrigale stressed patience: “We took too many shots early on. An extra pass will create better jumpshots and better plays inside.”
Heavenly saints have reputations for patience, but Carroll, led by junior shooting guard Juan’ya Green, began to thin the tolerance of the Saints’ fans, reducing the deficit to five with two minutes remaining in the third quarter. Shortly after, Chennault received two technical fouls and an automatic ejection for exchanging heated words and bumps with Carroll players Vince Mostardi and Ben Mingledough after a foul call. The loss may have stunned fans, but the players responded earnestly.
Senior Tyreek Duren, held scoreless in the first half, tallied nine points in the third quarter. A LaSalle University signee, He soon will contest many battles at the Palestra in Big 5 play. This evening, however, he set out to conquer the Patriots. Junior Lamin Fulton joined in the execution, firing crisp passes and playing stellar defense in Chennault’s absence.
The Saints entered the final quarter up by eight, but Duren and Fulton never let the Patriots unload. Combined, they scored 15 in the frame, outscoring Carroll by four. The two led Neumann-Goretti with 17 and 16 points, respectively. Stewart finished with 14 points and 15 rebounds, while Chennault finished with 12 points.
Carroll kept pushing the ball, but could not reduce the lead to single digits again. Once the outcome was no longer in doubt, Neumann-Goretti’s cheering section began to call for Arrigale to insert Mark Squilla, the fifth senior on the team. Arrigale called on Squilla, who, in the waning seconds, fired a “three” that missed yet still drew applause from the boisterous bunch. Arrigale joined Danny Stewart, whose brother, sophomore Derrick Stewart, scored two points, atop a ladder for the customary cutting of the net. Arrigale draped Danny Stewart with the net.
“I wasn’t worried about losing Tony. I knew we’d stick together,” the affable coach said.
Sticking together for their next game against Dobbins in Friday’s PIAA District 12 Class AAA championship at Lincoln High, 3201 Ryan Ave., at 8 p.m. also will be mandatory, as Chennault’s ejection will prevent him from playing.
Nobody on the Saints, however, seemed immediately worried. Duren said, “We had going back-to-back on our minds all along. We dealt with the pressure just fine.”
Fulton, who will become the Saints’ general next season, added, “We are eager to play Dobbins. We won’t beat ourselves.”
As the celebration ensued Monday night, Arrigale said, “You seniors have closed a chapter, but, as a whole, we need to be excited about new challenges. We need to keep it going.”
Like true saints, heavenly or otherwise, this team covets its destiny, revenge optional.
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