Roman, N-G reach final at Alhambra

BRIAN WANAMAKER has an interesting take on Roman Catholic High's recent proclivity for falling behind by dangerous margins late in important basketball games.

"It makes it better when you win," he said.

There was the March 4 Catholic League championship game at the Palestra, when the Cahillites trailed Ss. Neumann-Goretti by 10 points will less than 6 minutes remaining and then stormed to victory, 59-56.

And there was last night at Frostburg (Md.) State in the semifinal round of the 47th annual Alhambra Catholic Invitational Tournament, when the opponent was DeMatha, of Hyattsville, Md., and the deficit again was 10, at 54-44, with even less time (4:02) left.

"We still had faith. A lot of it," said Wanamaker, a 6-2, 185-pound senior guard. "We were talking in the huddle about how we'd definitely been down 10 before."

At the end? Up one.

Roman prevailed, 63-62, and then the tourney's other semi assured an all-Philly final - tonight at 8:15 - for the first time since 1975, along with the season's fourth Roman/N-G bout.

With Rick Jackson totaling 26 points and 11 rebounds, Jamal Wilson scoring 24 points and Antonio "Scoop" Jardine hustling for nine points, six assists and four steals, N-G bested Towson (Md.) Catholic, 80-69. Tonight's game will be shown live on CN8.

Wanamaker scored the winning basket for Roman on a layup with 12 seconds remaining. It was only the Cahillites' second lead of the game (also 2-0) and was the product of good defense.

By telephone, Wanamaker said that he and Courtney Stanley executed a sideline trap to perfection and that a contested pass was intercepted near midcourt by Maalik Wayns.

"Maalik hit me with the pass," Wanamaker said, "and I dribbled in. A guy was coming on me, so I used a pump-fake and laid it up."

DeMatha's final shot did not connect. The Stags did grab the offensive rebound, but there was no time for a follow.

Wanamaker finished with 14 points, with 10 coming in the fourth quarter, thanks to 3-for-4 and 4-for-4 sniping. As always, he had the admiration of his coach, Dennis Seddon.

Binghamton, Central Connecticut State, Colgate, Long Island, UMBC and Robert Morris have recruited Wanamaker along the way, and some have offered scholarships. Seddon remains amazed and dismayed that Brian's opportunities have not mushroomed.

"I can't believe all kinds of schools aren't tripping over themselves trying to get Brian Wanamaker," Seddon said. "You know the 32 teams that are out of the NCAA tourney? With Brian, maybe they're still in it. I know coaches like to pigeonhole players as a point guard, wing guard, etc. Well, Brian's a winner.

"I've been around for about 100 years. This kid has it. His interest has to increase."

City basketball followers know that Brian is not Roman's only Wanamaker. There's also twin brother Bradley, Brian's elder by 71 minutes and a Pitt signee.

Bradley contributed 28 points (17 after halftime), seven rebounds and three assists to this rousing victory. Wayns added 13 points and seven assists. Will Kirkland had five points and three blocks, and Stanley, in addition to helping to produce the game's most important steal, claimed a tough, last-minute rebound.

"I love having Bradley on my side," Brian said. "He plays so hard. Always gives you a chance to win. He just takes games over. And his attitude carries through to the rest of us.

"It's going to be weird next year. I haven't thought about it yet too much. Guess I don't want to.

"Maybe I'll be able to become more like him as a player. Show what I've learned from him. I do know I'm going to miss being around him. We'll talk every day."

In the consolation round:

* St. Joseph's Prep 92, Bishop Walsh 35: The Prep roared past the host school, of nearby Cumberland, Md., as 13 players scored and four reached double figures (Matt Griffin and Matt Dolan 14; Rob Coney and Drew Horgan 11).

The Hawks will meet Benedictine, of Richmond, Va., in the fifth-place game. *