Carroll is derailed by Neumann-Goretti

The domination continues.

Archbishop Carroll was attempting to end its losing streak to Neumann-Goretti. But the Saints had other plans in the much-anticipated Catholic League Blue Division contest.

Neumann-Goretti defeated Carroll, 63-49, in last night's first-place showdown at the Saints' gym.

"We just felt like we were better in so many different ways," Saints forward Daniel Stewart said. "And they were coming in here really confident. So we had to just like shove that away and grind it out."

The victory improved The Inquirer's sixth-ranked Southeastern Pennsylvania squad to 8-1 overall and 7-0 in the division. The win marked the Saints' 17th straight triumph over their league foe.

The Patriots last series' victory came against St. John Neumann on Feb. 8, 2000. Neumann merged with St. Maria Goretti before the 2002-03 season.

There were a few that believed that Carroll had a chance to finally snap its losing streak. The area's ninth-ranked squad (11-1, 6-1) came in as the division's lone undefeated team.

But Neumann-Goretti's Stewart, Lamin Fulton, Tyreek Duren and Tony Chennault made sure the streak continued.

The trio combined to score 49 of the Saints' points.

Stewart, a 6-foot-7 junior, shot 6 of 8 from the field en route to finishing with 14 points and 10 rebounds. Eight of his points came in the first quarter.

"I just wanted to play as hard as I could," Stewart said. "I just wanted to play hard and get it done."

Fulton, a sophomore guard, added 13 points and five steals. Junior guards Duren and Chennault both finished with 11 points.

Early on, the game had the signs of a blowout.

Fulton's four-point play gave the Saints a commanding 21-6 advantage with 58.5 seconds left in the first quarter.

Carroll pulled within four points twice in the second quarter.

The second time came when D.J. Irving's layup closed the gap to 26-22.

But after the squads traded baskets, the Saints held a 31-26 halftime cushion.

Carroll later pulled within three points (31-28) early in the third quarter. But that was as close as the Patriots got.

Sophomore guard Juan'Ya Green led Carroll with a game-high 15 points.

Neumann-Goretti won't get a lot of time to rest up following last night's game. The Saints face Harrisburg in today's Harrisburg Hoop Group Showcase at the Cougars' gym.

Archbishop Carroll 8 18 11 12 - 49

Neumann-Goretti 21 10 14 19 - 63

AC: D.J. Irving 12, Ben Mingledough 5, Trevor McNulty 3, Kasheef Festus 6, Vince Mostardi 2, Andre Wilburn 4, Juan'Ya Green 15, Mike Payne 2.

NG: Tony Chennault 11, Tyreek Duren 11, Mustafa Jones 6, Andre Gillette 8, Daniel Stewart 14, Lamin Fulton 13.