Neumann-Goretti coasts into title game
After beating North Catholic, the Saints have their sights set on bigger things.
Oh, there was a celebration. It was just a subtle one.
Standout junior guard Tony Chennault clapped his hands. Sophomore guard Lamin Fulton pointed his index finger to a fan in the stands.
But for the most part, the Neumann-Goretti boys' basketball team showed little emotion last night at the Palestra.
The gifted and composed Saints were seconds removed from defeating North Catholic, 77-62, in a Philadelphia Catholic League semifinal.
Perhaps Neumann-Goretti didn't have an all-out celebration because reaching the league finals has come to be expected.
The Saints (22-2) will make their fourth championship appearance in five seasons on Monday at the Palestra at 8:15 p.m. Neumann-Goretti will face Roman Catholic, a winner last night over Archbishop Carroll.
The Falcons, who will compete in the PIAA Class AAAA state playoffs, dropped to 16-8.
"There's no need for celebrating. We came out and did what we had to do," said Neumann-Goretti senior center Andre "Scooter" Gillette, whose squad is ranked second in Southeastern Pennsylvania by The Inquirer. The Saints are also the nation's 22d-ranked team, according to the ESPN Rise Fab 50 national rankings.
"We want to win it all," Gillette added. "This is my senior year. I want to go out on top."
Judging by last night's performance, Neumann-Goretti should sweep the league, District 12 Class AAA and Class AAA state titles.
Saints forward Daniel Stewart made an array of dunks en route to finishing with a team-high 18 points. Teammates Tyreek Duren (17 points) and Gillette (12) also scored in double-digits.
It didn't take long to know that Neumann-Goretti was heading back to the league championship.
Fulton's three-pointer gave the Saints a 20-10 lead late in the first quarter.
Then Duren's layup gave Neumann-Goretti a 17-point cushion, 37-20, with 3 minutes, 1 second remaining in the half.
The Saints led by as many as 23 points twice in the third quarter.
North Catholic 12 15 18 17 - 62
Neumann-Goretti 20 23 17 17 - 77
NC: Rakeem Christmas 14, Jaleel Mack 5, Woody Redding 11, Mike Terry 4, Josh Stevens 4, Bob Makor 4, Jack O'Neill 18, Gabriel Carter 2.
NG: Tony Chennault 6, Tyreek Durin 17, Lamin Fulton 9, Andre Gillette 12, Mustafaa Jones 9, Daniel Stewart 18, Derrick Stewart 6.